Rain Listening Pavilion.

In the practice room.

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged.

Within the Spirit Locking Array, a dense Spiritual Qi emanated, permeating a range of two meters around Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan's eyes were slightly closed, his hands continuously changing spells, utilizing Water Spirit Absorption to its fullest extent, surrounding himself with strands of water Spiritual Qi, absorbing them into his body.

Only after the time of a stick of incense.

Did he slowly open his eyes.

To the Great Success of Water Spirit Absorption, combined with the abundant Spiritual Qi provided by the Spirit Locking Array, his cultivation speed increased by thirty percent.

However, the Divine Hidden Sea Technique was inherently slow to cultivate.

He was also nurturing three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans.

The speed was slowed down again.

He was not much different from ordinary sect Foundation Establishment cultivators.

And this was with his Water Spirit Root reaching as high as seventy-four points.

Only six points away from the Celestial Spirit Root.

"The Dao path is difficult!"

Shen Xuan sighed, taking out the Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood.

This was a Tier Two low-grade Water Demon in the deep sea, famous for its ability to disguise itself as a stone.

The Stone Poison Fish moved slowly, but the spines on its dorsal fin were highly toxic.

Usually, when at the sea bottom, the Stone Poison Fish would disguise itself as an unassuming stone, hiding underneath reefs or clinging to rock walls, blending into the environment.

The Mysterious Jade Talisman flashed golden light.

Stealable Talent: Petrification, Stone Fish Poison, Devour

Shen Xuan contemplated.

Petrification as a talent skill is too limited.

Far less useful than invisibility.

Devour is a talent that most demon beasts possess.

However, Stone Fish Poison, although similar in effect to Silver Hook Snake Venom, is not the same toxin.

When combined, the toxicity becomes even harder to dispel,

Moreover, Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood is easier to obtain than that of the Silver Hook Sea Snake.

After comprehensive consideration, Shen Xuan finally chose Stone Fish Poison.

Talent: Stone Fish Poison (16/100)

Dao Rhyme: 186

Shen Xuan glanced at the small writing on the Mysterious Talisman.

He couldn't help but shake his head.

The Dao Rhyme Points of this Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood were only over a hundred points.

Over the next two months.

Shen Xuan focused mainly on cultivating the Divine Hidden Sea Technique and the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique.

In his spare time, he crafted Thunder Talismans and plundered Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood.

During this period, thanks to the inheritance of the Taiyin Corpse Beast Technique, the status of Immortal White Lotus rose rapidly in the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

She exclusively held the formula for Taiyin Corpse Beast Fluid, assisting the Zhou Family head in refining Giant-toothed Demon Shark Corpse Beasts.

Given Shen Xuan's understanding of Immortal White Lotus, even if it were her own biological father, she would still profit by taking a Spirit Stone.

Anyone, regardless of gender, once they taste the flavor of power, is reluctant to let it go.

Immortal White Lotus is no different.

With the successful refinement of the Strong Water Ape Corpse Beast, her combat prowess soared, filling in her weakest spot.

She was originally the legitimate daughter of the patriarch, the only Foundation Establishment female cultivator in the family, with the formula for Taiyin Corpse Beast Fluid at her disposal, along with connections like Shen Xuan.

As more and more Zhou Family clan elders sought her favor, Immortal White Lotus gradually gained a voice in the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

Upon the clan elders' assembly vote, Immortal White Lotus became the presiding elder of the Zhou Family.

With power in her hands, many naturally came to flatter and curry favor with her.

Immortal White Lotus relished in this, joyous and exuberant, no longer frequenting Rain Listening Pavilion as diligently.

To this, Shen Xuan was indifferent.

From the very beginning, he knew that Immortal White Lotus was an ambitious woman.

Otherwise, why would she proactively try to make a connection with him?

Among the many Foundation Establishment clans in Cyan Yang Prefecture, not a single one appealed to her.

Two months later.

Shen Xuan completed refining the Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood.

Talent: Stone Fish Poison Proficiency (12/200)

Dao Rhyme: 1680

Spirit Root: Water 75/100

At the same time, a rune for the Poison Talisman appeared in his mind.

Stone Fish Poison Talisman: Entry Level (2/100)

The Spirit Root Talent only increased by one point.

The Dao Rhyme Points were not much either.

Shen Xuan thought for a moment.

Currently, his demand for Stone Fish Poison and corresponding Poison Talismans was not urgent.

In addition, there was no Stone Poison Fish Essence Blood available for further cultivation and advancement.

So, he decided to allocate all the Dao Rhyme Points to the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique.

Two months ago, Lv Zhengying personally came to Rain Listening Pavilion.

Presenting the cultivation insights of the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique gifted by Liu Bingyu.

Line after line of graceful characters detailed the key points of each spell in the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique and the methodology for the condensation and circulation of Spiritual Power within the body.

It was considerably beneficial to Shen Xuan at the entry level of cultivation.

After three months of diligent cultivation, along with those Dao Rhyme Points, the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique finally entered the proficient stage.

Shen Xuan attempted to practice.

Water Spiritual Power surged within his dantian.

With a slight movement of Divine Thought, he pinched the spell in his hand.

Water Spiritual Power instantly transformed into relentlessly cold Ice Spiritual Power.

Shen Xuan's own body felt like a block of ice, colder than ten thousand years, emitting a chilling aura that turned the entire practice room into a frozen wasteland.

The spell was completed, and with a casual finger point.

A beam of icy light flashed by.

The Mystic Iron Dummy had a hole the size of a chopstick.

Then, from the outer diameter of the hole, it spread to the surroundings.

A few breaths later, the Mystic Iron Dummy had become a thick ice sculpture.

"So cold!"

Even he, who possessed the Ice Soul Spirit Body, couldn't help but shudder.

He operated the Divine Hidden Sea Technique.

The Ice Spiritual Power converted back into Water Spiritual Power.

His body returned to a normal state.

Guided by Divine Thought, utilizing himself as the universe, blending yin and yang, and condensing Thunder Spiritual Power.

Thunder God's Fury struck the Mystic Iron Dummy.

The heat from the Power of Thunder melted away the icy chill in the practice room.

Shen Xuan let out a long breath.

"I am now cultivating in Water, Ice, and Thunder."

"I also have Treasure Talismans, Corpse Beasts, Demon Insects, Thunder Talismans, Poison Talismans as my protective methods!"

"Now at ninety-eight years old, seventeen years remain."

In seventeen years, Shen Xuan could return to Cyan Cloud Sect to become Master Gu Feng's direct disciple.

"Unfortunately, cultivation in realm can't be rushed!"

The higher the cultivation realm, the slower the progress.

Shen Xuan had only broken through to the second layer of Foundation Establishment for five years.

Even with the help of Water Spirit Absorption.

The Spirit Root is also close to the Celestial Spirit Root.

But due to nurturing Treasure Talismans, the cultivation speed wasn't very fast.

Shen Xuan estimated, in another three years.

He could break through to the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

"This speed is not considered slow."

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

Qin Yuehan spent more than thirty years in the Foundation Establishment, condensing the Cyan Wood Spirit Body before breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

The path of cultivation is a long and arduous journey.

The foundation is extremely important.

Shen Xuan is not in a hurry to seek quick success.

In front of a Core Formation True Master, Shen Xuan feels like a tiny ant.

But in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Among those in the Foundation Establishment Realm, he considers himself second to none.

"I wonder what the strength of someone who has perfected the Demon Foundation is?"

Shen Xuan has yet to encounter anyone who has perfected the Demon Foundation.

By common reasoning.

The strength of a Demon Foundation Cultivator with Perfection is only slightly higher than Foundation Establishment Perfection.

Instead, the difference between Early Stage Foundation Establishment and the Dao and Demon sect cultivators is significant.

This is still not the time to relax.

However, Shen Xuan always believes in balancing work and rest in cultivation.

Aiming to achieve the best results during seclusion.

Rather than blindly burying oneself in hard cultivation.

Doing that strains both the body and divine soul, making it harder to advance.

After a little adjustment, Shen Xuan walks out of the practice room.

Lately, the White Lotus Immortal rarely visits the Rain Listening Pavilion.

Su Xue'er is in a great mood, even walking with a slight bounce, a faint smile playing on her lips, and her face radiating a joyful expression.

During meal times, Su Xue'er mentions that her younger sister Su Yu'er is getting engaged. Her betrothed is the second son of the patriarch of a nearby Foundation Establishment clan with the surname Yang.

The Foundation Establishment clan is a vassal of the Su family, with the patriarch only having a late stage of Qi Cultivation realm, and most cultivators in the clan renting and cultivating the Su family's spirit fields.

Shen Xuan understands.

Su Xue'er's intention is for him to stand by Su Yu'er as her guardian.

"Have you figured out their background?"

Su Xue'er replies that Su Yu'er and the cultivator with the surname Yang have known each other since childhood and understand each other's background well.

Shen Xuan nods.

"On what day is it scheduled?"

Seeing Shen Xuan inquire about the time and place, Su Xue'er beams with joy and immediately takes out the engagement invitation.

"Remind me when the time comes, and we will go together."

Shen Xuan is satisfied with Su Xue'er.

It only takes half a day and can be considered a break.

No matter how others view it.

Shen Xuan continues to adhere to his principles.

Being kind to those around him as much as possible.

Su Xue'er's sister's engagement is just a small episode.

At the Su Family Market Tavern.

As Shen Xuan takes a seat.

The entire tavern operates in an orderly manner.

Those present are either Su family cultivators or vassals of the Su family.

Shen the Talisman Master's name has long spread throughout Feiyun Mountain.

No one dares to make a scene or disrupt the peace here.

As a sister, Su Xue'er entertains guests arriving to celebrate, glowing with vitality.

She appears to be in a state of excitement as if she's taken some sort of stimulant.

The clan elder from the Su Xue'er sisters' branch personally comes forward.

In Shen Xuan's presence, they promise to increase the number of spirit fields rented to the Yang family.

Giving the patriarch of the Yang family and others immense gratitude, thanking him repeatedly.

As for Shen Xuan, only the patriarch of the Yang family is qualified to step forward and exchange words with him.

The engagement banquet proceeds smoothly.

That night.

After returning to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

Su Xue'er is exceptionally excited.

She serves Shen Xuan diligently to the best of her abilities.

...

Since becoming Shen Xuan's concubine, Su Xue'er's status in the family has soared.

The patriarch and clan elder treat Su Xue'er with great respect, showing concern for her well-being.

Even the carefully cultivated legitimate young ladies in the family pale in comparison.

No comparison means no feelings of inadequacy.

Lin the Pill Master and Dai the Artifact Master's four concubines haven't been as fortunate.

"That Shen the Talisman Master truly treats Su Xue'er well."

"It's strange. What does Shen the Talisman Master see in Su Xue'er?"

"Exactly. Su Xue'er is just like that! In what way are we inferior to her!"

These four concubines occasionally gather together.

When mentioning Su Xue'er, it inevitably stirs feelings of jealousy.

Even though they are also concubines of a Cyan Cloud Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator, their lives are starkly different from Su Xue'er's.

They grumble for a while.

Ultimately concluding that there's nothing wrong with them.

They are not inferior to Su Xue'er.

The problem lies with Lin the Pill Master and Dai the Artifact Master.

If they could become Shen Xuan's concubines, they would certainly do better than Su Xue'er.

Unfortunately, they missed their chance.

Su Xue'er's fortunes leave them both envious and jealous.

Nowadays, they can only vent their dissatisfaction during downtime.

...

Inside the practice room.

Shen Xuan uses the Mysterious Jade Talisman to refine the Giant-toothed Demon Shark Essence Blood.

Faced with talents available for plunder, he's finding it difficult.

[Stealable Talent: Sharp Teeth and Fangs, Temperature Regulation, Sensitive Smell]

Only these three talent skills are displayed before him.

The first one he dismisses is [Temperature Regulation].

This talent skill maintains warmth in the core area of the Water Demon's abdomen while allowing muscle temperature to adjust with seawater.

After acquiring the [Ice Soul Spirit Body], Shen Xuan has no use for this talent skill.

Between [Sharp Teeth and Fangs] and [Sensitive Smell], Shen Xuan is unsure which one to choose.

Logically, [Sensitive Smell] is more suitable, allowing for a combination with [Insight] to search and locate surrounding cultivators and demon beasts.

However, the Giant-toothed Demon Shark is famous for its biting power.

This is its most valuable asset.

Previously, Shen Xuan had plundered [Sharp Teeth and Fangs] from Big-head Wolf Fish Essence Blood.

Last time, there was no choice.

After careful consideration.

Shen Xuan ultimately opts for [Sharp Teeth and Fangs].

Surpassing his inherent talent, its quality must be quite good.

A burst of golden light flashes.

[Talent: Sharp Teeth and Fangs Proficiency (48/200)]

[Dao Rhyme: 328]

Indeed, the bite force of the Giant-toothed Demon Shark is astonishing, demonstrating the strength of the [Sharp Teeth and Fangs] talent.

Using only a tenth of the Essence Blood, it increased the proficiency by over thirty points.

The Dao Rhyme, which he is most concerned about, also reached three hundred points.

This brings Shen Xuan satisfaction.

Just as Shen Xuan is refining the Giant-toothed Demon Shark Essence Blood.

Good news comes from the Su family.

Among the Su family's Foundation Establishment cultivators, the youngest, Su Huaijing, has broken through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment!

According to previous agreements with the clan elders, Su Huaijing is set to replace Su Huaijing, becoming the new patriarch of the Su family!

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