"Wishful thinking! No way!"

Master Gu Feng flatly refused.

"You only lead others astray!"

"That's none of your business!"

Master Cold Jade's face turned stern.

She was always clumsy with words and couldn't outtalk Master Gu Feng.

But she could outfight Master Gu Feng.

Master Lingxiao quickly interjected, "Enough! Cold Jade Peak is an exception; it temporarily won't participate in the sect assessment."

"As for Shen Xuan, if he is willing to switch to Cold Jade Peak, Sister Gu Feng, please do it for my sake, and let Sister Cold Jade have him!"

Master Gu Feng asked, "What if he doesn't want to?"

"Sister Cold Jade, you must not force him either."

Master Cold Jade said, "Fine!"

Master Gu Feng covered her mouth and chuckled, "Shen Xuan is a sincere person; he surely won't switch to someone else's tutelage! Sister Cold Jade, your plan has failed!"

"Alright, let's settle it like this. Let us now discuss the new sect assessment plan!"

...

More than ten days later.

In a top-tier practice room of Cyan Cloud Sect.

Lv Zhengying was fully focusing on breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Beside him stood Shen Xuan in a green robe.

Breaking through for a cultivator was always risky.

Generally, no one else should be present to affect the mental state during a breakthrough.

Unless it's someone absolutely trustworthy.

Now, in Lv Zhengying's eyes, Shen Xuan was not only his friend but also a benefactor.

Although he was only at the third tier of the Foundation Establishment realm.

His strength far exceeded his own.

Encouraged by Shen Xuan, Lv Zhengying resolved to rent the sect's best top-tier practice room to go into seclusion for his breakthrough.

Actually, breaking through small realms relied on the purity and abundance of spiritual power.

As long as the Dao Foundation wasn't damaged.

The other three barriers—flesh body, divine sense, and divine soul—could meet the requirements with time accumulation.

Lv Zhengying was a golden cultivator, and his magical treasure was a flying sword.

Logically, the sword's intent is straightforward, capable of breaking through myriad techniques, always resolute.

Unfortunately, Lv Zhengying's character had been worn down to being slick and worldly, lacking the spirit to press forward bravely.

Shen Xuan just happened to help him make up for this part.

Often, what's lacking isn't ability, but confidence.

Shen Xuan used the Insight Technique to grasp the cycle path of Lv Zhengying's spiritual power.

During these days of breaking through to the middle stage, every day he injected a tiny amount of spiritual power infused with the Divine Hidden Sea Technique to help him clear the meridians in his body.

Lv Zhengying's Dao Foundation was intact, and his flesh body, divine sense, and divine soul were all up to standard. What he lacked was the courage to make a decisive push.

Under Shen Xuan's protection and encouragement.

Lv Zhengying gained immense confidence.

It took him just over ten days to successfully break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Much easier than expected.

After finishing, Lv Zhengying opened his eyes, full of joy.

"Senior Brother Shen, I've broken through!"

Overwhelmed with excitement, his spiritual power was slightly chaotic.

"Don't rush! Hold onto the original state and relax without thinking. Let your spirit and flesh become one, and achieve seamless integration!"

"Yes!"

Lv Zhengying quickly stabilized his realm.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

In his view, even without his help, Lv Zhengying could have broken through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

The main issue was the lack of a steadfast Dao heart.

Focusing too much on immediate gains.

Even in forming a cultivation clan, the patriarch's realm cultivation is significantly different between the middle stage and the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Generally, a middle stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could deal with two or three early stage ones.

After establishing a cultivation clan, while one's background and connections are important, the patriarch's strength is the key to the clan's development.

Which cultivation clan doesn't have connections within a sect!

As the saying goes.

If you want to connect with others, you must have value that others can utilize.

Without the right status, you don't even have a seat at the table.

Even if you force yourself onto the table, you might become the dish served.

Three days later.

Shen Xuan and Lv Zhengying left the practice room.

For Lv Zhengying, breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment was an immensely significant milestone in his life.

And he invited friends and family to celebrate lavishly.

However, for Shen Xuan, it was a trivial matter.

Lv Zhengying, barring any accidents, would remain at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment for life, with limited achievements.

This time, his arrival at the sect caused too much of a stir.

Even startled his mentor.

After preaching and demonstrating techniques, Lei Yaoyang fulfilled his bet and hosted ninety-nine tables of spirit wine feast at the Wangxian Tower in the sect's Liuyun Market.

Everyone among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect partook and enjoyed a lavish meal.

Shen Xuan received a warning from his mentor not to provoke Lei Yaoyang again.

The Celestial Thunder True Master had a very poor impression of him.

This made Shen Xuan cautiously wary.

He didn't even go to Wangxian Tower.

Instead, he took Lv Zhengying directly back to the practice room.

After coming out, Shen Xuan declined Lv Zhengying's invitation and returned alone to Cyan Yang Prefecture.

This time, his mentor made things very clear.

Unless summoned by the sect, he should not return unnecessarily.

Especially beware of disciples from Celestial Thunder Peak and Cold Jade Peak.

...

Feiyun Mountain.

Under the blazing sun.

"Screech!"

The cry of an eagle echoed through the mountains, its three-zhang wingspan extending wide, its metallic feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

The Golden Claw Divine Eagle swooped down from high above, its golden claws reaching into the forest, grabbing a Tier One demon snake and flying away swiftly.

The demon snake was two zhang long, its head drooping, eyes lifeless, already slain by the Golden Claw Divine Eagle.

Riding a Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, Su Xue'Er hurriedly arrived, took out a beast bag, and happily stored it inside.

"Let's head back!"

From not far away, Shen Xuan, riding a Red-winged Snake, sent the message over.

"Alright!"

They slowed their pace and gradually returned to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

He brought Su Xue'er out as a relaxation from his arduous cultivation.

He also let the Silver-Horned Pegasus out for a walk.

Keeping it confined in the Rain Listening Pavilion for too long would stunt its growth.

The Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast slaying a Tier One Demon Beast was just a trivial pursuit.

This small gain, Shen Xuan no longer cared for and gave it all to Su Xue'er.

Su Xue'er, however, was very happy.

Women, after all, have a peculiar obsession with saving for themselves.

Upon returning to the Rain Listening Pavilion, a member of the Su Clan was waiting with an important letter.

Shen Xuan opened it to find it was written by Master Wuchen.

It reminded Shen Xuan to fulfill his promise by helping the Lin Family near Yunyuan Immortal City at Wo Hu Ridge to gather "Ashoka Fruits."

In the past, Master Wuchen had given him a complete set of Thunder Beast Essence Blood, which helped him greatly.

He upgraded the [Thunder God's Fury]to Great Success, and his mastery of the Power of Thunder became more refined.

Laying a solid foundation allowed him to smoothly cultivate the [Divine Hidden Five-Thunder Escape Technique], slapping Lei Yaoyang in the face.

Shen Xuan felt grateful towards Master Wuchen.

At the time, he promised Master Wuchen he was willing to do a favor in return for the Thunder Beast Essence Blood.

Since Master Wuchen personally wrote the letter, Shen Xuan naturally would strive to complete it.

He first went to Yunyuan Immortal City to seek intelligence from Ruan Siting.

After greeting each other, Ruan Siting accepted Shen Xuan's Thunder Talisman gift and hosted a banquet in the residence.

"The City Lord has an old connection with the Lin Family, as he seems to have once cultivated there."

In the courtyard, there were only two people.

The two had been acquainted for many years, and Ruan Siting held nothing back from Shen Xuan.

"The Ashoka Fruit is merely a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, said to be very effective, and something Wood Cultivators are eager for."

"The Lin Family at Wo Hu Ridge primarily deals in Wood Techniques. Recently, I heard a genius emerged in their clan, and at just forty years old, he's about to reach Foundation Establishment!"

Shen Xuan asked, "Why me? Why didn't Master Wuchen send his own disciples?"

Ruan Siting smiled, "This is a personal matter. The City Lord always separates personal and official matters."

"Besides, what might be challenging for others is a piece of cake for Fellow Daoist Shen."

Ruan Siting informed Shen Xuan that the Ashoka Fruit grows in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, which opens once every sixty years, and only Foundation Establishment Cultivators are allowed to enter.

"A secret realm?"

Shen Xuan frowned slightly.

Until now, he had never ventured into a secret realm.

The reason was simple.

Danger!

The most notable feature of a secret realm is its lack of order.

It abides by the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak.

Entering the secret realm, cultivators face not only the demons inside but must also guard against fellow cultivators present.

Faced with interests, human nature succumbs.

Incidents of brothers turning against each other in secret realms are all too common.

"Why worry, Fellow Daoist Shen! With your abilities, you can be at ease! The Cyan Spirit Secret Realm is at your command."

"Ruan Daoist, please don't say that! There are always stronger ones beyond the strong. I am only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. How dare I underestimate others!"

"Fellow Daoist Shen is too modest! Though there are many Demon Beasts in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, there won't be any Tier Three Demon Kings!"

Hearing this, Shen Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as there were only Tier Two Demon Beasts, Shen Xuan felt confident in protecting himself.

If he couldn't fight, he could always flee.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is a cultivator of a great sect. The cultivators entering the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm are mere clan cultivators who would not dare make enemies with you!"

"Even so, caution is advised!"

Parting with Ruan Siting, Shen Xuan went to the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion in the city.

With his VIP Jade Token, he quickly met with Pavilion Master Tianxiang.

They hadn't seen each other for years.

Pavilion Master Tianxiang instantly recognized Shen Xuan, who was not in disguise.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, what brings you here to my humble abode?"

"I'm here to purchase information about the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm and the Lin Family at Wo Hu Ridge."

"Oh. Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Shen."

Pavilion Master Tianxiang used a Communication Talisman.

Shortly after, two pieces of Intelligence Jade Scroll were handed to Shen Xuan.

"For an old customer, let's settle at 2,000 Spirit Stones!"

"Many thanks to the Pavilion Master."

Shen Xuan didn't say much, paying the 2,000 Spirit Stones.

Suddenly remembering something.

"Pavilion Master, does your pavilion still sell information about me?"

"Of course! Fellow Daoist Shen is quite famous in Song Country."

Shen Xuan felt a little perplexed.

"How much does my information sell for?"

"3,000 Spirit Stones!"

"Can I buy it out?"

"Certainly."

Pavilion Master Tianxiang smiled warmly.

"Your information is highly sought after. We have already sold thirteen copies. For a repeat customer, I'll let you buy it out for 100,000 Spirit Stones for ten years."

Shen Xuan's eyes widened.

"100,000 Spirit Stones to buy it out for ten years? Your Celestial Fragrance Pavilion is skilled in business!"

No matter how many Spirit Stones Shen Xuan had, he couldn't spend them like that.

"There's no other way! That's the lowest price!"

Pavilion Master Tianxiang said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Shen, your talent is extraordinary, and many are interested in you!"

"In my Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, your Intelligence Jade Scroll could top the bestseller list!"

"Who are the buyers of my information?"

"Apologies, Fellow Daoist Shen, it's our policy not to disclose buyer information."

"Alright! Until next time!"

Shen Xuan turned and left.

"Ah! Fellow Daoist Shen, we recently received a batch of Foundation Establishment Fairies in the pavilion. Don't you want to give it a try?"

"Not interested!"

Originally, Shen Xuan was a bit tempted.

But seeing such unscrupulous behavior from the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, he dismissed the idea promptly.

After all, it's an outer force of the Hehuan Sect.

Who knew the true identities of those little fairies.

If a peculiarly gifted Saintess from the Hehuan Sect infiltrated, drained him dry, who would he complain to!

"It's better with decent families!"

Shen Xuan silently mused.

Enjoying freedom without worries.

"No wonder those like Cao thief are so popular!"

Shen Xuan made up his mind.

After completing Master Wuchen's task, he would seclude himself in arduous cultivation, seldom venturing out.

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