What a joke!

Starting with such difficulty right away!

Shen Xuan quickly shook his head, "Fellow Daoist Qianzhu is joking. I'm only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. Even with a few tricks, how could I possibly rival a Late Stage Demon Foundation?"

Then, Shen Xuan looked at Scholar Qianzhu with expectant eyes, "Presumably, Fellow Daoist Qianzhu has a way to deal with it, right?"

Scholar Qianzhu smiled wryly.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is from a great sect and has no solution. I, Qianzhu, am merely from a small sect, how could I have such capabilities!"

The Profound Bamboo Sect was obscure in Song Country.

It only had a handful of Core Formation True Masters.

Whether it had any Golden Core True Masters was an unknown.

Its strength was even weaker than that of the Bishui Sect.

A truly minor sect.

Shen Xuan asked, "Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, why do you say this?"

"Logically speaking, Late Stage Demon Foundation cultivators should be seeking opportunities for Core Formation and wouldn't be coming to the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm!"

There are certainly no opportunities for Core Formation in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm.

Otherwise, how would it fall under the control of the Foundation Establishment Clans of Weimu County?

"Most Demon Cultivators are violent and practice various secret techniques. Many Demon Sect Secret Techniques can squeeze potential, instantly raising a small realm in a very short time."

"A Middle Stage Demon Foundation can maintain Late Stage Demon Foundation combat power for a brief moment."

Scholar Qianzhu explained.

"That's indeed so, I've heard of it as well."

"But Weimu County is still in the heartland of Song Country, has the situation deteriorated to such an extent?"

"Even Demon Cultivators can freely conduct their activities?"

Scholar Qianzhu sighed softly.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you reside in a large sect and are unaware of the external situation."

"Although it's not so overt, it's not far from it."

Shen Xuan also sighed.

The essence of the struggle between Dao and Demon is the attrition of Dao and Demon Sect cultivators, honing the Core Formation Seed.

Not to mention Loose Cultivators, many small sects don't know the inner details.

If Demon Cultivators can blood-sacrifice cultivators and mortals in frontier counties.

It's normal for Demon Cultivators to appear in the heartlands where sects can't intervene.

"Doesn't the Bishui Sect care?"

"The Bishui Sect can maintain stability in the core area within a thousand miles, that's already quite commendable!"

It turns out, Weimu County is beyond the Bishui Sect's protective range.

"After entering the Secret Realm, do we act separately or join forces?"

"Naturally, we join forces."

Scholar Qianzhu took out a pair of Spirit Bamboo Jade Pendants.

"These are exclusive communication Jade Pendants from the Profound Bamboo Sect. Inject a strand of Spiritual Power from each of us, and within a hundred miles, we can perceive each other's presence."

Shen Xuan took the Spirit Bamboo Jade Pendant.

After some thought, he took out a dozen each of Thunder Talismans and Poison Talismans.

"These are the Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talisman, Silver Hook Snake Poison Talisman, Stonefish Poison Talisman. Please, Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, accept them for emergencies."

Scholar Qianzhu examined them intently, showing a surprised expression.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is a Tier Two Talisman Master?"

"Yes."

"Do you have more? Take out some more!"

"By the way, since you have so many talismans, surely there are some high-quality ones."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, don't be stingy, take out some high-quality talismans!"

"At most, the harvest from the Secret Realm, Qianzhu will first compensate Fellow Daoist Shen!"

Shen Xuan felt exasperated.

He underestimated the Foundation Establishment Cultivators' desire for Thunder and Poison Talismans.

Reluctantly, Shen Xuan took out another dozen each of Thunder and Poison Talismans.

Among them, five high-quality talismans each.

Scholar Qianzhu didn't stand on ceremony, cheerfully storing them in his Storage Pouch.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, Qianzhu has nothing valuable to offer, only this segment of Tier Three Thunder Sound Bamboo, worth some Spirit Stones, to reciprocate to you."

Thunder Sound Bamboo?

Shen Xuan looked closely.

A small segment of verdant Spirit Bamboo appeared before Shen Xuan, its surface etched with intricate thunder patterns, faintly emitting thunderous sounds.

"Tier Three Spirit Bamboo?"

"Yes. If Fellow Daoist Shen is interested, this bamboo can be cultivated. This is the cultivation method for Thunder Sound Bamboo, I gift it to Fellow Daoist Shen!"

Scholar Qianzhu handed over a Jade Scroll.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Qianzhu! In the future, if I have time, I might give it a try."

The Thunder and Poison Talismans Shen Xuan provided were worth more than ten thousand Spirit Stones.

With regards to their sincere cooperation in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, Shen Xuan showed his sincerity.

Scholar Qianzhu, hailing from a sect, wasn't the petty Loose Cultivator type.

Reciprocity, giving back the Thunder Sound Bamboo and its cultivation method.

This was also a means to establish trust.

If Scholar Qianzhu had taken the Thunder and Poison Talismans without reciprocating anything.

In Shen Xuan's mind, this person's credibility would drop below the acceptable level.

Conversely, Scholar Qianzhu brought out treasures of comparable value as a gift.

This also signified that the two had a foundation and intent to collaborate.

In the secret chamber, the two discussed for a while longer.

Simulating various responses to situations within the Secret Realm.

Parting, they exchanged smiles.

Each feeling gratified.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is a Talisman Master, equipped with enough talismans, and skilled in Thunder Techniques."

"Qianzhu, for my part, is adept at Puppetry Technique, somewhat knowledgeable in Arrays,"

"The two of us teaming up in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm should make for a formidable alliance."

Scholar Qianzhu said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, don't underestimate it. If a Demon Cultivator sneaks into the Secret Realm, they won't be easy to deal with."

Shen Xuan said solemnly.

"Hehe. Isn't Fellow Daoist Shen here!"

"Fellow Daoist Shen can craft such exquisite Thunder Talismans, his Thunder Techniques must have reached the Realm of Great Achievement!"

"If any unwelcome Demon Cultivators come to provoke us, wouldn't they be walking treasuries!"

Shen Xuan quickly waved his hands, "Alright. Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, stop teasing. Please keep my identity confidential."

"Qianzhu understands."

Scholar Qianzhu nodded, agreeing with Shen Xuan's approach.

Striking unexpectedly yields better results.

...

Returning to his residence.

Shen Xuan cross-referenced the intelligence on the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm provided by the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion and the Lin Family of Wo Hu Ridge.

The participants of the Secret Realm included the seven major families of Weimu County, with a total of nineteen slots.

Among them, the Guan Family and Zeng Family claimed four slots alone.

According to the alliance of the seven families, the cultivation realm of cultivators entering the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm cannot exceed the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

This clause was considered good news for Shen Xuan.

This also meant that no cultivator entering the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm posed a mortal threat to him.

Even if someone could use secret techniques to raise a small realm in a very short time, Shen Xuan was not afraid.

He had three corpse beasts in his possession, enough to serve as cannon fodder to entangle the opponent.

When the opponent's time runs out, they will revert to their original state and be at his mercy.

Moreover, Scholar Qianzhu, although hailing from a small sect like the Profound Bamboo Sect,

a sect is still a sect.

Its inheritance is by no means comparable to ordinary cultivation clans and loose cultivators.

This can be seen from Lin Zhuying.

Scholar Qianzhu confided in him.

She is a Tier Two Middle Grade Puppet Master, skilled in using spirit bamboo to create puppet beasts.

On her person, she has up to seven Tier Two Middle Grade puppet beasts.

More than ten Tier Two Lower Grade puppet beasts.

Although a single one's attacking power is merely passable,

if all these puppet beasts are activated at once,

they are more than enough to deal with an ordinary Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator.

Logically, sect cultivators would not become tributors to cultivation clans.

Although Scholar Qianzhu didn't say it,

Shen Xuan could still sense some unspeakable close connection between her and Lin Zhuying.

This was an intuition.

After achieving Great Success in the Insight Technique and Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil Technique, Shen Xuan's intuition has become increasingly sharp.

Many times, without casting a spell, he can discern good and evil.

He can clearly sense others' goodwill or malice towards him.

That night, Shen Xuan was meditating and regulating his breath.

Now, no matter where he was, he would persist in cultivation.

Accumulating over time, dripping water wears through stone.

However, at this moment, there was a knock on the door.

Shen Xuan was slightly startled.

His identity in Wo Hu Lin Family was confidential.

Besides the three Foundation Establishment members of the Lin Family, only Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying knew his identity.

Shen Xuan stopped his cultivation and opened the door.

Standing before him was Lin Zhuying, dressed in simple attire.

"Senior Shen, I heard that Master has already arranged with you to join forces in the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm. May I say a few words to you, Senior Shen?"

"Please come in!"

Lin Zhuying smiled, walked gracefully into the room, and bowed.

"I heard from the Patriarch that Senior Shen is a cultivator from a major sect, skilled in thunder techniques. There is something I wish to ask of you, Senior Shen."

Shen Xuan was noncommittal.

Lin Zhuying was not a beauty of national renown.

But she possessed a unique and elegant aura,

like spirit bamboo, exuding a faint fragrance that was refreshing and invigorating.

However, if not for the Lin Family,

Lin Zhuying wouldn't have the qualification to speak with him at all.

A Qi Cultivation cultivator and a Foundation Establishment cultivator have a status difference as vast as heaven and earth.

"Zhuying knows that now I cannot help you with anything, Senior. In the future, when I establish my Foundation, I will certainly repay you."

Lin Zhuying bowed deeply, as if fixed in place.

Shen Xuan said lightly, "Stand up, and speak of the matter first!"

He had quite a favorable impression of Lin Zhuying.

She did not attempt to charm him with her looks,

but empty promises alone could never persuade him to exert effort!

"Zhuying knows that Senior Shen is exceptionally powerful. If we encounter danger in the secret realm, please look after Master."

"Whether the Ashoka Fruit can be obtained is not important. As long as Master is safe, Zhuying will repay you in the future."

Shen Xuan shook his head.

He thought it was something significant.

Turns out, it was just to look after Scholar Qianzhu.

This, from another angle, confirmed his suspicion.

"Lin Zhuying, listen!"

"Since I've agreed to join forces with your master, we are in this together."

"Unless absolutely necessary, I will ensure the safety of Fellow Daoist Qianzhu."

Shen Xuan said solemnly.

"Thank you, Senior Shen! Zhuying apologizes for any offense."

Lin Zhuying smiled sweetly, her beautiful face revealing genuine joy.

Seeing Lin Zhuying's heartfelt smile,

for some reason, Shen Xuan's mental realm became inexplicably clear.

This was the first time he saw a female cultivator negotiating with him without using her looks as a condition.

"Go back! Train hard, and after getting the Ashoka Fruit, strive to establish a superior Dao Foundation!"

Shen Xuan encouraged her.

Time passed day by day.

Soon, the time to enter the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm arrived.

On this day, Shen Xuan, led by Lin Xingcheng, came to the Clan Affairs Hall of the Lin Family.

Not long after sitting, Scholar Qianzhu, accompanied by Lin Zhuying, gracefully entered the hall.

Soon after, the Lin Patriarch arrived.

He, along with Lin Xingcheng, accompanied Shen Xuan and Scholar Qianzhu to the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm.

Lin Xingping and Lin Zhuying remained to guard the Lin Family's clan grounds.

The arrangements were set.

The Lin Patriarch brought out the family's spaceship, inviting Scholar Qianzhu and Shen Xuan to board it.

On the surface, Shen Xuan voluntarily stepped back half a step, letting Scholar Qianzhu stand in front.

This was agreed upon beforehand.

Scholar Qianzhu had been a tributor at the Lin Family for many years.

The cultivation clans of Weimu County all had her information.

And Shen Xuan went by the alias Shen Ping, identified as a loose cultivator talisman master hired by the Lin Family.

Scholar Qianzhu would refer to him as "Master Shen Talisman."

The four of them boarded the spaceship, bid farewell to Lin Xingping and Lin Zhuying, and flew straight to the entrance of the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm in Weimu County.

The spaceship bore the Lying Tiger Banner, the emblem of the Lin Family at Wo Hu Ridge.

Lin Xingcheng focused on piloting the spaceship, while the Lin Patriarch stood at the forefront of the deck, keeping vigilant.

Shen Xuan nodded approvingly.

This Lin Patriarch might be of average strength, but his actions were methodical.

Bringing both Lin Xingcheng and the family spaceship meant that in case of emergencies, he could still manage.

No wonder the Lin Patriarch said he would meet them at the secret realm's exit.

The spaceship accelerated.

In just an hour, they reached their destination.

An ancient battlefield plain in Weimu County.

The Lin Patriarch had Lin Xingcheng stay on the spaceship, while he took Scholar Qianzhu and Shen Xuan down.

By then, the agreed-upon gathering place had already gathered over thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Just as Shen Xuan disembarked from the spaceship, with his Insight Technique, he sensed an extremely intense aura of blood and foul demonic qi.

He was slightly startled in his heart.

"So many tribulation cultivators and demon cultivators?"

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