Qin Yuehan, dressed in a white immortal skirt, stood on an ancient tree of Moon Cold Pavilion, gazing far into Shuiyue Residence.

"Senior Brother, you have advanced to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment as well!"

Qin Yuehan's eyes became hazy, as if shrouded in a light veil.

Once clear as autumn water, now they rippled gently.

The initial stunning impression—the spirited, knowledgeable, prematurely mature senior who warmly inquired about her well-being.

He was like a light, illuminating her future path.

Known as a Commandery Princess, yet in truth an orphan, she felt the attraction of the opposite sex for the first time.

Upon their next encounter, he was weathered and had fallen to the bottom layer of the market.

His realm cultivation was only at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, yet he had to disguise as Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, cautiously dealing with people and events as if treading on thin ice.

Later on.

Shen Xuan awakened his ancestral bloodline, enhanced his Spirit Root Talent, and dedicated himself to cultivation.

He gathered enough materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill, asked her to refine it, and established his Dao Foundation at Cold Moon Pavilion!

At the age of eighty-five, he achieved Foundation Establishment at an advanced age!

Now, twenty-three years after Foundation Establishment, he has broken through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment!

"What kind of person was Senior Brother's ancestor?"

After reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Shen Xuan's potential clearly surpassed that of Qin Yuehan.

In cultivation speed and combat power, he progressed rapidly.

Even the highly challenging Thunder Escape Technique, he mastered to a small extent within a year.

Unfortunately.

If he had awakened his ancestral bloodline earlier and joined Cyan Cloud Sect alongside her...

He might now be a Golden Core Inheritor and a Core Formation seed within the sect.

Qin Yuehan pondered quietly.

"With Senior Brother's potential, perhaps he will have the chance to condense the Inner Core in the future?"

"I wonder how Senior Brother's mortal wife is doing now!"

Qin Yuehan looked up at the sky.

The bright moon hung high.

Just like in the days of their youth.

In the blink of an eye, she had surpassed a hundred years of age.

Through the long journey of cultivation, the bright moon accompanied me.

Would he think of me upon seeing the bright moon?

Would he, like me, gaze at the cold stars and moon in solitude?

...

Shen Xuan took a warm bath.

He slept soundly and comfortably.

Having broken through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, many talent skills advanced.

This relieved some of the tension from his heartstrings.

Three contemplations in life: foresee danger, embrace change, consider retreat.

Shen Xuan kept this constantly in mind.

After Foundation Establishment, the greatest predicament was Lei Yaoyang's oppression.

A Golden Core Inheritor and Thunder Cultivator.

He once made it impossible for him to sleep.

Now, this massive boulder had finally been removed.

The 'Absolute Thunder Dao Body' had achieved great success, and his resistance to thunder and lightning reached a new height.

Even without using the Divine Thunder Treasure Talisman, he had confidence in beating Lei Yaoyang to submission.

Hopefully, he would be a smart person.

And refrain from provoking him again.

Shen Xuan understood well.

He stood in opposition to all Golden Core True Inheritors.

Even though they numbered only a little over thirty.

They were the elite disciples of Cyan Cloud Sect, truly the Core Formation seeds.

"Ah, develop quietly!"

Shen Xuan mused silently.

In the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had sufficient confidence.

Even if he couldn't win a fight, he could safely escape.

However, another troublesome matter lay before Shen Xuan.

That was the administration of Little Gu Feng.

Over the past year, Shen Xuan finally understood why Little Gu Feng was in such dire straits.

The five Inner Peaks, thirteen Outer Peaks, and eighteen peak cave mansions of Cyan Cloud Sect all drew Spiritual Qi from the main peak's Spirit Vein input.

Within each cave mansion, there were Spiritual Qi switches that calculated the amount of Spiritual Qi input.

Then.

Cyan Cloud Sect charged based on the amount of Spiritual Qi input!

Indeed!

Every Foundation Establishment Cultivator, even Golden Core Inheritors, had to pay a Spiritual Qi fee.

No exceptions!

Master Gu Feng's real name was Yang Caiyi, from the sect's family—the Yang Family, her great ancestor was a Golden Core True Master of the sect!

She showcased outstanding talent from a young age, and with the family's strong support, she shut out external distractions and devoted herself wholeheartedly to cultivation.

Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, until condensing the Inner Core.

Though she wasn't a Golden Core, her Inner Core was genuine.

She was also the Yang Family's prodigy in a millennium, the second True Master!

However, after Core Formation, Master Gu Feng faced a small problem.

In the myriad arts of cultivation, Master Gu Feng excelled at none!

Among the eighteen True Masters of Cyan Cloud Sect, she ranked second to last.

The last was Chang Chun True Master, who dealt with Spirit Plants!

This was because Chang Chun True Master didn't want her to feel embarrassed and voluntarily stayed in the last position.

After establishing the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, a True Master could use Spiritual Qi for free.

Master Gu Feng herself had no issues with cultivation.

The problem lay with her several direct disciples.

Her eldest disciple, Yun Chixin, an ascetic.

From the start, the administration of Little Gu Feng was a mess under her.

Seeing the dire circumstances, Yun Chixin broke through to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, took a credit of Spirit Stones, charged it to the public account.

Then, she went traveling across various nations under the pretense of seeking Core Formation opportunities.

In reality, she just ran away!

Her second disciple, Wen Luoying, managed the affairs of Little Gu Feng for ten years, then became a hands-off shopkeeper, retreating into cultivation.

Exit retreat, enter retreat. Repeatedly.

Regardless, she was determined never to manage the affairs of Little Gu Feng again.

Her third disciple, Gu Jinqin, was actually the easiest to deal with.

After taking over, she managed for over thirty years.

But it was a bitter experience.

The reason was simple.

Master Gu Feng and her five direct disciples were all female cultivators who only knew how to spend money, not earn it!

Near Cyan Cloud Sect, there were no demon beasts, and no sign of demon cultivators.

Most of the sect missions were productive in nature.

In the myriad arts of cultivation—pill, artifact, array, talisman, plant, sword, medicine, poison, beast, puppet...

Master Gu Feng and her five major direct disciples excelled at none!

Later, the Wu sisters did know some shady dealings for making money.

Four words: cheating and swindling.

"So, the administration of Little Gu Feng is essentially a bottomless pit!"

Shen Xuan estimated that ever since Senior Sister Yun Chixin became Master Gu Feng's disciple, there had been a deficit for over a hundred years.

Even a rough estimate suggested a deficit of several million Spirit Stones.

Shen Xuan pondered for a long time.

Finally, he realized.

That he was the inevitable candidate to take the blame.

It was only a matter of sooner or later.

Master Gu Feng likely made up her mind when she promised to accept him as a direct disciple.

Her other six direct disciples were all female, each one exceptionally beautiful.

Who could do such tedious chores?

"No rush, there's still a year to go!"

...

The next day, Shen Xuan went to pay respects to his master, Master Gu Feng.

After breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, he had to report it to his master.

Although his master definitely already knew.

Shen Xuan's concern was still the chores of Xiao Gu Peak.

In the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land of Xiao Gu Peak.

In the middle of the main hall, Master Gu Feng sat cross-legged, surrounded by seven-colored divine light, looking at Shen Xuan across from her with a smile that seemed both amused and not.

Beside Master Gu Feng, Gu Jinqin looked over with big eyes, equally curious.

There was a hint of expectation in her gaze.

"Shen Xuan, you are quite good."

Master Gu Feng's voice was full of relief.

At last, accepting him as a direct disciple wasn't in vain.

Master Gu Feng knew that Shen Xuan was skilled in talisman making.

And could even make Tier Two Thunder Talismans.

At least, this person could fend for himself.

He wouldn't add another bad debt to Xiao Gu Peak's accounts.

"Disciple, grateful that Master did not abandon me, took me under her wing. The grace of imparting the Dao and protection, disciple remembers deeply."

Shen Xuan bowed deeply to Master Gu Feng in the center of the main hall, speaking sincerely.

He felt grateful towards Master Gu Feng.

After all, Master Gu Feng had accepted him into the Cyan Cloud Sect and bestowed cultivation techniques upon him.

When he had conflicts with Lei Yaoyang, she sided with him, shielding him from storms.

Seeing Shen Xuan's declaration.

Master Gu Feng couldn't help but nod slightly.

In fact, when she initially accepted Shen Xuan.

It was mainly out of respect for Qin Yuehan.

She hadn't planned on having him take over the chores of Xiao Gu Peak.

However.

Now it seemed that Shen Xuan had a good character and tremendous potential.

Over the past twenty years, he proved to be courteous and knew his place.

"Shen Xuan, by age, you are my third disciple."

Master Gu Feng smiled slightly.

"Go on!"

From the seven-colored divine light, an item suddenly flew out.

"This is the River and Sea Map, consider it a gift from your master as your senior gift!"

Shen Xuan focused his gaze.

In his sight, a landscape scroll slowly unfolded.

It spanned dozens of feet, with four Grand Rivers as the main feature, majestically flowing towards the boundless sea.

The scene was grand and powerful, as if it could come rushing at him anytime, vivid and lifelike.

"Since you practice Water Techniques, this should be useful to you."

"River and Sea Map?"

Shen Xuan approached to examine it, his face filled with joy.

"Master, is this a spatial magical treasure?"

"Precisely. This map can hold a thousand voluminous Spirit Water, with endless miraculous uses!"

Shen Xuan hadn't expected Master Gu Feng to be so generous.

She directly gifted him an Upper Grade magical treasure as his apprentice gift.

Previously, he had visited the sect's Treasure Pavilion.

The highest quality magical treasures there were only Tier Two Middle Grade.

Not a single Tier Two Top Grade item was available.

Even with a lot of contribution points, they couldn't be exchanged.

Shen Xuan gestured with a hand.

A pure stream of Water Spiritual Power flowed into the River and Sea Map.

He stored it in his own Dantian to nurture it.

After the magical treasure was gifted.

Master Gu Feng said, "Shen Xuan, you are my only male disciple."

"Before entering the sect, you lived in the market, so you must be proficient in various chores."

Shen Xuan understood.

Master Gu Feng wanted him to willingly take over the chores of Xiao Gu Peak.

"Reporting to Master. Disciple is willing to take on the chores of Xiao Gu Peak. However..."

Shen Xuan sighed and continued, "Disciple is not proficient in chores."

Beside him, Gu Jinqin opened her mouth to speak.

But Shen Xuan quickly continued, "Disciple is willing to ease Master's burden! Senior sisters are busy cultivating, these trivial chores shall be managed by the disciple!"

After all, he had already promised to take over.

It would be better to take the initiative and leave a good impression on his master.

After Shen Xuan finished speaking.

Both Master Gu Feng and Gu Jinqin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Shen Xuan found it amusing.

He guessed that his master was still somewhat shy.

Otherwise, with her capabilities as a True Master, gathering a few million Spirit Stones wouldn't be difficult at all!

This also confirmed his suspicions.

Master Gu Feng was someone with a tough mouth but a soft heart.

Which was rather fortunate.

The bonds between master and disciple were deep, a mutual cause and effect.

Shen Xuan hoped that this master-disciple relationship with Master Gu Feng would have a good beginning and end.

Over the past twenty years.

He had also been secretly observing Master Gu Feng.

It seemed that she was a good person?

At least, Shen Xuan hadn't heard of Master Gu Feng doing anything dishonorable.

From her treatment of her direct disciples, she seemed to set a good example as a teacher.

Apart from being slightly lacking in strength, wealth, magical combat skills, and devoid of any unique cultivation techniques, she didn't have any major flaws.

Shen Xuan glanced at Gu Jinqin.

Her face was full of smiles, grinning from ear to ear.

She looked at Shen Xuan with a hint of sympathy.

Soon enough, Shen Xuan knew why Gu Jinqin looked at him like that.

"Eight million eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Junior Sister, is there a mistake! Have the chores of Xiao Gu Peak really accumulated to such a deficit!"

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