Hearing these words, Shen Xuan's heart trembled, stirring up stormy waves.

The "Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eye Technique" was pushed to its limit.

Focusing intently on the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

Sure enough, the leaves swayed, gradually revealing a humanoid silhouette.

"Forgive me, senior! This young one was unaware that you had attained the Dao and transformed!"

Shen Xuan promptly knelt and begged for forgiveness without hesitation.

All the doubts vanished into thin air.

This Purple Essence Divine Wood had actually awakened its spiritual intelligence, completed its nature and fate, and transformed into a demon.

Moreover, its strength was not low.

At the very least, it was above Tier Three!

Judging by its tree age, it was very likely a Tier Three Top Grade!

Just one step away from fully transforming!

The divine soul transmission of the Purple Essence Divine Wood left Shen Xuan in fear and trepidation.

Luckily, he just pondered, without taking any action.

Otherwise, if the Purple Essence Divine Wood got angry, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He didn't believe that with his meager cultivation, he could directly confront a Tier Three Demon King.

Escaping with his life from the hands of the Purple Essence Divine Wood would already be a stroke of fortune.

At this moment, his kneeling and plea were also a gamble.

A gamble that the temperament of this great grass and wood demon was not as violent as carnivorous demon beasts, and would not easily harm people.

Otherwise, how could Qin Yuehan and Wei Shiya, who were here absorbing its purple divine light, remain unscathed?

If not for the acquiescence of the Purple Essence Divine Wood, how could they condense their spirit bodies?

"Ah! Little one, quite clever! Stand up."

The resounding divine soul transmission echoed once more.

Shen Xuan's heart was finally at ease.

After standing up, he sneakily glanced at Fan Siwen and Wei Shiya.

One was cultivating, and the other standing guard, completely unaware.

In his heart, he immediately understood.

This Purple Essence Divine Wood had shielded them.

Now, communicating with him through divine soul transmission, others could not hear.

"This inexperienced young one fails to recognize senior's true form of enlightenment, thank you for forgiving me, senior."

"What is Yang Caiyi to you?"

"Master Gu Feng is this young one's master."

"How is that girl doing?"

"Master is doing well."

Shen Xuan once accompanied Qin Yuehan here.

It seems that the Purple Essence Divine Wood guessed his identity because of this.

This also confirmed Shen Xuan's speculation.

When his master was young, he had also come here and was on good terms with this Purple Essence Divine Wood.

"Do you have spirit water stored on you? The sun has been harsh lately; give me some spirit water to drink."

"Yes, senior!"

Shen Xuan did not hesitate.

First, he offered the Water Purification Bottle.

He poured all the Hundred-Direction Spirit Water from inside onto the leaves of the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

That was fifty thousand spirit stones.

Shen Xuan didn't even blink.

"That's too little, do you have more?"

Shen Xuan hesitated for a moment and answered honestly, "Senior, this young one still has the River and Sea Map given by my master. However, it has just been refined, with only twenty percent of the spirit water refined inside."

"It's a small matter! Take out the spirit stones on you."

Shen Xuan felt fortunate.

In the Flowing Light Market, he had bought a large amount of herbs.

Out of over six hundred thousand spirit stones, more than half had been spent.

In his storage pouch, only two hundred thousand spirit stones remained.

Shen Xuan summoned the River and Sea Map.

Two hundred thousand spirit stones flew into the air.

A streak of purple divine light swiftly passed by.

All two hundred thousand spirit stones were drawn into the River and Sea Map.

In just over a dozen breaths, it was all refined.

The powers of the Demon King are simply inconceivable.

"Ah, this will have to do!"

The Purple Essence Divine Wood sighed.

A thousand directions of spirit water from the River and Sea Map surged forth, forming a huge water column, pouring into the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

Shen Xuan watched respectfully, hardly daring to breathe heavily.

And even less daring to let his thoughts drift.

He guessed that this Purple Essence Divine Wood possessed some sort of divine power, able to comprehend the thoughts of a cultivator.

Very soon, the thousand directions of spirit water were consumed.

The Purple Essence Divine Wood returned the River and Sea Map to Shen Xuan.

In its words, there was a faint trace of pleasure.

"Hehe, you little fellow, you're quite interesting."

The voice of the Purple Essence Divine Wood was filled with a teasing tone.

"What is the little one's name?"

"This young one is Shen Xuan."

Shen Xuan's emotions settled down.

His talent skills, in front of a true Demon King, were not worth mentioning.

Moreover, he could feel that the Purple Essence Divine Wood harbored no malice towards him.

Even though he lost some spirit stones.

Money lost could avert disaster.

"Little Shen, rest assured, I won't take advantage of you."

"Having used up some spirit stones, I will gift you some spirit branches in return."

The Purple Essence Divine Wood suddenly shook.

A few small branches fell off.

"Senior, you are giving these to me?"

Looking at the branches on the ground, Shen Xuan couldn't hide his excitement.

Although the diameter was only as thick as a child's arm, and the spirit patterns on the branches weren't very distinct.

They were likely excess branches from the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

However, even so.

These branches still emitted a dazzling purple divine light, making Shen Xuan involuntarily hold his breath.

Tier Three Spirit Wood!

And very likely Tier Three Top Grade Spirit Wood!

Even as flawed products, they weren't easily obtainable treasures!

Shen Xuan's heart raced.

Previously, the Thunder Sound Bamboo provided by Fan Siwen and Wei Shiya, though also a Tier Three Spirit Wood.

The years were lacking, and the true grade was at most Tier Two Top Grade.

What Scholar Qianzhu gifted was only Tier Two Top Grade.

Without nurturing for over a hundred years, it couldn't advance to Tier Three.

The new treasure talisman Shen Xuan planned required spirit wood of excellent quality for the talisman embryo.

The Tier Two Top Grade Thunder Sound Bamboo met his minimum requirements.

If it was Tier Three Spirit Wood, it could carry more spiritual power and better showcase the treasure talisman's might.

"You don't want them?"

"I want them!"

Shen Xuan didn't act coy.

Immediately he took out a blank jade box, carefully picking up each one and placing them inside with great care.

Eighteen branches in total.

Shen Xuan looked unwillingly at the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

Such a large tree, yet only eighteen crooked broken branches, it's really too few!

"Young Shen, don't be greedy!"

"Yes, thank you, elder, for the gift!"

Shen Xuan nodded and bowed, showing utmost respect.

"This is an equivalent exchange between us, not a gift."

"If you need more branches from me, you can come to trade again in ten years."

"But by then, you must have fully refined your River and Sea Map."

Shen Xuan's eyes lit up.

Such a good opportunity!

Refining the Hundred-Direction Spirit Water for the River and Sea Map requires five to six hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

It seems a lot.

But in front of a true Tier Three spiritual wood.

It's really insignificant.

Besides making Treasure Talismans.

This type of Tier Three spiritual wood has many uses.

Pill Array Puppets and so on can utilize it.

Its value is only higher, not lower, than five to six hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Moreover, the higher the grade of cultivation spiritual objects, the harder they are to obtain.

A Tier Three spiritual object like the Purple Essence Divine Wood is cherished even by Golden Core True Masters.

Shen Xuan estimates that the Purple Essence Divine Wood treats him favorably, partly out of respect for Master Gu Feng.

"Rest assured, elder. In ten years, I will surely come with the refined Hundred-Direction Spirit Water."

The Divine Hidden Sea Technique he practices inherently has health care and treatment effects.

The Purple Essence Divine Wood is interested not only in the Hundred-Direction Spirit Water.

But also in the special effects of the spiritual power from the Divine Hidden Sea Technique.

Indeed.

The Purple Essence Divine Wood said, "Young Shen, you are a smart person. I do indeed need the spirit water refined by your cultivation technique."

"However, this is an equivalent exchange between us, each taking what we need."

This was the second time the Purple Essence Divine Wood mentioned "equivalent exchange."

"Yes, it is an equivalent exchange between the elder and me."

Shen Xuan quickly replied.

He understood the implication of the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

The two were in an equal transaction, owing nothing to each other.

The Purple Essence Divine Wood will not interfere with his fate and cause and effect.

From beginning to end, the Purple Essence Divine Wood doesn't partake in disputes between cultivators and demon beasts.

So, when the Deep Water Hook Snake eats cultivators, it does not intervene.

And when Shen Xuan kills the Deep Water Hook Snake, it still does not interfere.

Respecting others' destinies, letting go of the desire to assist, not entangling in others' cause and effect.

This is also the principle of many enlightened Demon Kings.

"Alright! Young one, do not disturb my cultivation anymore!"

The Purple Essence Divine Wood removed the barrier.

Shen Xuan looked over.

Wei Shiya was still absorbing the purple divine light.

Fan Siwen stood guard beside her with a bewildered expression.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, where did you go just now?"

"It's nothing, just looked around nearby."

Shen Xuan said nonchalantly.

The Purple Essence Divine Wood does not wish to interact with cultivators.

He certainly would not reveal this.

As for his equivalent exchange with the Purple Essence Divine Wood.

Shen Xuan wouldn't even mention it to his own master.

In the following days.

Everything was peaceful.

Half a year later.

Wei Shiya slowly completed her cultivation and opened her eyes filled with joy.

"Junior Sister, how did it go?"

"Senior Brother, I've succeeded!"

Wei Shiya stood up abruptly, emotions stirred, unable to calm herself for a long time.

After a long while.

She deeply bowed to Shen Xuan.

"The great kindness and virtue of Fellow Daoist Shen, Shiya will remember in her heart. If there is anything in the future that Shiya can help with, Fellow Daoist Shen, feel free to ask."

As she said this, Fan Siwen's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Their exchange with Shen Xuan was supposed to be a transaction.

In exchange for five sections of Thunder Sound Bamboo, responsible for the two's safe return to the island in the lake.

Junior Sister's words faintly hinted at an intention to establish a relationship with him.

"No need! Between us, it was merely a transaction."

"Give my regards to Scholar Qianzhu."

After speaking, Shen Xuan summoned the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast and boarded it alone, flying off the island back to the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Flying far away, Wei Shiya stared at the tiny black dot in the deep sky, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

"What a strange person!"

"After returning to the sect, I will ask Sister Qianzhu who he really is!"

Wei Shiya thought to herself.

Beside her, Fan Siwen called forth a spaceship.

"Junior Sister, let's head back!"

...

After breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast achieved the golden body and its speed surpassed that of ordinary spaceships.

However, being a corpse beast, Shen Xuan needed to divert some divine thought to control it.

In this aspect, it was not as convenient as a spirit beast.

A spirit beast not only doesn't require its master to be distracted but also can contribute in battles.

So even powerful cultivators prefer to have a mount.

It's not just a status symbol; it truly holds practical value.

The sky above the Shadow Forest is the territory of demon birds.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators dare not fly recklessly through the air.

However, Shen Xuan is not among them.

On his way back to the sect, he encountered three flocks of demon birds.

One of them was the infamous Evil-Faced Flying Eagle.

An average Foundation Establishment Cultivator encountering these demon birds would be terrified, fleeing in panic.

The main issue is that there are too many demon birds, and they lack honor, preferring to gang up.

But since Shen Xuan dared to fly, he had obviously come prepared.

He used Vigorous Shock, his voice like thunder, scattering the demon bird flocks he encountered.

This divine soul-wide attack was highly effective against the flocks of demon birds.

The rulers of the demon birds, realizing the threat, directed their subordinates to retreat.

They dared not provoke Shen Xuan.

In just over ten days, he returned to the Cyan Cloud Sect.

He was only away for a little over a month.

The small Gu Feng was rejuvenated, filled with joy everywhere.

Everyone was busy beyond measure.

Shen Xuan thought he would quietly return to Shuiyue Residence, unnoticed.

But upon arriving, he received a summons from his master, asking him to meet immediately.

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