Chapter 490: Chapter 272: Opportunity

The Celestial Spirit Pill!

Everyone came to a sudden realization. No wonder Ye Qiuling had succeeded in her breakthrough when geniuses like Zhang Hanzhou and Qi Xuancheng had failed. It was all because of the Celestial Spirit Pill.

"We rely on our innate talent and Root Bone for our cultivation, but those with powerful backgrounds rely on resources," someone said, utterly disheartened.

They had thought breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm was equally difficult for everyone. They never expected that those with connections could use a Celestial Spirit Pill to aid their breakthrough.

It was one thing to be less talented than others, but now, even their access to resources was inferior. It was completely unfair.

"I have to get my hands on a Celestial Spirit Pill," Lu Ren declared, a glimmer of hope rising in his eyes.

If he could obtain a Celestial Spirit Pill, he could break through to the Celestial Essence Realm in one go. With enough time, a Secondary Dragon Ascension might not be impossible for him.

"Are the Celestial Spirit Pills concocted by Elder Li Yang?" Xiong Kun asked, now also interested in the pill.

Jiang Fan looked at Xiong Kun and shook his head. "I don’t think so. As far as I know, no one in the Purple Sun Sect, including Peak Master Qi, knows how to concoct the Celestial Spirit Pill."

Hearing this, Xiong Kun’s expression immediately soured.

An elixir that not even Qi Tai could concoct... a moment’s thought was enough to understand how precious it was. No wonder Qi Xuancheng hadn’t used a Celestial Spirit Pill for his breakthrough.

"Where can one get a Celestial Spirit Pill?" Lu Ren asked.

Jiang Fan looked over, but before he could speak, Jiang Yan cut in. "Don’t even ask. You wouldn’t be able to get one even if you knew. If Celestial Spirit Pills were that easy to come by, Peak Master Qi would have gotten one for Qi Xuancheng long ago."

"The difficulty of you obtaining a Celestial Spirit Pill on your own is even greater than the difficulty of you breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm on your own."

Lu Ren fell silent. He didn’t believe he could obtain an elixir that even Qi Tai couldn’t acquire.

He turned and left. If he couldn’t get a Celestial Spirit Pill, he would just have to train with his life on the line. He refused to let his journey end at the Purple Sun Sect.

Around noon, someone indeed saw the Peak Master of Li Fire Peak, Elder Huoyun, and others rushing to Medicine King Peak to confirm Ye Qiuling’s breakthrough to the Celestial Essence Realm.

For the next few days, the Purple Sun Sect was bustling with activity. All the major and minor families in Cyan Yang City sent representatives to deliver congratulatory gifts to Ye Qiuling.

To break through to the Celestial Essence Realm at this time meant that while a Secondary Dragon Ascension wasn’t one hundred percent certain, the possibility was very high. No one dared to underestimate Ye Qiuling.

Besides, Ye Qiuling’s most formidable strength wasn’t her Martial Arts Talent, but her gift for alchemy.

However, it was said that no one had managed to see her, as she was still consolidating her cultivation.

Xu Yang also sent a gift to Medicine King Peak, as Ye Qiuling had sent him one when he achieved Marrow Cleansing Great Success.

’That little bastard, why hasn’t he left the Purple Sun Sect yet? Doesn’t he want to earn contribution points to exchange for resources and break through to the Celestial Essence Realm sooner?’

On Tianquan Peak, when the news of Ye Qiuling’s breakthrough to the Celestial Essence Realm arrived, Liu Qingyuan grew restless.

If this dragged on any longer, it wouldn’t be him killing Xu Yang, but Xu Yang killing him.

But Xu Yang was always hiding on Li Fire Peak, giving him no opportunity to strike.

Now that Ye Qiuling had broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm, it would be Xu Yang’s turn before long.

By then, he would have lost his chance to kill Xu Yang forever.

By now, he deeply regretted taking his anger over Liu Xunjiang’s death out on Xu Yang. But he had already made a move against him, and there was no turning back. His only option was to find a way to kill Xu Yang before he reached the Celestial Essence Realm.

"Master, the Sect Leader summons you to discuss an important matter!"

Suddenly, his disciple, He Song, walked in from outside.

"I know!"

Liu Qingyuan waved his hand distractedly, then got up and hurried to the Sect Leader’s Hall.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Liu Qingyuan said with a cupped-fist salute.

"Elder Liu, please have a seat." Zhang Jingyuan, seated on the grand chair, casually gestured to a nearby seat.

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Liu Qingyuan looked up and sensed that Zhang Jingyuan’s aura had become even more restrained and unfathomable. He quickly cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and offered another salute. "May I ask why the Sect Leader has summoned me?"

Zhang Jingyuan said, "Yesterday, I received an invitation. The Haisa Sect’s leader is about to turn one hundred and will be holding a centenary banquet. I wish to send you to represent the Purple Sun Sect and offer congratulations. Are you willing to go?"

’Of course I’m not willing,’ he thought. ’I still have to figure out how to kill Xu Yang.’

"I am willing to go!" Liu Qingyuan declared with a salute, his words completely at odds with his thoughts.

Zhang Jingyuan smiled. "Regarding personnel, who do you think would be suitable to take with you?"

Hearing this, an idea sparked in Liu Qingyuan’s mind.

’I’ve been agonizing over how to get Xu Yang to leave the Purple Sun Sect. Hasn’t an opportunity just presented itself?’

"The Haisa Sect Leader’s centenary banquet will surely be a gathering of various powers. I think we should bring some geniuses along. In case anyone wants to spar, we’ll be able to uphold the Purple Sun Sect’s reputation," Liu Qingyuan said.

Zhang Jingyuan nodded. "Who do you think would be suitable?"

Such grand events usually included a segment where disciples from various sects would compete against each other. It was indeed a good idea to bring some talented disciples.

"Xu Yang’s combat strength is formidable, so he would be a very suitable choice. Li Chuyang has been consolidating his skills for several months now, so his strength should have improved. The Young Master Marquis is also a good candidate. Adding Ye Qiuling, who has already broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm, this delegation would be enough to bolster the Purple Sun Sect’s prestige," Liu Qingyuan proposed.

Zhang Jingyuan frowned slightly and shook his head. "This is a congratulatory visit for a birthday. The Haisa Sect Leader has some status, but not enough to warrant the Young Master Marquis and Li Chuyang attending his celebration."

"If their families found out, I’m afraid the Haisa Sect wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences."

Even though the Marquis Mansion’s Jiang Family was in decline, the Young Master Marquis couldn’t be sent to congratulate just anyone.

Even the Haisa Sect Leader would have to bow in deference upon meeting Li Chuyang’s father, Li Lingdu. He was certainly not qualified to have Li Chuyang attend his birthday celebration.

Even if he dared to send Li Chuyang and Jiang Fan, the Haisa Sect wouldn’t have the courage to let them pay respects to their Sect Leader.

"Then Xu Yang and Ye Qiuling, and we can select a few others from the Ten Heroes," Liu Qingyuan said.

He didn’t care who went, as long as Xu Yang was one of them.

The talk about not tarnishing the Purple Sun Sect’s prestige was just an excuse to take Xu Yang away.

Zhang Jingyuan frowned again. "Huoyun might not be willing to let Xu Yang get distracted by other matters at a time like this."

The trip to the Haisa Sect was not a matter of a day or two; the round trip would take over a month. With Ye Qiuling having already broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm, Elder Huoyun would most likely want Xu Yang to focus all his efforts on his own breakthrough, not go off to attend a birthday banquet.

"And there’s Ye Qiuling. She’s still consolidating her cultivation."

The various peaks of the Purple Sun Sect were not on friendly terms. The other peaks held some animosity toward Tianquan Peak. Even as the Sect Leader, there were many things he couldn’t decide on his own.

The Ten Heroes Disciples were indeed suitable for making a good impression, but right now, they were all busy preparing for the Secondary Dragon Ascension. Who would be willing to go with you to attend a birthday celebration?

"Huoyun..."

At the mention of Elder Huoyun, a dark look flashed in Liu Qingyuan’s eyes.

Ever since Liu Xunjiang’s death, Elder Huoyun had been keeping a close eye on him, worried he would make a move against Xu Yang. It was highly unlikely he would let Xu Yang accompany him to the Haisa Sect.

"Take Zhang Hanzhou, Qi Xuancheng, and Du Chuan with you. Zhang Hanzhou and Qi Xuancheng failed their breakthroughs, so this is a good opportunity for them to see the geniuses from other factions and temper their state of mind."

"Lu Ren is a genius Weapon Forger, perfect to bring along to make a name for himself. And that Sun Tao has a lot of momentum; he might have a promising future."

Zhang Jingyuan waved his hand. "Send someone to inform them."

"Yes!" Liu Qingyuan saluted and took his leave.

He finally understood. This wasn’t a discussion at all. Zhang Jingyuan had already made his choices; summoning him was merely a formality to inform him of the decision.

All the people he suggested had been rejected by Zhang Jingyuan with various excuses, without any room for negotiation.

’I can’t let you kill Xu Yang,’ Zhang Jingyuan thought, shaking his head as he watched Liu Qingyuan’s retreating figure.

As the Sect Leader, how could he not know about the grudge between Liu Qingyuan and Xu Yang?

Unless he wanted to have a falling out with all the elders and the Peak Master of Li Fire Peak, he couldn’t let Xu Yang accompany Liu Qingyuan to the banquet.

’In the future, if Xu Yang manages a Secondary Dragon Ascension and joins the Celestial Strategy Academy, what would it matter if Liu Qingyuan were killed by him then?’

’If he fails the Dragon Ascension, then I, as the Sect Leader, can naturally step in and resolve the grudge between them.’

...

"Senior Brother Sun, did something good happen? You look so happy."

As Xu Yang pushed open the door and stepped out of his courtyard, he saw Sun Tao approaching with a wide smile, prompting his curious question.

Sun Tao grinned. "My master just informed me that the Haisa Sect Leader is holding a centenary banquet. The Sect is sending a delegation, and I’m one of the chosen members."

Attending such a grand event was an excellent opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and meet geniuses from all over.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Sun," Xu Yang said with a smile.

He had heard of the Haisa Sect; it was one of the Martial Arts Sects in Hongchuan County, with strength comparable to the Purple Sun Sect.

The Haisa Sect Leader’s hundredth birthday was definitely a major event in the Jianghu. Perhaps even the Purple Sun Sect’s own Sect Leader would attend personally.

Sun Tao shook his head. "It seems the Sect Leader isn’t going. I heard from my master that Elder Liu Qingyuan is leading the delegation."

’Liu Qingyuan is leading the delegation to the Haisa Sect?’

Xu Yang was taken aback. He had originally planned to take on a garrison mission in the next couple of days to leave the Purple Sun Sect, giving Liu Qingyuan an opportunity to strike. He never expected Liu Qingyuan to be leading a group to the Haisa Sect for a birthday celebration.

’My chance has come!’ A cold glint flickered in Xu Yang’s eyes.

He only had a little over a year left for the Secondary Dragon Ascension. Only after dealing with Liu Qingyuan could he focus completely on that goal.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

"Senior Brother Sun, it’s time to go!" Lu Ren’s voice called out from outside the door.

Sun Tao walked out of his courtyard with a few changes of clothes and his sword, descending Li Fire Peak with Lu Ren.

When they arrived at the Outer Sect’s Martial Arts Arena, a carriage was already waiting. Three magnificent white horses stood quietly, hitched to the vehicle. Not far off, mounts were prepared for the accompanying disciples.

"No wonder the trip to the Haisa Sect is going to take over a month," Sun Tao muttered, finally understanding why attending a birthday celebration would take so long.

It was all for show. If they traveled light, a round trip to Hongchuan County would only take about ten days with a Martial Artist’s speed.

But they were representing the Purple Sun Sect at a celebration; they couldn’t just arrive travel-worn and on foot.

While the disciples might not care about status, Liu Qingyuan certainly did. A carriage was befitting the status of a Purple Sun Sect Elder.

"Depart!"

The congratulatory gifts were already loaded onto the carriage. With Liu Qingyuan’s appearance, the carriage began to slowly move out of the Purple Sun Sect.

Liu Qingyuan closed his eyes, remaining perfectly still despite the carriage’s jolting.

"Mount up!"

Zhang Hanzhou gave a sharp command, and all the accompanying disciples vaulted onto their horses, following the carriage out of the Purple Sun Sect.

The entire congratulatory delegation totaled eleven people. The group included five geniuses from the Ten Heroes List, as well as five ordinary Inner Sect Disciples.

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