"The Azurewood Sect has achieved a resounding victory. But the Eighth True Disciple, Luo Mingyan, has gone missing? And the Sixth True Inheritance prodigy has shone brilliantly?"
Wei Zhong was deeply shaken by the news.
"Master, Senior Li requests an audience," Xie Linghua announced as she entered.
"Please, show him in."
At the stone table, Wei Zhong observed Li Haowen with a hint of nostalgia. The man before him no longer displayed the uncertainty he'd shown upon first achieving Foundation Establishment. The sharp resolve in his eyes betrayed the composure of a Foundation Establishment Clan Head.
Since Li Haowen's return, the former Clan Leader, Li Ren, had stepped down, allowing Li Haowen to assume the position and lead the Li Family forward.
"It seems, Brother Li, that these past five years have transformed you greatly," Wei Zhong remarked.
Li Haowen chuckled softly. "Necessity forced my hand. Every day and night spent in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range was filled with dread—nothing like your senior's leisurely life."
"I've heard there were many unexpected developments in the recent war between humans and demon beasts. Would Fellow Daoist Li be willing to share some details?"
"Just a few personal observations. I'd be glad to share them with Fellow Daoist Chu."
"When I first arrived in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, our human cultivators actually held the advantage. But within a year, the demon beast forces suddenly gained two Third-Tier Great Demons. This placed immense pressure on the Azurewood Sect, forcing them to deploy reinforcements."
Sect Leader Nie personally led a large contingent of Foundation Establishment cultivators to the front lines, and with their combined efforts, they finally stabilized the situation.
However, the respite was short-lived. Within a few years, a Fourth-Tier Great Demon was roused—a Wind Wolf that triggered a massive beast tide. Human settlements were raided, suffering heavy losses.
It was during this chaos that True Disciple Luo was ambushed by demon beasts and swept into the beast tide, his fate unknown.
If not for the fact that his soul lamp within the Azurewood Sect remained lit, the sect would likely have already stripped him of his status as a True Inheritance Disciple.
Wei Zhong felt a pang of regret. He had never imagined that his parting with Luo would lead to such grim news.
Li Haowen, aware of Wei Zhong's friendship with Luo, reassured him, "Fellow Daoist Chu, there's no need for sorrow. The fact that his soul lamp remains lit suggests he's likely trapped in some perilous place, unable to return."
Wei Zhong nodded and pressed on, "If the situation was so dire, how did the Azurewood Sect achieve such a resounding victory?"
"That brings us to a Nascent Soul Senior named Daoist Ruowu," Li Haowen explained. "He hailed from the Shadowmoon Sect, a renowned Nascent Soul power, and his peerless swordsmanship not only slew the Fourth-Tier Wind Wolf but also severely injured several Third-Tier Great Demons in the process."
With the leader's death and the overwhelming presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator, the lower-tier demon beasts were utterly routed. Supreme Elder Qingmu seized the opportunity to lead the cultivators in pursuit, not only slaying three Third-Tier Great Demons but also expanding the Azurewood Sect's controlled territory by several hundred li—a resounding victory!
Wei Zhong hadn't expected the Human Race's campaign against the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to reach the Nascent Soul level so quickly. Did this mean the conflict between the two races would escalate more rapidly? This was hardly a good omen.
"I heard the Azurewood Sect's Sixth True Inheritance shone brilliantly in this battle. Brother Li, do you know any details?"
Hearing this, Li Haowen set down his wine cup. "Brother Chu, you've asked the right person. I personally witnessed that True Inheritance in action on the battlefield.
He's a dual cultivator of both body and magic, having achieved Foundation Establishment in his physical body while reaching Qi Refining in his spirit cultivation. He inherited Hall Master Zhao Bai's Golden Thunder Manual from the Azurewood Sect, granting him immense strength augmented by thunderous power. His skills are virtually unmatched among low-tier Foundation Establishment cultivators, allowing him to calmly escape even encounters with late-stage Second-Tier Great Demons."
"Could it be that this person has already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?"
Li Haowen shook his head. "That's not the case. We've heard him say himself that he only achieved Foundation Establishment seven or eight years ago."
"Hiss!" Wei Zhong gasped, drawing in a cold breath. "Truly a heaven-sent prodigy."
"Not only that," Li Haowen continued, "but rumor has it he possesses a Thunder Spirit Root, a one-in-ten-thousand rarity. His aptitude for Spirit Cultivation is said to rival his physical prowess."
"This... how did such precious information leak out? Even Nascent Soul Sects would scramble to recruit someone with such potential, wouldn't they?"
Li Haowen shook his head. "I don't know. These claims remain unverified rumors, their truth uncertain. However, it's undeniable that this True Inheritance disciple has limitless potential and poses a significant threat to Yao Zheng Sheng's position as Young Sect Leader."
Wei Zhong understood the implication perfectly. If the Thunder Spirit Root rumor proved true, this disciple's innate talent far surpassed even Yao Zheng Sheng's High-Grade Spirit Root. With the right techniques, Core Formation would be child's play for him, making him a prime Nascent Soul candidate—perhaps even the Azurewood Sect's best hope for future advancement.
Wei Zhong could already envision the bloody power struggles that would inevitably unfold within the sect.
"Wasn't that Nascent Soul cultivator interested in him?"
"That's beyond the comprehension of lowly Foundation Establishment cultivators like us," Li Haowen replied.
Wei Zhong understood. Li Haowen was merely from a Foundation Establishment family affiliated with the Azurewood Sect, so such secrets would naturally be tightly guarded by the sect. It was already exceedingly difficult for rumors of a Thunder Spirit Root to leak out among cultivators.
"Furthermore, the Azurewood Sect intends to hold a True Inheritance Ceremony for him soon. Fellow Daoist Chu, you should prepare accordingly."
Wei Zhong paused, then realized the hidden danger. The Azurewood Sect might use this opportunity to suppress Loose Cultivators like him.
"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist," Wei Zhong said.
Li Haowen smiled faintly, produced a small box, and opened it to reveal a jade-green pearl.
"A Monster Core? And a rare wind attribute one at that?" Wei Zhong was genuinely surprised. "What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist?"
"I've heard Fellow Daoist Chu has a First-Tier spirit bird," Li Haowen replied. "This Monster Core is perfect for its advancement."
Wei Zhong pondered, "What does Fellow Daoist require?"
After the recent human-demon war, the market would undoubtedly be flooded with Monster Cores. If Li Haowen needed spirit stones, he could easily sell the core at any of the shops in Market City. Why bother haggling with Wei Zhong?
Li Haowen raised a single finger. "Spirit wine—a jar of the spirit wine you previously gave me."
Li Haowen, who had reached Foundation Establishment, deeply appreciated the immense value of the spirit wine Wei Zhong had provided. It had not only healed the injuries to his Dharma Body but also strengthened his physique, helping him break through the Foundation Establishment barrier.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, the wine had granted him a physical constitution far surpassing that of ordinary Spirit Cultivators. This enhanced resilience had saved him countless times in battle, allowing him to survive to this day.
Wei Zhong narrowed his eyes. "Has Fellow Daoist forgotten the contract we signed?"
"Not at all," Li Haowen replied. "I require this for my own use. Besides, Fellow Daoist might want to examine this Monster Core closely. It's not from a land-based demon beast like a Wind Wolf, but from a severely wounded Wind-type Flying Falcon—a Second-Tier Mid-stage creature."
Wei Zhong picked up the Monster Core and scrutinized it. It was indeed superior to ordinary Second-Tier Demonic Cores, but he couldn't determine which demon beast it had come from.
Wei Zhong summoned Xie Linghua, who arrived cradling a motley parrot. Since Wei Zhong had acquired servants, they had become even more deferential to the bird, further indulging its laziness.
However, upon seeing the Monster Core on the table, the parrot unexpectedly flew from Xie Linghua's arms. It circled the core several times before landing on top of it, settling down with an air of contentment.
Li Haowen marveled at the sight. "It seems your spirit pet is extremely fond of this Monster Core, Fellow Daoist."
Wei Zhong sighed helplessly and produced a jar of Second-Tier Azure Spirit Brew. "Fellow Daoist Li, you'll need to sign a few more Spirit Contracts with me."
Moments later, Li Haowen departed, thoroughly satisfied. Wei Zhong snatched Nine-Colored, who was still perched atop the Monster Core.
"If you fail to advance this time," he threatened, "I'll pluck your feathers and feed them to Big Gold."
As if understanding his words, Nine-Colored tucked its wings close to its body, a hint of fear in its eyes.
With a wave of his hand, Wei Zhong banished the parrot to his Grotto-Heaven. He instructed his servants to clean up the mess and resumed his cultivation.
The Azurewood Sect's True Inheritance Ceremony was only half a year away, not enough time to reach another breakthrough. He resolved to refine his techniques instead, such as the defensive spell Blackwater Spirit Garment and the Invisibility Technique, which had yet to reach the grand master level.
Half a year of cultivation passed in the blink of an eye. Wei Zhong emerged from seclusion, displaying a Grandmaster-level Invisibility Technique. Bai Yining, who had been guarding the entrance, remained completely unaware of his presence.
It's only natural for a Qi Refining cultivator not to be able to detect me, Wei Zhong mused. But this Grandmaster-level Invisibility Technique seems to overlap somewhat with the Breath Concealing Technique—both are designed to evade divine sense. Oh well, I'll just consider it an enhancement to my stealth abilities.
Dismissing the technique, Wei Zhong gave his instructions and boarded his Green Boat to leave the island. Li Haowen had been waiting patiently outside for some time.
"Fellow Daoist Chu," Li Haowen greeted him.
"Brother Li, why don't you join me for a drink on my Green Boat?" Wei Zhong invited.
Li Haowen promptly sheathed his magic sword and stepped aboard.
"May I ask what kind of tribute you've prepared for this visit, Fellow Daoist Chu?" Li Haowen inquired.
Wei Zhong sipped his wine. "Just some local products from Black Lake Island. Did you put a great deal of effort into your tribute, Fellow Daoist Li?"
Li Haowen chuckled awkwardly. "The Li Family's foundations are shallow. We lack the resources for elaborate preparations. A modest gift to maintain appearances will suffice."
"Brother Li, our thoughts align perfectly," Wei Zhong replied with a knowing smile.
The two men exchanged amused glances.
Upon arriving at Bright Moon Market, Wei Zhong and Li Haowen disembarked from the Green Boat to find the once-bustling market city now eerily quiet.
"The once-thriving Bright Moon Market has finally fallen into decline," Li Haowen remarked wistfully.
Wei Zhong nodded in agreement. As the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild continued to escalate its efforts, the Bright Moon Market suffered increasingly severe blows. The Azurewood Sect had even grown somewhat apathetic, allowing the market to decline unchecked.
"If not for this True Inheritance Ceremony, the market would likely have become even more desolate," Wei Zhong remarked.
Li Haowen nodded, then clasped his hands in a bow towards Wei Zhong. "I have some affairs to attend to. I must bid farewell to Brother Chu."
"Then I'll see you at the ceremony," Wei Zhong replied.
The two parted ways. Wei Zhong went to find Ning Cankun, only to discover that a middle-aged man had taken over management of the spirit fields. Ning Cankun had been relieved of his duties. When Wei Zhong inquired about Ning Cankun's whereabouts, the new manager claimed ignorance.
Frustrated, Wei Zhong realized that without Ning Cankun, he had no one to talk to in the Bright Moon Market.
He visited Rong Ju at the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild, but Shan Qin and Miao Lishan had yet to return. Surprisingly, Manager Ruan didn't drive him away, perhaps still harboring some goodwill from Wei Zhong's previous performance.
The next day, the True Inheritance Ceremony commenced.
This marked the Sixth True Inheritance's first public appearance at the Azurewood Sect. The rumors surrounding him had drawn a large crowd of cultivators eager to witness the spectacle.
When Yi Liu finally appeared before the assembled crowd, even Wei Zhong couldn't help but marvel. His youthful face resembled that of a teenager, and he stood noticeably shorter than most cultivators. Yet the aura he exuded was no less imposing than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment expert.
Zhao Bai, observing Yi Liu clad in golden armor, tugged contentedly at his nonexistent beard, a broad smile spreading across his face.
Yu Xianglan sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Senior Brother, instead of standing here grinning like an idiot, why not keep watch over our surroundings? The rumors about Little Sixth have been swirling lately. Aren't you worried someone might try something?"
Duan Delong chimed in, "Junior Sister speaks wisely. With the Sect's Grand Formation temporarily deactivated, Yi Liu is vulnerable to outside threats."
Zhao Bai's smile faded, replaced by a fierce glint as he surveyed the crowd of cultivators. "Don't worry. As long as no Core Formation expert makes a move, Little Sixth can handle anything."
No sooner had he spoken than a bolt of black light shot from the crowd below, hurtling toward Yi Liu in mid-air.
"Soul-Piercing Cone!"
Zhao Bai slammed his right foot down with a thunderous boom and charged straight at the attacking cultivator, without so much as a backward glance at Yi Liu.
Seeing the black light hurtling toward him, Yi Liu's eyes flashed with disdain. He raised his hand, producing a golden staff, and slammed it down on the incoming darkness.
The black light shattered on impact, revealing a slender crimson needle that pierced through the staff's solid form and shot straight for Yi Liu's body. But the golden light from his Treasure Armor flickered, deflecting the attack. Yi Liu's free left hand snatched the red needle, crushing it to dust with a light twist.
"Senior Brother Zhao actually crafted Soul Protection into this Treasure Armor?" Yu Xianglan exclaimed in astonishment.
Yi Liu possessed exceptional physical strength, but his Divine Soul was somewhat vulnerable. This Treasure Armor completely compensated for that weakness, rendering him nearly impervious to ordinary Second-Tier attacks.
"Senior Brother Zhao must have spared no expense!" Duan Delong remarked to Yu Xianglan. "We can't afford to stand idly by. A Core Formation cultivator might intervene. Go protect Yi Liu while I scout the perimeter for any hidden Demonic Cultivators."
Duan Delong leaped out of the formation and began searching the surrounding area. Yu Xianglan sped to Yi Liu's side, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Witnessing these developments, Wei Zhong cautiously retreated a few steps. His cautious nature had led him to choose a position near the edge of the formation, ensuring a swifter escape should danger arise.
In the blink of an eye, Zhao Bai had subdued the ambusher. The man was merely a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator, his spine shattered by two of Zhao Bai's punches, leaving him gasping weakly for air. The demonic energy within him surged uncontrollably, spilling forth in a chaotic torrent.
"A little demon whelp," Zhao Bai sneered. "How dare you attack here? Are there Core Formation Demon Cultivators lurking nearby?"
His sharp gaze swept across the surrounding cultivators, each lowering their head, unable to meet his eyes.
Meanwhile, Duan Delong had also spotted several cultivators behaving suspiciously. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a cloud of green mist. The panicked cultivators fled, but they stood no chance against Core Formation power.
The green cloud enveloped them instantly, leaving only decayed skeletons in its wake. One of these gruesome remains lay directly before Wei Zhong.
Just a hair's breadth away, Wei Zhong thought, that green mist nearly swept over me.
As the Core Formation cultivator departed, murmurs arose among the crowd: "I can't believe Demonic Cultivators were hiding among us! Thank goodness Senior Duan acted swiftly..."
Wei Zhong grew increasingly uneasy about the True Inheritance Ceremony. He considered leaving immediately, but feared the Azurewood Sect's Core Formation expert might mistake him for a Demonic Cultivator and eliminate him as well.
For now, he reinforced his Blackwater Spirit Garment and channeled spiritual energy into his Second-Tier Magic Robe, ready to activate its protective barrier at a moment's notice.
Fortunately, the True Inheritance Ceremony was not lengthy. After identifying and apprehending several suspected Demonic Cultivators, the cultivators presented their gifts, and the gathering dispersed.
Wei Zhong returned to Sea Moon Lake with Li Haowen aboard the Green Boat. Along the way, they encountered several groups of Robber Cultivators, but upon seeing the two Foundation Establishment cultivators traveling together, the bandits refrained from attacking.
"Fellow Daoist Li," Wei Zhong remarked, "have you noticed the recent surge in Robber Cultivators?"
Li Haowen nodded. "We should avoid leaving the island unnecessarily from now on."
Wei Zhong suddenly realized he was speaking to the wrong person. Fellow Daoist Chu is far more cautious than I am. I should be the one receiving this advice.
Back at Sea Moon Lake, the two parted ways, and Wei Zhong hurried into his Grotto-Heaven.
Nine-Colored had nearly finished digesting the Second-Tier Demonic Core and lay in a deep slumber, poised to advance to the Second-Tier at any moment.
It's best to advance here in the Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong thought. I don't want anyone to discover I possess a Second-Tier spirit bird.
Seeing her still asleep, Wei Zhong couldn't predict when her breakthrough might occur, so he retreated to his Cultivation Chamber. As he passed the Lotus Pond, he noticed that one of the two strange spirit herbs he had planted there had sprouted a small fruit.
"Could it be?" Wei Zhong wondered.
He immediately left the Grotto-Heaven and retrieved Big Gold. The rooster gazed at the fruiting herb with delight, circling it incessantly.
"When this fruit ripened, Big Gold will likely advance to the Second-Tier," Wei Zhong mused, turning to gaze at the slumbering Nine-Colored behind him. For years, neither creature had shown any signs of advancement, but now they were both on the verge of breakthrough.
A month later, the spiritual energy within the Grotto-Heaven was drawn toward Nine-Colored, swirling into vast vortexes around her. Wei Zhong watched intently, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.
Just as human cultivators might fail during Foundation Establishment, demon beasts could also fail during Second-Tier advancement. Though Nine-Colored possessed a mysterious bloodline that could aid her, it was too dilute. Wei Zhong feared her reserves might prove insufficient, leading to failure.
Fortunately, his worries proved unfounded. Days later, the spiritual energy subsided, and a vibrant, multi-hued bird emerged from the vortex, landing gently in Wei Zhong's hand.
"You've grown about a size larger, and your appearance has changed slightly," Wei Zhong remarked, stroking her plumage. "You don't resemble a parrot anymore; you're much closer to a hawk or falcon."
He paused. "Show me how big you can get."
As if understanding his request, Nine-Colored spread her wings to shield her body. Her motley plumage expanded rapidly, and her entire frame began to swell. In the blink of an eye, she transformed into a towering bird over ten feet tall, with a wingspan approaching twenty feet.
Wei Zhong watched in astonishment as the small bird transformed into a creature nearly as large as Big Gold, who stood by the pool, wide-eyed and dumbfounded by the sudden change.
"Excellent! Excellent!" Wei Zhong exclaimed, leaping onto Nine-Colored's back and settling into a cross-legged position.
The massive bird flapped its wings, stirring the surrounding spiritual energy, and soared into the air, radiating a dual-colored spiritual light of azure and silver.
"Is this... Thunder Attribute Magic Power?" Wei Zhong stroked Nine-Colored's feathers, his excitement mounting. I never imagined that after advancing to the Second-Tier, this bird would not only master wind manipulation but also gain control over thunder.
With the combined power of wind and thunder, Nine-Colored's flight speed now rivaled Wei Zhong's own Grandmaster-level Soaring Cloud Technique.
The narrow confines of the Grotto-Heaven were unsuitable for Nine-Colored's full-sized form, so Wei Zhong ordered her to land. After he dismounted, the colossal creature shrank back down to its original hawk-like size.
Wei Zhong stroked her long neck. "Well done. It seems I misjudged you. You weren't being lazy; you simply understood the Dao of 'the tallest tree catches the wind.'"
Nine-Colored showed no reaction to Wei Zhong's praise, lazily tucking her head under her wing.
Still hasn't shaken that indolent nature.
Turning back to Big Gold in the pond, Wei Zhong tossed him a Spirit Fruit.
"You need to reach Foundation Establishment soon too. Only then will riding a Sea-Sky Dual Second-Tier Spirit Beast mount truly command respect."
Placing Nine-Colored by the pond's edge, Wei Zhong had no immediate plans to bring her out of the Grotto-Heaven. A Second-Tier spirit beast would easily attract unwanted attention, and his meager Early Foundation Establishment cultivation base couldn't afford that risk.
Once my spirit beast successfully reaches Foundation Establishment, it'll be time for me to focus on my own cultivation.
A month later, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Brother Ning, what brings you here?" Wei Zhong greeted his old friend warmly, immediately instructing his servants to prepare a feast.
Ning Cankun waved it off. "No need, Brother Chu. I've come with a request."
He pulled forward the half-grown boy behind him. "This is Ning Jiaqi, a descendant of my Ning Clan. He possesses a mid-grade Wood Spirit Root and a low-grade Fire Attribute Spirit Root. He hasn't begun cultivating yet, and I entrust him to your care. Whether you take him as a disciple or keep him as a servant is entirely up to you."
Wei Zhong examined the youth—fair-skinned, rosy-lipped, and standing just over four feet tall, appearing to be around eleven or twelve years old. The boy nervously clutched Ning Cankun's Daoist robe, his large, round eyes fixed on Wei Zhong with a hint of timidity.
"With such innate talent, he could easily become an Inner Sect Disciple at the Azurewood Sect. Brother Ning, why did you bring him here instead?"
"Alas..."
As they spoke, Xie Linghua had already instructed the servants to prepare a table with food and drink.
"Elder Brother, please sit down and tell us at your leisure," she said.
The three men took their seats. Xie Linghua poured spirit wine and occasionally offered Ning Jiaqi some spirit food.
"Brother Ning, please tell us everything that's on your mind," Wei Zhong urged.
Ning Jiaqi drained his cup of spirit wine, but his expression lacked the usual delight he showed when savoring fine spirits, his face instead clouded with deep sorrow.
"Brother Chu, you must have heard about Nephew Luo's disappearance?"
Wei Zhong nodded. "Is that why you're here?"
"Exactly. After Nephew Luo vanished, opinions within the sect were divided. Some wanted to strip him of his True Inheritance status, while others insisted on preserving it until his return.
But in the vast Azurewood Sect, self-interest ultimately prevailed. The sect subtly began to favor removing his name from the records.
When word of this reached the Luo Clan, they erupted in fury. Long-standing rivals seized the opportunity to kick them while they were down. Even the Ning Clan, his mother's clan, wasn't spared."
"But didn't Brother Luo still have friends within the sect? What about Shen Yuqi, the Seventh True Disciple?"
"Indeed. It was thanks to Shen Yuqi's intervention that the Luo Clan managed to survive this ordeal."
The Ning Clan, however, was in a different situation. As Nephew Luo's maternal clan, and with his mother having passed away over a century ago, Ning Cankun was the only one who still maintained a tenuous connection with them.
Now that Nephew Luo had disappeared, the Ning Clan had instantly lost its foothold within the Azurewood Sect. They faced retaliation from their enemies and received no assistance from their allies.
The clan had suffered devastating losses. That's why Ning Cankun had brought the young boy to seek refuge with Brother Chu, hoping he would take him in.
As he finished speaking, Ning Cankun rose and bowed deeply to Wei Zhong, who hastily helped him up.
"Elder Brother, there's no need for such formalities. If you simply ask, how could I, Chu Zhong, refuse? Black Lake Island is vast; accommodating one more young one won't be a problem.
Why don't you stay as well, Elder Brother, and enjoy your twilight years on Black Lake Island?"
Ning Cankun shook his head. "My clan is in crisis. These old bones must return to serve. This lad has promising talent; it would be a waste to let him languish in the Ning Clan."
He walked over to Ning Jiaqi and gently stroked the boy's forehead. "Jiaqi, kowtow to your Uncle Chu. From now on, you'll be under his care."
Hearing this, Ning Jiaqi set down his Spirit Food, knelt on both knees, and bowed his head heavily to the ground.