In the main headquarters of the Chen Clan Commerce Association in Three Elements Immortal City, Chen Xixing had just learned about the death of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends from the Communication Jade Talisman, and he slapped the table fiercely, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
His aura of Fake Pill fluctuated slightly, and he immediately called out loudly towards the door: "Someone come!"
Two stewards in gray robes entered quickly, bowing to greet him: "Chairman."
Chen Xixing spoke with unquestionable authority:
"Immediately send out orders to all branches and Market points in the Northern territories to spread the word of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends' demise."
"Emphasize that these fiends attacked members of the Chen Clan and seized spiritual materials, for which Master Micro-Image invited assistance to kill them, and their heads have been sent to Nine Cloud Peak!"
"Additionally, inform all branches that in two months, we will simultaneously hold small auctions at the three major Markets including Giant Deer Market and Black Water City, where three High Tier Realm-Breaking Pills personally refined by Master Micro-Image will be on offer!"
"Yes!"
The two stewards responded in unison and quickly left.
Soon, the Communication Array outside the main headquarters of the Commerce Association glowed with Spirit Light, and messages spread out like a web.
The branch in Northern Giant Deer Market immediately arranged for cultivators to post notices at the Market entrance while the Black Water City location had clerks subtly mention the matter in taverns and teahouses...
The news spread like wildfire, reaching all major Markets in the Northern territories within a day, especially Giant Deer Market, where Chen Xilong had been attacked, becoming the focus of much discussion.
In the "Gathering Immortals Tower" at the center of the Market, several Golden Core Cultivators sat around a table by a window on the second floor, with Spirit Tea and snacks laid out, yet the conversation couldn't stray from the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends.
"Tsk tsk, who would have thought that the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends, who roamed the Northern territories for decades, would meet such a tragic end this time!"
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A Golden Core Early-stage cultivator in a blue robe held a teacup, his tone full of emotion.
He had once witnessed the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends intercept cultivators with brutal means which left him trembling in fear, and now, upon hearing of their downfall, he couldn't help but feel a certain satisfaction.
Seated across from him was a Golden Core Mid-stage cultivator with a short beard, who gently shook his head at these words:
"They brought it on themselves! Daring to mess with the Chen Clan and robbing spiritual materials needed by Master Micro-Image — weren't they just courting death?"
He took a sip from his teacup, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes:
"Master Micro-Image is the Hall Master of a Nascent Soul Grand Sect, a Tier Three Supreme Top Level Grandmaster specialized in Realm-Breaking Elixirs, who has helped countless cultivators break through bottlenecks over the years."
"His network is so vast that few in the entire Yue Country can compare, and he can casually summon two helpers to instantly slay the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends. Who dares provoke such power?"
A female cultivator in a purple robe sitting nearby chimed in with curiosity:
"I heard that it was Master Celestial Sword from the Myriad Swords Sect and Loose Cultivator Master Yun Xiao who killed the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends?"
"Master Celestial Sword is a Late-stage Golden Core Sword Cultivator who has comprehended Sword Heart and Sword Intent, while Master Yun Xiao's Tracking Technique is unparalleled in the region. With these two joining forces, the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends certainly had no way out."
The blue-robed cultivator put down the teacup, lowering his voice:
"Indeed!"
"I also heard from the Chen Clan Commerce Association's Fake Pill tributor that in a few days, the Chen Clan will host an auction in our Giant Deer Market, featuring Realm-Breaking Pills personally refined by Master Micro-Image!"
"They say that these pills increase the probability of breaking through from Mid-stage to Late-stage Golden Core by thirty percent, much better than ordinary Realm-Breaking Pills on the market!"
"Really?"
The short-bearded cultivator's eyes lit up. He had been stuck in the Mid-stage Golden Core for thirty years and lacked high-quality Realm-Breaking Pills. Hearing this, he immediately became interested:
"If such great items are available, even if the price is high, I must compete for them! With Master Micro-Image's reputation, the pill quality is absolutely guaranteed."
The female cultivator in purple also nodded in agreement:
"The Chen Clan is truly using the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends incident to establish their power, both warning Northern cultivators of the consequences of provoking them and offering high-grade elixirs to draw more people to trade with the Commerce Association. It's a masterfully calculated move."
"But with Master Micro-Image backing them, it's no wonder the Chen Clan Commerce Association's business is flourishing."
Outside the elegant room on the street, cultivators occasionally stopped to look at the notices posted by the Chen Clan Commerce Association, their discussions rising and falling.
Some marveled at the Chen Clan's power, while others planned to attend the auction two months later. Even those small forces that once coveted the Chen Clan's business had curbed their ambitions by now.
Seeing the fate of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends, none of them dared to provoke the Chen Clan anymore.
Inside the Giant Deer Market branch of the Chen Clan Commerce Association, Chen Xixing looked at the bustling scene outside, feeling immensely satisfied.
He knew that after this event, the Chen Clan's prestige in the Northern territories would rise another level, ensuring smoother expansion of future businesses.
...
Years passed in the blink of an eye.
The crimson doors of Danming Hall slowly opened in the morning light, in front of the twelve Cyan Jade Desks inside the hall.
Several gray-robed stewards had long stood waiting, bowing deeply, with glazed scrolls stacked on the desks, emitting a faint Spirit Light that recorded Danming Hall's monthly affairs.
Chen Sheng, dressed in a dark alchemist's robe with Pill Patterns embroidered on the cuffs, entered the hall. His gaze swept over the scrolls on the desks, and he walked straight to the main seat.
Steward Li at the forefront quickly approached, holding an immaculate White Jade Scroll in both hands:
"Hall Master, this is the summary of the elixir requests by the Inner Sect Disciples for this month. The demand for 'Qi Storage Pill' has increased by 30% compared to last month, and we need to replenish fifty furnaces of 'Strengthening Essence Pill.'"
Chen Sheng took the Jade Scroll, and with a sweep of his Divine Sense, he comprehended all its contents. With a gentle tap of his fingertip on the Jade Scroll, a faint golden Mana was injected, marking the items needing priority:
"Accelerate the refining of the Qi Storage Pill at the Pill Workshop. Replenish the Strengthening Essence Pill from the Pill Storage. Arrange for additional refining if the stock is insufficient..."
"Understood!"
Steward Li bowed in acknowledgment, then handed over another scroll.
"This is the spiritual materials procurement list sent from the Collection Hall. There is a large demand for 'Thunder Spirit Grass' and 'Profound Iron Sand.' They say it's for auxiliary materials preparation for the annual competition."
Chen Sheng nodded and swiftly arranged, "Procure according to the list, personally supervise it, and ensure the quality of the spiritual materials."
He handled affairs swiftly and decisively, approving all the accumulated scrolls within the hall in less than half an incense stick's time.
He handed the last Jade Scroll back to the steward, stood up, and said, "The subsequent matters are entrusted to you. If there are any thorny issues, communicate with me."
The several stewards bowed in unison: "Farewell, Hall Master!"
Watching the departing figure of Chen Sheng, Steward Li and Steward Wang exchanged smiles, with not a trace of dissatisfaction in their eyes.
They were long accustomed to this Hall Master's style of a "hands-off manager"—although Chen Sheng was not often in the hall, he always grasped the core of affairs accurately and treated his subordinates generously.
The monthly stipend was much higher than that of stewards in other halls, with additional spiritual material rewards quarterly, and he occasionally shared insights in the Dao of Alchemy or Arrays with them.
Steward Wang, having been stuck as a Tier Two High Grade Alchemist for many years, was guided successfully by Chen Sheng to refine a Tier Two Top Level Elixir. Such treatment made them willing to manage hall affairs for him wholeheartedly.
Leaving the Dan Ming Hall, Chen Sheng turned into a stream of light, rushing towards Nine Cloud Peak.
The Mountain Protection Array outside the dwelling automatically opened a path, and when he stepped into the Cloud Sea, the grand array closed again, completely isolating the world's noise.
The Cloud Sea of Nine Cloud Peak resembled rolling White Jade, with layers upon layers of cloud waves dotted with twinkling Spirit Light.
Standing atop the Cloud Sea, Chen Sheng took a deep breath, and his aura abruptly changed.
The previously peaceful aura faded away, replaced by a wild and domineering momentum, like an awakened ancient Flood Dragon, causing the surrounding cloud waves to churn violently.
"Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand!"
Chen Sheng uttered in a low roar, raising his right palm slowly, where a dense, faint golden Mana was gathering. As the Mana flowed, ancient and rugged patterns faintly emerged.
With a sudden claw strike downward, his five fingers formed into a claw shape, fiercely grabbing toward the Cloud Sea below.
"Screech!"
A piercing sound of air being torn apart rang out, and the Cloud Sea was forcefully torn open, creating a chasm.
Even more astonishing, at the moment the claw wind descended, the void actually developed fine wrinkles, and subsequently split open three hair-thin black cracks.
The edges of the cracks flickered with faint purple Spirit Light, like three motionless lightning bolts, suspended steadily within the Cloud Sea without the slightest quiver.
Chen Sheng's gaze was tightly fixed on the cracks, a touch of joy passing through his heart:
"Not bad, finally able to stabilize for three breaths!"
He had been cultivating this "Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand" for decades. This divine technique not only required tearing the void but also emphasized control over the cracks.
A common cultivator might only manage to tear open a crack, unable to sustain it, with the crack dissipating after just a breath.
Now he could already stabilize the crack for three breaths, nearing the threshold of "control."
He slowly withdrew his palm, carefully sensing the Mana flow while deploying the divine technique.
The essence of the Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand was not brute force but a special technique to condense Mana into a "edge"—to tear open the spatial barrier while suppressing the unrest of the crack with one's own Mana to maintain its stability.
With complete mastery, one could even momentarily control a small section of the void, touching upon a fraction of a Nascent Soul Cultivator's void control.
Gaining an early comprehension of Void Power would greatly benefit future cultivation, let alone play an integral part in his grand scheme of setting up a 'Long-distance Teleportation Array.'
Chen Sheng raised his hand once more, gathering Mana in his palm, this time deliberately slowing the Mana flow, carefully adjusting the density and angle of the "edge."
Once more, a claw descended, the void split open into three cracks, but this time, the cracks not only stabilized for three breaths, the unrest at the edges calmed considerably compared to before.
"More practice is needed."
Chen Sheng shook his head slightly, without the least bit of slackening.
With a move of his body, he swiftly shuttled through the Cloud Sea, at times raising his hand toward the void, at times pausing to observe the changes in the cracks, refining details with each deployment.
The Cloud Sea churned incessantly under the sweep of his claw wind.
Every so often, black spatial cracks flickered through the Cloud Sea, like short-lived ink-colored threads, adding a sharp edge to the serene Cloud Sea.
He ceased his cultivation only when the sun set in the west, with his domineering aura gradually subsiding, reverting to the gentle appearance of a Grandmaster in the Alchemy Dao.
...
Inside the Nine Cloud Peak cave residence.
Spiritual Mist lingered like a light veil around Chen Sheng's body, and the faint golden Spirit Light emitted by the activated Tier Three Spirit Gathering Array slowly flowed into his body through his acupoints.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Meditation Mat, eyes slightly closed, fingers forming spells from the Profound Derivation Sword Scripture, refining the dense Spiritual Qi in the cave bit by bit.
Since his Spiritual Root advanced to High Grade, his affinity for Spiritual Qi greatly increased, consequently boosting his efficiency in utilizing Elixir Pills by several degrees.
The Tier Three High Grade Strengthening Essence Pill, which used to take a month to refine, now only required half a month to fully absorb, accelerating his cultivation speed significantly.
"I am two hundred and sixty years old this year, and at this rate, I will reach Late-stage Golden Core at most in twenty years."
Chen Sheng calculated secretly, a satisfied smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
Employing Introspection, he observed his Dantian, where the Golden Core slowly rotated within the Spiritual Mist, its Pill Pattern clearer than two years ago. Meanwhile, his meridians slightly expanded due to the Spiritual Root enhancement, placing him at the pinnacle among cultivators of the same stage.
At this moment, his Sect Jade Scroll at his waist abruptly vibrated intensely, as a sharp wave of Spiritual Power pierced through, interrupting his meditation.
Chen Sheng pinched the Jade Scroll between his fingers, and his Divine Sense infiltrated finely. In an instant, his previously relaxed brows knit tightly, and the amusement in his eyes swiftly vanished:
"Inner Sect meeting?"
The characters on the Jade Scroll emerged continuously with the flow of Spiritual Power:
"Effective immediately, all Inner Sect Golden Core Cultivators within the sect must attend a meeting at the Primordial Magnetic Peak Main Hall, where Nascent Soul True Monarch will also attend."
Just a few lines made Chen Sheng's heart sink—a temporary Inner Sect meeting in the Three Elements Dao Sect, which usually convened once every two hundred years on the day of True Monarch rotation, was practically unprecedented, especially mandating the attendance of all Golden Core cultivators.
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"Why is the Inner Sect meeting being convened suddenly? Could it be..."
A slight sense of tension crept into Chen Sheng's mind as a thought flashed through his brain, casting a shadow over his formerly joyful cultivation.
He dared not delay, stood up to tidy his alchemist robe, and with a flick of his sleeve, the Mountain Protection Array outside the cave automatically parted to create a passage.
With a tap of his toes against the ground, he transformed into a streak of dark light, hastily heading towards the direction of Primordial Magnetic Peak.
Along the way, he occasionally spotted other cultivators' Escape Light—gray-robed Dan Vein cultivators, green-robed Talisman Vein cultivators, and white-robed Array Vein cultivators.
Like shooting stars, various Escape Lights streaked across the sky, converging towards the Primordial Magnetic Peak Main Hall, evidently all having received the Inner Sect meeting notice.
Before long, the Primordial Magnetic Peak Main Hall appeared before him.
This grand hall was entirely built from Primordial Magnetic Crystal Stone, with dozens of Luminous Beads inlaid atop, emitting a gentle glow even during daytime. The plaza outside was already crowded with cultivators arriving for the meeting.
Chen Sheng retracted his Escape Light, entered the grand hall, and quickly scanned the room—hundreds of Jade Chairs lined both sides, with many cultivators already seated.
Among them were many familiar figures: Master Dust Transformation of the Dan Vein, Master of All Things from the Pill Fire Hall, Master Shi Fang of the Talisman Vein...
As the Pill Vein Hall Master and one of the top five leaders in the Dan Vein, Chen Sheng's seat was arranged at the forefront of the grand hall, surrounded by top figures from various veins.
On his left was Master Myriad Spirits from the Array Vein, an elderly cultivator who had achieved Golden Core Perfection a century ago.
To his right was Master Cloud Talisman of the Talisman Vein, with Talisman light circulating around, and dozens of finely crafted Talismans hanging from his waist, all Tier Three Top Grade.
These heads of various veins bore smiles, conversing in small groups, reminiscing.
Master Myriad Spirits was discussing a newly discovered Spiritual Ore with the Puppet Lineage's Hall Master, while Master Cloud Talisman consulted Master Dust Transformation on techniques for Pill Talisman fusion.
Even several True Inheritors were present. Among them, a white-robed Daoist exuding a faint decaying aura genuinely smiled, chatting with a nearby Golden Core cultivator.
Chen Sheng nodded in acknowledgment to Master Dust Transformation, Master of All Things, and others, yet felt no inclination to join their conversations. He sat on the Jade Chair, clutching the armrest, with unease growing in his heart.
These old foxes, each deep in thought; if it weren't for a tremendous matter, they'd never appear so relaxed, and nothing could draw the presence of all Nascent Soul True Monarchs and command such attention from the heads of various veins, except for that event.
"It seems my previous guess was correct, the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is about to open."
Chen Sheng thought inwardly, his brows furrowing tighter.
The Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is a secret realm left by an Ancient Cultivator from Yue Country, containing not only abundant High Tier Spiritual Materials and numerous Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects, but also the supreme treasure "Nascent Fruit" capable of aiding Golden Core cultivators in breaking through to Nascent Soul.
However, he was now merely at Mid-stage Golden Core, not yet at Perfection; against those at Golden Core Perfection or even those with half a foot into the Nascent Soul stage, how could he possibly compete for the Nascent Fruit?
Its opening at this time was truly unfavorable for him.
With more people filling the hall and the Jade Chairs gradually being occupied, the Spiritual Power in the air grew increasingly dense due to the gathering of numerous Golden Core cultivators.
Just then, a force of pressure descended from outside the hall, with three extremely powerful auras making their entrance simultaneously—True Monarch Chong Xu, Han Lou True Monarch, and True Monarch Zhenyue from the Array Vein.
Excluding the traveling Da Qian True Monarch, the remaining three Nascent Soul True Monarchs, clad in purple-gold Daoist robes, strode into the grand hall with Nascent Soul pressure creating an invisible aura, instantly quieting the previously noisy discussions within.
At present, the Rotating True Monarch—True Monarch Chong Xu walked to the main seat in the hall.
His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His voice carried the unique majesty of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, yet remained gentle:
"It seems everyone has guessed the reason for summoning you all here."
"That's right, the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven has now officially opened. As long as we six sects simultaneously take out the tokens, we can open the passage and explore the Secret Realm."
As soon as True Monarch Chong Xu finished speaking, the previously suppressed atmosphere in the hall was instantly ignited, as if a boulder had been thrown into a calm lake.
Master Dust Transformation, who had been holding a teacup, paused slightly and even his breathing became slightly more rapid, his gaze fixed intently on True Monarch Chong Xu at the head of the hall.
His lifespan had long been less than a hundred years. The opening of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven was undoubtedly his best hope to break through to Nascent Soul. Even if he couldn't obtain the Nascent Fruit, if he could seize other Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects, his hope would greatly increase.
Master of All Things from the Pill Fire Hall stood up directly, the pill fire aura around him slightly fluctuating, his body trembling slightly with excitement under his profound Daoist robe.
He and Master Dust Transformation were both disciples of Han Lou True Monarch, with a lifespan extending only by a few more decades. Now, with the opening of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven, it was like seeing dawn in a desperate situation.
He turned to look at Master Wan Cang from the Pill Storage Hall beside him, the excitement in both their eyes was identical. No words were needed, they already understood each other's thoughts.
On the other side of the hall, Master Shi Fang suddenly tightened his grip on the wine gourd at his waist, the aura of the talisman sword around him surging violently.
Now that the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven had opened, the Secret Realm not only held the Nascent Fruit but also abundant high tier spiritual materials, which was undoubtedly a great opportunity for him.
Beside him, Master Hualong also showed joy, already beginning to calculate how to gain the upper hand in the Secret Realm.
The most eye-catching was undoubtedly the true inheritor Daoist in a white robe—Master Dragon Dragon!
The decaying aura that originally surrounded him seemed to have faded a bit. A faint hint of blood appeared on his pale face, and his eyes shone with almost frenzied light.
As a true inheritor Daoist, he had once been the most dazzling genius in the sect, with combat power surpassing all his peers, but due to a mishap in early cultivation, his lifespan had significantly decreased and was now nearing its end.
He stared intently at True Monarch Chong Xu, his hands clenched into fists. He knew more than anyone that this exploration of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven was his only chance for survival; if he couldn't obtain the Nascent Fruit, the only thing awaiting him was the path of sitting in transformation.
True Monarch Chong Xu raised his hand to calm the hall, the commotion gradually subsiding, but the cultivators' barely restrained excitement was still palpable:
"Everyone, please be at ease. As you all know, there are special restrictions within the Ancient Yue Secret Realm, and Nascent Soul Cultivators cannot enter."
"Therefore, in this exploration, Golden Core Cultivators are the main force, especially those in the Late-stage and Perfection, who play a crucial role."
The Inner Sect has over three hundred Golden Core Cultivators. The Late-stage combined with Golden Core Perfection Cultivators only make up about twenty percent, most of them with near-ending lifespan, bold and daring!
He paused, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, his voice carrying some authority:
"For this Secret Realm exploration, our Daoist Sect has acquired a total of five hundred Ancient Yue Tokens. Only those possessing a token can enter the Secret Realm. All Golden Core Cultivators in the Inner Sect will receive one token each, without need for contention."
This statement immediately elicited gasps throughout the hall. With over three hundred Golden Core Cultivators in the Inner Sect, each receiving one token, nearly two hundred tokens remain.
A glimmer of anticipation appeared in the eyes of many Outer Sect Cultivators and Inner Sect Cultivators of loose cultivator origins. They had the opportunity to enter the Secret Realm but also understood that their combat power was far less than those of the Core Disciples.
If they could obtain an extra token, they might invite strong companions to join them.
True Monarch Chong Xu continued:
"The remaining tokens will be distributed to distinguished Golden Core Cultivators from the Outer Sect, while another portion will be auctioned to the loose cultivator community."
As soon as he finished speaking, Master Dragon Dragon couldn't help but speak up, his voice hoarse with excitement:
"True Monarch, we have served the sect for many years, and this Secret Realm exploration is of utmost importance. Will the sect provide any additional support?"
His words spoke the hearts of all the Golden Core Cultivators—competition for the Nascent Fruit was fierce, and if they could receive high tier means bestowed by the sect, their chances of success would undoubtedly increase.
Even though Nascent Soul Cultivators couldn't enter, Tier Four Spiritual Treasures, Tier Four Talismans, Tier Four Elixirs, Tier Four Arrays... these were all means to explore the Secret Realm!
The Three Elements Dao Sect thrives in abundance, with nearly ten Tier Four Grandmasters, never lacking from generation to generation. The Tier Four means left behind are plentiful...
True Monarch Chong Xu smiled faintly, a hint of understanding flashing through his eyes:
"Let there be no worry on this matter."
"To assist everyone in seizing opportunities, the sect will provide each Golden Core Perfection Cultivator with a Tier Four 'Heart Protection Talisman' capable of withstanding a blow from an early-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator..."
"Late-stage Golden Core Cultivators will receive one quasi-Tier Four 'Forbidden-Breaking Talisman' and 'Escape Speed Talisman' each..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng slowly exhaled a breath. He knew that aside from these standard items,
the sect also held a few truly treasured items, which would be bestowed upon the sect's most powerful cultivators to ensure the acquisition of one or two Nascent Fruits.
The same was true for the other five sects. Without sect support, attempting to seize the Nascent Fruit would be extremely difficult!