Chapter 376 - 201: Respective Arrangements, Taiyi Accomplished

Chapter 376: Chapter 201: Respective Arrangements, Taiyi Accomplished

Passing through the swirling clouds and mist, they saw Xuzhuang sitting upright in the master’s seat, his eyes slightly closed. The three disciples grew solemn, walking slowly into the grand hall. They bowed in unison. "Greetings, Master."

Xuzhuang opened his eyes and gave a slight nod. After bidding the three to take their seats, he began to speak slowly. "The three of you have been my disciples for a long time. Aside from guiding you in your cultivation, I have never given you any preferential treatment or unique advantages."

Upon hearing this, the three moved to speak, but Xuzhuang raised a hand, silencing them before they could begin. He continued:

"This was to shape your temperament and temper your Dao. As your master, I feel no guilt for it. However, times have changed. The situation on the Divine Continent grows more severe by the day, and the sect is sparing no expense to train its disciples. Therefore, I have new arrangements for you."

In truth, of the three disciples he had taken, only Yuan Hao was due to the sect’s orders; he had accepted Li Changfeng and Qin Dengxiao on a whim. Nevertheless, now that they were his disciples, he had to take responsibility for them.

He glanced at Qin Dengxiao and said, "I have already made arrangements for Dengxiao. As for you two, Changfeng and Hao’Er..."

Xuzhuang paused, then turned to Li Changfeng first. "Changfeng, you once told me that you would pursue a Top-grade Golden Core, with no regrets even in death. Do you still stand by that conviction?"

Li Changfeng’s expression grew serious. "I still do," he answered, his resolve unshakable.

Xuzhuang gave a faint nod. "I told you long ago that if you chose this path, I would leave you no way out."

"However, since you insist, I, your master, will not be stingy. I will request a dose of Tai Su Yuanzhen from the sect to help you advance your cultivation."

Li Changfeng’s aptitude and comprehension were by no means poor. In fact, his diligence in cultivation was comparable to Xuzhuang’s own in his youth. His Daoist techniques, foundation, and Swordsmanship were all first-rate among his peers.

However, much like his fourth-place finish in the Tai Su Orthodox Sect’s first great tournament, Li Changfeng was firmly in the first-rate tier, yet still a step shy of the absolute top. Xuzhuang’s promise of the Tai Su Yuanzhen was meant to bridge that gap, helping him advance even further.

In truth, the only requirement for pursuing a Top-grade Golden Core was a perfect Dao foundation; everything else came down to fate and opportunity. Even further progress in one’s cultivation wouldn’t necessarily help achieve it.

But Xuzhuang had walked this path before. In his eyes, Li Changfeng’s problem was glaringly obvious. However, the matter of a Top-grade Golden Core couldn’t be resolved with a few simple words; it required personal comprehension. This was why orthodox cultivation sects, when nurturing candidates for a Top-grade Golden Core, could only subtly influence them by tempering their temperament and Dao heart.

Therefore, aside from a few jarring wake-up calls, there was little else Xuzhuang could do to help Li Changfeng.

Of course, the value of the Tai Su Yuanzhen went without saying. Li Changfeng was visibly energized by the news. He bowed respectfully. "Thank you for this gift, Master. I will cultivate diligently and not disappoint your expectations."

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow slightly but ultimately said nothing more on the matter. He turned to Yuan Hao. "Hao’Er, it has been some time since you perfected your techniques. What are your intentions?"

Yuan Hao took a deep breath and prostrated himself. "Master, once I reach a point where I can progress no further, I intend to seek a Middle Grade Golden Core."

Xuzhuang’s tone grew distant. "Do you remember what you sought when you first came to me to learn the Dao?"

Without daring to look up, Yuan Hao replied in a heavy voice, "I sought long life."

’But if I waste time like Li Changfeng, I might not even get a Top-grade Golden Core. In the end, I’d probably have to settle for a Low Grade Golden Core. How could I even dream of long life then?’

’Even with a Top-grade Golden Core, reaching the Primordial Spirit realm is still fraught with immense difficulty. It’s not like the chances are that much better than with a Middle Grade Golden Core.’

’Looking at the prostrated form of this little rascal,’ Xuzhuang suddenly thought of Venerable Moonlight. ’I wonder if he was the same, choosing a Middle Grade Golden Core only to regret it when it was too late?’

’This was the true difficulty of the Top-grade Golden Core and the path to the Primordial Spirit Dao.’

Xuzhuang sighed softly. "Very well. I will grant your wish."

Yuan Hao was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Master!"

Xuzhuang raised a hand to stop him. "Even if you seek a Middle Grade Golden Core," he said slowly, "I will give you two choices."

Yuan Hao said quickly, "Please enlighten me, Master."

Xuzhuang mused, "First, when you feel your cultivation has reached its peak, I can grant you three great medicines to help you condense a Middle Grade Golden Core."

"Second, you are my direct disciple, so it is only right that you inherit my techniques."

"I can bestow upon you the Six Seals Condensing Pill Method. This technique requires you to gather the Six Harmonies Great Medicine, consume six pills of the type used to form a Low Grade Golden Core, and supplement them with three types of precious medicinal treasures and three Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. You must then condense the pill according to the method. Once formed, the Golden Core will manifest six seals, allowing you to master the Six Fundamental True Techniques."

None of the three were yet qualified to borrow the *Three Phases, Six Seals, Nine Orifices, and the Secret Record of Condensing Elixir* from the Langhuan Pavilion, so their faces filled with astonishment at his words. At the same time, they were finally beginning to form a suspicion about Xuzhuang’s own cultivation methods.

"However, this method has a flaw. The chance of successfully condensing the pill does not increase; it actually decreases. While not as esoteric as forming a Top-grade Golden Core, it is still no simple feat."

As Xuzhuang continued his description, the expressions on the disciples’ faces grew even more shocked. Xuzhuang, however, paid them no mind and said nonchalantly, "If you choose this path, you must prepare thoroughly. I will only grant you the three great medicines and the six Tai Su Spirit Clarity Radiance Treasure Pills used for forming a Low Grade Golden Core."

"As for the three precious medicinal treasures and the three Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, you must find those yourself."

Yuan Hao hesitated for a long moment before taking a deep breath. "Master, I wish to attempt the Six Seals Condensing Pill Method."

"Good." Although the Six Seal Technique was difficult, it wasn’t as intangible as the pursuit of a Top-grade Golden Core. So long as one built a sufficient foundation, success was still possible.

At least Yuan Hao wasn’t so daunted that he feared even this difficulty. Xuzhuang nodded in approval and, with a flick of his finger, condensed the Six Seal Pill Technique into a Dao Talisman that flew into the center of Yuan Hao’s forehead. He waved his hand to stop Yuan Hao from kowtowing his thanks. "That will be all for today."

"I will have an attendant acquire the Tai Su Yuanzhen and the Pill Formation Great Medicine for you. I should be at my residence for the foreseeable future, so you are free to come and seek my guidance on your cultivation."

The three assented in unison. Yuan Hao and Qin Dengxiao prepared to leave, but Li Changfeng remained in his seat. Seeing his hesitation, Xuzhuang asked him directly, "Is there something else, Changfeng?"

Li Changfeng sighed. "Master, I’m afraid I cannot remain here to serve you."

Xuzhuang’s brow rose slightly, but he didn’t press for an answer. Li Changfeng continued, "Jin’Er told me that Taixuan Profound True Monarch gives a public lecture once every ten years. She has to return to her sect for it, and she hopes I will accompany her to the Supreme Profound sect to meet the True Monarch."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang mused. "An audience with a Pure Yang True Monarch... that is a great karmic opportunity for you. The matter is of great importance, Changfeng. You need not be conflicted."

Li Changfeng replied, a hint of guilt in his voice, "Yes, Master."

Xuzhuang, however, didn’t seem to mind. He simply smiled. "Go on, then."

The three disciples each performed a deep, formal bow before slowly withdrawing. Xuzhuang remained alone in the hall for a moment, then with a wave of his sleeve, he vanished from the master’s seat. A single, faint phrase drifted through the mist: "Taixuan Profound True Monarch..."

—

Time is often said to fly, but here in the void, before the eternal stars, there were no cycles to mark its passage.

Only a cultivator’s internal senses could register the passage of time.

Zhen Ping, one of the Five Friends of Huangshan Lake, was arriving before Du Xu Palace when he happened to run into his sworn brother, Wang Guang. He couldn’t hide his surprise. "Brother Wang! I haven’t seen you in ten years. It’s a great relief to see you’re well."

Though neither was a stranger to Du Xu Palace, having come here before to report on their missions and recuperate, a strange twist of fate meant they had never once crossed paths.

Wang Guang sighed, his voice tinged with indignation. He gave a bitter smile. "First it was gathering and refining rainbow light, and now it’s the Great Sun Spirit Essence. When will this drudgery ever end..."

Zhen Ping’s expression shifted. "Hush!" he hissed. "We’re right in front of Du Xu Palace."

Wang Guang wasn’t alarmed, merely sighing in dejection. As he prepared to descend into Du Xu Palace with Zhen Ping, he suddenly felt a jolt. He exchanged a look with Zhen Ping, both confirming that their Spiritual Sense wasn’t deceiving them, and they quickly raised their heads to look.

There, from within the boundless, unending radiance of the great sun, a pillar of white light suddenly erupted from the top of Du Xu Palace. In that instant, it was as if a frost had fallen over the world, and even the searing heat of the great sun seemed to pale.

Zhen Ping and Wang Guang knew this was no true frost, but rather—

The soul-chilling edge of a Supreme Sword Qi!