Chapter 525 - 307: Too Late

Chapter 525: Chapter 307: Too Late

"Only eighty-fifth place? They are underestimating me, Li Chuyang."

In the Li Mansion, Li Chuyang looked at the Lingyun List delivered by the servants and shook his head, feeling that his ranking was too low.

Had he not cultivated the Three Yin Silver Palace Profound Gang True Technique, focusing entirely on comprehending a top-tier Martial Dao Imagery like the silver moon while in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, he was confident he could have comprehended a lower-level Martial Dao Imagery during this stage instead.

Therefore, he had never paid attention to Xu Yang, confident that he could suppress him at any time. It was only because most of his energy was delayed by the Three Yin Silver Palace Profound Gang True Technique that he was no match for Xu Yang previously. Now that his Three Yin Silver Palace Profound Gang True Technique had reached Great Success and its true power had erupted, someone like Xu Yang was not even worth his attention.

Moreover, Xu Yang was only ranked ninety-eighth, lower than him. This was the best proof.

"So he cultivates the Golden Gang Skill. No wonder he refused to say it back then," Li Chuyang said, a faint smile curling the corners of his mouth.

As a resident of Yunzhou City, he naturally knew about Flying Centipede and Jade Butterfly. He finally understood why someone with Xu Yang’s personality would rather offend him than reveal his Cultivation Technique—it was because it involved Flying Centipede.

"So it was you who killed Jade Butterfly and obtained the Golden Gang Skill from him. Flying Centipede is not dead yet.

"But this has nothing to do with me. Whether Flying Centipede can trace this back to you will depend on your luck."

Li Chuyang continued to look at the Lingyun List. He had no intention of exposing the fact that Xu Yang had killed Jade Butterfly. If Li Chuyang wanted to deal with someone, he didn’t need to borrow an outsider’s hand. He possessed such confidence and pride.

Because he was Li Lingdu’s son. He could be domineering, but he would never stoop so low.

"Excellent! Our Purple Sun Sect has truly made a name for itself this time!"

Bai Shaoling held the Lingyun List, unable to contain his joy. With four disciples making it onto the Lingyun List all at once, it would be hard for the Purple Sun Sect not to become famous.

In all of Yun Province, apart from the few top-tier Sects, almost no other Sect had achieved such results. Many Sects had at most one person on the Lingyun List, and some had none at all. While this achievement couldn’t be said to be identical to that of a top-tier Sect, it was not far off.

"To think that both Xu Yang and Sun Tao made it onto the Lingyun List." Yue Zhong also wore a look of delight.

Counting Jiang Fan, three out of the four Purple Sun Sect disciples on the Lingyun List hailed from Li Fire Peak. As the Peak Master, he would naturally receive rewards.

Across the thirty-six counties of Yun Province, every five years, all Sects sent their geniuses to participate in the selection. This was not only because the Celestial Strategy Academy’s legacy was more complete than theirs, but more importantly, because there were rewards. Once a disciple achieved successful Dragon Ascension and entered the Celestial Strategy Academy, the Academy would reward the corresponding Sect with resources or Cultivation Techniques. The better the disciple’s results, the more rewards the Sect would receive.

With four Lingyun List disciples emerging this time, the Purple Sun Sect’s strength was bound to advance by leaps and bounds in the coming years. Many resources that the Purple Sun Sect lacked could now be obtained from the Celestial Strategy Academy.

"The matter between Xu Yang and Huo Xiaochen is a problem. If it isn’t resolved and Xu Yang fails to enter the Celestial Strategy Academy, the loss will be immense," Bai Shaoling said.

If Xu Yang failed his Dragon Ascension, the Purple Sun Sect naturally wouldn’t receive the reward.

"Xiong Wanhai has not returned yet. When he does, I will immediately ask him to mediate this matter," Yue Zhong said.

With Xu Yang ranking ninety-eighth on the Lingyun List, his importance was suddenly highlighted.

Two days passed.

However, the fervor over the Lingyun List still persisted. Throughout Yunzhou City, no matter where one went, everyone was discussing it. Xu Yang noticed that many people looked at him with sympathy and pity. Such talent should have been dazzling, but because of Huo Xiaochen, it was feared that even Dragon Ascension would be difficult for him.

"To refine Elixirs, I need to rent a courtyard and buy a Pill Furnace," Xu Yang thought.

There was still no confirmed date for the Dragon Ascension, so he planned to start working on refining Elixirs. This was not only to obtain Spirit Iron for the Asura Vajra Glazed Body but also to exchange for some Spirit Medicine.

Although the Spiritual Qi in Yunzhou City was richer than in the Purple Sun Sect, after cultivating for a while, he felt it was just average; his Cultivation growth was still as slow as a snail. If he wanted to rapidly increase his Cultivation, he had to rely on Elixirs or Spirit Medicine. Honestly absorbing Spiritual Qi to cultivate was simply too slow.

"The courtyard and Pill Furnace are minor issues; the troublesome part is the Spirit Medicine," he thought.

He hadn’t investigated Yunzhou City’s Spirit Medicine market, but he had conversed with Tao Hujin before. He knew that places like the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion sold Spirit Medicine based on VIP levels. Without a certain status, they wouldn’t sell Spirit Medicine to you even if you had the money. If the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion operated like this, the other factions in Yunzhou City likely did the same. It was impossible for just anyone to walk in with money and expect to buy Spirit Medicine.

"Fortunately, I still have some Spirit Iron!" he thought.

Silver couldn’t buy Spirit Medicine, but he still had Spirit Iron. Over the next few days, Xu Yang paused his practice of Martial Techniques, leaving early and returning late to understand Yun Province’s Spirit Medicine market.

Yun Province was abundant in Spiritual Qi, and the major factions all possessed their own Secret Techniques for cultivating Spirit Medicine. Therefore, Spirit Medicine wasn’t scarce. However, just like in Fufeng County, it couldn’t be bought with silver; instead, one had to use something called spirit coins. With spirit coins, one could buy Spirit Medicine and Spirit Iron anywhere.

These so-called spirit coins were actually forged from a mixture of various Spirit Irons. Body Refining Martial Artists could directly absorb the Spiritual Essence within them for Body Refining, or gather a certain amount to directly forge Spiritual Soldiers. They were not only a Martial Dao resource but also the most trusted currency among Celestial Essence Martial Artists, possessing more purchasing power than gold.

"These spirit coins are exactly what I need," he thought.

Since these spirit coins contained multiple types of Spirit Iron, they were practically the dream of anyone undergoing Body Refining, saving them from having to scour for various Spirit Irons everywhere.

After spending a day, Xu Yang found a broker to rent a courtyard and ordered an ordinary Pill Furnace at a Weapon Refining Workshop. Once the Pill Furnace was forged, he could exchange his Spirit Iron for spirit coins, then purchase Spirit Medicine to refine Dragon Tiger Great Golden Pills for profit. As for the Spiritual Essence Pill, although he had obtained the Pill Formula, he had used all his points to upgrade his Root Bone and couldn’t learn it for the time being.

When he returned to the Purple Sun Sect’s outpost, the horizon was already painted with evening glow. Xu Yang had eaten something outside and planned to return to his room to cultivate, but Sun Tao sought him out.

"Junior Brother Xu, why have you been leaving early and returning late recently?"

Xu Yang didn’t answer Sun Tao directly but smiled and asked, "Does Senior Brother Sun need something?"

"The Peak Master has been looking for you several times. Hurry and go see him," Sun Tao said.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Xu Yang cupped his hands and immediately walked away briskly. Arriving at the side hall of the outpost, he saw Yue Zhong chatting and laughing with a man who exuded a vigorous aura.

"This disciple greets the Peak Master!" Xu Yang stepped forward and cupped his hands.

Yue Zhong and the man stopped their conversation and looked over.

Yue Zhong smiled and said, "Brother Xiong, this is Xu Yang, the most prized disciple of your old friend Huoyun. Does he meet your expectations?"

Upon hearing this, a sharp light flickered in the man’s eyes, and a heart-palpitating aura flashed and vanished in an instant. In a split second, Xu Yang felt a domineering Heart Spirit sweep across his body, as if seeing entirely through him.

"These Old Dengs!" Xu Yang gritted his teeth inwardly.

Without exception, these Old Dengs loved to pry into people’s backgrounds. When instructing their disciples, they would always say that using one’s Heart Spirit to pry into someone else’s Realm was incredibly rude, yet they all loved doing it themselves.

"His physical body is as clear as a washed crystal, and his Qi-Blood is as vigorous as the sea. Just as the Lingyun List stated, his Body Refining Talent is truly extraordinary. That fellow Huoyun has taken in a good disciple," the man praised.

Even though it was just a casual sweep with his Heart Spirit, he had still discovered some things about Xu Yang—his physical path was incredibly strong.

"Being able to make it onto the Lingyun List, he naturally isn’t bad." Yue Zhong smiled and said, "Xu Yang, this is your master’s good friend, Senior Xiong Wanhai. He specifically came to see you. Hurry and greet Senior Xiong."

Xiong Wanhai?

Xu Yang was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t planned on looking for Xiong Wanhai, yet Xiong Wanhai had come looking for him. It seemed that because he had demurred that day, Elder Huoyun hadn’t been completely at ease and must have instructed Yue Zhong to seek out Xiong Wanhai.

"Junior Xu Yang greets Senior Xiong!" Xu Yang cupped his hands.

Since Xiong Wanhai had come knocking, he could only take things one step at a time. If the other party wasn’t someone like Xiao Hua, getting to know a powerful Senior wouldn’t be a bad thing. As for the matter between him and Huo Xiaochen, if it could be resolved, great; if not, it didn’t matter. At worst, he would just have to expose some of his talents.

Besides, if he got the chance, he would definitely kill Huo Xiaochen. Whether it was resolved or not was merely a matter of his own whim. Towards his enemies, Xu Yang had never been a man of his word.

"Don’t be so polite, kid. Have a seat. Your master and I have gone through life and death together; there’s no need to be so restrained," Xiong Wanhai said with a laugh, growing even more satisfied with Xu Yang. He was talented, yet lacked the arrogant and overbearing nature typical of ordinary geniuses.

Xu Yang nodded and sat down beside the two of them. He poured himself some tea and then filled the cups for Xiong Wanhai and Yue Zhong.

"Xu Yang, hand the letter your master asked you to deliver to Brother Xiong," Yue Zhong said.

Xu Yang reached into his robes and quickly handed the letter to Xiong Wanhai.

Xiong Wanhai took it but didn’t open it on the spot. Yue Zhong looked over in confusion, as he was still counting on Xiong Wanhai to resolve the issue with Huo Xiaochen.

Xiong Wanhai shook his head. "I can roughly guess what Huoyun wrote in the letter. He probably wants me to step forward and mediate the conflict between Xu Yang and Huo Xiaochen.

"In fact, I frequently correspond with Huoyun, so I already knew Xu Yang was his disciple. After I returned and heard about the incident between Xu Yang and Huo Xiaochen, I sought out the Iron Sword Sect and Huo Xiaochen at the first opportunity. Unfortunately, I was still a step too late."

"A step too late?" Yue Zhong asked, puzzled.

Xiong Wanhai replied, "I only have myself to blame. If I had returned earlier, my reputation would likely have been enough to resolve this. But now, Huo Xiaochen has been recruited by the Xiao Family of Yun Province. With the Xiao Family backing him, my reputation holds no weight. They rejected me outright."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Yang saw Yue Zhong’s expression visibly turn solemn.

"Are you referring to the Xiao Family, known as a Thousand-Year-Old Noble Family?" Yue Zhong asked in a deep voice.

Xiong Wanhai nodded. "That’s the exact Xiao Family. Only a family like theirs has the capability to recruit a genius with Root Bone Perfection!"

For a moment, Yue Zhong was left completely speechless. There were countless large and small factions in Yunzhou City, but there were only a handful of Noble Families with a thousand-year legacy like this one. Every single one of them was a behemoth with unfathomable foundations.

"Does Brother Xiong have any other solutions? If Xu Yang is sniped by Huo Xiaochen, his future will be ruined," Yue Zhong said after a moment of silence.