[Last two Chapters are edited. Check the out.]

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News of Elder Shen of Profound Origin Sect from Qiyuan Prefecture, Chu State, visiting with newly promoted Disciples had spread throughout the entire Sect. Even some Cultivation Families down the mountain had heard the rumors, and for the past few days, the Sect had been abuzz with discussions about it.

What was the status of Profound Origin Sect?

It was the true number one Sect in Chu State, the only Seventh-Grade Sect.

Having been established for over several thousand years, the Sect’s foundation was self-evident. Just on the surface, it had three Golden Core Realm experts.

Looking back at the recent generations of the Cultivation World in Chu State, among the current Six Major Sects, only Profound Origin Sect had truly managed to have a Golden Core expert in every generation.

In contrast, Cave Abyss Sect was a rising star that had only been established a few hundred years ago.

It also had Golden Core experts, and its strength was considerable, but its foundation was ultimately insufficient. It ranked last among the Six Major Sects of Chu State.

"Elder Shen, I will return to Dan Yuan first. Disciple, take Elder Shen and his companions around."

Inside Cave Abyss Sect, Dragon Head Peak.

Outside Evergreen Hall, Elder Shen Yu of Profound Origin Sect walked out of the hall with two young people, a boy and a girl. The one speaking earlier was Elder Hu Zheng, the head of Dan Yuan, Cave Abyss Sect. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Elder Hu, there’s no need to be so formal. This old man is not visiting your Cave Abyss Sect for the first time. About seven or eight years ago, I had the honor of visiting."

"Seven or eight years ago. Ah." Elder Hu Zheng seemed to recall something.

"That’s right, that’s right. Back then, when we were hunting down those two Demonic Path remnants, our two Sects contributed the most."

"Haha." Shen Yu let out a few wry laughs.

He was now certain that Hu Zheng had absolutely not participated then, otherwise he would not have mentioned this matter at all.

Because the pursuit at that time had failed.

"That’s good too. Disciple, follow me back to Dan Yuan to prepare. Elder Shen, two young friends, you may wander around the Sect for a while. I will send you a sound transmission, Elder Shen."

"No worries."

Hu Zheng, accompanied by his Disciple Zhou Wen, transformed into a rainbow and flew towards Wen Dao Gorge.

Shen Yu’s warm smile slowly faded, his expression becoming calm.

He formed a Dao seal with his hand, and a sound-insulating Spell slowly took effect around the three of them.

"Wang Xi, in your opinion, how strong are these two True Disciples of Cave Abyss Sect?"

The three walked and talked.

"..."

The young man subtly curled his lips, his tone somewhat dismissive: "Yu Nanxi and Wang Renming are indeed considered very strong among their peers in Chu State."

"But if placed in Profound Origin Sect, they are merely of upper-middle talent."

"As for Song Zhenzong, who is still in seclusion and hasn’t appeared, he should be about the same."

"There’s no need to worry about the next Nine Pulses Grand Competition."

The young girl simply followed along, her expression calm, without speaking.

"Elder Shen, a small mountain Sect like Cave Abyss Sect is just a big fish in a small pond. It’s flattering to call it one of the Six Major Sects, but everyone in the Cultivation World of Chu State knows its true standing."

Wang Xi’s tone was matter-of-fact.

"Cave Abyss Sect only has one Golden Core expert. If our Profound Origin Sect wants that Yan’ou Mountain Spiritual Vein, what’s wrong with just taking it? Why do we need to beat around the bush and make such pretenses?"

Shen Yu waved his hand, speaking as he walked.

"Indeed, if it were other small Sects in Chu State, that would be the case."

"But this Cave Abyss Sect is the most troublesome. Sect Master Li Jun Daoist is not a smart person; one could even say he’s a madman."

"Ah?"

Wang Xi was startled, finding it incredible. Even the young girl looked up, her eyes full of confusion.

"In short, just find any excuse. Otherwise, if this dog goes mad and bites indiscriminately, it won’t be good."

"Just pick an unimportant Outer Sect Disciple. If a True Disciple he values dies, there’s no telling if he’ll go mad."

"The Sect is currently preparing for the Immortal Welcome Assembly, so it’s best not to cause trouble over such a minor matter."

"Let’s go to Dan Yuan."

...

Inside his Immortal Cave, Song Yan sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, refining Spiritual Qi.

The Cultivation Technique he practiced, the "Qi Condensation Chapter," was not complicated. Even if there were profound and difficult-to-understand parts, there were handwritten annotations from Sect Seniors next to them.

Moreover, he had studied medicine since childhood in the village, so he was extremely familiar with meridians and Acupoints. Just this point alone significantly reduced the difficulty for him.

After a round of Cultivation, his spiritual power had returned to its peak state.

"After completing these few days of miscellaneous tasks at Dan Yuan, I will begin my Breakthrough."

Song Yan finished his Cultivation and slowly walked out of his Immortal Cave.

The ninth day of the third month.

Spring mountains, gentle breeze, and warm sun.

Mountain mist swirled, encircling the Spiritual Mountain in the sky, a truly immortal scene.

He stretched, then began walking towards Dan Yuan.

Regarding that mysterious stone bead, he had a belly full of unanswerable questions.

Where did it come from, who made it, why were there traces of it being opened not long ago, yet it was still discarded.

Unfortunately, none of these questions were ones he could figure out.

If he couldn’t figure it out, he wouldn’t think about it. Getting to work was more important.

Outer Sect Disciples were vastly different from Inner Sect Disciples. If he didn’t take on some menial tasks, the Sect wouldn’t even give him a single Spirit Stone.

About two months ago, Song Yan took on a menial task at Dan Yuan. The task was for three months, and he still had one month left before he could receive the reward.

Below Qi Refining Stage 6, with his spiritual power still weak, he couldn’t fly on a sword, so he walked to Dan Yuan.

Dan Yuan, like the other three Dao Courtyards, was located in Wen Dao Gorge.

He walked all the way from the Outer Sect Disciple Peak, passing by the Spiritual Plant Courtyard.

The distant pavilions stood in rows, with jade tiles and glazed roofs, grand halls and temples, and strange mountains and rocks, making Song Yan feel a sudden expansiveness in his chest.

On the mountain path, several small figures in lotus leaf hats suddenly darted out.

"Hehehe. You can’t catch me. Hahaha."

"Slow down. Wait for me."

"No waiting, no waiting, you’re too slow."

The translucent little figures ran and played, making Song Yan smile.

"Oh? Junior Brother Song?"

A tall, young man in a green robe walked towards him, smiling as he looked at him.

The ginseng fruit imps were playing, and the most boisterous one quickly climbed up the young man’s Daoist robe and onto his shoulder.

Perhaps the other two imps didn’t know how to climb, or perhaps they were more polite, but they just spun around anxiously on the ground.

"Are you also going to Dan Yuan to listen to the lecture?"

The person who came was Lin Qing, also an Outer Sect Disciple, and one of the people Song Yan was relatively familiar with.

"You can play, but don’t trip Junior Brother Song."

His tone was gentle. He let the little ginseng fruit imp on his shoulder play, and then bent down to pick up the other two imps as well.

"Lecture?"

Song Yan’s eyes lit up.

Normally, the four major Dao Courtyards—Dan, Talisman, Artifact, and Formation—were places where Disciples of each courtyard Cultivated. The miscellaneous tasks of each courtyard involved assisting these Disciples in their studies.

For example, the miscellaneous tasks of Dan Yuan usually involved assisting Dan Yuan Disciples in Alchemy.

Aside from the rewards for completing tasks, it wasn’t entirely without benefit. There was a hidden advantage: one could observe the techniques and methods of Disciples from the various courtyards.

Additionally, another benefit was that when a Dan Yuan Elder came to give a lecture, those on duty for miscellaneous tasks could listen from a relatively close distance.

"Senior Brother Lin, if I may ask, which Elder is giving the lecture this time?"

Song Yan’s rudimentary Alchemy skills were barely formed by observing Disciples doing Alchemy, listening to Elders give lectures, and with the addition of the street vendor’s Alchemy book given by Granny Qin.

The Dao of Alchemy was complex and profound; the more he learned, the more he felt he had learned nothing at all.

Lin Qing’s smile was somewhat mysterious.

"The one giving the lecture today is not an Elder of our Sect, but Elder Shen Yu, an Elder from Profound Origin Sect."

"..."

Song Yan nodded thoughtfully.

However, in reality, he had never heard of Shen Yu.

But the name "Profound Origin Sect" was very famous. Even he, a diligent Cultivator who paid little attention to external affairs, had at least heard of this Sect.

"Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Lin, when will you come play with us again."

One of the ginseng fruit imps asked.

Lin Qing pondered for a moment, then said seriously.

"Hmm, probably tomorrow."

"Oh."

"Oh."

"Hiccup~"

"Eww, what did you eat? It smells so bad."

"I didn’t eat anything! I just ate Old Man Bai’s Golden Earth."

"So smelly, so smelly, I’m gonna hit you."

The three little figures fought fiercely in his arms, making a huge ruckus, and one of the little figures’ lotus leaf hats was even knocked off.

Lin Qing smiled wryly, put them back on the ground, and let them play until they were out of sight.

"Junior Brother Song, I also happen to be going to listen to the lecture. Shall we go together?"

"Good."

Song Yan nodded.