Chapter 82: The Battle of the Sect!
Shen Yan fell silent upon hearing this, and after a moment, he finally spoke, “Understood. Thank you for your guidance, Master Steward.”
“Ah!” Xuanji Zi shook his head and rose to his feet. “My friend, I know your character is steadfast, but there are matters where one must endure and yield. Sometimes, taking a step back opens up a vast horizon.” Having said this, he patted Shen Yan’s shoulder, not waiting for his response, and made his way out.
“Take care, Master Steward.” Shen Yan saw him off, rising to escort him to the door.
A short while later, a streak of light shot out from Green Lotus Island. Shen Yan stood by the shore, watching the figure depart.
“The Core Formation candidate Yang Zheng of Endless Sea Immortal Sect?” Shen Yan could understand their desire for the Green Lotus Sword Manual. After all, Green Lotus Sword Sect was a cultivation sect in Central Lands, and there had once been Core Formation cultivators in its ranks. It was not surprising that others would covet such a treasure.
“If soldiers come, we defend; if water flows, we block it with earth. Let’s see what happens when this Yang Zheng arrives.”
Meanwhile, atop a mountain within the Endless Sea Immortal Sect, a man and woman stood together.
“Brother Yang!” The female cultivator, clad in the sect’s robes, revealed her proud figure and gazed adoringly at the handsome, upright man beside her. “I just received word that Uncle Master Xuanji Zi has gone to Green Lotus Island. I suspect he’s gone to inform that rogue cultivator about your intentions.”
“Let him reveal it then. To me, a late-stage Qi Refining rogue cultivator is nothing more than an ant crushed in passing.” The man called Brother Yang replied with a faint smile, utterly unconcerned. “Moreover, Xuanji Zi’s trip serves me well. There are always those in the sect who would oppose seizing another’s cultivation method. That old fox is clever—in one stroke, if Green Lotus Island’s Zhou Shun is sensible, he’ll surely offer him a reward. And if he persuades them to present the full sword manual to me, he’ll forge a bond of goodwill. Isn’t that a win for everyone?”
“Brother, your words are wise.” The woman nodded, agreeing with Yang Zheng’s reasoning, though her brow soon furrowed. “But what if that rogue cultivator on Green Lotus Island refuses to hand over the sword manual? Would you really take action against him?”
She spoke with a hint of implication, “So Brother, you must prepare for the possibility that he won’t listen. If Xuanji Zi fails to persuade him and force becomes necessary, you’ll need to be careful. I hear Green Lotus Island’s Zhou Shun is quite the sword cultivator, unbending to the end.”
Hearing his junior sister’s words, Yang Zheng raised a brow, his tone playful. “Sister, you misjudge him. When he fought for the Green Lotus Spirit Spring, he did risk his life, even using a sword manual that Xuanji Zi had never seen before, which greatly reduced his lifespan and likely stunted his cultivation thereafter. But to say he possesses the spirit of a sword cultivator—both you and the world are mistaken. In my view, Zhou Shun merely chanced upon a fortuitous encounter, acquiring a Foundation Establishment sword manual.”
Yang Zheng snorted coldly, standing with hands behind his back, a sneer on his lips. “Those without heritage or sect backing must gamble with their lives to advance. Most such cultivators end up losing everything, their lives included.”
The woman fell silent for a long moment, then nodded, her face showing admiration. “Brother, your words are pearls of wisdom; I have learned much.”
Yang Zheng smiled lightly, then shifted his tone. “Sister, though our sword cultivator artifacts are formidable, our path is not one of reckless struggle. Zhou Shun fought for the spirit spring because he saw no future; I suspect he’s exhausted his potential. Even with the spirit spring, he likely cannot advance further. If not for the fact that I need dozens of sword manuals to refine my sword fiend, I wouldn’t even bother with a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator like him. If he’s willing to hand over the sword manual, perhaps I’ll look after him in the future. If not, he’ll have only himself to blame for my harsh methods.”
“Brother, you truly are a man among men.” The woman gazed at Yang Zheng, utterly infatuated. “You are indeed the Core Formation candidate of Endless Sea Immortal Sect. On the day of the sect’s grand competition, I believe you’ll surely surpass all others and become our greatest prodigy.”
“Haha, thank you for your kind words!” Yang Zheng laughed heartily, then his smile faded. He shook his head and said, “Sister, you praise me too highly. Though I am confident, there are others in the sect who are not weak. To win the grand competition, I must secure Zhou Shun’s sword manual and seek other manuals as well, just to be sure.”
The woman nodded, then looked at Yang Zheng and said, “Brother, since you need other sword manuals, why don’t I make a trip to Green Lotus Island for you, while you search for the rest elsewhere?”
Yang Zheng was about to agree, but suddenly remembered something and turned to caution her, “Sister, I wouldn’t have objected in the past, but now Jade Immortal Sect and Sunflower Water Gate have started a dispute over the matter with Moon Water Gate. Green Lotus Island lies between both sects, and I worry you may encounter danger.”
“Jade Immortal Sect and Sunflower Water Gate are at odds again?”
...
After obtaining ownership of the spirit spring, Shen Yan went into seclusion to break open his meridians in preparation for Foundation Establishment.
Although the Qi Refining stage is called cultivation, only after Foundation Establishment does one become a true cultivator. Yet Foundation Establishment is not so easily achieved. On Quiet Cloud Island, there were hundreds of Qi Refining disciples, but only one Foundation Establishment cultivator—the difficulty of the process was evident.
Shen Yan, possessing the Divine Seal of the Heavenly Emperor, could consume innate purple qi to enhance his cultivation, but that alone was not enough for successful Foundation Establishment. Moreover, his mana’s purity and reserves far exceeded those of ordinary people.
Yet the path of cultivation knows no turning back, and Foundation Establishment marks the true beginning of the immortal way. Without absolute certainty, Shen Yan would never force the process. Even after reaching perfection and becoming unrivaled in the Qi Refining stage, he was unwilling to attempt Foundation Establishment lightly.
Besides, he still had two techniques—Primordial Magnetic Earth Arts and the Celestial Gang Qi Manual. If he could master them, his cultivation after Foundation Establishment would surely rise to even greater heights.
A month passed. Two months passed. Hard work brings reward; after consuming nearly half his spirit stones, he finally broke open all eight meridians!
While Shen Yan was in seclusion, a great upheaval shook the East Sea cultivation world, triggered by a conflict between two factions.
Jade Immortal Sect and Sunflower Water Gate!
Sunflower Water Gate accused Jade Immortal Sect of murder and robbery, ambushing their disciples on the road.
Jade Immortal Sect countered that Sunflower Water Gate had sneak-attacked their Foundation Establishment elder. Each side argued their case, neither giving ground.
Both Sunflower Water Gate and Jade Immortal Sect were powerful forces in the East Sea, with long-standing grudges that had been suppressed only by mutual caution. Now, the dissatisfaction spilled out in full.