Chapter 39: I, Bai Yu, Am at the Mid-Stage of the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation!

The guardian of the Hall of Transmission frowned at Cao Xuan and said calmly, “I know you have your own fortuitous encounters.”

“Nevertheless, the Azure Cloud Sect has a long-standing heritage; we’re not so narrow-minded as to covet the opportunities of a junior.”

A second awakening of the spiritual root was clearly due to this youngster’s innate talent, while any fortune he gained would be limited to pills, magical tools, or other items that aid cultivation. Some pills might stimulate a second awakening, but only if the individual is already at the threshold—the key lies in the person, not the opportunity.

Having cultivated for a hundred years and reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he was more knowledgeable than the tens of thousands of disciples present. The path of immortality was arduous; each realm was a world apart. Items for the Qi Refining stage were no different from mundane objects to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even the finest pills among them would have negligible effect on him.

In his view, Cao Xuan likely wished to disclose his opportunity and, with the status of an inner sect disciple, seek the sect’s protection.

Over the past century, some disciples reported so-called opportunities, but they were usually relics left by deceased inner sect disciples, at most those of marginal Foundation Establishment elders. And such elders were often those who barely scraped into Foundation Establishment—‘paupers’ by any measure.

The true Foundation Establishment experts of the sect, after passing away, had their belongings already claimed. The Azure Cloud Sect was vast, the Azure Cloud Mountains expansive, yet in the context of the sect’s millennia-long history in Yun Prefecture, both seemed insignificant.

No matter how many opportunities the Azure Cloud Mountains held, they were merely remnants left within the sect.

Cao Xuan, oblivious to the guardian’s musings, replied weakly, “No, what I meant was to use the sect’s assessment as an opportunity to also pass the alchemist’s test!”

“Hmm? An alchemist’s inheritance! Uh… I mean, the alchemist’s assessment!” The guardian inadvertently let slip his thoughts; he understood now—this youngster likely possessed the inheritance of an alchemist.

A lucky youth: nine-forged spiritual root, and an alchemist to boot. It seemed the sect had gained another promising talent.

At this moment, the guardian did not expect Cao Xuan to accomplish anything earth-shattering in the future, merely seeing him as a junior blessed with good fortune.

“Yes, the sect’s examination includes tests for alchemists, artifact refiners, array masters, and so forth.”

“But for the alchemist’s assessment, you need to head to the northeast corner of Azure Cloud Square. There, the guardians of the Pill Peak conduct specialized assessments. You’ll understand once you arrive!”

Cao Xuan quickly cupped his hands and bowed in thanks. The guardian waved his hand, “Next!”

He shook his head; not even knowing the location for the alchemist’s test showed he lacked elders from Pill Peak—his opportunity was all too obvious.

With this realization, the guardian’s last shred of curiosity vanished. The inheritance of an alchemist left little more than pills; even if there were a few for Foundation Establishment, they were far from sufficient, not worth offending a potential rising star within the sect.

To break through to Foundation Establishment required some measure of perspective.

Of course, cultivators were fiercely competitive. If there were truly an opportunity beneficial to breaking through to the Golden Core, he would fight for it as well.

After Cao Xuan departed, aside from the disciple who had spoken rudely earlier—who quickly lowered his head and dared not look at him—most disciples felt a surge of excitement. After all, sometimes being in close proximity to a prodigy was an honor in itself.

There was a superstitious hope to perhaps catch some fortune and speed up their own breakthroughs.

Cao Xuan left the area of the Spirit Testing Pillar and looked around, somewhat disappointed not to see the guardian who had advised him to withdraw half a year ago.

He still remembered the gaze that regarded him as an ant.

Of course, to a Foundation Establishment guardian, he remained an ant. Yet the guardian could never have expected that in half a year, Cao Xuan had not only advanced from the third layer of Qi Refining to the fourth, but had managed to reach the seventh layer as well.

Nevertheless, Cao Xuan would never actually seek out that guardian to show off.

Just then, the messaging talisman in his storage pouch vibrated.

When not in seclusion, his messaging talisman remained active.

“Cao Xuan, where are you? Are you afraid to show your face now?”

“Don’t forget our agreement—the sect’s Sky Ladder tournament, Platform D-47. I, Fang Baiyu, am waiting for you!”

Cao Xuan’s outer sect residence was not far from Fang Baiyu’s. Though he often frequented Pill Peak, as long as he was not an inner sect disciple or an alchemist, his residence remained in the outer sect.

Cultivators often crossed paths; in the meantime, Cao Xuan and Fang Baiyu encountered each other. Though they were rivals, they exchanged messaging talismans.

After all, for a duel, one needed to be able to find the other.

Fang Baiyu was hot-headed, eager to teach Cao Xuan a lesson. Cao Xuan, on the other hand, preferred to avoid trouble, seeking to subdue Fang Baiyu once and for all.

“After half a year focused on cultivation and refining pills, I nearly forgot about this,” Cao Xuan mused.

He sent Fang Baiyu a message: “Alright, wait for me. I’m still undergoing tests here—it’ll be a while before I arrive.”

Though he wanted to resolve things with Fang Baiyu quickly, the alchemist’s assessment took priority; the sooner it was done, the sooner he could address other matters.

Once admitted to the inner sect, he would no longer need to participate in the annual sect assessment.

After all, inner sect disciples were the backbone of the sect, able to freely consult guardians and elders in the Hall of Transmission regarding cultivation.

With luck and favor, he might even be taken as a disciple, marking a solid step on the path of cultivation.

…

Fang Baiyu never forgot Cao Xuan’s arrogant demeanor from half a year ago. He had endured for six months, finally cultivating the powerful “Azure Cloud Sword” to minor mastery.

Indeed, it was the “Azure Origin Sword” Cao Xuan had copied from the Scripture Pavilion and gifted to Lin Miaoxuan. But thanks to a tenfold return, Cao Xuan learned the “Celestial Azure Dao Sword” and had even comprehended sword intent.

At this moment, Fang Baiyu wore a proud expression, arms wrapped around a low-grade magic sword purchased for thirty spirit stones, looking every bit the part.

Half a year ago, he resolved to master his combat techniques, tried many, and discovered he had some talent in swordsmanship.

So he set aside cultivation for now to focus on the “Azure Cloud Sword.” Although he remained at the mid-fourth layer of Qi Refining, he could hold his own against those at the late-fourth layer.

Seeing Cao Xuan’s reply, he grinned at two newly promoted outer sect disciples—his loyal followers who had just passed their tests.

“Haha, Cao Xuan must have chickened out!”

“Exactly. I advanced to the outer sect before him, and now, with mastery of the Azure Cloud Sword, he must have heard the news and is thinking of ways to avoid this duel.”

His followers, previously nervous, now felt elated after finally breaking through to the fourth layer and becoming true outer sect disciples, emboldened to speak freely.

“Senior Fang is absolutely right—how could Cao Xuan compare to Senior Fang!”

“He used to boast in front of so many, but now he must be afraid of losing face!”