Chapter 40: The Immortal Young Uncle of Qingyun Sect, Xian Xiangqiu

The two of them had only just reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement, but they had previously witnessed Senior Brother Fang’s minor achievement with the Azure Origin Sword, and its power had left them both envious.

“Senior Brother Fang, we’ve both been promoted to the Outer Sect. When the time comes, don’t forget us—remember to teach us some essentials of the Azure Origin Sword.”

“That’s right, Senior Brother Fang. That Cao Xuan is nothing but a clown. Even if he escapes this time, once we master the Azure Origin Sword, we’ll beat him every time we see him in the Outer Sect!”

With swords in hand, courage is born anew!

Now that they had become official Outer Sect disciples, the two of them no longer had to worry about their status; they wanted to test their strength, learn some dueling techniques, and prove themselves.

As for Cao Xuan, according to Senior Brother Fang, he was also a fourth-grade spiritual root, no better than themselves—nothing to be afraid of. Senior Brother Fang, on the other hand, possessed a fifth-grade spiritual root and talent in swordsmanship; it was said even the Hall of Enforcement had taken a liking to him.

At this moment, on Azure Cloud Plaza, apart from the Hall of Transmission continuously testing and recording the disciples’ cultivation levels, the liveliest places were the many arenas set up for the Ladder Tournament.

The elders presiding over the tournament were all from the Hall of Enforcement, and they watched the proceedings with great interest.

“Hmm, that young man is quite good—his martial skills are solid. The one opposite is merely passable.”

“This one is promising, though his sword technique is a bit too fierce. But that’s nothing; a stint in the Hall of Enforcement will straighten him out.”

“Senior Brother Lin, you really ought to change your ways—focusing only on strength and not temperament. Just look at your Slaughter Hall’s reputation; it’s notorious on the Demon Expulsion Peak.”

“Heh, Junior Brother Chen, our Slaughter Hall deals with external threats, unlike your Virtue Hall, which handles internal affairs. If we aren’t ruthless, how are we supposed to deal with evil outsiders and demonic beasts?”

“Enough of your false virtue, don’t try that act with me.”

“Otherwise, even if you’re late Foundation Establishment, I could take you on with one hand and win ten times over!”

The Azure Cloud Sect had five peaks: Pill Refinement Peak, Tool Refinement Peak, and Talisman Peak were each detached from worldly matters, focusing on their respective arts. Azure Cloud Peak, the main peak, managed all sect affairs, oversaw the transmission of arts, and, apart from the Hall of Transmission, was filled with those vying for power behind the scenes.

Demon Expulsion Peak managed external battles, subjugating demons and enforcing the sect’s rules—generally more straightforward, though there were exceptions. At the highest levels, people like Protector Chen from the Virtue Hall were just as skilled at maneuvering for power as any on Azure Cloud Peak.

For example, Protector Lin from the Slaughter Hall could act as he pleased under Protector Chen’s watchful gaze, knowing his junior would cover for him.

“All right, all right, Senior Brother, you’re impressive. But I’ll take this one; the one opposite caught my eye—his spell defense has a hint of noble spirit.”

“You may find him merely passable, but I think he’ll be perfect for our Virtue Hall!”

…

While the elders of the Hall of Enforcement were making their selections on stage, high atop the Azure Cloud Mountain, an elderly man in a blue robe sipped tea and watched the sect assessment. He glanced at the four other cultivators present and spoke calmly:

“Fellow disciples, the once-in-a-century Azure Cloud Grand Assembly in Central State is about to commence.”

“Have you each selected your recommended candidates?”

The four cultivators, two men and two women, were all dressed in blue robes, appearing as refined scholars or mature beauties. Anyone present would sense the faint spiritual energy radiating from them—they were all peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Yet the old man before them displayed no sign of spiritual energy, seeming an ordinary elder. But seeing the respectful demeanor of the four peak lords, it was clear he was the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect in Yun Prefecture, Yu Qingsong, at the mid-Golden Core stage.

“The Azure Cloud Grand Assembly... I wonder if we’ll see the Little Martial Aunt,” the mature beauty murmured softly.

A flicker crossed the others’ eyes. The Little Martial Aunt of the Yun Prefecture Azure Cloud Sect, Xian Xiangqiu, had been sent to Central State two hundred years ago to participate in the Azure Cloud Grand Assembly.

Her talent had been astonishing, enough to draw the attention of a Nascent Soul Patriarch in Central State, who personally persuaded her to stay.

Yu Qingsong recalled the young girl from over two centuries past, gifted with the legendary Heavenly Spiritual Root, whom his master had taken as a last disciple before passing away. She was, in a sense, the Little Martial Aunt of them all.

After he became sect master, the Little Martial Aunt was sent to Central State’s Azure Cloud Sect.

The last he’d heard, she had already reached the peak of Nascent Soul, surpassing even the venerable elders of Central State’s Azure Cloud Sect.

It could be said that the Azure Cloud Sect in Yun Prefecture owed its lofty status among the provinces largely to the Little Martial Aunt.

Though the Azure Cloud Sect had long dominated Yun Prefecture, other sects had once established branches there. But it was not until a century ago, after the Little Martial Aunt broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, that the Azure Cloud Sect truly stood unrivaled.

The other sects had been reduced to keeping only peripheral enterprises—such as the Spirit Herb Pavilion, the Misty Garment Pavilion, the Melody Pavilion, and the Spirit Talisman Pavilion—to harvest Yun Prefecture’s resources.

Lacking sect support, the Azure Cloud Sect in Yun Prefecture only grew stronger.

“All right, even if you go to Central State, you may not see the Little Martial Aunt. She’s now striving to break through to the Spirit Severing stage, a matter that concerns the Azure Cloud Sect’s rise to a first-class power. The sect will certainly keep her secluded.”

“As for this Grand Assembly, there is a spot for the Azure Cloud Rainbow Grotto!”

“Consider carefully—this is a rare chance to break through to Golden Core.”

All four peak lords were at the peak of Foundation Establishment; none had yet reached Golden Core.

For such a great power as Yun Prefecture’s dominant sect to have only a single mid-Golden Core cultivator was rare even among the thirteen provinces of the Eastern Wilderness.

Even the slightly weaker Sea Tide Sect, the overlord of Sea Prefecture, had three Golden Core cultivators.

If not for the Little Martial Aunt, they would not have been able to develop so freely in Yun Prefecture.

“Thanks to the Little Martial Aunt, we already have one spot for the Azure Cloud Rainbow Grotto. I’ve decided to send Yu Wan. As for the others, it will depend on the disciples.”

Yu Wan, the Talisman Peak Lord, with arched brows and phoenix eyes, her figure full and graceful, gave a slight bow. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Though all four peak lords were at the peak of Foundation Establishment, her cultivation was closest to breaking through to Golden Core.

“All right, everyone, our rapid progress is largely thanks to the Little Martial Aunt’s support. Work hard to break through and spare her further worry.”

“Now, let’s hear your chosen candidates.”

Yuan Dan, the Pill Refinement Peak Lord, replied without hesitation, “Pill Refinement Peak: Ye Caixuan!”

Yu Wan followed, “Talisman Peak: Li Yao!”

“Tool Refinement Peak: Jin Tiehua!”

“Demon Expulsion Peak: Xing Mengfan!”

The old sect master nodded. “Azure Cloud Peak will send Liu Yu!”

He stroked his beard and continued, “Ye Caixuan, Li Yao, Jin Tiehua, Xing Mengfan, Liu Yu—each one among the most talented and powerful of their direct disciples, all at mid to late Foundation Establishment. They’re nearly catching up to you!”

They all laughed. “They’ve come at a good time. No doubt the Azure Cloud Sect of Yun Prefecture will see even more geniuses in the future.”

…

Cao Xuan only just arrived at the Pill Refinement Peak’s assessment area. Inside the grand hall stood a single, temporarily relocated pill furnace. There were scarcely any candidates being tested; the place was cold and quiet.

“Um, I’m here for the assessment…”