thefictionvixens Chapter 566 - 175: Returning to Old Grounds, The Current States of All
Chapter 566 - 175: Returning to Old Grounds, The Current States of All
Five days later,
Beyond a hundred miles of the Cloud Light Mountain Range, a creature dozens of meters in size, entirely crimson as if resembling a Nine Heavens Divine Phoenix Firebird, slowly flew towards them.
On its back stood a man and a woman,
The man, about twenty years old, wore a cyan feather crane robe, his handsome face giving him the air of an Exiled Immortal.
The woman was tall, dressed in a light purple gauze, her long hair falling to her waist, her eyes carried a hint of the ocean’s azure, remarkably beautiful in appearance,
They were none other than Zhou Xun and Song Yiqing,
And the large bird under their feet was precisely Song Yiqing’s lifebound spirit beast, the Crimson Flame Simurgh.
Currently at Tier Three Low-Grade, only a short distance from its peak!
Gazing at the distant, mist-shrouded mountain range, Zhou Xun sighed softly,
It had been several years since he’d last been here, and he remembered the scene when he first arrived at the Cloud Light Mountain Range,
Back then, he was merely at Late-Stage Qi Refining.
More than a century passed in a blink, and the once-junior cultivator had become a titan of the Cultivation Realm!
Meanwhile,
At the Cloud Light Sect’s mountain gate, two Late-Stage Qi Refining disciples stood guard, wearing standard spirit armor, holding magic weapon spears,
Suddenly, the younger of the two noticed something,
Following his gaze, he saw a gigantic firebird with wingspan of dozens of meters flying towards them!
"Se...Senior Brother, what is that?"
The young man was aghast, his mouth agape, stammering.
"Demon King...Tier Three Demon King attacking, quick...quick, inform inside the sect!"
The one called Senior Brother, having more knowledge, recognized it as a Tier Three Great Demon immediately!
Disregarding his confusion as to why such a demon appeared in the heart of Xui Country,
He swiftly reached for his waist, pulled out a pitch-black token, slowly infused mana into it, and cast it into the air!
As mountain gate guards, they temporarily held the deputy token for the mountain gate’s array, enabling them to simply activate the protective restrictions!
"Hold on!"
However, just as he was about to succeed, a young woman’s voice stopped them!
The voice was extremely melodious, like a clear stream flowing,
Just by hearing it, they knew its owner must be of stunning beauty,
But the two did not dare to entertain a single inappropriate thought for they recognized the voice’s owner,
It was Lin Xueying, the current Grand Elder of Cloud Light Sect!
"Greetings, Grand Elder!"
The two Qi Refining disciples respectfully saluted.
A woman in a white silk dress appeared at the mountain gate, two elders following behind her,
Just then, the Crimson Flame Simurgh also arrived at the mountain gate and slowly descended.
Two figures descended slowly from the large bird’s back.
"Zhou Lang!"
At this moment, Lin Xueying completely ignored everything else around, her eyes entirely focused on Zhou Xun, as if only he existed in the world.
"Xueying, congratulations!"
Zhou Xun smiled, looking at the woman opposite, seemingly remembering that captivating girl from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion back in those days!
"Greetings, Master Wangchuan!"
At this time, the two elders behind, both saluted Zhou Xun with clasped hands!
These two were none other than Zhou Xun’s old acquaintances, Master Jin Hong and Master Zong Yu.
"You two are too polite, we are old acquaintances, calling each other Daoist friends is fine!"
Zhou Xun laughed,
Master Jin Hong had remarkably good fortune; back when he fought with the Celestial Feather Sect, his legs were crippled, originally making further cultivation advancement impossible,
Unexpectedly, his fortune was extraordinary, as he accidentally discovered a Tier Three Top-Grade "Meat Reishi" while traveling the world,
This was truly an extraordinary medicine with the ability to regrow bones and flesh; though at Tier Three level, its value was comparable to a Tier Four Low-Grade Spirit Medicine,
With the help of this miraculous medicine,
His legs were completely healed,
And because of the calamity, there was rebirth, making advances, he is now at Middle-Stage Core Formation Cultivation!
This is the allure of the Cultivation Realm; no one can say when an opportunity will fall into your lap.
As for Master Zong Yu, he has a Fake Pill Cultivation, and that’s how it will remain for his life!
"Then forgive my presumption!"
Master Jin Hong and Master Zong Yu politely saluted with clasped hands,
In the Cultivation Realm, cultivation is respected. Although the two had some past rapport, sensing the vast ocean-like mana within Zhou Xun, they still involuntarily showed respect.
Meanwhile, Song Yiqing had already walked to Lin Xueying’s side, holding her hand,
"Sister Lin!"
Sensing the Core Formation Stage mana from Song Yiqing, Lin Xueying couldn’t help but feel somewhat bitter, not expecting even Song Yiqing to surpass her.
"I am the main wife of the Zhou Family!"
Lin Xueying thought, although feeling a bit uncomfortable, her upbringing from childhood allowed her to quickly come to peace,
She possessed the Water Moon Body, just waiting until Core Formation, her true cultivation speed would manifest.
...
In the evening, Cloud Light Sect held a banquet in the Cloud Light Hall to entertain Master Wangchuan, Zhou Xun.
At the entrance of the hall,
An old man wearing a new cyan robe, his face weathered, hair slightly graying, slowly walked in; this was Sunx Yuanque,
Decades ago, he had been a rising star of Cloud Light Sect, radiating vitality,
But now he looked worn,
Now he appeared even older than his grandfather, Master Zong Yu!
"Que’er, today is Master Zhou’s grand banquet. You are granted the grace to attend, ensure not to disrupt this grand ceremony!"
Master Zong Yu, standing beside, sighed as he looked at his grandson’s current state,
"Grandson...Grandson understands!"
Sunx Yuanque’s eyes brightened when hearing Master Zhou’s name, but then dimmed again.
Previously, he could still strive to catch up, just a sliver of chance to achieve Core Formation, standing beside Zhou Xun,
But now, he would never catch up!
"Brother Sun, why is Yuanque here!" Master Yun’an was surprised upon seeing Sunx Yuanque.
Since that mishap, Sunx Yuanque had become increasingly dejected, not stepping out of his cave mansion for over ten years!
"Master Zhou personally instructed that I must bring Yuanque!" Master Zong Yu explained helplessly.
He was also worried that Yuanque’s current demeanor might displease him!
After all, nobody knows how a person high in status might change.
Soon, everyone was seated in the hall, quietly waiting for Zhou Xun’s arrival.
Sunx Yuanque was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator present.
After a short time, a man in a brand-new cyan feather robe, with a fresh, handsome appearance and ethereal aura, entered slowly with Song Yiqing and Lin Xueying accompanying him.
"Greetings, Master Wangchuan!"
Everyone rose and bowed!
"We are all old acquaintances, no need for formalities!"
Zhou Xun smiled, gestured with his hand to calm them, and then walked straight to the main seat and sat down.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon an elderly figure,
"Is that... Brother Sunx?!"
Sunx Yuanque, sitting below Zhou Xun, sounded somewhat uncertain!
From his features, one could faintly see the shadow of a spirited young Foundation Establishment Cultivator from years past!
Hearing Zhou Xun call his name, Sunx Yuanque was initially taken aback, but then stood up with eyes full of excitement,
After all, Zhou Xun now held the title of the Eastern Wilderness’s most renowned cultivator, known as the region’s Number One Cultivator, inspiring awe in others.
"Zhou... Zhou... Master, you... you still remember me!"
"It’s been over forty years since we last met, how have you become so..." Zhou Xun sighed, opening up to ask.
Upon hearing this, Sunx Yuanque seemed to recall something, and his eyes turned melancholic.
"Alas, twenty years ago, Yuanque’s cultivation was stuck at the Peak of Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment for years. In pursuit of the path, he forced a breakthrough,"
"Unexpectedly, although he miraculously advanced, his foundation suffered severe damage with no possibility for future advancement!"
Sunx Yuanque’s grandfather, Master Zong Yu, sighed and explained.
Sunx Yuanque was originally a carefree person, but his drive for improvement was not unrelated to Zhou Xun back then.
After all, the old friend he once indulged with in drinking and revelry suddenly turned into a respected figure, greatly motivating Sunx Yuanque.
Thus he transformed his previous character and became an ascetic.
However, in life, only one or two matters go as planned, while those who break through barriers and move courageously forward are few.
The majority spend a lifetime stuck before a certain realm without progressing.
This is the true situation of the Cultivation Realm.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but sigh and, after a moment of contemplation,
slid his hand to his waist, retrieved a small pill bottle about an inch in size, and tossed it to Sunx Yuanque.
"Here is a Tier Three Replenishing Pill, extremely beneficial for your injuries; with your current cultivation, recovery should be no problem!"
This pill was crafted by Zhou Xun during his leisure; today it found its purpose.
Upon hearing this, Sunx Yuanque was stunned, nervously flailing his hands before leaving his seat, kneeling and weeping uncontrollably!
After he was injured back then, he read scriptures, and the Replenishing Pill was among the best elixirs for healing his injuries,
Yet the main ingredient needed for its refinement was Tier Three High-Grade Spirit Medicine, which he naturally couldn’t obtain,
Originally thinking his path was at an end, unexpectedly today there was newfound hope for advancement.
Under years of pressure, his true emotions naturally poured out!
"Master’s great kindness, my Sunx Family shall surely repay!"
Master Zong Yu spoke with a choked voice, bowed deeply to Zhou Xun, and performed a grand ritual!
As for the other masters present, they showed expressions of envy,
"Replenishing Pill!"
Even for them, it was an extremely precious treasure, with many unable to purchase even one no matter how much they spent!
And for Zhou Xun now, it was easily attainable!
"There’s no need for this. Daoist Sunx is my old friend; having met him today, I naturally cannot stand by idly!"
Zhou Xun waved his hand, and then the banquet continued,
During the banquet, everyone again sought advice from Zhou Xun on many cultivation issues,
With his Late-Stage Core Formation Cultivation, and having browsed the scriptures from Eastern Wilderness and Central Continent, he easily answered their questions,
Which made everyone from Cloud Light Sect admire him,
Master Zhou was able to achieve such cultivation at a young age, truly through his true strength.
...
After the banquet ended, Zhou Xun stayed at Lin Xueying’s Cave Mansion,
Whereas Song Yiqing wisely resided at Zhou Xun’s Cave Mansion within Cloud Light Sect.
In the bedroom, Lin Xueying gazed affectionately at Zhou Xun, irresistibly leaning closer...
Thus marked a sleepless night!
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the vent into the bedroom, casting Lin Xueying’s arm in a golden hue,
At this moment, she lay in Zhou Xun’s arms, full of satisfaction,
With a few lingering blushes on her face,
"Zhou Lang, after this Core Formation, I no longer wish to stay in this Cloud Light Sect!"
"I have had enough of being the Grand Elder!"
Lin Xueying said softly,
If not to help Zhou Xun control Cloud Light Sect, she had no interest in the position of Grand Elder at all!
Now that Zhou Xun was already the Number One Cultivator in Eastern Wilderness, he naturally had no need for sects’ assistance,
Thus he nodded:
"If you don’t want to, then don’t!"
"By the way, are you fully confident in your Core Formation this time?" Zhou Xun shifted gears, speaking of her Core Formation matter.
"Certainly!"
Lin Xueying’s words revealed immense confidence,
"Zhou Lang, the insights you shared on Core Formation, I have thoroughly mastered them all!"
Zhou Xun previously came to stay at Cloud Light Sect every few years, leaving numerous insights on Core Formation,
Including most of the content from Tianhan City and Celestial Feather Sect’s treasury.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded,
If so, the Core Formation should pose no problem.
Immediately, Zhou Xun withdrew his arm, then with a gesture, a pill bottle flew out of the Storage Bag, landing in his palm.
He handed it to the lady beside him,
"What is this?"
"Crystal Condensing Pill!"
"The sect long prepared it for me, no need for you to spend, dear!"
"But if you need anything, I have saved up two million Spirit Stones for you over the years!" Lin Xueying giggled secretly.
"Thank you for your effort!" Zhou Xun, hearing this, fondly caressed the lady’s hair and then said:
"Open it and take a look!"
Lin Xueying obediently removed the stopper and looked inside,
Sees a crystalline, spirit-charm-imbued pill lying quietly within,
"Premium Crystal Condensing Pill!"
Lin Xueying gasped!
Zhou Xun, hearing her, nodded slightly, not correcting her mistake; his own knowledge of Super-Grade Elixirs sufficed.
"Dear... you’re too good to me!"
With that, Lin Xueying again could not help but lean closer...