Chapter 45 : Sect Situation

“By the way, Junior Sister Yun Lian, what realm have you reached now?”

Ling Xi suddenly asked.

“First level of Golden Core.”

“Gold, Golden Core…”

Ling Xi hesitated, her smile gradually fading.

How was it that this junior sister was even stronger than her, the senior sister?

“Oh? Golden Core already? For a wandering cultivator, even with a sixth-grade spiritual root, reaching Golden Core at this age is quite impressive.”

Chen Yuyang had just turned around, his gaze filled with surprise as he looked at her.

Having cultivated for a hundred lifetimes, Chen Yuyang understood better than anyone the difference in cultivation speed between having sect support and being alone.

Even the smallest sect could provide obvious benefits to a cultivator.

Such as a safe environment, relatively abundant spiritual energy, complete cultivation methods and combat techniques, guidance from predecessors…

“Just lucky.”

Yun Lian smiled shyly, but didn’t elaborate further.

Seeing this, the others didn’t ask more.

Everyone had their own secrets, and it was normal.

Digging too deep would only offend people.

“Speaking of which, can you tell me more in detail about the other senior sisters in the sect?”

“Of course. Once we get back, I’ll introduce them to you.”

Gu Qiushui smiled patiently and began explaining.

“Huanhua Sect has a total of seven inner disciples including you, and nineteen outer disciples.”

“Senior Sister Bai Zhiruo is in Nascent Soul stage; after breaking through, she left to seek opportunities and it’s been five years now.”

“Second Senior Sister Su Chunshuang is the oldest among us, currently at the eighth level of Golden Core.”

“Third Senior Sister Xia Lan is my age, at the ninth level of Golden Core.”

“Fourth in rank is me, Gu Qiushui, twenty-seven years old, first level Nascent Soul.”

“Then there’s your Fifth Senior Brother Chen Yuyang, almost fifteen years old, first level Golden Core.”

“Following him is your Sixth Senior Sister, Ling Xi, sixteen years old, peak Foundation Establishment.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Lian nodded repeatedly.

It seemed the Huanhua Sect had few disciples, but their quality was quite high.

Especially…

A fifteen-year-old at the first level of Golden Core…

Yun Lian couldn’t help but glance again at Chen Yuyang.

At this age and realm, he was already very formidable.

Usually, only disciples from big sects or great clans, carefully cultivated as heirs without sparing effort, could reach such a level — like Yan Luo was.

Moreover, he had killed anyu.

Anyu was at Nascent Soul stage.

“Junior Sister Yun Lian, since you have reached the Golden Core realm, switching to the Huanhua Technique will likely take some effort.”

Gu Qiushui continued.

A cultivation method was the foundation of a cultivator.

Switching to a new method was never easy.

The higher the realm, the more troublesome the switch.

At Yun Lian’s current Golden Core level, switching to Huanhua Technique would take at least two to three months.

“Mm.”

Yun Lian nodded slightly, already mentally prepared.

“When you encounter difficulties in cultivation, feel free to ask me.”

“Okay, Senior Sister Qiushui.”

Along the way, Yun Lian chatted happily with Gu Qiushui and Ling Xi, asking many questions and learning a lot.

Chen Yuyang hardly joined the conversation, quietly watching the scenery rushing backward outside the flying boat.

His mind wasn’t on the junior sister newly entered into the sect, but on…

The mature woman ahead, focused on steering the flying boat, reflected in the youth’s eyes, and the events of several nights ago…

A cursed fate, indeed…

Even for Chen Yuyang, who had cultivated for a hundred lifetimes, how to handle this was a huge problem.

The Xuan Kong flying boat rushed forward.

Four hours passed, covering three thousand miles.

The flying boat slowly descended, and the mountain range where Huanhua Sect was located appeared before them.

Yun Lian straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the beautiful scenery, her eyes shining faintly.

“So, this is Huanhua Sect?”

“Exactly.”

“The scenery is really beautiful, and the spiritual energy here is quite abundant,” Yun Lian marveled.

Though Huanhua Sect was a small sect, its location was carefully chosen.

Compared to some larger sects, the environment was no less impressive.

Only…

Yun Lian lowered her eyes, glancing with confusion at the heaps of bricks, tiles, and ruined walls piled below.

“Why did Master land on this rubbish heap?”

She tilted her head curiously.

At this, Tai Lingxuan’s expression stiffened slightly, awkward.

A rubbish heap…

Ling Xi lowered her voice and hurriedly leaned close to Yun Lian’s ear.

“Junior Sister Yun Lian, this isn’t a rubbish heap; this is the site of our Huanhua Sect’s main hall…”

Gu Qiushui smiled bitterly and shook her head.

“Junior Sister Yun Lian, you don’t know. Recently, Master broke through a realm, triggering a lightning tribulation which shattered our main hall. It hasn’t been rebuilt yet.”

Yun Lian nodded repeatedly, realizing her slip, and quickly covered her mouth.

“Ahem, the reconstruction of the main hall will be arranged by Master soon.”

Tai Lingxuan said seriously, then turned to Gu Qiushui.

“Qiushui, arrange a room for Yun Lian and take her to meet the other senior sisters to familiarize her with the sect.”

“Yes, Master!”

Gu Qiushui respectfully replied, then smiled at Yun Lian.

“Follow me, Junior Sister Yun Lian.”

Yun Lian obediently followed Gu Qiushui away.

Ling Xi saluted Tai Lingxuan, then said, “Master, I feel some looseness in my realm, and I may breakthrough to Golden Core soon, so I might need some time in seclusion.”

Tai Lingxuan smiled gently and nodded.

“Mm, go ahead. If you need anything, just ask.”

Ling Xi responded respectfully and withdrew.

Tai Lingxuan’s gaze then fell on Chen Yuyang, who still stood there.

“Yuyang, it’s late. You should go rest.”

“All right, Master, but could you please prepare some materials for me? I plan to take some time to refine pills.”

Chen Yuyang said, taking out a piece of paper with a list of materials and their proportions.

Tai Lingxuan took it and examined it carefully.

Seeing the third-grade materials listed, she was somewhat surprised.

“What kind of pill is this?”

“Ning Jin Dan.”

“Ning Jin Dan!” Tai Lingxuan’s eyes showed surprise and amazement.

“Yuyang, this is a third-grade pill… You…”

Chen Yuyang smiled slightly and said proudly,

“Don’t worry, Master. I’m confident.”

Looking at the youth’s confident face, Tai Lingxuan felt a chord in her heart being struck.

They say confident men are the most handsome, and it was indeed true.

At this moment, Tai Lingxuan felt waves stirred inside her by him.

“Ahem, in that case, I’ll prepare the materials for you soon.”

Chen Yuyang cupped his hands.

“Thank you, Master. I’ll rest first.”

With that, Chen Yuyang turned and left.

Watching his departing figure, Tai Lingxuan still felt her heart stirred.

Seeing his growth, she felt comfort and satisfaction.

Fourteen years old at Golden Core.

And next, he might become a fourteen-year-old third-grade alchemist.

Such talent… was truly something to be proud of.

Even though she hadn’t taught him much herself; this was all his own effort.

In Gu Qiushui’s courtyard, the young girl was now running a very special cultivation method.

The surrounding spiritual energy began circulating in an unnatural way, and Gu Qiushui was enveloped by a very mysterious force.

If Tai Lingxuan were here, she would immediately recognize that this mysterious force was the power of the Heavenly Laws.

The cultivation method capable of controlling the power of the Heavenly Laws came from Gu Qiushui’s “Second Master.”

After returning to Huanhua Sect, Gu Qiushui contacted Chen Yuyang through the jade talisman and agreed to become his disciple.

Thus, Chen Yuyang officially became Gu Qiushui’s honorary master.

However, Chen Yuyang did not appear in person.

He transmitted the cultivation method for sensing the Heavenly Laws and evolving divine powers — which he had deduced that night — through the jade talisman.

Though Chen Yuyang only taught her the first part, it was enough for her to comprehend for a long time.

What kind of divine powers Gu Qiushui could realize through this method, Chen Yuyang didn’t know.

Everyone had their own affinity.

Even with the same Heavenly Laws, the realizations differed.

Of course, Chen Yuyang knew the ultimate goal of divine power cultivation.

To achieve the Great Mastery of All Laws.

That was complete understanding of the Heavenly Laws.

Of course, Chen Yuyang also knew this was the ideal case.

In reality, ascending to immortality had no requirement on the number of divine powers one mastered.

After all, divine powers were supplementary to cultivation.

Powerful, yes, but not strictly necessary.

Sensing the faint aura of Heavenly Laws in Gu Qiushui’s courtyard, Chen Yuyang had come on business but did not interrupt.

He patiently waited for an hour until the Heavenly Laws’ power dissipated, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.

“Senior Sister Qiushui, Master wants you to go to her.”

“Junior Brother Yuyang!”

Inside, Gu Qiushui’s surprised voice came.

Soon, Gu Qiushui appeared in a cyan robe and quickly walked out.

“What does Master want?”

“It’s about the sword technique you found in the secret realm.”

That sword technique was powerful but too profound.

Gu Qiushui herself couldn’t fully comprehend it, so after returning, she handed it over to Tai Lingxuan.

Initially, Gu Qiushui intended to give the exquisite seventh-grade treasured short sword obtained as well, but Tai Lingxuan refused.

A cultivation method was a cultivation method; a weapon was a weapon.

Tai Lingxuan made the distinction very clear.

She treasured this sword technique greatly and had been practicing it all these days.

Now, she had some insights into the first two moves and asked Chen Yuyang to bring Gu Qiushui to practice the sword.

The reason for bringing Chen Yuyang was that she also wanted him to study the technique.

Although the attribute of this sword technique didn’t quite match Chen Yuyang’s affinity, it was still a genuine seventh-grade sword technique.

Even if the attribute wasn’t a match, using it as a reference to refine his own swordsmanship was excellent.

Although Chen Yuyang didn’t think much of a mere seventh-grade sword technique, Since it was Master’s kind intention, he had no reason to refuse.

After some preparation, Chen Yuyang and Gu Qiushui headed to the sect’s Martial Arena.

Except for Master Tai Lingxuan, Yun Lian was already waiting there.