The Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool, Song Chiyue.
Qin Luofeng, the direct disciple of Zhenwu.
Huikong, the first among the Hui characters, and also the top talent of the Burning Purification sect.
These three are the most talented young cultivators in this generation, all under thirty years old with cultivation levels close to the Core Formation stage.
Song Chiyue has a single Wooden Spirit Root and a First-Rank Danfield, reaching the peak of the Golden Core stage; Qin Luofeng has a single Sword Spirit Root and a Second-Rank Danfield, at the late Golden Core stage; Huikong has a single True Fire Spirit Root and a Second-Rank Danfield, also at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
Aside from their innate advantages, these three have backing from holy lands, and their resources are unparalleled.
Their weapons, treasures, and hidden cards are unimaginable for ordinary cultivators.
After Yuyiao Zhenren spoke, these three young geniuses stepped out of the holy land, each followed by three disciples—core disciples of the holy land whose cultivation and talent rank just below the three geniuses, with strengths ranging from early to late Golden Core stage. They would enter the Central Continent Secret Realm together with the holy land geniuses.
Song Chiyue stood beside Yuyiao Zhenren, bowing gracefully, looking like a younger version of Yuyiao Zhenren herself.
Her attire and style even resemble Yuyiao Zhenren’s.
If one didn’t know that Yuyiao Zhenren has no partner, she could easily be mistaken as Yuyiao Zhenren’s daughter or sister.
Qin Luofeng, handsome and stern, wearing gray and white Daoist robes, carrying a sword case on his back, stepping on a crane, standing quietly behind Zhang Yibai, exuding a sense of stability and sharpness; Huikong, bare-chested with muscles resembling coiled dragons, covered in crimson burning patterns, yet with a very delicate face. If he were to wear women’s clothing and a wig, he could easily pass as a woman.
“Alright, go in. The other cultivators have been waiting for a long time, they must be getting impatient.”
Zhang Yibai waved his whisk, and twelve disciples of the holy land were sent by a force to the bronze gate of the small secret realm.
These disciples turned around to bow respectfully to the three leaders of the holy land before entering through the bronze door.
After the holy land geniuses entered, various sect disciples followed.
“Holy land geniuses, hahaha… That’s it?” Chen Huaian shook his head.
He could clearly see the basic information of these geniuses.
Honestly, they couldn’t compare to his Qingran baby.
Although Li Qingran’s strength hasn’t reached the Golden Core stage, how old is she?
She is not yet twenty!
The youngest among the holy land geniuses, Song Chiyue, is already twenty-seven.
If this were modern times, she would be approaching the age of being considered an older unmarried woman, a priority target for family matchmaking.
Unlike his Qingran baby, who is still so young.
“Master, those are the holy land geniuses, how can you say such things…”
Li Qingran tiptoed, lowering her voice.
She looked around cautiously, fearing her master’s words might be overheard by someone with ill intentions.
It is said that each leader of the holy land is more concerned about their reputation than the next, and more protective of their own.
Even though the master didn’t say much, the disdain and contempt in his tone was already a form of insult to the holy land.
“I am speaking the truth.”
Chen Huaian unfolded his fan with a “snap,” the fan bones gently touching Li Qingran’s chin.
The silver bells on his ankles jingled, and his little apprentice stumbled half a step, falling onto the dragon chair.
“Master!” Li Qingran hurriedly used the scabbard of her sword to prop up the chair, the tassel of her sword entangled with the red rope around her wrist. In the light of the sacred hall, one could see the faint blush spreading from her ear tips down her neck, like vermilion ink seeping into rice paper.
At this moment, the two were very close.
Almost less than a fist’s distance apart.
Li Qingran looked at Chen Huaian’s face; if she took another half step forward, their lips would meet.
Could it be that the master…
“You are about to enter the secret realm. I will give you something.”
Chen Huaian pulling Li Qingran close wasn’t to cause mischief.
Li Qingran had reached the final reward of the Foundation Establishment stage, unlocking the Sword Spirit Root.
And it was two Sword Spirit Roots.
One for himself and one for Li Qingran.
Li Qingran gazed at the floating silver sword in her master’s hand, without a doubt, it was a single Sword Spirit Root.
According to the Records of Heavenly Artificers, there are three ways spirit roots can develop: one is innate, possessed by cultivators since birth; two is acquired through advanced techniques, transferring essence; three is nurtured by nature, which is mysterious and wondrous.
Among them, the Sword Spirit Root is particularly special, not belonging to the five elements.
When the sword intent in a place gathers for thousands of years without dispersing, its sharpness actually erodes the earth veins, causing sword-shaped crystals to grow in the mineral core of spirit stones. This object emits sound when exposed to moonlight and disappears when exposed to sunlight, requiring supreme sword intent to seal it to preserve its spiritual essence.
Through some special techniques, a cultivator’s spirit root can be extracted and sold as a resource.
However, such behavior is strictly prohibited by the righteous path and is usually carried out by the demon path.
Some old monsters, when they reach a bottleneck and their lifespan is almost exhausted, might resort to desperate measures, either seizing the body of a more talented young cultivator or taking others’ dantian, dao body, and spirit roots to strengthen themselves. This way, they can break through the bottleneck and extend their life… although they may face even more terrifying heavenly tribulations in the future.
That is too far away.
When life ends, there is nothing left.
As long as one is alive, there is always a chance.
Now the master is going to implant this precious Sword Spirit Root into her?
…
Nearby, noticing this scene, Yue Qianchi curled her lips, mimicking Li Qingran’s gesture, rolling her eyes: “Oh, the disciple doesn’t know how to refine it and needs the master’s help~”
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for Li Qingran to hear.
Li Qingran trembled slightly, biting her red lip, a rosy hue spreading to her ears.
“Stand straight, what are you twisting for?”
Behind her, Su Qinian quickly kicked Yue Qianchi.
This mischievous disciple is becoming increasingly unruly!
She even dares to tease the ancestor.
What if she ends up dismantling the Sword Pavilion someday?
