Chapter 593: Sect Ranking 3
After receiving the two secret messages from Shen Xuan, Ding Yijin was filled with gratitude.
Reclaiming Cyan Dragon Bay was his greatest obsession in life.
Even now, he often wakes up from nightmares.
When escaping Cyan Dragon Bay, his father’s admonitions and the tragic state of his clan haunted his dreams, like lingering ghosts that wake him from nightmares.
Ding Yijin’s fingers trembled slightly as he held the two Jade Scrolls containing secret messages.
He did not read the letters.
However, Shen Xuan had already informed him of their contents.
The Red Rainbow Sect and Celestial Skill Sect would withdraw from Cyan Dragon Bay within half a year and hand it over to the Ding Family cultivators.
"True Master Shen..."
Ding Yijin’s voice choked, and tears streamed down his aged face.
He bowed deeply, his forehead striking the cold stone floor with a dull thud.
Cyan Dragon Bay was the ancestral land of the Ding Family, and it was the hometown he could never forget.
His greatest wish in life was to rejuvenate the Ding Family, return to his homeland, and honor his ancestors.
This was once an unattainable dream.
After all, the strength of the Ding Family could not match the Red Rainbow Sect and Celestial Skill Sect.
Now, with Shen Xuan’s secret messages reaching the two sect leaders,
it meant that the return of Cyan Dragon Bay to the Ding Family was just around the corner.
"Fellow Daoist Ding, please rise."
After receiving the salute, Shen Xuan flicked his sleeve, lifting Ding Yijin.
"True Master Shen, the Ding Family will never forget this. The Ding Clan members will loyally follow True Master Shen’s orders, even through fire and water, unto death!"
At that moment, Ding Yijin’s stooped posture straightened.
His spirit was vibrant, and he looked much younger.
"Have you thought about who will deliver the letters?"
"What is True Master Shen’s suggestion?"
"Let Ding Qingfeng do it. After delivering the letters, he will return directly to the Cyan Cloud Sect to serve as a Pill Master in the Alchemy Hall."
Shen Xuan said blandly.
Ding Yijin’s eyes lit up.
This meant Ding Qingfeng would join the Cyan Cloud Sect as a formal Pill Master in the Alchemy Hall.
With Shen Xuan’s esteemed name, Ding Qingfeng’s development in the Cyan Cloud Sect was bound to be smooth.
...
The next day, Ding Qingfeng came to bid farewell.
He prostrated himself in sincere worship.
Shen Xuan gave him a few admonitions.
He instructed him that, after meeting the two sect leaders, there was no need to say much.
After delivering the letters, he should head to the Cyan Cloud Sect.
More important matters awaited him in the Alchemy Hall.
After Ding Qingfeng left,
Shen Xuan, after discussing with Qin Yuehan and True Master Xuan Yuan,
took Li Ruyi and returned to the Cyan Cloud Sect.
After forming his Golden Core, it was the first time he participated in the True Master council meeting.
Barring any surprises, his seat should be near True Master Ling Xiao.
Roughly the seventh position in the sect.
Before the meeting, Shen Xuan first went to pay his respects to True Master Cold Jade.
At Cold Jade Peak, within the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land,
Shen Xuan handed half a pound of Flowing Frost Spiritual Tea to Fang Huixue.
"Master Cold Jade, this is ice attribute Spirit Tea I traded from the Demon King in the Wilderness. It aids in nourishing the mind and enlightenment of the Dao."
True Master Cold Jade’s face was as cold as frost.
"Shen Xuan, if you didn’t want to take the position of Alchemy Hall Master, you should have just declined. Why thrust it upon me?"
Behind, Fang Huixue quietly gestured.
Indicating he need not worry, the master was not truly angry.
"Disciple has unavoidable difficulties. Please understand, Master Cold Jade."
Shen Xuan explained, "Everyone in the sect knows of my discord with True Master Changsheng. If I took up the Alchemy Hall Master position after his sudden death, it would only exacerbate conflicts, affecting the sect’s alchemy tasks."
Most Pill Masters in the Alchemy Hall came from True Master Changsheng’s lineage.
Shen Xuan said this as an excuse.
Only the three direct disciples of True Master Changsheng knew the real situation.
The other Pill Masters were peripheral members, unimportant.
People naturally seek benefit and avoid harm.
The Pill Masters in the Alchemy Hall were no exception.
Shen Xuan only needed to use some tactics to win them over.
He simply did not want to waste time and effort in the Alchemy Hall.
Starlight Island was his true foundation and Dao field.
"I will not refine the Golden Transformation Pill!"
True Master Cold Jade argued convincingly.
"This matter is as easy as turning a hand!"
Shen Xuan smiled and took out an Inheritance Jade Scroll.
"This is the inheritance of the Water Technique Golden Transformation Pill. If Master Cold Jade has time, I will exchange for some herbs with Senior Brother Tong Xuan for practice."
"At most, three to five furnaces, and Master Cold Jade will get the hang of it."
Shen Xuan’s words were not an exaggeration.
True Master Cold Jade was already skilled in Ice Techniques and had some talent in alchemy.
With detailed alchemy inheritance and his guidance on-site,
after refining three to five batches, True Master Cold Jade would achieve entry-level proficiency.
As for the pill success rate, it would improve with alchemy experience.
True Master Cold Jade accepted the Inheritance Jade Scroll, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and put it away.
"I have no time now."
"Master Cold Jade need not rush. The sect refines Golden Transformation Pills only once every thirty years."
Generally, the Cyan Cloud Sect selects Core Formation Seeds in batches every thirty years.
When they attempt to form their cores, the sect will acquire large quantities of Golden Transformation Pill herbs for alchemy.
"Moreover, I can take over some responsibilities for Master Cold Jade."
Only then did True Master Cold Jade’s expression slightly ease.
"What about Fellow Daoist Li, is she here?"
"Yes."
With a gentle stir of his Divine Thoughts,
a black mist rose,
and Li Ruyi emerged from the Soul Nourishing Wood.
"Ruyi pays respects to True Master Cold Jade!"
Li Ruyi bowed respectfully.
She had lived on Cold Jade Peak for years and had a good relationship with True Master Cold Jade and Liu Bingyu.
True Master Cold Jade’s Divine Sense observed Li Ruyi, showing a slight smile.
"Fellow Daoist Li looks well. For now, reside on Cold Jade Peak and stay to assist me."
"Yes."
Li Ruyi and Shen Xuan exchanged smiles.
Both knew that True Master Cold Jade had a thin face and cared about appearances.
Li Ruyi’s visit was specifically to guide True Master Cold Jade in the Alchemy Dao.
...
Subsequently, Shen Xuan went to visit Liu Bingyu.
Liu Bingyu’s cultivation was progressing more smoothly than Shen Xuan had expected.
Her Spiritual Qi was restrained, and her breath was long and steady.
Although it hasn’t reached the realm of perfection without flaws,
it can still be considered a solid Dao Foundation with a strong Divine Soul.
"Junior Sister Liu, don’t be impatient. Calm your mind and conserve your energy."
"In another month, you can attempt to solidify your Pill."
"Senior Brother will personally protect you."
After giving these words of encouragement,
Shen Xuan left Cold Jade Peak to visit True Master Gu Feng at Little Lone Peak.
This time, True Master Gu Feng was exceptionally welcoming to him.
She told Shen Xuan that two months after Yun Chixin returned to the sect, she entered seclusion to attempt Core Formation and successfully formed a Fake Pill.
Although she was just a Fake Pill True Master, she had still taken a step forward.
With the Yun Family’s influence, she took a position as a small Immortal City Lord.
"Junior Sister Yun is quite good."
Shen Xuan echoed warmly.
Such an outcome could be considered a reward for his dedicated efforts.
True Master Gu Feng was all smiles.
Yun Chixin was her direct disciple.
Being able to form even a Fake Pill was no easy feat.
Most True Pill True Masters cannot even teach a True Pill disciple in their lifetimes.
Otherwise, the sect’s power would have long been monopolized by incumbent True Pill True Masters for generations.
Teaching a Fake Pill True Master is quite commendable.
Under True Master Gu Feng’s tutelage, there was one Golden Core and two Fake Pills.
No one in the sect dared to underestimate her.
Of course, True Master Gu Feng was clear-minded about it.
Yun Chixin’s situation was a special case.
Favor is like a blade; the more it’s used, the thinner it gets.
This time, Shen Xuan took Yun Chixin to seek help from the Purple Yunting Tree Emperor.
It consumed the favors he and the Purple Yunting Tree Emperor held.
True Master Gu Feng was clear about this and would not ask again.
She inquired about the Alchemy Hall Master’s matter.
Shen Xuan openly recommended Cold Jade Master for the position.
He asked True Master Gu Feng to cast a favorable vote in the True Master Council when the time came.
True Master Gu Feng agreed with delight.
...
In the following time, Shen Xuan visited the True Masters of Cyan Cloud Sect one by one.
Starting with Hidden Image True Master, he visited them in the order of their ranking within the sect.
Even if they were not in their Spiritual Land cave mansions, Shen Xuan left them a local specialty from Starlight Island: a Tier Three Purple Yunting Spirit Branch.
Whether used for refining Spiritual Artifacts or drawing symbols, it was excellent material.
Of course, although they were all Tier Three Purple Yunting Spirit Branches, the quality varied slightly based on status.
For the likes of Hidden Image True Master and Spirit Sword True Master, who were Golden Cores, they received the best kind.
Jade Sun Peak, Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.
Shen Xuan met with True Master Jade Sun.
"Junior Brother Profound Ice is also cultivating Fire Techniques?"
Hearing Shen Xuan’s inquiry about the method to refine the Celestial Thunder Tribulation Flame, True Master Jade Sun asked curiously.
"That’s right."
Shen Xuan candidly admitted.
"To what extent have your Fire Techniques reached?"
"After two years of cultivation, approximately at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation."
"What Cultivation Techniques are you practicing?"
"The Nine Revolutions Fiery Sun Technique and the Pure Yang True Flame Mantra from Golden Sun Sect."
True Master Jade Sun couldn’t help but sigh: "Junior Brother Profound Ice is truly talented!"
Both of these techniques are the sect’s ultimate skills of the Golden Sun Sect.
Shen Xuan took out the black withered wood nurtured in the Fire Spirit Stone.
True Master Jade Sun’s eyes suddenly brightened.
"What a treasure! Is it the Celestial Flame of Nine Heavens Purple Thunder?"
Shen Xuan couldn’t help but praise: "Senior Brother Jade Sun, you have sharp eyes indeed!"
A hint of envy appeared on True Master Jade Sun’s face: "The Nine Heavens Purple Thunder Celestial Flame is born from the last Celestial Tribulation when a member of the Demon Race transforms, containing a trace of Heavenly Dao Laws, capable of incinerating everything."
He glanced at Shen Xuan, his Divine Sense scanning him for a long time.
"Junior Brother Profound Ice, with your current Fire Technique cultivation, you cannot refine this flame."
"Please elaborate."
True Master Jade Sun explained to Shen Xuan.
The Celestial Thunder Tribulation Flame is too fierce, and his Fire Technique cultivation is too shallow to assimilate it.
"Unless you can first solidify a type of Fire Attribute Spirit Body."
True Master Jade Sun pondered and spoke.
"Such as the Pure Yang Spirit Body, Li Fire Spirit Body, Scorching Heaven Spirit Body, Nether Fire Spirit Body, and so on."
True Master Jade Sun introduced many attributes of Fire Spirit Bodies.
Shen Xuan listened, seemingly enlightened.
In fact, he had already planned to solidify a Fire Attribute Spirit Body.
However, generally speaking, cultivators solidify the corresponding attribute Spirit Body after Foundation Establishment.
During the Qi Cultivation Realm, due to limitations in realm cultivation and physical conditions, success is difficult.
But for Shen Xuan, such problems don’t exist.
"Junior Brother Profound Ice, do you need me to help you find a method to solidify a Spirit Body?"
"No need, thank you, Senior Brother Jade Sun. I have my own way."
Shen Xuan politely declined.
The Fire Spirit Bodies introduced by True Master Jade Sun were too ordinary for Shen Xuan’s taste.
He aspired for an Ice and Fire Dual Golden Core, achieving harmony between water and fire, to form a Nascent Soul.
The Fire Spirit Body relates to his Nascent Soul path, and its grade is of critical importance, demanding careful consideration.
Subsequently, Shen Xuan retrieved two shrunken warships and moved them to an open space.
The warships, as large as small mountains, clearly bore the cloud-patterned mark of Danxia Sect.
True Master Jade Sun’s sharp eyes saw the sect mark and he stroked his beard with a light chuckle.
Shen Xuan remained calm, as if he had taken out a common treasure.
"Please, Senior Brother Jade Sun, repair these ships and imprint them with the Starlight Island mark."
"Certainly."
True Master Jade Sun agreed with pleasure.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Jade Sun."
Shen Xuan handed over a Storage Pouch.
Inside were two hundred Upper Grade Spirit Stones.
"This is the deposit. The remaining costs will be settled after the repair."
True Master Jade Sun accepted the Storage Pouch: "This ship will take a lot of effort. Come back for it in two years."
Shen Xuan nodded: "Okay."
More than ten days later.
Cyan Cloud Sect convened a True Master Council meeting.
When Shen Xuan walked into the True Master Discussion Hall, he was surprised to find that his seat was very near the front.
In the very center was Sect Leader Mysterious Trace True Master.
On the left was Spirit Sword True Master, and on the right was his seat.
Out of a total of nineteen True Masters, he ranked third.
Only after Mysterious Trace True Master and Spirit Sword True Master.
Even the previous Sect Leader Hidden Image True Master ranked behind him.
This made Shen Xuan’s heart shudder, prompting a cautious alertness.