The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

The third manifestation of Dragon and Phoenix Valley arrived. In the clouds, a True Dragon soared, letting out a deep, resonant hum. Atop a towering, withered tree, a divine phoenix shrieked, its call piercing and clear!

Qian Hu's face was flushed, not just from the surging temperature in the valley, but also from sheer excitement.

"The dragon and phoenix appearing together... this is a once-in-a-century event! HAHAHA! The heavens are helping me, Qian Hu! As long as I comprehend the Dragon and Phoenix True Law, I'll become a True Disciple! I might even be able to contend for the position of Daoist in the future."

This was because the Dragon and Phoenix True Law was not among the three techniques that the True Disciple, Feng You, had comprehended.

The most central Daoist technique of the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Manual was, in fact, the Dragon and Phoenix True Law. The Qixia Sect had a rule: anyone who comprehended the Dragon and Phoenix True Law—regardless of whether they were from the Inner or Outer Sect, and regardless of how much of the complete technique they grasped—would be granted the status of a True Disciple.

This Dragon and Phoenix True Law was exceedingly difficult to comprehend. The only opportunity was during the simultaneous appearance of the dragon and phoenix, and even then, the chance was slim. The manifestations of Dragon and Phoenix Valley were completely random; the sect had cataloged over thirty different variations. There was even a time it manifested only once in a two-year period. The probability of encountering the dragon and phoenix together was, in itself, minuscule.

The remaining disciples in the valley were in the exact same state as Qian Hu. Comprehending the Dragon and Phoenix True Law was akin to ascending to the heavens in a single step.

"A fortuitous encounter! This is a fortuitous encounter!"

"Hahaha, I, Wang Kai, have the makings of a Daoist!"

"Forget the other techniques! I'm focusing only on this dragon and phoenix!"

For a moment, none of the disciples in the valley could contain their excitement. They simply stared at the distant dragon and phoenix, grinning like fools.

Strange laughter echoed through the valley intermittently. Suddenly, someone shrieked, "Oh my god! The Daoist! We're getting a new Daoist!"

A confused disciple asked, "What are you on about? Don't be so weird! How is anyone supposed to comprehend anything with all that racket?"

"No, look at the Decree List! Look at the Decree List!"

Everyone looked up. At the very top of the Decree List, the first name read: Chen Dong. Comprehended four of the six complete techniques: Dragon and Phoenix True Law, True Dragon Heaven-Stealing Technique, Phoenix True Fire, Sun Burning True Skill. Minor techniques: Omitted.

"Good heavens! Did I eat so many Fasting Pills I've gone stupid? Am I hallucinating?!"

"Are you an idiot? It's real! Or are you saying we're all hallucinating?"

"So fast! It's too fast, simply unbelievable! It's only been, what, eight hours? Not even a full day, and he's already comprehended them!"

"Didn't they say comprehending the Dragon and Phoenix True Law was incredibly difficult? How did he manage it in just eight hours? Are the rumors wrong?"

"Senior Brother Feng You is in for a tough time now. Comprehending four complete techniques, and one of them is the Dragon and Phoenix True Law... There's no way the position of Daoist won't change hands!"

Now, many of the disciples in the valley couldn't sit still. The more calculating among them began searching for any sign of Chen Dong. Even those trying to quiet their minds and focus on comprehension felt as if things were crawling all over them, making it impossible to calm down.

After a single glance at the Decree List, Qian Hu shot out of his cave without hesitation and began to search the valley.

Unfortunately, though the disciples turned Dragon and Phoenix Valley upside down, they couldn't find any trace of Chen Dong.

This was because Chen Dong had hidden himself deep within the mountain wall. He had even set up a Hidden Array to block Divine Sense and a restrictive seal to conceal his aura.

He was being so cautious because when he comprehended the Dragon and Phoenix True Law, his Extreme Dao barrier had shattered. No, it was more like the barrier had simply vanished on its own.

So, he had hidden himself away to prepare to break through to the Inner Realm again—the breakthrough from the Qi Cultivation Stage to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the Wangyou Realm.

Deep within the mountain, Chen Dong consumed the medicinal pills Mu Qingzhu had prepared for him. The True Qi in his body began to circulate rapidly—one cycle, two cycles...

A full five days later, after consuming two bottles of Top-grade Peiyuan Pills meant for Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, Chen Dong's True Qi reached its absolute peak. It then surged as one, charging toward the bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Hissing sounds vibrated from Chen Dong's Sea of Consciousness down through his upper, middle, and lower Dantians. Having already possessed an Inner Realm cultivation base once before, Chen Dong found the process effortless. A warm current flowed from the vibrating points through his meridians, and he once again reached the Inner Realm!

At the same time, the Mu Qingzhu Jade Embryo within Chen Dong's Dantian grew a full size larger.

'Is it about to be born?' Chen Dong wondered. It was his first time nurturing this Jade Embryo, so he had no idea if it was "ripe" or not.

"What are you thinking? It's still too early!" Mu Qingzhu's consciousness unexpectedly transmitted from the Jade Embryo.

"W-w-what the—! You actually broke through the Extreme Realm on your own!" Realization dawned on Mu Qingzhu, and she was utterly shocked. "No wonder the nurturing process sped up so much that I can now sense the outside world! So you've already reached Foundation Establishment!"

'The baby in my belly can talk before it's even born!' The thought struck Chen Dong as incredibly bizarre.

"Pah! I am *not* your child! I was reborn through you and am merely being nurtured by you!"

Chen Dong slapped his forehead. 'Isn't that the same thing?'

"It's not! It's just not the same!"

"Alright, alright, it's not the same!" Chen Dong rubbed his lower abdomen. "So you can sense the outside world now?"

Mu Qingzhu's consciousness replied, "Yes. Because of your breakthrough, the Jade Embryo has entered the second stage. I can sense the outside world now!"

"How many stages does this Jade Embryo have? And how far can you sense?" Chen Dong asked.

"Isn't the Yuqing Immortal Technique inside you? Haven't you looked at it? Never mind, I'll just tell you. The Jade Embryo has five stages! We're in the second stage now. I'm basically attached to you, so I can sense as far as your Divine Sense can reach! What you see, I see. What you sense, I sense."

Chen Dong nodded. It meant he and Mu Qingzhu were essentially one entity now; she could experience his feelings and sensations.

And so, Chen Dong's mind conjured up some wicked images...

Mu Qingzhu's panicked consciousness immediately shot out: "Don't! D-d-don't... Don't mess with my Dao Heart!"