The group finally emerged from the protection of the Azure Cloud Shroud. Looking at the spirit herb, they saw it was a Purple Lingzhi that had just reached five thousand years of age. While it paled in comparison to the Nine-Bend Lingzhi, a five-thousand-year-old specimen was still an excellent find.
Li Xue and Li Lin were truly enlightened by witnessing Yu Yuntian’s combat. As expected of a major sect, the treasures he employed were all top-grade and seemed to come in an endless variety.
The Yu Xuan Sect was situated in the northern reaches of Mount Beimeng. As a renowned and prestigious sect, the spiritual veins they occupied were naturally the finest. The sect consisted of seven main peaks, which formed the Seven Desolations Array. If seven Soul Transformation cultivators presided over the array, even a Loose Immortal would not dare to intrude. Currently, the Yu Xuan Sect possessed nine Grand Elders at the Soul Transformation stage.
Back when Chi Ze was only a second-rank spirit beast, he had been taken in by a Nascent Soul Daoist of the Yu Xuan Sect. After that Daoist’s passing, Yu Yuntian had looked after him for over two hundred years. It was only when Chi Ze reached the late third rank that he returned to Mount Chize to seek his transformation and advancement.
Li Xue and Li Lin followed Yu Yuntian and the others back to the Yu Xuan Sect. Once Yu Yuntian learned they were alchemists, he immediately tossed them Guest Elder identification tokens. Yu Nanshan was then tasked with leading them to the Guest Courtyard and arranging everything regarding materials and artifact forging.
A so-called "Guest Elder" referred to a cultivator with a specialized skill. Regardless of their cultivation level, they enjoyed the sect's offerings directly. Their only responsibility was to complete certain tasks when the sect required their expertise. This was a common method for major sects to recruit talent and was one of the most popular arrangements for rogue cultivators with specialized crafts.
Li Xue and Li Lin were both very satisfied with this. Having a major sect as a backer made things much more convenient, and receiving a regular stipend was an added bonus. Of course, they were different from the average guest; having contributed so many spirit herbs, they were already considered significant benefactors of the Yu Xuan Sect.
Before long, Yu Nanshan delivered a large quantity of spirit stones, spirit pills, materials, and magic treasures—all of which were of the highest quality. A master forger had also been found: Yu Nanqing, an outstanding craftsman of the Yu family and their youngest Nascent Soul cultivator. All that remained was to gather the necessary materials.
Examining the magic treasures provided by the Yu Xuan Sect, there were four in total, corresponding to the elements of Gold, Fire, Water, and Earth. They were all top-grade treasures, perfectly suited for the two humans and two beasts. The Yu Xuan Sect’s arrangements were truly meticulous.
Li Xue was delighted. Gaining an additional top-grade Gold-attribute magic treasure provided her with another layer of security. Her treasure was called the White Silk Jade Belt, a piece suitable for female cultivators that could both attack and defend. Li Xue liked it immensely.
Li Lin received a defensive treasure named the Hidden Gloom Shield, which possessed formidable defensive power. Chi Ze received a Water-attribute Star-Chasing Wheel, while Hei Yan was given the Earth-attribute Yin-Yang Rings.
With this, all four were overjoyed, feeling that the exchange of spirit herbs had been well worth it.
Li Xue had come prepared for this journey. Besides the spirit herbs intended for exchange, she had also prepared many top-grade pills ranging from low to mid-tier, refined by both mother and son before they set out.
"Senior Brother Nanshan, which market here offers the fairest prices for pills?" Once she had settled in, Li Xue began preparing to trade her pills, as collecting materials would undoubtedly require a vast amount of spirit stones.
"Pills? What kind of pills?" Yu Nanshan asked with interest.
Li Xue produced some top-grade Spirit Gathering Pills and top-grade Qi Nourishing Pills. When Yu Nanshan took them to inspect, he was instantly shocked. To see so many top-grade spirit pills, and with all five elemental attributes represented... could these have been refined by their former sect?
Chi Ze leaned in and said to Yu Nanshan, "Is Senior Brother intimidated?"
Both Chi Ze and Hei Yan had assumed human form upon arriving at the Yu Xuan Sect. Chi Ze said with a face full of pride, "These were all refined by my Master and the Young Master themselves. Impressive, isn't it?" Yu Nanshan had essentially grown up under Chi Ze's watchful eye, and the two shared a very good relationship.
"This... this is indeed impressive!" Yu Nanshan swallowed hard and said urgently, "Don't sell these yet. I'll take a bottle to show my Master. Wait for me!" Yu Nanshan took several bottles and immediately rushed out of the Guest Courtyard.
Li Lin frowned slightly. Li Xue set up a soundproofing ward and then said to the others, "If anyone from the Yu Xuan Sect asks, say these top-grade pills were refined with the assistance of our spirit beasts, the Purple Orioles. We must stay low-profile and hide our true strength!" Li Xue gave Chi Ze a pointed look.
The other three nodded in agreement; this was necessary, as they were on someone else's territory after all.
To their surprise, Yu Yuntian came over personally. He spoke warmly to Li Xue and Li Lin, "I truly underestimated you. With your level of alchemy, you can rival high-level alchemists. From this day forward, you shall go to the Pill Courtyard of Elder Fenghua."
While Li Xue and Li Lin were wondering what was so special about this Pill Courtyard, Chi Ze was very excited. He said to Li Xue, "Master, Daoist Lord Fenghua is a high-level alchemist. Even the Soul Transformation Pills are refined by him."
Li Xue and Li Lin were overjoyed to hear this. They were already planning to refine a Soul Transformation Pill for their master, Daoist Yuhong. If they could receive guidance from Daoist Lord Fenghua, their chances of success would increase significantly. Moreover, the opportunity to learn from a high-level alchemist was too good to pass up.
"These top-grade pills of yours contain Solar Essence, making their quality superior to ordinary ones. Don't let others have them for cheap; trade them all to the sect instead!" Yu Yuntian said happily.
Li Xue and Li Lin complied. Under the curious and eager gazes of Yu Yuntian and Yu Nanshan, Li Xue summoned Zi Feng. With a crisp cry, the bird flew onto Li Xue's shoulder, affectionately nuzzling her head.
"Could this be a Purple Oriole of the Phoenix-Luan clan?" Yu Yuntian asked, observing the bird closely.
"Yes, Daoist Lord. This is my spirit beast. Li Lin and I each have one," Li Xue replied.
"No wonder, no wonder. This type of Luan bird has been extinct in the Primordial Star Realm for tens of thousands of years. I never expected they would appear on the tiny Mangyun Star!" Yu Yuntian naturally knew where Li Xue and Li Lin came from, and he spoke with great emotion.
Hearing this, Li Xue and Li Lin felt a surge of alarm. Once the teleportation array to Mangyun Star was repaired, it was inevitable that cultivators would travel there. Would the Bai family be in danger? With only Daoist Ruihua there, any Soul Transformation cultivator from this realm could easily wipe out the Bai family.
Soon, led personally by Yu Yuntian, the four arrived at Daoist Fenghua’s Pill Courtyard. Before entering, Yu Nanshan looked as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Bai Fenghua was from the Bai family of Danxia Star. He was a cultivator at the Great Circle of the Late Nascent Soul stage, known as Daoist Fenghua.
True to his name, the moment Li Xue saw him, her first impression was one of peerless grace. His poise and elegance were such that even a woman could not compare.
After standing there dazed and practically drooling for a long while, she finally recovered. She couldn't help but grumble inwardly: *What an enchanting fiend. For a man to look like this is almost a tragedy.*
Li Xue glanced to her left and right. Seeing that Li Lin and Hei Yan were also staring blankly, she felt a sense of balance return to her heart.
Yu Yuntian sighed softly. He was already speechless regarding the lethal effect of Senior Brother Fenghua’s appearance. Yu Nanshan and Chi Ze, however, had long since grown accustomed to it.
***
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Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 104 | Peerless Grace | Novela.app | Novela.app
