The one who spoke up was True Master Ling Xiao.
True Master Cold Jade suddenly turned her head, and her gaze towards True Master Ling Xiao revealed a hint of gratitude.
She knew that at critical monts, Senior Brother Ling Xiao would stand up.
This was a tacit understanding between the two.
Both ca from a background of loose cultivators, neither had a foundation in the Sect.
Among all the True Masters in the Sect, only True Master Ling Xiao would stand up for her.
Back then, when True Master Ling Xiao’s disciple He Zhengming faced unfavorable battle situations in Cyan Yang Prefecture, True Master Cold Jade similarly sent Shen Xuan to help.
True Master Celestial Thunder said, "Senior Brother Changsheng accepted him as a direct disciple, taught him the Alchemy Dao, assisted him in condensing the Inner Core. Why wouldn’t Shen Xuan be willing?"
Among the three, only he had the qualification to rival True Master Ling Xiao.
True Master Ling Xiao faced True Master Celestial Thunder with a solemn expression.
"Senior Brother Celestial Thunder, what if Shen Xuan isn’t willing?"
"Not willing? The Sect’s decision, there’s no room for his willingness!"
Beside him, True Master Profound Spirit interrupted.
"Why say this!"
With True Master Profound Spirit, True Master Ling Xiao was not as accommodating.
"The Dao Scripture says: A great man confronts his substantial part, not his superficial; confronts his reality, not his pretentiousness."
"If a disciple wishes to change allegiance, the original master, the new master, and the disciple, all three must agree, and the Sect shall consider comprehensively, with the majority vote from the assembly required for approval."
"Otherwise, if everyone imitates, there would be no rules, no respect for the master’s teachings, surely leading to disaster!"
"Having rules but not abiding by them, what use does the Sect’s discipline have!"
True Master Ling Xiao said in a deep voice.
The True Master Discussion Hall beca completely silent.
True Master Profound Spirit dared not speak.
He was just here to help.
Did not want to have a direct confrontation with True Master Ling Xiao.
Not that he couldn’t argue with him.
But the identities and status were not equal, there was no such need.
True Master Cold Jade’s anxious heart finally settled.
As soon as True Master Ling Xiao spoke, the situation was instantly reversed.
Not just because what he said made sense.
He even quoted the Dao Scripture.
More importantly, he is a Golden Core True Master, responsible for the Sect’s Law Enforcent Hall.
His identity and status are clear.
Not yet arranged into the Inner Peak only because there’s no suitable Dao field in the Inner Peak.
Anyone with insight could see.
In the future, True Master Ling Xiao is likely to succeed True Master Mysterious Trace and lead the Cyan Cloud Sect.
In the end, the matter of Shen Xuan is rely a dispute between True Master Changsheng and True Master Cold Jade.
It does not affect the interests of other True Masters.
True Master Changsheng managed to rope in both True Master Celestial Thunder and True Master Profound Spirit to launch together.
That was already quite impressive.
"What Junior Brother Ling Xiao said was also reasonable."
It seed True Master Mysterious Trace had cald down.
"Ritual manners must not be neglected. The Sect’s discipline must be followed."
"Junior Sister Cold Jade, you should inquire about Shen Xuan’s personal willingness, whether he wants to join Junior Brother Changsheng and Junior Brother Celestial Thunder."
"If he wants to, we shall discuss it at the next assembly. If not willing, this matter need not be ntioned again."
True Master Mysterious Trace’s gaze turned to True Master Hidden Image: "Senior Brother Hidden Image, is my way of handling this acceptable?"
True Master Hidden Image opened his cloudy eyes and glanced at the seated True Masters, nodding slightly.
"It is."
"Junior Brother Spirit Sword, Junior Brother Celestial Wind, Junior Brother Celestial Thunder, what do you think?"
"It’s fine."
True Master Spirit Sword put away the small flying sword in his palm, raised his head, his gaze like a sword, and spoke in a deep voice.
"With the agreent of the three brothers, Celestial Wind has no objection."
True Master Celestial Wind said with a light laugh.
"Whatever the Sect Leader decides."
True Master Celestial Thunder showed an indifferent expression.
True Master Changsheng slightly raised his eyebrows but, in the end, said nothing.
True Master Ling Xiao spoke out, the Sect Leader made a decision, the five major Golden Core True Masters of the Sect did not oppose.
He had no reason to speak further.
...
At Cold Jade Peak, inside the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.
Receiving a ssage from his master, Shen Xuan hurried over.
Originally, he had intended to rest for two days.
To prepare for another session of pill refining.
After hearing his master describe the debate at the True Master Discussion Hall, Shen Xuan’s heart suddenly tightened.
"Master, this matter is peculiar."
His mind was racing, unsure where to begin.
But one thing he was certain.
True Master Changsheng absolutely holds no goodwill.
For the Heavenly Dao oath, accepting him as a direct disciple, Shen Xuan doesn’t believe a single word.
Observing disciples can reveal much about their master.
True Master Changsheng’s four direct disciples, the eldest holds a grudge, the second defected the Sect and fled, the third is sycophantic, the fourth slanders him.
All four direct disciples have issues, definitely not by coincidence.
Shen Xuan is neither shallow nor naive, to trust True Master Changsheng again.
With the improvent of his Alchemy Skill, the conflict between Cold Jade Peak and Changsheng Peak will only escalate.
"The Sect Leader asked to inquire about your opinion. Are you willing to join Junior Brother Changsheng and Junior Brother Celestial Thunder?"
"Not willing."
Shen Xuan refused directly.
After considering, he asked, "How did Master Celestial Thunder get involved in this?"
"Could it be, he’s still blaming for crippling his disciple Lei Yaoyang?"
In Shen Xuan’s opinion, there was no need for True Master Celestial Thunder to step in.
With his status, having his suggestion denied could even cost him reputation and face.
True Master Cold Jade shook her head.
"Lei Yaoyang being crippled is just a minor issue, tolerated by Senior Brother Celestial Thunder."
"At Celestial Thunder Peak, another heir to the teachings exists. Nad Lei Yaoxing, he is the close-door disciple."
"Back then, his most favored heir to the teachings fell during training, slain by soone within. Hence, he resorted to a sche of deceiving heaven’s eyes."
Shen Xuan imdiately understood.
Dark currents also surged within Celestial Thunder Peak.
To vie for the heir to teachings, raising their Core Formation chances, the various direct disciples of Celestial Thunder Peak competed openly and covertly, viciously even at death’s door.
"Strange, when they launched, didn’t they consider my unwillingness?"
True Master Cold Jade remained silent for a mont, then spoke: "Why are you unwilling?"
"Because they harbor ill intentions!"
"That’s your belief. Even Sect Leader almost got swayed by them. The Sect’s decision can’t allow you to refuse."
Shen Xuan drew a sharp breath.
He never expected, while delighting in his improvents in Alchemy,
he ventured near the gates of hell, nearly unable to return.
After entering Changsheng Peak.
True Master Changsheng would have hundreds of ways to make him abruptly perish.
As for investigating afterward.
As a re Foundation Establishnt disciple, True Master Changsheng might at most express slight remorse.
"Thankfully, Master Ling Xiao stepped up!"
Fair weather reveals resilient grass.
At critical monts, it still had to be True Master Ling Xiao.
"It won’t co to that. Senior Brother Mysterious Trace is quite wise."
True Master Cold Jade said.
Shen Xuan was too lazy to explain.
"Master, we must guard against them!"
Shen Xuan said solemnly, "True Master Changsheng is not just coming for the disciple. It’s very likely that he’s coming for both Master and Senior Uncle Ling Xiao as well!"
"I know."
True Master Cold Jade comforted, "Rest assured. I have discussed it with True Master Ling Xiao, and we will not allow such a thing to happen."
"That’s good."
Shen Xuan forced a smile.
But in his heart, he sighed.
...
Returning to the cave mansion.
Shen Xuan perford a [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil Technique].
Small fortune.
This eased his mind a bit.
True Master Cold Jade is still protecting her.
Moreover, at a crucial mont, True Master Ling Xiao spoke out decisively.
This put him at ease.
If the Sect decides to let him join the Spirit Pill Hall.
Shen Xuan would do only one thing.
Flee the Sect, escape as far as possible.
He would never place his life on the other’s kindness.
Shen Xuan waved his hand.
The images of eighteen True Masters appeared once more.
This ti, he unhesitatingly crossed out True Master Celestial Thunder, True Master Changsheng, and True Master Profound Spirit with a big X.
While the check on True Master Ling Xiao was made a bit larger.
It was very clear he was caught in the Sect’s power struggle.
This was normal.
As his Realm Cultivation improved, Shen Xuan’s status in the Sect rose higher and higher.
As long as he ascends, he would inevitably encounter various obstacles and violent conflicts.
This was unavoidable.
Cultivation resources were limited.
The more he occupied, the less others had.
There was no such thing as a land free of strife.
"This world is like a makeshift troupe."
The reason for his worry was his lack of strength.
In front of a True Master, he was no match.
Even escaping unscathed was a luxury.
"Therefore, strength is paramount."
Shen Xuan resolved to improve his strength as soon as possible.
No need to care about how others saw him.
...
Ten days later, inside the alchemy room.
Shen Xuan was calm and confident.
Beside him, Li Ruyi had a look of disbelief.
As if looking at a monster.
The Foundation Establishnt Pill is a Tier-Breaking Spirit Pill.
It demands extrely high control from the Pill Master.
Generally speaking, one must at least reach the Late Stage of Foundation Establishnt and be a Tier Two Upper Grade Pill Master to refine a Foundation Establishnt Pill.
In the process, a large amount of spirit dicine is consud to practice and increase alchemy experience.
This was Shen Xuan’s sixth furnace of Foundation Establishnt Pills.
The previous five furnaces were all failures, not a single refined pill.
Very normal.
Theoretically, failing dozens more furnaces would still be normal.
However, this ti refining Foundation Establishnt Pills.
Shen Xuan perford his incantation to the last step, about to start Condensing the Inner Core.
Without making even the slightest mistake.
It could almost be said to be in perfect condition.
"Condense!"
A stream of pure Ice Spiritual Power surged into the spirit dicine solution.
The lid of the Ten Thousand Dragon Profound Water Furnace opened, and a rich dicinal fragrance spread out.
Two milky white Water Attribute Foundation Establishnt Pills flew out, landing in Shen Xuan’s palm.
Six streaks of Dao Pattern!
This also ant that the Foundation Establishnt Pill’s quality was up to standard.
"Alas, only two refined pills! Still of ordinary grade."
Shen Xuan said, not without regret.
This success rate, in terms of Foundation Establishnt Pills, was already considered not bad.
Loose Cultivators who prepare their own spirit dicine and manage to successfully refine one qualified Foundation Establishnt Pill would thank heaven and earth while paying the alchemical fee.
However, Shen Xuan was evidently dissatisfied.
His Foundation Establishnt Pill skills, after costing more than twenty thousand Dao Rhy Points, had already achieved minor success.
Originally, he was very confident.
He thought he could at least refine three pills.
Just now, Condensing the Inner Core, the timing was a little off.
One of the pills was still ruined in refinent.
Unable to extract it from the pill furnace.
Shen Xuan took out a gourd to collect the waste liquid of the spirit pill from the Ten Thousand Dragon Profound Water Furnace.
Last ti, he used spirit pill waste liquid to water his Purple Blood Ice Zhi and found the effect exceptionally good.
The Purple Blood Ice Zhi absorbed the dicinal power and its growth speed increased significantly.
The spirit pill waste liquid contains nurous pill toxins, the dicinal properties are chaotic, and cultivators certainly can’t consu it.
However, after absorbing the spirit pill waste liquid, the Purple Blood Ice Zhi continuously sent signals of excitent and yearning to him.
Could this be considered a waste-to-treasure situation?
"Senior Brother, you’re truly amazing!"
Beside him, Liu Bingyu gazed in admiration.
She was still diligently practicing the art of refining Cold Jade Pills.
Currently, Liu Bingyu had managed to ensure successful pill refinent each ti.
However, the success rate was slightly low.
Each furnace could only yield two pills, barely maintaining sustenance.
And Senior Brother, in just two months.
Has already managed to refine Foundation Establishnt Pills.
"Two refined pills, what’s so amazing about that! Junior Sister, don’t flatter, or people might think our Cold Jade Peak’s alchemy skill is just so-so!"
Li Ruyi spoke up.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, this is a Foundation Establishnt Pill!"
"If you can guarantee a success rate of two pills per furnace, you could serve as an honored guest elder in any Sect in Yan Country!"
The tone was tinged with sourness.
"Ah!"
"Isn’t it said that a Pill Master needs at least a thirty percent success rate for it to be considered qualified?"
Shen Xuan asked in surprise.
"That’s for ordinary Spirit Pills. For a Tier-Breaking Spirit Pill like the Foundation Establishnt Pill, as long as one pill is refined per furnace, it’s considered breaking even and, naturally, qualified."
Li Ruyi said, "Ordinary Loose Cultivators who commission a Pill Master only take one Foundation Establishnt Pill. Any surplus belongs to the Pill Master."
"Could the Pill Master regulations be different between Song Country and Yan Country?"
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