But when he turned to look at Xu Yunfan, he saw his apprentice’s expression was as serene as an abyss. Seeing Zhan Yan’s suspicious gaze, Xu Yunfan grinned, and the faint sound of gold and jade clashing flowed from between his vertebrae.
This was the unique phenonon of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm known as the "Jade Bone Chi"—it couldn’t be faked.
What shocked him even more was that as Xu Yunfan’s pores opened and closed, wisps of rcury-like Blood Qi spontaneously stead out, faintly writhing like a flood dragon. This was a sign that only appeared when the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique was cultivated to Perfection!
"Master, I ca across so opportunities in the Little Heaven and Earth Secret Realm that allowed to break through two barriers and advance straight into the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm."
Hearing this, Bi Yuan, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly and said, "Although the Little Heaven and Earth Secret Realm is crawling with Demon Fiends, it is not without its share of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. Though the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi has dissipated over the last two millennia, so has ultimately remained within the Secret Realm. After all these years, there should be quite a few Heavenly and Earthly Treasures ripe for the picking."
Zhan Yan gazed at the apprentice he had personally taught, an indescribable mix of complex emotions churning within him.
He stared at the golden-jade resonance flowing from Xu Yunfan’s spine, and it was as if the roar of collapsing mountains—the sound of the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique at Perfection—echoed in his ears.
That steaming, rcury-like Blood Qi was the phenonon known as "Jiao Suo Transformation," which is only recorded as appearing after the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique has reached Perfection.
Even after Divine Weapon Ridge was smashed to ruins, its legacy endured. Yet, in the three hundred years since, not a single person in his lineage had managed to reach this realm with the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique.
"Good... Good!"
Zhan Yan’s throat bobbed as his calloused hand unconsciously tightened around the teacup.
He rembered when Xu Yunfan first joined the Weapon Casting Hall, he was still a long way from mastering even the Outer Three Harmonies.
Now, that once-slender youth had actually reached the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm and even pushed the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique to the Perfection Realm, a feat no one had managed in hundreds of years.
A warm current surged through his chest, making his voice tremble. "The Celestial Craft Cave’s Weapon Casting Hall... has finally produced an heir worthy of carrying the Ancestral Master’s tablet!"
Fine cracks spread across the teacup in his palm, and the scent of blood mingled with the aroma of tea, but he remained completely oblivious.
Seeing this, Bi Yuan rose to his full height, his Profound Daoist Robe stirring without a breeze.
This Grandmaster of the Nine Realms Qi Cultivation actually bowed deeply to Zhan Yan, the tassels of his jade crown nearly brushing the ground. "Master Zhan, now that Divine Weapon Ridge is gone, Xu the Younger’s Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique has no further path of cultivation. The techniques cultivated by Hong Baichuan, the Sect Leader of the Celestial Craft Cave, belong to the Sect Leader’s lineage and are not passed on to others."
He straightened up, his gaze burning as he stared at Zhan Yan.
"Qingwei Mountain is willing to hold open the second seat of the Profound Celestial Pavilion for him. Xu the Younger would not need to change his allegiance; he would have two masters and belong to two sects. I wonder, would Master Zhan agree to this?"
With a flick of his finger, he summoned a scripture from his robes—it was none other than the Golden Lock and Jade Seal Twelve Techniques.
"This technique can help him refine his Jiao Suo Blood Qi into Jade Liquid. With the aid of our Taoist Sect’s various treasures and Secret dicines, he will certainly reach Perfection in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm within three years and advance straight into Refining the Internal Organs!"
Zhan Yan’s expression was one of profound shock.
He knew all too well what this ant. At its peak, Divine Weapon Ridge had only managed to cultivate three Organ Cultivation Realm Elders using just half of the lted Soldier Bone Forging Scripture. To this day, no one had been able to reach the heights of their founding Ancestral Master, Ou Ye Zi.
Yet now, the Taoist Sect was willing to offer their Sect’s Ultimate Skill without any conditions. Just to form a connection, just for a nominal title, they had unhesitatingly brought out the Taoist Sect’s true Ultimate Skill.
"Sect Leader Bi, what incredible magnanimity!"
Zhan Yan’s gaze swept over the Dragon Scale Armor at his apprentice’s waist, which was faintly glowing with heat. He suddenly understood why even a figure like Bi Yuan would humble himself to this extent.
’He could subdue a Tier Eight Divine Weapon and walk through the Little Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, which is teeming with Demon Fiends, not only unhard but even seizing an opportunity to advance directly into the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.’
’From the Daoist Sect’s perspective, they would naturally be convinced that Xu Yunfan is a person blessed with great Destiny.’
"Does the Sect Leader know..."
Although Bi Yuan had spoken with great sincerity, Zhan Yan still felt a sense of loss at the thought of giving up half of his beloved apprentice.
His voice was as hoarse as grinding, rusty anvils. "After the Thousand-Pound Mountain-Shaking Hamr Technique is cultivated to Perfection, it’s supposed to be followed by Divine Weapon Ridge’s Eight Desolates lting Furnace Skill, is it not?"
His gaunt hand pointed toward the sea of clouds outside the hall. "If those seventy-two Weapon Forging Platforms were still standing, why would we need..."
His unfinished sentence dissolved into a long sigh that made the fla on a nearby Copper Lamp flicker incessantly.
Xu Yunfan suddenly took half a step forward.
He said with a sincere expression, "Master, you don’t have to agonize over this. If you’re unwilling, we don’t need to force it. I won’t have the slightest complaint!"
’To be honest,’ he thought, ’it doesn’t really matter whether I join the Taoist Sect or not, since I already possess several Ultimate Skills. Once I cultivate the Yijing Marrow Cleansing Skill to Perfection, I can use the Sword Pavilion’s Empty Clarity Sword Washing Technique to temper my internal organs.’
A smile touched Zhan Yan’s lips, but he imdiately shook his head. "The Celestial Craft Cave is too small a pond for you. The fact that the Taoist Sect is willing to accept you as a disciple is a wonderful thing—for you, for , and for the Celestial Craft Cave. In this matter, I, as your master, will decide for you. I accept!"
With one person belonging to two sects, no one could find any fault with the arrangent.
Bi Yuan, standing to the side, couldn’t help but smile. The more he looked at Xu Yunfan, the more he liked him. ’Such a respectful and principled young man—who wouldn’t like him? To be able to take on such a disciple... even if the Celestial Demon proves unstoppable, this will at least ensure the Taoist Sect’s legacy continues, allowing us to plan for the future.’
Xu Yunfan didn’t refuse. Just as Zhan Yan had said, this was an incredibly good thing for the Celestial Craft Cave, for himself, and for his master, Zhan Yan.
The Taoist Sect had the longest history. Although it had faced the crisis of its lineage being severed several tis, it still stood tall to this day. It naturally possessed its own profound foundation.
Cultivating in the Taoist Sect would allow him to truly learn the ultimate principles of the world’s Martial Arts and genuinely touch the pinnacle of the Martial Dao.
He couldn’t hold back Xu Yunfan’s future.
Now, looking at the determination in his apprentice’s eyes, he slowly nodded.
The tea reflected his slightly reddened eyes, as if three hundred years of regret had been brewed into that very cup.
Zhan Yan looked up at Bi Yuan, a relieved smile flashing in his cloudy eyes. His voice was as raspy as grinding iron filings. "Sect Leader Bi, aren’t you going to accept your new disciple?"
The mont his voice fell, Bi Yuan was filled with joy. A brilliant light burst forth from his eyes, and the thirty-six Everlasting Lamps in the Bronze Hall suddenly flared in unison, illuminating the mural of the Ancestral Master on the front wall of the Guest Hall in perfect detail.
"Excellent!"
Xu Yunfan t the gaze of Bi Yuan, who had returned to the master’s seat and was now staring at him intently.
Xu Yunfan took the hint. Not one to stand on ceremony, he lifted the hem of his robes and knelt.
The force of his three kowtows was enough to make the bronze chis hanging from the beams ring out on their own. With his final bow, the golden-jade resonance that erupted from his spine actually caused the entire Guest Hall to tremble slightly.
He was completely sincere, and Bi Yuan naturally knew it.
Bi Yuan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. A Jade Scroll flew from his sleeve, landing before Xu Yunfan’s knees. "These are the First Nine Volus of the Golden Lock and Jade Seal Twelve Gates. They are perfectly suited for your cultivation in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm."
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this technique!"
Xu Yunfan accepted it and kowtowed once more.
After the ceremony was complete, Xu Yunfan suddenly turned to Zhan Yan.
He picked up the teapot from the table. With a slight exertion of Blood Qi Strength from his palm, the lukewarm tea inside the pot instantly ca to a rolling boil.
He presented the cup of tea, its surface reflecting the images of both master and apprentice, to Zhan Yan.
"Master!"
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