https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-116-Xiao-Chen-Could-You-Possibly-Be-Talking-About-Me-/13510320/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-118-Lin-Ping-An-s-Personal-Invitation/13510322/
Chapter 117: Yan Xia Mastery · Su Wanning's Objective
Chapter 117 – Yan Xia Mastery · Su Wanning’s Objective
Listening to the honorary elders’ analysis, Mei Yong turned specifically toward Xiao Chen and Ye Fei. “Xiao Chen, Elder Junior Ye, you two spend more time outside the Chu Mo Dian. Be extra cautious.”
Ye Fei agreed readily, though his expression remained unconcerned.
Xiao Chen nodded after a moment’s thought. “Rest assured, Senior Sect Brother. I’ll be careful.”
After leaving the sect hall, he first circled through the Chu Mo Dian. With operations now running smoothly, countless clues had begun converging. Investigation tasks filled the newly built hall’s walls.
Many things seemed scarce until investigated—then every corner brimmed with suspicion.
Unlike Ye Fei, who thrived on missions, Xiao Chen had never cared for sect tasks, even easy ones. He didn’t need to rely on such methods for cultivation resources anyway. Between the Hundred Poisons Demon, Heifeng Sanren’s generosity, and Su Laoye’s investment, he had over twelve thousand spirit stones in his pocket—officially a “ten-thousand household.”
After confirming no Foundation-Stage demonic cultivators had appeared, he returned to Cuiwei Valley.
“Hmm, maybe place them in the courtyard center?” He took out twelve new flowerpots and circled the yard.
Eventually, he decided to place the flowers near the entrance. This spot was visible, reminding him to care for them. Plus, if he traveled, rainwater would sustain them.
Embedding spirit stones into the pots, he planted seeds and added a few drops of Fragrant Secret Dew. Only after finishing did he realize this was his first time tending his courtyard.
Along the walls, morning glories had sprouted uninvited, mingling with weeds—even creeping onto roof tiles.
“Always cultivating… why not rest today?” Inspired, he tidied the entire estate.
The courtyard was vast. Past a small rockery lay a garden, followed by a pavilion and pond. Cuiwei Valley’s spring had been channeled through seven hundred zhang of canal, crafted by attendant disciples.
Sitting in the pavilion, he watched clouds reflected in the water.
“These clouds… almost resemble Yan Xia.” A sudden spark of insight flickered, then vanished.
He focused, but the feeling slipped away. Fortunately, lacking innate talent meant relying on Spirit Herbs.
Summoning an azure lotus seed, he swallowed it whole, recalling the Blazing Crimson Clouds Across the Sky Heart Sutra while gazing at the pond.
As the seed took effect, ripples slowed. The fleeting insight returned.
Xiao Chen closed his eyes, yet still “saw” clouds. Reciting the sutra line by line, obscure passages clarified.
“I see.” He exhaled deeply, opening his eyes to find night had fallen—already the midnight hour.
“Felt like fifteen minutes, but six hours passed. This… is true enlightenment?”
The next day, he repeated the process. Staring at the pond’s clouds yielded nothing. Even consuming another lotus seed brought only partial clarity.
“Same actions, no replication. Frustrating.”
Still, after three days of focused observation, progress came.
Sitting in the pavilion, he flicked his sleeve. Twenty-seven crimson Yan Xia swirled skyward, painting the pond crimson.
“Finally reached the Mastery Realm.”
Typically, mastering a cultivation manual sufficed for practical use. Advancing to Grand Mastery required decades—inefficient unless desperate. Elderly cultivators with stagnant realms often pursued it, but few youths bothered.
Xiao Chen considered this. Though time wasn’t an issue, his cultivation advanced rapidly. Improving other spells or refining his core would be more efficient than perfecting Blazing Crimson Clouds.
“Eighty-one Yan Xia would impress, but I’ll shelve it.”
Learning of Moonlight Saber’s impending Golden Core breakthrough shifted his priorities. A successful Foundation-to-Core breakthrough would draw all Li Zhou’s Foundation-Stage cultivators to congratulate him—far more impressive.
“Three taels of Blazing Light Spirit Sand… better invest in Xuan Fire Ravens.”
“A thousand fire ravens—quantity compensates quality. Even first-tier spells at Grand Mastery can be aces, especially with hexes.”
Knock knock knock.
The next morning, a visitor arrived.
“Master Xiao, Happy Laba Festival! Join me for Laba porridge?”
“You’re here? At this hour, shouldn’t you be preparing for your Foundation-Stage breakthrough? You’ve got enough pills, right?”
Su Wanning’s eyes widened. “Master, I can’t breakthrough yet! You’ve forgotten?”
“I must become this generation’s strongest First-Seat Disciple!”
Xiao Chen massaged his forehead. “Still fixated on that? You haven’t cultivated since summer’s Lian Qi Stage 9 breakthrough, have you?”
She planted her hands on her hips. “Exactly! This time, the chief disciple title is mine.”
“Even future plans are set. First, win the sect competition for First-Seat Disciple, then dominate next year’s Three Sects Joint Competition—Li Zhou’s strongest!”
Her plan felt oddly familiar.
“The sect competition reward… isn’t Foundation Pill, is it?”
Su Wanning shook her head. “The sect competition lets you choose a cultivation manual. Foundation Pill’s reward is for the Three Sects Joint Competition’s winner.”
(End of Chapter)
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