Chapter 137 - 87: Yin Yang Merging Dao

Chapter 137: Chapter 87: Yin Yang Merging Dao

It was midsummer again, and the sky was clear and the air was crisp.

Half a year had passed since Xuzhuang’s return to the Tai Su Sect. During this time, the result of the battle between Xuzhuang and Zhong Shenxiu had somehow spread like wildfire, causing an uproar across the Divine Continent.

Zhong Shenxiu had been cultivating for some 160 years. The fact that he could remain unshaken despite his immense reputation was proof enough that his fame was well-earned.

In truth, there had never been a shortage of people among the three major sects and six schools who refused to accept him as the number one of his generation. It had even sparked a trend of challenging the Upper Profound Sect. However, many of these challengers couldn’t even get past the other Direct Disciples of the Upper Profound Sect, let alone face Zhong Shenxiu himself.

This trend only began to die down after Mi Yuan Dao, a Direct Disciple of the Spirit Treasure Sect, challenged the Upper Profound Sect, only to be defeated by Zhong Shenxiu in a matter of moments. This event subtly cemented Zhong Shenxiu’s title as the number one of his generation.

Thus, when the news of Xuzhuang defeating Zhong Shenxiu spread, it immediately drew everyone’s attention. Some were filled with admiration, some with adoration, some with cold indifference, some with vigilance, and some with doubt...

Many busybodies even sought out Xuzhuang to ask him if the matter was true.

Although Xuzhuang wasn’t one to be coy about something he could admit to, he had no desire to build his own fame by stepping on Zhong Shenxiu. He simply refused to answer all inquiries. Unexpectedly, however, Zhong Shenxiu himself readily admitted that it was true.

As a result, everyone in the Divine Continent now said that the Tai Su Sect had produced another pillar of talent. Some gossips even ranked those with the potential to become a Primordial Spirit Seed, placing Xuzhuang above many Nascent Soul Venerables. This, in turn, caused quite a stir, but we shall not dwell on that for now.

...

A celestial crane landed atop Chongyun Peak. A Daoist Child vaulted off its back, gently stroked its neck, and took a Spirit Pill from his pouch to feed it. Only then did the crane let out a clear cry, spread its wings, and depart.

The Daoist Child turned around and suddenly saw a flood dragon’s head emerge from the Celestial Pool, its eyes gleaming. It called out, "Daoist Child, what was that you fed the crane? Give this seat a few to try as well."

The Daoist Child said with a headache, "Junior Martial Uncle Lieyun, those are issued to us by the Spirit Beast Hall to help manage the spirit fowls. We get a fixed amount each month... and besides, they aren’t suitable for you."

Lieyun snorted and lazily submerged back into the Celestial Pool.

The Daoist Child breathed a sigh of relief and hurried away from the edge of the Celestial Pool. Arriving before the cave residence, he straightened his robes and stepped inside.

He saw his master seated in the main seat. To the sides were Master Yan, who had been a guest for a long time, and Senior Brother Tang and Senior Sister Wen, who came every month to be tested on their cultivation.

Seeing that his master was in conversation, the Daoist Child didn’t dare to interrupt. He quietly moved behind the group and began to pour tea. Before long, he suddenly heard Xuzhuang say, "After today, the two of you need not come to the residence anymore."

The Daoist Child was startled, but Tang Fanglai and Wen Pei seemed to have been prepared. They prostrated themselves on the floor and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Xu, for the grace of your teachings."

During this time, the two had often come to the residence to report their progress in cultivating their Dao skills and ask about their difficulties. Xuzhuang was not a cold-hearted person. Aside from the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill, he also offered them plenty of guidance on their cultivation. Though his words were few, they were more than enough to be a sudden enlightenment. In their hearts, they had already come to regard Xuzhuang as a semi-master, and their gratitude was truly sincere.

Xuzhuang accepted their gesture of respect and said, "The refinement of the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill has now come to a close. In the future, you can decide for yourselves whether to continue cultivating it."

Six months ago, his brief exchange with Zhong Shenxiu had revealed many flaws in the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill. Upon returning to the sect, Xuzhuang immediately began to improve it. After half a year of dedicated research, and with Tang Fanglai and Wen Pei’s cultivation as a reference, the skill was finally looking presentable.

"Later, I will send a message to the Merit Hall to settle your merit points."

Tang Fanglai and Wen Pei replied in unison, "We disciples will certainly cultivate diligently and not tarnish the reputation of Junior Martial Uncle Xu’s Dao skill."

Only then did Xuzhuang nod. He pondered for a moment before instructing, "Daoist Child, go to the storehouse and fetch two gourds of Spirit Pills."

"The two of you, though not my official disciples, have indeed learned the Dao from me. I gift these two gourds of Spirit Pills to you. I hope you will cultivate diligently."

Tang Fanglai and Wen Pei kowtowed in unison once more. Only after the Daoist Child brought the pills did they reluctantly depart.

After the two had left, the Daoist Child finally spoke up. He took a treasure pouch from his robes and said respectfully, "Master, the pills I was to retrieve from the Ministry of Affairs Hall are all here."

Xuzhuang nodded and said to Yan Renhe, "I’ve troubled you for the past six months, Fellow Daoist. This is a small token of my appreciation."

Yan Renhe exchanged some pleasantries before accepting the pouch. A glance inside brought a look of joy to his eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu. These pills are exactly what I need. It would be disrespectful of me to refuse."

"Please, accept them, Fellow Daoist," Xuzhuang said with a smile.

The two exchanged a few more words before Yan Renhe took his leave.

Only then did Xuzhuang ask the Daoist Child, "Were you able to exchange for the precious materials I sent you for?"

Yan Renhe hadn’t been a guest in Xuzhuang’s residence for half a year just for free meals. He had discussed a great deal with Xuzhuang while the latter was perfecting his Dao skill.

Yan Renhe was a Golden Core Cultivator who had started as an Artifact Master, an expert in artifact refinement capable of creating Top-Grade Magical Artifacts. Xuzhuang’s Dao arts were profound, and he was backed by the Tai Su Sect’s tens of thousands of years of accumulated knowledge. Together, they had actually managed to devise a method for refining a Divine Talisman.

According to their deductions, achieving the result Xuzhuang envisioned would require a great many precious materials. Xuzhuang was in no hurry to begin the refinement, but he could start gathering the materials. That was why when he sent the Daoist Child to the Ministry of Affairs Hall to exchange for Spirit Pills for Yan Renhe today, he had also written a list and had him exchange for these items as well.

The Daoist Child took out another pouch, presented it with both hands, and replied, "Reporting to Master, I was able to exchange for all the precious materials you required, except for the Primordial Jade Gui and Furnace Sand."