Chapter 1033 - 477: Dragon Sleep Ceremony (Part 2)

"Hahaha! Peak Master Chen, your esteemed presence is a great honor, and I, Xu, apologize for not welcoming you from afar. I hope Peak Master will forgive me!"

With this hearty laugh, several dazzling escape lights soared from Dragon Sleep Mountain’s main peak, piercing the sea of clouds in the blink of an eye and arriving before the flying boat.

The escape lights dispersed, revealing the leader clad in a dark purple brocade robe, his face aglow with red light—it was none other than Xu Changhe.

Two years ago,

The former family head Xu Buhui claimed illness and retired, transferring the position to Xu Changfeng.

As for Xu Changhe, he was Xu Changfeng’s younger brother.

These two men were old acquaintances of Chen Ye.

"Taoist Friend Xu is too kind, I, Chen, have brought three disciples along; I hope we haven’t disturbed your peace."

Chen Ye stood at the bow of the boat, hands behind his back, and returned the courtesy with a smile.

"Peak Master Chen, how can you say that! Your presence is the greatest blessing Dragon Sleep Mountain could receive!"

Xu Changhe warmly exchanged pleasantries while subtly scanning Chen Ye from head to toe.

Upon this observation, Xu Changhe was inwardly startled.

Years had passed, and Chen Ye’s cultivation had become unfathomably deep, difficult to gauge.

A faint semblance of the aura from the ancestor years ago was apparent.

Xu Changhe suppressed his inner shock, adopting an increasingly humble demeanor, his gaze cheerfully landing on those behind Chen Ye as he greeted,

"Qing Jun, long time no see, how have you been? The ancestor always reminisces about you."

The little girl pouted.

That old man?

Yet she remembered what her master said—that the old man had reached Core Formation—best to show some respect.

Thinking this, Qing Jun sweetly smiled and replied,

"Hehe, Qing Jun misses Grandpa Xu too."

Xu Changhe smiled in satisfaction. Under his personal guidance, Chen Ye and his disciples bypassed the noisy banquets outside and were directly invited into the grand hall of Dragon Sleep Mountain’s main peak.

Within the hall, spiritual incense filled the air.

Those seated here were renowned figures from the Cultivation Realm of Yan Kingdom.

Scanning the room, Chen Ye spotted several familiar faces.

Among them were Master Zhong from Spirit Treasure Sect and Second Elder from Lingyin Sect.

At the forefront of the hall, upon a white jade ceremonial throne, sat an elder with crane-like hair, youthful complexion, and billowing sleeves.

This was the protagonist of today’s ceremony—the newly advanced Golden Core True Man, Xu Henshan!

"Little Friend Chen, it has been a long time."

Xu Henshan offered a gentle smile, greeting Chen Ye amicably in front of numerous renowned figures.

Now in the Golden Core Realm, Xu Henshan’s outlook was extraordinary, yet he still found Chen Ye’s cultivation unfathomable.

The elder was secretly astounded:

"In just a few short years, has Little Friend Chen progressed so swiftly? This cultivation... at least Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment, possibly even Ninth-Layer!"

He, at several hundred years of age, had barely reached Foundation Establishment.

Yet unexpectedly,

the Chen Ye before him was already preparing for Core Formation... despite living for centuries, Xu Henshan was deeply shocked, Chen Ye’s cultivation speed was extraordinarily quick, beyond logical reasoning.

"Congratulations to Elder Xu for attaining the Grand Path, free to roam heaven and earth henceforth."

Chen Ye bowed in congratulation.

Within the hall, the previously subtle conversations ceased, as everyone began to silently scrutinize this new talent from Lingyin Sect.

It was rumored.

That Chen Ye’s cultivation was profound and valued by the True Man of Lingyin Sect.

Moreover,

He was also the future son-in-law of the Bai Family...

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Chen Ye was destined to become one of Lingyin Sect’s powerhouses, potentially making him a top figure in Yan Kingdom’s cultivation realm!

But unfortunately,

Like Refining God Sect, Lingyin Sect was no longer in its glorious prime, plagued by internal and external troubles, having continuously fought against Emotion Crossing Sect in recent years.

Although Lingyin Sect had consistently prevailed over these past six months, Emotion Crossing Sect was the foremost sect of Qi Kingdom, with Ruins Country supporting them, the outcome still remained undecided.

"It’s merely temporary glory, leveraging Lingyin’s might. Should Ruins Country intervene, everything could change in a day, both heaven and earth."

Someone mused internally.

Unexpectedly, Xu Henshan, who recently achieved Golden Core, stood and respectfully offered a toast:

"Hahaha, Little Friend Chen, spare me your praise. With your foundation and talent, the Golden Core Path is within reach. I’m merely several centuries older and have taken one step ahead; in the future, we reside in Yan Kingdom where the Xu Family should draw closely with you and your disciples!"

This pronouncement brought astonishment.

For in past sects’ eyes, Chen Ye was indeed a profoundly strong rising star, yet no one ever associated him with Golden Core.

But Xu Henshan, at his Golden Core Ceremony, openly declared this among venerable figures from Yan Kingdom, must certainly have reasons!

"Elder Xu overpraises me, I, Chen, have simply encountered a few fortuitous events. The Golden Core Path is elusive, beyond my ambition."

Chen Ye maintained a calm demeanor, humbly replying.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Henshan’s gaze naturally fell upon the little girl behind Chen Ye, kindness in his smile:

"Little Qing Jun, come let Grandpa Xu have a look. Hmm...your physique and Qi-blood are increasingly astonishing, comparable to a great demon. Yet...ahem, at such a young age to already reach Third-Layer Foundation Establishment, youthful vitality that countless female cultivators surely envy."

Xu Henshan was puzzled internally.

Huh?

Qing Jun seems even more implausible than True Inheritor Bai?

True Inheritor Bai has grown taller somewhat, yet Qing Jun hasn’t grown at all...

Originally, Qing Jun was daydreaming behind her master, but upon hearing Xu Henshan mention her, she promptly straightened her little chest, striving to display a poised smile:

"Hello Grandpa Xu! Qing Jun is puzzled too; though I eat obediently every day, I just don’t grow... Master says, the reason for visiting Dragon Sleep Mountain this time is to take Qing Jun to cultivate in the cold pool, possibly finding the cause!"

This little girl understood the implication in Xu Henshan’s words.

Didn’t he imply that she hasn’t grown tall?

Overall, the little girl was deeply concerned about this.

She also yearned for senior sister’s long legs!

Upon hearing this, Xu Henshan thought briefly.

Years ago, Mao Qingzhu gave birth to Qing Jun by the cold pool, perhaps it truly impacted her; he nodded:

"I see. After the ceremony, Little Friend Chen may take Qing Jun to cultivate by the cold pool, with no time constraints, no one on Dragon Sleep Mountain will dare hinder you in the slightest!"

"Thank you, Elder Xu." Chen Ye expressed gratitude with a smile and clasped hands.

As the auspicious hour arrived, the bell and drum resounded.

Chen Ye, accompanied by his disciples, watched the elaborate rituals for a while, waiting for some time until, in the little girl’s eager anticipation, the flowing spiritual cuisine was finally served on jade tables.

"Wow..."

Qing Jun’s large eyes were completely captivated by the shimmering spiritual jade trotter on the table, her glistening mouth watering uncontrollably.

But suddenly, she recalled her words spoken aboard the flying boat,

The little girl forcibly restrained her urge to pounce on the food.

She self-importantly adjusted her skirt, sat upright and formally.

Then, extending two petite fingers, elegantly picked up a piece of spiritual flesh, nibbling it into her mouth.

Yet despite her more refined actions, her chewing speed was astonishingly fast.

The mound-like spiritual flesh on the plate rapidly vanished at an observable pace.

The little girl maintained a dignified posture throughout, but the stack of empty plates on the table grew higher and higher.

Watching this, Zhiwei sighed inwardly:

"This junior sister... is utterly deceiving oneself..."

Yet to Zhiwei’s surprise,

Some renowned figures nearby stroked their beards and lamented:

"Oh... Peak Master Chen’s beloved disciple, faced with such a supreme spiritual cuisine laden with copious spiritual qi, can manage not to rush, but rather swallows and breathes calmly, showing both a monstrous and refined side!"

"Indeed! No wonder she reached Third-Layer Foundation Establishment at such a young age; Peak Master Chen has indeed taught well!"

"According to my observation, this girl seems to be eating, yet never ceases to cultivate, truly diligent!"

Listening to these comments,

Even the food-loving little girl blushed a bit!

After a few rounds of toasts, the ceremony’s clamor slowly subsided.

"Little Friend Chen, please stay a while after the ceremony. I have some insights from advancing to Golden Core, which might benefit your Core Formation. Additionally... there are some secret matters concerning the Xu Family, closely related to Ruins Country, which should be shared with Little Friend."

Suddenly, Xu Henshan transmitted a message to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye’s eyes subtly flickered, understanding internally.

He had long known that the Xu Family’s ancestors came from Ruins Country, and most likely the secrets Xu Henshan mentioned were related to this!