Chapter 271

That evening, in the top-dog group chat.

Master Qi: "Dear fellow Daoists, welcome back 🎆"

Master Ba: "This trip outside was truly exhilarating—thank you, Elder Brother!"

Master Jian: "No need to thank me."

Master Jian: "By the way, have all of you informed everyone about the matter three days from now?"

Master Ba: "Naturally."

Master Dan: "I've already notified them."

Master Mei Zu: "This humble one has also informed them."

Master Qi: "+1"

Master Hong: "Same here."

Master Hong: "I heard Elder Brother's Sword Intent Spiritual Body once taught that cultivator who ascended—what type of cultivator was he?"

Master Dan: "No need to ask—anyone Elder Brother taught must be a Sword Cultivator!"

Master Jian: "Actually, no—he excelled in both Body Refinement and Spell Arts."

Master Ba: "Seems like a promising prospect."

Master Hong: "What do you plan to do? Invite him to join the Xian Sect, or observe him as a free cultivator?"

Since he's not a Sword Cultivator, he has little chance of joining the Xiang Jianzong.

Master Jian: "Let him decide for himself. If either of you two are interested, you may invite him to join."

Master Hong: "Hmm… better let Junming decide for himself."

Cheng Junming, current sect leader of Taishang Dao Sect.

Master Ba: "Same here—I'll let him handle it himself."

A mascot must know its role—its duty is to cover the bottom line.

The sect leader is the one who should handle these matters.

Master Mei Zu: "By the way, will Xiang Yuanjun attend three days from now?"

Master Mei Zu: "@Xiang Yuanjun"

Master Hong: "Why are you concerned about this?"

Of course I'm looking forward to the scene when Xiang Yuanjun meets Ling Zu—what else could I possibly look forward to?

Master Mei Zu did not reply to Master Hong.

Soon—

Xiang Yuanjun: "I won't miss it."

As expected, Xiang Yuanjun has no restrictions—she wouldn't possibly stay away.

Master Mei Zu: "What do you think, Sword Zun?"

Master Mei Zu: "@Sword Zun"

Master Mei Zu, ever eager to stir up trouble, immediately fanned the flames.

Everyone else also went silent, waiting for Sword Zun's reaction.

Hmm…

Except for Master Hong.

As Xiang Yuanjun's elder brother, he felt deeply uneasy, yet didn't know what to say.

Soon, a reply came—but it wasn't from Bie Xuening.

Master Jian: "Ye Shijie is in seclusion, contemplating the insights from this journey—she likely has no time to check her phone."

Master Mei Zu: "Huh?"

Master Mei Zu: "What a pity 🦆 sigh"

Master Mei Zu: "Then I'll go into seclusion too—maybe when I emerge, I won't have to stay stuck at Hehuan Sect anymore."

Master Dan: "?"

Master Hong: "?"

Master Qi: "?"

Master Ba: "?"

Wait, it was just a trip beyond the realm—how could the gains be this huge?

How did we suddenly fall behind a whole version?

Master Dan: "Did all five of you on that trip catch up to Elder Brother?"

Master Mei Zu: "What are you imagining? That's impossible—though we did catch a glimpse of the pattern."

Master Mei Zu: "Alright, alright, I'm going into seclusion now."

Master Mei Zu: "/🦆 flapping wings and flying off"

Soon after, Master Mei Zu's avatar dimmed.

Master Ba: "Huo probably didn't gain much insight either."

Master Hong: "??"

Master Hong: "How do you know that? Did you go out for a stroll and evolve too?"

Master Ba: "Evolve? Pfft—he's right here with me now."

He said he came to visit his elder brother with his disciple.

Earlier, Sword Zun's disciple also came to Longxiang Qingtianzong to visit his elder brother.

Hmm…

When did the Dragon-Elephant Qingtian Sect become Brother Sect?

Ba Zun: "But interestingly…"

Ba Zun: "He also said that since the Spirit Net is so convenient now, why not create a group and have everyone chat together?"

Ba Zun: "/side-eye smile"

Aside from Xu Xing, the one who gets along best with Huo is Ba Zun.

During the demon extermination back then, Ba Zun contributed significantly.

Dan Zu: "/complex emotions"

Dan Zu: "You agreed?"

Ba Zun: "Of course not!"

Ba Zun: "I am burdened with countless affairs daily—how could I have time to chat in that group with him!"

Master Jianzu: "..."

Jian Zong.

Master Jianzu's Great Hall.

Inside a cultivation hall identical to the Master Jianzun's Great Hall.

Xu Xing sat suspended in midair, holding a mobile phone, while the crimson Yue Ying floated silently before him.

After a long while, he exited the chat app and put away his phone, descending to the ground.

"This is his comeuppance, then."

Nowadays, Huo is relatively restrained; his former personality was extremely vile, and his actions knew no bounds.

Thus, most Dao companions did not care for him.

The crimson longsword landed in his palm; Xu Xing walked outward, raising his other hand.

A point of light slowly expanded.

Eventually forming a strange golden spherical object, obscure and mysterious runes flickered upon it, revolving slowly like a ritual pattern, nine layers deep.

It was precisely the rune sphere that Ning Wan Zhu had given him at Ling Yin Fang—the key to the Gui Xiang Lab.

"This must be returned."

After all, it was a young disciple's sentimental token to a fellow townsman.

In addition, there were also...

Xu Xing's gaze turned to a certain spot—a space that did not exist in reality.

Within it lay several sharp, lethal sword qi; though their edges had been dulled, they still hissed as they cut through empty space.

Sister has entered seclusion, though she will emerge soon.

Yet she entrusted these sword qi to him, instructing him to deliver them to Ling Yin Fang for Ning Ruo, to be used in crafting the Washing Immortal Pool.

"The first one to ascend..."

Perhaps a small gift should be prepared for him.

As he pondered, Xu Xing arrived outside a quiet chamber.

He pushed open the door and was met by a barrage of dazzling lights, causing him to pause in surprise.

The dark walls were adorned with sleek LED strips, flashing vibrant, colorful light in rhythm with music.

At the far end stood a large gaming table, upon which rested the same screen he had seen in his sister's bedroom, along with walls covered in controllers and game cartridges.

What the hell is this?

After a pause, Xu Xing walked inside and picked up the note on the table.

【Master, your disciple recently consulted Sister Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu. All these are features of this era—hope you like them—Yan Ming】

Since Xu Xing returned last time intending to punish him, Yan Ming had been constantly anxious.

Eventually, he thought to bribe Chi Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu.

After all, she had defied authority so many times yet always received Uncle's forgiveness—she must have great experience in this regard.

As another rebellious disciple, he felt he needed to learn from her.

Coincidentally, Xu Xing had ordered him to renovate the Master Jianzu Great Hall with elements of this era's culture.

Following Chi Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu's method, his first step was to determine his master's preferences and cater to them.

Attitude must be sincere; posture must be proper.

But... Yan Ming thought long and hard yet could not fathom his master's preferences at all.

After all, in his memory, his master was like a workaholic—always solving problems or on the way to solving them.

Should he create some trouble for his master to resolve?

He feared he himself would be treated as the trouble and eliminated. Thus came this scene before him.

Yes, beyond what Xu Xing saw, he had prepared many other things—surely one of them would reveal his master's tastes!

"..."

Xu Xing was speechless.

Has this rebellious disciple conspired together?

Half an hour later, Xu Xing dropped the controller.

On the screen before him was a large "WIN" character.

Perhaps due to lingering memories, he had genuinely sat down and tried the most popular game of the era—but the result?...

Boring.

!.

With his typing speed and learning ability, he only needed a brief familiarization to dominate effortlessly.

Even when winning streaks and cross-tier matches occurred, no one was his match.

"The game..."

Xu Xing leaned back in his chair, fingers lightly tapping the desk, summoning the thirty-six world seeds glowing with five-colored light.

This game actually gave him some inspiration.

The trials in Xuanjian City had been too monotonous.

When sending disciples to other worlds for trials later, he could record those worlds' backgrounds and recreate them using these world seeds.

For example, the Beast God Realm.

This would not only lower risk but also achieve some training effect, while allowing a ranking system to boost their motivation.

It would be most suitable for disciples whose talent wasn't exceptional.

After pondering for a while, Xu Xing put away the world seeds.

Jotted it down for now.

Raising his head, Xu Xing was about to close the screen when he noticed message after message popping up.

Yue Buling: "Grandma just let you win!"

Yue Buling: "Dare to play another round!"

Yue Buling: "Are you scared?!"

Yue Buling: "/voice"

Yue Buling: "/voice"

Yue Buling?

Xu Xing's expression turned peculiar.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Outside the Ling Yin Fang.

At dawn, the night sky had not yet fully faded.

Faint light pierced the horizon, staining half the sky with a soft pale blue, stars flickering on and off.

From among the vast snow mulberry trees, occasional bird chirps echoed.

Normally at this hour, the outer gate of Ling Yin Fang was already bustling, with visitors climbing to the peaks of various mountains to admire and record the sunrise.

But today it was unusually quiet.

Aside from Ling Yin Fang disciples, there was no sign of outside visitors.

Since five days ago, Ling Yin Fang had banned all outside visitors and halted all related operations.

The specific reason was unknown.

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed across the sky, its piercing aura as if ready to tear open the entire night.

That was clearly a sword light!

The sword light sliced through the sky and finally landed before a secluded valley.

There stood an ancient elder, ethereal and transcendent, clad in a purple-gold long robe.

The Xiang Jianzong's Sect Master—Du Ruoheng!

Du Ruoheng looked up.

Before him, a golden archway stood solemn and sacred, inscribed with three powerful characters—Feisheng Hall.

A straight staircase of neatly arranged blue spiritual jade stretched upward, eighty-one steps in total, with immortal qi curling gently along both sides, like a paradise on earth.

At the staircase's end stood a grand, sacred hall, its white walls radiating light, mysterious runes faintly visible.

"Feisheng Hall..."

After murmuring softly, he lowered his gaze and looked back toward the sky.

"Not here yet?"

Sigh~

What can you do? Sword cultivators' sword-dashing techniques are just that fast—he always has to wait for them.

Du Ruoheng flipped his hand, pulled out his phone, opened a messaging app, and entered a group—【Tai Xuan Xian Sect Cow and Horse Group】.

Inside were the Sect Masters of the Qidaxian Sect of the Tai Xuan Realm.

Just as the Hehuan Laozu had a group, these Sect Masters also kept in touch regularly.

As for this name.

After all, as leaders of their sects, managing all affairs and being buried in work, isn't calling them the biggest cows and horses in the sect fair enough?

"Brother Du, are you about to send another message to show off?"

A faint teasing voice arose as a figure in a Daoist robe, holding a fly whisk, with white hair and a ruddy complexion, stepped out from empty space.

He carried three points more "immortal aura" than Du Ruoheng.

The Sect Master of Tai Shang Dao Sect—Cheng Junming.

"Hmph! Vulgar." Du Ruoheng flicked his sleeve. "I'm just reminding them, so they don't forget the time."

Still a Xianzong Sect Master, yet lacking even a shred of grace.

Boom!

A streak of red light descended, surging blood qi stirring a heat wave, from which strode a heroic young man in black robes.

With each step, he exuded an aura of dominance.

They arrived nearby.

"Tsk tsk!" the black-robed youth clucked, grinning, "You two still look the same as ever."

The sect leader of Longxiang Qingtianzong — Qin Wei.

"I'm telling you, enough already! Are you really that tired of looking like ancient corpses?"

Du Ruoheng and Cheng Junming's expressions darkened.

This guy has zero manners!

"The Ancestors are watching right now, Brother Qin, please watch your words."

A woman in a green long robe stepped forward, her voice soft and clear, her expression cold and detached, a tiny dan ding pattern embroidered on her robe, her long hair simply tied back.

A faint scent of herbs and trees spread out, refreshing the spirit.

Even the surrounding snow mulberry trees seemed to gain spiritual vitality, becoming more vibrant.

The sect leader of Jishi Valley — Chang Yue.

"Thank you, Sister Chang Yue, for the reminder. I know my limits," Qin Wei chuckled.

Du Ruoheng and Cheng Junming exchanged a glance, then spoke in unison.

"Suck-up."

"Ma—" Qin Wei forcibly stopped himself from cursing, instead accusing, "How can you two insult people like that!"

"Hmph!"

Both let out a cold laugh but said nothing.

Who among the Longxiang Qingtianzong can out-insult you?

Chang Yue's expression remained unchanged, as cold and detached as ever: "They'll take a little longer to arrive. Shall we go in first?"

They were referring, of course, to the other three sect leaders.

The leader of Ling Yin Fang need not be mentioned — this incident occurred within Ling Yin Fang, and she still has many matters to attend to.

The other two sect leaders are also still handling their own affairs.

As soon as she finished speaking, Chang Yue moved forward into the interior.

"Alright." Qin Wei followed after her.

Du Ruoheng quickly pulled out his phone, took a photo, sent it to the group chat, then followed the two with Cheng Junming.

……

……

The inner gate of Ling Yin Fang.

Xu Xing, Xiang Yuanjun, and Ning Ruo sat at the same table, watching the four sect leaders arrive at the Ascension Hall.

"The sect leaders of this generation have rather good relations," Xu Xing nodded slightly.

"After all, they all came up together," Ning Ruo smiled lightly. "Like us, Brother Xu."

Xiang Yuanjun: "..."

Though she had long known, the term still sounded strange to her.

"Indeed, it's rare."

The Xianzong Sect leader, due to Gu's presence, must be at least at the He Dao realm.

And most often, the Xianzong Sect leader is from a different generation.

For this current generation, all being from the same generation and so familiar with one another is extremely uncommon.

emm…

Though saying this might be irresponsible toward the Xiang Jianzong.

But Xu Xing still looked forward to the day when Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu ran for sect leader. (End of chapter)