Chapter 617: Mystic Refinement of Heaven

"Your spiritual affinity is highly compatible with this physical foundation."

Xiao Ling’s artifact-crafting skills go without saying.

Although its exterior is merely a sphere, its internal intricacy and compatibility far surpass those of the vast majority of physical foundations sold on the market for ‘spirit-infused artifacts.’

For Heng’s current level, the assistance it provides is considerable.

"Replacing it now would truly be a pity."

He had observed that Heng would only begin to derive diminished benefits once reaching the Nascent Soul realm.

Only upon reaching the Soul Transformation realm would its spiritual strength reach the upper limit of this physical foundation.

And this assumes no further enhancement of the physical foundation afterward.

"Once your spiritual strength grows further and you’ve fully adapted to Tai Xuan Realm, I’ll ask Xiao Ling to replace it with a physical foundation you prefer."

Heng merely wanted to switch to a human-shaped physical foundation—nothing unreasonable.

After all, Heng had already formed a complete self-identity during Task World 1 and frequently appeared in human form in the outside world.

Given all this, adapting to a human form is entirely natural.

Humming~

A subtle spiritual energy fluctuation spread outward; Heng, perched on Zhou Kongming’s shoulder, slowly rose and rolled once across the table before him.

It looked up at him, its red eyes flickering.

Because numerous spiritual-nourishing energy circuits were engraved within, Heng’s own spiritual essence was confined within the spherical form.

Thus, it could no longer freely manifest as various shapes, as it once had.

"Master, such a trivial matter doesn’t require the mistress’s effort, does it?"

Zhou Kongming paused, but didn’t dwell on the title:

"Don’t worry—this is nothing to Xiao Ling."

Heng: "..."

If she hadn’t been clever enough to address her as "mistress" in time back then, she might not have made it back at all.

She might not even have remained a "sphere."

Sigh~

Life is hard...

Thinking of this, Heng turned to face the arena again, watching the images projected from the secret realm.

Zhou Kongming didn’t dwell on this matter, instead observing Ye Zhiwei, who had passed the second trial of "Fasan Pass" with an exceptionally high rating, and began to wonder.

With her Creation Foundation Establishment, barring unforeseen circumstances, she’ll likely be the top candidate in this "Immortal Sect Special Recruitment."

Judging from her performances, the principle she comprehended likely leans toward concealment and stealth.

I heard she previously trained in the "Heavenly Net Sword Weave" under the guarantee of our junior uncle ancestor—she’s on good terms with him.

Hmm...

Could it be that our junior uncle ancestor is cultivating a core faction in advance for his future candidacy as sect leader?

Thinking of this, Zhou Kongming couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease.

Should I... do the same?

High cloud terrace.

Du Ruoheng, who was also observing the final trial of the "Immortal Sect Special Recruitment," suddenly paused, frowning.

Hm?

For some reason, he had just felt a sudden unease in his heart.

And not only did the feeling arise abruptly—it vanished just as quickly!

What could it be...

He was a Dao-Union cultivator; how could he have such a random intuition without cause?

Something must have happened!

He scanned the arena without expression, but found nothing amiss.

Then again, who would dare cause trouble beneath the Ancestor’s gaze?

Unable to discern the cause, he suppressed the odd feeling for now and continued observing the final trial, planning to investigate after the "Immortal Sect Special Recruitment" ended.

During the "Immortal Sect Special Recruitment," all divination and retroactive techniques are blocked to prevent cultivators from exploiting them for profit.

Not even a Dao-Union cultivator could use a single divination technique here—let alone a True Primordial!

Soon, outside the Sword Ancestor Hall.

Xu Xing stood beside Mei Zu, facing Xiang Yuanjun, who was preparing to leave.

The gazes of other True Immortals had already withdrawn before this.

He had come here solely because Xuan had suddenly appeared on the Starry Frontline battlefield.

Now that the situation was understood, Xiang Yuanjun had no intention of staying long in the Sword Sect—she had already resided there for quite some time...

Moreover, her sister-in-law Dieyu and her elder brother’s second daughter had recently achieved Dao-Union.

Having been in seclusion for too many years, her elder brother worried his daughter was unfamiliar with the current world, so he asked her to go and meet her.

"Since the Sword Sect has no urgent matters, why don’t you and I go to meet Mengdie together?" Xiang Yuanjun suggested.

"No, thank you." Xu Xing shook his head slightly. "My sister is in seclusion—I must remain to safeguard the sect."

"You’re being overly anxious, brother."

The Sword Sect, home to the most high-level cultivators, hardly needs constant supervision.

"It was agreed upon—I’m better off staying here."

"Very well." Xiang Yuanjun didn’t press further, turning instead to Mei Zu.

"Aren’t you leaving?"

Mei Zu blinked: "Why should I leave?"

She never said she was leaving!

"Isn’t the Huanhuan Sect in the midst of a critical succession?"

"So what?"

She didn’t manage affairs anyway—her presence or absence made no difference.

Xiang Yuanjun: "..."

Xiang Yuanjun said nothing more, bid farewell to Xu Xing, and vanished.

After a while.

Xu Xing looked at Mei Zu:

"Really planning to stay a few days?"

"Just fooling Xiang Yuanjun."

She still needed to return for the sect leader succession—it wouldn’t do to let Yin Xue start nagging again.

Mei Zu gently drew closer to Xu Xing.

"Don’t you find her gloomy expression amusing?"

Xu Xing’s eyebrow twitched: "I don’t."

"You simply haven’t experienced the pleasure yet."

Xu Xing: "..."

For me, such things bring nothing but trouble—no other pleasure.

After a pause, Mei Zu seemed to recall something.

"Oh!"

She pulled out a translucent, crimson leaf, glowing like fire, as if carved from jade.

"Please give this to Jiu Yu later."

"Hm?"

"I promised her." Mei Zu explained. "Jiu Yu and I spoke—your romantic interests, Ling Zu and Xiang Yuanjun, both gave her gifts."

Her expression grew slightly more serious:

"I certainly can’t leave her empty-handed."

"..."

Xu Xing looked at the maple leaf Mei Zu offered, feeling a touch of exasperation.

That thing really is...

"I’m off!" Mei Zu stepped back.

After the sect leader succession is over, I’ll spend more time at the Sword Sect—while the Sword Elder is in seclusion, we’ll enjoy some private time together!