Chapter 249: Lingxiao True Lord, Mid‑Stage Threshold

Whether to pay in advance or after the deed is done is the question Xiao Zhangqing cares about most.

If payment is after the deed, Xiao Zhangqing will not do it.

Because he would be teaming up to assassinate Lingxiao True Lord, he has little confidence and would instead be risking his life.

If they fail, wouldn't it be a futile effort, and he would waste his life for nothing?

But if payment is made in advance, then the matter becomes worth considering.

After all, even if danger arises during the assassination, the two of them together are no match for Lingxiao True Lord; they might fall, and he could withdraw in time, return to Da Yu Cultivation World with the treasure, and not lose.

"I am very sincere and don't mind handing the Bodhi Leaf to Elder Fang in advance," Chi Xuan True Lord seemed earnest, but immediately shifted tone, "However, if I give the Bodhi Leaf early and later Elder Fang does not put in effort or does not go all out, wouldn't I become the dupe?"

Xiao Zhangqing let out a cold snort in his heart.

It is simply measuring a gentleman's heart with a petty mind!

"I am an honest man; I would never be someone who breaks his word." "Fine, we will seal a pact."

Xiao Zhangqing is already quite adept at this.

After discussing with Chi Xuan True Lord, they quickly sealed a pact.

Chi Xuan True Lord devised a plan to assassinate Lingxiao True Lord; at that time Xiao Zhangqing only needs to cooperate and will certainly give his all. Unless it is a hopeless ten‑deaths‑no‑survival scenario, as long as Chi Xuan does not order a retreat, Xiao Zhangqing may not flee on his own.

If defeat is already decided and Lingxiao True Lord clearly cannot be killed, Xiao Zhangqing may leave on his own without Chi Xuan's order.

"This Bodhi Leaf belongs to Elder Fang now."

Chi Xuan True Lord gave a slight push of his magical power, and the Bodhi Leaf imbued with a Spatial Divine Skill inheritance landed in Xiao Zhangqing's hand.

Holding the Bodhi Leaf, the spatial energy within it felt more evident, stirring an urge to receive the inheritance immediately.

However, Xiao Zhangqing suppressed the impulse and stored the Bodhi Leaf in his satchel.

The inheritance can only be received once; it is better to accept it later when his true self and a system are present.

"Elder Fang, do you not intend to refine the Bodhi Leaf now? After refining, even if you cannot digest or comprehend its power in the short term, at least it will be of some help," Chi Xuan True Lord asked.

In his view, Xiao Zhangqing's background is mysterious and must be extraordinary.

He could recognize the nature of the Bodhi Leaf at a glance, indicating it is likely a powerful being already attuned to spatial power.

Such a Nascent Soul Old Monster with a foundation of spatial power, regardless of innate talent, certainly has an advantage in grasping the spatial applications within the Bodhi Leaf.

Even if only a sliver is understood, strength will improve considerably.

This gives a considerable edge for the upcoming assassination of Lingxiao True Lord.

"My current condition is not suitable for receiving the inheritance," Xiao Zhangqing offered a casual excuse.

He sensed that Chi Xuan True Lord should still have a Bodhi Leaf on him.

Even if not new, at least one has already been refined and received Venerable Changkong's inheritance.

Otherwise he wouldn't know the Bodhi Leaf's origin so well, nor be generous enough to offer one as a reward for assistance.

Having already one, he does not place too much importance on this one.

However, Chi Xuan True Lord's innate talent in the Way of Space is average; even after refining the Bodhi Leaf, he has not grasped much of Venerable Changkong's Spatial Divine Skill.

Otherwise he would have the confidence to single‑handedly kill the Nascent Soul Initial Stage Lingxiao True Lord.

After sending Chi Xuan True Lord away, Xiao Zhangqing immediately called his disciple Hu Li and told her his background.

"Five Elements Dynasty royal bloodline? Me?"

Hu Li was obviously stunned by the news, "Master, you aren't joking, are you? You know my background... how could I be a descendant of the Five Elements Dynasty royalty?"

When Fang Yuan first accepted Hu Li as a disciple, he had investigated her family background.

Both parents were Scattered Cultivators; the father had decent talent and successfully established a foundation as a Scattered Cultivator, while the mother was only a Qi Refining Realm cultivator.

Later her parents both perished in a turmoil, betrayed and ambushed by a friend of her father's; she strained to join the San Yang Sect, hoping one day to avenge them.

After she successfully established her foundation and became Fang Yuan's disciple, Fang Yuan, having learned her background, personally accompanied her and helped her exact revenge.

This is why Hu Li is willing to rebel against the sect and obey Xiao Zhangqing unquestioningly.

"I'm not joking; this matter is basically confirmed. Sect Leader Chi Xuan True Lord is personally overseeing it, trying to contact Taiyi Gate, and perhaps soon Taiyi Gate will send someone to receive you," Xiao Zhangqing said.

Seeing her master's solemn seriousness, Hu Li widened her eyes, her pupils rolling for a moment before she fell silent, her complicated emotions beginning to accept that she might truly be a descendant of the Five Elements Dynasty royalty.

For 90% of cultivators in the Qingxu Realm, being told one day that they are a descendant of the Five Elements Dynasty royalty is considered a tremendous blessing, causing ecstatic joy.

It's like a beggar suddenly discovering his biological father is a billionaire.

Hu Li knows deep down that if she becomes a royal descendant, countless benefits await, and she should be happy.

However, the suddenness and the huge disparity in status make it hard for her to accept at once.

So she didn't wait long; she came to understand that her mindset shouldn't be timid.

She would never pretend to be a royal descendant, but if Taiyi Gate ultimately determines she truly has Five Elements Dynasty royal blood, she should accept it calmly. She is not a delicate princess, and the accidental death of her parents will not be blamed on the royalty.

This is like her own destiny; she should seize it.

Among cultivators, who doesn't wish to reach the pinnacle, obtain the finest resources, and someday condense a Golden Core and become a Nascent Soul?

"Master, if... I truly am a descendant of the Five Elements Emperor, must I go to Taiyi Gate to cultivate?" Hu Li asked timidly.

Xiao Zhangqing smiled, "You don't want to go to Taiyi Gate? Taiyi Gate is not only a holy land but also the most profound among the nine great holy lands, receiving the most resources after the Five Elements Dynasty's fall. Throughout the Qingxu Realm, almost no one refuses to join Taiyi Gate. If you go there, you will immediately receive treatment as a core disciple, isn't that good?"

Hu Li lowered her eyelids and said, "Fine, fine... but if I go to Taiyi Gate, it will be hard to see you again, Master."

"Good disciple," Xiao Zhangqing said with satisfaction, "You know the current state of the San Yang Sect is already on the brink of collapse. Sect Leader Chi Xuan True Lord is so eager about your identity because he wants you to go to Taiyi Gate; once that incense connection is established, the San Yang Sect's situation will improve greatly. Therefore you must go to Taiyi Gate, not just for yourself but also for the San Yang Sect. As for me, I have my own plans and will depart, so whether you stay in the San Yang Sect or go to Taiyi Gate makes little difference."

"If you go to Taiyi Gate, seize the opportunity to cultivate well; in the future you will form a Golden Core, perhaps achieve a Nascent Soul, and there will surely be a day we meet again."

Hu Li asked, "Master, will you also leave the San Yang Sect? Where will you go?" Xiao Zhangqing smiled and said loudly, "I am not sure; perhaps after some time you may even hear news of my downfall, but Ah Li you need not worry—one day, I will definitely return."

The assassination of Lingxiao True Lord is bound to be fraught with danger and uncertainty; Xiao Zhangqing lacks confidence that he can truly kill Lingxiao True Lord, let alone be certain of surviving.

However, he is not from this world; even if he and Chi Xuan True Lord join forces and still cannot match him, at the very end he can withdraw and return to the Da Yu Cultivation World.

Only the next time he comes to the Qingxu Realm is uncertain.

"Master, are you about to undertake a dangerous mission?" Hu Li sensed some clue.

Xiao Zhangqing laughed and shook his head: "Relax, I as your teacher won't do anything reckless; I'm definitely confident."

Hu Li then felt a bit reassured.

……

Although the Sea‑Overturn Sect is a sect on the Green Ruins Realm continent, its actual location is on a sea island.

The island is called Deer Antler Island, named because its geography resembles a pair of antlers: high mountains rise on the north and south, while the middle is flat.

Deer Antler Island is enormous, possessing a fourth‑level spirit vein, and it lies very close to the continent—only a few hundred li away. For cultivators, this distance is so short it can be considered an extension of the land.

A flawless, error‑free version at a glance!

Moreover, the Sea‑Overturn Sect has established an absolutely safe "sea route" between its sect and the Eastern Extreme State, guaranteeing that at any time there will be no attacks by sea monsters; even a Qi Refining cultivator can travel safely back and forth.

Therefore the Sea‑Overturn Sect is regarded as a Green Ruins Realm sect, not an overseas sect.

The terrain on both sides of Deer Antler Island is lofty, yet the scenery is completely different.

On the southern towering mountains lies a cold pool, while the northern mountains host a volcano.

At the volcano's summit, scorching magma constantly surges, and violent fire‑type spirit energy fills the surroundings, turning the area into a desolate realm.

Even a Core Formation cultivator who arrives here feels extremely uncomfortable.

Although the spiritual energy density here is high, reaching the fourth level, a Core Formation cultivator still cannot practice here.

Yet at this moment a middle‑aged man, naked above the waist and incredibly robust, is bathing in the magma.

It seems that even a little longer would turn the magma that would wound a Core Formation cultivator into a hot spring for him.

This man is the Sea‑Overturn Sect's Grand Elder, the sole Nascent Soul realm, Lingxiao True Lord! He is almost universally recognized in the Eastern Extreme State as a Nascent Soul Initial Stage exemplar, with extremely formidable strength.

Whoosh! A rainbow‑colored light drifted down, landing at the edge of the magma pool; it was an elderly man clad in a gray robe.

The elder's hair and beard were gray‑white, his posture slightly stooped, appearing very old, exuding an aura of old age.

Yet, standing at the edge of this magma pool brimming with violent fire spirit energy, he felt not the slightest discomfort, remaining calm and composed, showing that his cultivation level was far above that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.

The elder waited for a moment.

Boom! The magma pool suddenly churned even more violently, as if a fire dragon were rolling beneath, spewing a massive column of fluid like a fountain, while the surrounding fire spirit energy grew even more terrifying.

The elder, who could normally resist fire spirit damage, had to leap back to avoid being splashed by the magma.

Because this magma now contained not only fire spirit energy but also the power of fire‑elemental Heaven‑and‑Earth within it.

This is no longer something a Core Formation Real can be tainted by; even the strongest, Core Formation Perfection cultivator cannot.

Just as the magma reached its peak, the surrounding weather abruptly changed: temperature dropped rapidly, water‑elemental power filled the air, and heavy rain fell.

Immediately after, snow began to drift from the sky; the volcano's summit felt chilling to the bone, as if it were trying to freeze the magma pool at the crater.

In fact, the magma showed signs of extinguishing, and an icy layer began to solidify on its surface.

Yet endless fire‑elemental power surged from the ground below, striving to break free from the cold shackles.

Buzz! After an unknown amount of time, the magma pool suddenly calmed, as if the volcano had truly been suppressed, entering an icy, snowy world.

But it only lasted for a few breaths before the sealed magma power erupted violently, shattering the ice like a demon dragon breaking free, and fire‑elemental power once again flooded the surroundings.

The middle‑aged man who had been cultivating in the magma, at some point had put on his cultivation robe, arrived at the pool's edge, standing dazed, seemingly reviewing the recent cultivation process.

"Congratulations, Grand Elder, your control over Heaven‑and‑Earth power has reached a new level; Nascent Soul Middle Stage is within sight!"

The elder stepped forward and said sincerely.

This is not ordinary magma, but volcano magma situated on a fourth‑level spirit vein.

Being able to reverse ice and fire indicates that Lingxiao True Lord has taken a significant step forward in mastering Heaven‑and‑Earth power.

"Nascent Soul Middle Stage…"

Lingxiao True Lord seemed also moved, then shook his head and sighed, "It looks so close, yet taking this step feels harder than soaring to the heavens!"

Nascent Soul Middle Stage and Nascent Soul Initial Stage appear only a small step apart, yet they have halted countless heavenly prodigies.

Anyone who can form a Nascent Soul is a one‑in‑ten‑thousand true genius; each has his own legendary story.

Yet even as geniuses, most, after breaking through to Nascent Soul, become "indistinguishable from the masses," stuck at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage for centuries without advancing.

Because at this stage, whether you have a heavenly‑spirit root, a demonic‑spirit root, or any Dao body,

No matter how fast you absorb spiritual energy, if your comprehension is insufficient and your control over Heaven‑and‑Earth power is lacking, you cannot break through to Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

The nine great holy sites of the Green Ruins Realm.

In the eyes of ordinary low‑level cultivators, for a sect to ascend to a new holy site, it must have at least two Nascent Soul True Lords within its ranks.

But the real reason lies elsewhere!

Many sects appear to have only one Nascent Soul True Lord on the surface, yet secretly may hide a Nascent Soul—such as some ancient relics that have not died.

However, these sects lack the qualification to ascend to a holy site.

The true prerequisite for a sect to become a holy site, besides having sufficiently strong foundation, is to have at least one Nascent Soul Middle Stage! Lingxiao True Lord seems to have a chance to surge to Nascent Soul Middle Stage, yet even he does not have absolute confidence in taking this step.

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