Chapter 393: Infiltrating Xuanqing Palace

(Two-in-one chapter)

The following half year.

A Dan Pavilion was established within the Hehuan Sect, exclusively for disciples of the other two sects to purchase Pills.

Low-level Pills were handled by other Alchemists within the Hehuan Sect; there was no need for Wang Jianqiang to do it personally.

His task was merely to stock the Dan Pavilion with some high-level Pills.

These high-level Pills were expensive, and their consumption rate was very slow.

In reality, they served more as a signboard to attract disciples from the two sects.

After the Dan Pavilion was built, business could be described as booming.

It brought astonishing profits to the Hehuan Sect.

During this period.

Exchanges between the disciples of the three sects also constantly increased.

The cultivation atmosphere grew stronger and stronger.

Under Wang Jianqiang's vigorous support.

Qiu Shuang gained huge rewards; a few days ago, her foundation was purified to the extreme, and she successfully completed her transformation.

Lin Lin's gains were also very gratifying; her foundation transformation was also nearly half complete.

Mu Lingxi, Wang Yu Yao, Su Yutong, Xing Li, Liu Qing'er, Dong Yue, and Yan Qingxuan broke through their cultivation levels one after another, reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

Wang Jianqiang devised strategies from within his tent.

Under his super-strong time management and his inhuman cultivation method of popping Perfect Pills like candy, his cultivation also successfully broke through a few days ago, reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

Everything was developing in a good direction.

This day.

Dong Yue and Yan Qingxuan came together to Wang Jianqiang's residence.

With grave expressions, they brought a piece of news.

The Xuanqing Palace, which had been silent ever since the failed attack on the three sects, had suddenly made a big move recently.

The Xuanqing Palace was recruiting rogue cultivators on a massive scale!

Hearing the news brought by the two, Wang Jianqiang's expression stirred, "It's not guaranteed that talented individuals won't appear among rogue cultivators. Not just the Zhengyang Sect, our Hehuan Sect, as well as the Zhengyang Sect and the Wan Jian Sect, have all recruited rogue cultivators, right? What is suspicious about this?"

Dong Yue shook her head, "Our sects have indeed recruited rogue cultivators, but they had to undergo strict assessments. However, the Xuanqing Palace's recruitment this time has not the slightest assessment; as long as one's cultivation reaches the seventh layer of Qi Refining or above, regardless of aptitude or age, they are all recruited into the sect."

Hearing Dong Yue's words, Wang Jianqiang frowned.

Regardless of aptitude, not looking at age?

Has this Xuanqing Palace gone mad?

Thinking of this, Wang Jianqiang's expression became serious, "The Xuanqing Palace's behavior is very wrong; there must be some scheme. Can you investigate it?"

Dong Yue shook her head, "The Xuanqing Palace's goal is hidden extremely deep; our spies cannot find out. However, it is certainly not a good thing for us."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, "I have a premonition that the Xuanqing Palace will soon have a major operation."

"Currently, we know nothing about the strength of the Xuanqing Palace or the forces cooperating with it. Once a war starts, we will be very passive."

"I want to infiltrate the Xuanqing Palace to investigate."

Infiltrate the Xuanqing Palace?

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Dong Yue and Yan Qingxuan were both startled.

The Xuanqing Palace is not what it used to be.

Who knows how many experts there might be in the sect?

Once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"No!"

After coming to their senses, the two shook their heads simultaneously.

Dong Yue looked at Wang Jianqiang with a grave expression, "Your Disguise ability is indeed very strong, but are you so sure you won't be seen through? You must know that the mysterious sect cooperating with the Xuanqing Palace has an envoy remaining in the Xuanqing Palace."

"That's right." Yan Qingxuan nodded, "Infiltrating the Xuanqing Palace is too dangerous; you cannot take such a risk."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "I am confident."

Not to mention whether anyone could see through the near-perfect Disguise of the three Supernatural Abilities: Thousand Faces, Deterrence, and the Bankruptcy Version Law of Heaven and Earth.

Even if someone really could see through it.

Possessing the two life-saving Supernatural Abilities of Star Puppet and Blood Rebirth, he could also easily escape.

Moreover...

Luo Yunshang went missing after joining the Xuanqing Palace.

He had long wanted to go into the Xuanqing Palace to investigate.

Now it just so happened to be on the way.

Seeing that Wang Jianqiang's expression was firm.

Dong Yue and Yan Qingxuan sighed and did not continue to dissuade him.

Dong Yue said softly, "Since you have already made up your mind, we will no longer dissuade you. Be careful in everything."

Wang Jianqiang nodded.

Before leaving the Hehuan Sect.

He met with Mu Lingxi, Wang Yu Yao, Su Yutong... and the other women one by one.

After leaving them enough cultivation Pills and gifting each of them a Perfect Intent-Condensing Pill.

He piloted the Xuanguang Treasure Hall and flew out of the Hehuan Sect.

He flew toward the direction of the Xuanqing Palace.

……

Inside the Xuanguang Treasure Hall.

Wang Jianqiang pondered for a moment and took out two Jade Slips.

These two Jade Slips were precisely the two treasures he had won from Ma Gen.

The Five Elements Sword Array and the Source Sacrificial Refining Method.

This trip would be quite dangerous.

Although the two great Supernatural Abilities, Star Puppet and Blood Rebirth, were sufficient to save his life, the cost was not small.

Especially Blood Rebirth; he should avoid using it if possible.

Therefore, before arriving at Xuanqing Palace.

He had to raise his combat power to the extreme as much as possible.

He picked up the Five Elements Sword Array Jade Slip and swept his Spirit Sense over the cultivation method within it.

Afterward, his consciousness entered his Soul Sea.

Sure enough, a new Technique had appeared on his Attribute Panel.

"Five Elements Sword Array: Rumen."

Wang Jianqiang pondered for a moment and added 500 Cultivation Points to the Five Elements Sword Array.

"Ding, the cultivation realm of the Five Elements Sword Array has increased; current realm: Minor Accomplishment."

500 Cultivation Points weren't even enough for Consummation?

As expected of the Five Elements Sword Array!

This cultivation difficulty……

It is feared that ordinary Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators would find it difficult to reach the Small Success Level in their entire lives.

Afterwards, his heart stirred, and he added another 2000 Cultivation Points to the Five Elements Sword Array.

The cultivation realm of the Five Elements Sword Array finally reached the Consummation Level.

He then picked up the Source Sacrificial Refining Method.

After examining it for a moment, he frowned.

The forging process of this Source Sacrificial Refining Method was actually simple.

It was just that the requirements for the raw materials were extremely strict.

The attributes must be compatible with the forger's Root Bone, and one's attainment in Artifact Dao must reach at least the Fourth-tier to be able to perform it.

As for the raw materials, he already had them on him.

Although the grade was not high, the Natal Dharma Treasure is a growth-type Magic Treasure; at worst, he could just find higher-grade raw materials to upgrade it later, which would have no impact at all.

As for his attainment in Artifact Dao.

Although his current Artifact Dao cultivation was only Second Tier High Grade, the Cultivation Points he had were still quite sufficient, so it would not be difficult to raise his Artifact Dao cultivation to the Fourth-tier.

It was just that he did not do so.

He had already tried it before.

Besides the breakthrough of solidified targets, there could be at most two ways to obtain Cultivation Points.

In other words, his ways of obtaining Cultivation Points had already been bound to Alchemy Dao and Artifact Dao.

Even if he learned new auxiliary paths later, he would be unable to obtain Cultivation Points through new auxiliary paths.

Once Artifact Dao broke through.

It would mean that the difficulty for him to obtain Cultivation Points in the future would also increase accordingly.

Thinking of this.

He temporarily gave up the idea of refining his Natal Dharma Treasure.

Cultivation Points were the foundation upon which he had walked step by step to this day!

Although the Natal Dharma Treasure was strong.

But when it came to importance, it was far from being comparable to Cultivation Points.

^……

As one of the Four Great Powers of the Northern Territory, Xuanqing Palace had always been a goal that countless rogue cultivators looked up to and longed to join.

In daily life.

Many rogue cultivators wanted to join but had no channel to do so.

Now that Xuanqing Palace had released news that it was recruiting rogue cultivators on a large scale.

It caused numerous rogue cultivators in the Northern Territory to gather here.

Among these rogue cultivators, those at the Qi Condensation stage accounted for more than ninety percent.

Those at the Foundation Establishment Stage were only a very small number, and almost all of them were at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

After all.

For the vast majority of rogue cultivators.

Rogue cultivator resources are limited, and being able to reach Foundation Establishment can already be considered a heaven-defying opportunity.

In the absence of cultivation methods and cultivation resources, it is almost impossible to continue to improve.

Of course.

Rogue cultivators like Ye Lingyun who left their sects midway were not included in this category.

Strictly speaking.

Such cultivators only hung the name of a rogue cultivator, but in essence, they were also from a sect background.

In front of the Xuanqing Palace gate.

Thousands of rogue cultivators were standing in a long line.

A Golden Core Stage Elder and over a dozen Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples stood before the gates of Xuanqing Palace.

They were testing the cultivation base of each rogue cultivator one by one.

"Qi Refining Seventh Layer, qualified."

"Qi Refining Eighth Layer, not bad, qualified."

"Qi Refining Fifth Layer, unqualified."

The Golden Core Stage Elder looked at the rogue cultivator before him, who wore a nervous expression, and frowned.

A moment later.

He waved his hand.

The Qi Refining Fifth Layer rogue cultivator acted as if granted amnesty and fled in a panic.

After the rogue cultivator before him fled, the Golden Core Stage Elder looked up at the crowd ahead and said with a frown, "I will reiterate: the bottom line for this Xuanqing Palace recruitment of Disciples is Qi Refining Seventh Layer; those with cultivation below the Qi Refining Seventh Layer must leave immediately."

"Do not think that just because you have learned some method to alter your aura you can muddle through; if anyone is discovered again, they will be executed without mercy."

As the Golden Core Elder's voice rang out.

More than half of the original thousand-person queue scattered like birds and insects in an instant.

Seeing this scene.

The Golden Core Stage Elder let out a cold snort and continued the testing.

A moment later.

An old man with graying hair and a thin, dark frame arrived before the Golden Core Stage Elder.

The Golden Core Stage Elder released his Spirit Sense, sweeping it through the old man's body.

The intense pressure made the old man's frame tremble, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

Seeing the other party's fearful demeanor, the Golden Core Elder and the Foundation Establishment Disciples beside him all revealed looks of disdain.

"Qi Refining Seventh Layer, qualified."

The Golden Core Elder spoke indifferently and pointed to the side, "Go over there to register; someone will take you into the sect shortly."

"Yes."

The old man nodded with a face full of awe and walked tremblingly toward the registration desk.

Seeing this scene.

The Golden Core Elder shook his head.

As expected of rogue cultivators, the quality is truly too poor.

Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Among those at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer or above, over ninety percent are old men whose lifespans are nearing their end.

Their potential is exhausted, and they have absolutely no value for cultivation.

Especially that old fellow just now.

Not only is his aptitude poor, but his temperament is also so unbearable.

Usually, he would consider it a waste of time to even glance at such trash, let alone admit them into the sect.

He really didn't know what use the sect had for recruiting these wastes.

At the same time.

The old man had already arrived at the registration desk.

The Foundation Establishment Disciple at the registration desk glanced at the old man.

He had witnessed the old man's pathetic performance the entire time, and a flash of disdain could not help but cross his face.

He said in a blunt tone, "What is your name?"

"Fu Qin," the old man said.

"Fu Qin?" the Foundation Establishment Disciple in charge of registration repeated subconsciously.

"Yes, that's right," the old man nodded with a smile.

The face of the Foundation Establishment Disciple in charge of registration darkened.

He felt as though he had been taken advantage of, but looking at the old man's cowardly appearance.

He felt the other party wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

It must have been unintentional.

However, even so, his expression remained very unpleasant.

He snorted coldly and said with a hostile attitude, "Go wait at the back."

"Yes."

The old man bowed and scraped repeatedly before walking into the queue at the back.

No one noticed.

The moment he stepped into the queue, his gaze flickered in a way that was impossible to detect.

The old man was precisely Wang Jianqiang in disguise.

This old man was not a fictional character created by Wang Jianqiang, but a real rogue cultivator.

On his way to Xuanqing Palace.

This old fellow had attempted to rob him.

He was killed in retaliation, his body disposed of, and he was incidentally disguised as the other party.

He had originally assumed that Xuanqing Palace would at least check the background of the rogue cultivators.

I never expected this Entry assessment to be so crude.

They didn't even check our identities.

"What exactly is this Xuanqing Palace trying to do?"

The doubt in his heart grew increasingly intense.

Just at this moment.

The voice of the Golden Core Elder responsible for checking the cultivation of the rogue cultivators came again.

"Foundation Establishment Early Stage, very good, you have passed."

He looked up.

Immediately, he saw a high-spirited young man in front of the Golden Core Elder.

He stood straight, had a handsome appearance, and was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Among these rogue cultivators of varying quality, he appeared exceptionally prominent.

Under the gaze of the crowd.

The young man wore a look of pride as he arrived at the registration desk.

After registering, he did not walk into the queue where Wang Jianqiang was.

Instead, he went to another queue not far away.

That queue had only a dozen or so people in total.

They were all Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators.

"Xuanqing Palace specifically separated these people; could it be that they are to enter the Inner Sect directly?" Wang Jianqiang pondered.

While he was deep in thought.

Several more rogue cultivators entered the queue for Qi Refining stage cultivators.

Bringing the number of people in the group to fifty.

The Golden Core Elder responsible for testing cultivation looked at a delicate woman beside him, "Su Yun, take them into the sect and have them collect their Sect Identity Token."

"Yes, Elder."

The woman called Su Yun came before Wang Jianqiang and the others.

She said indifferently, "Follow me."

After speaking, she walked straight into Xuanqing Palace.

Wang Jianqiang and the others followed closely behind.

Not long after.

Wang Jianqiang and the others received their own Sect Identity Token.

Afterward, under Su Yun's guidance, they arrived at a remote residential area.

"This is where you will live in the sect from now on. Your residence number is on your Identity Token; you may find your residence according to the number."

"After finding your residence, you may go to the Inner Sect to collect the New Student Entry reward."

"You can learn the location for collecting the reward by extending your Spirit Sense into the Identity Token."

There is a reward too?

After Su Yun's voice fell.

Everyone revealed looks of surprise.

They couldn't wait to extend their Spirit Sense into their Identity Token.

Wang Jianqiang was also somewhat surprised in his heart.

New Student reward?

Hehuan Sect, Zhengyang Sect, and Wan Jian Sect don't seem to have this, do they?

This Xuanqing Palace is not only recruiting these rogue cultivators without the slightest potential, but also giving out New Student rewards.

Isn't that a bit too wealthy and extravagant?

What are they after?

"Alright, my task is complete."

Just then, Su Yun glanced at the crowd, turned around, and flew away.

In her gaze, Wang Jianqiang keenly detected a trace of disdain.

Immediately following.

He heard a faint sound.

"Just a bunch of lowly rogue cultivators. I don't know what the sect is thinking. Recruiting them into the sect is one thing, but to actually have New Student rewards as well."

"I didn't have one when I entered the sect, and those disciples who joined normally with outstanding talent didn't have one either."

"Why give these trash rewards?"

This voice was very weak.

Only because Wang Jianqiang's spirit perception was sharp could he hear it clearly.

The rogue cultivators beside him did not notice a thing.

After hearing Su Yun's muttering, Wang Jianqiang could not help but frown.

From Su Yun's tone, it was clear.

Disciples who joined Xuanqing Palace normally did not have New Student rewards.

Only these rogue cultivators had New Student rewards when joining the sect.

Those with stronger natural talent get no rewards, yet they are given to these rogue cultivators with no potential.

This matter is too bizarre!

Wang Jianqiang pondered for a moment.

First, he found his own residence.

Afterwards, he read the information in his Identity Token and flew toward the Inner Sect of Xuanqing Palace.

"What did those two bitches say?"

Wang Jianqiang had only just entered the Inner Sect of Xuanqing Palace.

A man's voice suddenly drifted faintly from a room in the distance.

His expression stirred, and he slowed his pace without changing his demeanor.