Chapter 250: Convergence of Providence, the Founding Ancestor of the Martial Dao!

"The Heavenly Azure Secret Realm is controlled by the Heavenly Azure Sect and only opens once every sixty years. Besides the disciples within the Heavenly Azure Sect, the Green Wood Sect, Jiaocang Sect, and Qingcang Sect also have a few quotas.

Your master paid a considerable price to exchange for one from the First Elder of the Qingcang Sect.

Aside from some extremely rare spirit grasses and materials, the secret realm also contains descendants of ancient bloodline demonic beasts, the legacy of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect, and even Connate Spirit Objects."

Perfected Person Fire Cloud said, "Finding the legacy of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect and Connate Spirit Objects depends entirely on luck. Over the past thousand years, only a tiny handful of disciples have ever obtained them.

Later on, those individuals at the very least became True Lord level figures who comprehended divine abilities.

Rumor has it that obtaining these things is tied to one's own providence.

Providence is an ethereal and elusive concept. However, my disciple, you possess innate Spirit Eyes and extremely high talent in the Dao of Artifacts. As your master, I believe you should go and try your luck.

Even if you fail to find them, some of the spirit grasses or materials inside will ensure your trip is not in vain."

"Thank you, Honored Master!" Xu Deling cupped her hands solemnly.

With Perfected Person Fire Cloud leading the way, it only took them a moment to arrive in front of the Xu Clan Trading Company.

Xu Chuan arranged a private VIP room specifically for them.

At the auction venue, people continuously arrived and took their seats.

An hour later.

The auction officially began.

Inside the Heaven-grade VIP room.

Watching the auction proceed in full swing, Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his beard and smiled faintly, "Your Xu family certainly knows how to do business. To be able to bring out all these items, your family's foundation is quite wealthy."

"No matter how much we have, it cannot compare to you, Honored Master. Casually refining a few magic treasures would easily surpass all of this."

The auctioneer's clear voice echoed through the venue, "The next pills up for auction are Youth-Retaining Pills. Our Xu family went through untold hardships to acquire five high-grade Youth-Retaining Pills.

This is an excellent opportunity for my fellow male cultivators to win the favor of the fairies they admire.

It is also a ticket to eternal youth for the fairies present here today.

The Youth-Retaining Pill has a starting price of five hundred spirit stones, with each minimum bid increment set at twenty spirit stones. The auction for the first Youth-Retaining Pill begins now!"

"Six hundred spirit stones!"

A female cultivator unhesitatingly raised the price by a hundred spirit stones.

"Six hundred and twenty!"

"Six hundred and forty!"

Whether male or female, the cultivators bid with incomparable ferocity.

In the blink of an eye, the price soared past a thousand spirit stones, causing the number of bidders to drop by more than half.

Ultimately, the first Youth-Retaining Pill was won by a female Late Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Jiaocang Sect for one thousand four hundred spirit stones.

Rumor had it she was the disciple of a Golden Core elder, truly rich and overbearing.

The following three pills were also won by members of the three sects, though not all were female cultivators.

The final pill fell into the hands of a Late Foundation Establishment elder from a Golden Core Aristocratic Family within the Jiaocang Sect.

Judging by the results, the male cultivators were relatively more restrained compared to the females.

Following that, other pills like the Void Rushing Pill and Jade Sprout Pill also auctioned for hefty sums.

Next came the auction of spirit grasses, materials, and magical artifacts.

The spirit grasses and materials were all surplus items that the Xu family no longer needed. The magical artifacts ranged from standard high-grade magical artifacts to fine-grade magical artifacts and top-grade magical artifacts, including some with inscribed artifact patterns.

Finally, it was time for the three grand finale items.

The first was a four-thousand-year-old Blazing Sun Flower acquired from the Wu family's collection, which was highly beneficial to those practicing fire-element cultivation methods.

It was won by Perfected Person Fire Cloud and gifted to Xu Deling.

The second was a set of mother-and-child top-grade magical artifacts, with the mother artifact bearing an inscribed artifact pattern. It had been forged by Xu Deling.

It was purchased by a Foundation Establishment perfection cultivator from the Green Wood Sect for three thousand six hundred spirit stones.

"As for this final auction item, I assume many of you present are here specifically for it."

As he spoke, a green jade porcelain bottle appeared in the auctioneer's hand.

"Contained within this porcelain bottle is a longevity-enhancing pill. It is named the Azure Splendor Pill. It is only effective for those below the Golden Core stage. It can extend the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator by thirty years, and for anyone below Foundation Establishment, it can increase their lifespan by a full sixty-year cycle.

Because longevity pills are incredibly precious, I will not display it openly. However, if anyone present doubts its authenticity, you may invite a trusted alchemist up to the stage to verify it."

"Let this old man have a look!"

Immediately, an elder with completely white hair and a matching beard stepped up to the high platform.

"It is Master Huo from Corner Constellation City, hailing from the Golden Core Aristocratic Family, the Huo Clan!"

"He is a top-tier grandmaster alchemist!"

Many people recognized him and cried out in surprise.

"I am Huo Changsen. May this old man take a look?"

"Naturally."

The auctioneer presented the porcelain bottle with both hands.

Huo Changsen took it, uncorked the bottle, and placed it beneath his nose for a gentle sniff. His pupils instantly contracted, and he swiftly sealed the bottle back up.

"It is indeed a longevity-enhancing pill. If my judgment is not mistaken, it was refined several decades ago." Huo Changsen stared at the auctioneer with a burning gaze and asked, "Do you have the pill recipe for this?"

The auctioneer shook his head. "This pill does not belong exclusively to our Xu Clan Trading Company; it was consigned by an individual for auction."

"Then this old man has been presumptuous."

Huo Changsen returned to his seat.

With his confirmation, the crowd naturally no longer harbored any doubts.

"Because the Azure Splendor Pill is a consigned item, the consignor has their own specific requirement. This pill must be exchanged for a Spirit-Nourishing Pill along with its pill recipe. If no one can make this trade, it will go unsold.

However, this pill will remain stored in our auction house. If anyone manages to acquire the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe in the future, they may come to our trading company to complete the exchange."

As soon as his voice fell, a flurry of discussions erupted throughout the auction venue.

"A Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe?! That is also an incredibly precious pill!"

"Although the Spirit-Nourishing Pill can increase a Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine sense, it still falls a bit short when compared to a longevity pill. However, adding the pill recipe into the mix does make it an equivalent exchange."

"It is a pity. I have heard that only the Green Wood Sect and the Heavenly Azure Sect have records of this pill. Rumor has it that a disciple of the Green Wood Sect originally brought it out from the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm."

"Does it absolutely have to be a Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe? This old man is willing to offer a complete talisman treasure and a damaged magic treasure in exchange. Could your honorable house consult the person behind the Azure Splendor Pill?"

A Foundation Establishment perfection elder from a Golden Core Aristocratic Family asked.

"Senior, I am truly sorry!" The auctioneer shook his head. "Our trading company has already asked multiple times, but the other party insists on trading only for those two specific items."

"It seems this pill is destined to go unsold today. But leaving it in your hands, isn't your honorable house afraid of being targeted by numerous old monsters nearing the end of their lifespans?"

An elder wearing a black hooded robe suddenly spoke up. His face was obscured, but his voice sounded like that of a sinister old man.

"Extending one's lifespan by thirty years is already considered a very good longevity-enhancing pill. Its appeal goes without saying; it would be completely normal for dozens of Foundation Establishment perfection cultivators to come knocking.

This is not something any Foundation Establishment aristocratic family can withstand!"

Right at that moment.

A sudden pressure materialized, blanketing the entire auction venue.

"The Xu family is a clan protected by my Fire Cloud Valley. I would like to see if they have the guts to come!" Perfected Person Fire Cloud snorted coldly. "Do not end up dying and dragging your entire family down to ruin with you!"

"It's Perfected Person Fire Cloud!"

"To think the Xu family actually invited him here today!"

"Rumor has it that Perfected Person Fire Cloud dotes heavily on that female disciple from the Xu family. Looking at it now, it seems the rumors are true."

None of the people present dared to issue any more threats, terrified of being slapped to death by Perfected Person Fire Cloud!

"The auction for the Azure Splendor Pill begins! Does anyone wish to make the trade?"

Many people sighed faintly, their faces showing expressions of utter helplessness.

Among the Yuan, Hua, and Fang clans of Cloudstream Town, the Hua Clan's situation was the most awkward, maintained solely by Hua Qingxue's relationship with the First Elder of the Green Wood Sect.

The Yuan clan and Fang clan, on the other hand, seemingly had mutually beneficial ties with the Jiaocang Sect and the Qingcang Sect.

Furthermore, they had disciples apprenticed under Golden Core elders from those sects.

As long as those Golden Core elders did not fall, the Yuan clan and Fang clan would undoubtedly remain permanently stationed in Cloudstream Town without issue.

"Dammit, they just had to demand the pill recipe too!" the Hua Clan Head gritted his teeth secretly. He knew that Hua Qingxue possessed a treasured Spirit-Nourishing Pill, a gift from the First Elder of the Green Wood Sect.

As for the pill recipe, although it could not be considered an absolute supreme treasure, it was still the property of the Green Wood Sect. How could a Foundation Establishment aristocratic family like theirs possibly trade for it?

Rumor had it that both the Jiaocang and Qingcang Sects had tried to negotiate a trade for it in the past, but had both been rejected.

There might have been competitive underlying relations among the three sects involved, but without a doubt, the value of this pill recipe was extraordinary.

Dozens of breaths later.

"The final ten breaths. Does anyone want to trade for the Azure Splendor Pill?"

"Ten, nine, eight, seven... three, two..."

"This old man will take this pill."

Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through, and a gray-robed man appeared at the entrance of the auction venue, wearing a mask on his face.

The aura of the mask was obscure, making it incredibly difficult for others to probe his appearance and cultivation level.

He continued, "Regarding this matter, this old man wishes to speak with the person behind your trading company."

"This..." The auctioneer hesitated slightly.

Suddenly, Xu Chuan's voice transmitted into his mind, 'Agree to it. Have him come to the Heaven-grade VIP room.'

"Our boss has agreed to this. Honored guest, please make your way to the Heaven-grade VIP room to discuss. As for this auction, it officially concludes here.

We welcome you all to return in three years!"

Even though the gray-robed man's realm could not be probed, there was a certain probability that he was a Golden Core stage cultivator. How could ordinary people dare to carelessly provoke him?

The crowd left one after another.

The gray-robed man entered the Heaven-grade VIP room, where he saw Perfected Person Fire Cloud and Xu Deling, and slightly cupped his hands in greeting.

Soon after, Xu Chuan walked in, smiling faintly as he cupped his hands. "Apologies for making you wait, Daoist friend."

He opened his palm, revealing the porcelain bottle containing the Azure Splendor Pill resting in the center.

"This is the Azure Splendor Pill. Where are the items you wish to trade for it, Daoist friend?"

"I do not have the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and the pill recipe on me at the moment. I would like to request that Daoist friend Xu hand the Azure Splendor Pill over to this old man first. I can guarantee that I will deliver them in half a month."

Xu Chuan furrowed his brow. "Could it be that Daoist friend intends to exchange empty talk for the Azure Splendor Pill?"

"Hiding your face and identity like this makes it very difficult for me to trust your character. Furthermore, how can you prove that you actually possess the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe?

As far as I know, these two items are uniquely held by the Green Wood Sect and the Heavenly Azure Sect.

Are you someone from the Green Wood Sect or the Heavenly Azure Sect?

Only someone at the level of a Golden Core elder would have the ability to obtain the recipe for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill."

"No, Daoist friend Xu has guessed wrong. Are you aware of the Chen family of the Green Wood Sect?" the gray-robed man asked.

Xu Chuan shook his head.

Perfected Person Fire Cloud suddenly spoke up, "This old man has heard of them. The pill recipe for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill was brought out by a member of the Chen family over two hundred years ago.

That person later formed a Golden Core, but ultimately perished while out traveling.

Am I correct?"

"Senior's words are completely accurate. This junior is indeed a member of the Chen family. An elder in our family is in desperate need of a longevity-enhancing pill. Upon hearing that one appeared at the Xu Clan's auction house, I rushed over in a hurry."

"Since that is the case, it wouldn't be too late for Daoist friend Chen to go back and fetch it before coming to make the trade, right?"

"My elder's time is up within these next few days. I sincerely beg Daoist friend Xu to agree. Our Chen family will absolutely remember this profound favor."

As Xu Chuan hesitated, Perfected Person Fire Cloud sent a voice transmission, 'It is fine to agree. The Chen family is considered quite orthodox and upright; they won't go back on their word. Moreover, if this old man's guess is right, that elder of his should be Chen Changge.

In his youth, this person was just as renowned as the First Elder of the Green Wood Sect. Rumor had it that he possessed Heavenly Spirit Root Aptitude.

Unfortunately, he was young and arrogant, insisting on pursuing Divine Ability Core Formation. He wasted away his years for nothing. Looking at it now, it seems he has finally come to his senses.

If Chen Changge receives your Azure Splendor Pill and successfully forms a Golden Core within the next thirty years, he will owe you a massive favor. Befriending another Golden Core Aristocratic Family will only be beneficial to your Xu family.'

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior." Xu Chuan replied. He then spoke out loud, "Since that is the case, I will advance this pill to Daoist friend Chen. Within half a month, your Chen family must deliver the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe."

"Thank you, Daoist friend Xu! My Chen family will definitely remember this favor!"

The cultivator surnamed Chen took the porcelain bottle and was about to leave when Xu Chuan raised his hand and said, "Hold on a moment. If Daoist friend Chen leaves right now, I'm afraid you will have a hard time safely delivering this pill back to the Chen family.

Some cultivators approaching their Foundation Establishment limit are utterly maddened. Even if they cannot perceive your true realm, they will still try to take a desperate risk and gamble it all on one attempt."

He turned his head and looked at Perfected Person Fire Cloud. "Could I trouble you, Senior, to escort him on his journey?"

Perfected Person Fire Cloud was slightly stunned. This Xu Chuan was truly unabashed, actually ordering him around.

He let out a soft sigh. "Never mind. For the sake of my disciple, this old man will escort you. Disciple, wait right here until your master returns."

"Yes, Honored Master."

Subsequently, Perfected Person Fire Cloud and the cultivator surnamed Chen departed.

Xu Deling informed Xu Chuan about how Perfected Person Fire Cloud had exchanged a quota for the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm from the First Elder of the Qingcang Sect for her.

"This is a wonderful thing." Xu Chuan smiled faintly. As he spoke, he flipped his palm, producing another porcelain bottle.

"Inside is a high-grade Void Rushing Pill. You have now reached the late phase of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. By cultivating diligently in the spiritually rich environment of Fire Cloud Valley, it won't be difficult for you to touch the final bottleneck within three to four months.

This pill will assist you in smoothly reaching Foundation Establishment perfection, saving you a great deal of time."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

A brief moment later.

Xu Deling suddenly sighed with emotion. "I wonder how things are back home? Xiaoyao's cultivation speed has always been a notch faster than mine; he should have already reached Foundation Establishment perfection by now.

Grandfather, how many members do you think have been added to our Xu family over the past few years?

Given our Xu family's current status in Great Wei, unless the Cao clan, the Sima Clan, or others openly turn hostile, I imagine we can develop freely and without any scruples."

Xu Chuan smiled placidly. "Our Xu family has already expanded to its sixth generation."

"Does Wenjing have children now?"

"Not just him; the rest of the older Wen generation also have descendants. They married and had children around the ages of seventeen or eighteen. Wenjing was just a year earlier than them.

Many of them have two or three wives."

"There is no need to be surprised. Your grandfather naturally has ways to roughly keep track of the clan's situation."

Xu Deling quickly regained her composure and asked with a smile, "Then Grandfather, what are Wenjing's children named? Are they boys or girls? How are their aptitudes?"

"Twins. The firstborn is a boy named Xu Jingwu, and the girl is named Xu Jingyan." Xu Chuan replied with a faint smile. "Jingyan's spirit root aptitude is slightly higher than yours.

As for Jingwu, he possesses a mortal physique."

"A mortal physique?" Xu Deling was rather astonished. "I recall you mentioning that Wenjing's aptitude was similar to Sixth Uncle's, just a sliver away from being an Earth Spiritual Root. The chances of his offspring possessing spirit root aptitudes should have been extremely high.

Moreover, with our Xu family's status, it's highly likely that Wenjing's wife has a True Spiritual Root."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly. "Your guess is entirely correct."

As the Cloudstream Xu Family rapidly expanded, the clan genealogy had transformed once again. Now, it could accommodate individuals who did not bear the Xu surname, linking them to the Xu family's providence.

Ren Xiaoyao, along with a host of the Xu family's daughters-in-law and live-in sons-in-law, had all been registered onto the clan genealogy by Xu Chuan.

"Although Jingwu possesses a mortal physique, in terms of martial dao aptitude, he is unparalleled in this world. Not only is his entire body forged with martial bones, but he also possesses the Heart of the Martial Ancestor, and between his brows rests an unformed Martial Dao Heavenly Eye."

When Xu Jingwu was born, two fate talents had appeared on the clan genealogy: [Martial Ancestor] and [Longevity Species].

[Martial Ancestor]: Those without peerless martial talent cannot bear this fate frame. The bearer shall open up new realms in the martial dao and become the founding ancestor of the martial dao.

[Longevity Species]: Every time lifespan is increased, an additional half of that lifespan increase is granted.

"A body entirely of martial bones, the Heart of the Martial Ancestor, and a Martial Dao Heavenly Eye?"

"Your father has Innate Divine Strength and innate eagle eyes, Dezhao possesses a Vitality Furnace, and Wenjing was born with martial bones along with Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. All three possess exceptionally outstanding martial dao talents.

Now that our providence has converged, it has fully manifested upon little Wu.

Our homeland is a Land of Imprisonment. Whenever a great tribulation approaches, individuals bearing great providence will be born.

Little Wu was likely born bearing the heavenly mandate of the martial dao. He could very well be the founding ancestor of the martial dao!

Not just him. Ye Fan is likely someone who carries great providence as well.

Over the next ten to twenty years, I estimate that quite a few similar individuals will be born."

"The founding ancestor of the martial dao? Wouldn't that make him the Martial Ancestor? Does little Wu truly have such a destiny?" Xu Deling's face was filled with utter shock. "Following the martial grandmaster realm, for over a thousand years, no one has ever truly walked down a path past it.

I haven't heard of anyone doing so here in the Southern Heaven Region either."

"Opening up the martial dao can reshape heaven and earth, potentially even sparking a conflict between immortals and martial artists in the future."

"Grandfather, what do you plan to do?"

"I will have little Wu leave the Xu family and grow up in the outside world. Once he opens the path of the martial dao and spreads his teachings to the world, we will figure out a way for him to fake his death and return to the clan.

This way, even if someone in our Xu family manages to break through boundaries in the martial dao, it will not attract any undue attention.

Doing this will also protect little Wu to the greatest extent possible.

Otherwise, when the great tribulation descends, even if he manages to consecutively open up two new realms and rival Golden Core stage cultivators, he would still just end up as rations for the demonic beasts."

"Regarding this matter, I have already had Moyue quietly return."

Xu Deling sighed softly. "Grandfather's considerations are thorough. Perhaps this is indeed the most fitting path for little Wu and for our Xu family."

"Let us put this matter aside for now. Do you still have any high-grade Qi-Merging Pills left?" Xu Chuan asked.

"Aside from the ones you gave me, Grandfather, my master has also gifted me some. However, the majority of them are mid-grade Qi-Merging Pills."

"I will give you another bottle. You may present the extra pills to your martial brothers. From what I can tell, none of them have reached Foundation Establishment perfection yet."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Before long, Perfected Person Fire Cloud returned and took Xu Deling away.

Xu Deling also shared with him that Xu Chuan had given her a high-grade Void Rushing Pill and a bottle of high-grade Qi-Merging Pills.

"This grandfather of yours is truly generous toward you. Even Golden Core aristocratic families wouldn't go around bestowing whole bottles at a time." He then looked at Xu Deling and chuckled. "These pills must have been refined by your grandfather himself, correct?"

Xu Deling did not hide the truth, replying, "My grandfather keeps a low profile, but he is a grandmaster of the Dao of Alchemy. If you have any pills you wish to have refined, Honored Master, feel free to bring the materials and seek him out.

Out of consideration for his granddaughter's face, my grandfather will definitely help you refine them.

He possesses two or three Tier-3 pill recipes. They seem to be meant for advancing cultivation, restoring mana, and healing injuries.

If you are ever in need, Honored Master, you can also approach my grandfather to discuss it."

"A grandmaster of the Dao of Alchemy? Tier-3 pill recipes? That is truly a surprise. Don't tell me the Azure Splendor Pill was refined by him as well?"

Xu Deling cupped her hands. "I wouldn't dare hide it from you, Honored Master. It was indeed him. However, I beg you to keep it a secret. Otherwise, our Xu family will inevitably face an impending catastrophe."

"Rest assured, how could your master be such a despicable person?

It's just that hearing you say this, I need to reconsider my relationship with your grandfather.

A Foundation Establishment grandmaster of the Dao of Alchemy is worthy enough for this old man to interact with him as an equal peer. If he were to step into the Golden Core stage, perhaps even I would have to beg him to refine pills for me."

Xu Deling smiled faintly. "When our Xu family becomes a Golden Core Aristocratic Family, you could simply become a guest elder of our family, Honored Master. That way, my grandfather definitely wouldn't be stingy with his pills.

The core members of our Xu family exclusively cultivate using high-grade pills. We almost never use inferior products."

"A guest elder?" Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his beard, pondering for a moment before chuckling. "We will discuss this matter later."

Perfected Person Fire Cloud felt that this matter was indeed worth considering.

If Xu Chuan's Dao of Alchemy was truly this formidable, combined with Xu Deling's future in the Dao of Artifacts, their potential was absolutely not to be underestimated. The prospect of them recruiting Golden Core stage cultivators was highly probable.

However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg regarding the Xu family.

Naturally, Xu Deling could not possibly reveal everything.

Xu Chuan had bestowed both the [Martial Ancestor] and [Longevity Species] fate talents onto Xu Jingwu.

As for the specific situation over in Great Wei, he was unaware. But judging by the progress of everyone's cultivation, things were generally stable.

At the Chen family of the Green Wood Sect.

After taking the Azure Splendor Pill he had brought back, Chen Changge's lifespan increased by thirty years, and two rays of golden radiance burst forth from his once murky eyes.

"Grandfather, your grandson struck an agreement with the Xu family this time. I received this Azure Splendor Pill in advance. Within half a month, we need to present a Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe to them."

That gray-robed man was the current patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Tianfang.

"I understand. Half a month from now, I will accompany you to visit them. As for this Spirit-Nourishing Pill, check if there are any high-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills left in the clan and offer it up."

"It just so happens that there is exactly one left."

"Good. I still need to make some adjustments to restore my peak condition. Come back in half a month. Also, compile a list of all the families that have humiliated our Chen family in the past.

Now that your grandfather is emerging from seclusion, after visiting the Xu family, I am going to pay them all a personal visit, one by one."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Chen Tianfang's face filled with overwhelming joy, and he immediately took his leave.

Half a month later.

At the Xu family.

Inside the main hall.

"Patriarch Xu, I am the patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Tianfang, and this is my grandfather, Chen Changge. We thank you deeply for your generosity the last time."

Xu Chuan cupped his hands. "It is a pleasure to meet the two Daoist friends. Regarding our previous matter, I must also thank Senior Fire Cloud for mediating."

After speaking, Chen Tianfang presented a Zitan wood box. "These are the items for the Azure Splendor Pill trade."

Xu Chuan opened it. Inside were a porcelain bottle and a page of pale yellow paper.

He examined them one by one, a look of surprise crossing his features. "A high-grade pill. The Chen family is truly thoughtful."

"The fact that Daoist friend Xu could identify it with just a single sniff shows that you must be an alchemist with profound mastery in the Dao of Alchemy."

"Daoist friend Changge praises me too highly. With this, our trade is successfully concluded. The Xu family will hand these items over to the consignor."

Chen Changge nodded slightly. "Strictly from the perspective of the trade, it is indeed over. However, I, Chen Changge, will remember this favor owed to your Xu family. If you ever need anything, you may come to the Chen family to find me.

Or, if anyone from your Xu family wishes to apprentice under the Green Wood Sect, our Chen family can offer some assistance.

This Chen still has some connections within the Green Wood Sect."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "In half a month, it will be the time for the three sects' once-in-a-decade disciple recruitment. A trial will be held then.

Those who stand out from the crowd will be absorbed into the three sects."

Chen Changge said, "That is true. But if the Xu family does not wish to participate in the trial, our Chen family has an inner sect disciple quota that we can gift to you."

"Grandfather, the Xu family only moved to Cloudstream Town a few years ago. Their population is thin, and they currently don't have any Qi Refining stage disciples," Chen Tianfang interjected.

"So it's actually like that."

Xu Chuan cupped his hands and chuckled. "Patriarch Chen's words are completely accurate. Therefore, our Xu family does not intend to participate in the upcoming three sects' trial. I deeply appreciate Daoist friend Changge's kind intentions.

However, there is indeed one matter that I would like to inquire about.

Specifically, this Heavenly God Fruit listed in the pill recipe... I have never heard of it before."

Chen Changge laughed. "As for whether the Heavenly God Fruit exists elsewhere, I do not know. But if Daoist friend Xu wishes to find it within the Heavenly Azure Sect's sphere of influence, your only option is to enter the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm.

The Heavenly Azure Secret Realm can only be entered by those below the Golden Core stage, and a person may only enter it a maximum of three times in their entire life.

Every time the disciples from the Heavenly Azure Sect and the Green Wood Sect enter, one of their main targets is the Heavenly God Fruit. The competition is incredibly fierce."

"The next opening will be in just half a year. The disciples of the various sects are currently fighting for the entry quotas. The Heavenly Azure Sect will also release twenty-one quotas to the seven cities of the Heavenly Azure Prefecture—three quotas per city, to be decided through public competition."

Chen Tianfang added.

"Has another sixty-year cycle really passed so quickly?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"A public competition? The secret realm quotas are so precious, why doesn't the Heavenly Azure Sect simply keep them all internally?" Xu Chuan asked.

Chen Changge chuckled softly. "This matter is linked to the opportunities hidden within the secret realm."

"The opportunities of the secret realm belong to those who are fated for them. At the very beginning, they naturally all went to the disciples of the Heavenly Azure Sect. But as time went on, their harvests grew smaller and smaller. Then, during a certain opening, they gifted some quotas to the other three sects.

The result was that disciples from all three sects managed to obtain opportunities from the secret realm.

The concept of 'fate' is incredibly wondrous.

Even a disciple hailing from a Foundation Establishment aristocratic family, if they manage to acquire a quota and enter, they might stumble upon greater opportunities than disciples from Golden Core aristocratic families, the three sects, or even the Heavenly Azure Sect."

"Daoist friend Xu, you are interested in the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm." An inexplicable expression surfaced at the corner of Chen Changge's lips.

"Who wouldn't want to enter a secret realm? It's a pity that it relies entirely on luck. After all, the competition across the seven cities is bound to be exceptionally fierce. I am not adept at slaughter and combat. With my meager skills, it would probably be very difficult to secure a quota."

Chen Changge did not say anything more on the subject.

Not long after, the two men took their leave.

"Grandfather, what do you think of the Xu family? Are they worth befriending?" Chen Tianfang asked.

"You are the patriarch now. Tell me your thoughts," Chen Changge replied calmly.

"Leaving aside the favor from the Azure Splendor Pill, the Xu family is developing at an extremely rapid pace, and they have the backing of Perfected Person Fire Cloud. Based on my investigations over the past period, there's a high probability that Cloudstream Town will belong to the Xu family in the future.

Of course, if they want to sit securely on that throne, the Xu family will still need to produce a Golden Core stage cultivator to oversee things.

Otherwise, they will only enjoy one or two centuries of glory."

"It seems you are in favor of establishing good relations with the Xu family."

"Yes."

Hearing this, the corners of Chen Changge's lips curled up slightly. "Then go ahead and do so. That man, Xu Chuan, is not simple. My innate spiritual perception is astonishingly sharp, capable of detecting hidden dangers.

The pressure Xu Chuan exerted on me was even a notch greater than what Feng Juechen gave me back in those days."

"How is that possible?!" Chen Tianfang cried out, staring at Chen Changge's face in disbelief. "Grandfather, you are a prodigy who has comprehended a sliver of divine ability power."

"A prodigy? If I were truly a prodigy, I wouldn't have sat in dry meditation for a full sixty years without making the slightest bit of progress." Chen Changge laughed in self-deprecation. "The step from comprehending the power of a divine ability to condensing a Divine Ability Seed is a heavenly chasm!

Xu Chuan appears approachable and easygoing, but in reality, his shrewdness runs incredibly deep. He is tactful and thoroughly meticulous. He has definitely comprehended the power of a divine ability as well. A person with his temperament will either do nothing at all or act only when he possesses absolute certainty."

"Does he have hope of achieving Divine Ability Core Formation?!"

"Anyone who comprehends the power of a divine ability during the Foundation Establishment stage has the hope of achieving Divine Ability Core Formation. But how many people can truly pull it off? Just keep this matter in your heart, do not breathe a word of it to anyone else.

If the Xu family later discovers that outsiders learned from our Chen family that Xu Chuan is walking the path of Divine Ability Core Formation, not only would we fail to befriend them, but we would end up offending them entirely."

"Your grandson understands." Chen Tianfang replied.

"In this world, it is either you crushing me or me crushing you. Think back to when the old ancestor of our Chen family successfully formed his core—who knows how many aristocratic families clamored to befriend us and forge marital alliances.

But when he suddenly fell, our Chen family immediately fell victim to covetous eyes and ruthless suppression."

As he spoke, a murderous aura leaked from between Chen Changge's brows. "Where to first?"

"The Mo family. The hands of the Mo family are stained with the blood of several members of our Chen family!" Fierce hostility surfaced in Chen Tianfang's eyes.

"Then to the Mo family we go!"

"It is quite a fortuitous coincidence. With my foundation, this single high-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pill will be enough. However, if Deling and the others wish to break past the limits of their Foundation Establishment divine sense, they will likely need to consume multiple high-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills simultaneously to stand a chance."

As for whether that method would work, Xu Chuan had no way of knowing.

Regardless, this pill was immensely beneficial to the Xu family.

That very day.

After ordering the trading company to gather the materials for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill, Xu Chuan entered seclusion in his quiet cultivation room.

He sat cross-legged on a futon, holding a green jade-colored high-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pill in his palm. Fine, dense patterns of light flowed across the surface of the pill, emanating wisps of pale, mist-like spiritual energy.

Xu Chuan took a deep breath and tossed the Spirit-Nourishing Pill into his mouth.

The pill melted the moment it entered his throat, transforming into a gentle, warm current that shot straight toward his glabella. The very second it submerged into his sea of consciousness, the initially calm expanse suddenly boiled over!

Wherever the warm current passed, his sluggish divine sense behaved like dead wood nourished by spring rain, beginning to proliferate madly.

Its volume expanded by thirty percent in a matter of moments, no longer existing in a loose mist-like state, but gradually condensing into translucent liquid drops.

'Here it comes!'

Xu Chuan clamped his eyes shut. Driven by the medicinal power of the Spirit-Nourishing Pill, the droplets of divine sense surged like a tidal wave, crashing violently against the barrier at the edge of his sea of consciousness.

During the first collision, the barrier flared with a pale white halo. The liquid drops shattered into countless tiny beads, and a tearing pain echoed from the very depths of his sea of consciousness.

The veins on Xu Chuan's forehead bulged prominently, and his knuckles turned white from how tightly he clenched them, but he gritted his teeth and refused to stop.

He could clearly sense that the barrier was far sturdier than he had anticipated, yet under the relentless crashing, a practically imperceptible crack had appeared.

Even if an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator reached Foundation Establishment perfection, it would be impossible for them to even touch the limits of their Foundation Establishment divine sense.

As for actually breaking through, it simply could not be done without a massive opportunity.

Such as a phenomenally rare divine sense technique, or a holy medicine that nourished and grew divine sense like the Spirit-Nourishing Pill.

Again and again, Xu Chuan battered against his divine sense bottleneck.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

"Break!"

Finally, amidst a deafening 'boom', the barrier of his sea of consciousness thoroughly shattered!

The fragments of the shattered barrier turned into a sky full of starlight dots, rapidly absorbed by his divine sense. As a result, Xu Chuan's divine sense swiftly swelled and underwent a qualitative metamorphosis.

Half a day later.

Xu Chuan slowly opened his eyes, a faint glimmer of golden light flashing between his brows.

He attempted to project his divine sense outward. Like invisible threads, his golden divine sense instantly pierced through the formations of his seclusion room, allowing him to perceive images from dozens of miles away.

He could even extend his divine sense nearly a hundred meters deep underground.

One had to understand that probing underground with divine sense encountered immense resistance, and the deeper one went, the greater the resistance became. In the past, his Foundation Establishment perfection divine sense could only reach down twenty or thirty meters at most.

A look of joy appeared on Xu Chuan's face. This breakthrough in his divine sense was highly beneficial for alchemy, comprehending the Withered Glory Divine Ability, spell fighting, and far more.

After coming out of seclusion.

He heard about the matters concerning the Chen family.

Several families, including the Mo family and the Mu clan, had been provoked at their very doors by the ancestor of the Chen family, Chen Changge.

The Foundation Establishment perfection experts from those clans were sequentially defeated at Chen Changge's hands.

The Mo family had even lost a Foundation Establishment perfection elder, who ended up dead.

Regarding Chen Changge's situation, they were largely aware of it, so they all speculated that the longevity pill that had appeared at the Xu Clan Trading Company's auction had been won by the Chen family.

After all, other than the Green Wood Sect and the Heavenly Azure Sect, only the Chen family possessed the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe.