Gu Changge immediately asked, "Senior Brother Sect Master, what is the harvest from this disciple recruitment ceremony?"
Xuanyangzi stroked his beard with a gentle smile.
"The aptitude of this batch is passable. There are three with low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude. If nurtured well, breaking through to the Celestial Realm won't be a big problem. With enough fortune, they might even have a shot at the King Realm. There are also a few with high-grade Spirit-tier aptitude, which is pretty good."
His tone carried a hint of satisfaction, clearly approving of the recruitment results.
Heaven-tier aptitude was as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in the Qingxuan Sect. Three low-grade Heaven-tier disciples were enough to prop up the facade of the next generation.
Gu Changge slightly raised an eyebrow, his Delusion-Shattering Divine Eye subconsciously sweeping over Xuanyangzi:
Name: Xuanyangzi
Identity: Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect
Aptitude: High-grade Heaven-tier
Physique: Blazing Sun Physique
Cultivation: Peak King Realm (Concealed at Grotto-Heaven Realm)
He then glanced at the Peak Master of Pill Cauldron Peak beside him, and a status panel instantly appeared:
Name: Li Muran
Identity: Peak Master of Pill Cauldron Peak, Qingxuan Sect
Aptitude: Mid-grade Heaven-tier
Physique: Medicine Spirit Physique
Cultivation: Mid King Realm (Concealed at Purple Mansion Realm)
The Law Enforcement Hall Elder's panel followed closely:
Name: Zhao Lie
Identity: Law Enforcement Hall Elder, Qingxuan Sect
Aptitude: Mid-grade Heaven-tier
Physique: Vajra Physique
Cultivation: Mid King Realm (Concealed at Grotto-Heaven Realm)
...
Gu Changge understood in his heart. This group of old geezers were indeed all sneaky old foxes; their apparent cultivation levels were actually more than a major realm lower than their true realms.
It seemed that the Qingxuan Sect's ability to establish a foothold in Xuanzhou relied on much more than its superficial strength.
"It is indeed better than previous years."
Gu Changge withdrew his Divine Eye, his tone flat, as if he had just cast a casual glance.
Xuanyangzi did not notice anything unusual and let his gaze fall on Xiao Ruobai.
He said warmly, "Junior Brother Gu, although this child looks frail, to be able to catch your eye, he must have some extraordinary qualities."
"The Sect Tournament is in half a year. Why not let him participate as well? Interacting more with fellow disciples is always better than being cooped up on Purple Bamboo Peak."
Gu Changge glanced at Xiao Ruobai, seeing him with his head lowered in a timid manner, and a faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.
"We will talk about it later. Let us see if he can even draw Qi into his body by then."
Xuanyangzi laughed heartily, "Alright, I will not force it. Then we will not disturb you any longer."
The several Peak Masters exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning and leaving Purple Bamboo Peak.
Once they were far away, Xiao Ruobai finally straightened up and looked at Gu Changge. "Master, they..."
"They are all old foxes," Gu Changge stretched lazily.
"Low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude is a treasure in their eyes, but in front of your War God Physique, it is not worth mentioning."
He lightly kicked Xiao Ruobai's calf. "Go cultivate."
Xiao Ruobai quickly complied and turned to dash into the bamboo forest.
For the next month, life on Purple Bamboo Peak was peaceful and fulfilling.
Xiao Ruobai immersed himself daily in the cultivation of the War God Tome. The dense spiritual energy of Purple Bamboo Peak followed him like a shadow, and the residual medicinal power of the Nine-Revolution Golden Pill was slowly released.
Coupled with his deliberate polishing of his foundation, his cultivation in the Body Tempering Realm grew increasingly profound day by day.
The Body Tempering Realm had reached its absolute peak.
Early this morning, Xiao Ruobai circulated the final body-refining method of the War God Tome. Golden battle aura surged through his body like a rushing river, violently breaking through an invisible barrier.
Warmth surged in his dantian, and the spiritual energy liquefied, circulating endlessly through his meridians. He had naturally broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm!
"It is done."
Gu Changge had appeared at the edge of the bamboo clearing at some unknown time. Seeing the Foundation Establishment Realm spiritual energy flowing within him, a trace of approval flashed in his eyes.
This speed was three days faster than he had initially anticipated.
Xiao Ruobai stopped his practice and stood up, feeling incredibly light all over. Every movement carried fluctuations of spiritual energy. He could not help but say, "Master, I..."
Before he could finish, a crisp female voice came from the foot of Purple Bamboo Peak: "Is Martial Uncle Gu here? Disciple Shen Jinghong, on the orders of the Sect Master, has come to deliver some medicinal pills."
Gu Changge raised an eyebrow. The name sounded somewhat familiar—she was exactly one of the three with low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude that Xuanyangzi had mentioned.
Xiao Ruobai subconsciously circulated the Can't See Through Me technique, and his aura instantly reverted to that frail appearance.
A moment later, a young girl in a green dress walked into the bamboo clearing.
As soon as she stepped into the perimeter of Purple Bamboo Peak, Shen Jinghong felt a vigorous wave of spiritual energy rush at her face, dozens of times denser than the sect's martial arts arena.
It even carried wisps of a warm, nourishing aura that drilled into her body through her pores.
The originally solid barrier of her seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm actually showed faint signs of loosening.
"Such dense spiritual energy..."
Shen Jinghong's heart trembled, and her footsteps paused subconsciously.
No wonder during the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony, her Master, the Sect Master, looked toward Purple Bamboo Peak and sighed softly, "It is a pity she did not become a disciple of Purple Bamboo Peak."
She had asked for the reason then, but her Master only shook his head.
Presumably, the "pity" her Master spoke of referred to this kind of treasured cultivation land, right?
This time, she deliberately snatched the errand of delivering the sect's monthly pills because she wanted to see with her own eyes exactly what was so different about this Purple Bamboo Peak.
Standing in the center of the bamboo clearing now, Shen Jinghong had a straight posture, with a bit of pride between her brows.
Her green dress trailed on the ground, the jade pendant at her waist swaying gently with her movements. The morning light fell on her face, reflecting a bit of rebelliousness.
Her gaze swept openly around the surroundings, finally landing on Xiao Ruobai with undisguised scrutiny.
This young man had a pale face and timid eyes. Standing next to Martial Uncle Gu, he looked like a wild weed swaying in the wind, truly showing not the slightest bit of anything extraordinary.
Gu Changge's Delusion-Shattering Divine Eye had already seen right through her background:
[Name: Shen Jinghong]
[Identity: Inner Disciple of Qingxuan Sect]
[Aptitude: High-grade Heaven-tier]
[Physique: Jinghong Sword Physique]
[Cultivation: Seventh Level of the Body Tempering Realm]
Looking at the "High-grade Heaven-tier" on the panel, the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.
That old fox Xuanyangzi indeed had this kind of style—he actually claimed outwardly that a high-grade Heaven-tier aptitude was only low-grade Heaven-tier. He was probably trying to hide it, waiting to catch the other sects off guard at a crucial moment.
With the Jinghong Sword Physique paired with a high-grade Heaven-tier aptitude, this girl's potential was stronger than all three of the "low-grade Heaven-tier" disciples Xuanyangzi had mentioned combined.
"Martial Uncle Gu." Shen Jinghong withdrew her gaze, cupped her hands toward Gu Changge, her voice crisp as jade striking against jade.
"Disciple came today, firstly, to deliver the monthly allowance of medicinal pills distributed by the sect, and secondly, to ask Martial Uncle a question."
Gu Changge leaned back in his bamboo chair, twirling a spirit fruit at his fingertips. "Speak."
"At the disciple recruitment ceremony, the Sect Master originally wanted you to take me as your disciple, yet you ultimately chose this junior brother."
Shen Jinghong looked straight at him, her eyes full of inquiry.
"Disciple believes my aptitude is not bad, and my talent in the Sword Dao is outstanding among my peers. I would like to ask Martial Uncle, why did you refuse to take me as your disciple?"
She paused, then added, "Disciple is not questioning Martial Uncle's decision, but this matter has been lingering in my mind for a month, and I truly cannot figure it out. I volunteered to deliver the pills this time just so I could ask you in person."
These words were direct and magnanimous, making even Xiao Ruobai freeze slightly upon hearing them—so she had come specifically for this matter.
Gu Changge looked at her open and honest gaze, and said slowly, "You want to know? It is actually very simple."
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
ive and Ruthless] Before his transmigration, Ye Xuan was playing a game called "Severing Emotions to Attain the Dao." The game's core wasn't about leveling up by fighting monsters, but about conquering various "bad women" with wicked personalities and cold, fickle natures. There was only one method to conquer them: stay unwaveringly by their side, then die at a critical moment, driving them to madness after losing the protagonist. The higher their level of regret, the higher the player's score. To dominate the server, Ye Xuan conquered all the bad women. In the early stages, he showered them with boundless tenderness, only to choose to sacrifice himself for them later, making them weep bitterly and drown in regret. Among them were: Xia Lengyue, the unfaithful immortal wife who chased after powerful men and discarded her husband like trash. Ye Qingcheng, the Demonic Venerable of the Joyous Union Sect, who appeared pure and innocent but was, in reality, promiscuous. Wu Lingxiao, the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty, who lusted after men and loved maintaining a harem. Bai Qiangu of the Endless Demonic Sect: a bloodthirsty mass murderer. However, when the protagonist transmigrated into the game world, he made a horrifying discovery. Eight hundred years had already passed. The bad women he had conquered had now each become deities and revered ancestors. Faced with the endless stream of toxic women coming for him, Ye Xuan could only rely on his god-tier acting skills to carve a path of survival through this world of treacherous women.
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
