Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Ziyang Mountains.

The disciples of Zi Yang Sect will never forget their experiences of the past seven days.

Seven days ago, they were disciples of the largest sect in Qi State. Although they were in constant conflict with Lingyun Sect, Tiangang Sword Sect, and Mingyin Valley, they did not have to worry about cultivation resources. They still had disciples from Wanshou Mountain and Guiyuan Sect to command, and were highly respected by the independent cultivators.

Even the foundation-building cultivators with higher cultivation levels did not dare to show their authority as seniors in front of them. All they were greeted with was a gentle smile.

But now, everything has changed.

Overnight, the Zi Yang Sect collapsed.

The sect protection formation collapsed inexplicably, and the elders above the middle stage of Jindan died silently. As soon as they rushed out of the cave, they saw the monks of Lingyun Sect flying over.

They had also fought hard. After all, the number of the invading Lingyun sect monks was not large, so there was still hope of winning.

But Jin Luoheng and Zhuge Qi, two famous late Jindan cultivators in Qi State, and Chen Yuan, who was said to have cut off the arm of the Grand Elder, made everyone lose the will to fight.

All the Jindan elders were killed in the battle, more than half of the 500 foundation-building cultivators died, and the Qi-refining disciples dared not resist anymore and returned to their caves obediently.

They don't want to die. They are extremely talented and have just embarked on the path of cultivation. They have extraordinary potential.

Fortunately, the Lingyun Sect did not kill them all. Not only the Qi Refining disciples, but even the Foundation Establishment cultivators all survived as long as they chose to surrender.

But they could not stay in the Ziyang Mountains, and under the escort of the monks of Lingyun Sect, they boarded a huge boat flying to Lingyun Sect.

Among them were two giant magic boats, which were obtained from the hands of the Jindan elders of Zi Yang Sect and the treasure house.

Chen Yuan stood on the top of Ziyang Peak, looking at the three huge boats going away, and asked, "Are these the last batch of Ziyang Sect disciples?"

Zhuge Qi replied, "That's right. After conquering Ziyang Sect, Elder Su and Elder Wang worked day and night, going back and forth more than ten times, and finally escorted all the surviving Ziyang Sect monks back to the sect."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "Well done, the Qi-refining disciples of Ziyang Sect have not been here for long and have good talent. It would be best to allow them to join our sect. We should not treat them roughly, but we should not be too gentle with them either."

"First, throw them into the spiritual stone mines to mine spiritual stones and monitor them at all times. If they complain, they will be killed immediately."

"Elder Wu, I'll leave this matter to you. Those who perform well will be given preferential treatment, but you should decide the right measure."

"Yes." Wu Zexian bowed in response.

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, and then said: "The other foundation-building cultivators have high cultivation bases, so they should be detained for the time being to avoid chaos."

"Elder Dai, there must be some people who are not satisfied with their lives. Please find those who have been oppressed. If they are willing to join our sect, they can be accepted into our sect and treated the same as our disciples."

Dai Qing's eyes flashed with joy, and he bowed deeply: "Senior... Grand Elder, I will never forget your kindness!"

"You two should return to the mountain gate now and complete this task as soon as possible. It will require a lot of manpower to guard the disciples of Ziyang Sect."

The two men responded in unison, rode their lights, caught up with the giant boat, and disappeared into the horizon.

Feng Ziyu's eyes fell on Dai Qing, his brows furrowed, and he clasped his fists and said, "Grand Elder, our sect has just destroyed the Ziyang Sect, isn't it a bit too hasty to allow the Ziyang Sect's disciples to join the sect?"

Chen Yuan said calmly: "Elder Feng is worrying too much. Du Qing and Du Kun are dead, and the Ziyang Sect has vanished into thin air. How many people are willing to be buried with it?"

"Cultivators are naturally cold-hearted and only care about immortality. As long as our sect treats everyone equally, those Ziyang Sect disciples will not make trouble out of nothing. Even if there are a few who have ill intentions, it will be difficult for them to succeed."

Zhuge Qi echoed, "What the Grand Elder said is absolutely right. With Dai Qing's pearl and jade in front of us, our sect has spent thousands of gold to buy bones, and even the cultivators in the middle stage of the Jindan stage can be pardoned. Those foundation-building disciples should not be too resistant."

Feng Ziyu's expression eased a little, but he still had some concerns: "But after all, the Ziyang Sect and our sect have been enemies for a long time. If we are not prepared..."

Chen Yuan said: "Elder Feng is mature and prudent. We must be on guard. These Ziyang Sect cultivators cannot form infants."

Feng Ziyu breathed a sigh of relief: "The Grand Elder is wise."

Chen Yuan smiled and looked at Zhuge Qi: "Have the Ziyang Sect's spiritual medicine garden, treasure house, scripture pavilion, weapon refining hall, talisman making pavilion, and alchemy pavilion been searched and plundered?"

Zhuge Qi replied: "All the cultivation resources of Ziyang Sect have been collected and counted. The number is extremely huge."

"The storage bag I brought from the mountain gate doesn't have enough space, so I have to seal it up and put it in a box like ordinary people."

"Ninety percent of them were transported back to the mountain gate, and the remaining ten percent was left behind."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly. There will be dozens of Lingyun Sect cultivators stationed in the Ziyang Mountains. After the situation in Qi State's immortal cultivation world stabilizes, more disciples will come here to use this medium-sized spiritual vein to practice.

He said calmly: "The destruction of the Ziyang Sect has made the whole sect rejoice. We cannot be stingy. The cultivation resources seized from the Ziyang Sect are so huge that 50% will be returned to the treasury."

"The other 50% will be used to double the annual allowance for everyone from Jindan elders to Qi refining disciples. Those who have made outstanding contributions will receive additional rewards."

Everyone showed joy on their faces, clasped their fists and bowed, praising him.

Chen Yuan did not comment. After everyone stopped, he said to Jin Luoheng, "The Ziyang Mountain Range is a long way from the mountain gate. Master, please stay here. Ziyang Market and Lingdang Mountain will also be under your control."

"Leave it to me, Master."

Chen Yuan looked at Zhuge Qi again and said, "I will be away from the sect for a few days. All matters of the sect, big or small, will be handled by Elder Zhuge."

Zhuge Qi said solemnly: "I will definitely live up to the trust of the Grand Elder."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly, and without any delay, he rode on the light and flew towards the south. His speed was so fast that he soon disappeared without a trace.

Zhuge Qi retracted his gaze, looked at Jin Luoheng, and said with a smile: "Junior Brother Jin, how many elders do you need?"

"Four people will be enough..." Jin Luoheng said the names of four Jindan elders.

Zhuge Qi nodded and led the remaining few Jindan cultivators back to the mountain gate.

For the first time in tens of thousands of years, the Ziyang Mountains became so quiet.

……

Chen Yuan left the Zi Yang Mountains and flew all the way to the south of the Huan Yue Mountains, where the ancient teleportation array was located.

This place is barren and desolate, with few people going. The illusion array covers the entrance to the teleportation cave. Sun Congyao is meditating and practicing in the cave and does not notice Chen Yuan's arrival.

Chen Yuan took the initiative to reveal his figure and no longer concealed his breath. Sun Congyao suddenly woke up, rushed out of the cave and flew into the sky.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Brother, there is no need to be so alert."

Sun Congyao said seriously: "Junior brother entrusted this matter to me, so I must do my best. I never let my guard down when I meditate and practice. How can you have the time to come here? Come into the mansion and have a chat."

Chen Yuan nodded, descended from the escaping light, and followed Sun Congyao into the cave.

The two men sat down. Sun Congyao asked about the Lingyun Sect. Chen Yuan told him about entering the Demon Realm, Xuan Yuanzi's death, and the destruction of the Ziyang Sect.

Sun Congyao was stunned, and it took him a long while to come back to his senses. He was amazed: "I have only been away from the sect for a few years, and so many major events have happened in the sect. It's a pity that I have not been able to contribute to the sect..." A trace of unwillingness flashed across his face. Chen Yuan comforted him: "Brother, don't blame yourself. This formation is of vital importance. Senior brother, guarding the formation well is the greatest contribution to the sect."

Sun Congyao smiled bitterly: "Brother, please don't comfort me. Most of this formation has been destroyed. What use is it?"

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "Although the formation is destroyed, it can be repaired. Then, Senior Brother will know the use of this formation."

Sun Congyao's expression finally looked better and he stopped asking questions. The two chatted for a while. Chen Yuan told him to guard the formation well before saying goodbye and leaving.

……

Chu State, Shaoyue Mountains.

A beam of light landed on Yingke Peak, revealing the figure of an old man.

He walked quickly into the attic on the top of the mountain. A foundation-building disciple came up to him and bowed quickly, "Master, great-grandfather..."

"Where is Fellow Daoist Chen?" the old man interrupted him.

"It's in a quiet room on the third floor. Master Ruan will be there in person."

"Lead the way."

The foundation-building disciple did not dare to delay and immediately led the old man to a quiet room on the third floor.

In the quiet room, a young monk was sitting at a square table, sipping tea.

A middle-aged monk stood aside, with his hands hanging down, looking very respectful.

When he saw the old man coming, he felt relieved and immediately came forward to greet him, clasping his fists and bowing: "Uncle Zhang..."

The old man nodded slightly, walked to the young monk, clasped his fists and bowed: "Fellow Daoist Chen, you have come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you in person. Please forgive me."

The young monk put down his teacup and looked up. It was Chen Yuan.

He smiled slightly and returned the greeting, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are too kind. I am sorry to bother you by coming here uninvited."

Elder Zhang smiled and waved to the middle-aged monk. The middle-aged monk understood, bowed respectfully to Chen Yuan, bowed and retreated, closing the door of the quiet room.

Elder Zhang lifted his lapel and sat down opposite Chen Yuan, looking apologetic: "According to the agreement between our sect and Fellow Daoist Chen, you have to give up that treasure in exchange for the eighth-level demon pill and the body-tempering spiritual herbs."

"Logically speaking, the thousand-year-old spiritual herb from our sect should be delivered to Lingyun Sect in person."

"But fellow Daoist, you also know that our sect suffered heavy losses in the Demon Realm, and Senior Brother Gu... Well, our sect is in urgent need of recuperation, so I troubled you to make this trip..."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "It's okay, it's just a few days of travel, it's nothing."

Elder Zhang smiled and said, "Knowing that you are coming to visit me, I have already picked the Yunluo grass from the spiritual medicine garden. Please take a look."

After saying that, he raised his sleeve and a wooden box appeared on the table out of thin air.

Chen Yuan opened the wooden box, inside of which was a white spiritual herb with four leaves and a strong spiritual energy.

He spread out his spiritual sense, carefully checked it, and nodded slightly: "If I am not mistaken, this Yunluo grass is at least 1,500 years old. This transaction is a bargain for me."

The effect of Yunluo grass in tempering the body is much inferior to that of other thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, but its advantage is that the medicinal power is mild and easy to absorb.

Elder Zhang smiled and said, "If it weren't for you, Daoyou, who saved the day, it would be hard to say whether the Demon Realm could be wiped out. All the sects in Donghuazhou owe you a favor."

"I just happened to be there and I am brave. If it weren't for your sect's relic, I would have died in the hands of the Demon Lord..." Chen Yuan closed the lid of the box. "I wonder how the injury of Sect Master Xuan is, has it improved?"

Elder Zhang sighed softly: "The master's injuries have been contained, but he still needs to recuperate for several years before he can fully recover. Fortunately, his essence is intact, so his cultivation will not be affected."

Chen Yuan put the wooden box into the mustard seed ring, thought for a moment, and said, "To be honest, I have something to ask for an audience with Sect Leader Daoxuan. Is it convenient?"

Elder Zhang was a little surprised: "Fellow Daoist Chen, if you have anything important to say, please speak up. The headmaster is currently recuperating from his injuries, so it may be inconvenient for him."

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Your sect is inherited from the ancient Taixuan Sect. The secret realm of Dongxu Mountain in Qi State seems to be related to Taixuan Sect."

"I would like to ask Sect Master Daoxuan what is the origin of the Taixuan Sect and what is its relationship with the secret realm of Dongxu Mountain."

Elder Zhang suddenly realized, "So you are interested in the secret realm of Dongxu Mountain. You don't need to ask the headmaster about this matter. I can answer it for you."

"Oh? Please give me some advice, fellow Taoist."

Elder Zhang said: "The secret realm of Dongxu Mountain is a spiritual medicine garden opened up by Taixuan Sect, but unfortunately it is blocked by a large formation and cannot be entered."

"Your sect and several other sects in Qi can send Qi-refining disciples into the formation through loopholes, but that's all."

"Fellow Daoist, you should know that our sect, Jiangxian Mountain, Zhiyuan Sect, and Baihe Sect have all tried to seize the secret realm of Dongxu Mountain, but all failed."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "I have heard about this matter, but I have always been puzzled. Even if the four major Xuan Sects join forces, they can't break the protective formation?"

Elder Zhang said, "It is not difficult to break the protective formation. Junior Brother Zhou is confident."

“But if we forcefully break the formation, the Dongxu Mountain Secret Realm will collapse, and all the large spiritual veins and spiritual medicine gardens will be reduced to ashes. The loss will outweigh the gain.”

"Fellow Daoist, please don't set your sights on the secret realm of Dongxu Mountain, otherwise it will be a waste of effort."

Chen Yuan was slightly stunned, and smiled bitterly: "It seems that Chen is wishful thinking... But I still want to know what the origin of this Taixuan Sect is, why it disappeared, and whether there are any classics left."

"In the future, we will send disciples to the secret realm of Dongxu Mountain to find more spiritual herbs and treasures."

Elder Zhang frowned and said, "Only the head of the sect knows about the affairs of the Taixuan Sect. I don't know much, so I'm afraid I can't help you."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "No problem. I will come to visit you again when Sect Leader Daoxuan recovers from his injury."

Elder Zhang nodded, his eyes suddenly gleaming, "Wait a minute, there is another person whose understanding of Taixuan Sect is no less than that of the Sect Master."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up: "Please help me solve this doubt."

Elder Zhang explained: "Daoyou also know that the formation that sealed the Demon Realm was set up by the ancient major sects, and the leader among them was Taixuan Sect."

"In order to curb the expansion of the Demon Realm, the head master handed over all the classics related to the Taixuan Sect to Junior Brother Zhou and asked him to set up a large formation."

"Junior Brother Zhou's understanding of the Taixuan Sect is no less than that of the Sect Master."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up: "Could you please give me some advice, Brother Zhou?"

Elder Zhang smiled and said, "Leave this matter to me. Fellow Daoist Chen spared Bai Yanji's life and asked him to join forces with Fellow Daoist Shen to destroy the Mountain of Ten Thousand Beasts. He also gave him a lot of benefits. Junior Brother Zhou owes you a favor, so he will definitely not refuse."

Chen Yuan clasped his fists and bowed: "Then I'll have to trouble you, fellow Taoist." (End of this chapter)