Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 276 Gathering at Qingyun, a shocking secret, an opportunity lies in the east?

"Junior Uncle has been out for a long time."

"Yes, I've been traveling for almost two years."

The female disciple was slightly taken aback. Was I hard of hearing, or had her junior uncle misspoke?

It should be twenty years.

Two years?

Just go into seclusion and it will pass, right?
At this moment, True Lord Lieyang said, "Everyone, get on the teleportation platform and set off for Qingyun City!"

"Yes, True Lord!"

Qingyun City.

Many aristocratic families take pride in practicing swordsmanship, and many of them are cultivators who practice sword techniques.

They all wanted to join the Qingyun Sect.

The top sword cultivators of Tiannan all come from Qingyun, and their combat power is unparalleled.

The top spot in the previous Heavenly Pride Gathering was held by a disciple of the Qingyun Sect.

Therefore, this grand gathering of prodigies was held in Qingyun City.

Five areas have already been designated in the city for those from the five regions who will participate in the Heavenly Pride Gathering to reside in.

"Baiyi Luoyu is a prodigy of the Yuhua Sect. I've heard that they have very few disciples, but all of them are prodigies. I have a friend who is a rogue cultivator in the central region who said this."

Of the seventy-two prodigies in the Central Region this time, the top seven were all disciples of the Feathered Ascension Sect, and were known as the "Seven Ascension Sons".

Last time, the Qingyun Sect took the top spot, but this time they seem determined to wash away the shame.

"The top seven geniuses are all?! No way, there are quite a few powerful Nascent Soul forces in the central region, and their top talents don't even make it into the top seven?"

“Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but few members of the Feathered Ascension Sect venture out, and those who do are sure to become extraordinary talents.”

"What an eye-catching bald head!"

"Shh, be careful what you say. That's a disciple of Leiyin Temple. He's extremely skilled at subduing demons and suppressing evil. Be careful not to get captured and taken away for 're-education'."

Leiyin Temple is located in the western part of Tiannan.

His disciple, dressed in yellow robes and wearing a beaded necklace, walked with his hands clasped together, chanting softly as he went.

The Golden Core Elders, on the other hand, wore kasaya robes and mostly had kind and benevolent faces.

Because of Leiyin Temple, there are many temples and monasteries in the area, where ascetic practices are practiced.

"Look, it's people from the Heavenly Forging Sect!"

"Then the one leading must be the 'Phoenix Celestial Maiden,' the top genius hidden away by the Heavenly Forging Sect. She almost won the title of the seventy-two geniuses."

She was only slightly inferior to Lu Qingxue, the "Sword Immortal of Qingyun" from the Qingyun Sect.

"Tsk tsk, being overpowered by two female cultivators, what face do those proud male cultivators have left!"

"Judging from the smile on your lips, I think you're quite pleased, fellow Daoist."

"Haha, the Phoenix Celestial Maiden is majestic and inviolable, and the Azure Cloud Sword Immortal is cold as ice with sword energy soaring to the sky. They are both so adorable."

If anyone could say a word to them, they'd be so happy they'd die on the spot.

The person who heard this twitched slightly at the corner of their mouth.

So this guy's a pervert. It's best to keep your distance!
But at this time.

Upon seeing a figure ahead, Xu Deling instantly transformed into a streak of light and flashed to the person's side.

The man was about to enter a pill shop when he saw someone arrive in an instant. He turned around and looked at them with a look of astonishment on his face.

Looking at the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar fairy before him, the man smiled faintly, "Ling'er, I never expected to meet you here."

Something's different now; there's an added air of unapproachability.

Xu Chuan was naturally aware of the changes; that aura was emanating from the Flame Phoenix Spirit Body and the Flame Phoenix Spirit Eyes.

He reached out and patted her head: "You've suffered a lot, haven't you?"

"No."

Upon witnessing this scene, the disciples of the Heavenly Forging Sect and a group of onlookers were all dumbfounded.

Is this still the aloof "Phoenix Celestial Maiden"?!

"My goddess." The old man felt a tear break in his heart.

"There are too many people here, let's go to the sect's headquarters to chat."

"Zongmen?"

"I'll explain this to you in detail later."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, glanced at Xu Deling, then at the group of people not far away, and seemed to be deep in thought.

The residence of the Tianzhu Sect within Qingyun City.

"You must be Ling'er's grandfather," Yan Longzi suddenly said.

Even though he didn't exude any aura, Xu Chuan knew that the other party was most likely a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, so he immediately cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, senior."

Only Xu Chuan, Xu Deling, Yan Longzi, and Lieyang Zhenjun were present.

Lord Lieyang was slightly taken aback.

Such a young grandfather?
Could it be that you also took the Youth Preservation Pill?
“Grandfather, this is my second master, one of the Nascent Soul Grand Elders of the Heavenly Forging Sect, Yan Longzi.”

"Second Master?"

"Hehe, Grandfather, I have recently taken two new masters, namely the two Nascent Soul Grand Elders of the Heavenly Forging Sect, the Grand Master Zhenyangzi, who is in the mid-Nascent Soul stage."

He is currently the top weapon-refining master in Tiannan, capable of refining nine-patterned magic weapons!

Master Yanlongzi is at the early stage of Nascent Soul, skilled in combat, and possesses the True Spirit Flame Dragon bloodline. I also have a trace of the True Spirit Flame Phoenix bloodline within me.

Therefore, he became my master, teaching me how to utilize the power of my bloodline.

"Ling girl, you really have no manners, revealing all my secrets."

"Please forgive me, Second Master, I have never hidden anything from my grandfather."

"Never mind." Yan Longzi waved his hand and looked Xu Chuan up and down. "Your foundation is not weak. You've also come to compete for the Heavenly Pride Ranking."

"You flatter me, senior. My old arms and legs are too weak. Let the young people do it. I'm just here to watch their competition and broaden my horizons."

Yanlongzi was taken aback. "This is the first time I've ever heard of someone who has lived for less than sixty years calling themselves that."

"Your arms are already so old, then what about me? I've lived for over eight hundred years, am I some kind of immortal old man who crawled out of his grave?"

"Second Master, don't take it too seriously. My grandfather just likes to joke."

"Your heart is truly biased to an extreme." Yan Longzi glanced at him. "All the effort I've put into teaching you these past few months has been for nothing."

Xu Deling smiled faintly, then asked, "By the way, Fifth Uncle, did Deyue and Ye Fan pass the preliminary selection?"

"That's for sure. They've also had some great opportunities and have improved a lot in the last two years. Don't be surprised when you see them."

"If Grandfather says so, it seems there is hope that we can leave our names on the list of geniuses."

Yan Longzi chuckled and said, "It's not that easy to get on the Heavenly Pride Ranking. Do you know how many Nascent Soul forces participate in the Heavenly Pride Gathering every time?"

The Prodigy Ranking has only 108 spots, with dozens of Nascent Soul forces and five top Nascent Soul forces. The competition is extremely fierce, with only the top one or two disciples from each Nascent Soul force having a chance.

There may be a few more top-tier Nascent Soul cultivators.

You must be from the north or south of the country. In the previous competition, only three people from the Xuan Yue Sect made it onto the Prodigy Ranking. The best result was only ninth place. The other two were in the middle and at the back.

Of the seventy-two prodigies in the entire Northwest, only twelve made the list, less than half the number compared to the prodigies from the other regions.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior." Xu Chuan bowed respectfully.

Xu Deling said, "How about this, Second Master, let's make a bet. If anyone from my Xu family besides me makes the list, then you can give me a second-tier spiritual vein, how about that?"

"You brat, you're really generous. Second-tier spiritual veins may not seem like much, but they are the foundation of a power, so naturally the more the better. Do you think you can just give them away like that?"

"Stingy," Xu Deling said, pouting.

"Fine, even if I'm willing to gamble, what equivalent thing can the Xu family offer?"

Just as Xu Deling was about to say something, Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said, "Not long ago, my Xu family received a reward from the Tiancang Sect and also has a second-tier spiritual vein. I am willing to use this as a wager."

"Very well, then I shall see what other figures your Xu family has. A mere Foundation Establishment family, do you really think you can rival a Nascent Soul power?"

Xu Chuan smiled slightly, "Senior, just wait and see."

Xu Chuan then took his leave.

Xu Deling also wanted to see Xu Mingxian and the others, so he told Yan Longzi and went out with Xu Chuan.

"It seems that Ling'er's heart is still with the family. In order to keep her here for good, Lieyang, I can only ask you to make this sacrifice."

"Disciple understands. Deling possesses great fortune and has a very good chance of reaching the Nascent Soul stage in the future. In addition, her potential in weapon crafting is also expected to surpass that of Master Zhenyangzi."

He is the one who can bring my Heavenly Forging Sect back to its peak.

I am willing to be her protector.

"Yes, but don't worry, the sect will not treat you unfairly and will still fully support you in forming your Nascent Soul."

Everything else about reaching the Nascent Soul stage is relatively easy, but the most difficult hurdle is overcoming the inner demons.

Unfortunately, the Duerdan is now extremely rare, having only appeared at an auction in the East a few hundred years ago.

With its help, you will have a 20% chance of achieving Nascent Soul status.

"Having come this far, regardless of the success rate, this disciple must give it a try, even if it means my death."

The seat of Tiancang Prefecture.

Xu Mingxian and the others were naturally overjoyed to see Xu Deling.

Xu Deling spoke of how he joined the Tianzhu Sect, became the top Foundation Establishment cultivator, and is now the second most outstanding talent in southern Tiannan, with a hint of pride on his face.

The competition among the elite in the south differs from that in the northwest; it is a battle fought solely on individual strength.

"Sister Ling, your father-in-law is now the top genius in the Northwest in name only," Ye Fan said with a smile.

"Huh?" Xu Deling was shocked.

Ye Fan then recounted the rules for the competition among the geniuses of the Northwest, as well as his encounter in the secret realm.

"While I was away from the Xu family, you actually killed three ancient demons!"

Xu Deling sighed, "Even an ancient demon with only a wisp of divine consciousness is so troublesome. If an ancient demon with a physical body were to appear in the world one day, how would we deal with it?"

Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would likely have to show him considerable respect.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "We'll talk about the future another day. The Ancient Demon is both a crisis and an opportunity. Last time, I obtained a top-notch body-refining technique. Although it was only half of it, it was truly extraordinary."

Otherwise, Ye Fan has little hope of obtaining a spot among the prodigies.

Xu Deling was both amused and exasperated. "Grandfather, participating in the Heavenly Pride Ranking competition at the mid-stage of the eighth level of Foundation Establishment is unprecedented."

I bet Ye Fan will definitely top the list if he participates in the next Heavenly Pride Ranking.

Ye Fan chuckled and said, "Then forget it, I don't want to wait that long at the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

"By the way, Deling, now that you've joined the Heavenly Forging Sect, you must know more about the Heavenly Pride Ranking. Why do all the major powers go to such lengths to get their disciples into the Heavenly Pride Ranking?"

Xu Deling put away his smile and said seriously, "This granddaughter did indeed ask the two masters, and it seems that the Heavenly Pride Ranking is an extremely powerful ancient grotto-heaven spiritual treasure."

In ancient times, those who made it onto the list of prodigies could enter the inner grotto-heavens to obtain opportunities.

It now appears to be dilapidated, and the grotto cannot be opened by external force.

"Are all these forces after the opportunity inside?" Xu Chuan pondered.

"That's right. The reason for holding the Gathering of Prodigies is that some of the top prodigies on the list might have the opportunity to enter and obtain the items inside."

Master Zhenyangzi once said that all those who had entered the cave, without exception, later reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

The most recent one is the patriarch of the Xuan Yue Sect.

This has nothing to do with the rankings on the list; it seems to be related to luck.

Master Zhenyang speculated that reviving the spirits of the artifacts on the Prodigy Ranking would require an immense amount of luck.

"This is truly a shocking secret. Joining a powerful force is great, but..." Ye Fan hesitated, "Sister Ling, if you join the Heavenly Forging Sect, will you still be able to return to the Xu family in the future?"

Xu Deling smiled faintly, "Don't worry, do you think I'm someone who has betrayed my family? Back then, in order to get me to join the Tianzhu Sect, Master Zhenyangzi personally promised to establish a branch of the Tianzhu Sect for me in Tiancang Prefecture."

"Once I advance to the Golden Core stage, I'll become the sect leader. Until then, a Golden Core Perfection expert will temporarily manage things; I suspect it will be True Monarch Lieyang, who came with us this time."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan found it unbelievable and believed that there was some ulterior motive behind it.

Xu Mingxian and others felt the same way.

“Grandfather, I can roughly guess what’s going on. The Heavenly Forging Sect wants to completely tie me to their side.”

If I were to develop my talent in weapon crafting and establish a weapon crafting power in the future, it would inevitably pose a challenge to the Heavenly Forging Sect.

It could even have been the beginning of the decline of the Heavenly Forging Sect.

Furthermore, when I entered the Flame Phoenix Blood Pool of the Heavenly Forging Sect, I obtained the Flame Phoenix Essence Blood and the "Nirvana Secret Technique," and successfully underwent Nirvana.

They believed I possessed great fortune and was likely to reach the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm in the future.

“That does make some sense.” Xu Chuan nodded after his analysis. “So what are your thoughts?”

"Ling'er has always been a member of the Xu family, and that will never change. Now that she has joined the Tianzhu Sect and has a Nascent Soul cultivator as her backer, it is a good thing for the Xu family."

After this news spreads, no Golden Core cultivator should dare to cause trouble.

This can bring my Xu family a period of stable development.

My two masters have been truly devoted to me. As long as Tianzhu Sect does not let me down, I will not let Tianzhu Sect down either. If I have the ability in the future, I will definitely help Tianzhu Sect return to its peak.

To repay this kindness.

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded, "Do it your way."

"However, Tiancang Prefecture has been quite turbulent recently. The Nascent Soul forces of the Greedy Wolf Mansion are plotting to seize Tiancang Prefecture, so what you said may not be successful."

However, if possible, Tiancang Prefecture should be able to maintain peace for a period of time.

"There's such a thing?" Xu Deling was slightly surprised.

Ye Fan said with a wry smile, "Not only that, our Xu family also has conflicts with the Greedy Wolf Sect."

He also revealed that Xu Mingxian had killed several disciples of the Greedy Wolf Sect, causing them to lose face.

Xu Deling frowned.

The Tianjiao Grand Gathering lasts for ten years, consisting of the seven years before it begins and the three years after it ends.

All the forces have an agreement not to start a war.

This is also to give Tianjiao time to grow.

After that, even the most talented individuals were no longer protected, and some were even ambushed and killed by rival sects while traveling.

"Grandfather, rest assured, even if the masters know about this, I will definitely persuade them to stir up trouble in Tiancang Palace and buy time for my Xu family."

Xu Deling returned to the Tianzhu Sect's headquarters shortly afterward.

She is currently representing the Heavenly Pride Gathering on behalf of the Heavenly Forging Sect, so she can't stay here indefinitely.

Before leaving, she handed the prepared gift to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan scanned it with his divine sense.

Low-grade magic weapon, the Heaven-Turning Seal!

"It is even more powerful than the Eight Trigrams Alchemy Furnace. Ling'er's weapon-refining skills have improved again."

Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly.

soon.

Rumors spread in Qingyun City that the "Phoenix Heavenly Maiden" of the Tianzhu Sect had found someone she loved, and this became the basis for various tragic love stories.

Just as Xu Chuan was about to go out, he overheard the Northwest elites discussing this matter.

"Do you think the rumors outside are true? The second most outstanding talent in the south, the 'Phoenix Fairy,' has someone she likes, and he's an exceptionally handsome man."

I've heard that this person is good for nothing except for his pretty face.

Xu Chuan didn't know whether to be happy or angry upon hearing this. His face was by no means handsome; he was just average-looking.

But to say that he is completely useless is a bit of an exaggeration!

"What's the big deal? Someone like this is bound to be a free spirit. Don't we have a 'Fairy of the Cold Moon' in the Northwest too?"
They had long since found Daoist partners, and the couple even brought the father-in-law along to the Heavenly Pride Gathering. If others knew, they would probably laugh their heads off.

"How could such a thing be kept secret? It will probably spread in a day or two. The news about the prodigies from all sides is everywhere now."

Before you start talking big, you should think about your own ranking.

Zhang Xuanzhi happened to pass by and, upon hearing this, said coldly, "That family of three is an oddball, but they're all in the top ten!"

"Maybe it was just good luck; they encountered quite a few weaker opponents," someone countered.

"Twenty-eight tokens, what kind of luck could be that strong? Do you really think they're only facing three against one?"

Even so, if it were three against one, would you be guaranteed to take the opponent's token?

Who among those who enters this secret realm doesn't have some hidden trump cards?

Zhang Xuanzhi himself had been escaped by others five or six times. If he hadn't killed Wen Jiu and obtained more than ten tokens, he wouldn't have had twenty-one tokens.

After the secret realm, he inquired with the eliminated disciples of the Xuan Yue Sect. After learning information from them, Zhang Xuanzhi also began to treat the three of them with caution.

I once asked myself what would happen if I faced the three of them together.
The answer is that there is no answer.

It's hard to know without actually fighting it.

After the group of geniuses who had been chatting dispersed, Zhang Xuanzhi took a few steps, saw Xu Chuan, nodded slightly to him, and then headed towards the Xuan Yue Prefecture's residence.

"It seems he already knows the general background of Mingxian and the other two, and regards them as his real opponents."

Xu Chuan shook his head slightly, left the camp, and went for a stroll outside.

After all, it's a grand event that happens only once every two cycles of sixty years; there might be an opportunity.

He had calculated that, based on the current progress of "Heaven rewards diligence," it would take him about three to four years to successfully create his own method.

However, if there is an opportunity, it can be done in a few months or even half a year.

at this time.

There are seven days left until the start of the Heavenly Pride Tournament.

Xu Chuan walked on the streets of Qingyun City, disguised as an old man.

All the people in sight were cultivators, and most of them were at the Foundation Establishment stage, densely packed together.

Whenever Xu Chuan saw this scene, he would sigh that in the Great Wei Dynasty, a prefecture would have at most a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators, and at least one or two.

Time flew by and it was the third day.

Xu Chuan used the "Minor Astrology" in conjunction with the "Daily Divination" to predict his own opportunities. He originally just wanted to try his luck, but it actually had a positive effect.

"Is there an opportunity for me in the east?"

Xu Chuan immediately got up and left.

Heading east, in the city center, I overheard people talking about an auction.

"The Genius Auction hosted by the Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce is about to begin. We can see them holding auctions before every Genius Grand Gathering, and I've heard that they sell rare and precious items."

"Unfortunately, it is not for us; only the most talented can enter."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan's heart stirred, and he began to search for the so-called venue of the Heavenly Pride Auction. Sure enough, it was located on the eastern axis.

He tried to deduce it silently, but it was all blurry, as if it were being obscured.

"Heaven's secret hidden?"

"It seems that the Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce is not simple."

Xu Chuan stepped forward to enter, but was stopped by a black-robed guard at the gate, who said, "Only those who are among the Five Prodigies are allowed to enter."

How do you know I am not a prodigy?

The black-robed guard sneered, "The faces of the five prodigies are all etched in my mind, but you are not among them."

"Besides, how could someone your age be a prodigy?"

"Get out of here right now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Superficial, take another look."

Xu Chuan flicked his sleeve, brushing it across his face. When the black-robed guard looked again, he saw a young man.

He was speechless, but another guard said, "Even if you were disguising your appearance before, you shouldn't be among the Five Prodigies."

"I did not participate, but that does not mean I am not a prodigy. Perhaps I am just being low-key and did not want to participate in the Prodigy Conference."

I believe I am a prodigy, why won't you let me in?

The two men frowned.

At this moment, a middle-aged man accompanied a young man out. The middle-aged man said, "What's all the noise about?"

The black-robed guard informed them of this matter.

The young master unfolded his paper fan and said with a curious smile, "This is the first time I've ever seen someone dare to cause trouble in front of our Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce's auction house."

You claim to be a prodigy, but the world generally recognizes prodigies as those who, within two cycles of sixty years, have reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and possess formidable strength. Do you think you've achieved that?

"I feel satisfied with everything," Xu Chuan said calmly.

"Words are not enough. Let's test your bone age, explore your cultivation level, and verify your strength. If you pass all of these tests, I can let you in."

"Son."

The young master raised his hand and said, "But if you don't meet the requirements, the consequence of deceiving my Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce is that your cultivation will be crippled. Are you willing to accept that?"

"Then let's give it a try."

If there is truly an opportunity here, Xu Chuan cannot miss it.

However, the situation in Cang Mansion is turbulent today, and he needs to form his core as soon as possible.

"Manager Yao, have him tested."

"Yes, son."

The bone age and physical development tests ended quickly, and Xu Chuan met all the requirements.

The remaining test of strength.

The young master of the Void Heaven Merchant Guild took off a jade pendant from his waist and tossed it to the black-robed guard, saying, "Activate this jade pendant for defense."

The black-robed guard clasped his hands in a fist salute and did as instructed.

A pale blue light curtain rose up in front of him.

Then he said to Xu Chuan, "Fellow Daoist, attack me. If you can create even a crack, I will acknowledge you as a prodigy."

Seeing the commotion, many people gathered around to watch.

"trouble!"

Xu Chuan wanted to finish the battle quickly, so he immediately pointed out with his finger, concentrating all the power of his Withering and Flourishing Divine Ability into one point.

The pale blue light barrier did not crack, but it dissipated under a strange force, as if it had been corroded, and a gap quickly appeared.

"Is that enough?"

It flashed by so quickly that no one had time to see it clearly.

The young master's pupils contracted, then he folded his paper fan and burst into laughter, "I never expected that there would be such a peerless genius who is so low-key and not interested in fame or fortune."

"What's your name, fellow Daoist?"

"The Three Vertical Taoists".

"Fellow Daoist San Shu, please come in."

Xu Chuan immediately followed the young master into the auction hall, but after only a few steps, when the young master looked again, he had transformed into a hunchbacked old man.

"Interesting, very interesting. Fellow Daoist San Shu's secret technique is truly exquisite. I wonder if you would be willing to sell it to my Void Heaven Merchant Guild?"

"I need not force myself to use methods to save my life, young master."

The young master was not annoyed by what he heard.

As for those outside, seeing how easily Xu Chuan broke through the cyan light barrier, some immediately suggested they try it themselves.

But as a result, the light curtain remained completely still.

His cultivation was indeed stripped away.

The onlookers sighed with emotion.

After the young master and the steward led Xu Chuan inside, they left.

More than an hour later.

The Tianjiao Auction has begun.

At this time, only about two hundred of the five prodigies had arrived.

He was not interested in ordinary things, even top-grade Heavenly Spirit Pills, top-grade Cleansing Spirit Pills, supernatural powers and secret techniques, rare materials, top-tier second-order talismans, and top-grade second-order array flags.

It made him wonder if he had come to the wrong place.

Xu Chuan only opened his eyes when the host introduced one of the auction items.

"The next item is a section of the root of a spirit tree. This spirit tree is the ancient spirit tree 'Withering and Flourishing Tree'. It has grown for thousands of years and bears a spirit fruit once every sixty years, which is called the Withering and Flourishing Fruit."

This spiritual fruit is the main ingredient for the third-grade superior "Withering and Flourishing Pill," and can also be used to refine the ancient miraculous pill "Life and Death Pill."

The "Withering and Flourishing Pill" is used to purify the mana of a Golden Core cultivator and expand their dantian and spiritual sea. It is effective for any Golden Core cultivator at any level.

As for the "Life and Death Pill," its function is to repair a damaged dantian.

It is effective for all levels below the Nascent Soul stage.

In addition, it can also be used in other medicines such as Sheng Gu Dan (生骨丹) and Sui Ku Dan (岁枯丹).

Many prodigies discussed this among themselves.

Xu Chuan's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"Although this is only a section of tree root, if there is special spiritual liquid, it can still sprout again and be planted."

However, one thing to note is that the withering and flourishing tree is very special. It withers and flourishes once a year, growing like an ordinary tree. Ordinary methods cannot accelerate its growth, not even rare spiritual soil.

Only those who are skilled in the ways of flourishing and decay can achieve this.

The Path of Withering and Flourishing is a rare path, unlike the common Path of the Five Elements, the Path of Wind and Thunder, the Path of the Sword, and so on.

"Leaving aside whether it can be saved, planting it would take a thousand years, which is too long," one of the prodigies said.

Ordinary spiritual trees and herbs can increase their growth rate by more than ten times in an environment rich in spiritual energy and with the help of spiritual soil.

Besides, those who practice the Withering and Flourishing Technique are extremely rare.

"The opportunities that geniuses need are not easily found. Our Void Heaven Merchant Guild can only do its best to collect them. It is impossible for every item to be needed."

If no one is interested, it is acceptable for the auction to fail.

The starting bid for this withered yet flourishing spirit tree root is three thousand spirit stones, with each bid increment no less than fifty spirit stones. The auction begins now.

After he finished speaking, very few people spoke up.

Half a cup of tea had passed, and the price had only risen to 3,600 spirit stones.

"Are there any other people who want to raise the price?"

Xu Chuan felt that it was about time and immediately said, "I will offer three thousand six hundred and fifty spirit stones."

The person who had previously offered 3,600 spirit stones thought about it and then increased the offer by 50 spirit stones.

Xu Chuan hesitated for a moment before agreeing to pay fifty.

When Xu Chuan offered four thousand spirit stones, the man thought about it and finally gave up, shaking his head and saying, "Forget it, four thousand spirit stones is not as good as buying a handy two-pattern defensive magic weapon."

Ultimately, the item ended up in Xu Chuan's hands.

After Xu Chuan settled the money and goods, the young master asked curiously, and Xu Chuan casually replied, "There is a senior who likes to collect and plant ancient spirit trees."

As for why, you should understand, young master.

The young master laughed heartily, “I know, I know. Everyone has to curry favor with their elders sometimes. My surname is Ji. I hope to have the chance to meet Fellow Daoist San Shu again in the future.”

"Young Master Ji, won't you stay to watch the Grand Gathering of Prodigies?"

"I have an urgent matter at home and need to go back. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait."

"I see." Xu Chuan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Then we shall meet again."

Then, he turned and left the Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce auction house, walking into the crowd.

After an incense stick has burned, he transformed into a young man.

After returning to my room at the camp.

Xu Chuan soaked it in a bowl filled with vital essence, and then used the power of withering and flourishing to wash and refine it, in order to activate its withering and flourishing characteristics.

The Danjing (a classic text on alchemy) records that a tree withers and flourishes, going through a cycle of withering and flourishing each year.

It is constantly in a cycle of birth and death, and never truly dies.

Even tree roots that have been dead for countless years can still be used to undergo the cycle of withering and flourishing again.

Three days later.

Tender leaves sprouted from this section of tree root.

Xu Chuan transplanted it into a pot and infused it with the power of withering and flourishing to accelerate its transformation.

Another day later.

He was pleasantly surprised to find that his current power of withering and flourishing could increase his growth rate tenfold.

Then came the start of the Grand Gathering of Prodigies.

The largest square in Qingyun City is called Cloud Mirror Square, which covers an area of ​​1,000 acres.

The square is paved with square bluestone, each stone having been forged and polished over a thousand times. The surface is smooth as a mirror, yet it exudes an ancient and dignified feel.

Yunjing Square was the location chosen by the Qingyun Sect to host the Grand Gathering of Prodigies.

Chenshi.

As the sun first crows, the clouds and rosy hues are bathed in its glow.

Five forces gathered at Cloud Mirror Square.

Three hundred and sixty prodigies, each one full of vigor and eager to make a name for themselves in battle.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanzhen, shouldn't we bring out the Heavenly Pride Ranking?" An old Daoist in a gray robe from the Qingxu Sect raised his whisk and said with a faint smile.

Suddenly, a figure slowly walked out from the Qingyun Sect camp.

This person was dressed in blue, his temples were already streaked with white, but his face did not show any signs of old age. His eyes were bright, and his whole aura was peaceful, without any sense of the sharp edge of a sword cultivator.

He walked to the center of the square, turned around and stood facing the direction of the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate, and said calmly, "Please invite the Heavenly Pride Ranking."

As the three words fell, the square fell silent instantly. Whether they were the participating geniuses from various prefectures or the onlookers on the periphery, everyone held their breath and looked up at the sky.

Suddenly.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed in the distant sky.

In the blink of an eye, a golden rainbow streaked across the sky like a shooting star. Wherever the rainbow passed, the clouds dispersed, and it flew rapidly toward the plaza with a majestic aura.

For a moment.

The pale golden rainbow light had reached Xuanzhen's palm. The light subsided, revealing a slightly tattered scroll, a little over a foot wide, with a faint glow on its surface and countless tiny runes flowing around it.

It was a scroll like this, yet it exuded an aura of power that no one could ignore.

Xu Chuan stood in the crowd, gazing into the distance, and wondered, "Is this the ancient spiritual treasure?"

"Even if it's damaged, I feel that a burst of pressure could crush a Foundation Establishment cultivator to death."

"Fellow Daoists, let's work together to activate the Heavenly Pride Ranking."

The gray-robed old Taoist from Qingxu Sect, the Venerable Tianya from Xuanyue Sect, the white-browed old monk from Leiyin Temple, and the white-haired youth from Yuhua Sect all stepped out.

In a flash, they found themselves beside Xuanzhen.

However, just as they were about to join forces to take action...

A voice called out, "Wait a minute!" came from the horizon.

To the west, suddenly dark clouds rolled in, and demonic energy surged, causing the sky and earth to change color.

(End of this chapter)