I forge immortality with a pagoda.

The vastness of rivers and seas cannot be contained by a single stream.

On the path of cultivation, those who can reach the profound realms of True Person and True Lord, besides possessing a portion of innate spiritual talent and wisdom, also need ninety-nine percent of diligent and arduous practice.

Time flies like an arrow; if we cannot seize every moment and strive forward, we will inevitably fade into obscurity.

Shen Yu understood this principle well and dared not slacken in the slightest.

Taking advantage of the last period of quiet before the Yangquan Dharma Assembly began, he secluded himself, refused visitors, and focused on cultivating his inner energy, finally solidifying his mastery of the third level of the Kaiyuan realm.

At this moment, his dantian was filled with abundant and smoothly flowing primordial energy, with no trace of emptiness or superficiality.

...

Inside Liexing Valley, the place was already bustling with noise, as thousands of cultivators gathered like clouds.

Looking around, there are Foundation Establishment cultivators with well-established foundations and profound auras, as well as juniors who have just embarked on the path of immortality and whose cultivation is still hovering in the Opening Origin Realm. There are even some nominal disciples and peripheral servants who have not yet reached the Opening Origin Realm.

It was truly a chaotic and noisy place.

Various colored streaks of light fell like shooting stars, and countless auras intertwined and collided.

The once tranquil valley now resembles a bustling, ordinary city.

Shen Yu, dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe, moved with the flow of people toward the renowned Starfall Plain in the valley.

This open space is where the grand ceremony of Liexing Valley is held. It is so spacious that it can accommodate 10,000 people.

The entire plaza was paved with a spiritual material called Star Stone.

This stone is found only in the deep abyss of the North Sea in the far north. It is harder than fine steel and has a deep blue color.

It has tiny silver spots on it, like stars inlaid, which are not only beautiful, but also have a faint effect of gathering spiritual energy, which can calm the mind of those who stand on it and make them more sensitive to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Ordinary sects would treasure even a small piece of it, but Master Qiu of Liexing Valley used it to pave the ground extensively, which shows the extravagance of his scale and the depth of his knowledge.

Shen Yu stepped onto the cool stone surface, feeling the faint spiritual energy nourishing him. He was secretly amazed and couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

"If I improve my cultivation in the future and am able to establish my own sect, I will definitely create such an atmosphere, so that people from all directions will come to pay homage and my disciples will follow me."

A familiar figure suddenly flashed in the crowd.

As I was pondering this, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure moving in the crowd out of the corner of my eye.

Before Shen Yu could take a closer look, the man seemed to sense something, suddenly turned around, and a look of surprise instantly appeared on his face.

"Senior Brother Shen!"

It turned out to be that kid Zhu Jianda.

"Senior Brother Shen, how have you been?" He squeezed through the crowd with difficulty and bowed to Shen Yu with a grin.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, it's been a long time."

Shen Yu smiled and bowed.

"Senior Brother Shen, how did the cultivation technique you were practicing at Scorching Flame Mountain go?"

He was naturally asking about the "Fierce Nether Wind Summoning Technique," a superior Taoist technique that was extremely profound.

He paused for a moment, then said calmly, "By sheer luck, I've managed to get started."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jianda's expression changed drastically, and disbelief flashed in his eyes.

He knew full well the significance of superior Taoist arts.

Ordinary Taoist arts are divided into three levels: superior, middle, and inferior.

Before forming the Golden Core, a cultivator's dantian contains primordial energy and true qi, and can only control various Taoist techniques.

Only by successfully forming the elixir and transforming all the true qi into magical power can one unleash the great supernatural ability to move mountains and overturn seas.

This superior Dao technique is the most powerful method below supernatural abilities. It is extremely difficult to cultivate and has strict requirements on the cultivator's comprehension and foundation.

For an ordinary cultivator at the Kaiyuan level, it is already quite difficult to master a mid-level Dao technique. Yet Shen Yu was able to master a high-level Dao technique to the entry level at the third level of the Kaiyuan level.

"A monster... truly a monster!" Zhu Jianda's heart was filled with shock, and he looked at Shen Yu with a hint of awe.

He forced down his turbulent emotions, chuckled twice, and flattered, "With Senior Brother Shen's talent and comprehension, he should give a lecture at this Dharma assembly so that we fellow practitioners of the Kaiyuan lineage can benefit from his guidance."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu waved his hands repeatedly and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, please don't make fun of me. Look at this plaza, there are no fewer than a dozen Foundation Establishment seniors, and even more Qi Refining experts gathered here. How could a mere Opening Origin Realm cultivator like me presumptuously spout theories? It is already a great honor to be able to listen to the profound insights of these seniors here."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the profound figures in front of him, and he secretly admired the fact that Master Qiu of Liexing Valley was able to invite so many experts.

Zhu Jiandao said, "Senior Brother Shen is too modest."

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and asked with a hint of mystery, "By the way, Senior Brother Shen, have you heard about the recent incident at the Canglan Sect?"

Shen Yu's expression remained calm and composed as he casually asked, "The Canglan Sect? What has happened this time?"

"It's said that the arrogant and domineering Feng Xunqi is dead!" Zhu Jianda said with a hint of satisfaction.

"His death was shrouded in mystery, and the Canglan Sect seems to be keeping it a secret. However, he had made too many enemies in his life, so his death is a clean slate, preventing him from harming others."

Shen Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and he echoed, "Indeed, they deserved to die."

He remained calm and unperturbed, as if Feng Xunqi's death had nothing to do with him.

Zhu Jianda, oblivious to anything amiss, sighed, "I've suffered for too long... Enough, let's not dwell on this unlucky matter. Senior Brother Shen, why don't we push forward a bit more so we can get a better look?"

Shen Yu readily complied, and following Zhu Jianda's movement technique, he darted through the crowd like a fish, and soon arrived at the forefront of the Kaiyuan cultivator area.

From here, the view in the center of the square is clearly visible.

In the center of the square, a vast lake lies quietly.

The lake water was icy cold, crystal clear, and its deep blue color was unfathomable.

Several springs gush forth from the bottom of the lake, flowing forth infrequently and never overflowing.

The misty vapor resembled smoke and fog, with a faint, refreshing airflow circulating within.

In the center of that vast lake, there is a high platform built of star-shaped stones.

Dozens of futons were placed on the platform, and many cultivators were already seated there. Each of them had a calm and focused aura and inner spiritual light, clearly indicating that they were all high-level cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage.

They either closed their eyes to rest or talked in hushed tones, each displaying their own unique style.

At the very front of the platform, a middle-aged cultivator wearing a star-patterned Taoist robe and a jade crown was smiling and exchanging pleasantries with the cultivators who kept coming forward to pay their respects.

This man was tall and upright, with a face like jade, three long strands of beard flowing down his chest, and a glint of light flashing in his eyes as he opened and closed them. His mind was filled with the five elements, and his aura was like a deep pool or an ancient well, unfathomable and profound.

This person is none other than the master of Liexing Valley—Master Qiu.

He dealt with guests with composure and grace, displaying the demeanor of a leader of a local sect.

Although Shen Yu and Zhu Jianda squeezed to the front, they were still dozens of feet away from the high platform, separated by the area for Qi Refining cultivators, and could only watch from afar.

Just as Shen Yu was silently observing the situation in the arena and trying to sense the faint aura of the high-level cultivators.

Suddenly a commotion came from behind him, and a forceful shove slammed into his shoulder and back.

"Get out of the way! Don't you have eyes? Young Master Qin has arrived in his presence. All bystanders, please get out of the way immediately!" A stern shout followed, the tone extremely arrogant.

Shen Yu frowned, feeling displeased.

Turning his head, he saw that Zhu Jianda beside him had already turned pale and had quietly retreated to the back of the crowd, desperately trying to signal him not to act rashly.

...

...