At the age of one hundred, I inquired about the Dao, awakening the supreme spiritual root that shatt

As the old man spoke, his gaze drifted toward a very inconspicuous corner of the city.

The sheer magnitude of that vortex of spiritual energy that had just swept across the sky stirred his emotions, filling his eyes with wonder and astonishment.

"Indeed, someone here can actually trigger such a celestial phenomenon. This is the condensation of a ninth-order golden core!"

This is extraordinary. I never expected there to be such a prodigy in this city.

With such talent, he has the potential to reach the Nascent Soul Realm in the future.

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Daoist Qingyang, Gu Qingmeng.

"Girl, are you the city lord here? Haven't you noticed that there is such a talented person here?"

"Go quickly and find him! Take me to him!"

Although the sword immortal Feng Qingyang spoke casually, his face exuded an air of authority.

Gu Qingmeng nodded repeatedly, her heart filled with shock. She made a respectful gesture of invitation.

"Elder Qingyang, please come to the City Lord's Mansion. This junior will immediately send someone to find him!"

She suddenly understood everything.

It turns out that the sword immortal descended to this place not with the intention of saving Qingyang Holy City, but because he was attracted by the vortex of spiritual energy that soared into the sky.

At this moment, she also remembered the huge commotion just now. Who could that mysterious cultivator who condensed a ninth-order golden core be?

She could only take care of Qingyang Sword Immortal first, and then try to find that mysterious cultivator. Her heart was filled with curiosity and immense shock.

"Now you take me there yourself."

Feng Qingyang waved his hand, interrupting her.

Left with no other choice, Gu Qingmeng led the way, speeding towards Jinmo Residence.

The two soon arrived outside the True Ruins Pavilion.

The restrictions outside the pavilion had been dispersed by the previous vortex of spiritual energy, but the residual array fluctuations inside, as well as the powerful aura of someone who had just broken through to the Profound Realm, remained.

Feng Qingyang did not step into the pavilion, but stood there quietly sensing the atmosphere inside.

"This person is extraordinary. The aura of this pure and refined ninth-order golden core is incredibly vast and powerful, indicating a solid and stable foundation."

However, this person is no longer here.

"With such a profound foundation and such extraordinary talent, this little guy is truly remarkable!"

Even such a powerful figure couldn't help but sigh, his heart filled with overwhelming emotions.

The city lord of Gu Qingmeng stood beside him, his eyes filled with awe.

She had assumed that this person, who could cause such a huge commotion, must be a prodigy disciple of some major sect who was breaking through here. It seemed that even the Sword Immortal Qingyang did not recognize this person.

This shouldn't be! How could a rogue cultivator possess such talent and remain undetected by any powerful force?

How does he usually obtain those resources?

If it were a rogue cultivator, breaking through to the Profound Realm and condensing a ninth-order Golden Core here, they wouldn't dare take such a risk without sufficient resources.

She used her divine sense to explore all the traces left by Ling Xiu within the True Ruins Pavilion, but found nothing.

Ling Xiu was not in the pavilion because he had sensed everything happening outside the city in advance through his divine sense.

He intended to make a move, but upon sensing the terrifying, crisscrossing sword energy, he quickly fled the area.

He had witnessed the entire scene and was deeply moved.

With a single sword strike, he slew the demon king and slaughtered all the ferocious demons and beasts.

He made a judgment immediately.

This powerful being must be a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Sea realm, and also a sword cultivator.

He immediately realized that the powerful swordsman's purpose in coming here was likely because of him.

If this powerful cultivator were to learn of my existence, would it bring disaster upon me?

Although Ling Xiu possessed the mental fortitude of a 130-year-old, he dared not take any risks, so he decisively left the True Ruins Pavilion when the other party arrived.

He has a more vigilant mind than most people, and he doesn't need to confront the other party regardless of whether they have malicious intent.

But just as he left Jinmo Residence, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Wait, why are you avoiding me?"

Ling Xiu's handsome face froze instantly, then he maintained his smile and turned slightly.

He hadn't expected that this sword immortal's senses were so powerful; he had actually been discovered by the sword immortal, and the sword immortal had appeared behind him silently.

Since the other party did not make a move, it is clear that they had no malicious intent.

Ling Xiu turned slightly. With his current appearance of seventeen or eighteen years old, coupled with the characteristics of the "True Secret of Longevity," he had no doubt that the other party had mistaken him for someone else. So he boldly faced the old man.

"This junior greets the venerable senior!"

Ling Xiu bowed very respectfully.

His skin was silvery white, his eyes were clear, and his figure looked somewhat thin, but after entering the Profound Realm, the aura of a ninth-order Golden Core was faintly emanating from him.

The arrival of the city lord, Gu Qingmeng, brought with it an immense and overwhelming pressure from the Daoist aura.

Clearly, they didn't choose the wrong person.

Sword Immortal Feng Qingyang's gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Ling Xiu before him.

His divine sense detected the dazzling golden light on Ling Xiu's dantian, and his eyes revealed admiration.

"Indeed, truly unbelievable! Such extraordinary talent at such a young age!"

"You flatter me, senior!"

Ling Xiu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Gu Qingmeng, who was standing to the side, quickly explained.

"Young man, this is the Sword Immortal Ancestor Feng Qingyang of the Xuan Yang Sect!"

Fearing that Ling Xiu might offend the sword immortal and displease the old man, she took the initiative to remind him.

"Huh? He's actually 130 years old? So it was an accident after all?"

To condense a ninth-order golden core and build such a solid foundation, with such pure and abundant true essence and magical power, is no simple feat!

How should I address you? Where are you from? Have you joined a sect?

Sword Immortal Feng Qingyang examined it closely and couldn't help but marvel at it.

She also developed a stronger interest in Ling Xiu.

Ling Xiu was startled; this sword immortal had actually seen through his age of one hundred and thirty at a glance.

In the eyes of such a powerful figure, he seemed to have nowhere to hide.

He bowed slightly and replied gently.

"This junior, Li Xiuyuan, has not joined any sect; I am a rogue cultivator with no master. I only broke through to the Profound Realm by sheer luck!"

"Oh? You're a rogue cultivator?"

Feng Qingyang was taken aback, then a strange look appeared in his eyes, and he looked at him with a smile.

"A lucky breakthrough? Haha... You're quite modest."

You have good potential, but without joining a sect, your path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties and dangers. Rushing headlong into this cultivation world will inevitably waste your talent.

"Seeing that we have a connection, would you be interested in joining my Xuan Yang Sect? How about becoming a respected elder?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiu immediately showed surprise.

The elders who offer sacrifices—these are elders with real power; that's a very high position!

The city lord, Gu Qingmeng, standing to the side was also incredibly shocked, her eyes filled with envy.

Xuan Yang Sect is one of the nine top sects, and its elders are highly respected and enjoy immense wealth and resources.

That was a great immortal sect that many cultivators dreamed of. Sword Immortal Feng Qingyang truly valued Ling Xiu, which is why he extended such a sincere invitation.

"The status of an elder means that you will not be subject to any restrictions in the sect. You can come and go freely, and you do not need to stay in the sect. You can go out at any time."

The sect will assign tasks every year; you just need to complete some of them.

Joining the Xuan Yang Sect will give you many advantages. You'll enjoy the sect's protection, and have access to various cultivation resources and sect manuals—it's perfect for you!

Ling Xiu's mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons.

This world of cultivation is incredibly cruel. Finding a powerful backer would indeed be extremely beneficial to him, and he would also have endless resources to enjoy.

Being free from constraints and receiving protection from the sect will greatly help his future growth.

To advance to the Spirit Sea Realm or cultivate the "True Secret of Longevity," a vast amount of resources will be required.

What he lacks now is a lot of information; if he relies on himself alone, it will indeed be difficult to make any further progress.