Covering the Sky: The Years I Was the Empress's Strictest Master

She is now full of confidence and looks forward to exploring the depths of Chixia River and obtaining the "fortune" that may help her break through.

……

Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, Tianxuan Holy Land

At the summit of Tianxuan Peak.

Chi Xuan, the founder of the Tianxuan Holy Land, was already a peerless female cultivator at the peak of the Quasi-Emperor level many years ago. She rarely comes out of seclusion and is currently giving a sermon to all the disciples of the Holy Land.

This is a rare and grand event in the decades since the founding of the church.

When the news spread, not only the disciples of the Tianxuan Holy Land, but also some vassal forces that were on good terms with Tianxuan and outstanding rogue cultivators rushed to listen in.

At 1:15 AM,

At the summit of Tianxuan Peak, the area around the makeshift inquiry platform was already packed with people, yet completely silent.

Everyone sat cross-legged, holding their breath and gazing at the ethereal figure in a pale yellow gauze dress on the high platform.

Chi Xuan sat upright on a jade futon.

She did not expound on profound and mysterious principles.

Instead, it starts from the most basic Sea of ​​Wheels Secret Realm, combining its own cultivation experience to explain the essence of cultivation and analyze the mysteries of Taoism in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

Her voice was clear and melodious, each word precious and imbued with Daoist wisdom. To the disciples, it was like a sudden awakening.

Many of the obstacles that puzzled them in ordinary times suddenly became clear at this moment.

Chi Xuan sometimes manifested Taoist magic, with the sun, moon, and stars appearing and disappearing between her fingers.

When expounding the Heart Sutra, extraordinary phenomena manifested around him, with lotus flowers blooming frequently and golden springs gushing from the earth.

Flowers rained down from the sky, auspicious colors appeared frequently, and the sound of the Dao echoed throughout Tianxuan Peak. Even the spirit birds and beasts in the distant mountains quieted down and listened attentively; its affinity was truly off the charts.

The sermons lasted for three days.

Over three days, as the primordial spirit of this era, she fully utilized her divine abilities, mobilizing the essence of heaven and earth and the patterns of the Dao on both the microscopic and macroscopic levels.

This caused many disciples to experience sudden enlightenment, their aura to rise, and some even to break through on the spot.

As time went by, the entire Tianxuan Peak was enveloped in rich spiritual energy and Daoist charm, resembling a fairyland on earth.

Three days later, the sermon ended.

The disciples were still immersed in the lingering charm of the Great Dao and could not come back to their senses for a long time.

shuh...

Chi Xuan slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people below, finally landing on a middle-aged man in an inconspicuous corner among the second-generation disciples in the front row.

The man appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with an ordinary face and a calm demeanor. He wore ordinary Tianxuan True Disciple attire, and his cultivation level was at the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm.

This level of cultivation is already quite high among the rogue cultivators of the same age who are here to listen in today.

However, among the group of disciples who were at least true disciples, elders, or even saints of the Sendai Secret Realm, he seemed too "out of place".

He was none other than Xiang Xuan, whom Chi Xuan had exceptionally accepted as a disciple decades ago, granting him the privileges of a second-generation disciple of the Holy Land.

It was the last bloodline of the Xiang family, who had evaporated and disappeared overnight, and whose golden body remained indestructible above the Big Dipper.

"Xiang Xuan, stay here. The rest of you, go."

Chi Xuan's heavenly voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, the disciples awoke from their reverie, respectfully bowed to Chi Xuan, and then withdrew in an orderly fashion.

However, as many people left, they glanced at Xiang Xuan, who was still standing there, with complicated expressions, including curiosity, envy, and a hint of...jealousy and resentment.

Soon, only Chi Xuan and Xiang Xuan remained on the platform.

"Disciple Xiang Xuan pays respects to the Ancestral Master."

Xiang Xuan stepped forward, bowed respectfully, his expression calm, showing no excitement or trepidation at being left alone.

Chi Xuan's eyes were clear and sharp as she looked at the "disciple" in front of her who had been given generous resources in the past but whose cultivation progress had always been slow.

Seventy or eighty years have passed, and with the abundant resources of the Holy Land, various elixirs, elixirs for improving aptitude, and high-concentration source stones, etc., the blessings of creation have been accumulated.

He had only risen from a mere mortal to the peak of the Dragon Transformation Realm.

This speed might be considered quite good among independent cultivators in the outside world.

However, within the Tianxuan Holy Land, a place carefully selected from countless blessed lands and grotto-heavens, where geniuses gather and resources are abundant,

Especially considering that he is enjoying the treatment of a second-generation disciple, his continued progress is undoubtedly a sign of his inability to be cultivated.

Perhaps he is simply not suited for cultivation.

It's unclear when exactly, but rumors have been circulating privately within the Holy Land that Xiang Xuan is a "good-for-nothing" and a "waste of resources."

If it weren't for Patriarch Chi Xuan personally ordering them to stay, they would have been expelled from the sacred land long ago.

Chi Xuan had naturally heard about these discussions, but she had never paid any attention to them before.

At this moment, she looked at Xiang Xuan and suddenly spoke, but her question wasn't about cultivation:

"Xiang Xuan, you have been in Tianxuan for sixty years. How has the Holy Land treated you?"

Xiang Xuan was slightly taken aback, then replied respectfully:

"The Holy Land has shown me immense kindness, and the Ancestral Master has given me a second chance at life. Without the Holy Land's support, I would probably be nothing but dust by now, given my past injuries."

"Oh?"

Chi Xuan's tone was flat:

"Do you know that the resources spent on you over the past sixty years are enough to cultivate at least three Immortal Level Two cultivators, or even one Dao-Slaying King?"

Xiang Xuan's body trembled slightly, and his head drooped even lower:

"Disciple...I know that I am dull-witted and have failed the kindness of the Ancestral Master and the cultivation of the Holy Land."

His voice was somewhat hoarse, but there was no resentment, only deep guilt.

Chi Xuan looked at him quietly for a long time, then suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question:

"If one day the Holy Land stops providing you with resources, how will you cope?"

Xiang Xuan suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He paused for a moment, then slowly said:

"This disciple has received immense kindness from the sacred land, which I can never repay in this lifetime."

If that day ever comes, it will surely be because I am unworthy of your guidance and have failed to live up to your expectations.

The disciple will leave this sacred place on his own, seeking a secluded spot to spend the rest of his days, and will never dishonor the sacred place or the name of the patriarch.

His answer was devoid of anger or pleading, only a resigned calm and a deep respect for the Holy Land.

A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed across Chi Xuan's eyes before disappearing.

She nodded, said no more, and simply stated:

"You may step back now and cultivate yourself well... Perhaps your path lies not beneath your feet, but within your heart."

Xiang Xuan was somewhat puzzled, but still bowed respectfully:

"Your disciple will remember the teachings of the patriarch."

Then he quietly withdrew.

After Xiang Xuan left, Chi Xuan summoned a maid and instructed her:

"Issue my order: effective immediately, cut off all future cultivation resources for Xiang Xuan, except for his basic disciple allowance."

Furthermore, his residence on Ling Peak has been taken back, and he will be relocated to a secluded courtyard on the Outer Sect Miscellaneous Service Peak.

Upon hearing this, the waitress's heart stirred.

Resource supply cut off?

They even sent him to the Outer Gate Servant Peak?

Is the Patriarch finally... preparing to give up on Xiang Xuan?

When she brought that young man to meet the patriarch years ago, she could tell that he showed no obvious signs of the Undying Golden Body bloodline, and his cultivation aptitude was mediocre at best.

If she could see this, there's no reason why the patriarch couldn't.

But if we were to abandon it, why have we treated it well for decades?

If you're not going to give up, why do this?

Was it all for the sake of the friendship between the Xiang and Quanchi families?

But this time, they deliberately left it to speak...

She couldn't quite understand it.

However, she knew that her master's actions had profound meanings, which she could not fathom. She suppressed her doubts and bowed in response:

"Your disciple obeys."

Half a day later,

News of Xiang Xuan's changed treatment quickly spread within the Tianxuan Holy Land, causing quite a stir.

"Have you heard? That brat Xiang Xuan had his resources cut off by the founder and was sent to the Outer Sect's Miscellaneous Service Peak!"

"Really? The patriarch finally gave up on him?"

"It should have been done a long time ago! So many spiritual herbs and precious elixirs could have turned a pig into a spirit if they were piled on it, yet he's still stuck in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. It's such a waste!"

"Hmph, in my opinion, the patriarch was just too kind-hearted and should have expelled him from the sect long ago!"

"Occupying the toilet without using it!"

"Now that's good, let's see how long he can stay in the Holy Land!"

The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. I think without the brute force of resources, he probably won't even be able to protect the Dragon Transformation Realm and will soon be reduced to his original form!

"Senior brother's words are a bit of an exaggeration, but looking ahead, there's unlikely to be any further progress..."

"Hehe, I heard that the spiritual peak he used to live on was so rich in spiritual energy that it was almost liquefied. Now it belongs to Senior Brother Wang. It's really infuriating to compare people like that..."

"..."

In an instant, all sorts of ridicule, mockery, and gloating remarks spread among the disciples.

Some disciples who were already resentful of Xiang Xuan's special treatment became even bolder upon seeing him "abandoned" by the patriarch.

These people, either instructed by senior disciples or acting on their own initiative, deliberately spoke loudly and sarcastically on Xiang Xuan's way to the Outer Sect Miscellaneous Service Peak:

"Hey, isn't this our Tianxuan's 'genius' Senior Brother Xiang?"

So, are you going to the outer peaks to experience the world and its trials?

"Senior Brother Xiang, you must take care of your health now that you won't have spiritual herbs to eat. Your cultivation level in the Dragon Transformation Realm can't withstand any more stress."

"If you ask me, some people should have some self-awareness. The patriarch was merciful and bestowed upon you decades of wealth and honor. You should be content. Why insist on staying?"

"Exactly! If we had your resources, we would have become saints and ancestors long ago! You're utterly hopeless!"

Faced with these sarcastic remarks, Xiang Xuan simply lowered his head and walked past silently, without uttering a single rebuttal, and his expression remained largely unchanged.

He calmly packed his simple belongings.

There wasn't much to pack up; once his resources were cut off, he was practically penniless.

They moved to a secluded courtyard in the outer gate's miscellaneous servants' peak, a place with little spiritual energy.

He still gets up early and goes to bed late every day. Besides meditating and practicing Qi cultivation and studying basic scriptures, he also tends to the few acres of poor-quality spiritual fields assigned to him. Everything proceeds as usual, as if the storms outside have nothing to do with him.

This composure and resilience, as seen by Chi Xuan, made her nod slightly.

"His temperament is quite good; he is neither arrogant nor impatient, neither resentful nor self-pitying, able to stay true to himself and endure monotony."

It is in adversity that one can truly see one's true nature and understand one's heart.

Brother Tan Lin, perhaps your family members are truly different. I hope... I haven't misjudged you...

Chi Xuan muttered to herself.

Cutting off their resources is not abandonment, but rather a form of individualized education, an alternative way of nurturing them.

After dealing with Xiang Xuan's matter, she, who had been in seclusion for many days, felt restless and eager to move.