Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

At the Peak Celestial Pool, clear waves rippled gently.

A brilliant streak of sword light and a beam of platinum divine light clashed in mid-air, producing a sound like the ringing of metal before flying backward.

The Flying Sword was not discouraged. It spun in the air, halting its retreat. But before it could attack again, the platinum divine light was already in hot pursuit. Knowing its opponent's power, the Flying Sword swerved, intending to bypass the attack and strike directly at its wielder.

This was none other than Yuan Hao and Zhou Jun sparring with their Daoist techniques. Seeing Yuan Hao turn the Flying Sword to strike at him, Zhou Jun gave a mischievous chuckle and formed a Magic Formula. With a great RUSH, the platinum divine light in the air trembled and transformed into a vast, watery brilliance. It crashed down like a tidal wave, sweeping the Flying Sword into its current.

"What?" Yuan Hao and Zhou Jun had sparred many times. He knew he was no match for Zhou Jun, but their goal wasn't to determine a winner, but rather to practice their Daoist techniques. Thus, Zhou Jun never used his superior cultivation to overwhelm him, which allowed them to exchange a few rounds.

But this was the first time Yuan Hao had seen Zhou Jun's technique transform like this. Caught off guard, his Flying Sword was engulfed.

And that wasn't all. After trapping Yuan Hao's Flying Sword, the watery brilliance swept forward with unstoppable momentum, intending to suppress him as well. Yuan Hao hastily executed a Sword Escape, shooting upward and over the crest of the wave to get away.

Seeing this, Zhou Jun remained unhurried. He pointed, altering his Magic Formula, and the technique changed once more. The watery light swirled into a waterspout and shot skyward, transforming into a wash of green light by the time it reached mid-air.

Thousands of vine-like green tendrils grew and intertwined, instantly forming a large net that fell down over him. No matter how much Sword Qi Yuan Hao unleashed, he couldn't cut through them all. In moments, he was bound up and left dangling in the air.

Zhou Jun flew up, laughing heartily. "Junior Brother, what do you think of my Five Elements transformation?"

Yuan Hao pouted. "Congratulations, Senior Brother. Your Daoist techniques have improved yet again."

"I'm lucky to have had Junior Martial Uncle's meticulous guidance, which is why my techniques have improved so much," Zhou Jun said, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, the hundred-day period is almost over. If I could continue to cultivate under his tutelage, I would eventually be able to cultivate the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light to the 'True Integration' realm."

Yuan Hao said, "So, can you let me down now?"

Zhou Jun feigned surprise. "Oh? You mean I haven't let you down yet, Junior Brother? My apologies, my apologies."

Yuan Hao said furiously, "You'd better hurry up and form your Golden Core. If I catch up to you before then, I'll make you regret this!"

After bantering for a while longer, Zhou Jun finally let Yuan Hao down. They walked side-by-side toward the cave residence, and Yuan Hao said, "After you bid farewell to Master, you'll still be heading out to travel, right, Senior Brother?"

"Of course..." Zhou Jun began to reply, but he suddenly looked up. He saw the sea of clouds part as a streak of light descended upon the peak, revealing a tall, thin Daoist who appeared to be in his thirties, holding a Duster. Seeing the two of them in front of the residence, he bowed and asked, "Are you two disciples of Senior Brother Xu?"

Zhou Jun glanced at Yuan Hao, who stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "I am Yuan Hao, a disciple under our Master. May I ask what business you have, Junior Martial Uncle?"

The tall, thin Daoist smiled. He took out a formal visiting card and said, "So it is Nephew Yuan. Would you be so kind as to announce me? Dongguo Yi requests an audience with Senior Brother."

Although Yuan Hao didn't know who this man was, he didn't dare to be disrespectful. He hurriedly accepted the visiting card and replied, "Of course. Please wait a moment, Junior Martial Uncle."

The tall, thin Daoist gave a single-handed salute. "Thank you, Nephew Yuan."

"You are too kind," Yuan Hao replied politely. Holding the card, he quickly opened the main gate and entered the residence, with Zhou Jun hurrying after him.

Dongguo Yi leisurely admired the scenery. After a short while, Yuan Hao reappeared at the gate and said respectfully, "Junior Martial Uncle Dongguo, Master invites you inside to speak."

Dongguo Yi flicked his Duster, rested it in the crook of his arm, and nodded with a smile. He then followed Yuan Hao into the residence.

The main hall was no longer in its previous state of disarray. The gold, silver, and stone chairs that Xuzhuang had once magically transformed had lasted a little over a month at most before collapsing into strange mixtures of metal-wood and stone-wood. Only a few had reverted to their original forms.

The hall was now furnished entirely with pieces made from Cangyun Wood. Dongguo Yi noticed nothing amiss as he followed Yuan Hao into the main room. Yuan Hao said, "Master will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, Junior Martial Uncle."

Dongguo Yi nodded and took a seat. Yuan Hao quickly served him tea and pastries. "Senior Brother Xu and I are old friends," Dongguo Yi said. "Nephew, there's no need for such formalities. You may go."

Yuan Hao insisted that he dared not be so rude, so Dongguo Yi didn't press the matter. He allowed the young man to pour the tea. After taking a sip, he said with praise, "This is Jade Tree Tea, isn't it? Senior Brother Xu truly has excellent taste."

"You flatter me, Junior Brother." A clear voice suddenly came from the host's seat. Dongguo Yi started, only then realizing that Xuzhuang had appeared in the seat at some unknown moment. He quickly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Dongguo, it has been a long time."

"Please don't think ill of me, Senior Brother," Dongguo Yi said with a smile, cupping his hands. "As you know, my duties at Suffering Realm Mountain are heavy. On the rare occasions I have some free time, you always seem to be in seclusion. That is why I have been so delayed in paying you a visit."

Xuzhuang replied, "It is no matter. For Cultivators like us, time is plentiful. You are not too late, Junior Brother."

Dongguo Yi smiled and agreed. After some casual conversation, he finally said, "As the saying goes, one does not visit a temple for no reason. I have come today, Senior Brother, to share a piece of news and to make a presumptuous request."

Xuzhuang was not surprised. "Then please speak your mind, Junior Brother."

Dongguo Yi nodded. "I heard that you recently inquired about the availability of the refining chambers in the Earth Fire Hall, Senior Brother?"

Xuzhuang paused for a moment. Seeing no reason to hide it, he said, "That is correct. I wish to refine a Magical Artifact, but the Earth Fire Hall has no chambers available anytime soon."

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