Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Dongguo Yi's gaze fell upon the Celestial Purity True Sand, his heart thumping like a drum. He replied, "With three measures of this sand, I am confident I can reach the Nascent Soul realm within twenty years."

Xuzhuang was slightly surprised. Dongguo Yi's cultivation was deeper than he had expected, but this suited him even better. He said, "Excellent. You may take this measure of True Sand for now, Junior Brother. In five years, I will bring you two more."

Dongguo Yi took a deep breath. He was an astute man and naturally understood that such a boon wasn't something that would just fall into his lap because of their minor connection. After some thought, he replied in a solemn tone, "I am indebted to you for this grace, Senior Brother. I swear on my Dao Heart that if I succeed in reaching the Nascent Soul realm, I will follow your lead in all things."

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. "You are too serious, Junior Brother. Please, take the True Sand."

He did not come from a prominent family, nor did he have a high-level master within the sect to guide him. Despite having achieved high status and great power, he had no subordinates to command. He had no intention of building a faction, but with the treacherous currents sweeping the Divine Continent, he knew he would inevitably need allies. That was why he decided to win Dongguo Yi over.

Dongguo Yi, however, had his own calculations. While Xuzhuang had not yet joined the Three Halls, it was only a matter of time. In the future, he would certainly need followers. If he could join Xuzhuang's service early, his own status would naturally rise in tandem. If Xuzhuang even managed to attain the Primordial Spirit realm, he too might be able to ride his coattails to greatness.

Dongguo Yi solemnly accepted the Celestial Purity True Sand and said in a low voice, "Thank you for the gift, Senior Brother. I will certainly reach the Nascent Soul realm as quickly as possible to serve you."

Xuzhuang said, "Your words are enough, Junior Brother."

Dongguo Yi nodded, put away the Celestial Purity True Sand, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. He chatted with Xuzhuang for a while longer before hurriedly departing.

Xuzhuang sat in the hall, lost in thought for a moment. He reached out, and a spark of spiritual light shot into the depths of his cave residence. Before long, Zhou Jun and Yuan Hao hurried out. After they paid their respects, Xuzhuang said bluntly, "The hundred days are nearly over. I have other important matters to attend to, so from this day on, you are on your own. Do not neglect your cultivation."

Zhou Jun and Yuan Hao had already anticipated this. They quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Martial Uncle," and "Thank you, Master."

Xuzhuang nodded and was about to dismiss them when Zhou Jun stepped forward. He presented a jade slip with both hands, bowing as he spoke. "I have benefited immensely from your hundred days of guidance, Martial Uncle. As a small token of my gratitude, this contains some of the most profound teachings I selected from the legacy of the Five Elements Wanderer. I hope Martial Uncle will accept it."

Xuzhuang was slightly surprised. He sized Zhou Jun up for a moment, then said slowly, "You are quite thoughtful." He took the jade slip, casually placing it next to a leather scroll, and asked nonchalantly, "I hear that after you leave, you plan to travel the Divine Continent?"

Zhou Jun replied respectfully, "Yes, Martial Uncle."

Xuzhuang nodded. With a flick of his finger, a ray of Five-Colored Spiritual Light shot into Zhou Jun's body. He heard Xuzhuang say coolly, "This is a talisman of my Five Elements Escape Technique. When triggered, it will allow you to escape thousands of miles in an instant. You can use any of the five elements as a medium for your escape. Take it as protection for your journey."

Zhou Jun was overjoyed and quickly bowed to thank Xuzhuang.

Xuzhuang then looked at Yuan Hao. Yuan Hao's scalp tingled as he cursed inwardly, 'That bastard Zhou Jun! He didn't even tell me he was giving a gift. Now I, the actual disciple, look less devoted than a martial nephew. That damn…'

But unexpectedly, Xuzhuang asked, "Hao'Er, do you have any intention of traveling?"

"Huh?" Yuan Hao hesitated. "Master, I feel my cultivation is still lacking. I was planning to stay with the sect and cultivate diligently…"

"That's fine too." Xuzhuang pointed a finger, and a handful of Spirit Stones fell into Yuan Hao's pouch. "Cultivate well," he said coolly.

This time, without waiting for Yuan Hao to reply, he said to them both, "Go." With a wave of his sleeve, their vision blurred, and they found themselves outside the cave residence.

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