Longevity by Grinding Skills

Chapter 530: Chapter 530: In Short, Do a Good Job

The air pervading the vast, empty hall gave the seemingly simple space a magnificent sense of lofty solitude, as if it looked down upon all living beings.

The heart of True Monarch Qing Yuan’s personal domain, Pure Source Hall.

With a grave expression, Xu Yunfan strode into the hall.

Atop a purple bamboo prayer mat, True Monarch Qing Yuan sat motionless. His figure was wreathed in Immortal Palace Pure Qi, which rippled with a hazy, immortal light.

He still had the appearance of a middle-aged Daoist Master whose true depth was impossible to fathom. His features were plain, but his eyes were as profound as the starry cosmos. A single, calm glance from him was enough to make Xu Yunfan feel a pressure as heavy as a mountain instantly bear down on him.

The Dao Rhyme suffusing the air coiled around him, making him seem all the more ethereal, lofty, and untouchable.

Xu Yunfan took but a single glance before quickly lowering his head, his eyes darting to the Daoist Master standing beside True Monarch Qing Yuan.

A Daoist Master stood half a step to True Monarch Qing Yuan’s side, his hands lowered in a gesture of respect.

This Daoist Master was tall and slender, dressed in an exceptionally fine, dark blue Daoist robe adorned with Cloud Patterns. His hair was held in place by a Jade Hairpin, his face was as handsome as polished jade, and his bearing was one of righteous, serene dignity.

Faint Cloud Qi swirled around him, and a rosy glow emanated from within. His presence was extraordinary; he was, without a doubt, a Foundation Establishment Perfection Great Daoist Master with a profound, harmonious, and flawless Dao Foundation.

His aura was completely different from Chu Chengnan’s, which was as heavy and tyrannical as a hundred mountains, born from walking the path of pure power. This man’s Dao aura was magnificent and vast; he walked the grand Righteous Dao, a path of harmonizing with the Law.

Another Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

’Foundation Establishment Perfection... Did True Monarch Qing Yuan really find another one so soon?’

Xu Yunfan’s heart jolted. He quickly lowered his gaze, concealing the astonishment in his eyes.

He respectfully performed the grand salute a disciple would offer when meeting their Sect’s Peak Master.

"Disciple Xu Yunfan greets True Monarch Qing Yuan."

True Monarch Qing Yuan’s gaze landed on Xu Yunfan and lingered there for a moment.

He spoke slowly, his voice detached and devoid of emotion.

"Xu Yunfan. It is good you have returned. Your trip to Cold Crow Pass, however, was rather surprising to me."

He paused for a moment, as if weighing his words, before continuing, "Your innate talent is indeed extraordinary. For Chu Chengnan to choose you to observe his ritual and act as his protector shows he had some ability to judge character."

Though his words were complimentary, they held not a trace of warmth.

Xu Yunfan’s expression remained impassive, but his mind was as clear as a mirror. He immediately bowed, his tone humble and sincere.

"I am unworthy of such praise. It is all thanks to the True Monarch’s care and guidance, as well as Senior Brother Chu’s last-minute decision, that I had the opportunity to broaden my horizons."

The grand hall fell silent. The starlight felt cold, and the silence was so complete you could hear a pin drop.

The silence weighed on Xu Yunfan’s mind, almost tangible, carrying a chill that seemed to see through everything.

True Monarch Qing Yuan’s gaze still held an inscrutable quality as he continuously sized up the Magical Power Spirit Mechanism flowing around Xu Yunfan.

A chill went through Xu Yunfan’s heart, but he made no attempt to conceal anything.

Changing one’s Cultivation Technique was a fundamental alteration, impossible to conceal—especially from a Golden Core True Monarch.

However, he was fairly certain that True Monarch Qing Yuan wouldn’t make a move against him.

’The *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture* was a death trap to begin with. The fact that I managed to escape it proves my outstanding character.’

’The True Monarch’s prolonged stare was obviously because he’d discovered that I completely abandoned the *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture* and switched to the *Divine Sky Nine Heavens Profound Vault Undying True Scripture*.’

’If he really tried to pull something...’

’...then I, Xu Yunfan, would have no choice but to unleash the three strands of Golden Core Sword Intent gifted by Ancestral Master Chunyang. One sword to shatter illusion, one sword for utter annihilation, and One Sword, No Return.’

’To put it simply: first, break his legs so he can’t run. Second, smash his mouth so he can’t beg for mercy. Then, finish him off with a ruthless strike that grinds his bones to ash.’

’Perfect!’

After a long while, the strange silence was finally broken.

True Monarch Qing Yuan’s voice was as placid as ever.

"Since Divine Sky Peak is established, it is your destiny. Advance your Cultivation diligently, and do not waste your good fortune. Cultivate well. If you reach the Late-Stage of Foundation Establishment, I will grant you a great opportunity—one that might allow you to enter the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm."

’I passed.’ Xu Yunfan relaxed internally.

’With that, I don’t need to worry anymore. With True Monarch Qing Yuan’s endorsement, if any other Foundation Establishment Daoist Masters come looking for trouble, I’ll just have to knock them back.’

Hearing this, Xu Yunfan naturally feigned overwhelming surprise, acting as if he were moved to tears and too excited to control himself. Whether it was genuine or not, he had to deliver the expected emotional performance.

"Thank you for your favor, True Monarch! Yunfan will certainly not disappoint your expectations."

He was a sensible one.

The True Monarch nodded. He then inclined his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the blue-robed Daoist Master standing respectfully beside him. "Lu Chuan, you will be responsible for arranging Xu Yunfan’s future Cultivation affairs."

The blue-robed Daoist Master called Lu Chuan immediately bowed. "I shall obey your Decree."

True Monarch Qing Yuan’s gaze returned to Xu Yunfan. "The Sect will honor the promises Chu Chengnan made to you. Go to the Scripture Pavilion when you are ready and choose any two Secret Techniques. You are dismissed."

"Thank you for your grace, True Monarch!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Yunfan’s expression grew even more reverent as he performed a deep bow.

’He understood. In the eyes of an ancient and profoundly calculating True Monarch like Qing Yuan, two mere Secret Techniques were nothing more than insignificant bait used to keep a useful pawn in line.’

’If he hadn’t demonstrated a value that wasn’t easily replaced—and if the True Monarch wasn’t wary of his connection to the Pure Yang True Monarch of the Wansheng Sword Sect, of Chu Chengnan’s "entrustment in a moment of crisis," and the potential secret allocation of resources—his little "stroke of luck" would have long since drawn covetous eyes, or even a deadly reckoning.’

Together, Xu Yunfan and Lu Yunchuan slowly retreated from the vast and lonely Pure Source Hall.

Outside, a piercingly clear Gang Wind swept by. It carried away some of the hall’s cold, oppressive atmosphere, but it could not disperse the weight on Xu Yunfan’s mind.

True Monarch Qing Yuan watched the pair disappear beyond the hall doors, the corners of his mouth lifting into a subtle arc.

"How interesting..."

’He truly hadn’t expected that everyone from the Divine Martial Realm would be so remarkably talented.’

’Especially that Pure Yang True Monarch. A thousand years ago, during the chaotic war between the Three Sects that nearly triggered a world-ending calamity, he had seized a razor-thin opportunity to prove his Dao, a feat that had astounded the world.’

’A thousand years had passed, and he had already shed his reliance on the Dao Fruit, achieving a Grotto Heaven that would never fall, securing his lofty position for eternity.’

’In other words, as long as his Grotto Heaven was not destroyed, he could remain in the world indefinitely.’

’This was something that True Monarch Qing Yuan, a mere Early-Stage Golden Core, could not hope to match.’

’It was also why he was exhausting all his efforts to have someone else attain a Fruit Position, which he could then integrate into his own Grotto Heaven and thus break through to the Middle Stage.’

’Chu Chengnan had failed, so he was replaced with Lu Chuan. And if Lu Chuan were to fail...’

True Monarch Qing Yuan’s expression was unreadable as his gaze pierced through every obstruction to fixate on Xu Yunfan’s back.

After they left the summit platform and stepped onto a winding path through a purple bamboo forest, the solemn look on Lu Yunchuan’s face finally softened, replaced by a gentle and approachable smile.

"Junior Brother Xu, we’ll both be serving under the True Monarch from now on. We should get to know each other better."

His smile was filled with a grand, righteous air, and his open, frank manner was naturally endearing.

However.

’But this was a Daoist Master from the Primordial Demon Sect. Anyone who fell for that act was a genuine idiot.’

Xu Yunfan, of course, replied with humility, "You are too kind, Senior Brother Lu. My foundation is shallow; I will need to rely on Senior Brother’s guidance in the future."

’He knew perfectly well that Lu Chuan was the True Monarch’s close attendant. His Cultivation and status were far beyond that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. He couldn’t afford to be the least bit lax in his superficial etiquette.’

’It would be miserable if the man decided to make things difficult for him.’

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