Longevity by Grinding Skills

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: Sect Leader of the Primordial Sect

’You have successfully slain a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.’

’Your Skill Level in the Divine Sky Nine Heavens Profound Vault Undying True Scripture has greatly increased.’

’Your Skill Level in Array Dao Cultivation has increased significantly.’

’You...’

The notifications from the Attribute Panel in his vision were nearly flooding the screen.

In the battle against the Blood Demon, many of the True Scripture Techniques in Xu Yunfan’s Skill Bar had taken a great leap forward. This was especially true for the Divine Sky Nine Heavens Profound Vault Undying True Scripture, whose Skill Level had increased by a full one hundred points, saving him ten years of bitter cultivation and increasing his Daoist Cultivation by a decade.

Seeing this, Xu Yunfan forcibly suppressed the churning qi and blood in his chest. He endured the feeling of weakness from the immense exertion, devouring Heaven and Earth Essence Qi like a whale to replenish his spent Magical Power. At the same time, he used his Divine Thought to command the residual power of the Grand Array, silently concealing the Dark Gold Pill hovering in mid-air.

Once everything was concealed, he finally relaxed. ’I put a great deal of thought into this Grand Array. Naturally, it has the effect of obscuring cause and effect, as well as Celestial Secrets. It’s specifically to prevent any peeping tom Foundation Establishment Daoist Masters.’

A tremor of shock ran through Xu Yunfan as he carefully examined the longan-sized Dark Gold Pill in his hand.

Within it was a wisp of Immortal Golden Nature. This wisp of Golden Nature was no small matter; it was the signature trait of a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

A wisp of Immortal True Intent, forged from one’s own Dao Foundation or Grotto Heaven Embryo.

This meant that the Blood Demon’s Daoist Cultivation had already reached the peak of the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. He was truly just one step away—a moment of enlightenment or a fateful opportunity—from the seamless and unimpeded Realm of a Great Daoist Master.

’That was close... Thankfully, his mind was clouded by the five turbidities. I don’t know who deluded him, but his desperation created a huge opening. He completely lost his head. Otherwise, I never would have been able to snatch such a great prize.’

Golden Core True Monarchs still have lifespan limits. Even a True Monarch at Golden Core Perfection has a lifespan of no more than five thousand years.

But with this forged Immortal Golden Nature, they can reincarnate endlessly within the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm without fear of degradation.

This is the most important characteristic that allows one to be called a True Monarch.

Xu Yunfan’s thoughts raced.

’This object is the crystallized Essence of the Blood Demon’s five lifetimes of accumulation. It even has a wisp of Innate Golden Nature stripped out. It will be of immense benefit for stabilizing my Grotto Heaven Embryo, breaking through to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, and even peeking into the Realm of Perfection.’

’If I can use this to forge a wisp of Golden Nature, I could immediately become a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection.’

Just as he was calculating how to use this item, his Spiritual Sense suddenly blared a warning. He perceived two vast, abyss-like Divine Thoughts descending upon the summit of Divine Sky Peak from across space.

’Two Great Daoist Masters at Foundation Establishment Perfection?!’

’Within the Primordial Sect, there are only a handful of Great Daoist Masters who have reached Foundation Establishment Perfection. I could count them on one hand.’

Xu Yunfan dared not delay. He immediately drew the Dark Gold Pill deep into his Sumeru Mustard Seed Bag and looked up.

He saw the void ahead ripple like water as two figures materialized almost simultaneously.

The person on the left wore a Profound Purple Star Pattern Daoist Robe. His face was ancient and simple, and his eyes were so deep they seemed to contain endless rivers of stars. The aura around him was complete and harmonious. Though he did not intentionally release it, it naturally caused the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to submit to him, like droplets of water merging into the sea.

This was none other than the current acting Sect Leader of the Primordial Sect, the spokesman for True Monarch Pu Du, the Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection who managed the Sect’s mundane affairs: Celestial Derivation Daoist Master.

The man on the right was dressed in simple blue robes. His brow held a sharp, inquisitive air. Although his aura was not as vast and boundless as Celestial Derivation Daoist Master’s, it was as deep and heavy as the earth and mountains, its sharpness kept withdrawn.

It was the head disciple of True Monarch Qing Yuan, Xu Yunfan’s nominal direct superior, and also a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection—Lu Chuan.

The two Great Daoist Masters had arrived together.

Xu Yunfan felt a sliver of relief. If Celestial Derivation Daoist Master had come alone, Xu Yunfan would have been far more worried.

Xu Yunfan took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent aura, and bowed solemnly to the two of them. His posture was proper, neither servile nor arrogant.

"Disciple Xu Yunfan pays his respects to the Sect Leader Daoist Master and to Senior Brother Lu Chuan."

He addressed Celestial Derivation Daoist Master as "Sect Leader Daoist Master" out of respect for his position. By addressing Lu Chuan as "Senior Brother," he was highlighting his own affiliation with the Pure Source Lineage.

’Reasonably speaking, since a heavyweight from my own side is here to back me up, I naturally can’t diminish his prestige.’

Lu Chuan’s gaze toward Xu Yunfan was filled with undisguised astonishment and curiosity, even mixed with a hint of pleasant surprise.

He had watched the entirety of that world-shocking battle just now.

A cultivator at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment had defeated and killed an old demon at the Late-Stage. Furthermore, when his opponent attempted to self-destruct his Dao Foundation in a desperate bid to take them both down, he had used the Array Dao combined with a True Scripture Secret Technique to forcibly refine the man to death, turning him into a pill.

He possessed an immeasurable talent for the Array Dao.

’What a talent!’

Lu Chuan sighed with emotion internally. His desire to befriend Xu Yunfan now held a greater degree of seriousness, and a bit less of his usual nonchalance.

’An expert in the Array Dao... you never know when you might need one.’

Xu Yunfan’s methods, his ruthlessness and precision in making snap decisions, and that array he laid out... even Lu Chuan was stunned and full of admiration.

The "Ninefold Celestial Palace Five Elements Yin Yang Thunder Domain Array" was enough to make Lu Chuan infinitely elevate Xu Yunfan’s status in his mind.

’This young man’s future is limitless.’

’For the Pure Source Lineage to have such a junior is truly a monumental blessing.’

’But for me, he’s also something of a threat.’

’What if, one day, True Monarch Qing Yuan comes to value him more than me?’

Lu Chuan felt a pang of vexation, but he didn’t dwell on it for too long.

’It comes back to the same thought: you never know when you might need an expert in the Array Dao. Whether for my own tribulations, setting up a guardian Grand Array for the Dharma Lineage’s mountain gate, or creating an artificial treasure land... the uses are truly endless.’

As these thoughts turned in his mind, Lu Chuan couldn’t help but show a bit more of a smile and a look of genuine respect on his face.

When Xu Yunfan saw the warmer smile appearing on Lu Chuan’s face, he naturally understood why and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly again.

’The people of the Primordial Sect are so pragmatic!’

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master’s calm gaze swept over Xu Yunfan. It then moved to the battered but fundamentally undamaged Divine Sky Peak below, and then to the disciples on the peak, who, though pale, were filled with the thrill of surviving a catastrophe and a fanatical worship for their Peak Master. Finally, his eyes came to rest on Xu Yunfan’s weary yet spiritually composed face.

"Xu Yunfan."

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master spoke. His voice was flat, yet it carried an intangible pressure. Every word landed clearly in the ears of Xu Yunfan and all the Divine Thoughts focused on this place.

"The Primordial Sect’s rules state that disciples must not kill one another. This is the cornerstone that upholds the Sect. To do so in such a prominent place, under the watchful eyes of all, is to break a major taboo, even if there was a reason."

His words seemed to set the nature of the event, pointing out the fact that Xu Yunfan had "broken a taboo."

His tone was indifferent, betraying no joy or anger, which only increased the pressure.

At his side, Daoist Master Lu Chuan stood with his hands tucked in his sleeves, looking perfectly serene. His eyes were lowered as if in meditation, looking as if the matter had nothing to do with him. He remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the Sect Leader’s words.

Xu Yunfan understood everything perfectly.

’Celestial Derivation Daoist Master represents True Monarch Pu Du’s faction, whose duty is to maintain the superficial order of the Sect.’

’His words are meant to state the rules, but also to be heard by all the other watching parties.’

’But Senior Brother Lu Chuan’s silence, along with the undisguised approval in his eyes just now, is the greatest support I could ask for.’

’The very presence of my direct superior is a form of silent backing. It shows the stance of the Pure Source Lineage on this matter—that they are fully supporting me, their Foundation Establishment "Double Flower Red Pole," who can both fight and take a hit.’

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