Biyou Secret Talk, A Saint's Heart Is Hard to Guess

The phantom image of the formation above the light cocoon, miniaturized and infused with Chaos Qi and Heaven-Severing Sword Intent, though only existing for a brief moment, struck everyone present like a thunderclap, except for the light cocoon itself.

For the first time, clear cracks appeared on the ancient, unchanging face of Daoist Duobao—the cracks of shock. As the eldest disciple of the Intercepting Sect and in charge of its affairs, his understanding of formations was second only to Sect Master Tongtian. How could he not see that although the phantom image was crude and immature, its core Dao Rhyme had actually captured a trace of the essence of the Myriad Immortals Formation's "intercepting a sliver of life" and "evolving all things"! This was absolutely not the behavior of an "egg" that had just awakened its sentience! This learning ability and comprehension were simply heaven-defying!

The San Xiao sisters also exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes. Bixiao opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Yunxiao stopped her with a look. Qiongxiao gently tugged at Bixiao's sleeve, signaling her not to disturb Xuanwei and the light cocoon, who were in some kind of "communication" state.

Xuanwei himself was also bewildered. He felt like a chick farmer who had accidentally found an egg, only to discover it was a nuclear bomb after hatching, and this nuclear bomb was now demonstrating calculus in front of him. Inside, besides a "holy crap," there was only deep worry about the future—the more amazing this light cocoon's ancestors were, the more advanced the "nutrition" it would require in the future. His meager resources might be sucked dry into mere Immortal Qi.

"Hungry... tired... sleep..."

That vague thought transmitted again, carrying a sense of contented weariness. Having finished its show-off, the light cocoon retracted all its light, its surface Dao patterns returning to their slow circulation, and it slowly sank back into the cave it had broken through, leaving behind a mess and a Xuanwei whose body (Immortal Qi and Chaos Qi) had been emptied.

Silence fell upon the scene.

After a few breaths, Daoist Duobao slowly exhaled, looking at the pale-faced Xuanwei (his Immortal Qi dimmed) with a complex gaze, his tone carrying an indescribable meaning, "Xuanwei, you... take care of yourself."

He truly didn't know how to describe this junior disciple. If you said he had deep fortune, then his ability to cause trouble (or have trouble find him) was also top-notch. If you said he was good at stirring things up, he always seemed to gain some unexpected benefit (or a more troublesome burden) after each stir. The existence of this light cocoon had already surpassed the scope of ordinary opportunities, and even he could not predict its future.

"Disciple... understands." Xuanwei weakly replied, feeling like a social animal who had worked overtime for three consecutive months, his soul almost leaving his body. He quickly took out a handful of Restoration Pills and ingested them (integrating them into) his main body, then activated the vitality of the Remnant Seed of Jianmu to nourish himself slowly, before feeling a little better.

"With this matter concluded, I must report this anomaly to Master." Daoist Duobao cast a final, deep glance at the spot where the light cocoon had sunk, his form flickered, and he disappeared from the spot.

Xuanwei and the San Xiao sisters were left facing each other.

"Junior Disciple..." Bixiao leaned closer, curiously poking Xuanwei (his Immortal Qi), "What kind of treasure did you pick up? It feels like it causes more trouble than Senior Sister's Primal Chaos Golden Dipper?"

Xuanwei gave a wry smile, "Senior Sister, please don't tease me. Right now, I just hope it sleeps peacefully and doesn't cause any more trouble for me." He glanced at the nearly destroyed Medicine Garden and the cave below that needed its seal reinforced (mainly to prevent Qi leakage and further stimulation), and felt a wave of despair. Rebuilding their home required Contribution Points, and feeding three Black Tortoise eggs and a light cocoon required a massive amount of Chaos Qi and Wood Element Vitality... Poor, that's all there was to it!

Qiongxiao gently comforted him, "Junior Disciple need not worry too much. Although this thing has considerable future troubles, its potential is boundless. If guided well, it might become a great aid to you in the future. Resources can be gathered slowly."

Yunxiao also nodded slightly, "Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; grasp the present. Since you have received Master's direct transmission, you are qualified to utilize more sect resources. The urgent task is to stabilize your cultivation and improve your strength, so as to deal with future variables."

The three Senior Sisters comforted Xuanwei for a few more words and promised to help him look for tasks that could quickly earn Contribution Points and contained Chaos and Wood Element spiritual materials, before they each departed.

After seeing off San Xiao, Xuanwei looked at the devastated Medicine Garden, sighed, and resignedly began to clean up the mess. He first re-sorted the runaway Earth Vein, repaired the damaged Spirit Field, and then, consuming a considerable amount of Immortal Qi and materials, combined with the rudimentary understanding of the newly learned "Black Tortoise Prison Suppressing Pattern," he set up a stronger, more concealed sealing formation at the entrance of the underground cave, with a focus on isolating internal and external Qi fluctuations.

After completing all this, he felt that the energy he had just recovered was almost depleted again. He collapsed (his consciousness collapsed) by the newly repaired Spirit Field and began to seriously consider a plan for "getting rich."

Relying solely on completing tasks to earn Contribution Points was too inefficient, and high-level resources were often unavailable even with money. Alchemy? He couldn't do it. Artifact refining? He didn't have time to learn. Talisman crafting? He was clueless.

"Could it be... I have to go back to my old ways and get rich by 'forcing the growth' of Spiritual Plants?" Xuanwei pondered. With his current ability to wield the Remnant Seed of Jianmu and Chaos Qi, his efficiency in forcing the growth of high-year Spiritual Plants would be unparalleled in the Intercepting Sect. However, this method didn't make money fast enough, and it was too conspicuous, easily attracting attention.

"Or... sell 'technology'?" His eyes lit up. Didn't the Chaos Bead have the ability to simulate auras? Could it simulate the medicinal properties of a certain high-level pill to trick... ah, no, to "help" disciples stuck at bottlenecks find a breakthrough opportunity? Or simulate the Dao Rhyme of some top-tier artifact refining material to increase the success rate during artifact refining?

This idea was bold and suicidal. Once exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable. But the potential profits were also extremely high; it was definitely a lucrative industry.

Just as he was lost in thought, repeatedly dancing on the edge of self-destruction, a clear sword cry echoed from the sky!

Whoosh!

A condensed stream of pure Supreme Pure Sword Intent, a cyan light, ignored the layers of restrictions Xuanwei had just set up, passing through as if nothing was there, and stopped directly in front of him! The light dissipated, revealing a token that was neither gold nor jade, with an ancient design, inscribed with the character "通" (Tong)!

Sect Master Tongtian's summons token?!

Xuanwei jolted, almost jumping up from the ground (on a mental level)! He had just calmed the disturbance of the light cocoon, and after Senior Brother Duobao left, Master summoned him immediately? Was this to settle accounts, or... was there another arrangement?

He dared not delay, quickly tidied himself up (his Immortal Qi body), and respectfully accepted the token radiating a stern saintly might. The token felt slightly cool in his hand, and a clear thought entered his mind:

"Come to the rear hall of Biyou Palace quickly."

Concise and to the point, it was Sect Master Tongtian's usual style.

Xuanwei's heart was in turmoil, as if he had a rabbit (which had transformed from a Black Tortoise egg) in his chest. He glanced at the ground; the light cocoon was temporarily stable. He then sensed his Mustard Seed Space; the three Black Tortoise eggs were also obediently absorbing Chaos Qi. Only then did he slightly compose himself, summoned his escape light, and flew towards the core area of Biyou Palace with the feeling of going to an execution ground.

Passing through layers of immortal mist and restrictions, he arrived at the rear hall of Biyou Palace. It was even more serene than the front hall, and the Dao Rhyme was denser and purer. Sect Master Tongtian had not manifested his true form; only that cyan Dao light, containing infinite vitality and sharpness, hovered above the only cloud bed in the hall.

"Disciple Xuanwei greets Master!" Xuanwei landed (hovered to a landing) and bowed respectfully.

The cyan Dao light fluctuated slightly, and Sect Master Tongtian's clear and majestic voice rang out, skipping all pleasantries: "The Chaos entity underground, and the Western Teachings' scheme in the East Sea, Duobao has already reported to me."

Xuanwei's heart tightened. Here it comes!

"You carry a rare treasure and possess deep fortune, but calamity also follows you." Sect Master Tongtian's tone revealed no joy or anger. "Although the fragments of the Chaos Bead can conceal heavenly secrets, they are not omnipotent. Saints have premonitions and natural inductions. The two Saints of the West have already noticed you."

Xuanwei's scalp tingled! The Two Saints of the West! Zhunti and Jieyin! Those were top-tier powerhouses on the same level as the Dao Ancestor! He had already attracted the attention of Saints?!

"Mas... Master... Disciple..." His voice trembled slightly.

"There is no need to panic." Sect Master Tongtian interrupted him. "Since you have entered my sect, you are a person of the Intercepting Sect. My sword is still sharp enough to protect my disciples."

These words were spoken plainly but carried a decisive and domineering aura that could sever everything! This instantly put Xuanwei at ease. That's right, he was now part of an organization! His boss (Master) was a formidable figure who could go head-to-head with four Saints!

"Thank you, Master!" Xuanwei sincerely bowed again.

"However, external forces can be borrowed, but not relied upon." Sect Master Tongtian changed the subject. "The Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods is about to begin. This is the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, and also an opportunity for internal reckoning within the Xuanmen. Tribulation Qi permeates, and heavenly secrets are chaotic, making it difficult even for Saints to grasp the entire situation. You need to improve your strength as quickly as possible to fight for a sliver of survival in the tribulation."

The Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods! Was it finally coming?! Xuanwei's heart tensed.

"That Chaos entity, and the descendants of the Black Tortoise, though burdens, are also opportunities. Nurture them well, and they may become your aid in surviving the tribulation." Sect Master Tongtian continued, "I observe your cultivation to be varied but not specialized. Although you have the Chaos Bead to harmonize, your foundation still needs to be solidified. I have summoned you here today to give you an opportunity."

A strand of extremely pure Supreme Pure Immortal Qi separated from the cyan Dao light and entered Xuanwei's brow.

"This is the guide to the 'Supreme Pure Dao Comprehension Pool.' With this guide, you can enter the pool to cultivate for three months. The pool water is condensed from the pure Qi of the primordial Chaos that I have collected and contains supreme Dao Rhyme, which is remarkably effective for comprehending the Great Dao, solidifying your foundation, and tempering your origin. I hope you seize this opportunity well."

Supreme Pure Dao Comprehension Pool! Xuanwei was overjoyed! This was one of the top cultivation sacred lands of the Intercepting Sect! It was said that one day of cultivation inside was equivalent to one year outside! And it greatly enhanced the comprehension of the Great Dao! Master was investing heavily in cultivating him!

"Disciple kowtows to thank Master for the generous gift! I will certainly cultivate diligently and not fail your kindness!" Xuanwei was so excited that his Immortal Qi was rippling.

"Go." Sect Master Tongtian's voice carried a hint of weariness. "Remember, before the tribulation begins, Golden Immortal is the foundation for standing firm."

With a flash of green light, Sect Master Tongtian's aura vanished.

Xuanwei held the "Supreme Pure Dao Comprehension Pool" fuse, his heart filled with gratitude and a sense of urgency.

Golden Immortal! He had to break through to the Golden Immortal realm before the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods officially began! Otherwise, he wouldn't even qualify to be cannon fodder!

He glanced at the sleeping cocoon on the ground, then felt the three Black Tortoise eggs in his Mustard Seed Space, his gaze becoming resolute.

Seclusion! Breakthrough to Golden Immortal!

However, just as he was about to head to the "Supreme Pure Dao Comprehension Pool" for seclusion, the communication jade talisman from Duobao in his embrace flickered once again, ill-timed as ever!

Xuanwei frowned and sent his divine sense into it.

Daoist Duobao's intention, tinged with a hint of strangeness, was transmitted:

"Xuanwei, come to the Outer Sect Affairs Hall quickly. A little fellow... who claims to be the descendant of your 'old friend', has come to Golden Ao Island with your 'token'... to seek you as a master."

Descendant of an old friend? Token? Seek as a master?

Xuanwei was utterly bewildered. Who could be his old friend in the Primordial World? And a descendant at that? He was just a wisp of energy when he transmigrated here; all his relatives and friends were in another world!

Which immortal was trying to pull a fast one on him now?!