Returning to the Sect
Zhuge Xiang was in a very good mood. This trip to the Winged Human Race had truly been thrilling yet safe, and had yielded rich rewards. Although he didn't know when he would be able to complete the mission, fortunately there was no time limit, no penalty for failure, and the rewards were quite generous. For the same mission, the Winged Human Race had promised him a powerful magic Treasure Artifact, although he could only obtain it later. But at least the threat of Zi Xiang's Lifebound Gu was now eliminated, which was a fact.
Zi Xiang's Lifebound Gu had always been a thorn in Zhuge Xiang's side. Could the Phantom Clone Scroll rid him of the threat of the Lifebound Gu? Zhuge Xiang had no confidence at all. But Zi Xiang was the kind of person who risked her life. Although deceiving opponents and killing for treasures like her was very profitable, she would eventually fail and die a violent death. His arm was always in danger. Now that the Lifebound Gu had been removed, Zhuge Xiang had finally gotten rid of the thorn in his side.
Two months is neither a long nor a short time. Together with Xiao Yue, the two of them hunted Monster Beast of Middle Grade Three-Star or lower, heading towards the Asura Sect. They timed it perfectly and finally returned to the Asura Sect Headquarters two months later.
In the past two months, Zhuge Xiang's cultivation has advanced further, from the Meridian Opening Realm First Layer to the Second Layer. His internal Qi Energy has become more abundant, and he has also opened up several more Meridians, making his Qi Energy flow more smoothly and freely. Even for the Blood Thunder Slash, the energy accumulation time only takes one breath.
"It's been over a year, and I'm finally back." Standing at the entrance of the Asura Sect, Zhuge Xiang took a deep breath, then stepped inside.
As usual, upon returning, Zhuge Xiang first sought out Niu Geng. More than a year had passed, and Niu Geng was still in his Courtyard Gu Refining. Sensing his cultivation level, Zhuge Xiang was secretly astonished. Eighth level of the Body Tempering Realm! He hadn't expected that in just one year and two months, Niu Geng's cultivation had reached such a terrifying level. This cultivation speed was comparable to, or even comparable to, his own—a fourfold increase in cultivation speed. The effects of the Nine Aperture Profound Pill were indeed heaven-defying.
Zhuge Xiang was secretly pleased with Niu Geng's improved cultivation level, but then Zhuge Xiang frowned again because Zi Xiang was with Niu Geng, and judging from their appearance, their relationship had become increasingly intimate over the past year.
"Niu Geng," Zhuge Xiang greeted, pushing open the gate to Niu Geng's courtyard and walking in. Xiao Yue was still sitting on Zhuge Xiang's shoulder.
"Zhuge Xiang, you're back?" Niu Geng exclaimed joyfully, abandoning the Gu Poison he was halfway through refining. He stepped forward and gave Zhuge Xiang a warm hug. However, looking at Xiao Yue perched on Zhuge Xiang's shoulder, Niu Geng asked in confusion, "When did you get the habit of keeping pets? This isn't like you."
"This is my partner. Don't speak ill of it. It's very intelligent." More than a year has passed, Zhuge Xiang no longer needs to let Xiao Yue use its Divine Sense to hide its form. The obvious crescent-shaped pattern on its forehead is now bound with a Sash.
Xiao Yue, perched on Zhuge Xiang's shoulder, rolled its eyes at Niu Geng in a very human-like manner when he heard him say he was a pet. Then it turned its head away and ignored him, leaving Niu Geng dumbfounded. High intelligence? That's a bit too high. Its wisdom is almost no different from that of an ordinary person, and it even knows how to make such a disdainful expression.
"Zhuge Xiang, you're back," Zi Xiang said, stepping forward to greet him.
Although he harbored a strong prejudice against Zi Xiang, Zhuge Xiang had indeed taken advantage of her somewhat with the 108 Spirit Stone she had given him. He couldn't refuse someone who was smiling, so he nodded in return. More than a year had passed since they last met, and Zi Xiang's cultivation had advanced to the Fifth Layer the Body Tempering Realm, a rather impressive pace.
"The Inner Sect Selection Trial is in three days. You came back at this time, is it for this?" After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three people and the dog entered Niu Geng's house. After they sat down, Niu Geng asked Zhuge Xiang. Zi Xiang, who was next to him, stared at Zhuge Xiang intently. She knew very well what kind of cultivation level was required to participate in the Inner Sect Selection Trial.
"That's right, I recently broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm Second Layer, which is for the Inner Sect Selection Trial," Zhuge Xiang nodded and answered. Then, thinking of what Lu Yuling had said to him that day, he asked, "What level has Lu Yuling's cultivation reached in the past year or so?"
"Lu Yuling broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm two months ago and has been in seclusion for the past two months. I wonder what level she has reached now. And Zhang Kuang has also been cultivating like crazy this year and broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm early as well. Are you all going to participate in the Inner Sect Selection Trial? I think it's too much of a stretch." Looking at Zhuge Xiang, Niu Geng's eyes were filled with some worry.
The Inner Sect Selection Trial is said to be open to disciples with the cultivation level of the Meridian Opening Realm. However, it is clear that the competitors they face in the assessment are mostly experts at the seventh or eighth level of the Meridian Opening Realm or above. With Zhuge Xiang and his group's cultivation level of the first or second level of the Meridian Opening Realm, the gap of more than half a realm is not something that can be made up for by a few Magic Artifact or martial arts Skill.
"Don't worry, since I'm going to participate, I'm confident," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Alright, I wish you success." Zhuge Xiang always managed to make the impossible possible. Since he was so confident, Niu Geng had no choice but to believe him.
After chatting for a few minutes, Zhuge Xiang left Niu Geng's house. He hesitated for a moment about Zhuge Xiang Zi Xiang, but ultimately said nothing.
She had already warned him a year ago, so there was no point in saying anything more. Besides, Niu Geng wasn't stupid, and now his cultivation had surpassed Zi Xiang's. She believed that nothing should happen. She had her Lifebound Gu in her hands, and Zi Xiang knew the consequences of messing with Niu Geng. She wasn't stupid either.
After leaving Niu Geng's place, Zhuge Xiang made his way to Lu Yuling's Courtyard and found Lu Yuling.
"You're finally back! I was worried you'd died in the Endless Mountain Range," Lu Yuling said as she welcomed Zhuge Xiang into the living room. She sized Zhuge Xiang up and, sensing his Meridian Opening Realm Second Layer cultivation, gave him an "I knew it" look, though she couldn't bring herself to say anything nice.
"There's nothing I can do. I'm not very talented, unlike you guys who can quickly improve your cultivation just by meditating. If I want to catch up with you geniuses, I can only make up for my lack of talent with hard work." After looking Lu Yuling up and down, Zhuge Xiang was secretly surprised to find that the aura emanating from her was no weaker than his own. He then pretended to be helpless and shrugged.
With a serious look in her eyes, Lu Yuling said as if she had just met Zhuge Xiang, "I didn't expect that in just one year, you've not only grown taller, but you've also become much more shameless. How dare you say that you're not talented?"
"Haven't you changed too? You've become even more graceful and elegant," Zhuge Xiang retorted.
That's the truth. Lu Yuling, now sixteen, has grown into a graceful young woman, losing some of her youthful awkwardness. Even Zhuge Xiang couldn't deny that he was momentarily captivated by her beauty.
Without intending to discuss this further, Lu Yuling suddenly turned her head to look out the window and said, "I've spent a year at the Outer Sect Base and almost two years at headquarters. As long as I pass this Inner Sect Selection Trial, I can leave legitimately. It's been three years; it's time for me to go home and visit."
"Go home?" Turning his head to look out the window, Zhuge Xiang also fell into deep thought.
Home? Zhuge Xiang has been an orphan since childhood. He has never had a home and doesn't know who his parents are. But the old Beggar's grave has been there for three years. It should be overgrown with weeds by now. He should go and pay his respects.
"What? That kid Zhuge Xiang is back? And he's broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm?" In the core area, Dugu Jue, who had been keeping an eye on Green Bamboo Peak, received the news as soon as Zhuge Xiang returned. "He's back at this time, and he's even broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm? It seems this kid wants to participate in the Inner Sect Selection Trial? Hmph, how can we let it go after he killed someone from my Dugu Family?"
Over the past year, Dugu Jue has not been idle. He was a renowned genius in the Inner Sect, and his cultivation level has increased dramatically. In the past year, Dugu Jue has also spent a lot of time investigating the cause of Dugu Ming's death.
Dugu Ming had contacted several friends to plot against Zhuge Xiang and his group, but in the end, those people, like Dugu Ming, all disappeared. However, after they returned, Zhuge Xiang and his group sold off a large number of Magic Artifact artifacts and equipment, including Magic Artifact belonging to Dugu Ming and his group. This made Dugu Jue even more convinced that Dugu Ming had died at the hands of these people.
Niu Geng and the others were still unaware of who had any connection with the mysterious Deity Transformation stage Mysterious Expert, so Dugu Jue dared not make a move. However, Zhuge Xiang? He was someone Dugu Jue didn't need to worry about, and since he was the main culprit, how could Dugu Jue let him go?
After a moment of silence, Dugu Jue spoke, saying to the disciple before him, "How many people will participate in this selection assessment? Who among them is strong enough? Go and find out, and make a list for me. I want to visit them one by one."
(P. S.: This is the third update today, making up for yesterday's chapter. Please add it to your favorites and recommend it.)