Carefree Sect

In the Floating Cloud Mountain Range, several Carefree Sect cultivators dressed in Gray Daoist Robes stood beside the pool from which Song Qingming had escaped several months ago, observing the activity within its waters.

Among them was a white-bearded Daoist with a whisk in hand and his hair coiled into a Daoist knot. Though his appearance was unremarkable, a faint pressure of spiritual power occasionally radiated from his body. He was clearly a formidable expert whose cultivation had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Behind the white-bearded Daoist stood two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, one man and one woman, along with seven or eight Qi Refining Cultivators. They all followed carefully behind him, watching the center of the tranquil pool.

Before long, ripples spread across one spot in the center of the pool. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator clad in the same Gray Daoist Robe slowly surfaced. His entire body was enveloped in a deep-blue barrier of light; not even his clothes had touched a drop of the pool water.

The Dharma Robes and Daoist Robes worn by Carefree Sect disciples of the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages had standardized colors and styles when they went out. Qi Refining disciples wore white, while Foundation Establishment disciples wore Gray Daoist Robes.

"Senior Brother Tian, the investigation is complete. There is indeed a Grade 2 Mid-grade Black Feathered Python in this pool, inside the cavern at the bottom. However, the passages in that cavern extend in all directions, and fighting underwater may put us at a disadvantage. Should we lure it up before making our move?"

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the pool spoke respectfully to the white-bearded cultivator leading the group onshore. Though he too was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Carefree Sect, he had only recently broken through and was merely at the Foundation Establishment Second Layer. Before this long-renowned Foundation Establishment expert of the sect, he kept an extremely low profile.

This Senior Brother Tian at the peak of Foundation Establishment was Tian Qinghu. Among the more than two hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Carefree Sect, he was an established veteran ranked among the top ten in cultivation and divine abilities. He had always been deeply respected by the sect's lower-level Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples, and he was also the leader assigned to this sect mission.

The Carefree Sect had dominated the Wei State for several thousand years. It now possessed not only a Grand Elder who had entered the Nascent Soul Realm many years ago, but also nine Golden Core Elders, more than two hundred Foundation Establishment experts, and over ten thousand Qi Refining disciples.

For a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator like Tian Qinghu, aside from the Carefree Sect's Nascent Soul Old Ancestor and its nine Golden Core Elders, he was one of the few with the greatest authority in the sect.

Tian Qinghu had attempted Core Formation twice in succession, but unfortunately failed both times. Though his mana and cultivation had advanced to the False Core realm at the peak of Foundation Establishment, he was already one hundred ninety years old. While he still had a sliver of hope of forming a core, he did not have much Lifespan remaining. If he failed to form a core within the next twenty or thirty years, his path of cultivation would end at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Very well. You have worked hard, Junior Brother Wei."

After listening, Tian Qinghu nodded. He first turned and glanced at a Qi Refining disciple not far behind him, then raised his brow slightly at a Foundation Establishment fellow disciple beside him. "Junior Brother Li, what do you think?"

The handsome young cultivator behind Tian Qinghu was clearly somewhat dissatisfied by Junior Brother Wei's excessive caution. He could not help speaking up.

"For this mission, we have brought four Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and with you, Senior Brother Tian, a peak Foundation Establishment expert holding the field, dealing with a mere Grade 2 Mid-grade Black Feathered Python should be as easy as plucking something from a bag. Junior Brother Wei is worrying too much. I ask my fellow senior and junior brothers to hold the line for me while I go slay this demon."

This handsome Foundation Establishment Cultivator was the personal disciple of a Golden Core Ancestor of the Carefree Sect. Though he was only at the Fifth Level of Foundation Establishment, relying on the two fine magical artifacts bestowed by his master, he was already no weaker than an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator within the sect. He did not place a Grade 2 Mid-grade demonic beast in his eyes, nor did he want anyone else's help.

His name was Li Yungong. Not long after joining the Carefree Sect in his early years, he had been accepted as a disciple by one of the sect's Golden Core Elders, becoming a direct-line disciple of the Carefree Sect. His Spiritual Root Aptitude was exceptionally outstanding. At just over sixty years old, he had already reached the Fifth Level of Foundation Establishment.

As one of the Carefree Sect's core Foundation Establishment disciples, Li Yungong had always been deeply favored by his master, and his future path of cultivation was immeasurable. He was one of the few Foundation Establishment disciples in the sect who could contend for the Golden Core Realm in the future.

Though he had been in Foundation Establishment for some time, Li Yungong had always lacked opportunities to go out on training journeys. Since entering the tutelage of that Golden Core Ancestor, he had never lacked cultivation resources as he progressed from the Qi Refining Stage to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Under his master's guidance, he had cultivated steadily and methodically for several decades.

Li Yungong usually remained in the sect in secluded cultivation and rarely went out to carry out sect missions. Having finally managed to ask his master for an opportunity to go out on a training journey this time, he was eager to display his abilities before his fellow disciples and bring honor to his master.

The Green-robed Woman beside him saw that Li Yungong was being somewhat rash and was about to speak to stop him. However, Tian Qinghu, the leader, burst into laughter and said to Li Yungong, "Since Junior Brother Li wishes to render merit to the sect, I naturally will not stand in your way. Go and test yourself against this demon first. If you cannot handle it, we will naturally lend our aid."

Li Yungong was secretly delighted. He cupped his hands to Tian Qinghu, then drew a White Flying Sword and plunged headfirst into the pool. Before long, fierce sounds of spell combat erupted from the bottom.

The Green-robed Woman looked at Tian Qinghu with concern. "Senior Brother Tian, why did you not stop Junior Brother Li just now? If there are other dangers in this pool and something happens to Junior Brother Li, how are we to explain ourselves to Martial Uncle Jin when we return?"

"Rest assured, Junior Sister Cheng. The pool has already been investigated. There is indeed only one Black Feathered Python below. Besides, Junior Brother Li has inherited Martial Uncle Jin's true teachings. With his divine abilities, what other danger could there be? Moreover, before we left, Martial Uncle Jin instructed me to let Junior Brother Li gain more experience. I am merely acting in accordance with Martial Uncle's orders." Tian Qinghu's expression remained calm.

"Senior Brother Tian is right. Since someone is willing to do the work for us, we can save some effort ourselves and avoid making people think we are stealing his thunder." After hearing Tian Qinghu's words, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator surnamed Wei also began to mock coldly. He had clearly seen that Tian Qinghu intended to stand by and watch.

The Green-robed Woman looked at Tian Qinghu but said nothing further. Seemingly deep in thought, she flew alone above the pool, intending to observe the movements below from closer range.

Below the pool, flashes of blades and swords churned as the sounds of magical artifacts colliding rang out from time to time.

Half an hour later, Li Yungong stood beside the pool with a proud expression. In one hand, he held the enormous black head of the Black Feathered Python, which he tossed onto the ground. In the pool behind him, the seven- or eight-zhang python body floated at the center, its blood having nearly dyed the entire pool red.

Several white-clothed Qi Refining disciples of the Carefree Sect hurried forward to help Li Yungong put away the Black Feathered Python's head.

Tian Qinghu approached with a smile. "Junior Brother Li truly is Martial Uncle Jin's personal disciple. The Heavenly Fire Thunderclap Art is indeed extraordinary. You slew this Black Feathered Python so cleanly and decisively. Junior Brother Li, you have worked hard. Next, Junior Sister Cheng, please come down with us to transplant the Water Spirit Fruit Tree."

Tian Qinghu swept up the Qi Refining disciple he had glanced at earlier, then led the other three Foundation Establishment Cultivators into the air above the pool. They released protective shield-light and plunged headfirst into the waters.

Before long, the group arrived in the demonic beast's cavern at the bottom of the pool. Tian Qinghu looked at a pile of White Bone deep within the cavern and asked the Qi Refining disciple, "What was your name again?"

The white-clothed disciple replied nervously, "Reporting to Martial Uncle Tian, this... this disciple is Du Yucheng."