Tian Sha

Fifteen days passed in a flash. Zhong Shan, carrying his large saber on his back, was already standing in the Kaiyang Sect's largest palace, Kaiyang Hall.

Inside the hall stood twenty-five third-generation disciples.

Among them, three were newly recruited disciples from a year ago, while the other twenty-two were veteran third-generation disciples, all at or above the sixth level of the Innate Stage, powerful cultivators who had formed True Essence.

Zhong Shan stood slightly back, next to Nan Batian, listening to Nan Batian introduce the group of people here. As for Tian Ling'er, she had not appeared yet.

In Kaiyang Hall, there were three grand chairs, placed at the very front, facing due north, east, and west respectively.

Soon, a group of people flew in from outside, landing at the entrance of the hall, and then stood behind the three grand chairs.

To the west were five women, to the east were six men, but to the north there were only four people.

Nan Batian whispered, "These are all second-generation disciples, all at the Golden Core Stage cultivation level. Maybe after our meeting, they still have a meeting."

"Okay," Zhong Shan nodded slightly.

"The west side is from Snow Bamboo Peak, the east side is from Flame Mountain Peak, and the north side is from Kaiyang Peak," Nan Batian said.

"Senior Brother," at this moment, the second-generation disciples inside the hall all politely called out towards the entrance.

Zhong Shan looked in the direction of the voice. It was a man with a pale face and a black robe. The man had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, very handsome. A scarlet red mole between his eyebrows added an endless heroic spirit out of thin air. The man wore a black robe, and at his waist was a black longsword sheathed in a scabbard. He slowly walked towards the north side, standing behind the grand chair.

"Senior Brother, Tian Sha," Nan Batian whispered to Zhong Shan.

"Okay," Zhong Shan nodded, looking at Senior Brother's aura. Zhong Shan's heart tightened. Killing intent, an invisible killing intent, but this killing intent was not directed at anyone, but naturally emanated, as if related to his personality and cultivation technique.

The arrival of Senior Brother attracted everyone's attention.

After Senior Brother stood still, he looked towards the direction of Snow Bamboo Peak, as if checking if someone had arrived. Seeing the worshipful expressions of the group of women, Senior Brother frowned and withdrew his gaze. Clearly, he did not see what he wanted.

"Senior Brother, you're here." Outside the hall, Tian Ling'er's urgent and joyful voice suddenly came.

As soon as Tian Ling'er entered the hall, she ran to Senior Brother.

"Ling'er?" Senior Brother looked at Tian Ling'er and frowned.

"I'm already at the ninth level of the Innate Stage. Soon, I'll be able to reach the Golden Core Stage. From now on, I can freely call you Senior Brother," Tian Ling'er said happily, as if just saying a few words to Senior Brother made her incredibly happy.

"Congratulations," Senior Brother Tian Sha said only politely.

"Okay," Tian Ling'er immediately nodded excitedly, as if receiving Senior Brother's blessing made her incredibly happy.

"Ling'er, where are you standing?" Outside the hall, Tian Xingzi's shout suddenly came.

Looking outside the hall, Tian Ling'er stuck out her little tongue and immediately ran over to Zhong Shan and Nan Batian.

Outside the hall, Sect Master Tian Xingzi, Flame Mountain Peak Lord Xuan Xinzi, and Snow Bamboo Peak Lord Gu Shuangzi slowly walked in.

After the three entered, they walked to the grand chairs, sat down, and looked at these twenty-six most outstanding third-generation disciples of the Kaiyang Sect.

"Except for the three of you from half a month ago, everyone else knows the purpose of this trip, right? Going out for training," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes," everyone replied. And those who received the news half a month ago along with Zhong Shan also responded.

"Now, is there anyone who doesn't want to go for training?" Tian Xingzi asked.

The hall was silent, no one answered. Clearly, everyone wanted to go out for training. Even the other two who were with Zhong Shan did not object.

"Alright, this training expedition isn't just about broadening your horizons and honing your skills, it has another purpose," Tian Xingzi said.

As he spoke, Tian Xingzi flipped his hand, and a phantom suddenly appeared in his palm – a figure condensed from True Essence.

This illusory figure was a handsome man in white robes, with a pale face that looked somewhat weak. He held a purple fan, appearing very refined.

"Remember this person. This is the latest information I've received. His name is Hao San, and his cultivation is also at the Innate Stage. He has one or two people protecting him. If possible, capture him, or kill him and bring back his corpse. The sect will reward you with a fourth-grade magical treasure and a fourth-grade pill," Tian Xingzi said.

Fourth-grade? Zhong Shan was startled. Fourth-grade was an incredible level. The sect master's magical treasures were probably only fourth or fifth-grade, right?

"Yes," everyone replied joyfully.

"Regardless of whether you find this person or not, everyone must return in one year," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes," everyone immediately responded.

"Alright, you can all go back and prepare. Depart when you are ready," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes," everyone answered in unison.

Then, they all left one after another.

As Zhong Shan reached the entrance, he suddenly heard Tian Xingzi's voice transmission: "Zhong Shan, Ling'er, Batian, wait for me at Zhong Shan's Listening Water Pavilion."

Zhong Shan paused, and the other two also paused, but they didn't turn back. They left the hall and went down the mountain, heading towards the Listening Water Pavilion.

In the main hall, the sect master and the Peak Lords likely had more to discuss with the second-generation disciples.

Listening Water Pavilion.

"Who do you think that Hao San is? Why did Dad say he wanted to kill him?" Tian Ling'er sat by the stone table, resting her chin on her hands placed on the table, looking at the waterfall in front of her as she spoke casually.

"I don't know. Uncle Tian asked me to come here, so he must have something to tell us," Nan Batian said.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shan had prepared a large amount of dry food. He also made some simple outdoor supplies from medicinal herbs he found in the mountains.

An hour later, Tian Xingzi flew down.

"Dad, why did you take so long? We're about to leave," Tian Ling'er said impatiently.

"Hehe, can't wait?" Tian Xingzi looked at Tian Ling'er and smiled.

"Uncle Tian," "Sect Master."

"Yes, you're about to leave. There are some things I need to make clear to you. Batian, this is a good training process. You should carefully experience the ways of the world and people's hearts. As for the defensive magical treasure I gave you, don't use it unless it's a critical situation," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

"Yes," Nan Batian said.

"Alright, you'll be traveling alone. Rely on yourself for everything. Learn to be independent," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes," although Nan Batian felt that Tian Xingzi's words were a bit excessive, as he wasn't a child, Nan Batian still nodded very respectfully.

"Alright, you can go," Tian Xingzi said.

"Okay, then Senior Sister Ling'er, Zhong Shan, I'll be leaving first," Nan Batian said.

"Take care," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Go," Tian Ling'er also nodded.

Following that, Nan Batian left.

As soon as Nan Batian was gone, Tian Xingzi looked at Tian Ling'er again.

"Ling'er, this time you go out, I have only one request: stay by Zhong Shan's side and listen to Zhong Shan in everything," Tian Xingzi said seriously.

"Dad, Zhong Shan's cultivation isn't as high as mine," Tian Ling'er immediately pouted, looking unwilling.

"In the Kaiyang Sect, you can do as you please, but when you're outside, you must listen to Zhong Shan. I'm telling you clearly now, if Zhong Shan comes back and says you didn't listen to him, then you won't be allowed to visit your mother's grave for fifty years," Tian Xingzi said with a solemn tone.

"Dad, how can you say such a thing?" Tian Ling'er immediately became anxious. Other punishments didn't matter to Tian Ling'er, but not being allowed to visit her mother's grave?

"Only if you agree to my request will I let you go out. Otherwise, you'll cultivate in the Kaiyang Sect until you reach the Golden Core Stage before we talk about it," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

With a bitter face, Tian Ling'er looked at Tian Xingzi, then at Zhong Shan, her face full of reluctance. But, thinking about Zhong Shan, he was her friend, so wouldn't he do whatever she told him to do anyway?

"Alright," Tian Ling'er said.

"Okay," Tian Xingzi nodded. Then he looked at Zhong Shan again.

"Ling'er, I'm entrusting her to you," Tian Xingzi said.

"Sect Master, rest assured. In a year, I will return a completely unharmed Ling'er to you. Zhong Shan guarantees it," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Good," Tian Xingzi nodded happily.

Then, Tian Xingzi flipped his hand and took out another Void Spirit Pearl.

He handed the Void Spirit Pearl to Zhong Shan and said, "This Void Spirit Pearl can be considered your reward for taking care of Ling'er. As long as you find a Sumeru Stone and put it inside, you can form a storage artifact."

"Thank you, Sect Master," Zhong Shan immediately accepted it.

Zhong Shan had learned about storage artifacts from Tian Ling'er not long ago. First, storage artifacts were magic treasures, so they required a Void Spirit Pearl. Then, only by filling them with Sumeru Stones could an internal space be formed. The more Sumeru Stones, the larger the internal space.

However, Zhong Shan didn't plan to form a storage artifact with this Void Spirit Pearl. Instead, he planned to give it to his Hidden Body to form a magic treasure for it.

"Then, be careful," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes, Sect Master," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Alright, alright, Dad, you can go now, you're being so long-winded," Tian Ling'er immediately said, clearly wanting to go out right away.

"Alright, then I'll be going," Tian Xingzi smiled, stepped onto a white cloud, and flew away.

"Alright, let's go," Tian Ling'er immediately said.

"Have you prepared your things?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Here," Tian Ling'er extended her wrist, revealing a beautiful red bracelet. Clearly, her things were already stored inside.

"Okay, that's good. However, before we go, we must first create a signal," Zhong Shan said, frowning slightly.

"A signal? What kind of signal?" Tian Ling'er immediately asked curiously.

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