Zhang Yu looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning, instantly locking onto Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue, whose expressions were complex in the distance, and said loudly:
"Sect Master, Grand Elder, please come down for a chat."
Upon hearing this, the two dared not delay and flashed to Zhang Yu's side.
Zhou Wentao glanced at the shattered palaces around him, then at the various spies from different peaks in the distance, and spoke first:
"This is not the place to talk. Follow me to the secret Secret Chamber on the Main Peak."
He knew that what Zhang Yu wanted to talk about must be related to Tiantian and his own incredible breakthrough to become Heavenly Immortal.
Such secrets must never be discussed in public.
"Alright."
Zhang Yu nodded, then looked at Tiantian beside him, Small Face was tired and who was yawning repeatedly, and said softly to Zhang Lingyun:
"Lingyun, take Tiantian and find a suitable place for her to rest properly."
I'm going to discuss some matters with the Sect Master and the Grand Elder.
Lingyun?
Upon hearing this, everyone's heart skipped a beat.
This way of addressing me... is so intimate!
Between master and disciple, addressing each other by their first names? And in such a gentle tone?
Could it be that these two, master and disciple... have already secretly been having an affair and are engaging in Forbidden Love?
The crowd exchanged ambiguous glances, their minds wandering.
As for why it was Ling Yun and not Jiang Ling, no one investigated further.
Soul Cultivator Body Seizure and changing names is quite common.
Zhang Lingyun's heart tightened upon hearing the name Lingyun.
She didn't care about the strange looks from the crowd; in fact, she seemed... somewhat pleased.
"Okay, I'll take Tiantian to rest now."
She nodded shyly, her voice soft.
Crimson Flame Peak is now in a state of disarray, making it unsuitable to linger.
"Jiang Ling, I have a past relationship with your Master, so you can be considered half a junior to me."
"Why don't you come and stay at my Jingyuan Peak for a while? That way, I can look after you a bit."
The Vice Sect Master Helian Jue, was the first to react. He immediately stepped forward, beaming, and brought up his past relationship with Zhang Lingyun's Master.
He knew perfectly well that this Tiantian was of paramount importance, seemingly possessing the Heaven Defying Power directly create Heavenly Immortal!
If you want to get a share of the benefits, or even a spot to receive blessings, you must find a way to approach and build a relationship!
Upon hearing this, the others immediately understood and eagerly extended their invitations:
"Peak Master Jiang, our Crimson Flame Peak boasts exceptional scenery and abundant Spiritual Qi, making it the perfect place for recuperation!"
"Junior Sister Jiang, we fought side by side back then, and our bond is like that of siblings. Why don't you come to my Cold Soul Peak? I'll make you feel right at home!"
"Elder Jiang, our Pill Peak has recently refined a new batch of calming and soul-nourishing Pills, which we can give to Miss Tiantian for her recuperation..."
In an instant, the Peak Master vied to curry favor with Zhang Lingyun, speaking to him with great enthusiasm, as if they had some life-or-death bond with him.
Zhang Lingyun had never been surrounded by such "enthusiasm" before.
She was momentarily at a loss, unsure of what to do, and instinctively looked towards Zhang Yu.
But just then--
"Hey~ Make way, make way!"
A captivatingly beautiful voice rang out.
The Pink Skull, swaying her slender waist, squeezed into the crowd with a smile, grabbed Zhang Lingyun's arm, and said sweetly:
"Sister Jiang promised me she'd come stay at my Joyous Union Peak for a while~ You guys, don't even think about it!"
As she spoke, she winked at Zhang Lingyun and transmitted her voice:
"Good sister, you're right to listen to your older sister, aren't you?"
Women should be gentler. Look how affectionately he calls you now!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lingyun blushed slightly, a rare occurrence for her. A hint of shyness flashed in her usually cold eyes as she nodded gently.
Everyone secretly resented being outmaneuvered by the Pink Skull.
But he dared not show it on his face and could only awkwardly back away.
The Pink Skull was secretly delighted. Armed with Zhang Lingyun and leading Tiantian, they chatted and laughed as they drifted away towards Joyous Union Peak.
Zhang Yu, along with Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue, transformed into three streaks of light and sped towards the Secret Chamber on the Main Peak.
In the Secret Chamber at the Main Peak, Zhang Yu sat in the main seat without any ceremony, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue, whose expressions were complicated, and went straight to the point:
"You two must have some doubts, so I might as well speak frankly."
"I imagine you have already received information about how Tiantian can help people improve their Cultivation level."
Indeed, that is the truth. My breakthrough to the Heavenly Immortal today is all thanks to Tiantian's efforts.
Although the two had their suspicions, hearing Zhang Yu admit it with their own ears still shocked them deeply, and their eyes were filled with undisguised horror.
Suppressing his shock, Zhou Wentao took a deep breath and asked with his hands clasped:
"May I ask... Senior, what is your background?"
"Friend or foe?"
In the world of cultivation, those who have reached the highest level are given precedence. Zhang Yu is already Heavenly Immortal, so he naturally addresses him as Senior.
What he cared about most was Zhang Yu's stance and his attitude towards the Soul Refining Sect.
Xia Hongjue's gaze was also intense, fixed intently on Zhang Yu.
This person's identity and stance will directly determine the future of the Soul Refining Sect!
"To be honest with you both..."
Zhang Yu spoke calmly, yet each word was clear:
"The current Jiang Ling is a combination of Jiang Ling and my younger sister Zhang Lingyun."
Since my sister is a member of the Soul Refining Sect, I am naturally considered half a disciple of the Soul Refining Sect as well.
He harbored no ill will toward the Soul Refining Sect, and moreover, Zhang Lingyun came from this sect, so he was naturally willing to acknowledge this connection.
More importantly, after becoming Heavenly Immortal, if he wants to quickly improve his Cultivation, he must rely on the system's "embezzlement" missions.
To embezzle, one must have their own territory and power!
The Soul Refining Sect is the perfect starting point!
Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue were overjoyed upon hearing this!
Zhang Yu considered himself a disciple of the Soul Refining Sect, which was like a windfall for them!
The world is in chaos, with the Sword Sect and Confucianism eyeing it covetously. The Soul Refining Sect is in dire need of top-tier Combat Power to maintain order.
Zhang Yu is not only Heavenly Immortal being himself, but also possesses the mysterious and unpredictable Exterminating Immortal Sword Intent. For such a powerful figure to be willing to bind himself to the Soul Refining Sect is truly an unprecedented stroke of luck for the sect!
"Senior, your Soul Refining Sect is fortunate to have Senior favor!"
Zhou Wentao stood up, bowed respectfully, and spoke sincerely.
Xia Hongjue also cupped his hands in greeting, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:
"Since we're family, we shouldn't speak like outsiders."
"Please speak frankly about your plans, Senior, and we will do our utmost to cooperate!"
Zhang Yu nodded slightly, quite satisfied with their statements.
"In that case, I'll speak frankly."
He paused, then said in a deep voice:
"You two are already aware of Tiantian's abilities."
She can help people break through to the Heavenly Immortal, and even—ignore bottlenecks and directly comprehend the Principle.
"..."
Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue gasped for breath, their eyes blazing with an unprecedented intensity.
Ignore bottlenecks and directly comprehend the Principle?
Doesn't this mean that as long as there are enough resources, Heavenly Immortal can be mass-produced?
"But..."
Zhang Yu changed the subject:
"Although this method defies the will of Heaven, it also has its limitations."
"Tiantian's Origin is currently incomplete, and each time she helps someone break through, she needs to consume a large amount of Spirit Stone to replenish it."
"A mere Spirit Stone, what does it matter?"
Zhou Wentao did not hesitate and made a firm decision:
"From this day forward, all Spirit Stone Veins, Marketplaces taxes, and tributes from vassal states of the Soul Refining Sect will be prioritized for Miss Tiantian's recovery!"
Xia Hongjue nodded emphatically as well:
"I will immediately order the sect's secret vault to be opened, and all the accumulated Spirit Stone and Spirit Crystal to be brought out for Miss Tiantian's use!"
The speed of their reaction and the decisiveness of their decision surprised Zhang Yu.
But upon further reflection, I felt relieved.
Exchanging Spirit Stone for Heavenly Immortal —only a fool wouldn't do such a deal.
Ordinary cultivators, by comprehending the heavens and earth, understanding their own path, communicating with the Principle through their Divine Soul, and triggering Heavenly Tribulation to temper their bodies, have a chance to break through the Heavenly Gate and become Heavenly Immortal.
This process will take at least tens of thousands of years.
This process requires consuming massive amounts of resources— Spirit Stone, Pills, and heavenly materials and earthly treasures —to sustain cultivation and advance through the stages.
Countless trials are needed—exploring Secret Realm, fighting to the death, and serendipitous fortuitous opportunity enlightenment—to temper one's Dao heart and comprehend the Principle.
Even with sufficient resources and fortuitous opportunity, only one in ten thousand will ultimately succeed in taking that step.
Countless exceptionally talented individuals have been stuck at the Principle comprehending the laws, exhausting their lifespans without ever breaking through.
Countless sects poured all their resources into cultivating their Daoist prodigies and Holy Son, only to have their souls scattered and their lineages severed under the Heavenly Tribulation.
Heavenly Immortal are the watershed on the Dao Path of cultivation, a leap in life, and an insurmountable chasm for All Beings!
But now--
With just a tap each Tiantian, consuming a few Spirit Stone, one can ignore bottlenecks, tribulations, and insights, directly One Step Ascension.
This is not just defying the heavens, this is subverting the rules.
Can you create Heavenly Immortal by Spirit Stone?
In the past, this would have been nothing short of a pipe dream.
But now, this dream has become fortuitous opportunity within reach!
Xia Hongjue and Zhou Wentao exchanged a glance, both seeing uncontrollable elation and a hint of near-manic excitement in each other's eyes!
Exchanging Spirit Stone for Heavenly Immortal —this kind of deal is practically Heavenly Dao Feeding, an extraordinary fortuitous opportunity that even one's ancestors couldn't obtain!
They seemed to have already foreseen the near future—
The Soul Refining Sect is filled with Heavenly Immortals, its power overshadowing three thousand states. The Sword Sect Confucianism retreats, and even the legendary "Supreme" powerhouses must show deference to the Soul Refining Sect!
"Senior!"
Zhou Wentao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and solemnly bowed to Zhang Yu:
"From this day forward, we two, and indeed the entire Soul Refining Sect —will follow your Senior without question!"
Xia Hongjue also bowed, his tone resolute:
"I will obey any order, even at the cost of my life."
Looking at the two of them, so passionate and willing to risk everything, Zhang Yu slowly curled a meaningful smile onto his lips.