Taking a Disciple

Ten years have passed quickly.

At the Spirit Control Sect, Shen Long stood atop a high peak, gazing at a distant Thunder Cloud. Lightning flashed and thunder roared as thick bolts of silver lightning struck down, heading straight for a small valley.

The Golden-Winged Fire Ant Queen is attempting to break through to the fourth rank; it has consumed rare gold and several Demon Core cores from Fourth Rank Demon Ant.

A short while later, the Thunder Cloud churned and surged, producing arcs of light in three colors: blue, green, and red, transforming into Three-Colored Lightning Cloud.

Shen Long thought to himself, "As expected, it also attracted a Three-Colored Divine Lightning. The Lightning Tribulation of the Mutated Spirit Insect is much stronger than that of the ordinary Spirit Insect. Since it has consumed the rare gold, it should be able to withstand it."

The Three-Colored Lightning Cloud churned and surged, transforming into a Three-Colored Lightning Ant covered in electric arcs, which swooped down from the sky.

Two thick beams of golden light shot out from the silver lightning and struck the Three-Colored Lightning Ant accurately. The Three-Colored Lightning Ant's body exploded, turning into a huge ball of tricolor lightning that shot into the sky, engulfing the small valley. Smoke and dust billowed, and visibility was reduced to zero for miles around.

About fifteen minutes later, the three-colored lightning dissipated, the small valley was leveled, and a huge crater emitting black smoke could be seen.

Shen Long flew over, his brows slightly furrowed.

The ground shook, and a giant ant, its body charred black and covered in wounds, crawled out from underground.

"The effects of Qijin are so good. You're Spirit Insect, yet you're much more resilient than the Iron Tail Scorpion."

Shen Long praised.

Both Iron-Tailed Scorpion Iron Tail Scorpion withstood a Three-Colored Divine Lightning, but Iron-Tailed Scorpion was unable to move, Golden-Winged Fire Ant Queen was still able to move, thanks in no small part to Qi Jin.

He took out a Mystic Ice Jade Lotus Pill, fed it to the Golden-Winged Fire Ant Queen, and put it into his Spirit Beast Bag.

He took out Communication Disk that was flashing red light, and entered a spell. Chen Xiao's voice came through. "Uncle-Master Shen, among the newly accepted disciples of our sect, there is one with a fire Spirit Root. Please give me your instructions, Uncle-Master Shen."

"A fire-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root? Where is he?"

Shen Long asked.

"He's currently in the Founder's Hall. Disciple, please take him to Golden Roc Peak!"

Chen Xiao said.

"Alright! Bring him over here!"

Shen Long agreed, put away the Communication Disk, and returned to Golden Roc Peak.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Chen Xiao arrived with a tall, thin Red-Robed Youth.

"Uncle-Master Shen, this is Junior Nephew Su Changfeng. The Su Family's ancestors were disciples of our Spirit Control Sect, a lineage that has lasted for over five hundred years."

Chen Xiao pointed to the Red-Robed Youth and introduced him.

"Disciple Su Changfeng pays respects to Grandmaster Shen."

The Red-Robed Youth bowed slightly, looking somewhat nervous.

Shen Long inquired about Su Changfeng's situation, and Su Changfeng answered truthfully.

"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Shen Long asked.

Chen Xiao brought Su Changfeng over to ask Shen Long if he was willing to take him as a disciple. There were plenty of high-level cultivators vying to take Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator as their disciple.

"Disciple Su Changfeng greets Master."

Su Changfeng performed the disciple's salute, his expression filled with excitement.

Having become Nascent Soul Cultivator the moment he entered the sect, his future looked incredibly bright.

"I'm giving you this Top-Grade Dharma Artifact. Once you've Foundation Establishment, we'll hold an apprenticeship ceremony, and you'll be formally accepted as my disciple. You must dedicate yourself to cultivation and reach the Foundation Establishment."

Shen Long took out a Jade Ruler that shimmered with red light and handed it to Su Changfeng.

"Yes, Master."

Su Changfeng readily agreed, his expression respectful.

Shen Long gave a few instructions and then had Chen Xiao take Su Changfeng away.

Shen Long entered a Cultivation Room, sat down cross-legged, and began meditating to regulate his breathing.

After a short while, he took out a Blood Flood Dragon Pill and put it in his mouth.

The pill melted instantly, and a surge of immense energy rose from his abdomen. Shen Long quickly circulated his internal energy to refine it, and a Red Rosy Clouds appeared on his body, from which numerous Red Dragon Scales grew.

······

The Nether Corpse Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of thousands of miles, and this is the General Headquarters of the Nether Corpse Sect.

In a Quiet Manor, a tall, thin old man in black robes sat beside Zhang Qing stone table. His face was pale, and he exuded a terrifying spiritual pressure.

Zhao Xu and a voluptuous woman in a gold dress stood to one side, their expressions respectful.

"Congratulations, Senior Uncle Qi, on advancing to the Spirit Transmutation Realm."

Zhao Xu offered his congratulations, his expression filled with excitement.

"With Senior Uncle Qi here, our Nether Corpse Sect will have no worries for the next thousand years."

The woman in the gold dress echoed, her face beaming.

Wu Yao, the Sect Master of the Nether Corpse Sect.

The lifespan of Spirit Transformation cultivator is as high as 2,500 years. She only said 1,000 years, which is a conservative estimate, since Spirit Transformation cultivator cannot stay in the Lower Realm forever.

"Send someone to contact Fellow Daoist Mo of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect; I have important matters to discuss with him."

The old man in black robes gave the order.

Qi Xiao had only recently advanced to the Spirit Transmutation Realm.

"Yes, Uncle Qi."

Zhao Xu and Wu Yao readily agreed.

······

Half a year has passed. Golden Roc Peak, in a certain Cultivation Room.

Shen Long sat cross-legged on a Red Prayer Mat, his eyes closed, and his body was covered with numerous Red Dragon Scales.

A Sound Transmission Talisman flew in and landed in front of him.

Shen Long sensed something. The Red Rosy Clouds on his body dissipated, and his Red Dragon Scales disappeared. He opened his eyes, flicked two fingers, and a beam of red light shot out, striking the Sound Transmission Talisman Sound Transmission Talisman. The talisman spontaneously combusted, and Lin Sen's voice rang out. "Grandmaster Shen, Senior Chu Buyu of the Sun and Moon Palace has come to visit, specifically requesting to see you."

"Fairy Chu!"

Shen Long was somewhat surprised that Chu Buyu had actually come to his door; that was indeed strange.

He took out a red Communication Disk, cast a spell, and instructed, "Invite Fairy Chu to my residence; I will personally entertain her."

"Yes, Grandmaster Shen."

Lin Sen agreed.

Shen Long put away the Communication Disk, walked out, and sat down in a Cyan Stone Pavilion. He then took out tea leaves and teaware to brew tea.

Not long after, Lin Sen led Chu Buyu in.

"Fairy Chu, what a rare guest!"

Shen Long smiled slightly and gestured for Chu Buyu to sit down. Lin Sen then tactfully withdrew.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, to be honest, I have discovered an Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode. However, I cannot break the restrictions alone. I would like to invite you to join me in breaking the restrictions. Once the restrictions are broken, I will choose one item first, and we will split the rest equally. How about it?"

Chu Buyu went straight to the point.

"Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode?"

Shen Long was slightly taken aback, his brows furrowing as he asked in confusion, "Fairy Chu, why don't you return to the Sun and Moon Palace and invite your fellow disciples to help?"

"That Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode is located in the territory of the Golden Ape Tribe Barbarian Race. It could be discovered by the Barbarian Race cultivators at any time. Fellow Daoist Shen's strength is extraordinary. Most importantly, we have cooperated before, and I trust Fellow Daoist Shen's character. Returning to the North Sea Cultivation World to invite fellow disciples would take a lot of time, and the Barbarian Race cultivators might discover the Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode. Secondly, I am a newly promoted Nascent Soul Cultivator. If I obtain something good, my fellow disciples might not share it with me."

Chu Buyu explained.

Taking all factors into consideration, Shen Long is the best candidate.

"I'd like to invite other fellow disciples to come, what do you think?"

Shen Long asked.

"There's no need for that! The two of us can break the restriction. I'm certain it's the Ascension Cave Abode of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. To be honest, I trust you, but not your fellow disciples."

Chu Buyu frowned and said.

After a moment's thought, Shen Long nodded and said, "Alright! I'll go with you!"

"Okay, it's a deal. Let's get on board now! The sooner we get what we need, the better, lest something unexpected happens."

Chu Buyu suggested.

Shen Long summoned the Sea-Crossing Boat and boarded it, with Chu Buyu following closely behind.

Shen Long made a hand seal, and the Sea-Crossing Boat emitted a dazzling blue light, flying into the sky and leaving the Spirit Control Sect.

······

Golden Crow Grassland, Golden Crow City.

In a magnificent golden hall, a Red-Robed Elder robe sat on the main seat, his gaze somber.

Wu Yu stood to the side, reporting to the Red-Robed Elder.

"Does that seal really contain Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure?"

The Red-Robed Elder pressed for an answer.

Wu Yan, Nascent Soul Late Stage.

"I'm not sure, but there's definitely something good there. If we take the treasure, the seal will loosen."

Wu Yu said.

"Hmph, that's not our concern. We'll send a group of experts from our clan to that place with me. Hopefully, there really is Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure."

Wu Yan gave the order.

"Yes, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Wu Yu agreed.

······

The Golden Ape Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of thousands of miles, and this is the ancestral home of the Golden Ape Tribe.

Deep underground, Shen Long and Chu Buyu stood on the back of the Iron Tail Scorpion, with the Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada lying in front of them. A yellowish-brown light curtain enveloped them, and the Yellow Light Screen moved forward rapidly.

After entering the Barbarian Race territory, they traveled underground. Moving on the ground would make them easily detectable by Barbarian Race cultivators, Barbarian Race were very different in size from Human Race cultivators and could be easily distinguished.

"Barbarian Race cultivators are approaching. Stop."

Shen Long said.

The Iron Tail Scorpion stopped and remained motionless.

Chu Buyu summoned a Cyan Round Bead the size of an egg, cast a spell on it, and the Cyan Round Bead spun around, emitting a blue glow that enveloped them. This treasure was quite effective at concealment.

A short while later, Shen Long said, "Alright, they're gone."

The Iron Tail Scorpion continued forward, and wherever the Yellow Light Screen passed, the earth and rocks retreated, making way for it.

About half an hour later, the Iron Tail Scorpion moved towards the ground and appeared in a cave several acres in size. The cave was barren and the stone walls were uneven.

"To actually set up Ascension Cave Abode here, this person is quite audacious, right under the noses of the Golden Ape Tribe."

Shen Long praised.

"That's why I invited you to help. The noise from breaking the barrier might attract Barbarian Race cultivators. We need to break the Formation as quickly as possible. I'll go out and set up Soundproofing Array to block out the sound."

Chu Buyu said, and flew away.

Shen Long opened his Divine Sense wide and carefully scanned the cave. His gaze fell on the lower left corner of the cave. If his Divine Sense hadn't been so powerful, he really wouldn't have been able to find it.

The eyes of the Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada emitted a dazzling golden light, through which it could see a yellowish-brown light curtain, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

After a while, Chu Buyu flew in and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, I've set up Soundproofing Array. Let's break the barrier!"

She summoned a Short Blade that shimmered with crimson light, its hilt engraved with a Miniature Flood Dragon — the Law Treasure Red Flood Dragon Saber, a magical artifact infused with the Essence Soul of a fourth-tier early-stage Red Fire Flood Dragon, capable of transforming into human form to attack.

Chu Buyu changed his technique, and the Red Flood Dragon Saber emitted a dazzling red light, transforming into a Crimson Flood Dragon tens of feet long, with gleaming scales and armor. The Artifact Spirit then took form and attacked.

The Red Fire Flood Dragon opened its blood-red maw and spewed out a thick stream of Crimson Flame, which landed on the stone wall in the lower left corner of the cave, leaving the stone wall unharmed.

The Red Fire Flood Dragon's tail suddenly swept out, striking the stone wall covered in flames. The stone wall lit up with a yellow light, revealing a thick Yellow Light Screen.

Shen Long unleashed his Li Fire Staff- Li Fire Staff and swung it at the Yellow Light Screen.

With a deafening roar, the Yellow Light Screen caved in, and the spiritual light dimmed.

Shen Long snorted coldly, Li Fire Staff emitted a dazzling red light. The Yellow Light Screen shattered like a bubble, revealing a simple Stone Chamber about a hundred feet in size. Inside the chamber was a humanoid skeleton, draped in a tattered Yellow Dharma Robe. The skeleton was blackened, with obvious cracks in its sternum and skull. Its right hand and left leg bones were missing, indicating that the cave's owner had suffered severe injuries and been poisoned before his death.

Considering that this person died here, it is estimated that he was being chased by Barbarian Race cultivators, unable to escape, and hid here to heal his wounds, never expecting to die and perish.

The skeleton's left hand was adorned with a striking Yellow Storage Bracelet.

The Red Fire Flood Dragon spewed out a burst of Crimson Flame, which landed on the humanoid skeleton, instantly burning it to ashes, leaving only Yellow Dharma Robe and Yellow Storage Bracelet.

"Not good, a Nascent Soul Realm Barbarian Race cultivator is coming."

Shen Long frowned and said.

As soon as they finished speaking, a powerful Divine Sense swept over them.