Gold-Eating Ant

"Fellow Daoist Li, when you have time someday, shall we spar again?"

Lu Yudie said with a smile.

Yunmeng Mountain had a Martial Arts Arena for cultivators to duel and spar. Shen Long had sparred with many Qi Refining Cultivators; he had defeated several, and he had lost as well.

"Let's talk about it another day when I'm free."

Shen Long politely declined.

"Then it's settled, Fellow Daoist Li."

Lu Yudie said with a smile.

Shen Long smiled and nodded without saying anything further.

The courtyard gate opened, and Zhao Feng walked out.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Lu, Fairy Lu, you're all here. Please come in."

Zhao Feng said warmly, inviting them inside.

The courtyard covered about an acre. It contained half an acre of Spirit Fields, a fishpond, a three-story red pavilion, and a Red Stone Pavilion. Three men and two women were gathered within the stone pavilion, including both Ye Yutang and Ye Yuqing.

Lu Shan looked toward a red-robed man in his early forties and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see. I thought something had happened to you."

"We were seriously injured while hunting Monster Beasts and had been recuperating from our injuries. We only recovered not long ago."

The red-robed man explained.

Wang Shuo, Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

A yellow-shirted youth whose features greatly resembled Wang Shuo greeted Lu Yudie. "Fairy Lu, it has been some time. You've advanced to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. Congratulations!"

A Blue-Shirted Youth whose features greatly resembled Wang Shuo looked at Shen Long and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Li, shall we spar another day when we have time?"

The yellow-shirted youth and Blue-Shirted Youth were Wang Shuo's sons, Wang Long and Wang Hu respectively.

Wang Shuo had participated in the Immortal Ascension Assembly twice, but had failed to be selected both times. He was already over forty and beyond the age for discipleship, so he had placed his hopes upon his two sons.

Wang Long and Wang Hu were only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, and less than half a year remained before the Immortal Ascension Assembly.

Wang Long had feelings for Lu Yudie, while Wang Hu was devoted to cultivation and duels. He had sparred with Shen Long twice, losing both times.

"If I have time, I'll contact Fellow Daoist Wang. We can have a proper spar."

Shen Long agreed.

Shen Long and the others took their seats, drinking tea and chatting idly.

After a short while, Zhao Feng took out a Communication Disk flashing with red light and cast a spell into it. A gentle male voice rang out. "Fellow Daoist Zhao, we've arrived."

"Good, I'll come out right away."

Zhao Feng's face brightened. He put away the Communication Disk and strode toward the courtyard gate.

He opened the gate, and a handsome green-shirted youth and a sweet-looking Yellow-Skirted Girl walked in. Both possessed Ninth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation.

Shen Long and the others rose to their feet, not daring to slight them.

"Let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Su and Fairy Su."

Zhao Feng introduced them enthusiastically.

"I am Su Tianchen. Greetings, fellow Daoists."

"My younger sister, Su Tianyue."

The green-shirted youth and Yellow-Skirted Girl introduced themselves.

Shen Long and the others gave their names in turn, becoming acquainted.

Zhao Feng invited everyone to sit down and chat over tea.

When the conversation turned to spells, Zhao Feng said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Su, Fellow Daoist Li has considerable talent in spell arts. He has cultivated several first-rank spells to Great Perfection."

"May I ask how many spells Fellow Daoist Li has cultivated to Great Perfection?"

Su Tianchen asked politely.

"Four at present."

Naturally, Shen Long could not tell the truth, so he understated the number by one.

"Four!"

A trace of surprise flashed through Su Tianyue's beautiful eyes. Even within the Su Family, few Qi Refining Cultivators had cultivated four first-rank spells to Great Perfection.

It was not that the Su Family's disciples lacked talent in spell arts, but rather that few clansmen did this. If one wanted to cast spells instantly, one could simply buy Talismans or Dharma Artifacts, or raise Spirit Beasts, Spirit Insects, and Spirit Birds. There was no need to spend too much time cultivating spell arts.

Su Tianchen revealed a look of admiration and asked politely, "May I boldly ask which sect Fellow Daoist Li intends to join?"

"That isn't for me to decide, is it? It depends on each sect's requirements for accepting disciples. Whether I can pass their assessments is another matter altogether."

Shen Long said.

As far as he knew, the Immortal Ascension Assembly lasted for some time. Cultivators could take turns participating in the assessments of the five factions; whichever faction's assessment they passed was the sect they would join.

"That is true! True Man Golden Sun of the Purple Firmament Gate possesses extraordinary talent in spell arts. During the Foundation Establishment Realm, he could kill cultivators of the same rank with several Great Perfection spells. If Fellow Daoist Li is interested in spell arts, you may consider taking the Purple Firmament Gate's assessment. Aside from spell arts, the Purple Firmament Gate's Talismans are also formidable. They have a fourth rank Talisman Maker."

Su Tianchen said.

If he could help the Purple Firmament Gate recruit promising seedlings, he could receive a reward and gain a few more friends within the Purple Firmament Gate.

Shen Long nodded and asked, "Fellow Daoist Su, what are the Purple Firmament Gate's requirements for accepting disciples this time?"

"First, they must be no older than forty and possess at least the sixth layer of Qi Refining. It would be best if they have talent in talisman making, though talents in other crafts are also welcome."

Su Tianchen said.

"Why have they lowered the requirements so much? Last time, they required the Qi Refining Eighth Layer."

Wang Shuo asked doubtfully.

"I heard they did not recruit many disciples in the previous two assemblies. All the promising seedlings were taken by the Mystic Yang Sect. If they still insist on recruiting Qi Refining Cultivators at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, they will recruit even fewer disciples this time."

Su Tianchen explained.

The Mystic Yang Sect was the largest faction in the Qin Kingdom and the faction most independent Qi Refining Cultivators wished to join. However, the Mystic Yang Sect's requirements for accepting disciples were very strict.

Everyone came to a sudden realization. That was reasonable enough.

"Even the Purple Firmament Gate has lowered its requirements. I wonder whether Tyrant Blade Villa, the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect, and the Spirit Control Sect have also lowered theirs."

Lu Yudie said curiously.

"I don't know about that. Perhaps! I heard from Fellow Daoist Zhao that Fairy Ye is a Talisman Maker. Joining the Purple Firmament Gate would be best for her."

Su Tianchen's gaze fell upon Ye Yuqing as he spoke.

"We'll see. I plan to enter the same sect as my elder sister."

Ye Yuqing said.

After chatting for more than half an hour, Zhao Feng suggested exchanging cultivation resources, and all the cultivators agreed.

As the host, Zhao Feng was the first to bring out items for exchange.

He took out more than a dozen porcelain bottles, all containing first-rank medicinal pills of many varieties.

"I'll trade for spirit herbs. Items of equal value will also do."

Zhao Feng said.

Su Tianchen and Su Tianyue had no interest in them at all. Shen Long was interested, but these pills were not particularly precious, and he could buy them with Spirit Stones.

Wang Shuo and Lu Shan were somewhat interested and took out spirit herbs to exchange.

Zhao Feng traded away four bottles of medicinal pills, then sat down.

Su Tianchen took out several dozen items—Spirit Wood, ores, spirit water, Monster Beast Materials, spirit herbs, medicinal pills, Dharma Artifacts, Talismans, and more—and said, "I'll trade for materials of equal value. Talisman-making materials take priority."

"Fellow Daoist Su, what is inside that jade box?"

Ye Yuqing pointed at a golden jade box and asked curiously.

Su Tianchen opened the jade box, revealing several dozen golden Insect Eggs inside.

"Gold-Eating Ant eggs. The Gold-Eating Ant ranks one thousand and eight on the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect Ranking. It feeds on the five metals, is impervious to blades and spears, and can gather together into weapon forms to attack enemies."

Su Tianchen introduced.