News

Upon entering the Spirit Scorpion Courtyard, Shen Long saw more than a dozen tall black trees with lush branches and round leaves. A cloud of black mist floated in mid-air. These black trees were Mandala Wood, which could release miasma. The older the trees were, the more miasma they released, and the more toxic it was. They were very popular with poisonous insects and beasts.

The Iron Tail Scorpion lay beneath a Mandala Wood. Shen Long Shen Long whistled, and it let out a sharp hiss, charging towards him with its stinger swaying left and right.

It is currently in the early stage of the second tier. Shen Long took out two small black grasses and a Beast Spirit Pill and fed them to the Iron Tail Scorpion.

The Iron Tail Scorpion let out a joyful hiss, Shen Long could sense that it was very happy.

He waved his hand, Iron Tail Scorpion returned to its original position.

Shen Long left the Spirit Scorpion Courtyard and arrived at the gate of a Golden-Tiled Courtyard. A wooden sign hung at the gate with three large silver characters that read "Gold Ant Courtyard".

A Golden Light Screen blocked his path. He took out a square Golden Token, flicked his wrist, and a beam of golden light flew out from the token, striking the Golden Light Screen Golden Light Screen barrier and shattering it.

He went inside, where a lot of golden wood was scattered on the ground, and some Gold-Eating Ant were crawling on the wood and gnawing at it.

The number of Gold-Eating Ant has exceeded 50,000, with more than 100 being Second-tier Gold-Eating Ant -Gold-Eating Ant Queen flew over, her body resembling a huge piece of gold, and she was still at the early stage of the second tier.

Shen Long took out some silver ore and fed it to the Gold-Eating Ant Queen, then gave her a Beast Spirit Pill.

The number of Gold-Eating Ant was increasing, and the cost of raising them was not small. Fortunately, Shen Long opened a small shop selling elixirs.

Heavenly Pill Hall provides the materials, and he is responsible for refining the pills. Most of the pills he refines are handed over to him in exchange for Merit Points, while a small portion is kept and sold in the shop.

More than a hundred Second-tier Gold-Eating Ant flew over. Shen Long fed them some second-tier refining materials, but he didn't give them any Beast Spirit Pill; Shen Long wasn't that generous.

He wore the Spirit-Nourishing Pendant on his body, and his Divine Sense slowly grew.

He has already figured out the function of the Spirit-Nourishing Pendant. It is an auxiliary Law Treasure that can continuously strengthen the wearer's Divine Sense. The longer the wearer wears it, the more Divine Sense will grow.

As for the Magnetic Essence Bead, he doesn't know its specific function yet, mainly because he can't activate it. The Spirit-Nourishing Pendant doesn't need to be activated; it works simply by being worn.

Besides the Spirit-Nourishing Pendant, Shen Long also takes the Green Jade Spirit-Nourishing Pill, which makes his Divine Sense quite powerful. Currently, he can easily control more than 50,000 Gold-Eating Ant. He has tried it, and his Divine Sense is completely exhausted in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He needs to defeat the enemy within that time.

If Shen Long can't defeat the enemy in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, there's no point in fighting to the death; he should try to escape.

Lin Shan walked over and said, "Uncle-Master Shen, Uncle-Master Qian, Uncle-Master Ye, and Uncle Qin are here."

"Quickly, please lead them to the Guest Reception Courtyard. I'll be there right away."

Shen Long gave the order.

The Five Sects of Qin joined forces to deal with the Four Sects of Zhao. At first, it was just Foundation Establishment Cultivator fighting each other. After more than half a year of fighting, more than a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivator had died, Core Formation Cultivator had joined the fray.

The Five Sects of Qin were still unable to completely swallow up the Four Sects of Zhao, and eventually they had to return to the negotiating table. Qin Kingdom was unwilling to give up the territory it had already gained, and Zhao Kingdom was also unwilling to cede a large piece of territory.

Each of the Five Sects of Qin sent a Core Formation Cultivator to spar with Core Formation Cultivator from the Zhao Kingdom to determine the specific division of territory. Qin Kingdom three matches and lost two, forcing Zhao Kingdom to cede a large piece of territory.

The Fairy Skyfire of the Mystic Yang Sect easily defeated the True Man Profound Yin of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, True Man Red Flood Dragon of the Spirit Control Sect and the True Man Golden Blade of the Tyrant Blade Villa each defeated a Core Formation Cultivator.

Qin Kingdom had twelve provinces and thirty-six commanderies, while Zhao Kingdom ten provinces and twenty-seven commanderies. After the great war, Zhao Kingdom ceded two provinces to the Qin Kingdom, giving Qin Kingdom fourteen provinces.

The Golden Jade Ore Vein is jointly mined by the Five Sects of Qin: the Spirit Control Sect holds 40%, the Mystic Yang Sect holds 20%, the Tyrant Blade Villa holds 20%, and the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect and Purple Firmament Gate each hold 10%.

In this battle, the Spirit Control Sect lost more than twenty Foundation Establishment Cultivator, two of whom were among the 72 Talents. Lin Sisi led the team to capture a Second Rank Mineral Vein and killed a total of seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Ning Qianqian also performed well, capturing a small Spirit Herb Garden and killing five Foundation Establishment Cultivator. They filled the two vacancies and became the new 72 Talents.

Ye Yutang, Ye Yuqing, and Qin Bao each killed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and received some rewards. Qian Dafu was responsible for escorting supplies, which was not dangerous, so his contribution was not significant.

After the war ended, Qian Dafu returned to the Spirit Control Sect and started doing business with Shen Long.

Shen Long provided the money, Qian Dafu, and Shen Long took the lion's share of the profits.

"Yes, Uncle-Master Shen."

Lin Shan agreed and left to carry out the order.

Shen Long arrived at a secluded Blue-tiled Courtyard, inside which stood a hexagonal Cyan Stone Pavilion.

He sat down in the stone pavilion, took out a set of exquisite sandalwood tea utensils and tea leaves, and began to brew tea.

Not long after, Qian Dafu, Ye Yutang, Ye Yuqing, and Qin Bao arrived.

"Senior Brother Qin, are you alright now?"

Shen Long asked with concern.

Qin Bao was injured in the battle and bought healing pills from Shen Long.

"After taking the Blood Rhino Pill refined by Junior Brother Shen, I'm mostly fine."

Qin Bao's tone was warm.

They entered the sect at the same time. At that time, Shen Long's cultivation level was lower than theirs. Now, Shen Long is in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, while they are only in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. In addition, Shen Long is one of the 72 Talents, while he is just an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"That's good, everyone, please sit down and chat!"

Shen Long invited them to sit down, picked up the teapot to pour them tea, and they began to chat.

"By the way, the Mystic Yang Sect is holding the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly in a while. Senior Brother Shen, are you going to attend?"

Qian Dafu asked.

The Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly is a grand event held by the Mystic Yang Sect, and it has been held many times.

The Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly was originally held by Core Formation Cultivator of the Core Formation Cultivator Mystic Yang Sect to exchange and learn from each other. Now, it is not only for Core Formation Cultivator to exchange and learn from each other, but also for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Auction are also held to sell goods.

In a sense, the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly is the largest event in the Qin Kingdom Cultivation World, with representatives from all major powers participating. It is held every hundred years or so.

"Of course we'll participate! Aren't you going? It's a once-in-a-century event; it would be a shame to miss it."

Shen Long said.

As far as he knew, the Five Sects of Qin would hold a competition to allow the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the five sects to spar. This was also a way of exchanging ideas, and exchanging Daoist techniques was not limited to chatting; sparring and competition were also a way.

Some cultivators are stuck at a bottleneck, and exchanging blows and sparring with other fellow cultivators may help them break through this bottleneck.

"We will also participate, but with our abilities, it will be too difficult to get a good ranking. Senior Brother Shen should have a chance."

Qian Dafu said with a smile.

"Getting a good ranking isn't that easy. Just do your best and leave the rest to fate!"

Shen Long said.

He would naturally not miss any opportunity to show himself. With no background and average talent, he had to seize every opportunity to stand out and try his best to demonstrate his abilities in order to gain more resources for cultivation.

"In the last Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, the top seven of the top ten were all disciples of the Mystic Yang Sect. Among them, Fairy Skyfire was the number one. When we fought against the Four Sects of Zhao, Fairy Skyfire defeated True Man Profound Yin with her great Divine Ability, which shows the high level of the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly."

Ye Yutang said, her face full of envy.

The Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly is also an opportunity for the disciples of the Spirit Control Sect to stand out. They are only in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, so it is too difficult for them to get a good ranking.

"In the past ten Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, the top three positions have always been held by disciples of the Mystic Yang Sect. I wonder if anyone can change this situation this time."

"Qian Dafu I asked curiously."

"If Senior Brother Xu Yang were to participate in this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, he should be able to achieve a good ranking!"

Shen Long said.

Xu Yang is the leader of the 72 Talents. He reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment a long time ago and has not shown his face for many years. It is said that he is trying to break through to the Golden Core Realm.

"Senior Brother Xu is probably trying to break through to the Golden Core Realm. He hasn't shown up for many years, so he probably won't participate in this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly. Let's see how Senior Brother Xu and Senior Sister Wang go!"

Qian Dafu said.

After chatting for more than an hour, Qian Dafu and his three companions said their goodbyes and left.

Shen Long looked at Lin Shan and asked, "Nephew Lin, when is Senior Brother Xu holding a gathering?"

"Tonight at 7 PM, the location is Uncle Xu's residence!"

Lin Shan said.

Shen Long nodded, took out Communication Disk that was flashing with blue light, cast a spell, and asked, "Senior Sister Chen, is there any news about that matter?"

He asked Chen Qingqing for help in finding his parents, promising a generous reward if she succeeded.

"No, it's been too long, and they're just Qi Refining Cultivator, making it too difficult to investigate. I sent people to investigate, but they didn't find any clues."

Chen Qingqing said.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Sister Chen. If you have any news, please let me know immediately. Oh, and I've refined a few batches of Beast Spirit Pill. I'll have Lin Shan deliver them to you."

Shen Long said.

He needed Chen Qingqing's help, so he wouldn't let her do it for free. Chen Qingqing would only work hard if she received something in return.

"I can't accept this!"

Chen Qingqing said.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's just two batches of Beast Spirit Pill, nothing rare. I'll reward you handsomely once you find those two. That's all!"

Shen Long put away the Communication Disk, took out a Cyan Storage Bag, handed it to Lin Shan, and instructed, "Deliver this to Senior Sister Chen personally, understand?"

"Yes, disciple will take care of it immediately."

Lin Shan agreed and left to carry out the order.

Shen Long returned to the Green Lotus Pavilion, entered a secret room, sat cross-legged on Cattail Mat, and closed his eyes to rest.

As darkness fell, many cultivators took out their lighting tools.

Shen Long walked out of the Green Lotus Garden, released the Snow Wind Sparrow Snow Wind Sparrow, and jumped onto its back.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the Snow Wind Sparrow flew into the sky.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Shen Long appeared above a small valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. The valley was shrouded in a thick fog, making it impossible to see what was inside.

He sent a Sound Transmission Talisman, and as the fog dissipated, a vast manor came into view.

The Snow Wind Sparrow slowly flew down and landed in front of a Cyan Stone Pavilion. Two men and a woman were sitting in the pavilion, and the one in the lead was a fair-skinned young man in a blue robe.

"Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother Chen, you're all here."

Shen Long greeted them and put away the Snow Wind Sparrow.

"Junior Brother Shen, has Snow Wind Sparrow not yet advanced to the mid-stage of the second tier?"

A man in his early forties wearing a gold shirt asked.

Chen Jin, in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Everyone assumed that Shen Long's Life-Bound Spirit Bird was the Snow Wind Sparrow, but Shen Long didn't say that his Life-Bound Spirit Bird was the Golden-Winged Wind Peng, so as not to attract unnecessary trouble.

He exchanged insights on beast taming with several fellow disciples and discovered that the Bloodline Purity of their Life-Bound Spirit Beast was at most two, with a few being one, which was far inferior to that of the Golden-Winged Wind Peng.

"Not yet! Life-Bound Spirit Bird doesn't advance that easily."

Shen Long explained.

"Feed it more Beast Spirit Pill, and advancing to the mid-stage of the second tier won't be a problem."

"That's what the young man in the blue robe said."

Xu Lin, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Shen Long nodded and asked, "Just the four of us? Isn't Senior Sister Song coming?"

"Senior Sister Song is stuck at a bottleneck and has gone on a travel trip. Junior Sister Qin will be joining her."

A slender young woman in a gold dress spoke.

Liu Yan is also a second-tier Alchemist.

"Who?"

Shen Long was slightly taken aback.

"Junior Sister Qin, a descendant of Senior Uncle Qin, should be familiar to Junior Brother Shen."

Xu Lin explained.

"Why is Senior Sister Qin attending our gathering?"

Shen Long was somewhat surprised.

He had seen Qin Shuangshuang three years ago when he had just passed the alchemy assessment, and he hadn't seen Qin Shuangshuang since.

Given Qin Shuangshuang's status and position, she probably wouldn't attend their gathering.

"What? Am I not allowed to attend your party?"

A melodious, bell-like female voice rang out.

As soon as she finished speaking, a three-zhang-long eight- Eight-Winged Thunder Fire Centipede Eight-Winged Thunder Fire Centipede descended from the sky, and Qin Shuangshuang stood on its back.

"Senior Sister Qin, you've misunderstood. I just thought Senior Sister Qin were too busy to attend our gathering."

Shen Long quickly explained.

"Since Senior Brother Xu invited me here, I should give him face."

Qin Shuangshuang said with a smile.

"Junior Brother Shen meant no harm. Not only was he surprised, but I was also somewhat surprised that Junior Sister Qin agreed to keep the appointment."

Xu Lin came to Shen Long's rescue.

"We're all from the same sect, I won't take it to heart."

Qin Shuangshuang said magnanimously.

"Junior Sister Qin, you've advanced to the late stage. It seems you'll achieve a good ranking in this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly."

Chen Jin.

"It's hard to say. The other four sects will all send experts to participate. Hopefully, they can achieve a good ranking!"

Qin Shuangshuang said, then changed her tone, "Actually, rankings don't mean much. Some core disciples won't participate easily, like Senior Brother Xu and Senior Sister Yang."

"Speaking of which, Senior Brother Xu hasn't shown up for many years. I even saw Senior Sister Yang once five years ago."

Xu Lin said.

"Perhaps when Senior Brother Xu reappears, he will already be at the Golden Core Realm."

Shen Long said.

"That's possible. Let's get down to business! Senior Brother Xu invited me here to exchange ideas on alchemy, right?"

Qin Shuangshuang said.

Xu Lin nodded and said, "I heard that Junior Sister Qin has returned, so I invited you over for a chat. I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

Qin Shuangshuang is a descendant of Third Rank Alchemist, so she can consult with Third Rank Alchemist. Her alchemy skills are much higher than theirs, and many second-tier Alchemist in the Spirit Control Sect exchange alchemy techniques with Qin Shuangshuang.

"I wouldn't presume to ask for your advice; let's exchange ideas."

Qin Shuangshuang said modestly.

Xu Lin nodded and voiced his confusion. Qin Shuangshuang then provided an explanation in great detail, from the moment the spirit medicine were thrown into the Alchemy Furnace to the formation of the elixir.

Qin Shuangshuang pointed out some key points and asked them to pay attention. Shen Long's face showed a look of sudden realization. Some long-standing questions disappeared, and he felt as if he had been enlightened.

Shen Long and the other two also asked questions, Qin Shuangshuang answered patiently.

"Senior Sister Qin, have you been able to refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill yet?"

Shen Long asked curiously.

"Not yet. Refining High-Grade Medicinal Pill is not easy. My great-grandfather told me to work harder and that I will succeed."

Qin Shuangshuang said.

"Junior Sister Qin, speaking of which, Senior Uncle Qin hasn't shown his face for many years. Hasn't he returned yet?"

Xu Lin asked.

"No, Core Formation Cultivator are different from Foundation Establishment Cultivator. They might go into seclusion for decades or even centuries. The Gan Yang Realm is quite large; perhaps our great-grandfather went elsewhere to seek fortuitous opportunity!"

Qin Shuangshuang said.