Yang Shougui

An invisible ripple spread outward, enveloping the entire courtyard and the surrounding area.

In an instant, the spiritual energy in the air seemed to be drawn toward the courtyard, raising its concentration there even further.

At the same time, a faint, barely visible barrier of cloud and mist flickered around the courtyard, blocking outside scrutiny while providing basic defense and soundproofing.

The Flowing Cloud Protection Array was complete.

Spiritual energy circulated through Chen Xuan's body, and clouds flowed out of him, spreading in every direction.

Wherever the clouds passed, dust and moss vanished without a trace.

The cleaned-up cave residence was much more pleasant to look at.

Chen Xuan then arranged some of his belongings in his new cave residence.

With that taken care of, Chen Xuan headed to Cloud Sea Peak.

Cloud Sea Peak, the Technique Pavilion.

Using his Disciple Token, Chen Xuan successfully obtained a copy of the Nine Heavens Cloud Sea Scripture: Volume One.

Afterward, Chen Xuan went to the Treasure Pavilion.

The Treasure Pavilion specialized in buying rare treasures. Selling valuables here meant selling directly to the sect, which offered better prices and guaranteed he would not be cheated.

Of course, the Treasure Pavilion did not buy just anything. It only accepted rare treasures.

Spiritual items naturally qualified.

Chen Xuan sold his two remaining one-pattern spiritual items. With a large sum of Contribution Points in hand, he prepared to buy materials for pills and magical artifacts.

Materials for supreme-grade magical artifacts were expensive. Although selling the two spiritual items had earned him plenty of Contribution Points, it probably was not enough to buy the materials for even one supreme-grade magical artifact.

So Chen Xuan decided to prioritize pill ingredients: first, those for third-tier Dragon Pattern Pills, and then those for Foundation Establishment Pills.

Like Spirit Sea Pills, Foundation Establishment Pills helped cultivators break through to a new major realm while also improving their cultivation.

Chen Xuan planned to raise his cultivation first, then earn more Contribution Points to buy materials for crafting magical artifacts.

After a busy stretch, Chen Xuan returned to his cave residence with the materials.

Then he began refining pills.

He had returned the pill furnace Danxiao Peak had lent him for free, but he still had another one.

He had refined a new one back when he crafted his own ritual implements.

With materials for magical artifacts hard to find, he would make do with a supreme-grade ritual-implement pill furnace for now.

Once he had more resources to spare, he would replace it with something better.

When that time came, he would get the best offensive magical artifact, defensive magical artifact, flying magical artifact, pill furnace, and artifact-refining furnace.

While Chen Xuan was in seclusion, Danxiao Peak's Affairs Office reported his Foundation Establishment to the peak master.

It was not because Chen Xuan was receiving special treatment. A cultivator in the Dao Foundation Realm was a core disciple, so the news naturally had to be reported to the peak master.

The peak master could choose not to read the report, but the Affairs Office could not fail to submit it.

The Affairs Office ranked its reports by importance, and it classified the news of Chen Xuan's Foundation Establishment as important.

He had joined the sect less than two years ago as a Mortal Body disciple, taken first place in the Floating Cloud Trial, won the Outer Sect Grand Competition, and now successfully established his foundation.

If that did not count as important news, what did?

A study in Cinnabar Firmament Hall.

The peak master, who looked like a kindly old man, was reviewing the many message jade slips sent up from below.

As he read, he soon came upon the Affairs Office's report concerning Chen Xuan.

Holding the jade slip, Yang Shougui finished reading it, surprise showing on his face. "A Mortal Body cultivator completed Foundation Establishment so quickly?"

As soon as he spoke, a concern arose in Yang Shougui's mind. He hoped Chen Xuan had not used some shortcut.

Many shortcuts seemed remarkably effective, but their hidden consequences were endless.

A cultivator's cultivation might advance at lightning speed at first, only to soon grind to a halt.

In more severe cases, such methods could even put their life at risk.

With that in mind, Yang Shougui decided to meet Chen Xuan in person.

No amount of speculation could compare to seeing him for himself.

Yang Shougui swept out his divine sense, located the elder in charge of the Affairs Office, and sent him a message directly: "Send someone to find Chen Xuan, the disciple who recently established his foundation. Tell him to come to Cinnabar Firmament Hall at once to see me."

Upon receiving the peak master's order, the Affairs Office elder immediately sent a disciple to find Chen Xuan.

Although Chen Xuan had not yet reported the location of his cave residence, that posed no difficulty for the Affairs Office.

They began by checking the Flowing Cloud Protection Arrays. Wherever a new array had appeared was most likely where Chen Xuan lived.

The Affairs Office soon found his cave residence.

A Spirit Sea Realm disciple from the Affairs Office arrived outside and activated the array. "Senior Brother Chen Xuan, are you there?"

Inside the cave residence, Chen Xuan quickly sensed the disturbance outside. He operated the array disk and heard what the Affairs Office disciple had said.

What does someone from the Affairs Office want with me?

Puzzled, Chen Xuan had the Purple Imperial Dragon Flame pause its pill refining. He put it away and walked out of the cave residence.

"What brings you here, Junior Brother?"

Chen Xuan asked as he came out.

"Senior Brother Chen Xuan, the peak master has ordered you to go to Cinnabar Firmament Hall at once and meet with him."

The Affairs Office disciple replied.

"The peak master wants to see me?"

Chen Xuan was surprised too.

Could he have learned about my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?

Why else would he want to see me?

"Yes, Senior Brother. Please hurry."

The Affairs Office disciple nodded repeatedly.

"Understood. Sorry to trouble you with the trip, Junior Brother. I'll go right away."

Chen Xuan did not know why the peak master wanted to see him, but he could hardly refuse. He would not dare.

He immediately took to the air on his ritual implement and flew toward Danxiao Peak.

A short while later, Chen Xuan reached Danxiao Peak and headed straight for the hall at its summit.

When Chen Xuan reached the entrance, the doors stood open, but no one was inside.

He was unsure whether he should enter.

A voice came from behind the hall. "Come in. Meet me in the study in the rear courtyard."

"Yes, Peak Master."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands in acknowledgment, walked through the hall, and entered the rear courtyard.

Once inside, Chen Xuan glanced around and spotted the study the peak master had mentioned.

"Disciple Chen Xuan greets the peak master."

Chen Xuan approached the study, saw Yang Shougui inside, and cupped his hands in greeting once more.

"No need for ceremony, Chen Xuan. I called you here today because I have something to ask you."

Yang Shougui spoke slowly.

"Please ask, Peak Master."

Yang Shougui fixed his deep gaze on Chen Xuan's face. "You have a Mortal Body, yet you successfully established your foundation less than two years after joining the sect. Even Spirit Body disciples cannot match you.

"That makes this old man curious. Have you cultivated any technique or Dao Technique that you did not obtain from the sect's Technique Pavilion?"

After speaking, Yang Shougui watched Chen Xuan closely, as though studying his reaction.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan understood why the peak master had summoned him.

He was worried Chen Xuan had taken a crooked path.

"I understand what you mean, Peak Master. Words won't prove anything. You can see for yourself."

With that, Chen Xuan manifested an image of his dantian.

Above his head appeared a projection of his Dao Foundation.