After a long time, Pei Zhaoyuan slowly spoke, "Isn't the day for the three factions to join forces coming soon?"
"It should be less than three months before we return to Master."
Pei Zhaoyuan picked up the freshly cut bamboo branch and slowly turned it between his fingers.
"Do you know who the three sects are leading the way?"
Shen Guhong thought for a while and replied, "As far as the disciples know, the Fire Cloud Sect has always been led by Chen Chong, Earth Xuan Sect is led by Shen Luoqing, and Tiandao Valley is led by Cao Feng. All three of them are at the peak of Transforming Force's cultivation and have been in charge of external affairs in their respective sects for many years."
He continued, "The selection of disciples by the three sects seems to be fair, but in fact there are many entanglements and favors everywhere. The major families and sects in the city have been providing benefits to the deacons and elders of the three sects all year round. It has long been an unwritten rule."
"Most of the deacons under the three sects who are responsible for the primary selection and re-examination are greedy and the most xenophobic. They have always looked down on the rural warriors in various counties and favored the disciples who have roots and backing in the city."
"You see clearly."
Pei Zhaoyuan had an inexplicable sarcasm on his face. "The three sects never choose talents when recruiting disciples, but choose connections and backgrounds. Warriors from rural backgrounds, even if their talents are incredible, if they don't have a backer, they will ultimately be rootless duckweeds who can be manipulated by others."
Shen Guhong echoed, "It is true. In previous years, most of the warriors from poor families in the counties were reduced to foils in the selection process. Even if they were lucky enough to stand out, they would be squeezed out by the children of the Fucheng aristocratic families after joining the sect, and it would be difficult to obtain resources."
Pei Zhaoyuan showed a meaningful look on his face.
"That's right, rootless duckweed is the easiest to handle."
Shen Guhong heard the meaning of his words and was a little puzzled. "Master, that Jiang Fa is just a bastard from a poor family like Qingshan County. Even if he wins the championship in the martial arts competition, he is still from a rural background. With your identity, why do you have to endure it? Just spread a word and countless people are willing to take action to kill this son. Why wait until the three factions take over?"
In his opinion, with the reputation of his master, looking at the entire Qingyang Prefecture, all forces and sects, big and small, will give him a thumbs up.
Crushing to death a young man from a humble family who has just started martial arts is just a matter of raising a hand, and there is no need to go through all the twists and turns.
Pei Zhaoyuan turned around, his eyes fell on the dark night outside the courtyard, and he slowly shook his head.
"It would be too showy to touch him now."
"I take action at this moment. Whether I send someone to attack him secretly or use others to get rid of him, anyone with a discerning eye will guess that he is plotting secretly for the master."
Shen Guhong frowned slightly. "But for a mere nameless boy, who would dig into the cause and effect behind it?"
"No one is looking into it?" Pei Zhaoyuan glanced at him. "Have you forgotten the rules of the three sects?"
"My disciple is stupid and fails to think carefully."
Shen Guhong bowed to apologize.
"No problem." Pei Zhaoyuan waved his hand. "This matter is not urgent for now."
Doubt flashed in Shen Guhong's eyes. "What does Master mean?"
Pei Zhaoyuan walked slowly to the stone table and sat down, and said calmly, "If nothing happens, in the induction ceremony three months later, that person will definitely be accepted by one of the Huoyun Sect, Dixuan Sect, and Tiandao Valley. By then, why worry about not having a chance?"
Shen Guhong's eyes flashed. "Disciple understands! Within the sect, there are competitions for resources, and there are countless rebellions among fellow sects. No one cares about the life or death of a new disciple! Master only needs to borrow a sword to kill people, and there is no need to do it himself."
"That's exactly what it means."
Pei Zhaoyuan nodded slightly and snorted, "No matter which sect he ends up joining, with the contacts I have accumulated over the years, I can accurately predict his situation."
Shen Guhong felt awe-struck in his heart when he heard this, and sincerely handed over his hand. "Master has a clever plan, this move is foolproof! It also avoids anyone talking."
Pei Zhaoyuan glanced at the sky and said with a calm expression, "Let's put this matter aside for now. There is no need to discuss it further."
He glanced at Shen Guhong beside him and suddenly changed the topic. "Compared to an inexperienced country boy, there is one thing that you really need to focus on right now."
Shen Guhong looked stern and immediately bowed his head. "Master, please clarify."
Pei Zhaoyuan said with a deep voice and a solemn expression, "There is still one year left, and the Cangluan Secret Realm, which opens every thirty years, will be opened on time."
As soon as these words came out, a light flashed in Shen Guhong's eyes, and he couldn't hide the emotion on his face.
Cangluan Secret Realm!
This is the top martial arts opportunity recognized by the entire Qingyang Prefecture world!
Within the secret realm, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is far richer and purer than the outside world. Rare elixirs, martial arts stones, and ancient martial arts inheritances, incomplete techniques, spirit beast cores, and even treasures from the world that have broken through the realm are hidden everywhere.
The most critical thing is that the secret realm comes with the suppression of the rules of heaven and earth. Strong men with Dan and above will be forcibly blocked by the secret realm barrier and unable to enter.
It can be said that the Cangluan Secret Realm is an excellent opportunity for all the young geniuses in the city to break through their shackles and reborn.
It is also the core arena where major sects and aristocratic families secretly compete for resources and train younger generations of disciples.
Every time a secret realm is opened, a group of martial arts geniuses will emerge who rise against the odds. Likewise, countless geniuses will fall into it, leaving no trace of their remains.
Throughout Qingyang Prefecture, countless low-level warriors have been training hard for several years or more than ten years, just to wait for this unique opportunity that only happens once in thirty years.
Shen Guhong has followed Pei Zhaoyuan for many years, so he naturally knows the weight of the Cangluan secret realm, and it is inevitable that there will be a trace of fire in his heart.
"This disciple knows that the secret realm of Cangluan is of great importance, so he is determined to polish his cultivation without any slack."
Pei Zhaoyuan nodded slightly, flicked his fingertips, and the flawlessly cut bamboo branch in his hand suddenly shot out.
Phew!
The bamboo branches broke through the air and seemed to disappear out of thin air at such a fast speed that they were finally nailed to the green bamboo trunk outside the courtyard.
Just listen to a soft "chi" sound, the flexible and hard green bamboo is directly penetrated by the bamboo branches, the front and back are transparent, and the cut is as smooth as a knife.
Shen Guhong's eyes narrowed.
The true energy is restrained, sent and received from the heart, moistening things silently.
This is the ultimate control of a strong person holding pills.
"You are now at the pinnacle of Transforming Force, and you are only one step away from innateness."
Pei Zhaoyuan spoke calmly, his eyes as sharp as a knife. "It seems that the foundation is solid, but in fact it lacks a trace of the true meaning of martial arts, and the strength is insufficient."
He exposed Shen Guhong's shortcomings in one sentence.
"The Cangluan secret realm is extremely dangerous. Not only are the ferocious beasts running rampant in the secret realm, but also the geniuses of various sects and top families in the city are fighting each other to steal treasures."
"The core disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect, Tiandao Valley, and Earth Xuan Sect are all extremely talented and are among the best warriors of the same level. There are also the new generation geniuses trained by the four major Lineage in Fucheng. Their methods are ruthless and their fighting experience is far beyond that of ordinary warriors."
"In the secret realm, the weak eat the strong, and life and death are determined by fate."
Pei Zhaoyuan said in a serious tone, "In your current state, if you enter rashly, let alone compete for the top opportunity, it is still unknown whether you can get out of the secret realm alive."
Shen Guhong had a slight cold sweat on his forehead. "My disciple is dull and his cultivation is shallow. Thank you Master for your guidance! I will definitely work hard in the future to polish my foundation and settle my state of mind!"
"Knowing your shortcomings is the beginning of progress."
Pei Zhaoyuan walked slowly out of the small courtyard, stood in the breeze among the bamboo shadows, looked at the vast night of Bibo Lake, and said slowly, "In the past decades, no one in my Bibo Lake lineage has ever won a truly unique opportunity in the secret realm of Cangluan."
"Others only think that I, Bibohu, disdain worldly disputes, but in reality, the disciples of the younger generation are not up to par, and no one can take the lead."
There was a hint of sternness in his tone. "Gu Hong, among all the disciples, you are the youngest, the most talented, and the most promising disciple of my master."
"In one year, I will set a goal for you."
When Shen Guhong heard this, he straightened his back, his eyes were blazing, and said in a deep voice, "This disciple will definitely live up to Master's high expectations! Please give me your instructions, Master!"
"Within one year, you must break through the innate realm and ignite the True Qi fire. As long as you can do it, half of the things obtained from the secret realm will be yours. Not only that, but the most powerful Qiu Shui sword technique, 'Qiu Shui Wuhen', which the master is proud of, will also be taught to you!"
Shen Guhong was so shocked that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily. "Disciple, follow the master's decree! From now on, I will practice hard in seclusion, get rid of all distracting thoughts, and I will reach the innate within a year, and I will never let down the cultivation of my master!"
"Get up."
Pei Zhaoyuan raised his hand to support him, and a gentle force held him up steadily.
"My teacher knows that you have a tough mind and a good talent. It's just that you were too comfortable in the past and lacked the polish of difficult situations."
His eyes were deep, and he slowly added, "In the next year, you no longer need to worry about the trivial matters of the world. You only need to stay on the island in the middle of the lake, practice hard day and night, polish your martial arts, and consolidate your realm. During this period, my teacher will do my best to help you make breakthroughs."
Shen Guhong stood up and his expression became more respectful. "Disciple understands."
Pei Zhaoyuan looked at the dark night in the distance and waved his hand. "Go."
"Yes, disciple, resign."
Shen Guhong bowed and left.