After meeting with several friends, Chen Shuangbai was summoned by Exalted Cultivator Huo.
Exalted Cultivator Huo, who is in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, is the Peak Master of Cloud-Resting Peak. He is kind and generous, and his Water-Phase True Light Law Technique is very powerful. Without his Golden Core, basically no one can hurt him.
He specifically summoned Chen Shuangbai and carefully examined this disciple who was a second-tier Alchemist in the sect.
Chen Shuangbai was already quite good-looking, and the more a cultivator cultivates, the more perfect their appearance becomes. As a result, both her demeanor and appearance were outstanding.
Just standing there, you feel like you're admiring a painting.
"Truly a handsome face."
Exalted Cultivator Huo praised it, to which Chen Shuangbai replied that it was merely an external thing.
The Foundation Establishment Late Stage from the Jade Spring Sect waved his hand, not wanting to get entangled with Chen Shuangbai in this place, and continued speaking.
"I ask you, how old are you this year?"
Chen Shuangbai pondered for a moment, then truthfully replied, "Reporting to you, I am now twenty-six."
Exalted Cultivator Huo nodded, his admiration deepening, and said, "He is a talented individual."
"Our sect and the Empty Sword Sect's allied forces have won numerous victories, and yesterday we also conquered the entire county of the Heart-Eroding Demon Beast. The battle situation is firmly under our control."
Chen Shuangbai cupped his hands, " The Heart-Eroding Demon Beast has wantonly slaughtered the people, committing numerous atrocities. Naturally, those who have strayed from the righteous path find themselves isolated and without support."
Well said.
Exalted Cultivator Huo added, "But with our two sects achieving such great victories, some people are starting to get restless."
Can't sit still?
Chen Shuangbai raced, and a name surfaced in her heart. She tentatively asked, " The Spirit-Seeking Sect?"
Exalted Cultivator Huo nodded.
"The Supreme Elder of the Spirit-Seeking Sect has spoken, saying that the Heart-Eroding Demon Beast has already received its due punishment, and if it is pushed too far, there is a risk of backlash."
"Furthermore, Wu Province, occupied by the Heart-Eroding Demon Beast, borders the Huasheng Sect, a major demonic Transformation Sect of the Xu Kingdom. For many years, the two countries have been at odds, which can be seen as protecting the Jing Kingdom from the invasion of this major demonic sect..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai roughly understood some of the meaning behind the Supreme Elder of the Spirit-Seeking Sect.
But this matter should be discussed by the sect's upper echelons and the three True Person... why were they involving me?
Seeing that he seemed to understand but not quite, Exalted Cultivator Huo didn't explain further, only saying, "I won't say much more, but the sect's point is that swallowing another prefecture or a few more prefectures wouldn't really make much difference."
"Those demonic beasts of Heart-Eroding Stronghold have polluted almost all of Wu Province's ley lines, making it impossible to grow crops. My family definitely doesn't want them..."
Exalted Cultivator Huo rambled on for a while, but in short—
Both the Jade Spring Sect and the Empty Sword Sect were relatively satisfied with the current situation of the Heart-Eroding Stronghold defeats.
Moreover, the three counties that were bitten off could absolutely not be spat out again. Although Spirit-Seeking Sect's words were malicious, one thing was true: the Transformation Sect of the Xu Kingdom was indeed a very troublesome major demonic sect.
If it weren't for the Heart-Eroding Stronghold constantly blocking their way, the Empty Sword Sect and Jade Spring Sect would probably be quite troubled as well.
For no other reason than that the Transformation Sect is a major sect of the Nascent Soul, and its leader is a powerful figure who can be called a giant of the demonic path among the twelve kingdoms. If one were to confront them, the pressure would definitely be immense.
But seeing Exalted Cultivator Huo's appearance, Chen Shuangbai knew that the two allied forces would not simply retreat without a word. Even if they were to retreat, they would have to have a legitimate reason for doing so.
Furthermore, the Jade Spring Sect and the Spirit-Seeking Sect have a long-standing feud. The elder of the latter was even severely beaten by the Jade Spring Sect's Sect Master, True Person Qingchen, and has dared not set foot in Jade Spring territory since. How could we possibly retreat just because he gave the order?
"What does 'sect' mean...?"
Exalted Cultivator Huo picked up the spiritual tea on the table, took a small sip, and gazed into the distance with a deep look. He slowly said, "Soon, the Jade Spring and Kong Jian families will continue to press us, and we Foundation Establishment will also bring our Spirit Artifact to Heart-Eroding Demonic Stronghold to spit out more benefits. When the time is right... then you heroes will have your chance to shine."
Stepping out of the cave abode, the sun shone brightly, and the Azure Light Mountain was bathed in a spiritual glow, the festive atmosphere not yet completely dissipated.
Looking at the dazzling light of various flying magical Law Artifact rising and falling in the distance, Chen Shuangbai understood that this war, which had lasted for several years, might come to a temporary end with the intervention of the Spirit-Seeking Sect.
But before it truly comes to an end, our own family and the Kong Jian Sect... might find an opportunity to severely suppress or kill the younger generation of Heart-Eroding Stronghold, demonstrating our strength and deterring other forces at the same time.
But none of this concerns Chen Shuangbai.
Because he had somewhere else to go in the coming months.
Exalted Cultivator Huo not only traveled from the sect in the Flowing Light Cloud Boat, but also brought the sect's magic Law Treasure [ Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting ], with him.
Considering Chen Shuangbai's numerous meritorious deeds, Exalted Cultivator Huo, in accordance with the sect's rules, granted Chen Shuangbai permission to enter the sect for three months of secluded cultivation, in addition to the bestowal of elixirs.
He said that the [ Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting ] itself contains a special spiritual aura that can help the disciples of the Jade Spring Sect accelerate their cultivation. He also saw that Chen Shuangbai had Ninth Layer of Qi Refining of Qi Refining at a young age and might be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty. Therefore, he consulted with True Person Bo and decided on this reward.
Chen Shuangbai was naturally delighted with this, and said things like, "I will never forget the sect's kindness..."
After returning to his cave abode, he gave a few words of advice to his friends and then went back to the hall to enter the [ Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting ].
Unlike the previous Martial Edge Trial...
Upon entering, Chen Shuangbai was teleported to a place she had never been before. There, she saw flowing water, lush green bamboo, and the harmonious sounds of mountains and water. A unique spiritual atmosphere filled the space between heaven and earth.
Chen Shuangbai didn't even need to consciously circulate his Cultivation Method; the " Moon-Worshipping Clear Illumination Method " started operating on its own, and all sorts of strange energies appeared, making people feel as if they had received a refreshing rain.
He said no more, found a cave under a waterfall, sat down, and began his cultivation.
In the days that followed:
[ Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting ] opened several times, and several more figures slipped in, landing in different places. They had also received generous gifts from the sect to come here for cultivation.
As time passed, the only sounds inside the cave were the roar of the waterfall, the rustling of bamboo leaves, and Chen Shuangbai's long, steady breathing.
Every few days.
Chen Shuangbai would then temporarily stop cultivating, introspectively examine himself, and observe whether his cultivation was too hasty. He would then resume cultivating, releasing the several Law Artifact on his body at the same time. With each breath, his Law Power would refine them, making them increasingly as easy to use as his own limbs.
In the blink of an eye, March has passed.
Chen Shuangbai slowly straightened up, and a slight sound came from within her body. Two white wisps of energy flew in from outside and entered her body. Two more beams of light appeared, swirling among the mountains and rivers, like beautiful ice dragons or ethereal green snakes, soaring up and down, full of spirituality.
It was the [ Cold Spring Sword ] and the [ Green Parasol Tree Sword ].
Once she had fully straightened up, Chen Shuangbai suddenly felt a strange force falling on her. When she came to her senses, she was standing in a brightly lit hall again.
"Disciple greets Martial Uncle Huo!"