Chen Shuangbai, Fu Qianlan, and He Qi are all from White Water County.
At first, we were close because we were from the same hometown, but over time, we became more than just fellow townsmen; we became friends who embarked on the path of spiritual practice together.
But cultivation... is the most ruthless of all.
Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan progressed faster, and both were at the Higher Vehicle Foundation Establishment with Golden Core as a minimum guarantee.
In contrast, He Qi...
He was the most honest, of average talent, and had no special good fortune. He cultivated himself step by step, very steadily, but that was all.
Fortunately, with the support of Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan, he finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment, making him a powerful figure capable of ruling as a king or ancestor.
Chen Shuangbai was not very satisfied.
In his expected outcome, he would at least Middle Vehicle Foundation Establishment.
He Qi herself, however, was quite satisfied.
He originally didn't even dare to dream of Foundation Establishment... but with the support of Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan, he managed to reach the Lower Vehicle Foundation Establishment.
He said sincerely, "I am already very satisfied with my current situation because of the blessings you two have bestowed upon me. I dare not ask for anything more."
The three of them got very drunk before parting ways.
Although it is considered Lower Vehicle Foundation Establishment, it is still considered to have transcended Qi Refining and become a pillar of the sect. The sect will continue to provide all the benefits that come with being Foundation Establishment cultivator.
However, precisely because he was only at the Lower Vehicle Foundation Establishment, He Qi's position was not high. Instead, he held the position of an elder steward in the outer sect, which was relatively leisurely, with a salary that was neither too high nor too low.
With He Qi successfully Foundation Establishment, Chen Shuangbai was finally relieved of a worry.
Two more months passed.
Chen Shuangbai slowly withdrew his Law Power, feeling the progress he had made in his cultivation, and revealed a satisfied smile.
After leaving Verdant Hills Stream, he went to the Evil Hunting Hall [ Suspended Sword Hall ], reviewed all the official documents from the past few days with a vermilion pen, and then went to the [ Evil Severing Hall ] to explain to Luo Tao that he had to leave the sect and that it would take some time.
"Grandmaster Uncle, I want to..."
Before Chen Shuangbai could finish speaking, Luo Tao, without even looking up, simply waved his hand and said, "If there's anything, just send someone to deliver a message. There's no need to make a special trip."
Chen Shuangbai responded with a "Yes".
He had been colleagues with this senior master for several years and understood his temperament, so he didn't say anything more. He turned around and went back to the [ Suspended Sword Hall ], summoned the heads of the four departments under his command, assigned them their responsibilities, and told them to hold the fort for the time being.
After finishing his official duties and responsibilities, Chen Shuangbai rode the light and left the Jade Spring Sect, heading west.
The Jade Spring Sect is located in a river valley, where the air is thick with moisture, making it unsuitable for that Golden Core Sha Beast.
Gaohe Ridge was originally a relatively unknown mountain.
The Jade Spring Sect established a cultivation market here, attracting independent Rogue Cultivator and merchant caravans. Gradually, the commercial atmosphere became more pronounced, and the place flourished, earning it the name [ Gaohe Market ].
True Person Bo placed that Golden Core Sha Beast here, partly with the intention of having it guard this market town.
However, Chen Shuangbai did not go to [ Gaohe Market ]. Instead, he turned around and came to a valley in Gaohe Ridge that was full of earth energy. He did not go in, but stood high above the entrance of the valley and chanted incantations.
Fine incantations flowed from his lips, and after a few breaths, the entire valley suddenly trembled, from which a furious voice spewed forth, filled with intense killing intent and malice.
"Youngster, are you courting death?!"
Chen Shuangbai stopped chanting the incantation, showing no fear, and stood high in the sky, smiling as she replied:
"Brother Dao, come with me!"
A roar echoed from within the valley.
"You're nothing but a mere Foundation Establishment ant, how dare you order me around?"
Chen Shuangbai simply smiled, and gradually more fine incantations poured down, causing the valley to tremble again, with cries of pain emanating from within.
But Fang Xiao still showed no sign of yielding.
Just as Chen Shuangbai was about to recite the incantation for the sixth time, a huge, python-like creature rushed out of the valley. It was covered in brass, had a single horn on its head, and was covered in a golden Qi of Earth Sha.
Chen Shuangbai looked at the Early Golden Core Stage Sha Beast born from the earth's veins, feeling its gaze, as large as a cartwheel and seemingly intent on killing, yet she showed no fear whatsoever.
Instead, he looked with interest at the other person's abdomen and smiled, "It seems the earth's energy here is abundant, and your injuries have healed, fellow Daoist."
When True Person Bo subdued this demon that day, it was clear that the demon had been severely injured, which is why it was suppressed in the sandy hills by the Law Treasure [ Demon-Subduing Golden Alms Bowl ].
Now, several years later, he has fully recovered.
This enormous creature transformed into human form, just like the golden-robed Daoist Chen Shuangbai had seen that day. However, its face was truly too ferocious, the kind of appearance that could stop a child from crying at night.
"Kid... you're very good!"
Fang Xiao's voice was hoarse and suppressed, each word sounding like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth.
However, his breathing was somewhat disordered at this moment, clearly indicating that he had been tormented quite a bit by the incantation that Chen Shuangbai had just recited within the demon soul.
But Chen Shuangbai seemed not to see it, and simply said, "Brother, come with me."
Fang Xiao was extremely reluctant to agree.
The pain from earlier still seemed to linger in his body, causing him to tremble slightly and even shake his demonic soul. He immediately burst into a tirade of curses.
But he dared not curse True Person Bo, he could only curse Chen Shuangbai.
Chen Shuangbai wasn't annoyed; she waited for him to finish cursing before smiling and asking, "Come with me once... or six more times?"
Fang Xiao then stopped his insults and stared intently at Chen Shuangbai.
Half a day later.
Fang Xiao took Chen Shuangbai with him and used his natural earth escape power as an evil beast bred from the earth's veins, leading him across the mountains and ridges, all the way out of the realm of Yuquan Sect, to the realm of Xunling Sect, Cangzhou.
The Spirit-Seeking Sect does have a Pseudo-Nascent Soul, so it can be said to occupy two states.
The crisscrossing rivers and misty air of Cang Province displeased this Sha Beast.
However, Fang Xiao was controlled by Chen Shuangbai, and no matter how much he disliked her, he could only obediently keep moving forward.
Seeing Chen Shuangbai sitting in his escape light, eyes closed in rest, Fang Xiao snorted coldly and asked, "Boy, what brings you here?"
Chen Shuangbai then slowly opened his eyes and laughed, "I've come to find a toad demon!"
"Toad demon?"
Fang Xiao muttered something to himself, then pressed for an answer, " Golden Core demon?"
"Where in the world could one find a powerful demon at the Golden Core level...?"
Chen Shuangbai laughed as well, pointing at the golden-robed Daoist in front of him, and said with a smile, "Think about yourself carefully. You hid yourself the moment you came out. If it weren't for the fortuitous opportunity encounter that exposed you, where would you be today?"
Fang Xiao's face darkened again.
The powerful demons at the Golden Core stage within the seas are almost instantly killed the moment they show their faces.
From flesh and blood to demon soul cores, all are excellent spiritual materials for human cultivators.
"Snort!"
Fang Xiao snorted coldly, which was taken as tacit agreement with Chen Shuangbai's words.
[PS: Today's fourth update is coming! For the great god certification gift that book friend "Huang Tianling of Hongxiu Island" gave yesterday, one more update! Please support me with more gifts! Please give me five-star reviews to improve my rating! Please!]