After seeing off the Heavenly Origin Peak Master, Lin Xuan resumed comprehending the Great Daos.
But he had barely spent a few days in seclusion before someone else came to Starfall Peak.
The visitor was another Peak Master-the Eighth Peak Master.
This one was also a King Realm expert, and somewhat stronger than the Ninth Peak Master, the Heavenly Origin Peak Master who had visited earlier.
And if Lin Xuan remembered correctly, this Eighth Peak Master... was on Holy Maiden Li Fufeng's side?
Had he also come to win him over?
Since when had he, a "Tribulation Realm Seventh Layer" cultivator whose cultivation had fallen, become so popular?
Unlike the Heavenly Origin Peak Master, however, this man, despite also being in the King Realm, had the exact opposite attitude toward Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan saw no trace of contempt in the Eighth Peak Master.
Moreover, he had come with sincerity.
"The Holy Maiden said that as long as you are willing to join us, you will receive a Spirit-Nourishing Pill."
The Spirit-Nourishing Pill was a fifth-grade pill. Although it was only fifth-grade, pills that repaired the soul were all exceptionally precious, and it happened to be highly effective against the soul injuries Lin Xuan had suffered when he failed his tribulation.
Although Lin Xuan no longer needed it, the offer showed that the other party had indeed put some thought into this.
Without comparison, there was no sting. Thinking of the Heavenly Origin Peak Master who had visited earlier, Lin Xuan could not help seething.
Look at this! This was sincerity. This was how to win someone over.
Originally, Lin Xuan had not wanted to get involved in the struggle between Li Fufeng and Lu Tianxing. Even if the two sides fought to the death, it had nothing to do with him. He only wanted to comprehend the remaining two Great Daos as soon as possible, then break through to the King Realm.
Who won or lost had nothing to do with him.
Once he broke through to the King Realm, where in this vast world could he not go?
But now, Lin Xuan changed his mind.
"I accept."
"However, could you exchange this pill for another? My injuries have healed, so I no longer have any use for this Spirit-Nourishing Pill."
The Eighth Peak Master narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Certainly. What pill would you like instead, Peak Master Lin?"
"A Dao Comprehension Pill."
A Dao Comprehension Pill?
The Eighth Peak Master pondered for a moment.
The Dao Comprehension Pill was also a fifth-grade pill, and somewhat more precious than the Spirit-Nourishing Pill. Primarily used to aid in comprehending Great Daos, it had always been a coveted prize among those at Tribulation Realm Ninth Layer Perfection who were trying to comprehend a Great Dao and seek a breakthrough to the King Realm.
This Peak Master of Starfall Peak had only just recovered from his injuries, yet he was already preparing for another attempt at the King Realm in the future!
However, he was not particularly optimistic.
For those who had failed to break through to the King Realm, their second attempt would be harder and riskier than their first, so much so that not everyone dared attempt it a second time.
Often, after failing their first breakthrough, some would no longer have the courage to try again, unless their lifespan was nearing its end and they planned to stake everything before death.
"If you cannot make the decision on this pill, Peak Master, you can discuss it after you return and give me an answer later," Lin Xuan said slowly.
"No need. Although this pill is precious, this old man can still make that decision. I agree on the Holy Maiden's behalf."
An hour later, the Eighth Peak Master left Starfall Peak, satisfied.
Lin Xuan was equally satisfied.
For Lin Xuan, who had already comprehended several Great Daos, the Dao Comprehension Pill would have a negligible effect, far inferior to the nine-pattern Great Dao Golden Pill he possessed. But!
He could invest the Dao Comprehension Pill by giving it to Su Lianxin and trigger a rebate!
The Great Dao Golden Pill was what Lin Xuan had received from investing a fourth-grade Realm-Breaking Pill.
If a mere fourth-grade pill could yield such a reward, then investing a fifth-grade pill...
Lin Xuan began to feel somewhat expectant.
Elsewhere.
When the Eighth Peak Master returned to report to the Holy Maiden, he found Li Fufeng looking deeply troubled.
The current situation was very unfavorable for her.
If the Third Peak Master truly joined the Holy Son's side, it would be a tremendous blow to both her and her faction.
He had gone to see the Third Peak Master more than once, not seeking to win him over, but merely hoping he would remain neutral, only to be turned away at the door.
Only after requesting an audience several times had she finally met him.
But his attitude directly confirmed that the rumors were very likely true...
The Third Peak Master was indeed considering joining the Holy Son's faction.
Although they had met, the Third Peak Master had remained utterly cold from beginning to end. He had said only one very blunt thing: in his eyes, Lu Tianxing's potential surpassed hers as the Holy Maiden.
It was not impossible to have him remain neutral, but Li Fufeng would need to demonstrate potential equal to or even greater than the Holy Son's in the upcoming sect tournament before he would reconsider.
Looking at the troubled Li Fufeng, the Eighth Peak Master sighed. Her Highness the Holy Maiden was indeed under considerable pressure.
"Your Highness, good news. Peak Master Lin has agreed."
"However, he asked to exchange the pill for a Comprehension Pill. I took the liberty of agreeing."
At that moment, another person stood beside Li Fufeng: the Fourteenth Peak Master. Although he was not in the King Realm, he was at Tribulation Realm Ninth Layer Perfection, and no ordinary cultivator at that level.
Hearing the words of the Heavenly Origin Peak Master, he could not help snorting coldly. "He isn't particularly strong, yet he makes so many demands. A Comprehension Pill is worth nearly two Spirit-Nourishing Pills."
He had not thought much of Her Highness the Holy Maiden's recruitment attempt from the very beginning, especially now that the other party had opened his lion's maw and demanded a Comprehension Pill. In his view, a mere Tribulation Realm Seventh Layer cultivator was not worth such a price to win over.
He was merely at the Tribulation Realm Seventh Layer. Whether he joined them or not would make no difference at all.
"Enough. We are at a disadvantage now. If we don't bleed a little, why would anyone risk becoming Lu Tianxing's enemy to join me?" Li Fufeng said slowly.
Back with Lin Xuan on Starfall Peak.
The Holy Maiden's side did not break their word, and soon sent him a Comprehension Pill.
The moment he received the Comprehension Pill, Lin Xuan did not hesitate. He immediately summoned Su Lianxin and gave her the pill, instructing her to take it when she attempted to break through to the King Realm in the future.
In truth, this pill was of no use to Su Lianxin at her current level, but Lin Xuan could hardly wait until she reached Tribulation Realm Ninth Layer Perfection before giving it to her, so he simply found an excuse to gloss over it.
Su Lianxin did not think much of it either. She only felt that her master treated her far too well. She had only just broken through to the Earth Profound Realm, yet he was already preparing for her future breakthrough to the King Realm.
Looking at the deeply moved Su Lianxin, Lin Xuan's old face reddened. He gave a dry cough, then sent her off to cultivate.
Ding! Invested Comprehension Pill. Rebate: "Formation Dao Profound Pill" (eight-pattern) ×1
The Formation Dao Profound Pill was a seventh-grade spirit pill. Taking it would allow one to comprehend four sword formation Great Daos: the Azure Dragon Sword Formation, the White Tiger Sword Formation, the Vermilion Bird Sword Formation, and the Black Tortoise Sword Formation!
Lin Xuan's pupils contracted, and even his breathing began to quicken!
Another four Great Daos!
And they were exceedingly rare sword formation Great Daos!
This meant that entering the King Realm with eighteen Great Daos was not his limit!
With these four sword formation Great Daos added, that would make... twenty-two Great Daos!
Lin Xuan did not even dare imagine how powerful he would become once he broke through to the King Realm.