Exchange Gathering with the Evergreen Sect

That day, as soon as Shen Ge came out of the Artifact Refining Hall, Mu Wan stopped him. "Hey, Shen Ge, do you have any thoughts on this exchange between our sect and the Evergreen Sect?"

"What could I possibly think? It's just a competition between disciples from two families—refining weapons, alchemy, drawing talismans, and fighting—but the rewards are quite generous."

"However, regarding personnel arrangements, we'll all be going if nothing unexpected happens. The Artifact Refining Hall is currently being managed by us and Junior Sister Jin Ling, but the Formation Hall and Pill Refining Hall aren't so lucky. Since Senior Brother Wei Sen left the Formation Hall Formation Hall, no disciple there has reached his previous level of skill; and Wang Yan of the Pill Refining Hall has broken through to the Golden Core, so she can't participate in this kind of event. As for Junior Brother Qingfeng's alchemy skills... to be honest, they're far inferior to Senior Sister Wang Yan's; the Talisman Hall is being managed by Senior Brother Chu He, so there's no need to worry about that."

"Our strength in all aspects has declined somewhat compared to before. At this time, our chances of winning in exchanges and competitions with the Evergreen Sect are not high. I estimate that we only have a chance of winning in weapon crafting and talisman making."

"That's true. But although our chances of winning aren't high, that's not important. We're just going to stabilize relations. Otherwise, do you think the sect doesn't know our chances of winning aren't great?"

Five days later, a group of one hundred people, led by Ziyang, left Spirit Moon Sect in a spaceship and arrived at the Evergreen Sect in just two days.

Like the Spirit Moon Sect, the Evergreen Sect is built atop a mountain. However, unlike the Spirit Moon Sect, their sect has a waterfall that plunges straight down from the highest peak, which is both spectacular and awe-inspiring.

"Fellow Daoist Ziyang, I didn't expect you to come in person. It seems your Spirit Moon Sect doesn't need you to guard it for the time being."

The sound came from afar, and the next moment several figures appeared before everyone's eyes, the leader being an old man with white hair and dressed in a blue robe.

Ziyang nodded slightly and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Qingguang, how have you been?"

Shen Ge only glanced at the conversations of those big shots and then paid no more attention. He stood on the deck, looking down at the Evergreen Sect disciples, seemingly lost in thought.

Chu He suddenly walked to his side and said softly, "Evergreen Sect is the strongest among the four righteous sects. Their disciples are all quite strong."

"I can see that, but most of these disciples below are only at the Foundation Establishment Realm," Shen Ge said, nodding.

"Although we came here with the intention of exchanging skills and knowledge, the thought of losing in the end is really frustrating."

Shen Ge smiled faintly and said, "Senior Brother Chu He, just relax. Anyway, these reward resources aren't provided by us, and they're nothing to the sect."

Afterwards, everyone disembarked from the flying boat. Ziyang, who was leading the group, went directly with Qingguang Daoist, while they were entertained by the disciples of the Evergreen Sect.

"I am Li Ze, the newly appointed senior disciple of the Evergreen Sect. I greet you, fellow Daoists from the Spirit Moon Sect who have traveled from afar."

"My name is Li Xue..."

"My name is Yue Shan..."

It's clear that the Evergreen Sect put a lot of effort into the reception, as the staff consisted of some exceptionally beautiful female disciples and a few handsome male disciples.

Although most cultivators care more about strength than appearance, beautiful things are always pleasing to the eye.

Afterwards, the group arrived at the banquet that had been prepared in advance, and the seating arrangement was quite particular. Instead of separating the people from the two sects, they were arranged to mingle among each other to show the close relationship between the two sects.

Sitting next to Shen Ge was a woman named Li Xue. In terms of appearance alone, she was the most beautiful woman at this banquet, deserving the title of "a beauty that could topple kingdoms." Moreover, she was not weak either, possessing the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Peak. Judging from the occasional wisp of spiritual energy that overflowed from her, she was probably just one step away from breaking through, making her even stronger than the new senior brother Li Ze.

As the banquet progressed, everyone chatted amongst themselves, and Li Ze refrained from making any inappropriate or pointless remarks.

Suddenly, Li Xue spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Shen, you are a disciple of True Person Qingyu, aren't you?"

Shen Ge was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Yes, I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Li to know this."

"I heard that True Person Qingyu has been in seclusion for over ten years trying to break through to the Nascent Soul. Has she not succeeded yet?"

Shen Ge's smile vanished, and he said, "It's not that easy. If it were, so many people wouldn't be stuck at the Golden Core Stage their entire lives."

"Indeed." Li Xue nodded and said, "The Golden Core Stage to the Nascent Soul Realm is a hurdle that has shattered the dreams of countless people to achieve immortality. However, True Person Qingyu is the strongest Golden Core in the Southern Barbarian Lands, so this should be no problem for her. I would like to offer my congratulations in advance on her advancement to the Nascent Soul."

"Fellow Daoist Li, you're too kind."

"By the way, how's your senior sister Su Liuyue?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, do you know my senior sister?" Shen Ge asked in surprise, but then Shiran, after all, his sister had a certain reputation in this Southern Barbarian Lands.

Li Xue held her wine glass and said softly, "I saw her from afar when I went to the Spirit Moon Sect before. At that time, I was only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, while she was already at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. However, she was too cold-hearted, so I didn't dare to go up and talk to her."

"She seems to have entered the Golden Core almost twenty years ago, I wonder if she has reached the Middle Golden Core Stage?"

Shen Ge took a sip of the spirit wine and shook her head, saying, "It can't be that fast. Once you reach the Golden Core Stage, cultivation can't be like before, where you can advance a small realm every few years or even a decade or so. But I reckon she'll be there soon."

Li Xue didn't argue about this, but simply nodded in agreement, saying, "That's true. Her talent is extraordinary, and she has Supreme-Grade Spirit Root. Her cultivation speed is something we can't match."

Looking at the modest Li Xue, Shen Ge flattered her, "Fellow Daoist Li is too modest. I can see wisps of Spiritual Qi emanating from you, indicating that you are close to breaking through. This cultivation speed is beyond the reach of most."

Anyway, there's no harm in giving compliments; we've only met once, it's just polite small talk.

Li Xue laughed and said, "I feel like these words have a slightly different meaning coming from Fellow Daoist Shen. You've only been in the Spirit Moon Sect for a little over ten years and you're already close to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. That cultivation speed is truly unmatched. Back then, it took me seventy years to cultivate from the Foundation Establishment Early Stage to my current level."

Shen Ge smiled but didn't explain anything. After all, his cultivation speed was what it was, and saying more would just be showing off.

The banquet lasted all day, and in the evening, Li Ze and his group took them to a special place to rest.

"Fellow Daoists of the Spirit Moon Sect, you are welcome to freely explore our sect for the next few days. The exchange and competition will take place in three days, so there's no need to rush. Besides, the focus this time is on exchange; winning or losing is not important."

It sounds nice, but if you're going to have a conversation, don't offer rewards. If there are rewards, who won't care about winning or losing?