Settled

Heart-Questioning Cave.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, a figure appeared near the cave entrance, revealing a Golden Core disciple, his entire body shrouded in auspicious light.

His bewildered eyes quickly brightened after taking in his surroundings.

"Hahaha..."

A burst of laughter rang out. The Golden Core disciple heard something, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He rushed towards the elders' area and landed near an elder.

As time passed, figures appeared from time to time. Some were called to the elders' area and promoted to True Disciple, while others went to the Golden Core disciples' area with gloomy expressions.

After an unknown amount of time, another figure appeared, its body shrouded in blood.

"What a wicked villain! How dare he infiltrate the Ascension Immortal Sect!"

With a sharp shout, the Golden Core spy who had just regained his senses was enveloped by several Law Treasure and instantly turned into ashes.

Many Golden Core disciples, including those who had advanced to True Disciple, were all alarmed and secretly rejoiced that they had passed the test of the Heart-Questioning Cave; otherwise, they would have ended up like this traitor.

As disciples were continuously sent out, the blue light emanating from the Heart-Questioning Cave gradually receded towards the vicinity of the well opening.

Elder Tianyan's face was so dark it seemed like water could seep out of it, while the ' Black Python ' beside him let out a sinister laugh.

"Hahaha, Tianyan, I'm afraid your granddaughter won't be getting out."

"Hmph!" Tianyan snorted coldly, "The Heart-Questioning Cave hasn't completely closed yet, how do you know she can't get out!"

"Then let her come out!" Black Python said, glancing at Ding Yue and Yang Qing nearby. "With your three descendants buried with my disciple, he can rest in peace."

Ding Yue and Yang Qing's faces were also extremely ugly, but they didn't dare to say a word in rebuttal. Although they were both elders, they were only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage. How could they compare to Black Python, a great cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage? If they angered this person, they could forget about leaving the house in the future.

Just then, four figures shrouded in auspicious light appeared one after another; they were Liu Ruyan, Yang Zhan, Zhang Zhonghu, Jiang Yao.

"Yan'er!"

Elder Tianyan let out a surprised exclamation and called out, only to see Liu Ruyan glance at Zhang Zhonghu with a complicated expression before coming to Elder Tianyan's side.

"Yan'er greets her grandfather!"

"Quickly tell your grandfather what you found in the cave!"

As they spoke, a barrier appeared around them, preventing others from eavesdropping.

At the same time, Yang Zhan and Zhang Zhonghu were also called over and spoke with Yang Qing and Ding Yue respectively.

Black Python looked at the three people, his smile fading, and his brows furrowing. "Four went in, and four came out. Could it really be a coincidence? But that doesn't make sense. These four are too lucky. It's a miracle if even one person comes out from the third level of the Heart-Questioning Cave. How could four of them come out at the same time?"

He suddenly yelled at the last person, "Hey you, come here!"

A sound like thunder rang in Fang Yu's ears. He glanced at ' Jiang Xiasheng ', who was still resting with his eyes closed in the distance, then stood up and bowed to Black Python.

"Jiang Yao greets the Elder!"

The Black Python asked directly, "What fortuitous opportunity did you obtain inside the cave?"

Fang Yu took out a jade bottle and handed it over, saying, "Several bottles of Ten-Thousand-Year Stalactite Stone Milk."

The Black Python took the bottle, opened it, and glanced at it. "That's it? Anything else?"

Fang Yu shook his head and said, "No more!"

Just then, an extremely sharp Sword Qi swept across the entire area, startling everyone.

Then they saw that the stone sword in Yang Zhan's hand was slowly shedding its stone layer, revealing a dazzling cold light. The aura emanating from the sword was even stronger than that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Spirit Treasure!"

The Black Python glanced at it, casually tossed the bottle of stalactite to Fang Yu, and darted towards Yang Qing. "This sword is not bad; consider it compensation for my disciple."

Fang Yu took the stone milk, and in a flash, Jiang Xiasheng's figure appeared before him. He looked Fang Yu up and down, and said with a smile:

"Junior Brother Jiang is very fortunate. This Ten-Thousand-Year Stalactite Stone Milk is a rare and highly sought-after fifth-grade spiritual material. With its help, Junior Brother's Dao of Alchemy will surely advance by leaps and bounds, and our Five Elements Peak will have another Fourth-Tier Alchemist."

Fang Yu immediately handed the bottle to Jiangxia, saying, "Only Senior Brother can bring out the full potential of such a precious material. It would be a waste for me to use it. Please accept this from Senior Brother!"

Jiang Xiasheng looked at the jade bottle Fang Yu handed over and smiled, "It's good that you have this intention. Although these Ten-Thousand-Year Stalactite Stone Milk are rare, they are not lacking in the peak. Now that you have come out of the Heart-Questioning Cave and are on the third level, your future achievements will surely be extraordinary. You can keep this for yourself!"

"This..." Fang Yu hesitated, glancing at Jiang Xiasheng. It didn't seem like mere politeness, so he put it away. "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Jiang Xiasheng looked at Fang Yu with the same care and concern one would show a junior, and said, "There are five True Disciple who passed the test of the Heart-Questioning Cave this time, including you. You should be ranked first. After returning to the peak, your senior brother will hold True Disciple ceremony for you all to honor your names."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu's heart stirred slightly, and he hurriedly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. It was truly fortunate that I was able to emerge from the Heart-Questioning Cave this time. I am still shaken and deeply aware of my own shortcomings. I only wish to learn the True Disciple Cultivation Method and then go into seclusion to cultivate and specialize in Dao of Alchemy. Therefore, I will not participate in this True Disciple Ceremony. I humbly request Senior Brother's permission."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiasheng paused slightly and said, "I never expected that Junior Brother would have such a heart for seeking the Dao. In that case, then as Junior Brother requests, you don't need to attend this True Disciple Ceremony. You can go to the Five Elements Hall to check the True Disciple Cultivation Method of this peak when you return to the peak."

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother..."

"Boom!"

"Black Python, are you trying to steal it by force?!"

Suddenly, a violent surge of Law Power erupted from Yang Zhan's direction. Fang Yu turned his head and saw the Black Python grabbing the ' Spirit Treasure ' flying sword.

Yang Zhan clenched his sword fingers, his entire body surging with Law Power, causing the sword to tremble violently, trying to break free from his grasp.

The Black Python gripped the sword, ignoring Elder Yang Qing, whose beard and hair were ruffled with rage, and laughed, "So what if I take it from you!"

"You... you... I'll fight you to the death today!"

As Yang Qing spoke, a ring of sword wheels appeared behind him, radiating cold light and filled with Sword Qi.

Just then, Tianyan's voice rang out, "Black Python, do you really intend to forcibly seize the junior's Spirit Treasure, disregarding the sect rules? Are you planning to rebel against the immortal sect?"

Black Python glanced at Tianyan and released his grip, the Spirit Treasure flying sword immediately returning to Yang Zhan's hand. He rubbed his fingers together and laughed, "How could I do such a despicable thing? I was just checking the quality of this Spirit Treasure."

As he spoke, he vanished, leaving behind the words, "Your affairs with my disciple are now settled."

Upon hearing Black Python's words, Tianyan, Yang Qing, Ding Yue visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Although Black Python was domineering and unreasonable, and loved to seize by force, he always kept his promises. Since this matter was now considered settled, he would not deliberately target them in the future.