Chapter 138: Chapter 124: Jiang Ningxue Offers Her Service, Ma Wu Presents a Treasure! (Double-length Chapter)
However, this individual’s methods are too singular; apart from the peculiar Dharma Seal that can devour the Spirit Fire, the other techniques are not sturdy enough. If the opponent is not a cultivator skilled in Fire Technique, it’s easy to be defeated, thus failing to secure the last three positions and ultimately returning empty-handed.
"Junior Brother Gu, I apologize for the impromptu visit, please forgive me."
As the two were discussing, outside Earth Flame Island, a Divine Thought floated gently down.
"Senior Sister Shen has arrived!"
Bian Chuyao said joyfully.
Gu Yuan’s Divine Sense surged forth, seeing a beautiful woman dressed in a green palace outfit, of voluptuous figure, standing in the air outside Earth Flame Island, her cultivation already reached Late-stage Foundation Establishment.
Beside her, there was a girl with delicate features, wearing a long dress, with a graceful figure.
The girl’s eyes were cold, emanating an aura of keeping strangers at a distance. Though her cultivation was far below that of the beautiful woman beside her, only at Qi Refining Eighth Layer, she appeared to be harder to get along with, her demeanor extremely chilly.
"Swish!"
Gu Yuan opened the Grand Array, the beautiful woman and the girl transformed into a stream of light, and instantly landed in the Stone Cave.
...
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Gu, on successfully establishing Foundation, thus adding three hundred years to your life. This small gift, it’s not much of an appreciation."
The beautiful woman surnamed Shen smiled slightly at Gu Yuan and then handed him a Jade Bottle containing "Clearing Essence Pill."
Clearing Essence Pill, Foundation Establishment Spirit Pill, upon consumption can slightly accelerate cultivation speed.
"Ning Xue, greet Junior Martial Uncle Gu; your cultivation path will depend on your Junior Martial Uncle Gu from now on!"
Following this, the beautiful woman gently called to the girl beside her.
The girl was quite bold, first gazing intensely at Gu Yuan before saluting and calling out, "Jiang Ningxue, greets Junior Martial Uncle Gu!"
Her voice, like her demeanor, was cold and as pristine as snow.
"No need for formalities!"
Gu Yuan waved his sleeve and helped the girl up.
Yet, this girl’s peculiar "chilly impression" gave him an unusual feeling, but it was indescribable.
"Junior Brother Gu, Junior Sister Bian has already transmitted sound to me, so I’ll cut to the chase."
"Obtaining Spiritual Qi and then serving Junior Brother is rightly done, however, this disciple of mine has exceptional talent, is my closed-door disciple, and is the hope of Ruyi Peak; it is indeed inappropriate to serve Junior Brother. How about this, I’ll have another Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Ruyi Peak serve Junior Brother for sixty years."
"As for the True Inheritance position, I can also guarantee that whatever Junior Brother competes for, Ning Xue will certainly shy away from, how does that sound?"
The beautiful woman surnamed Shen directly negotiated with Gu Yuan.
Another Foundation Establishment, serving for sixty years?
Gu Yuan pondered slightly.
But just as he was contemplating, Jiang Ningxue suddenly spoke up, "Master, no need to trouble others, disciple is willing to serve Junior Martial Uncle Gu!"
At these words, everyone was taken aback.
"Ning Xue, this matter is no child’s play!"
The beautiful woman surnamed Shen frowned delicately, reprimanding in a low voice.
Serving Gu Yuan inevitably meant going to war against Red Moon River. She had investigated and found that this Gu Yuan was not mild-natured; it would invariably mean commanding numerous Foundation Establishment to venture into danger.
Taiyin Dao Body, with exceptional talent, as long as she doesn’t fall, she inevitably could cultivate to Foundation Establishment Perfection; the probability of Core Formation is somewhat higher than other cultivators, being the heirloom seed of Ruyi Peak, how could she serve under anyone else?
"Master, unpolished jade cannot be made into artifacts!"
But Jiang Ningxue’s attitude was firm, her response very earnest.
"Sitting idly atop a mountain cannot compare to those who endure life-and-death battles, Senior Sister Si is proof!"
"Disciple does not wish for bitter cultivation!"
Saying this, Jiang Ningxue bowed deeply to the beautiful woman surnamed Shen.
"Our Ruyi Peak is also to participate in the war against Red Moon River; following Senior Sister Si together isn’t better?"
The beautiful woman still wouldn’t relent.
"Master, within the Daoist School, there are now merely dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators; our Ruyi Peak even fewer, with only seven Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even if we go to war against Red Moon River, it isn’t possible to deploy everyone; truly speaking, Junior Martial Uncle Gu’s force already surpasses our Ruyi Peak. Accompanying Junior Martial Uncle Gu in the war might be the best choice..."
Jiang Ningxue’s aura was icy, her cultivation only at Qi Refining Eighth Layer, yet her thoughts were calm; upon these words, the beautiful woman was momentarily stunned.
But upon closer thought, it indeed was so.
Gu Yuan at the Flowing Cloud Banquet acquired one Spiritual Qi, then obtained eight Spiritual Qi in the Ancient Mountain Secret Realm, a total of nine.
This implies there will be nine Foundation Establishment combat powers.
This number truly surpasses Ruyi Peak.
Unless the ancestor is invited forth, otherwise...
Yet the ancestor hasn’t appeared for many years; she even doesn’t know if the ancestor is alive or dead.
The Seven Vein, Five Noble Families, seem prosperous, yet within they indeed have their own hardships.
Besides Celestial Spirit Peak, Cyan Flame Peak, Jade Pot Peak, Bian Family, Su Family, the other Peaks and Families haven’t seen their ancestors for years, and within the Daoist School, it’s always propagated there’s only five Golden Core Ascendants.
Without a Golden Core, the several veins and families rely on many Foundation Establishment and the depth within the peaks to maintain the sect’s prestige, but now upon thinking, Gu Yuan’s apparent power isn’t inferior to several veins and peaks?
Even if they’re all newly established Foundations, should they team up relying on the Grand Array, indeed there’s nothing to be done.
This thought came to her, and she stopped obstructing, only sighing deeply to Gu Yuan: "Junior Brother, since my disciple regards you so highly, I won’t prevent her anymore, everything is entrusted to you, hoping you will carefully take care of my disciple, Ruyi Peak will surely repay generously."
But Gu Yuan remained silent.
Knowing well his own affairs.
He alone used up three Spiritual Qi, how can there be so much Spiritual Qi to distribute, at most six can be shared.
And those Qi Refining cultivators at the Flowing Cloud Banquet, Gu Yuan witnessed their caliber, ordinary means; Gu Yuan wanted these people to serve merely to bolster numbers, assist, and to support the True Inheritance position.
To put it frankly, how could those truly with exceptional talent and deep connections serve due to a single Spiritual Qi?
But if accepting Jiang Ningxue, things might be different.
Taiyin Dao Body, gifted with superb talent, might bring surprises.
Just uncertain... if this girl serves under his command, does she have other plans? Does Ruyi Peak truly lack access to Spiritual Qi?
But after pondering for a moment, Gu Yuan ultimately made a decision.
If one hesitates back and forth, the resolve will be lost.
Mere Dao Body, he can suppress!
Upon this thought, he promptly took out a Spiritual Qi from his sleeve.
"Alas!"
The beautiful woman sighed deeply, then took out a jade box, handing it to Gu Yuan.
After the agreement was completed, the beautiful woman did not linger, taking Jiang Ningxue and transforming into a stream of light, leaving.
Bian Chuyao congratulated Gu Yuan briefly, then quietly left too.
After seeing them off, Gu Yuan began spreading the word, gearing up for the Spiritual Qi competition, instantly all Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators were stirred, especially the disciples of Humble Lineage, flocking towards Earth Flame Island.
...
...
"Here, here, those skilled in Artifact Refining, come this way!"
"Alchemy over here, Alchemy over here!"
"Able to manage Spirit Island herb fields? This way, this way!"
"Offering treasures, come this way?"
"News of Secret Realm treasures, come this way."
"Are you a Noble Family disciple? Which family, which sect? Who recommended you, willing to serve for how many years?"
On Earth Flame Island, the atmosphere was vibrant, numerous sect members and Shell Maidens wearing the Daoist Robes of the "Bian" and "Feng" families directed many cultivators, registering on the Jade Register, standing divided, each recording.
Excluded from Ruyi Peak and Azure Firmament Peak being privately appointed and deciding Spiritual Qi share, other Spiritual Qi, Gu Yuan decided to employ competitive duels.
Exceptional talent, Root Bone, treasure secrets, diverse cultivation arts, all must have a standout aspect, otherwise how to obtain Spiritual Qi from me?
At once, Earth Flame Island was bustling, almost all Daoist School disciples skilled in diverse cultivation arts, flocking over, its scale comparable to a grand event.
The cumbersome processes, Gu Yuan had delegated to the servants of the Bian and Feng families, at the moment, he was in the Cave Mansion, receiving someone.
"Disciple Ma Wu, greets Junior Martial Uncle Gu!"
Ma Wu in a Nine-leaf Daoist Robe, prostrated on the ground, respectful in demeanor.
"No need for formalities, Nephew Ma comes to visit, may I know for what purpose?"
Gu Yuan waved a large sleeve, helping him up, chuckling softly as he asked.
"Disciple offers a Secret Realm in exchange for one portion of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi!"