Chapter 71: Is it a sign of someone's advancement?
Xie Hanyi's retreat lasted for more than half a month.
Originally, as soon as the new disciples completed their mission, the elders of the sect should have gathered in Guizang Hall under the call of Sect Leader Qi Yuanbai to discuss the unusual developments that had occurred in various parts of the continent in recent times.
In the past, Xie Hanyi rarely participated in such matters. But this time, under Qi Yuanbai's arrangement, the elders did not come to Guizang Hall to discuss the matter until Xie Hanyi came out of seclusion for a short period of time.
Looking at Xie Hanyi, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, Taiqing Peak's Elder Qin said in a gloomy tone, "What kind of wind has brought Junior Brother Xie here?"
Elder Qin always boasted of being Qi Yuanbai's right-hand man, and he always wanted to be one step ahead of others in his actions. Qi Yuanbai often turned a blind eye to this.
Only Xie Hanyi has a special identity. Although he rarely appears, he is an existence that is difficult to surpass.
In the early years, he had tried to show his affection, wary of Xie Hanyi's status. However, Xie Hanyi had left the world and remained largely indifferent to the people and events within and outside the sect, and was even more indifferent to his overtures.
Over the years, he had accumulated a lot of dissatisfaction and frustration, but he couldn't vent it, so he could only say a few sarcastic words to Xie Hanyi on the rare occasions when he could see her - anyway, with Xie Hanyi's personality, she wouldn't care what he said.
The same is true today.
Xie Hanyi just glanced at Elder Qin indifferently, then walked straight past him and sat down in his own seat, waiting for Qi Yuanbai's arrival, with no intention of responding at all.
Elder Qin felt bored and wanted to take the opportunity to say something, but in a blink of an eye, he saw Jiang Hanqiu looking at him with a half-smile, as if he was waiting for a good show, so he shut up in disappointment.
After a while, the head of the sect Qi Yuanbai, followed by Chu Ye, entered the main hall and sat down on the main seat.
Everyone then talked about the situations reported from various places over the past year or two.
"It seems that the spiritual veins of the West Extreme Desert and the East Extreme Island have experienced unusual movements, especially in the West Extreme. Not only have monsters been bred near the spiritual veins, but earthquakes have also occurred." After listening to what several people said, Elder Han of Ziyun Peak flipped through the recent files and said solemnly.
"In recent months, several other places have also reported earthquakes. Judging from the map, most of these places are distributed along the spiritual veins." Elder Chang of Dongxian Peak said.
Jiang Hanqiu frowned and speculated, "It seems that these anomalies may very well indicate changes in the spirit vein. Master, could it be that the last time the phoenix on Dongji Island was injured, the seal loosened, causing the spirit vein to fluctuate?"
When mentioning Phoenix's injury, Chu Ye subconsciously felt a sense of guilt.
He believed that he had always put the interests of the sect before his personal safety and had never been partial. However, in this matter, for Mu Fuyue, in order to make up for the mistake he had made in the past, he made a mistake that he could not regret.
Naturally, others noticed his reaction.
However, in their opinion, Chu Ye just felt guilty towards the sect because of his failure that time.
Elder Qin knew that he was Qi Yuanbai's favorite disciple, so he retorted, "Not necessarily. Earthquakes are common. For thousands of years, mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas have been constantly changing. Even if the phoenix hadn't been injured, the mountains would still have changed. Moreover, these past two years have been a time of frequent earthquakes."
Jiang Hanqiu looked down upon his excessive flattery and rolled his eyes in front of him.
Qi Yuanbai looked at the two who were still at odds with each other and simply said, "Anything is possible." He did not continue discussing the matter, but asked Chu Ye to get the other files and distribute them to everyone.
"No matter what the reason is for the unusual movements in various places, the sect should send more people starting tomorrow to strictly guard every place under Tian Yan's responsibility." After he finished giving the instructions, he told everyone to look at the newly distributed files.
"I've invited you all here today because I have something to discuss – next year, we'll have the quadrennial Grand Competition of the Three Great Sects. According to the order of events, this competition will be held in Tianyan. In a few days, Taixu Sect and Wuding Sect will send representatives to discuss the details of this competition. Please go back and make your own preparations."
There are countless ceremonies in the world of immortal cultivation every year, ranging from large competitions among the three major sects to small ones such as explorations into secret realms and competitions organized spontaneously by individual cultivators.
But the most anticipated event was the quadrennial Grand Competition of the Three Great Sects. The three great sects represented the most powerful forces in the entire cultivation world, and the Grand Competition was a competition between the younger generations of disciples from the three great sects, naturally representing the strongest forces among the next generation of cultivators.
As soon as the elders heard about the Dharma Assembly, their attention was immediately diverted.
As the leader of a peak, everyone hopes that his disciples can get a good ranking in the Dharma Assembly.
After they finished reading the scroll and said a few words, Qi Yuanbai let them leave.
Only Xie Hanyi was left behind by his message.
"Junior brother," Qi Yuanbai said with a serious expression, "you've heard everything that happened just now. I'd like to hear your opinion on whether the unusual movements are related to the fluctuations in the spirit veins. After all, when it comes to spirit veins, I'm afraid no one knows more about it than you."
This was also the reason why he waited until he came out of seclusion and invited him to discuss things together.
Xie Hanyi, who had not spoken a word since entering Guizang Hall, finally spoke.
"Brother, you think too highly of me. Spiritual veins are spread throughout the entire continent, just like the meridians in the human body, intricate and of varying depths. The only one I can clearly sense is the one in Tianyan. I'm keeping it under control, so there's nothing wrong with it for now. As for the others, I can't say for sure, but I have a vague feeling that a strange force is indeed approaching."
Qi Yuanbai pondered for a moment and said, "I remember that when Han Qiu reported the earthquake in the westernmost part of the world, you happened to be there. Is this incident also related?"
He was talking about the earthquake that occurred when Xie Hanyi suddenly fell ill in Xiji.
Xie Hanyi nodded: "That time, it was indeed related to me. After all, our spiritual veins are connected. At that time, my internal energy was disordered and I almost lost my mind. I think the spiritual veins in the west must have sensed it, which caused the earthquake."
"Hmm." Qi Yuanbai narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly, pondering the connection between these things. He slowly said, "It seems that we should indeed be vigilant, especially during this Dharma Assembly. The three major sects have gathered in Tianyan, and other places must be empty. If something goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable. We must be prepared."
…
The news of the grand competition among the three major sects quickly spread throughout Tianyan.
Every few days, the disciples who came to Fu Ri Peak for classes talked about this matter.
"I heard that in previous years, only disciples who were able to participate had to be at the Jindan stage or above."
"The cultivation levels of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment are too low. Most of them are new disciples and lack experience. They are still too immature to participate in the Dharma Assembly."
"Ah, it seems like we new disciples won't have the chance to participate. Well, let's just take it as a chance to observe our senior brothers and sisters."
"Not necessarily. The Dharma Assembly will be held next year, which is still a few months away. What if someone forms a Dan in these few months?" Yun Ni, who was instructing several disciples, heard their discussion as she passed by and couldn't help but stop and said something.
The disciples were stunned for a moment, looked at each other, and then realized what was happening and asked, "Is Senior Sister Yun Ni talking about Zhan Yao?"
"Yes, Zhan Yao is already in the late stage of foundation building. Based on her previous advancement speed, it is not impossible for her to form a pill in the next few months."
"But Danjie is different from Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment. The further you advance in cultivation, the more time it takes to advance each level. A few months is probably a bit too hasty."
Yun Ni crossed her arms, raised her chin, and said, "It may seem hasty to others, but I believe in Junior Sister Zhan. She has a solid foundation, far superior to others. Plus, with her recent experience in the Western Extreme, she has the opportunity. She is only one breath away from forming a pill."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhan Yao, who had been practicing sword in the bamboo forest, had come to their side without them noticing.
"Thank you for trusting me, Senior Sister."
She stood in front of everyone and bowed to Yun Ni first.
"I have now achieved Dan-Jing and can participate in the Dharma Assembly."
Everyone was shocked after hearing this. Even Yun Ni was a little caught off guard and asked, "When did this happen?"
"Just a few days ago." Zhan Yao didn't give a very specific answer.
That day was her last day of confinement in the Punishment Hall. When she finished copying the last word of the sect's rules, she formed a pill.
Yun Ni didn't ask any further questions and immediately patted her shoulder happily: "That's great!"
The other disciples also recovered from their shock and surrounded her, congratulating her on her advancement. Hongying and others did not hide their envy and immediately asked about her experience in cultivation.
Zhan Yao answered intermittently, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces, as if he was looking for something.
Mu Fuyun was still not there.
I heard that she had requested to stay in Lingshanze to practice for the past three days, claiming that she was about to advance.
After crossing this stage, she should be in the late stage of foundation building.
Zhan Yao was thinking randomly in her mind, always having a vague hope that she could advance to the next level and enter the Golden Core Stage in the remaining few months.
Just as everyone was talking at once, a ray of golden light suddenly appeared in the sky west of Fu Ri Peak, shining through the thick clouds and directly to somewhere in the mountains.
It was a day with dark clouds, unlike the ordinary days with bright sunshine and clear blue sky. At this moment, the light was like the sun shining through the clouds, attracting the attention of several people.
"Is that... a sign of someone advancing?"
"There is no thunder tribulation, it is an advancement below the Nascent Soul stage, could it be Mu Fuyun?"
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