Chapter 34 Senior Brother 1 Xuanjian Peak
"I'm really fine now! Look! My cultivation level has even increased..."
The group returned to the Immortal Academy, and Xu Xing felt extremely helpless when faced with Wen Yao, who still treated him like a patient.
"Why don't you come to my house with Linglan and the others? Right now, apart from Huanxin Residence and Xichen Residence, all the other places in the Immortal Academy have been sealed off. I don't know if anyone else besides the Dean... besides that demon has any ill intentions. I just don't feel safe here."
Thinking of her crazed fellow disciples, Wen Yao felt a lingering fear.
Xu Xing turned to Wen Lu, his expression turning calmer. "Senior Wen, you and A Yao should go back first. It's not convenient for you to stay at the Immortal Academy any longer at this time."
Wen Lu had served as an instructor at the Immortal Dao Academy before, and now that all the instructors had been taken to the Punishment Hall, Wen Lu's position was awkward, and it was indeed not suitable for her to stay here any longer.
Although Xu Xing meant well, Wen Lu still sensed a hint of distance in her expression.
Wen Lu understood that Xu Xing had already told her and Feng Ling about Zhai Yuzhi's situation, but as seniors, they had not handled it properly, which still caused casualties among the disciples of the Immortal Dao Academy. Xu Xing was someone who was willing to risk his life to save his fellow disciples, so it was understandable that he felt uncomfortable at this moment.
After glancing at her oblivious daughter, Wen Lu remained silent for a moment before taking Wen Yao away.
"Mother, is it really okay for Xu Xu to stay at the Immortal Academy?"
Back in her cave, Wen Yao was still filled with worry.
“The Thousand Machines Academy has sent cultivators to guard the place, so there shouldn’t be any problems. Besides…” Wen Lu sighed softly, “Xu Xu must have some resentment towards me and Feng Ling, which is why she doesn’t want to come here.”
Wen Yao's eyes widened slightly, utterly puzzled. "You and Senior Feng?"
"Your mother hasn't told you about this. Actually, Xu Xu came to see us two months ago. She noticed Zhai Yuzhi's unusual behavior then..."
The rear hall of the Hall of Punishments.
“Each arena on the trial platform is engraved with a blood-burning magic array. Once disciples who have been infected with the demonic blood step onto the arena, they will become violent and bloodthirsty. Even if they have not been infected with the demonic blood, their minds will be affected.”
"Four years ago, after Xuan Shuo's trial, the pills issued by the Immortal Academy were replaced with pills containing demonic blood. However, the content in each bottle was very low, making it extremely difficult to detect. It took four years of long-term consumption for the demonic blood to seep into the bloodlines of these disciples."
Wei Ze reported in a low voice: "The Alchemy Institute did send someone yesterday to report that they had discovered demonic blood in those pills, but the news was intercepted by Director Kan and was only just delivered..."
Jin Chu coldly said, "Although the demonic blood is well-hidden, how could it take so many high-level alchemists in the Alchemy Academy nearly two months to discover it, and only yesterday?"
"I'm afraid those people also planted in the Alchemy Institute..."
After letting go for so many years, the Punishment Hall had become a sieve, let alone the Alchemy Academy. Jin Chu said coldly, "Doesn't Kan Yuansi want to return to the position of deputy hall master? Then let him come back."
Wei Ze was shocked. He had finally managed to remove Kan Yuansi from his position as deputy hall master, and now, only four years later, he was back in his original position? Had all their previous efforts been for nothing...?
"Master, but he..."
Jin Chu suddenly raised his hand to stop him, "This time, twenty-three out of the twenty-four single-spiritual-root disciples of the Immortal Dao Academy have been tainted by demonic blood. Even if they can be cured, their foundations have been damaged. Those people will not let this mistake go. Ning Wenbin's appearance today is just to try to clear the Thousand Machine Academy of any wrongdoing. They will not stop until the sect leader comes out of seclusion."
Jin Chu looked somewhat annoyed. He had relinquished most of the power in the Punishment Hall years ago precisely because he didn't want to get involved, but some things couldn't be avoided simply by wanting to. From the moment he agreed to investigate Zhai Yuzhi, he was drawn into their scheme.
Sometimes he really felt exhausted. Why couldn't these people just focus on cultivation? As cultivators, why did they have to fight for power and profit? How were they any different from ordinary people?
In recent years, the Immortal Academy has unusually increased its supplies to disciples and allocated a large number of spiritual pills. It would not have been so smooth for Zhai Yuzhi to handle things alone. The Thousand Machine Academy, which supervises both the inner and outer sects, could not have failed to notice the anomaly. The only explanation is that there are other people who have allowed this matter to develop to this point.
“And…” Wei Ze hesitated, “Qianji Academy is demanding that Zhai Yuzhi be handed over to them.”
“Absolutely not. I will interrogate Zhai Yuzhi myself.”
Jin Chu's voice was icy, "Qianji Institute...we'll see."
Just how much filth remains in this behemoth that holds the lifeline of the Jade Cloud Sect?
"And what about those disciples of Yaoguang Academy who are unharmed? Where did they buy their elixirs?"
"This disciple has already sent someone to the Spirit Plant Institute to investigate. The refining of the Spirit Gathering Pill requires a large amount of Spirit Gathering Grass, and we will have the results soon."
"No, as long as what the Yaoguang Academy disciple said is true, there is no need to investigate the alchemist's identity."
Remembering something, Jin Chu's brow relaxed. "However... you should try to buy a few bottles of the pills they have later."
"yes!"
...
After Wen Lu and her daughter left, Zhao Linglan and Wang Lianhua also returned to their own courtyard. Xu Xing glanced at the desolate Immortal Dao Courtyard and forced himself to cheer up, "Senior Brother Chen, would you like to visit my cave?"
Many disciples of Yaoguang Academy had already returned to Xichen Residence. Just as Xu Xing lifted the restrictions on his cave dwelling, a large black and white object pounced on him, howling loudly.
"Next time we go out, we'll definitely bring Tuanzi with us, okay?"
Shen Du was quite tall, and once he entered, the already cramped cave seemed even more confined. With the Iron-Eating Beast, which had grown into a large ball of flesh, there was practically no room to turn around.
Avoiding the bed, Shen Du glanced at the alchemy furnace that occupied most of the table. Around the furnace were many elixirs of different colors, and the wooden shelf next to it was also full of pill bottles, as well as some materials that seemed to be used for refining weapons.
Xu Xing hastily tidied up a stool that was still usable and asked Chen Du to sit down. Looking at the messy table, Xu Xing said somewhat embarrassedly, "I forgot to tidy up when I left..."
Linglan and Ayao had visited many times before, and even Zuoqiu Xu would occasionally come over to freeload. Xu Xing had never felt embarrassed. But now, seeing Shen Du's long legs pitifully pressed against the chipped paint of the table, Xu Xing suddenly felt a little awkward for no reason.
Shaking his head to indicate that he didn't mind, Shen Du looked at the Iron-Eating Beast that was clinging to Xu Xing's legs like a puppy and asked, "What are your plans after graduation?"
"Since I can still stay at the Immortal Academy, I'll stay here for now. I'm not thinking about becoming an apprentice or anything like that for the time being. I'll just take it one step at a time."
Seeing that Shen Du was calm and showed no disdain for her cave dwelling, Xu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. She took something out of the shelf and said, "Congratulations on your completion of seclusion, Senior Brother. This gift has been prepared for you. Please accept it."
Xu Xing handed over a silvery-white crescent-shaped object, its surface seemingly shrouded in a layer of mist, making it difficult to see clearly.
"This is a spirit infusion, which I forged based on Senior Brother's Xuan Yue Sword. Adding it to the sword can increase its attack power. Senior Brother, why don't you give it a try?"
She really does know how to forge weapons.
However, this cave is so small that it can't hold any materials at all. In order to refine this spirit-enchanted item, she has to go to the weapon-refining academy frequently, riding the Silver-Winged Roc back and forth, which is not only tiring but also a waste of time.
Thank you.
Shen Du looked down at her hand, took out the broken Xuan Yue Sword, and said in a low voice, "However, the Xuan Yue Sword was mostly destroyed in the lightning tribulation and still needs to be repaired."
"I see..." Xu Xing was a little disappointed. She wanted to see how much of a boost this thing would give to the Xuan Yue Sword.
The materials for refining weapons were too expensive, so she only managed to make one spirit-enchanted weapon. She didn't have enough materials to make another one to test the effect.
"Then take it first, senior brother. We can try it out when the Xuan Yue Sword is repaired!" Xu Xing put the item in Chen Du's hands.
It incorporates moonstone, which naturally carries a cool, moonlit feel, but at this moment it is imbued with the warmth of Xu Xing's palm.
Shen Du knew the price of refining materials. He curled his fingers slightly and then took out an exquisite storage bag. Inside was the reward that the Jade Cloud Sect gave to newly promoted Golden Core cultivators: a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, two second-order spirit veins, three fourth-order magic weapons, and dozens of bottles of pills.
Because Shen Du's tribulation lightning was no ordinary heavenly lightning, this reward was much more generous than that given to ordinary newly promoted Golden Core cultivators.
In addition to these, Golden Core cultivators of the Jade Cloud Sect also receive a monthly allowance of two hundred mid-grade spirit stones. He owes the Thousand Machine Academy more than three thousand spirit stones, which should be payable in less than two years. However, the resources required by Golden Core cultivators are far greater than those of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Since Chen Du has no sect supplies and relies solely on his allowance, the Thousand Machine Academy has given him a ten-year term.
He took out a thousand mid-grade spirit stones and two protective magic artifacts, and gave them all to Xu Xing.
Xu Xing glanced at it briefly and was stunned by the number of spirit stones. "So many?"
"Senior Brother Shen, I only gave you two hundred spirit stones back then..."
Xu Xing's heart pounded. Why was Shen Du suddenly giving her so many spirit stones? Did he regret his decision and no longer want to cooperate with her, so he was repaying double the money?
"I have a special constitution and am prone to losing my belongings, so it's better to keep them with you for safekeeping."
Shen Du paused for a moment, then said, "You can take any spirit stones or magical artifacts you like. After all, we're cooperating, and you're my everything..."
"I understand! Thank you, senior!"
Knowing what Shen Du was about to say, Xu Xing quickly interrupted him. She wished she could go back in time and sew her mouth shut when she said "celestial investor"!
However, he kept bringing this up, and if Xu Xing didn't know Shen Du's personality, he would have suspected that he was deliberately teasing him.
Looking at so many spirit stones, Xu Xing, who was carrying a huge sum of money, felt an even stronger urge to refine a storage artifact. Spirit stones couldn't be put directly into her backpack, but if she could refine a storage artifact herself and put the spirit stones in it, she could then put the storage artifact into her backpack.
For Xu Xing, a backpack is definitely the safest option.
Seeing that Xu Xing's gloomy expression had lessened, a smile flashed in Chen Du's eyes.
"No need to see it off."
Outside the Immortal Dao Academy, Chen Du stopped and looked at Xu Xing. "Your cultivation has increased by three levels with the help of pills, but you will need to constantly refine it and solidify your foundation. You must not slack off."
"Don't worry, senior brother."
Just as Shen Du was about to leave, he suddenly saw two male cultivators riding on golden phoenixes. One of them called out loudly, "Is that Fellow Daoist Shen Du ahead?"
The Golden Phoenix is the mount used by the cultivators of the Thousand Machines Academy for carrying out their duties, and Shen Du responded.
The two men jumped off the golden phoenix. One had a cold expression, while the other had a warm smile. "I am Yu Xingbo from the Thousand Machine Academy, and this is Fellow Daoist Zhuo Yue. We are here to congratulate Fellow Daoist Shen on his completion of seclusion and advancement to the Golden Core stage!"
Shen Du said thank you in a low voice.
Yu Xingbo didn't mind his coldness, but Zhuo Yue frowned, looking somewhat dissatisfied.
Yu Xingbo took out a scroll-like object and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Shen left the main peak in a hurry and has not yet chosen a cave dwelling. I have specially brought you a list of spiritual peaks for you to choose from."
He raised his hand, and the scroll flew into the air and unfolded, radiating a brilliant light, with countless mountain peaks appearing before everyone's eyes.
The two cultivators from the Thousand Machines Academy acted as if they hadn't seen Xu Xing at all, not even glancing at her out of the corner of their eyes. Xu Xing was happy to be at ease, standing behind Shen Du and peeking out to take a look.
I've heard that Golden Core cultivators have their own independent peaks to live on; this must be it.
One person, one peak—how wonderful! Xu Xing thought of the materials he couldn't put in his cave, and his eyes filled with envy.
But who knows how many years it will take her to reach the Golden Core stage?
Wen Lu is a Golden Core cultivator and originally had her own peak, but she sold it all to pay for Wen Yao's medical treatment. Now she lives on Chuyun Peak with some managers of the Scripture Pavilion. Xu Xing has never visited Feng Ling's Qingling Peak, so she has never been to such an independent spiritual peak. However, perhaps she can visit Senior Brother Chen Du's place later.
By the way, Senior Brother Shen has a single metal spiritual root and such high talent. I wonder how old he is now and how many years it took him to reach the Golden Core stage?
Xu Xing glanced at the calm-looking Shen Du, thinking that he could ask Senior Brother Zuo Qiu for information next time...
"These peaks all possess third-order spiritual veins. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Shen has a preference?"
Yu Xingbo enthusiastically introduced which peak had a good location and which had a good view, speaking eloquently about them.
Wow, there are so many intricacies involved in choosing a mountain peak!
Xu Xing was secretly amazed, but then she saw Shen Du turn his head and look down at her: "Which one do you like?"
Now, both Yu Xingbo and Zhuo Yue turned their attention to Xu Xing.
Why would a disciple of the Immortal Dao Academy in the Qi Refining stage ask Shen Du about choosing a cave dwelling?
Xu Xing was taken aback, thinking that many people have difficulty making choices. Perhaps Shen Du didn't know what to choose, so he came to ask for her opinion.
Thinking this, she naturally pointed to a place in the lower right corner that was a bit far from the main peak but surrounded by a large sea of clouds. "Senior Yu just said that there are often golden rainbows in the clouds here. It must be very beautiful."
Following her gesture, Shen Du selected an isolated spiritual peak that was some distance from the surrounding peaks within the area she had circled, and said calmly, "This one will do."
Yu Xingbo's smile was somewhat subtle. "Although it's a bit far from here, it's quiet and very comfortable. Fellow Daoist Shen has excellent taste. I wonder what name you would give this peak?"
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Du said, "Mysterious Sword Peak."
Yu Xingbo put away the scroll and wrote something on it with his fingers using spiritual light. Soon, he handed over a jade tablet and asked Shen Du to infuse it with spiritual power.
"That's settled then. Each Golden Core cultivator will be paired with two martial artists. Fellow Daoist Shen can choose them at the Martial Arts Academy when you have time. The Thousand Machine Academy has other matters to attend to, so we'll be going now..."
"etc--"
Zhuo Yue, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up, “Chen Du, you are neither an inner disciple nor a Nascent Soul cultivator. Today, you flew from the main peak to the trial platform on your sword, violating the sect rules. Considering this is your first offense, you must be fined two hundred low-grade spirit stones.”
Yu Xingbo's smile was somewhat stiff. He really didn't understand what his colleagues were thinking. It was only two hundred low-grade spirit stones. What was wrong with them covering the difference? Why did they have to make things difficult for Shen Du, this newly promoted Golden Core cultivator, at this time?
Xu Xing was taken aback. So, Senior Brother Shen had arrived at the trial platform today by flying on his sword.
The Jade Cloud Sect does indeed impose many restrictions on the matter of flying, but...
"The two seniors must be aware of what happened at the trial platform today. Senior Brother Shen was so eager to save people that he used his sword. Could this be considered a special case, allowing him to be exempted from the fine?"
Xu Xing smiled and looked at Zhuo Yue, saying, "Spend where you should, save where you should, and don't waste a single spirit stone that shouldn't be spent!"
The Thousand Machine Academy is truly amazing. It charges compensation for mountains destroyed by lightning tribulations and fines people for flying on swords. Xu Xing thought to himself, wondering if the Thousand Machine Academy's income came entirely from fining cultivators.
Wait! Xu Xing was startled. She had used Li Yuan to destroy the arena; wouldn't she have to pay compensation too?!
Zhuo Yue glanced down at Xu Xing, who suddenly seemed a little guilty, and frowned. He was about to speak when Yu Xingbo quickly stopped him, "Yes! Yes! Junior Sister Xu is right. In special circumstances, punishment is naturally waived."
He pulled and dragged Zhuo Yue onto the golden phoenix, saying, "Fellow Daoist Shen, congratulations on your new spiritual peak! I will definitely come to offer my congratulations another day!"
"Why are you pulling me? Since he doesn't want to go to the inner sect, he shouldn't fly without permission. He should be punished!"
Zhuo Yue watched as Shen Du and Xu Xing below turned into two small black dots, still feeling indignant.
"You heard it too. There are special circumstances here. The matter of the Trial Platform involves many things. Before we find out the truth, let's not worry about this little thing."
Yu Xingbo was helpless.
He knew very well that Zhuo Yue had always wanted to become Elder Jiang Feichen's disciple, but had not succeeded. Now that Elder Jiang had taken the initiative to ask, Chen Du refused, so his colleague was naturally indignant.
Though he still wore a smile, there was a hint of contempt in Yu Xingbo's eyes. How foolish it was to so eagerly offend Shen Du!
That's heavenly lightning from the highest heavens!
Even if Jiang Feichen has declared that no one else is allowed to take Shen Du as a disciple, and Shen Du is temporarily unable to enter the inner sect, does that mean he will never go there in the future? Jiang Feichen is not the only one who has his eye on Shen Du, otherwise, how could the reward that ends up in Shen Du's hands be so generous?
Don't forget, the last person to attract the Heavenly Thunder was the Jade Cloud Sect Master, who hadn't even emerged from seclusion yet!
"Senior brother, are you going to Xuanjian Peak to take a look now?"
Xu Xing looked at Chen Du with bright eyes, his desire to follow along and visit was self-evident.
"..."
A hint of hesitation appeared on Shen Du's usually calm face, as if he didn't know how to speak.
After a long silence, Xu Xing assumed that Shen Du did not want others to go to his spiritual peak, so he smiled awkwardly and decided to head back home.
Chen Du finally spoke, his voice very soft, "Do you... want to move to Xuanjian Peak?"
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Author's Note: [Enchantment: Referencing enchanting in online games]
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Thank you so much for the nutrient solution from Paper Cloud! =3=
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