Chapter 34: Xiaoyao Sect

In the Floating Cloud Mountains, several cultivators from the Xiaoyao Sect, dressed in grey Taoist robes, stood by the edge of the pool that Song Qingming had fled from several months ago, observing the movements within the water.

Among them was a white-bearded Taoist holding a whisk, his hair styled in a traditional topknot. Though his appearance was unremarkable, he occasionally emitted a faint pressure of spiritual power, revealing himself to be a powerhouse whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Behind the white-bearded Taoist were two Foundation Establishment cultivators—one man and one woman—along with seven or eight Qi Refinement stage cultivators, all following him cautiously while staring at the center of the tranquil pool.

Before long, ripples disturbed the center of the pool, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, also dressed in grey Taoist robes, slowly surfaced. He was enveloped in a deep blue protective light shield, ensuring that not even a single thread of his clothing touched the pool water.

The low-level Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect wore uniform colors and styles when traveling: Qi Refinement disciples wore white, while Foundation Establishment disciples wore grey Taoist robes.

"Senior Brother Tian, the investigation is complete. There is indeed a mid-grade, second-level Black Feathered Python in this pool, located within the cave at the bottom. However, the passages within the cave branch out in all directions, and fighting underwater might be disadvantageous for us. Should we lure it up before we make our move?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator in the pool spoke to the white-bearded leader on the shore with a face full of respect. Although he was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Xiaoyao Sect, he had only recently broken through to the second level of Foundation Establishment. In the presence of this long-renowned expert, he maintained a very humble posture.

The peak Foundation Establishment cultivator before him, Senior Brother Tian, was named Tian Qinghu. Among the more than two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xiaoyao Sect, he was an old veteran ranked in the top ten in terms of cultivation and divine abilities. He was highly respected by the lower-level Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement disciples and was the leader assigned to this sect mission.

The Xiaoyao Sect had dominated the State of Wei for thousands of years. Currently, the sect possessed not only a Supreme Elder who had entered the Nascent Soul stage many years ago but also nine Golden Core elders, over two hundred Foundation Establishment powerhouses, and as many as ten thousand Qi Refinement disciples.

For a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator like Tian Qinghu, aside from the Nascent Soul Supreme Elder and the nine Golden Core elders, he was among the most powerful individuals in the sect.

Tian Qinghu had attempted to form a Golden Core twice, but unfortunately, both times he had failed. Although his magical power had progressed to the "False Core" realm of peak Foundation Establishment, he was already one hundred and ninety years old. While a sliver of hope for Core Formation remained, his remaining lifespan was limited; if he failed to form a core within the next twenty or thirty years, his path would end at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Very well. Good work, Junior Brother Wei."

Tian Qinghu nodded after listening. He first glanced at a Qi Refinement disciple standing not far behind him, then turned to a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator beside him and raised an eyebrow, asking indifferently, "Junior Brother Li, what do you think?"

A handsome young cultivator standing behind Tian Qinghu was clearly dissatisfied with the caution shown by Junior Brother Wei, who was only at the second level of Foundation Establishment. He couldn't help but speak up

"We have brought four Foundation Establishment cultivators for this mission, and with a peak expert like you, Senior Brother Tian, presiding, dealing with a mere mid-grade, second-level Black Feathered Python should be a simple matter. Junior Brother Wei is overthinking it. I ask my fellow brothers to stand guard while I go forth to slay this demon."

This handsome Foundation Establishment cultivator was actually a direct disciple of one of the Xiaoyao Sect's Golden Core ancestors. Although he was only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, he possessed two exquisite magical tools bestowed by his master, making him no weaker than an average late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He held no contempt for a second-level demon beast and had no desire for assistance.

His name was Li Yungong. Shortly after joining the Xiaoyao Sect, he was taken under the wing of a Golden Core elder and became a core disciple. With exceptional spiritual root aptitude, he had already reached the fifth level of Foundation Establishment at only sixty-odd years of age.

As a core Foundation Establishment disciple, Li Yungong had always enjoyed his master's favoritism. His future prospects were limitless, making him one of the few Foundation Establishment disciples capable of eventually reaching the Golden Core stage.

Though he had been in the Foundation Establishment stage for some time, Li Yungong had lacked opportunities for external training. Since entering the service of the Golden Core ancestor, he had never lacked cultivation resources, progressing smoothly from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment under his master's guidance.

Usually, Li Yungong spent most of his time in secluded cultivation within the sect and rarely participated in missions. Having finally managed to persuade his master for an opportunity to travel and gain experience, he was eager to demonstrate his abilities before his fellow disciples to bring honor to his master.

Beside him, a woman in green saw Li Yungong's recklessness and was about to intervene, but unexpectedly, the leader Tian Qinghu let out a loud laugh and said to Li Yungong, "Since Junior Brother Li is determined to merit credit for the sect, I naturally will not stand in your way. Go and meet this demon first; if you fail, we will step in to assist."

Seeing this, Li Yungong was secretly delighted. He cupped his hands toward Tian Qinghu, brandished a white flying sword, and plunged into the pool. Shortly after, the sound of a violent magical battle erupted from the bottom of the pool.

The woman in green looked at Tian Qinghu with concern and said, "Senior Brother Tian, why didn't you stop him just now? If there are other dangers in this pool and something happens to Junior Brother Li, how are we supposed to explain this to Uncle Jin when we return?"

"Rest assured, Junior Sister Cheng. We have already scouted the pool, and there is indeed only one Black Feathered Python down there. Besides, Junior Brother Li has received the true teachings of Uncle Jin; with his divine abilities, what other danger could there be? Furthermore, before we left, Uncle Jin instructed me to let Junior Brother Li gain more experience. I am merely following our uncle's orders," Tian Qinghu said indifferently.

"Senior Brother Tian is right. Since someone else is doing the work, we can save our strength and avoid being seen as trying to steal his spotlight," the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wei added sarcastically, clearly seeing through Tian Qinghu's intention to remain a bystander.

The woman in green looked at Tian Qinghu but said nothing more. Lost in thought, she flew alone above the pool, intending to observe the commotion below from a closer distance.

Below the surface, flashes of blades and swords danced, accompanied by the intermittent clashing of magical tools.

Half an hour later, standing by the edge of the pool, Li Yungong looked triumphant. He held the massive black head of the Black Feathered Python in one hand and tossed it onto the ground. In the pool behind him, the seven or eight-丈-long body of the python floated in the center, its blood nearly turning the entire pool crimson.

Several white-clad Qi Refinement disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect hurried forward to help Li Yungong collect the snake's head.

Tian Qinghu approached with a smile. "Junior Brother Li truly lives up to being Uncle Jin's direct disciple. Your Heavenly Fire Thunder Decree is indeed extraordinary to slay this Black Feathered Python so decisively. You have worked hard, Junior Brother. Next, Junior Sister Cheng, please follow us down to transplant the Water Spirit Fruit trees."

Tian Qinghu swept up the Qi Refinement disciple he had glanced at earlier, led the other three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and flew above the pool. The group released their protective light shields and plunged into the water.

Before long, they reached the demon's cave at the bottom. Tian Qinghu glanced at a pile of white bones deep within the cave and asked the Qi Refinement disciple, "What was your name again?"

The white-clad disciple replied with some trepidation, "Reporting to Senior Uncle Tian, this... this disciple is Du Yucheng."

(End of Chapter)