Chương 70: The Gathering Storm

"Heh, Brother Reyn has finally stirred. You must have endured quite the ordeal helping this elder sister refine that demon bone," Yu Meiren's voice rippled through his consciousness with a light, melodic chuckle. Amidst her usual playful teasing, there was a newfound layer of genuine warmth and concern that hadn't been there before. Reyn was momentarily taken aback. Feeling the sincerity in her tone, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Since you have treated me with such honesty, Sister, it is only right that I repay that trust with everything I have."

"Still calling me 'Fellow Daoist'? How distant," Yu Meiren chided, her tone suddenly becoming intimate, catching Reyn off guard.

"I've already started calling you 'Brother Reyn.' From this day forward, you shall call me 'Sister.' If you refuse, I certainly won't let you off easily." This sudden shift toward familial closeness left Reyn bewildered, but after several failed attempts to maintain his formal distance, he could only offer a wry smile and concede.

"Very well, I promise. Does that satisfy you, Sister?" Reyn replied, a hint of boyish bashfulness coloring his voice.

"Giggle... that's a good brother. Since you've acknowledged me as your sister, I naturally cannot let you come out of this empty-handed... Hmm, though I don't have any physical gifts on me at the moment. I shall have to make it up to you later." As she spoke, her voice trailed off with a touch of sheepishness. Reyn smiled faintly, his gaze calm.

"There is no need for that. Our mutual survival is a matter of fate; why place such importance on external baubles? Between people, the bond is what matters most, is it not?"

"You are right, Brother. It seems I was being too pedantic," Yu Meiren admitted, her estimation of Reyn climbing even higher.

"However, I am not entirely without means to assist you. That skeleton you claimed from the sealed lands—it was a renowned treasure of the Ghost Path during the Primordial Era. That old hag simply didn't understand the incantations required to command it, letting such a masterpiece gather dust. I shall transmit the control methods to you now. If used correctly, it will serve as a formidable trump card in the future." As soon as she finished speaking, a flood of esoteric script manifested within Reyn's Divine Sense.

He scanned the text, finding it to be the comprehensive manual for the blood-refining and manipulation of the skeletal remains. This artifact was known as the Asura Secret Bone. In the ancient world, it was a weapon of terrifying infamy, forged from the skeletons of living cultivators and infused with various malevolent Ghost Path materials. Its primary function was to lacerate the soul and corrupt the magical treasures of enemies. More importantly, its power would evolve and sharpen as it consumed more lives.

Reyn was inwardly elated; with this hidden weapon, he could catch any opponent off guard and make them pay a heavy price. Half a month flickered by in the blink of an eye. After refining his new acquisitions, Reyn returned to his cycle of consuming pills and meditation. He occasionally opened his cauldron to replenish his stock of spirit medicines, knowing full well that his survival during his last excursion was largely due to the sheer volume of recovery items he carried.

On this day, Reyn sat atop his prayer mat, his eyes slowly fluttering open. A sharp glint of emerald light flashed through his pupils before vanishing. He exhaled a long breath of turbid air, feeling his state return to its absolute zenith. Both his True Essence and Divine Sense felt noticeably more refined than before.

"The half-month mark has arrived. I cannot miss Master's Golden Core Ascension Ceremony," Reyn mused.

"With my current soul strength, I am a hair's breadth away from the Late Foundation Establishment realm. Even the Sect Master and Master shouldn't be able to see through my true cultivation." Confident in the concealment techniques of the Hunyuan True Scripture, he stood up. Leaving the medicinal garden, he noted the lush growth of the spirit herbs scattered throughout the valley. Satisfied, he deactivated the valley's restrictions and made his way toward the main peak of the Xuanxiao Sect.

In the North Yue State, the level of cultivation was relatively stagnant. Those at the Golden Core stage were the absolute pinnacle, revered as 'Ancestors.' Thus, Dan Chenzi's successful breakthrough was a monumental shift in power. By hosting this grand ceremony and inviting all neighboring sects, the Xuanxiao Sect intended to flaunt its newfound strength. A sect with two Golden Core masters was a top-tier power in North Yue, necessitating a total redistribution of resources and territories.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The invited sects dared not show any disrespect, sending their finest elites to observe the rite. For a time, the winds and clouds of the North Yue cultivation world converged upon a single point. Three hundred miles south of the Xuanxiao Sect, a group of cultivators stood atop a massive, ten-zhang-long green snake. The beast possessed twin wings and cut through the gale with ease.

"Senior Brother, with Dan Chenzi's success, the Xuanxiao Sect's influence has ballooned. I fear the spirit stone mine at Fir Forest Mountain will be snatched away by them this time," one of the leaders, an old man with fiery red hair and beard, grumbled with clear resentment.

"Why be so bitter, Junior Brother? The cultivation world has always been governed by the law of the jungle. Since the Xuanxiao Sect has the strength, they naturally deserve more resources. We have cultivated for nearly two hundred years; have you still not seen through this truth? If you cannot let go, how will you ever form your own Golden Core?" The speaker was a man in ornate robes with a ruddy complexion—Daoist Xuanqing, the Sect Leader of the Earth Spirit Sect.

"Senior Brother is right to scold me. I shall take your teachings to heart," the red-haired elder replied, bowing his head in shame. Xuanqing sighed inwardly. His junior had excellent roots and had reached the False Core realm long ago, but his temperament was lacking, preventing him from taking that final step. This was why they were being suppressed by the Xuanxiao Sect. Six hundred miles to the southwest, a monstrous, twenty-zhang-long centipede blotted out the sun.

Its thousand legs churned the air, and a foul, toxic miasma billowed from its maw. Its spiritual pressure was nearing the Late Foundation Establishment stage—a peak Level 2 Demon Beast. Atop its back sat a dozen figures led by a grim, black-robed elder.

"The Xuanxiao Sect adds another Golden Core to their ranks. Our Earth Fiend Sect cannot lose face," the elder muttered, his eyes cold.

"This Thousand-Legged Centipede is lethally poisonous and possesses immense strength. It can hold its own against a Golden Core cultivator for a short time. With this, we can prevent the Xuanxiao Sect from opening their mouths too wide and demanding unreasonable terms." A thousand miles to the north, three massive, hideous toads bounded through the sky, surrounded by rolling clouds and mist. Their low croaks rumbled like thunder across the heavens.

Dozens of cultivators sat atop each toad, led by three identical elders—triplet brothers.

"The Sect Master is protecting the Great Elder's seclusion."

"Thus, only we three brothers lead the delegation."

"I wonder if the Xuanxiao Sect will make things difficult for us?" They spoke one after another, their sentences flowing seamlessly as if they shared a single mind.

"If the Great Elder succeeds, we proceed as planned."

"If there is an accident, we yield. The sect war shall not be mentioned."

"Indeed, so it shall be." The three shared a look and simultaneously performed a series of mudras. The giant toads roared and accelerated, vanishing into the horizon in a blur of motion. At the Xuanxiao Sect's Ascension Terrace... A massive slab of azure stone, hundreds of square meters in size, hovered in mid-air. It shimmered with the light of protective arrays, exerting a heavy, physical pressure on all who approached.

The terrace was crowded with the elites of the Xuanxiao Sect's four branches, including several Foundation Establishment Elders acting as greeters.

"The Sect Leader of the Laoshan Sect has arrived!"

"The Sect Leader of the Mingbai Sect has arrived!"

"The Sect Leader of the Yellow Earth Sect has arrived!" Streaks of light constantly descended from the sky. Each arrival was met by a disciple who verified their identity before announcing them to the terrace, where they were escorted based on their status. Suddenly, the ten-zhang flying snake appeared in the distance. Even from afar, its fierce aura caused the faces of the junior disciples to pale. Several Foundation Establishment Elders on the terrace took on serious expressions and flew out to meet them.

"I am Chiwei of the Xuanxiao Sect. I and my three brothers welcome our fellow Daoists," the lead elder announced. The flying snake was incredibly fast, reaching them in seconds. It screeched, releasing a wave of savage energy that made the four elders flinch.

"Haha, this beast has a foul temper. It was quite displeased when I summoned it to serve as a carriage. Please do not take offense," a gentle voice called out. Daoist Xuanqing of the Earth Spirit Sect appeared in a flash of light, followed by several young elites with powerful auras.

"Greetings, Senior Xuanqing. Our Sect Master is currently assisting Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi in stabilizing his cultivation and cannot greet you personally. Please, follow us," Chiwei said respectfully. Despite their sect having two Golden Cores, Xuanqing was still a Golden Core master in his own right. Xuanqing nodded with a smile, though he didn't believe a word of it. Dan Chenzi had broken through half a month ago; his cultivation should have been stable long ago.

Just then, the clouds to the southwest began to churn violently with a surge of murderous intent. Most of the smaller sects had already arrived; those appearing now were the true titans of North Yue. Another group of Xuanxiao elders flew out to meet the newcomers.

"I am Elder Moyu. May I ask which Daoists have arrived?" Moyu was at the Late Foundation Establishment stage and under a hundred years old, making him a prime candidate for the Golden Core realm. He was second only to the Sect Master and Dan Chenzi. Yet, looking at the twenty-zhang centipede, he felt a visceral sense of threat.

"The Earth Fiend Sect comes to offer congratulations!" the black-robed elder at the centipede's head said coldly, his eyes snapping open.

"So it is Senior Baisha," Moyu said, his heart skipping a beat. Baisha was a Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator known for his eccentric and unpredictable cruelty. Moyu bowed deeply, not daring to show even a hint of disrespect.