Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Inside a bamboo building on an island in the heart of Suyue Lake.

"Young friend Chen wants our sect's Formless Sword? Absolutely not!"

The Taoist Cangsong stared at Chen Yuan with a gloomy expression and spoke slowly and deliberately.

The air suddenly became oppressive. Chen Yuan sat opposite the Taoist Cangsong, facing his cold gaze, feeling as if a heavy boulder was pressing on his heart.

The Zhu Yan True Spirit in his dantian suddenly pounded its chest and roared, and only then did the pressure disappear.

Chen Yuan remained calm; Cangsong Daoist's reaction was entirely within his expectations.

Three days ago, after visiting Lu Wangquan and Qin Wuyai, he returned to his cave to cultivate and await news.

Today, Qin Wuyai summoned him, and when he arrived at Suyue Lake, he met Cangsong Daoren and Lu Wangquan who were waiting there.

Qin Wuyai had already informed Cangsong Daoist about his demand for the Wuxiang Dharma Sword.

After he bowed and sat down, Daoist Cangsong began to question him.

Before Chen Yuan could explain, Qin Wuyai smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Cangsong, please calm down. This matter concerns whether young friend Chen's physical body can break through the bottleneck and advance to the Nascent Soul stage."

"That Formless Sword is badly damaged and is only equivalent to a low-level magic weapon. It's useless for you to keep it..."

Daoist Cangsong snorted coldly: "Although the Wuxiang Sword is somewhat damaged, it is a relic of our sect's founder, Yunping. How can it be given away so easily?"

"Young friend Chen wants me to hand over the Formless Sword, so don't try to hide it."

"What is the connection between this treasure and your ability to temper your physical body, young friend?"

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow, his face full of apology: "Senior, please forgive me. This matter involves another fellow Daoist, and I have already promised him that I cannot divulge it..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Daoist Cangsong: "Sun Yuan has already been killed by us. Who else in this world is there whose identity even I cannot know?"

Chen Yuan fell silent, and Lu Wangquan, who was standing to the side, said, "Fellow Daoist Cangsong, please don't be upset. Since young friend Chen cannot reveal it, he must have his reasons."

"Now, there are less than forty years left until the hundred-year period that we agreed upon with our friend Chen."

"But his physical body still needs to overcome a major hurdle before he can break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

"The most urgent task is to help young friend Chen temper his physical body. Everything else is trivial and can be ignored. Do you agree, Fellow Daoist Cangsong?"

Upon hearing this, the Taoist Cangsong's expression softened, and the atmosphere in the bamboo house became less oppressive.

Qin Wuyai then advised, "I have known young friend Chen for decades and have long seen that he acts with great method and is by no means a reckless person."

"This Formless Sword must be indispensable for him to temper his physical body, otherwise he wouldn't have asked you for the treasure left by your sect's ancestor, Yunping."

"This concerns our grand plan to ascend to immortality. If a magic sword with only symbolic meaning could be exchanged for young friend Chen's physical breakthrough, how worthwhile would that be?"

"Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't want our century-long plan to be in vain forty years from now, if young friend Chen fails to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, would you?"

The Taoist Cangsong's expression shifted several times before finally calming down, and the anger in his eyes slowly faded.

He slowly said, "What you two fellow Daoists say makes sense. Fellow Daoist Qin has taken out the demon core and spiritual herbs to help Chen Xiaolu improve his cultivation."

"During Sun Yuan's lifetime, Fellow Daoist Lu personally protected Young Friend Chen to prevent him from being plotted against by Sun Yuan, and also for the sake of his grand plan of ascension."

"It's not that I can't take out a broken magic sword..."

Cangsong Daoren looked at Chen Yuan and said, "But the Wuxiang Fajian is ultimately a treasure left by Ancestor Yunping. I can give it to you, young friend, and I will not ask you how you use it."

"But young friend, you must guarantee that your physical body can break through the bottleneck, otherwise you must return the magic sword."

Chen Yuan was overjoyed and said solemnly, "If my physical body cannot break through the bottleneck, I will naturally return the magic sword."

This formless magic sword was mentioned by the Old Ancestor Kui Xing before his death.

Ever since he met the green-robed array spirit, he has been searching for the Tai Xuan Sect's relics in exchange for Moon Dew to temper his physical body.

However, the Tai Xuan Sect had long since perished, and the treasures it left behind were extremely rare. Even the Kui Xing Ancestor, who had traveled all over the Nine Immortal Continents, only managed to find one.

However, during his search for the Tai Xuan Sect's relics, he accidentally learned that the Shao Xuan Sect had inherited the Tai Xuan Sect's lineage, so he set his sights on the Shao Xuan Sect.

Persistence pays off. Kui Xing, the patriarch, exerted a great deal of effort and finally learned that Yunping Zhenren, the founder of the Tai Xuan Sect, had passed down a broken Wuxiang Magic Sword, which was said to be a magic treasure of the Tai Xuan Sect.

Kui Xing, the patriarch, was overjoyed and immediately began plotting to acquire the Formless Sword.

However, his attempts were unsuccessful, and he almost attracted the attention of the Shao Xuan Sect. In the end, he had no choice but to give up.

Although this magic sword is incomplete and damaged, it is a relic of Ancestor Yunping, and is enshrined before his memorial tablet day and night. Lower-ranking disciples have no idea about it, and outsiders have no chance to touch it.

Kui Xing, the ancestor, could only keep this matter to himself and wait for an opportunity to deal with it gradually.

But before he could strike the Formless Sword again, he died at Chen Yuan's hands. In order to allow his soul to be reborn and to preserve a chance for him to attain enlightenment in the next life, he decided to tell Chen Yuan about this.

When Chen Yuan learned of this, he was extremely surprised. He never expected that Kui Xing, a rogue cultivator, would dare to provoke such a behemoth as the Shao Xuan Sect.

At that time, he was only at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm and did not want to be enemies with the Shao Xuan Sect.

The only option is to keep this matter to oneself, like the venerable Kui Xing, and wait until the next opening of Tongtian Island before making any plans.

However, to Chen Yuan's surprise, he would be valued by Daoist Cangsong, who would even go to great lengths to support him in his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

He didn't need to plan anything; he simply asked and directly obtained the Formless Sword, which the Kui Xing Ancestor had been seeking but could not obtain.

……

Seeing that Daoist Cangsong had agreed, Qin Wuyai smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Cangsong, why not help us to the end and give the Yellow Pine Cauldron left by your sect's Ancestor Yunping to young friend Chen as well? How about it?"

Daoist Cangsong's expression changed drastically: "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Qin Wuyai smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Cangsong, please don't misunderstand. Young friend Chen said that the more treasures left by your sect's Yunping Patriarch, the better."

"With only the Formless Sword, his chances of breaking through the bottleneck in his physical body are only 70%."

"But if we add two more items, the success rate can be increased to 80% or 90%."

"Young friend Chen, is that so?"

Qin Wuyai turned to look at Chen Yuan, who was slightly taken aback before respectfully replying, "This junior did indeed say that."

Qin Wuyai turned back and said, "As far as I know, that Yellow Pine Cauldron is stronger than the Formless Sword, but it is also severely damaged. However, it is comparable to a mid-level magic weapon and is enshrined together with the Formless Sword in front of the memorial tablet of your sect's ancestor, Yunping."

"Why not hand them over to young friend Chen as well, to help him temper his physical body?"

The Taoist Cangsong stared at Chen Yuan with a somber expression, saying nothing.

Chen Yuan remained calm and composed, only slightly lowering his head to avoid Cangsong Daoren's gaze.

After a long while, Daoist Cangsong coldly spoke: "I really don't know what the connection is between the treasure left by our sect's ancestor Yunping and your tempering of your physical body, young friend."

"But since you speak so confidently, and it concerns the grand plan of ascension, I will naturally not be stingy."

"After I returned to my sect, I instructed Xuanweizi to hand over the Formless Sword and the Yellow Pine Cauldron to you, young friend..."

Chen Yuan immediately clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, senior!"

The old man said, "However, I have another question that I would like to ask you to answer, young friend."

"Please speak, senior." "When it comes to tempering your physical body, do you need the relics of our sect's founder, or the treasures left behind by the Tai Xuan Sect?"

Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed. Nascent Soul cultivators are indeed perceptive. He only asked for two damaged magic treasures, and Cangsong Daoist saw through his intentions.

However, there was no need to hide this matter; Daoist Cangsong was unaware of the existence of the green-robed array spirit.

He said, "Senior has keen insight; what this junior needs is the legacy of the Tai Xuan Sect."

Cangsong Daoren's eyes flashed, and he said calmly, "The founder of the Zhengqing Sect, Xiyu Zhenren, was also a cultivator of the Taixuan Sect, and he left behind an ancient zither."

"However, this treasure, like the Formless Dharma Sword and the Yellow Pine Cauldron, is quite damaged and difficult to repair. It is enshrined before the spirit tablet of the Jade Washing Immortal."

"I wonder if this ancient zither would be of any use in tempering your physical body, young friend?"

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up: "If I can obtain this ancient zither, I am absolutely certain that I can break through the bottleneck of my physical body!"

The Taoist Cangsong nodded slightly: "In that case, I will bring this ancient zither and give it to you, young friend."

Chen Yuan bowed again: "Thank you for your kindness, senior."

Daoist Cangsong stared at him and said calmly, "It's just a small favor. As long as it can help you achieve the Nascent Soul stage, we can even kill Sun Yuan. What are a few incomplete magic treasures?"

"As long as you can break through to the Nascent Soul stage and help us ascend to the Spirit Realm, everything is negotiable."

Chen Yuan's heart tightened, and he said solemnly, "This junior will do his utmost."

Qin Wuyai stroked his beard and smiled: "Then I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Cangsong."

Cangsong Daoren bowed slightly to Qin Wuyai and Lu Wangquan: "There is no time to lose. I will head to Renzhou now. Farewell."

After saying that, he stood up and walked out of the bamboo house.

Qin Wuyai smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Cangsong, please take care."

The Taoist Cangsong did not turn around, but simply nodded slightly, and his figure slowly disappeared into the air.

Silence fell over the bamboo house. After a while, Qin Wuyai looked at Chen Yuan and slowly said, "I will not interfere with how you act, young friend."

"But there is not much time left in the hundred-year period. After Fellow Daoist Cangsong gives you the three treasures of Tai Xuan Sect, you need to temper your physical body as soon as possible."

"Once the five elements' essence is gathered, I will immediately attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

Chen Yuan said solemnly, "This junior understands."

……

A month later, while Chen Yuan was meditating and cultivating, Wang Xuange suddenly came to visit him with the white-haired old Taoist.

He went out to greet him, and the white-haired old Taoist handed him the Formless Sword, the Yellow Pine Cauldron, and an ancient zither.

All three magical treasures were severely damaged, and the Formless Sword was broken off, with its tip missing.

Chen Yuan put away the three treasures left by the Tai Xuan Sect, saw off the white-haired old Taoist and Wang Xuange, and woke Jing Shuhan from her meditation.

Just now, Chen Yuan welcomed the two into the cave, while Jing Shuhan remained in the cultivation room meditating.

Although the two became Daoist partners and lived in the same cave, Jing Shuhan was very discreet and never took the initiative to inquire about Chen Yuan's affairs.

Chen Yuan usually wasn't on guard against her, but he would set up a divine sense barrier when he was channeling starlight into her body.

Jing Shuhan walked out of the cultivation room, sat down next to Chen Yuan, and smiled, "What does my husband want with me?"

Chen Yuan held her hand: "I have to leave for a while, and I won't be back for about six months."

Jing Shuhan frowned slightly: "Where is my husband going? May I go with him?"

Chen Yuan looked apologetic: "I have to see a senior, and I cannot go with you until I obtain his permission."

Jing Shuhan was taken aback: "Does my husband recognize other Nascent Soul cultivators?"

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "This senior's situation is quite special. He is neither a Nascent Soul cultivator nor a Spirit Transformation cultivator."

Jing Shuhan nodded slightly: "My husband, please return soon. I will stay on Lan Gao Island and wait for your return."

Chen Yuan tightened his grip on her hand: "This senior does not wish for others to know of his existence, so please do not reveal it to others, my wife."

Jing Shuhan grasped Chen Yuan's hand in return and smiled faintly: "We are husband and wife, and my husband trusts me so much that he has told me such a secret. How could I possibly go around telling everyone?"

Chen Yuan smiled, then suddenly reached out his other hand and swept Jing Shuhan up in his arms.

Jing Shuhan wrapped her arms around his neck, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling with charm.

Chen Yuan embraced Jing Shuhan and strode into the bedroom, the stone door slowly closing behind them.

The next day, Chen Yuan quietly left the Tai Ming Sect's mountain gate.

He arrived at a great height, activated the Kunpeng True Blood, and unfurled a pair of black wings on his back. He then used teleportation techniques to fly north.

In less than a quarter of an hour, he had traveled tens of thousands of miles, and his true energy was mostly used up before he stopped.

During this time, Chen Yuan constantly spread his divine sense, keeping a close eye on the area within a radius of four hundred miles and carefully monitoring spatial fluctuations.

His divine sense could not detect the traces of the Nascent Soul cultivator, but as long as the Nascent Soul cultivator used the teleportation technique to chase after him, it would create spatial fluctuations, no matter how subtle, which he would be able to perceive.

However, he did not detect any unusual spatial fluctuations, and finally felt relieved.

If Qin Wuyai and Lu Wangquan hadn't used their teleportation technique, they wouldn't have been able to catch up with him.

Chen Yuan withdrew the Kunpeng True Blood, took out a gold-threaded openwork mask, put it on his face, and his white clothes turned black as he flew eastward.

Even without teleportation, his speed was extremely fast, and he arrived at Wentian Island in just a few days.

He descended in a flash of light and entered Hanxing City like a low-level cultivator. Only when he arrived at the shop opened by the Righteous Alliance did he reveal his identity as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Upon seeing this, the Qi Refining female cultivator who was in charge of receiving Chen Yuan immediately invited him to a quiet room, where he was personally received by the Core Formation steward who was in charge of the shop.

The Core Formation Steward was extremely respectful, but Chen Yuan cut to the chase and said in a hoarse voice, "I want to buy a Heavenly Token."

The Core Formation Deacon looked troubled: "Senior, you are wise. The Spirit-Slaying Island will appear in the world in a month. Those who possess the Heavenly Token all want to enter the Spirit-Slaying Island to find treasures. There are no Heavenly Tokens available on the market anymore..."

Chen Yuan flipped his hand and took out two top-grade spirit stones, saying calmly, "Whoever is willing to sell me the Heavenly Token, these two top-grade spirit stones are theirs."

The Core Formation Steward was stunned.

Chen Yuan then took out a top-grade spirit stone: "Within one month, find me a Heaven-Reaching Token, and this top-grade spirit stone will be yours."

The Core Formation Elder looked at the top-grade spirit stone brimming with spiritual energy, took a deep breath, and said decisively, "Within ten days, this junior will definitely find a Heaven-Reaching Token for you, Senior!"

Chen Yuan put away the two top-grade spirit stones, leaving one behind, and said calmly, "This top-grade spirit stone is the deposit for that Heavenly Token."

"I will return here in ten days."

"If you don't see the Heavenly Decree, even the Righteous Alliance can't protect you."

After saying that, he got up and walked out of the quiet room.

The Core Formation Elder's heart skipped a beat. He quickly put away the top-grade spirit stones and personally escorted Chen Yuan out. (End of Chapter)