Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

That evening, Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan rushed back to Dongxu Mountain and returned to their cave dwelling on Yunyin Peak.

Chen Yuan no longer needed to go into seclusion to cultivate, so he let Jing Shuhan move in as well, just like they used to be on Lan Gao Island, spending every day together, living as a couple.

After spending a night together, Chen Yuan went to the cultivation room.

The Candle Serpent's egg remained inside the spatial rift, motionless and showing no sign of hatching.

But upon closer inspection, the vitality seemed to have intensified.

Chen Yuan shook his head, took out the Candle Serpent Egg, stored it in his inner space, erased the spatial rift, and planned to hatch it later when the opportunity arose.

He sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were about to practice his internal energy and regulate his breathing. Suddenly, a clear voice came from outside the cave: "Disciple Li Qingshan has come to pay his respects to Master!"

Then a gentle voice came: "Liu Ye greets the Supreme Elder."

Chen Yuan opened his eyes, smiled slightly, and got up to walk out of the cultivation room.

Jing Shuhan walked out of another stone chamber. Chen Yuan raised his sleeve and flicked it to remove the formation, and the stone door of the cave slowly opened.

The two sat down, and a moment later, Li Qingshan and Liu Ye walked in.

Li Qingshan quickly approached the two of them, his face full of excitement, and bowed deeply: "Disciple Li Qingshan greets Master and Mistress. Congratulations to Master on achieving the Nascent Soul stage and living to the age of two thousand years."

"It's just a pity that the Southern Wilderness is so remote. We two have been in the land of the demons for so long that we haven't received any news of our master's return to the sect."

"I am extremely ashamed that I was unable to attend Master's Nascent Soul Ceremony. Please punish me, Master."

Liu Ye bowed gracefully: "Congratulations to the Supreme Elder on achieving the Nascent Soul stage and living to the age of two thousand years. My husband and I were unable to return to the sect in time, please punish us, Supreme Elder."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "You two were traveling abroad and were unaware of this matter. What wrong have you done?"

Jing Shuhan smiled and said, "Senior sister, you flatter me."

Li Qingshan sighed: "It's a pity that I left the sect too early. If it had been two years later, when Master returned to the sect, he wouldn't have missed this grand event and would have been able to witness Master's heroic feats of moving mountains and absorbing spiritual energy."

Chen Yuan said, "That was merely a show of force to intimidate the various sects. Did you two find any Nascent Soul-Gathering Spiritual Objects during your travels in the Southern Wilderness?"

Li Qingshan said, "I was fortunate enough to find a Jade Flower. After consuming it, the power of the Heavenly Tribulation can be slightly reduced."

"Afterwards, I found another Golden Jade Grass and asked a master alchemist of our sect to refine the Golden Wind Jade Dew Pill, which can help Liu Ye overcome the Yin Fire Tribulation."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly. Li Qingshan had been cultivating in Donghua Continent for over sixty years and had already reached the peak of the late Core Formation stage. He was just waiting to find a Nascent Soul material before he could go into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

When Liu Ye was still at Tianji Sect, he had already cultivated to the late stage of Core Formation. After sixty years of refinement, his true essence was pure and his foundation was solid, making him capable of attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

However, he was not a true disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Sect, and he had not refined many body-tempering pills, so his physical body was slightly weak. He was at a slight risk when undergoing the Yin Fire Tribulation, which is why he went to the Southern Wilderness with Li Qingshan to search for Nascent Soul spiritual objects.

Chen Yuan said, "Now that you two are ready, then go into seclusion and attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

"Your master and his wife are going to Nine Immortal Continent. Your grandmaster will protect you both."

"From now on, you no longer need to hide in Donghua. You can return to Jiuxianzhou at any time, and the Jiuli Sect will no longer cause you trouble."

Li Qingshan was taken aback: "Master, could you wait until I have formed my Nascent Soul before going to the Nine Immortals?"

"This disciple wishes to express his gratitude to Master as soon as he emerges from seclusion..."

Chen Yuan shook his head slightly: "I also want to protect you, but I only have less than a year left in the human realm, so I can't delay."

Li Qingshan was shocked: "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Chen Yuan briefly recounted how, with the help of Qin Wuyai and the other three, he achieved the Nascent Soul stage and needed to enter a spatial passage to smuggle himself into the Spirit Realm. Li Qingshan and Liu Ye were both greatly shocked.

As soon as Chen Yuan finished speaking, Li Qingshan's expression changed, and he bowed deeply: "Master's ascension to the Spirit Realm is a joyous occasion. Congratulations on finding the opportunity to ascend. You have a good chance of achieving enlightenment."

"I am not in a hurry to form my Nascent Soul. Before Master ascends to immortality, I am willing to serve by Master's side."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I know what you're thinking, but rather than traveling with me, it would be better for you to stay in the sect and cultivate your Nascent Soul in seclusion."

"If you can successfully form your Nascent Soul before I ascend to immortality, I will have one less thing to worry about."

Li Qingshan sighed softly, "Disciple obeys."

……

The next day, Li Qingshan and Liu Ye went into seclusion to attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

In the past, Lingyun Sect only had six medium-sized spiritual veins. When Wu Zexian and Wei Cifeng were breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, they each needed to occupy one spiritual vein by themselves, and all the disciples of Lingyun Sect moved out.

However, now that the Lingyun Sect possesses two large spiritual veins, it can easily withstand the spiritual energy consumption of two people attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, thus having little impact on the cultivation of the Lingyun Sect disciples.

Jin Luoheng plans to follow the example of the ten major sects of the Nine Immortal Continent and lend spiritual veins to rogue cultivators who have reached the Core Formation stage to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. If successful, the Lingyun Sect will gain another Nascent Soul cultivator with whom it has made good relations.

Although the spiritual veins of the Lingyun Sect are far inferior to those of the giant spiritual veins, the spiritual energy in Donghua Continent is thin, and there are very few rogue cultivators who have formed the Core Formation stage.

Those with the potential to break through to the Nascent Soul stage are extremely rare, often appearing only once every hundred years, and thus will not burden the spiritual veins of the Lingyun Sect.

Several days later, Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan left Dongxu Mountain and returned to Jiuxianzhou via an ancient teleportation array.

Bai Yanji had already returned to the mountain gate, and Wu Zexian took over guarding the Silent Sea. After exchanging pleasantries with the two, he escorted them a hundred miles away before returning to the deserted island to continue guarding the teleportation array.

Chen Yuan watched Wu Zexian's escape light return, then looked down at the deep gray, solidified seawater below. A thought struck him, and he asked, "My wife, how many years has this Silent Sea existed?"

Jing Shuhan shook her head slightly: "I don't know either, but there are records of the Silent Sea from the very beginning of the Tianji Sect's establishment, which must be at least 20,000 to 30,000 years ago."

Chen Yuan gazed at the sea below, as if he could see through the stagnant water to the silent depths of the ocean.

He said slowly, "This Silent Sea has no spiritual energy at all, which is very similar to the place where the Fulong Crimson Vine grows, but it is not bound by demonic energy. I don't know why."

Jing Shuhan smiled and said, "My husband is now a Nascent Soul cultivator. If you are curious, why don't you dive into the sea and investigate?"

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly: "The ancient teleportation array is in the Silent Sea. If there is indeed some secret hidden in this Silent Sea, and I trigger it and cause changes, it will definitely attract other cultivators to investigate, and the location of the teleportation array will also be revealed."

Jing Shuhan nodded slightly: "What my husband says is absolutely right. This Silent Sea is so strange and eerie. If there are any secrets hidden here, I'm afraid they won't be of any benefit."

The two rode on their escape light, flying out of the Silent Sea and arriving at Tianji Island.

Tianjizi and Ningbi Zhenren personally came out of the mountain gate to greet Chen Yuan with utmost humility. They invited Chen Yuan to the main hall at the top of Tianji Peak, served him spiritual tea, and stood respectfully with their hands clasped in attendance.

Chen Yuan said, "Fellow Daoists, please don't stand on ceremony. Sit down and let's talk."

Tianjizi shook his head: "How can there be seats for the two of us in front of a senior?"

He witnessed the tragic state of the Zhenhai Sect cultivators and was deeply shocked. He felt great awe for Chen Yuan and dared not be disrespectful in the slightest.

Chen Yuan said, "My wife used to be an elder of the Tianji Sect. Fellow Daoist Ningbi was her master, and you are also the master of the Tianji Sect."

"I and my wife are sitting comfortably, while you two are made to stand. Are you trying to make my wife look like she has no respect for her elders?"

Tianjizi and Ningbi Zhenren then sat down, and Chen Yuan turned to ask about the current situation in Yuqing Sea.

Tianjizi respectfully said, "After the Zhenhai Sect was destroyed, I took over the sea areas and islands it left behind, and I will not hold its affiliated sects and families accountable for their past actions."

"After simply ordering the pursuit of the remnants of the Zhenhai Sect, the cultivation world quickly returned to normal and did not experience any major chaos."

"The Righteous Alliance was terrified when they learned of the destruction of the Zhenhai Sect. They sent people to Tianji Island to find out the reason and wanted to know who destroyed the Zhenhai Sect."

"Without the senior's approval, I dare not tell the truth and can only give a perfunctory answer."

"The Righteous Alliance is now living in constant fear, and dares not compete with our sect for the sea area left by the Zhenhai Sect. They have even voluntarily withdrawn from the sea area occupied by the demon race."

"In addition, the Zhenhai Sect has been destroyed, and the Wanyao Sea area it occupied has been taken back by our sect."

"Most of the Ten Thousand Demon Sea is currently under the temporary jurisdiction of our sect."

Chen Yuan said calmly, "In that case, your sect's territory has expanded by more than double, which is far beyond what the Zhenhai Sect could have achieved at its peak."

"The title of the number one sect in Yuqing Sea is well-deserved."

Tianjizi bowed deeply: "Senior, you flatter me. With the Lingyun Sect here, how dare Tianji Sect claim to be the number one sect in Yuqing Sea?"

"Our sect's current control over such a vast sea area is all thanks to the efforts of our predecessors. How dare we, as juniors, become complacent?"

"As the senior once said, the sea areas originally under the jurisdiction of Zhenhai Sect belong to our sect. However, after I took over these sea areas, I collected all the spirit stones, spirit ores, spirit herbs and spirit trees that I had gathered, without missing a single one."

"The island spiritual veins and seabed spiritual mines discovered in Beiming Island, Jiaosheng Island, Jinling Island, and other sea areas of the Ten Thousand Demon Sea have all been sealed up by my men. Please advise on how to dispose of them, senior."

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed: "What do you mean by that, fellow Daoist?"

Tianjizi said solemnly, "I have always believed that the Lingyun Sect has always been secluded in the world, but now that you have achieved the Nascent Soul stage, you may have the intention to enter the world, so I dare not act rashly."

"If senior has such intentions, this junior will immediately order the cultivators of our sect to withdraw from the sea area originally under the jurisdiction of Zhenhai Sect and the Ten Thousand Demon Sea, and will not set foot there again. Tianji Sect will also follow the lead of Lingyun Sect."

Upon hearing this, Ningbi Zhenren lowered her head slightly, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Chen Yuan said, "In this way, all the hard work of your sect's cultivators will have been in vain. Wouldn't that make them resent me?"

Tianjizi said respectfully, "Senior's divine might is unparalleled. It is a blessing for the Tianji Sect to be able to serve you. No one in the sect has any complaints."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, my destruction of the Zhenhai Sect is to avenge the pursuit and killing by Ancestor Yuntian over thousands of miles."

"My wife is a disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Sect. As long as the Heavenly Mystery Sect does not offend me, they will not do anything to the Heavenly Mystery Sect."

"The Lingyun Sect has always been secluded in the world and will not enter the world again. These sea areas will still be under the command of the Tianji Sect."

Ningbi Zhenren suddenly raised her head, her face filled with disbelief.

Jing Shuhan frowned slightly, glanced at Chen Yuan, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

Tianjizi was overjoyed. The reason he had offered these sea areas to the Lingyun Sect was because he was worried that the Tianji Sect would suffer the same fate as the Zhenhai Sect. He had been uneasy for the past few years. Now that Chen Yuan had promised, his worries were gone. He bowed deeply and said, "Senior's kindness is beyond repayment. From now on, the Tianji Sect will be at your command. If there is any disloyalty, then like the Zhenhai Sect, the entire sect will be wiped out and its lineage will be cut off!"

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. However, there is indeed a matter that I need your help with."

Tianjizi's expression turned solemn: "Senior, please speak. This junior will go through fire and water, even at the cost of my life!"

Chen Yuan said, "I would like to request that your sect capture one thousand level-one demon beasts for our sect every year. I wonder if you can do that?"

Tianjizi said, "What's so difficult about that? May I ask what kind of demon beast you require, senior?"

Chen Yuan said, "It doesn't matter what kind of monster you capture, but the bloodline of the monster you capture cannot be too mediocre. It must at least have the potential to grow into a level 5 monster."

Tianjizi looked troubled: "If that's the case, I'm afraid it will be quite difficult."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to serve, but that a level 5 demon beast's core will undergo a transformation. Demon beasts with such potential all have quite good bloodlines and their strength increases very quickly. Very few of them stay at level 1."

"Senior needs a thousand each year. Even if all the cultivators in my sect were to enter the Ten Thousand Demon Sea to capture them, it wouldn't last more than a few years."

"Senior, could you please allow us to provide level four demonic beasts? I guarantee that I can provide two thousand level one demonic beasts with this potential every year."

Chen Yuan said, "In that case, I won't make things difficult for you, my friend. All I need is for your sect to provide ten thousand demonic beasts over ten years, and we can stop here. What do you say?"

Tianjizi breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your magnanimity, senior. I promise that for the next ten years, I will provide your sect with a thousand first-level demonic beasts of good bloodline every year. They all have the potential to become fifth-level demonic beasts. But I don't know how to give the demonic beasts to your sect?"

Chen Yuan said, "Fellow Daoist, please capture the demon beast first. Within three months, Elder Zhuge of our sect will come to Tianji Island to discuss this matter with you."

Tianjizi respectfully agreed, and the group talked for a while longer. However, Tianjizi and Ningbi Zhenren were extremely respectful and cautious in front of Chen Yuan, making the atmosphere quite somber.

Half an hour later, Chen Yuan took his leave.

Tianjizi and Ningbi Zhenren personally escorted Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan out of the mountain gate, only turning back after their figures disappeared from the range of their divine sense.

After the two left Tianji Island and traveled another thousand miles, Jing Shuhan asked, "Tianjizi offered up the Myriad Demon Sea and the sea areas under the jurisdiction of Zhenhai Sect, why did you refuse, my husband?"

Although he had only been a member of the Lingyun Sect for a few decades, he had already completely assumed the identity of an elder of the Lingyun Sect and forgotten that he had once been a disciple of the Tianji Sect.

Chen Yuan said, "Our sect has only recently risen to prominence and has a shallow foundation. We are not even firmly established in Donghua Continent yet, let alone cross continents and insert our hands into the cultivation world of Yuqing Sea."

"If I can stay in the human realm, I can naturally accept it calmly."

"But the fact that I'm leaving will be leaked sooner or later."

"If we were to send a large number of our cultivators into the Nine Immortal Continent, it would only bring disaster upon our sect."

"It would be better to ask for some demonic beasts with good bloodlines, so that the disciples of our sect who practice the art of beast taming will not have to worry about spirit beasts."

Jing Shuhan sighed softly, "But the three royal families and the Zhenhai Sect were all destroyed by my husband, yet in the end, it was all for the benefit of the Tianji Sect..."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "My purpose in destroying the three royal families and the Zhenhai Sect was not to seize their territories. What's wrong with letting the Tianji Sect take charge for now?"

"Our sect has the inheritance of the Yuling Sect and is not lacking in cultivation resources. As long as we focus on development for a hundred years, our strength will surpass that of the Tianji Sect."

"It won't be too late to cross state borders and compete for the sea area then."

……

Renju, Chongde Mountain Range.

Surrounded by mountains, pavilions and palaces stand everywhere, hidden in dense forests and bamboo groves, perched on steep peaks and cliffs, and scattered beside lakes and streams. Some are grand and magnificent, some are exquisite and elegant, and some are simple and natural, each with its own unique charm.

All around are towering peaks, some even reaching three thousand feet high, soaring straight into the clouds. The mountains are shrouded in mist and clouds, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere.

Light streaks crisscrossed the sky, and the cultivators were all dressed in Confucian robes. Accompanied by a melodious cry, several white cranes flew by. On the mountainside, a group of golden monkeys roamed among the trees, while a striped tiger lay coiled below, its eyes closed in a half-sleep.

Deep in the mountains, in a valley, lies a lake with shimmering blue waters, about a hundred acres in size, with a small island of about an acre in the center.

The island is covered with willow trees, their thousands of green silk ribbons hanging down. When a gentle breeze blows, the willow branches sway in the wind, like a beautiful woman dancing, graceful and charming.

On the shore of the island in the middle of the lake, under a willow tree, the hermit of the green willow sat cross-legged on a blue stone, with a bamboo pole in front of him, holding a book in his hands, engrossed in reading, his expression focused.

Suddenly, an old yet loud voice rang out: "Senior Brother Qingliu, come out quickly to greet our guests! Fellow Daoist Chen and his wife have come to visit!"

Qingliu Jushi looked up and saw three streaks of light flying from the horizon. The leader was Xinzhai Sanren, who was laughing loudly as he flew towards them.

He put down his fishing rod and book, stood up, and in a short while, three streaks of light arrived at the island in the middle of the lake and landed in front of the old man.

Behind Xinzhai Sanren were two young cultivators, a man and a woman, both handsome and extraordinary, with an otherworldly air.

Qingliu Jushi clasped his hands in a bow and said with a smile, "It's been many years since we last met. You two fellow Daoists are still as elegant as ever."

Chen Yuan looked at the Green Willow Hermit before him and sighed inwardly.

The last time he saw Layman Qingliu was at the Dual Cultivation Ceremony with Jing Shuhan.

At that time, Qingliu Jushi only looked slightly old, but now, more than fifty years later, his face is covered with wrinkles, his eyebrows have turned snow-white, and his eyes are cloudy. Although he is not as old as Daoxuan who used the secret technique to prolong life, he is still showing signs of old age.

He had lived several hundred years longer than Chen Yuan. More than two hundred years had passed since the two first met on Jue Ling Island. His lifespan of a thousand years was also coming to an end.

His thoughts were churning, but he didn't show it on his face. He clasped his hands in return and said, "Fellow Daoist Qingliu, your cultivation has improved a lot, and your righteous spirit has become more and more profound. You can truly be called a great Confucian scholar of our time."

Jing Shuhan bowed gracefully and said, "This humble servant greets Fellow Daoist Qingliu."

Aoyagi chuckled and said, "The more I read the classics of the ancient sages, the more I realize how profound and extensive Confucianism and Taoism are. What I have gained in this life is but a drop in the ocean."

"Alas, my lifespan is nearing its end, and I will no longer be able to explore the mysteries of Confucianism and Taoism. What a pity!"

Xinzhai Sanren frowned and said reproachfully, "Today, Fellow Daoist Chen and his wife are visiting. Why must you say such discouraging things, Senior Brother?"

"The Great Dao is boundless; before it, we are no different from ants."

"If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening. Even if I cannot attain the Way, I will die on the path of seeking it. What is there to regret?"

Qingliu Jushi was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Junior brother, you are far more unrestrained than I am."

"Fellow Daoists, please. Junior Brother, please. Today, let us sit down and discuss the Dao."

The four arrived at the thatched hut where the hermit of Qingliu lived. The hermit of Qingliu poured them spiritual tea and asked, "Why did you two come to visit me with your junior brother Xinzhai?"

Xinzhai Sanren said, "Senior brother, you may not know this, but there is an academy gathering in Fengcheng County tomorrow, which will be attended by several great Confucian scholars from the mortal world."

"Today I left the sect to attend the gathering. Not far from Chongde City, Fellow Daoist Chen and Fairy Jing stopped me, saying they wanted to visit my senior brother."

"I will turn back and introduce my two fellow Daoists to my senior brother, which will save me some trouble."

Qingliu Jushi laughed and said, "I see. Junior Brother is not attending the academy gathering in Fengcheng County?"

Xinzhai Sanren waved his hand: "In such a vast Renzhou, there are monthly academy gatherings, but visits from great cultivators are not common."

The four then drank tea, exchanged their cultivation experiences, and before they knew it, a night had passed.

Xinzhai Sanren used the Tribulation Thunder Pill to cleverly form his Nascent Soul, but his cultivation level remained forever at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and he lacked a deep understanding of the path of cultivation.

After seven or eight hours, he was quite exhausted, so he said goodbye and left satisfied.

Only Chen Yuan, Jing Shuhan, and Qingliu Jushi remained in Mingliu Lake. Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "I have come here not only because I miss you, fellow Daoist, but also to offer Brother Zhang a jar of wine. I wonder if that is convenient for me?"

Qingliu Jushi paused for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Fellow Daoists, please follow me."

The three of them rode on their escape light, leaving Mingliu Lake and arriving at a secluded place.

The area is hilly and covered with graves for miles around, creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere.

The area was shrouded in an array and guarded by cultivators who immediately came forward upon seeing the three.

When he saw the face of the hermit of green willows, he immediately became respectful, bowed, opened the array screen, and invited the three of them inside.

Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan followed Qingliu Jushi to the top of a gentle hill and descended with their escape light.

There is only one tomb on this hill, with a stone tablet standing in front of it, which reads:

The Tomb of the Late Elder of the Haoran Sect, and His Beloved Disciple, Mr. Zhang Wushan

Heaven did not grant him long life, the Great Way was not yet complete, and three hundred and eighty-seven years passed.
Master Qingliu stood weeping.

Chen Yuan gazed at Zhang Wushan's tombstone, sighed deeply, took out a wine jar and a jade cup from his mustard seed ring, unsealed the wine, filled it with spirit wine, and poured it in front of the tomb.

Three cups of spirit wine were poured down, the wild grasses were lush and green, and a misty spiritual fog rose up, accompanied by a rich fragrance, slowly spreading.

Chen Yuan bowed deeply, and Jing Shuhan also stepped forward and gave a graceful bow.

Chen Yuan straightened up, stared at Zhang Wushan's tombstone, and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, he turned around, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the hermit of Qingliu: "Thank you for waiting for me, fellow Daoist."

The hermit of Qingliu sighed, turned around, and flew away on his escape light towards the outside of the array.

The three returned to Mingliu Lake, where Chen Yuan revealed to the world that he had achieved the Nascent Soul stage and was about to leave the mortal realm.

To his surprise, the Green Willow Hermit only showed slight astonishment before calming down again, stroking his beard and smiling: "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving the Nascent Soul stage and finding an opportunity for ascension. The Great Dao is within reach."

"Ever since you gained the favor of Qin Wuyai and Daoist Cangsong, and were willing to break ties with Sun Yuan for your sake, I knew that they must have something to do with it."

"I never expected that I would have to rely on your help to sneak into the Spirit Realm."

"So, in the past seventy years, the four Nascent Soul cultivators had the ten major sects collect the Five Elements essence; could it also be related to your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage?" (End of Chapter)