Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "Not bad."

The Hermit of Green Willow said, "I have also refined the essence of the five elements. It seems that my contribution is partly to your achievement of the Nascent Soul stage."

Chen Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I have improved my cultivation, but it has caused you trouble, fellow Daoist. Please do not take offense."

Qingliu Jushi waved his hand: "Fellow Daoist, what are you saying? This was not your intention. Although we put in a lot of effort, we were able to obtain a few pills. It was not a waste of time."

A hint of apology suddenly appeared on his face, and he clasped his hands in a bow: "Now that you have achieved the Nascent Soul stage, you should address me as a senior. I have been too presumptuous..."

Chen Yuan frowned, feigning displeasure: "When did you become such a pedantic scholar? Why bother with these formalities between us?"

The hermit of Qingliu smiled nonchalantly and never mentioned the matter again.

The three talked for a while longer, then Chen Yuan slowly stood up, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "This is our farewell today, and I fear we will never meet again. Take care, fellow Daoist."

Qingliu Jushi also stood up, clasped his hands in return, and said, "Fellow Daoist, take care. My path of cultivation has come to an end. Please take a look at the scenery after I reach the Divine Transformation stage."

He escorted the two out of the Chongde Mountains. Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan then rode their escape light northwards, eventually arriving at Bingling City in Hanzhou to visit Ningbing Zhenren and Xiao Chengmo.

Ningbing Zhenren remained aloof and cold. She finally stopped mentioning her sparring with Chen Yuan, but instead set her sights on Jing Shuhan.

Jing Shuhan readily agreed, but she had only just reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, while Ningbing Zhenren had been immersed in this realm for hundreds of years, possessing profound cultivation and extraordinary supernatural abilities.

The two fought for only half an hour before Jing Shuhan was defeated.

Xiao Chengmo watched with trepidation, fearing that Jing Shuhan would become angry and offend Chen Yuan.

However, Jing Shuhan readily admitted defeat with a smile and instead sought advice from Ningbing Zhenren on combat experience. The two chatted happily.

Xiao Chengmo was relieved. Chen Yuan then asked about the current situation in Hanzhou, and he answered truthfully.

Since Qin Wuyai sent people to kill the Ice Dragon King and wipe out the transformed demon kings of Hanzhou, the demon race of Hanzhou has been leaderless and has retreated in large numbers, almost all of them retreating into the icy ocean.

For the first time in tens of thousands of years, the human race of Hanzhou has gained the upper hand in its confrontation with the demon race.

As the number one sect in Hanzhou, the Ice Spirit Sect has taken advantage of the situation to expand and become increasingly powerful. Its strength is now comparable to that of large sects in other states.

Chen Yuan then proposed to meet with the sect leader of the Ice Spirit Sect, and Xiao Chengmo naturally did not refuse, immediately informing the sect leader, Han Xiaozi, of the matter.

Han Xiaozi is the only great cultivator in Hanzhou, and he had long heard Ningbing Zhenren and Xiao Chengmo mention Chen Yuan.

Knowing that he was on good terms with the three major sects, and had successively destroyed the three royal families of the Ten Thousand Demon Sea, he had a wide circle of connections.

He himself was a great cultivator with extremely strong abilities, so he was very enthusiastic and treated him with great courtesy.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Yuan revealed his Nascent Soul realm, which greatly shocked Han Xiaozi and Xiao Chengmo. They quickly stood up and bowed, addressing him as a senior.

Even the usually aloof and simple Ningbing Zhenren dared not be negligent and treated him with utmost respect.

The Cold Province is barren, and even great cultivators are extremely rare; a Nascent Soul cultivator has never appeared there.

Chen Yuan's sudden attainment of the Nascent Soul stage brought indescribable shock to the Ice Spirit Sect cultivators.

After the three calmed down, Chen Yuan proposed that the Lingyun Sect and the Bingling Sect should increase their exchanges in the future, and suggested that they purchase demon cores and low-level ice-attribute demon beasts from the Bingling Sect using spirit stones and pills.

The Ice Spirit Sect was already known for selling ice-attribute demon cores and demon beast materials. Moreover, Chen Yuan was not forcibly demanding them, but rather engaging in an equal transaction, so Han Xiaozi agreed without hesitation.

Chen Yuan made an agreement with Han Xiaozi that Zhuge Qi would come to Hanzhou within six months to discuss the specifics of the transaction, and would leave behind a portrait of Zhuge Qi before taking his leave.

The three of them personally escorted Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan out of Ice Spirit City with utmost respect.

After leaving Hanzhou, the two traveled south to the Yunyin Mountains in Lizhou to visit Ye Guihong.

When Ye Guihong met Chen Yuan, he thought that Chen Yuan still had grievances against the Jiuli Sect, and he was quite uneasy.

However, Chen Yuan simply asked to purchase low-level demonic beasts and demon cores from the Jiuli Sect, just as he had done when he met Tianjizi and Hanxiaozi before.

Ye Guihong breathed a sigh of relief and immediately agreed.

Chen Yuan left behind a portrait of Zhuge Qi, indicating that he would come to Lizhou within six months to discuss the matter, and asked Ye Guihong to send a Nascent Soul Elder to welcome him.

Ye Guihong, however, said that he would personally receive Elder Zhuge.

Even after Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan left, Ye Guihong did not inquire whether the Candle Serpent's egg had hatched, seemingly having forgotten about it.

……

Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan traveled through the three states in less than half a month before returning to Donghua Continent via an ancient teleportation array.

The Lingyun Sect is thriving, while Li Qingshan and Liu Ye are still accumulating spiritual energy and have not yet begun their tribulation.

Zhuge Qi also secluded himself in Dongxu Mountain, where he has been practicing diligently for over a hundred years.

With Chen Yuan's help, he refined a lot of pills and was only a hair's breadth away from the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage.

If he secludes himself for another twenty or thirty years, he will be able to reach the bottleneck of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Before that, he will not step out of his cave.

However, Chen Yuan still found Jin Luoheng and asked someone to wake Zhuge Qi from his meditation.

When Zhuge Qi learned that Chen Yuan had summoned him, he immediately came without the slightest displeasure.

Chen Yuan told Zhuge Qi about the agreement he had made with Tianjizi, Hanxiaozi, and Ye Guihong, and asked him to go to Jiuxianzhou to discuss with the three sects how to purchase demon cores and demon beasts.

Zhuge Qi looked solemn and bowed with his fists clasped: "The Supreme Elder has been working tirelessly for the development of our sect. How can Zhuge sit comfortably at the mountain gate?"

"I will set off for Jiuxianzhou tomorrow and will certainly live up to the expectations of the Supreme Elder."

The next day, Zhuge Qi quietly left the mountain gate, and no one else knew about it except Chen Yuan and Jin Luoheng.

Two months later, Zhuge Qi returned to Dongxu Mountain and reported to Chen Yuan that the matter had been settled.

Six months later, Liu Ye successfully passed the three tribulations of the Nascent Soul stage and formed his Nascent Soul.

Eight months later, Li Qingshan, who had accumulated a vast amount of spiritual energy, finally began his tribulation. His sword energy filled the sky and covered a hundred miles. He successfully passed the three tribulations of the Nascent Soul stage and successfully formed his Nascent Soul.

Just seven days later, before Li Qingshan could even stabilize his cultivation, he emerged from seclusion to pay his respects to Chen Yuan.

His aura fluctuated, and he bowed deeply, saying, "This disciple has fortunately not failed Master's expectations and has successfully formed his Nascent Soul."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "More than two hundred years ago, I took you as my disciple. Now that you have formed a Nascent Soul, you are not far from being as good as I was back then."

Li Qingshan said, "Master is too kind. Master cultivates both body and spirit, while I specialize in swordsmanship."

"Master travels alone, yet I am blessed with cultivation techniques, elixirs, spiritual stones, and precious materials bestowed upon me by my master."

"I owe my current level of cultivation entirely to Master's great kindness. How could I possibly compare myself to Master?"

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Cultivation level is not determined by birth, aptitude, opportunities, or techniques. If you can form your Nascent Soul in over two hundred years, you have a chance to become a Great Cultivator, and there is even a slight possibility of breaking through to the Divine Transformation stage. Do not slack off."

"You only cultivate one flying sword and don't use magic weapons. Now that you have successfully formed your Nascent Soul, I will give you a piece of Azure Iron to help you improve the grade of your flying sword."

After saying that, he took out a piece of bluish-red ore that he had obtained from the secret realm of the Yuling Sect and handed it to Li Qingshan.

A hint of joy flashed in Li Qingshan's eyes, and he immediately accepted the treasure with both hands: "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure upon me!"

The Azure Iron is extremely hard and resilient. When incorporated into his natal flying sword, it is enough to elevate it to a top-tier magic weapon.

Chen Yuan then took out two jade bottles: "These two bottles of early-stage Nascent Soul pills were refined by your master years ago. Please accept them." Li Qingshan accepted the pills with both hands and bowed again to express his gratitude.

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "The cultivation technique you practice is inherited from the Heavenly Gang Sword Sect, but it has some shortcomings, and you can only progress to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

"Tomorrow you will accompany me to the Hidden Sword Palace to obtain a cultivation technique that leads directly to the Nascent Soul stage. However, whether you can achieve the Nascent Soul stage depends on your own destiny."

Li Qingshan's expression turned solemn: "Since I became your disciple, I have been fortunate to receive your teachings, guidance, and guidance, as well as your cultivation techniques, treasures, and elixirs. Yet I have been unable to share your burdens, and I am deeply ashamed."

"The inheritance of the Nascent Soul stage is extremely precious. How can I, as a disciple, make my master lose face and go to the Hidden Sword Palace to beg for the cultivation technique because of my own selfish desires?"

"I have received much care from my master. Now that I have formed my Nascent Soul, I will have to forge my own path ahead and will not need my master's help."

Chen Yuan was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Very well, since you have this ambition, you can find the cultivation method yourself."

Li Qingshan bowed deeply: "Thank you for your kindness, Master."

Jing Shuhan smiled and said, "Your master gave you pills and spiritual materials, and you don't need any magic treasures, so I'll give you thirty top-grade spirit stones instead. I hope you won't find them too much."

After saying that, she took out thirty top-grade spirit stones and handed them to Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan accepted the gift with both hands: "Thank you for your generous gift, Master's wife."

Liu Ye has also emerged from seclusion. Chen Yuan gave her a top-grade spiritual material, while Jing Shuhan took out a bottle of early-stage Nascent Soul pills.

The two bid farewell and left to continue their seclusion and stabilize their cultivation levels.

At this point, only one month remained until the centennial celebration.

Chen Yuan and Jing Shuhan left Dongxu Mountain, concealed their identities, and traveled to various countries, enjoying the scenery and visiting ordinary towns, without spending a single day meditating or cultivating.

He also went to Yunlong Mountain in Suiping County, Qingchuan Prefecture, Jinzhou, the burial place of Shen Danmei, to pay his respects.

During this time, Chen Yuan gave Jing Shuhan two bottles of level-nine demon essence pills and the broken Tai Xuan token, and told her about the green-robed array spirit.

He instructed, "The Tongtian Pavilion, controlled by Senior Array Spirit, contains many rare and precious treasures."

"If you encounter any obstacles in your cultivation in the future, take this Tai Xuan Token to Jue Ling Island, ask to see the senior array spirit, and exchange it for the treasures you need."

"From now on, you must keep an eye out for the treasures left behind by the Tai Xuan Sect. If you find any, you must retrieve them at any cost."

When Jing Shuhan learned of this, she was greatly surprised. Knowing that the Tai Xuan Token was of great significance, she carefully put it away.

Twenty days later, the two returned to Dongxu Mountain.

Jin Luoheng recalled Wei Cifeng and Bai Yanji, who were stationed outside, and even Wu Zexian, who was guarding the teleportation array, returned to the mountain gate.

Zhuge Qi emerged from seclusion after his cultivation retreat, and Li Qingshan and Liu Ye once again interrupted their efforts to stabilize their cultivation levels.

Sun Congyao, who was already refining his true essence in preparation for forming his Nascent Soul, also arrived at Lingyun Palace.

Everyone looked at Chen Yuan with complicated expressions.

Jing Shuhan pressed her lips together tightly, and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

Jin Luoheng smiled and sighed at the same time, his eyes gentle, with a hint of reminiscence in them.

Li Qingshan was both sad and happy, his eyes filled with reluctance.

Sun Congyao smiled, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

Zhuge Qi, Bai Yanji, Wu Zexian, Wei Cifeng, and Liu Ye looked somber, yet forced themselves to put on a smile.

Chen Yuan's gaze swept over the eight people and landed on Jin Luoheng. He bowed deeply and said, "This disciple is leaving the sect today. Regardless of life or death, I will never return. Master, take care."

Jin Luoheng slowly said, "Back then, I took you as my disciple for one reason: your background as a rogue cultivator reminded me of the difficult years I spent cultivating before joining our sect."

"Secondly, you obtained a large number of spiritual herbs in the Dongxu Mountain secret realm. If I can take you as my disciple, I can share half of the profits..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Although I have my own calculations, I have never wronged you."

"However, after you returned to the sect, you helped your master take over the position of sect leader, and you have repeatedly brought out elixirs and treasures, and even the entire inheritance of the Yuling Sect, which far surpasses the few treasures that your master bestowed upon you back then."

"As your teacher, I am unable to help you form your core and infant, yet you still need to guide me. I am truly unworthy of the title of 'master'."

Chen Yuan said, "Master, why do you say that? Back then, I killed Huang Yunshang and Huang Yundao, offending the Huang family. If it weren't for Master's mediation, how could I have cultivated in peace?"

"Furthermore, Master bestowed upon me treasures and guided my cultivation, and Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Sun, and Senior Sister Shen also took great care of me."

"In the Demon-Slaying Desert, Master did not hesitate to offend Qi Yuanshan of the Ziyang Sect for the sake of his disciple, and the disciple remembers it all."

"I have achieved great success in my cultivation and will naturally repay my master. Master, there is no need for you to blame yourself."

Jin Luoheng smiled with satisfaction: "No matter what, the thing I am most proud of in my life is taking you as my disciple."

"It is an honor for the Lingyun Sect that you have been accepted as a disciple."

"Now that you have ascended to the Spirit Realm and will never return, I will erect a statue of you in the Lingyun Palace, standing alongside Ancestor Lingyunzi."

"From now on, all new disciples of this sect must sincerely worship."

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you, Master."

He turned to look at Sun Congyao and smiled, "It's a pity that I won't be able to see you form your Nascent Soul before I have to leave."

"When I was taken in by our master, my senior brother took great care of me. I will always remember that. I wish my senior brother success in achieving the Nascent Soul stage."

Sun Congyao sighed softly: "It's nothing to mention. I'm just helping out a little, which is nothing compared to what you've given me."

"If it weren't for the pills my junior brother gave me, I'm afraid I would still be stuck in the early stage of Core Formation."

"It's a pity that Junior Sister Shen died so young. If she could have seen you achieve the Nascent Soul stage and ascend to the Spirit Realm, I wonder how happy she would have been..."

Chen Yuan's eyes dimmed slightly, then he turned to Li Qingshan: "After I leave, you must cultivate diligently and heed the teachings of your grandmaster and mistress."

"When faced with a challenge, one should forge ahead without hesitation and hone one's swordsmanship and courage, but one should not act rashly or only know how to kill."

Li Qingshan's expression turned solemn, and he bowed deeply: "Disciple will humbly follow Master's teachings!"

Chen Yuan looked at Zhuge Qi, Wu Zexian and the others, cupped his hands in greeting, and the others quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Chen Yuan said, "Our sect has already established a foundation, but its foundation is still somewhat shallow, and its strength is not yet comparable to the Four Great Profound Sects and the Four Great Demonic Sects."

"After Mr. Chen leaves, I hope that you will all work together to assist my master and revitalize the sect."

Zhuge Qi said, "Elder, rest assured, we will certainly obey Senior Brother Jin's orders."

The others agreed, and Chen Yuan nodded slightly before turning to look at Jing Shuhan.

The two looked at each other, remaining silent for a long time.

Everyone fell silent. After a long while, Chen Yuan finally spoke softly, "Take care, my wife."

Having spent so much time together, there was no need for further words.

Jing Shuhan's eyes sparkled, and she smiled gently: "Take care, my husband." (End of Chapter)