I forge immortality with a pagoda.

A few days later, after traversing several mountain ranges shrouded in mist, the two arrived at the majestic gate of the Lu Jing Sect.

The peaks stand tall, like swords pointing to the sky, with clouds lingering on the mountainside.

The protective array's light screen resembled an inverted giant glass bowl, with runes flowing across it, emanating a dangerous aura.

With the inner disciple talisman of Shen Yu protecting it, the flying boat passed straight through the light barrier of the great formation from the top of the mountain without triggering any attacks and successfully entered the sect's territory.

The flying boat slowly descended to the foot of a secluded mountain peak. Although the spiritual energy was not abundant, the scenery was pleasant.

Cui Youxin had never seen such beautiful mountains and rivers before, and he stared at them in a daze.

Shen Yu pressed down his true qi, and the flying boat landed smoothly. He stepped down first, saying, "We've arrived. This courtyard is No. 16, Jia, of the Lower Courtyard of the Lu Jing Sect. Lan Xiu Peak is right next to it. I'm new to the sect and don't have my own cave dwelling yet, so I'll be staying here temporarily."

"You are not a disciple of the sect, and according to the rules, you are not allowed to enter the residences of the lower courtyard disciples at will. However, within the Lanxiu Peak area, apart from the forbidden cultivation area of ​​the seniors, you can freely find a place to live among the mountains, forests, and cliffs on the peak."

"For the time being, you will have to stay at the foot of the mountain and make your own temporary cave dwelling."

Cui Youxin immediately bowed and respectfully replied, "I am already extremely grateful to be able to follow you into the Immortal Sect, and I dare not have any complaints."

His gaze swept quickly across the lower courtyard, and he already had some guesses about Shen Yu's situation within the sect.

Logically speaking, given the strength Shen Yu has demonstrated, even if he is not a true disciple, he should not be confined to such an ordinary courtyard.

Presumably, being new to the place and not yet firmly established, they have been ostracized and suppressed by other forces within the sect.

Cui Youxin's head flashed, but his steps never stopped, and he followed Shen Yu up Lanxiu Peak.

Upon reaching the summit, Shen Yu stopped and said, "Wait here for a moment, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he came alone to the entrance of a cave that was hidden by lush vines.

At this moment, the stone door of the cave was tightly closed. Shen Yu stopped in front of the stone door and said softly, "Disciple Shen Yu greets Senior Yue."

A moment later, the stone door opened, and Yue Jianxin emerged from the cave. He looked Shen Yu up and down, and said in surprise:

"Oh? You've actually broken through in just a few days? If I remember correctly, you've only been here for three months."

Shen Yu bowed and said, "Senior's insight is unerring. This disciple just entered the fifth level of Qi Refining a few days ago."

"Excellent, excellent. With such talent, you will surely make a name for yourself in this world in the future."

"Senior, you flatter me. I was merely lucky."

Shen Yu said modestly.

"So, what brings you here? Are you itching for a swordsmanship duel?"

Shen Yu quickly waved his hand, chuckled twice, and said, "This junior would also like to exchange skills with you, senior, but I came here for something else."

Yue Jianxin stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for Shen Yu to continue.

Shen Yu paused for a moment and said, "I recently met an old friend and wished to take him to stay temporarily at the foot of Lanxiu Peak. I have come to inform you, senior, as I would not dare to disturb your peaceful cultivation."

"It's a minor matter; you can live anywhere below the mountainside."

Yue Jianxin waved his hand dismissively.

"Thank you so much, Senior Yue, for your kindness!"

Shen Yu bowed deeply again, expressing his sincere gratitude.

"Your swordsmanship is almost perfected. Come find me on the peak in a few days, and I will teach you the true way of the sword."

After saying that, Yue Jianxin turned around, and the heavy stone door closed again.

Shen Yu murmured to himself, "The true way of the sword..."

Only when there was no more movement in the cave did Shen Yu move his feet and turn to leave.

Back on the mountain path where Cui Youxin was waiting, Shen Yu instructed him, "I have already informed the seniors in the mountains. You may choose any place to live below the mountainside, but you must not approach the seniors' secluded cultivation place at the summit, and you must not damage the spiritual plants and herbs in the mountains."

"Thank you so much, Your Excellency, for intervening and securing such a secluded place for my cultivation! I will certainly abide by the rules and never cause you any trouble."

Choi Yoo-shin looked grateful and bowed deeply.

"Find a precious place here and carve out a cave dwelling for me, and wait for my return."

Shen Yu gave an order and then said no more. His true qi circulated around him, transforming into a stream of light, and he sped toward the Dao Gong Pavilion in the sect.

Upon arriving at the Daogong Pavilion again, it was still bustling with activity, with cultivators coming and going in droves.

Shen Yu walked straight in without stopping, passing through the bustling first-floor lobby and ascending the spiraling jade staircase to the slightly quieter second floor.

This floor is divided into three areas, each with several deacons handling affairs.

The demon-slaying mission that Shen Yu completed this time was rated as a Heavenly-level talisman, and the reward was as high as fifty minor merits, which was an extremely large sum of money in the eyes of ordinary disciples.

The area where Heavenly-level talisman missions are delivered is the sparsest of people, making it appear exceptionally empty.

Behind a rosewood table, Xiang Shiquan, dressed in a dark purple deacon's robe, was talking quietly with several cultivators.

Upon seeing Shen Yu approach, he paused his conversation and cupped his hands in greeting: "This fellow Daoist is unfamiliar. Are you here to deliver the talisman, or to issue a mission?"

Shen Yu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and asked in confusion, "Issuing missions? I have heard that only Foundation Establishment stage elders within the sect have the authority to issue missions."

Xiang Shiquan chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, you may not know this. Elders within the sect can naturally issue tasks at will, but inner and outer disciples are not prohibited from having this right. However, if a disciple wishes to issue a task, they must expend Dao merit as a reward."

"I see." Shen Yu nodded slightly and continued, "I am not here to issue a mission, but to deliver the completed talisman."

As he spoke, Shen Yu opened his left palm, and sure enough, a faint glimmer of a talisman shone through it.

Upon seeing this, Xiang Shiquan's expression turned serious, and he quickly retrieved a treasure from under the table.

The treasure was a translucent jade seal, about a foot square, with dragons and phoenixes carved on its surface, and a faint spiritual light flowing through it.

The seal knob is a coiled mythical beast with a strange shape and two pale golden crystals embedded in its eyes, which shine brightly.

He made a hand seal, and the tourmaline trembled slightly. The eyes of the mythical beast on the tourmaline flashed with golden light, and a suction force was generated from its mouth, enveloping Shen Yu's palm.

Shen Yu did not feel any pulling force, but the illusory image of the talisman in his palm suddenly shone brightly, became extremely solid, and finally transformed into a stream of light that broke out of his palm and entered the open mouth of the strange beast on the tourmaline.

The tourmaline suddenly shone brightly and emitted a deep humming sound. The dragons and phoenixes on the tourmaline even leaped and flew, which was quite magical.

Xiang Shiquan paused briefly, placed his palm on the tourmaline, and closed his eyes to sense it for a moment.

He then opened his eyes and said, "According to the feedback from the talisman, the ancient vine demon has indeed been killed by you, fellow Daoist. This Heaven-level talisman has been successfully verified."

"However, to be on the safe side, according to the regulations, we still need to ask you to show us the heart of that ancient vine demon as physical proof."

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