To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

With a tap of the fingertip, one is instantly transported to the wonderful world of Chapter 186, "The Marrow Cleansing of the Cave Heaven".

With Liu Shentong announcing the results, the battle for the position of true disciple has come to an end.

Gu Fan retrieved the Yin-Yang Ring, and Chen Zhiyan groggily woke up, getting up from the dust, his hair flying everywhere, looking quite disheveled.

On the other side, Qingluan was pinned under the gourd and wailed softly.

Having had too much magic power drained, it was completely unable to break free from the gourd's suppression. Half of its bright feathers were plucked off and scattered all over the ground.

"Hulu, stop right now!"

Gu Fan quickly called out, and the gourd, still harboring resentment, grabbed a handful before shrinking its body and climbing onto Gu Fan's shoulder.

Qingluan stood up in a panic and fluttered behind Chen Zhiyan.

"Senior Brother Chen, you flatter me."

Gu Fan bowed to Chen Zhiyan, and when he caught a glimpse of the bald Qingluan out of the corner of his eye, his lips twitched slightly. He said softly, "Spirit beasts are unruly and don't know their own strength. I hope Senior Brother Chen will not take offense."

Although Gu Fan has won the position of true disciple today, Chen Zhiyan still has the head of the Spirit Beast Peak standing behind him, so he still has to give him some face.

Chen Zhiyan's face turned pale and then purple. After a long while, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother."

After saying this, Chen Zhiyan put away the Azure Phoenix, broke through the air and left, directly escaping from Jade Void Peak without even watching the subsequent events.

Gu Fan shook his head and leaped back to the stone platform where the true disciples were located.

Just then, the bell rang again.

Liu Shentong turned around, bowed to Qi Zongyuan, and said, "Reporting to the Headmaster, the competition for the position of true successor is now complete!"

Qi Zongyuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the seven true disciples, pausing briefly on Gu Fan and Xu Changsheng respectively.

"The succession of the old and new disciples in the position of true disciples is a testament to the rising fortune of our sect. You four newly promoted true disciples, please follow me to Xiaoguang Cave Heaven to pay respects to the Supreme Elder later."

"Disciples obey!" Gu Fan and the other three responded in unison.

Afterwards, Qi Zongyuan encouraged the disciples who were watching the ceremony and then rode away on a cloud.

The four true disciples ascended Qingyun, and under the envious gazes of the crowd, they followed Qi Zongyuan into the depths of Yuxu Peak.

Qingyun landed on the top of Yuxu Peak and stopped in front of a magnificent palace.

The palace was entirely white, as if carved from jade, and radiated countless rays of light under the sunlight.

The misty, spiritual energy made the summit of Jade Void Peak resemble a celestial palace.

Gu Fan looked up and saw the three large, golden characters "Lingxiao Palace" carved on the plaque in a vigorous and elegant style, as if Taoist script was running through them.

As the group entered the Lingxiao Palace, they saw that the four walls were as white as frost, faintly reflecting the soft moonlight. The dome was decorated with overlapping cloud patterns, and jade lamps hung down, their light spreading everywhere without any blind spots. Jade pillars stood on both sides, their bodies carved with lifelike images of spirits.

Gu Fan glanced at it and found it somewhat similar to what he had seen in the Myriad Laws Palace of the Luofu Immortal Sect.

At the end of the palace stood a towering platform, with a golden archway in the center, surrounded by countless runes.

"Beyond this gate lies the Heavenly Light Cave, the place where the Supreme Elder cultivates. You must not act rashly."

Qi Zongyuan turned his head and gave a word of advice before leading the four of them through the golden archway.

Gu Fan cautiously stepped inside. At first, he only saw a bright white light before his eyes. After a moment, the white light disappeared, and a vast world shrouded in clouds and mist appeared.

Looking out, the Xiaoguang Cave is several miles wide, with colorful clouds filling the sky above the dome, and the blue sea shining brightly below. A solitary island lies on the sea, and the glow of the clouds is emanating from the island.

There was only one simple thatched hut on the island, each straw exuding a chilling aura.

However, the thatched hut was tightly shut, and Qi Zongyuan did not go forward to pay his respects. Instead, he led the group to the back of the hut, to a pond made of white jade.

The pond was only about ten feet in diameter, with what appeared to be a spring in the center, churning with milky white spiritual liquid.

As Gu Fan gazed at the pond, he suddenly remembered what Master Xuanji had said: after becoming a true disciple, one would have a chance to cleanse one's marrow, enough to wash away all impurities.

"This is the Cleansing Pool. After you enter the pool, you can cleanse your physical body, which will be of immeasurable benefit to your future cultivation."

Qi Zongyuan pointed to the pond and said.

Xu Changsheng hesitated and said, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, shouldn't we first pay our respects to the Supreme Elder?"

Qi Zongyuan shook his head and smiled, "The Supreme Elder has gone out on business, so you will not have the chance to see him today."

Everyone felt a little regretful upon hearing this.

The aura of Guiyun Sword Lord, who overpowered the Blood Dragon King with his sword, captivated everyone. They had thought they would be able to pay their respects today, but they missed the opportunity.

Gu Fan nodded to himself, then suddenly heard Lin Qian'er ask hesitantly, "May I ask, Sect Leader, is it necessary to... is it necessary to..." before entering the Spirit Cleansing Pool?

Everyone immediately understood Lin Qian'er's meaning.

The male cultivators, including Gu Fan, were naturally unharmed, but Lin Qian'er was the only female cultivator. The pond was only about ten feet in diameter, and if she took off her clothes, she would be almost completely exposed in front of the group.

"You don't need to take off your clothes to enter the Cleansing Pool. Just put down all your belongings, especially your spirit beast pouch."

The last sentence was spoken while looking at Gu Fan.

Upon hearing this, everyone took off their storage bags and other miscellaneous items. Gu Fan also put his two spirit beast bags aside before stepping into the Spirit Cleansing Pool.

"hiss--"

As soon as I stepped into the Cleansing Pool, I felt a chill that penetrated to my very bones, as if it would freeze my body. Then, a warmth slowly rose up.

The pond was no more than three feet deep, so Gu Fan simply sat down against the edge of the pond, letting the water rise over his neck, leaving only his head exposed.

Looking at the swirling milky-white mist in front of me, a sense of familiarity welled up inside me.

The four of them each occupied a corner of the pond, concentrating on sensing the changes within their bodies, and for a moment, there was complete silence.

Just then, Qi Zongyuan instructed, "Each of you circulate your cultivation techniques and don't get distracted!"

Gu Fan quickly closed his eyes and activated the "Great Luo Inner Landscape Heaven-Reaching Profound Chapter". In an instant, the milky white pool water surged wildly into his meridians, rushing forward like a river.

When spiritual energy reaches a main channel, it branches off into a tributary, eventually flowing through every corner of the physical body.

Suddenly, a cloud of gray mist rose from Gu Fan's chest.

Like a scorching hot iron plunged into water, the ash sizzled upon contact with the Cleansing Pool, then vanished in an instant.

Qi Zongyuan's gaze sharpened upon seeing this scene.

"This is... the energy of karmic retribution. I wonder which one of the people in the Chen Kingdom is responsible for it."

"However, no matter how well you hide, you'll have nowhere to hide in the Cleansing Spirit Pool!"

When the gray smoke completely dissipated, Gu Fan felt an indescribable sense of relief and couldn't help but let out a cheerful hum.

......

When the ashes vanished.

Chen State, Dragon Tooth Academy, Hall of Contemplation.

Wang Jingshuo, who was meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

"No! That was my destiny!"

Wang Jingshuo roared to the sky, his jade crown snapped with a "crack," his hair flew wildly, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

The fact that the seed of disaster was left to wander outside was not the worst outcome for him; sooner or later he could find an opportunity to take it back.

But just now, his connection with the source of the disaster suddenly broke down.

Wang Jingshuo certainly knew what this meant.

Worse still, the seeds of destruction were not just one; the seeds planted in Wang Huaiyu and Wang Zhengfeng were also extinguished together.

On this day, the cultivators who were studying diligently outside the Meditation Hall were silent as cicadas in winter. Afterwards, countless people were severely punished for the slightest mistake, and the atmosphere was as stagnant as purgatory.

From that day onward, the royal family of Chen suddenly began to take wives and concubines on a large scale, and ordered the members of the clan to have children like crazy.

......

Within the celestial realm of Xiaoguang Cave.

Gu Fan and the others soaked in the pool for an hour before Qi Zongyuan woke them up. Reluctantly, they walked out of the Cleansing Pool and looked back to see that the water level was two inches lower than before!

Qi Zongyuan also witnessed this scene and let out a barely perceptible sigh.

"The spiritual energy of Qionghua Realm is waning, and the Cleansing Pool is becoming increasingly rare with each use. It's uncertain how many more years it can last."

He shook his head, trying to shake off his worries.

Qi Zongyuan said, "Why don't you all feel the changes in yourselves?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Chen Suzhen exclaimed in surprise, "Not only have my injuries healed, but my cultivation level has also increased!"

In the previous battle for the title, Chen Suzhen fought desperately to defend the position. Among the four, he was the most seriously injured, but at this moment, his face was rosy and he did not show any signs of weakness.

Gu Fan focused his mind and looked inward, and was overjoyed beyond words.

Not only did his meridians expand by three-tenths, but the pool of magical power in his dantian also grew by nearly half.

This means he can at least unlock the seventh acupoint, and is only one step away from the late stage of Foundation Establishment!

Lin Qian'er, needless to say, already had flawless, fair skin that seemed to glow, like a fairy descended from the moon palace.

Qi Zongyuan explained with a smile, "The Cleansing Spirit Pool is not simply a gathering of spiritual energy. The most precious thing is a piece of sky-mending stone left at the bottom of the pool by Ancestor Yunxiao. It can optimize aptitude and open up meridians. Improving cultivation is the least important thing. You will realize the benefits in the future."

The four of them said in unison, "Thank you, Master!"

Qi Zongyuan then led the four of them away from Xiaoguang Cave and back to Lingxiao Palace.

Qi Zongyuan stood on the cloud platform and said in a deep voice, "Becoming a true disciple will not only bring you the sect's training, but also place a much heavier burden on your shoulders. If you make a mistake, the impact on our sect will be even more severe."

Qi Zongyuan's tone was stern, a stark contrast to his previous gentle and kind manner.

After he finished speaking, seeing the four men's solemn expressions, Qi Zongyuan nodded in satisfaction and said softly, "You may come to Lingxiao Palace for a meeting in three days. At that time, you will be assigned tasks."

"As for now... let's go choose a blessed land first."