To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

You have received a new chapter update: Chapter 188, "Choice". Read the chapter here.

Two figures stood in front of the Green Stone Palace, chatting and laughing.

Upon seeing Gu Fan descend from the sky, the two immediately stopped talking.

The two were Song Lian and Hou Wenzhao.

Upon hearing Gu Fan's inquiry, Song Lian curtsied and said, "Greetings, Senior Uncle! We originally came to admire Senior Uncle's demeanor at Jade Void Peak, and after seeing Senior Uncle leave with the Sect Leader, we waited here to offer our congratulations."

After speaking, the two exchanged a glance and bowed in unison, saying, "Congratulations, Senior Uncle, on your advancement to the rank of True Disciple!"

"Hey, no need for formalities!" Gu Fan waved his hand and smiled, inviting the two into the Blue Stone Palace to talk.

Eight years later, the two of them successively comprehended the "Morning Glow Purple Qi Technique" and, after drawing in Qi, joined the outer sect of the Lingxiao Sect.

In fact, Hou Wenzhao was one step ahead, successfully achieving Qi Activation in less than two years, while Song Lian was just barely making it to the end of the three-year deadline.

It wasn't that she lacked understanding, but rather that her foundation was too weak.

Hou Wenzhao studied under Hou Ying from a young age and could be called a child prodigy in the mortal world.

In contrast, Song Lian couldn't even read before entering Zixiao Temple, let alone understand cultivation techniques and Taoist texts.

If it weren't for Wang Jingxuan's special care, and Song Lian's strong will and diligence, three years probably wouldn't have been enough.

However, once the Qi-inducing barrier is overcome, the difference in spiritual root aptitude immediately becomes apparent.

With sufficient spiritual energy to nourish it, Song Lian quickly displayed powerful talent. In just five years since entering the outer sect, he had already reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining, only one step away from the late stage.

Hou Wenzhao is still stuck at the third level of Qi Refining and has been unable to break through.

The three sat on the stone table in front of the Qing Shi Palace. Song Lian took the initiative to brew tea and pour water. Her movements were as smooth as flowing water. Her skin was fair and bright, her black hair was like a waterfall, and she was gentle and charming. Hou Wenzhao was slightly lost in thought as he watched her.

Gu Fan tapped the stone table with his finger and said with a smile, "Since you two have come here to offer your congratulations, you should give us some gifts."

Song Lian and Hou Wenzhao both said they dared not.

After speaking, Gu Fan took out several bottles of pills from his storage bag and handed them to Hou Wenzhao. These pills would be enough to help him break through the barriers and take a step forward in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Gu Fan no longer needed first-tier pills; these were the finished products from his previous study of alchemy.

Unfortunately, alchemy was too mentally taxing. After much deliberation, Gu Fan decided to focus his energy on spirit forging, since it had something in common with array formation and was more suitable for him.

As for Song Lian, Gu Fan pondered for a moment, then took off the Yin-Yang Ring from his wrist and handed it to her.

"This...this is too precious, I can't accept it!" Song Lian was flattered and quickly waved her hand to decline.

Gu Fan laughed and said, "It's just a magic weapon. The next sect competition is in eight years. I imagine you'll have reached the late stage of Qi Refining by then, which is the time to compete for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Having a suitable magic weapon will give you a better chance of winning."

Song Lian then accepted the gift with trembling hands and bowed in gratitude.

She vividly remembers how Gu Fan used the Yin-Yang Ring to subdue Luo Qingyao and Chen Zhiyan during the struggle for the throne, and she is well aware of the value of the Yin-Yang Ring.

While Song Lian was thinking this, Gu Fan was already quite dissatisfied with the Yin-Yang Ring.

Both times he succeeded mainly because of the element of surprise. If his divine sense had not been injured, Chen Zhiyan could have resisted the Yin-Yang Ring with just the Geng Metal White Tiger Qi.

After becoming a true disciple, Gu Fan will receive preferential treatment in terms of sect resources, which will allow him to recreate more suitable magical artifacts.

In addition, the two core spells of the "Red Sun Demon-Slaying Scripture," Blazing Flame Slash and Heavenly Fire Bath Robe, one offensive and one defensive, both consume a considerable amount of mana and require further study to make them more flexible.

If given the right opportunity, the Samadhi True Fire can be enhanced once again.

Upon closer inspection, Gu Fan was astonished to find that he had so many things left undone, and a strong sense of motivation welled up within him, causing him to drift off into a daze.

On the other side, Hou Wenzhao looked at the Yin-Yang Ring with envy.

Those who are family know their own situation. It is too extravagant for a disciple in the early stage of Qi Refining to use a high-grade magic weapon. Moreover, Gu Fan's bestowal of pills is already a great favor. If it weren't for the relationship with his elders, how would he be qualified to sit in the Green Stone Palace?

But when he actually saw Song Lian put away the Yin-Yang Ring, he couldn't help but show his emotions.

When Gu Fan came to his senses, he saw Hou Wenzhao swallow hard and couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry, once you reach the late stage of Qi Refining, I'll also give you a magic weapon!"

Hou Wenzhao was overjoyed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Fan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at the two of them before asking, "What are your plans for the future? Would you like to learn some cultivation techniques?"

Song Lian spoke first, saying, "This disciple is preparing to learn alchemy. I studied pharmacology at Dan Ding Peak a few years ago, and now I am learning how to process spiritual herbs."

"I can't help you with that, but I can introduce you to a senior member of the sect."

Gu Fan was referring to Long Ying.

"Speaking of which, now that I've been promoted to a true disciple, I should invite some familiar faces to celebrate." Gu Fan recalled the past, the scene of the three of them meeting was still vivid in his mind, and he was filled with new emotions.

Song Lian, however, assumed Gu Fan was going to recommend a master for her, and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Could I possibly become a disciple of my master in the future?"

In the Lingxiao Sect, only Golden Core elders accept disciples, and Song Lian's words indicate that she believes Gu Fan can form a Golden Core.

After his trip to the Spirit Cleansing Pool, he was not far from the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but it would take him at least thirty years to form the Core.

"This disciple can wait!" Song Lian said decisively.

Gu Fan nodded, acknowledging the matter, but of course, everything would have to wait until after he formed his core; otherwise, all would be for naught.

Gu Fan was quite satisfied with Song Lian.

Not only is her spiritual root aptitude outstanding, but she also entered the outer sect in three years despite being illiterate, which shows her exceptional comprehension. It would be appropriate for her to join the Wendao Peak lineage, but Gu Fan will definitely not let her cultivate the "Great Luo Inner Landscape Heaven-Reaching Profound Chapter" in the future.

Afterwards, Gu Fan explained his relationship with Long Ying, and Song Lian immediately realized that she had misunderstood, and two blushes appeared on her cheeks.

Gu Fan then turned to look at Hou Wenzhao.

Hou Wenzhao scratched his head and laughed, "This disciple has an earth spiritual root and is not very good at alchemy, talisman making, weapon making, or array making. After joining the outer sect, I became quite interested in spirit beasts. I usually take on missions in the duty hall and go to the spirit beast peak to take care of the spirit beasts."

"Later, it was discovered that the disciple had some talent in raising spirit beasts. He had memorized the habits of various spirit beasts and even raised a few himself."

After speaking, Hou Wenzhao revealed several spirit beast pouches at his waist.

Gu Fan raised an eyebrow and cautioned, "Then you mustn't tell anyone about our relationship in the future."

Chen Zhiyan had just been beaten up by him and lost his position as the true disciple. If he found out about the relationship between the two, he might take the opportunity to make things difficult for Hou Wenzhao.

Hou Wenzhao was taken aback, then his face turned pale: "This disciple understands."

After speaking, Hou Wenzhao lowered his head, then raised it again after a moment, and said in a trembling voice, "Uncle-Master, could I... follow you?"

"Hmm?" Gu Fan asked in surprise, "You also want to become my disciple in the future?"

"No!" Hou Wenzhao gritted his teeth and looked at Gu Fan hopefully: "I've heard that true disciples are always served by their servants."

Gu Fan's expression immediately turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Have you thought it through?"

Becoming a servant is tantamount to losing one's freedom; one could say that one's fate is no longer in one's own hands.

"I've made up my mind!" Hou Wenzhao nodded decisively.

Gu Fan frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is this your original plan?"

Hou Wenzhao hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He had followed Hou Ying since childhood, and being intelligent, he had long been aware of the fickleness of human relationships and knew the importance of having a powerful backer.

One must be at the Foundation Establishment stage to become a disciple. At his current cultivation speed, it would take many years, and he might perish at the slightest setback.

However, becoming a servant would allow him to immediately follow Gu Fan.

Hou Wenzhao didn't care about the lowly status of the servants.

As the saying goes, even a seventh-rank official can be found at the prime minister's gate.

Even a member of the Hou family would be highly regarded in Lin'an!

Gu Fan tapped the stone table with his finger, slowly pondering Hou Wenzhao's suggestion. Each word seemed to strike Hou Wenzhao's heart, making him tense up.

After a long silence, Gu Fan nodded and said, "I agree to this."

Hou Wenzhao felt as if he had been granted a pardon, laughed heartily, and bowed down in reverence.

After he got up, Gu Fan instructed him, "From now on, you will raise spirit beasts for me."

Gu Fan agreed to Hou Wenzhao's request not only because of their seniority, but also because Hou Wenzhao's talent for cultivating spirit beasts was indeed useful to him.

The art of spirit casting is profound and complex. Although he can cast spirits into gourds, he dares not say that he has fully comprehended the art.

The Creation Spirit Forging Array can achieve ever-changing effects with its seven array pivots, and the true meaning of its Dao is even more unfathomable to Gu Fan.

Ultimately, biology is a bottomless pit in any world, and it inevitably requires a large amount of experimental research.

The study of spirit forging techniques inevitably requires many spirit beasts, and even the observation and summarization of spirit beasts after spirit forging, in order to deduce the effects of spirit forging.

Hou Wenzhao can handle all these miscellaneous tasks on his behalf.

At this point, both disciples who were introduced to the Lingxiao Sect by Gu Fan had made their own choices.

An hour later, the two left the Green Stone Palace.

Gu Fan quickly packed his things and did not immediately return to Ziyun Palace. Instead, he went to Wendao Peak to pay his respects to Xuanji Zhenren.

Just as they landed in front of the Chenxing Pavilion, Zhou Furui teased, "The true disciple has arrived!"

"Senior brother, please don't laugh at me!" Gu Fan waved his hand and continued, "I've come not only to pay my respects to our master, but also to ask you for guidance on the essentials of being a true disciple."

As a disciple of the previous generation, Zhou Furui undoubtedly has a lot of experience in this area.

Zhou Furui nodded and asked in return, "Junior Brother, have you decided which position you want to take?"

Gu Fan was taken aback, not expecting that he would be the one to make the choice so soon after letting the two younger people make the decision.

To immerse yourself in Chapter 188, "The Choice," please click here.