To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

Lingxiao Sect, Yanfa Peak.

Today is the sect competition held once every ten years, and the area around Yanfa Peak is crowded with people, with all the outer disciples coming to watch.

Above the sky, a small boat floats on auspicious clouds, seemingly drifting on the clear water.

Gu Fan sat alone at the bow of the boat, observing the competition.

Logically speaking, the sect competition shouldn't be of much interest to a Golden Core elder like Gu Fan. However, more than ten years have passed since the Dao Inquiry Stele was placed in the Chenxing Pavilion, and the strength of the Lingxiao Sect disciples has improved compared to the past, making it the perfect time to put them to the test.

On each of the eight surrounding mountain peaks, a pair of disciples were engaged in a magical duel.

The magical light and artifacts danced and intertwined, dazzling the eyes.

"Not bad, it's definitely much better than previous years."

Gu Fanxu lowered his eyes and nodded.

Compared to the competition he personally participated in, the top 100 in this competition were all at the late stage of Qi Refining. This was not only due to the "Taiyin Refining Technique", but also because the role played by the Daowen Stele could not be ignored.

Among the eight groups of combatants, one group particularly caught Gu Fan's attention.

The two sides in the battle were Meng Xu on one side and Qi Lingyun on the other.

As Meng Wei's only son, Meng Xu, although possessing a wood-type spiritual root, did not choose the same path as his father. Instead, he cultivated a mid-grade technique, summoning vines with every move that wrapped around the girl from all directions.

Facing Meng Xu's offensive, Qi Lingyun remained fearless. With a wave of her hands, two waves of flame rose up. If someone looked closely, the two waves of flame were different colors, one crimson and the other dark red.

The next instant, the two flames transformed into dragons and snakes, intertwining and heading straight for Meng Xu.

Meng Xu dared not be careless. The vines twisted and intertwined to form a wall, and a blue light curtain was set up in front of him.

Unexpectedly, the two waves of flame suddenly exploded, far exceeding Meng Xu's expectations.

Almost instantly, the vine wall was destroyed, the cyan light screen trembled twice, and finally shattered.

Meng Xu was shocked and dodged in a sorry state the moment the light screen collapsed.

Qi Lingyun was also not in good shape; the backlash from the eruption of flames caused her blood to surge, but she finally managed to break through Meng Xu's vines.

Taking advantage of Qi Lingyun's opportunity to recuperate, Meng Xu flicked his sleeve and released a golden light.

The golden light was incredibly fast. Before Qi Lingyun could dodge, it wrapped around her waist and instantly realized that her magic power was sealed and she couldn't use it anymore.

Looking down, he saw a golden chain, the other end of which was held in Meng Xu's hand.

Qi Lingyun struggled twice, but to no avail. She shook her head and sighed, "Senior brother's methods are superb. I have lost."

"My victory in this battle was dishonorable; junior sister, you are too kind."

Meng Xu shook his head, his words seemingly genuine.

In his view, if the opponent had a magical artifact like the Dragon Binding Rope, even he would not be able to win.

If given a choice, Meng Xu would not want to use the Dragon Binding Rope.

Unfortunately, his wood-based magic was countered by fire-based magic, and after a long and fierce battle, he was unable to suppress Qi Lingyun. In order to win the victory, he had no choice but to resort to this tactic.

Both of them have made it into the top 32 and have a Foundation Establishment Pill in hand. The reward will increase with each victory thereafter.

Although Meng Xu came from a prestigious family, Meng Wei kept a strict rein on him, often encouraging him with stories of hunting monsters to earn cultivation resources. Meng Xu had heard these stories countless times over the years.

Young people naturally possess a sense of pride.

Meng Xu was not to be outdone. He never slacked off in his cultivation because of his family background. On the contrary, he often went out to fight, determined to prove himself.

Qi Lingyun did not feel comforted by these words.

A loss is a loss.

Fortunately, the top 32 have already obtained Foundation Establishment Pills, so they don't have to wait another ten years.

On the flying boat, Gu Fan watched the two fighting, his brows furrowing slightly, a look of doubt appearing in his eyes.

"Where have I seen this girl before?"

For some reason, Qi Lingyun gave him a sense of familiarity, but he couldn't quite recall her.

As for the cultivation technique he practiced, it was the Yin-Yang Fire Separation Technique that Gu Fan practiced. The method he just used was to collide Yin and Yang flames to unleash power.

This method is exactly the same as when Gu Fan seized Li Kunyuan's jade slip at Shenji Peak.

"He cultivates high-grade techniques and is quite skilled in fire control; he is a promising talent."

Gu Fan pondered for a long time but couldn't recall where he had seen Qi Lingyun before, so he simply stopped thinking about it. However, he was quite impressed with the talent that Qi Lingyun had displayed.

Half a day later, the sect competition came to a close. A reading feast: a vast collection of books and an unparalleled experience.

Some are happy, some are sad.

The disciples who had been watching scattered like birds and beasts. Gu Fan also gracefully returned to Wendao Peak. When he entered Chenxing Pavilion, he saw a bright and beautiful figure. It was Qi Lingyun.

Qi Lingyun was sitting cross-legged in front of the Dao Inquiry Stele with her eyes closed, clearly immersed in the illusion.

"Did they come here immediately after their defeat to study the cultivation techniques?"

Gu Fan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

Hou Wenzhao saw Gu Fan step forward to greet him, but Gu Fan stopped him with a raised hand and instructed, "When this girl wakes up, take her upstairs to greet her."

Hou Wenzhao was taken aback upon hearing this, then bowed and agreed.

......

Half an hour later.

Qi Lingyun followed Hou Wenzhao into the Lingxu Cave Heaven, her palms slightly sweaty, and she couldn't help but wipe them on her dress.

Moreover, the elder who summoned her was someone she had heard about since childhood, and her mind was filled with uncontrollable wild thoughts.

At this time, Lingxu Cave Heaven had already been modified by Gu Fan.

The white jade altar and the starry sky dome were both arranged by the True Person Xuanji, and are part of a sealing formation used to prolong life.

After inheriting the Lingxu Cave Heaven, Gu Fan felt a deep sense of desolation, so he removed the altar and turned it into a small courtyard. He also planted a peach tree in the courtyard, and the dome was transformed into a clear, cloudless sky.

The peach trees in the quaint courtyard are lush and the peach blossoms are in full bloom.

Amidst the falling petals, a handsome cultivator sat leaning against a tree, teasing a strange spirit beast with two horns on its head and blue scales all over its body.

This is what Qi Lingyun saw.

Just then, the tree trunk shook, and upon closer inspection, a giant black python was found hidden among the branches and leaves!

The giant python seemed to be sizing her up, its snake-like eyes staring at her.

Qi Lingyun was startled and quickly lowered her head.

"Disciple Qi Lingyun greets Elder." Qi Lingyun bowed deeply.

"Qi Lingyun..." Gu Fan murmured, then a flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly recalled an old face. He couldn't help but ask, "Do you know Qi Yan?"

Qi Lingyun nodded: "He is indeed my great-grandfather."

After speaking, Qi Lingyun took out a jade pendant from her storage bag and held it up with both hands to display it in front of her.

The moment Gu Fan saw the jade pendant, he immediately believed what Qi Lingyun had said.

When he escorted Qi Yan back to his hometown, he left behind a jade pendant, saying that if the Qi family were in danger, they could bring this jade pendant to find him.

Years have passed, and there has been no news from the Qi family.

"Since you've joined the Lingxiao Sect, why didn't you come looking for me?" Gu Fan asked softly.

Qi Lingyun pursed her lips and said directly, "I originally planned to visit the elders after I reached the Foundation Establishment stage."

Gu Fan understood upon hearing this.

If Qi Lingyun had come to Gu Fan when she joined the Lingxiao Sect, Gu Fan would have taken care of her, but that would have been all.

But if she can successfully establish her foundation and demonstrate her value, she will naturally be looked up to.

Gu Fan didn't expose her thoughts, and teased, "You lost the competition today, are you unwilling to accept it?"

Qi Lingyun hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Being defeated by the opponent's magical artifact was naturally unacceptable; otherwise, they wouldn't have ignored the rest of the duel and gone straight to Wendao Peak to comprehend magic.

"Speaking of which, the magical artifact that Meng Xu uses was bestowed upon him by me."

Seeing Qi Lingyun's surprised look, Gu Fan suggested, "How about I bestow upon you a magical artifact as well?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder, but I don't need the magic weapon!" Qi Lingyun shook her head and continued, "This disciple intends to study the art of weapon crafting and use the magic weapons I forge myself to win in the future."

Gu Fan laughed upon hearing this and pointed, saying, "So this is where I was waiting."

After pondering for a moment, Gu Fan took out a jade slip, inscribed it, and tossed it to Qi Lingyun: "If you want to comprehend the way of weapon crafting, you must master the art of fire control and be proficient in rune restrictions."

"Take this jade slip and return in three months. If you can decipher the knowledge recorded within, I will personally teach you the art of weapon crafting, shall I?"

Qi Lingyun quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Elder!"

A moment later, Qi Lingyun left with a joyful expression, holding the jade slip.

Gu Fan smiled gently.

Qi Lingyun's ability to cultivate high-grade techniques demonstrates his good comprehension. If he can pass the test, he wouldn't mind taking on another disciple.