Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Before Zhou Cheng could finish speaking, You Qian gently shook his head.

A mysterious look appeared on his face as he whispered, "Senior Brother Zhou, Junior Brother Fang, everyone says that Third Senior Sister disappeared after the martial arts examination, but that's not true."

"Oh?" Fang Xia and Zhou Cheng looked at him with puzzled expressions.

"Third Senior Sister was exceptionally talented and had a cold and aloof temperament." You Qian's eyes were filled with reminiscence. "When she overpowered all the heroes on the martial arts arena, she happened to be noticed by a master from the Yuan Yang Sect who was watching the ceremony!"

The master immediately offered to take her as a disciple, and the third senior sister followed him directly into the Yuan Yang Sect to cultivate.

The so-called "disappearance" is merely a cover-up to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Fang Xia was shocked. He realized that there was such a shortcut to joining a martial arts sect.

At the same time, he also grasped the deeper meaning in You Qian's words.

The path of martial arts, besides the Qingyun Society, has its own shortcuts for those with extraordinary talent!

However, Fang Xia also knew that he had mediocre natural talent.

That shortcut to heaven was as elusive to him as a flower in water or the moon in a mirror.

"If I want to join the Yuanyang Sect, there is only one way: the Qingyun Society."

As Fang Xia's thoughts raced, she felt an even greater anticipation for the "late bloomer" destiny.

As the three of them spoke in hushed tones, Ning Tianyang and the others also began to talk.

Ji Baiyue was tall and handsome, and Ning Tianyang bowed respectfully.

"Disciple Baiyue greets Master."

My return has two purposes: first, to protect my fellow disciples during the autumn hunt; second...

I have been diligently cultivating at the Taoist temple, and recently I have had some insights. I am very close to the state of opening the meridians and gathering qi.

However, this pass cannot be breached without immense spiritual power.

I humbly request my master... could you please allocate some more qi and blood-nourishing medicine to help me?

If I succeed, I will surely stand out at the Qingyun Gathering and bring glory to my master and the Sanyang Hall!

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Ning Tianyang's eyes, and his face was filled with surprise.

"Good! Good! Good! Baiyue, you have indeed not disappointed your master!"

Breaking through to the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm is a great fortune for our Sanyang Hall!

As for resources, I will take care of them for you and ensure your success!

Ning Tianyang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his joy overflowing.

If the eldest disciple can break through to the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm, he will have a good chance of standing out at the Qingyun Gathering two years later.

Once Ji Baiyue joins the Yuanyang Sect, the reputation of the Sanyang Hall will be completely different!

However, Lin You, standing behind Ning Tianyang, upon hearing "increased resource allocation,"

A shadow of gloom swept quickly past beneath his lowered eyelids.

He pursed his lips, indignant: "Add more resources? Sanyang Hall's resources are already strained!"

If Master gives most of the resources to the eldest brother, what about me?

"This is a critical time when I need resources! Won't my share have to be drastically reduced?"

Lin You felt a surge of anger, watching helplessly as what belonged to him was forcibly taken away.

But seeing Ning Tianyang's cheerful smile, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction and dare not show it at all.

Han Zhi Qiu, standing to the side, took in every subtle change.

He remained expressionless, a smile playing on his lips, and at the opportune moment, cupped his hands to congratulate Ji Baiyue: "Congratulations, Senior Brother, you're just around the corner to reach the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm!"

Junior brother wishes senior brother every success and a resounding success at the Qingyun Gathering!

Lin You reacted quickly. Seeing Han Zhiqi speak, he immediately suppressed his resentment and respectfully bowed as well: "Congratulations, Senior Brother! With your extraordinary talent, Senior Brother will surely succeed in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing Lin You speak, Han Zhiqi's gaze held a hint of scrutiny before turning to Ning Tianyang with a gentle smile: "Master, this must be the newly initiated junior brother, right?"

When I was at the Taoist academy, I heard that my master had taken in another genius, but I have not been able to return to see him.

I've finally met you today; you certainly have an extraordinary presence.

Ning Tianyang was in a good mood and stroked his beard, laughing, "Indeed. Lin You, why don't you quickly pay your respects to your eldest and fourth senior brothers?"

Lin You quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ji Baiyue and Han Zhiqi: "Lin You greets Senior Brother! Greetings to Fourth Senior Brother!"

Ji Baiyue nodded slightly, a gentle gaze sweeping over Lin You: "Yes, Junior Brother, there's no need for such formalities."

I've long heard that you possess the innate talent of a superior-grade cultivator, and that you've already broken through several levels in just over a month since you entered the sect—truly remarkable.

His tone was approving, but he paused slightly, adding an invisible pressure.

"Your master has high hopes for you and spares no effort in allocating resources to you."

You must cherish this opportunity, diligently cultivate yourself, and never let your master down.

"From now on, you must be careful in your words and deeds, lest you tarnish the reputation of a direct disciple of my Sanyang Hall."

These words sound like encouragement, but they actually carry a hint of warning.

This senior disciple appears to be upright and honest, but in reality, he is selfish and self-serving.

She harbored a subtle sense of resentment towards Lin You, who might take away her resources.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. I will certainly live up to Master's expectations!" Lin You smiled, but anger was rising in his heart.

Han Zhi Qiu smiled, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

He was a smooth and deep man, and when he saw Lin You's ability to be flexible and adaptable, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

This junior brother is no pushover either; his temperament is remarkably steadfast.

"By the way, Master," Han Zhiqi changed the subject at the right moment, her tone filled with concern.

"My second senior brother asked me to send his regards to you."

He was responsible for guarding the strategic pass of Black Mountain, and with the demons making frequent unusual moves lately, he simply couldn't leave to return.

Mentioning Li Dutian, Ning Tianyang's smile faded, his gaze turned towards the direction of Black Mountain, and he sighed deeply, "Dutian... he did a very good job."

Black Mountain is a crucial barrier, guarding against demons and protecting the region. This is the destiny and glory of us martial artists.

"From now on, you must always remember that martial arts are not merely about winning and defeating, but also about the heavy responsibility of ensuring the survival of humanity."

Ning Tianyang spoke earnestly, his gaze sweeping over the three personal disciples in front of him.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings, Master!"

Han Zhiqi bowed solemnly and replied, taking these words to heart.

Ji Baiyue quickly and respectfully agreed, but a hint of disapproval flashed in his eyes.

In Ji Baiyue's view, demons and monsters were the business of the Demon Suppression Division.

He was pursuing a higher level of martial arts and a brighter future for the Yuan Yang Sect.

Lin You nodded in agreement, but his mind was clearly still on the resources.

.......

As Ning Tianyang and the others were talking, all the disciples of Sanyang Hall who were participating in the autumn hunt had arrived.

On the training ground, there were eighty-seven disciples at the outer cultivation level. Some were nervous, some were excited, and some were calm.

Besides Ji Baiyue and Han Zhiqi, there is another veteran disciple with a cold and stern face, Feng Heng, who is also a martial artist who has mastered the Inner Cultivation Heavenly Ladder.

Among those who have reached the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm, only Ning Tianyang has achieved it.

Ning Tianyang said no more, and waved his hand: "Let's go!"

"Moo!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a powerful roar came from the side gate of the training ground, a sound like muffled thunder rolling, making people's eardrums buzz.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a servant leading a 'monster' to Ning Tianyang's side.

This beast resembles a blue ox, is enormous, covered in light blue fur, and has bulging muscles.

What is most striking is the pair of horns on its head, the horns of which have a warm, jade-like color and a subtle luster.

This beast has four thick, pillar-like hooves, and when it steps on the ground, the ground trembles slightly.

Its enormous, bell-like eyes swept over the crowd, carrying a kind of spiritual insight that understood human nature.

Fang Xia sensed that the beast's aura was so strong that it had reached the level of an Inner Refinement Heavenly Ladder martial artist!

"Azure Ox!" a knowledgeable senior disciple exclaimed in a low voice.

Fang Xia was also seeing such a magnificent spirit beast for the first time, and he was deeply shocked.

You Qian, standing to the side, whispered a timely reminder, his tone tinged with pride: "Junior Brother Fang, this is the spirit beast mount 'Azure Ox' that Master has carefully raised."

This beast possesses immense strength and astonishing endurance, and is also gifted with the ability to control water and soil. Its strength is comparable to that of a martial artist at the Inner Refinement Heavenly Ladder Realm.

It's the perfect stamina for long journeys and traversing mountains.

"Spirit beasts?" Fang Xia grasped the key word and, recalling all sorts of demons and ferocious beasts, couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother You, what's the difference between these spirit beasts and those ferocious demons?"

Although its aura was strong, there was no sign of violence in its eyes.

You Qian nodded approvingly: "Good question. Spirit beasts and demon beasts may seem to have the same origin, but in reality they are worlds apart."

Although spirit beasts also possess demonic power, most of them are relatively gentle in nature and have higher intelligence.

They can be tamed and subdued through various means, such as being raised and nurtured by martial artists from a young age, or having a symbiotic contract established with them so that they willingly become their companions.

He pointed to the Azure Ox that stood obediently beside Ning Tianyang, letting him stroke its neck.

"And the demonic beasts..." You Qian's tone turned cold, with a hint of disgust, "are beings whose minds have been deeply corrupted by the demonic power of heaven and earth."

They are ferocious, bloodthirsty, and mentally dulled, possessing only the instinct for destruction.

They are almost impossible to truly tame, and even if they are temporarily suppressed by secret techniques, they may turn against their master at any time, making them extremely dangerous.

This is why a powerful spirit beast mount is often worth more than ten times that of a demon beast of the same rank!

You Qian paused, looking at the magnificent Azure Ox with envy in his eyes, "Master's Azure Ox is in its prime, with pure blood."

With such formidable strength and such a docile temperament, it could fetch at least thirty thousand taels of silver! And there would be no market for it!

Thirty thousand taels!

Fang Xia gasped inwardly; this was enough to bankrupt a martial artist at the Inner Refinement Heaven Ladder level.