Mortal: Reborn in Yellow Maple Valley, Awakening the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts

Seeing this, Chu Zifei knew that the two people did not know how to address him, so he stopped hiding it, slightly released the powerful blood energy in his body, and at the same time raised his hand to hand over the personal disciple token.

The two disciples on duty clearly felt the Foundation Establishment aura emanating from Chu Zifei. After glancing at the identity badge on his token, their attitude became even more respectful. They lowered their heads and whispered, "Greetings, Martial Uncle! Do you have any instructions, Martial Uncle?"

Chu Zifei didn't mince words; his tone was straightforward and direct: "Is Senior Brother Sect Leader inside the hall? I have important matters to discuss with him."

Both were low-level Qi Refining cultivators, and upon hearing this, they dared not delay. The disciple on the right was extremely quick-witted and immediately cupped his hands in response, saying, "The Sect Leader is handling affairs inside the hall. Please follow me, Uncle-Master."

Chu Zifei nodded slightly and followed the disciple through the corridors and pavilions, all the way to the main hall.

The main hall was spotless, elegant and tidy. Cultivation proverbs hung on the four walls, and the air was filled with the fragrance of ink. It shed the solemnity of the sect's halls and gained a more gentle and refined scholarly atmosphere.

Inside the hall, Sect Leader Zhong Lingdao was bent over his desk, pen in hand, intently reviewing documents. Hearing footsteps approaching, he looked up and saw a young cultivator with an unfamiliar face, a hint of surprise flashing across his eyes.

Before he could even ask, the disciple leading the way stepped forward, bowed, and reported, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, this senior uncle has important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingdao's curiosity grew even stronger. Having led the sect for many years, he was extremely familiar with the cultivators of his generation within the valley, yet he had never seen someone so young to have successfully established their foundation. He immediately waved for the disciples on duty to leave, then turned his gaze back to Chu Zifei, asking gently, "May I ask which elder you are under, Junior Brother?"

Chu Zifei stepped forward half a step, bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Leader! Junior Brother Chu Zifei recently achieved Foundation Establishment and was favored by Elder Lei Wanhe, who accepted him as a disciple. I have come today for two reasons: first, to inform the Sect Leader about my Foundation Establishment, and second, to request the Sect Leader to grant me the authority to open a cave dwelling."

"Oh, it's you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingdao instantly understood, his face showing a look of realization.

He had heard about the controversy surrounding the Blood Forbidden Trial and knew that two talented individuals had emerged from it. Although their cultivation levels were at the bottom when they participated in the trial, they were able to shine brightly. Afterwards, they were respectively accepted as disciples by the Core Formation Elders Li Huayuan and Lei Wanhe of the valley, and are now the most talked-about Qi Refining stage disciples in the sect recently.

He gently stroked the three strands of long beard under his chin, his eyes smiling, and said sincerely, "Congratulations! Junior Brother has achieved Foundation Establishment at such a young age. Our Yellow Maple Valley has gained another high-level cultivator. It is truly a blessing for the sect."

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"Senior Brother Sect Leader, you flatter me." Chu Zifei bowed slightly, his tone humble and indifferent. "I only managed to break through by chance with a Foundation Establishment Pill and a bit of good luck. I dare not accept such praise."

Seeing that he was neither arrogant nor impatient, and acted with composure, Zhong Lingdao nodded inwardly, smiled faintly, and did not engage in further pleasantries. He did not have much of an impression of this newly promoted disciple of Elder Lei, but had only heard rumors about the disciples in the valley by chance.

After a few casual words, Zhong Lingdao gestured for Chu Zifei to wait a moment, then turned and walked out of the main hall to retrieve the sect's disciple roster.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhong Lingdao returned to the hall with a jade tablet in his hand.

He picked up the specially made gold-lacquered spirit brush and solemnly wrote the three characters "Chu Zifei" at the very end of the densely packed list of names on the jade register, thus officially registering him into the sect's roster of high-ranking disciples and confirming his formal identity.

After finishing writing, Zhong Lingdao put away the jade plate, took out the sect's reward for Foundation Establishment cultivators from his storage bag, and handed it to Chu Zifei along with the tracking flag, which was essential for opening a cave dwelling.

After doing all this, he thought that Chu Zifei would thank him and then take his leave, but unexpectedly, the other party asked a question at the right time.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you have a topographical map of the Bengu Mountain Range? Marking the sect's territory and the cave dwelling areas that have already been occupied?"

Zhong Lingdao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He had been in charge of the sect for many years and had seen countless Foundation Establishment disciples apply for cave dwellings, but this was the first time someone had specifically asked for a topographical map to carefully select one.

He quickly regained his senses, immediately took out a scroll, spread it out on the table, and pointed to the outline of the mountain range in the picture, saying, "This entire mountain range is under the jurisdiction of my Yellow Maple Valley. Only the eastern mountain range is mostly the cave dwellings of Core Formation elders, with many restrictions, so do not enter without permission. As for the rest of the area, Junior Brother can choose freely to open up cave dwellings."

Chu Zifei lowered his head and looked down, his gaze sweeping across the entire map, his eyes quickly passing over the various cave dwelling locations.

Suddenly, his peripheral vision fixed on a mountain peak in the southwest corner. The peak was heavily circled in red, and the word "waste" was prominently marked on the side.

He pointed to the spot and asked in a deep voice, "Sect Leader, why is this place marked with the character '废' (waste)?"

Zhong Lingdao followed his finger and casually explained, "In the past, disciples also opened caves on this solitary peak. However, a few years ago, the geothermal activity at the foot of the peak suddenly surged, and the surging geothermal heat caused a wildfire that burned down the entire mountain."

"Although this place is rich in geothermal heat, it is useless for refining pills and weapons because the heat is too complicated and difficult to control. However, if it is used as a residence for cultivators, it is too hot and unsuitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators to meditate and cultivate daily. Over time, no one has paid any attention to it and it has been completely abandoned."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Chu Zifei's eyes. What others would avoid at all costs was, to him, a tailor-made cultivation paradise!

The continuous flow of true fire and turbid energy from the earth is an excellent aid for tempering the body and refining the bones. With this geothermal warmth year-round, his physical cultivation will surely progress by leaps and bounds!

Having set his goal in mind, Chu Zifei asked no more questions, immediately bowed, and took his leave.

Zhong Lingdao personally escorted him to the outside of the hall. Watching the young man calmly leave, he thought to himself: This young man has reached the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age and is valued by Elder Lei. His opportunities are truly far beyond those of ordinary people.

After leaving the council hall, Chu Zifei did not rush to the abandoned, solitary peak.

As dusk approached, visibility was poor in the mountains, making things difficult. He decided to return to his outer sect residence first and set off for the abandoned southwest peak the next day to begin excavating the cave dwelling.

The next morning, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Chu Zifei got up early, lightly tapped his feet with spiritual energy, and sped away through the mountains and forests.

After driving at high speed for most of the day, he finally arrived at the southwestern outskirts of the Taiyue Mountains and slowly stopped and landed.

He carefully compared the location with his memory and searched, and after a moment, the abandoned, solitary peak finally came into view.

Chu Zifei stood at the foot of the peak, gazing up at the mountain scenery before him. Even though he had been prepared, he was still quite taken aback.

Before me stood steep, rugged peaks, the entire mountainside barren and devoid of any vegetation or lush forests. All that could be seen was exposed, yellowish-brown rock and soil, an extremely barren and desolate landscape.

The mountainside is covered with mottled, blackened burn marks, remnants of the devastating wildfires of yesteryear. The spiritual energy here is thin and scattered, far inferior to that of the sect's core area, and the place exudes a sense of desolation and ruin.

This made him doubt his own judgment, wondering if it was accurate.

"Now that we've come this far, let's go inside and see what's going on."

Chu Zifei shook his head slightly, suppressing his surprise, and stepped into the depths of the mountain.

The deeper you go into the heart of the area, the more pronounced the smoke and fire marks become on the rock walls, and the more distinct the sweltering heat becomes.

As they walked deeper into the mountainside, an abandoned cave finally came into view.

The cave entrance is wide, about ten zhang in size, and the surrounding rock walls are all blackened and hardened by the mountain fire. The ground at the cave entrance is littered with broken stones.

Before you even get close, a wave of heat hits you.

Chu Zifei stood at the cave entrance, quietly feeling the rising geothermal temperature inside, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.