Treasure Gathering Immortal Furnace

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Luan, back then Junior Nephew Lu also wanted to join your Wangyue Sect and Fellow Daoist Shi's Qianying Sect. You two have very high standards and didn't think much of my Junior Nephew Lu."

"So, looking at it now, do you regret it?"

Ancestor Jing also smiled and said.

At this moment, Madam Luan's captivating eyes were constantly scrutinizing Lu Fan, and she said, "It seems I really misjudged him. To form a core with mixed spiritual roots, the depth of his opportunity is far beyond what ordinary cultivators can compare to."

"Haha, that's right, that's right!" Old Ancestor Jing burst into laughter, his eyes filled with pride.

After all, the Xuan Yang Sword Sect had been ridiculed for hundreds of years. The emergence of Lu Fan was a great relief for Patriarch Jing.

At this moment, when Lu Fan heard the Nascent Soul cultivator praise his profound opportunities again, he was no longer too afraid, after all, he had Ancestor Jing backing him up.

"Young friend, your talent and opportunity are once in a million years. It's such a waste for you to stay in the Xuan Yang Sword Sect. Would you be interested in joining my Wang Yue Sect?"

"My Moon Gazing Sect is overflowing with beauties, with a huge group of senior and junior sisters. Aren't you tempted?"

Lady Luan smiled faintly and began to speak.

Upon hearing this, Elder Jing's face darkened immediately. He said, "Fellow Daoist Luan, how dare you try to poach my talent right in front of me!"

"Hehe~" Madam Luan covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Just teasing him, look how scared you are."

After regaining her composure, Madam Luan said again, "What do you want to see my disciple for? Do you perhaps want to become Daoist partners with him? My disciple has extremely high standards. Even if this young friend has formed his core with mixed spiritual roots, he will probably only be able to reach the core formation stage for the rest of his life. My disciple may not even be interested in him."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan was also speechless. Even if he wanted to find a Daoist partner, his first choice would be Ye Lingxi, with whom he had shared life-and-death experiences. How could he possibly be interested in other unfamiliar female cultivators?

"Oh dear... Fellow Daoist Luan, what are you talking about? I didn't come here for this matter," Ancestor Jing raised his hand and said, "First, call Chu Lingxue here. I have a fortuitous opportunity to bestow upon her."

Madam Luan didn't know what Old Ancestor Jing was up to, but she still raised her hand and sent out a communication talisman.

A moment later, a beautiful figure swiftly arrived and landed lightly on the pavilion.

The woman was dressed in green, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. She had extremely beautiful features, but she exuded a coldness that kept people at a distance. She stood there with an upright posture, neither smiling nor speaking, like ice that had never melted for a thousand years.

"Disciple greets Master," Chu Lingxue walked up to Madam Luan and slowly bowed.

"Yes, this is Senior Jing, whom you have met before, and his Core Formation disciple, Lu Fan," Madam Luan raised her hand to introduce Elder Jing and Lu Fan.

"Chu Lingxue greets Senior Jing and Fellow Daoist Lu," Chu Lingxue said, bowing slowly to the two of them. Lu Fan returned the bow.

"No need, no need. Tsk tsk, I really didn't expect it. I remember when Madam Luan took you as her disciple, you were only this tall," Fellow Daoist Jing gestured, and then said, "In the blink of an eye, a hundred years have passed. The little girl from back then has become a Core Formation cultivator who can stand on her own."

"You flatter me, senior. I am grateful for my master's trust and support, which is why I have come this far despite the difficulties," Chu Lingxue said in a calm tone, indicating that she rarely showed any emotion.

"Fellow Daoist Jing, Ling Xue is here too. Please feel free to speak your mind," said Madam Luan.

"Is young friend Chu from Li Huo Cave also participating this time? Well, my junior nephew Lu has only recently formed his core and his cultivation is shallow. He is representing the Xuan Yang Sword Sect in entering Li Huo Cave this time."

"However, he had some friction with the disciples of Sword Pavilion in his early years, so I would like to ask young friend Chu to form an alliance with Lu Fan and look out for each other."

"Old Ancestor Jing said slowly."

Upon hearing this, Chu Lingxue immediately looked at Lu Fan. Perhaps because she hadn't left the sect much, she was unfamiliar with Lu Fan's name and was somewhat bewildered. Then she looked at Madam Luan.

Madam Luan then realized why Jing Chuan had come and said, "So that's what it is. For this trip to the Li Huo Cave, my Wang Yue Sect only sent Ling Xue. She can only protect herself and I'm afraid she can't spare the time to help others."

Although Madam Luan was amazed that Lu Fan had formed his core with mixed spiritual roots, she was not optimistic about his combat ability. After all, he had only recently formed his core and his strength was definitely not up to par. If Chu Lingxue were to take care of him, he would obviously be a hindrance.

"Senior, although I have reached the mid-stage of Core Formation, the disciples from the sects who went to explore for treasures this time are all the prodigies of their respective sects. I am afraid that I am willing but unable, and may even implicate Fellow Daoist Lu," Chu Lingxue refused without thinking.

Lu Fan's expression didn't change much, which was within his expectations. How could a cultivator at the peak of the mid-stage of Core Formation be willing to take on a cultivator who had only recently formed Core Formation? He would have thought about it seriously if he were in Lu Fan's shoes.

"Hehe, don't worry, I certainly won't let young friend Chu help for nothing," said Ancestor Jing. With a wave of his hand, a bead emitting a faint cold light landed in his hand. He said, "This is the Ice Soul Bead, a rare ice-type treasure. I remember that young friend Chu has a mutated ice-type Heavenly Spirit Root. If you wear this bead while cultivating, you will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Upon seeing the white pearl in Elder Jing's hand, Chu Lingxue's eyes lit up, and she revealed a rare change in expression.

"You old man Jing, you weren't willing to trade this Ice Soul Pearl for an ancient treasure back then, but now you're willing to give it up!" Madam Luan was also slightly surprised, as if she could see that Jing Chuan had gone to great lengths to help his sect's only Core Formation cultivator.

"Wouldn't it be better to give it away for free now?" Jingchuan smiled and said.

"Lingxue, it's up to you whether you want to or not," Madam Luan said, looking at Chu Lingxue.

"This Ice Soul Pearl is indeed beneficial to my cultivation, but the Blazing Fire Cave is extremely dangerous. I cannot put myself in danger for the sake of an Ice Soul Pearl," Chu Lingxue said, then looked at Lu Fan and Jing Chuan and added, "Since Senior Jing has gifted me this treasure, I cannot refuse him. How about I spar with this Fellow Daoist Lu to see his strength before deciding whether to form an alliance?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Chuan frowned slightly and said, "Young friend Chu, Lu Fan has only been at the Core Formation stage for a few years and hasn't even refined his natal magic weapon yet. He will hardly be able to hold his own in your hands."

Jingchuan was unaware that Lu Fan had already forged the Azure Netherworld Devouring Light Sword, so he concluded that Lu Fan definitely couldn't defeat him.

"Senior Jing, rest assured, I will not use my natal magic weapon. I will simply spar with Fellow Daoist Lu. If Fellow Daoist Lu can withstand ten moves from me, I can form an alliance with him," Chu Lingxue replied.

"Aren't you deliberately making things difficult for my nephew?" Jing Chuan was also somewhat displeased at this moment, after all, he was about to give away the Ice Soul Pearl, and it was still so troublesome.

At this moment, Chu Lingxue wanted the Ice Soul Pearl, but was also afraid that bringing Lu Fan along would be a hindrance. So she proposed a sparring match. If Lu Fan couldn't even last ten moves, then bringing him along would only be a hindrance, and she didn't need the Ice Soul Pearl.

If he manages to survive ten moves, it means Lu Fan still has the ability to protect himself, so it wouldn't hurt to bring him along.

Lu Fan saw through Chu Lingxue's thoughts and stepped forward, saying, "Ancestor, Fellow Daoist Chu's request for a spar is perfectly reasonable. Although my cultivation is inferior, I certainly won't be unable to withstand even ten moves."