Treasure Gathering Immortal Furnace

With the Demon Extermination Conference approaching, Wang Qingzhu arranged for Lu Fan to stay in the Hall of Affairs in order to give him more ways to protect himself.

It wouldn't normally be a big deal, but in the eyes of some outer sect cultivators, it was a completely different story.

Almost all the outer disciples could see Lu Fan limping around the hall where Wang Qingzhu was.

This made many outer disciples extremely envious, and they gathered not far from the Hall of Affairs, whispering among themselves.

"Hiss, what's so great about this cripple that he's managed to get personal training from Uncle Wang and even live with him!"

"Yeah, this guy only reached the tenth level of Qi Refining in nearly thirty years. His aptitude is terrible. What makes him so special?"

"Hey, do you guys think this cripple might be Uncle Wang's illegitimate son?"

"Tsk tsk, you know what, it's actually possible! After all, aside from illegitimate children, it's hard to imagine why Uncle Wang would care about a cripple."

Just as the male and female cultivators were whispering to each other, a Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure suddenly struck.

Several outer disciples were so frightened that they quickly turned around and saw Steward Ma walking over with a gloomy face. They all knelt down on the spot.

"Don't you guys have anything better to do? What nonsense are you spouting!"

"Deacon Wang is pure and virtuous, and has always maintained a clean reputation. How could he possibly have an illegitimate child! If I hear such nonsense again, I'll cut out your tongues!"

Steward Ma said coldly.

"Deacon Ma, please forgive us. We were just jealous of Senior Brother Lu and were talking nonsense!" An outer disciple stammered in fear.

"Get out!" Steward Ma shouted.

The disciples scrambled away.

Then Steward Ma stepped into the Steward's Hall.

Inside the Hall of Deacons, Lu Fan held a long sword, manipulating the sword shadows with sword incantations, while Wang Qingzhu stood by, offering guidance.

In reality, Lu Fan was in a difficult position at this moment, since he had to pretend to be lame while practicing swordsmanship, which was really hard to maintain.

Just then, Steward Ma slowly walked over: "Senior Sister Wang, you're still teaching Junior Nephew Lu how to practice swordsmanship."

"Junior Brother Ma, is something the matter?" Wang Qingzhu asked.

Lu Fan stopped what he was doing, bowed to Steward Ma, and then stepped aside.

"Hehe, didn't I recently break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment by sheer luck? I was selected by the Inner Sect's Core Formation Elder to participate in the Demon Extermination Conference, so I have a few things I'd like to ask Senior Sister Wang for help with." Despite his fierce demeanor, Steward Ma was as docile as a pet in front of Wang Qingzhu.

Lu Fan, standing to the side, was also slightly surprised. He hadn't expected that Steward Ma had actually reached the late Foundation Establishment stage. He remembered that when he first joined Steward Ma's ranks, he was just a beginner cultivator who had just established his foundation and was serving as a steward.

Lu Fan hadn't seen Steward Ma in seclusion much, but he had still reached the late stage, so it seemed he had something special.

"What? You also want to compete with me for the materials for the Golden Marrow Pill?" Wang Qingzhu raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of displeasure.

"No, no! I've just entered the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and I still have a long lifespan ahead of me. I plan to consolidate my cultivation for several decades before attempting to form the Golden Core. I'm not in a hurry to seek the Golden Marrow Pill right now," Steward Ma hurriedly denied.

"What is it?" Wang Qingzhu asked.

"Isn't this the late stage of Foundation Establishment, where I'm supposed to fight those evil cultivators who are also in the late stage of Foundation Establishment? I've only just entered this stage."

"My strength is actually only slightly stronger than that of an average mid-stage cultivator. Furthermore, I am not good at combat. If I encounter any danger, I would appreciate your help, Senior Sister."

Steward Ma cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said...

"I will help you within my capabilities; there is no need to ask," Wang Qingzhu slowly raised her hand.

"I'm relieved to hear your words, Senior Sister. You can continue practicing your swordsmanship. I won't disturb you any longer," Steward Ma said with a smile as he left the Steward's Hall after receiving Wang Qingzhu's promise.

It must be said that Wang Qingzhu held a rather high position in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

If he forms his Golden Core in the future, with his identity as a sword cultivator, he will definitely be one of the best among those in the early stages of the Golden Core realm.

"Keep practicing," Wang Qingzhu said.

Lu Fan nodded and then continued practicing his swordsmanship.

Nine days have passed in the blink of an eye, which means there is only one day left until the Demon Extermination Conference.

Under Wang Qingzhu's intensive training, Lu Fan also gained a lot of insight into the secrets of swordsmanship.

After all, these experiences were practical tips that Wang Qingzhu had gained from years of fighting against others and gaining experience in the outside world, and they were very useful.

On the ninth night, Lu Fan decided not to continue training, but instead conserved his energy to prepare for the upcoming demon-slaying conference.

After spending eight or nine days together, Lu Fan and Wang Qingzhu's relationship had grown much closer.

Although they were not formally apprenticed, their relationship was even closer than that of master and disciple.

That night, Wang Qingzhu had no heart for cultivation. Instead, she sat alone in the pavilion in the courtyard of the Hall of Affairs, staring blankly at the bright moon in the sky.

She's been spacing out like this for more than just a day or two.

This happened almost every day during the time Lu Fan spent with him.

She was either watching the birds in the treetops or staring blankly at the moon, looking preoccupied.

"Uncle-Master, you look at the birds and the moon every day, is something on your mind?" Lu Fan asked as he walked over.

In the past, Wang Qingzhu would never have said anything useless to Lu Fan.

However, after spending the past few days together, Wang Qingzhu and Lu Fan had grown closer, and she finally spoke up, "It's not really anything on my mind, it's just that I want to leave the Dao Sect and start my own sect after I reach the Core Formation stage."

"But I'm afraid the Supreme Elder won't agree. If we force him to go, will we fall out?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan was stunned and said, "My uncle holds a high position in the Dao Sect. If he has truly formed his core, he must be an inner sect elder. Why is he leaving?"

"You're just a Qi Refining stage cultivator, how could you possibly understand the intricacies of this?"

"You may think I'm living a glamorous life, but the shackles I wear are already too heavy to bear."

Wang Qingzhu shook her head.

In fact, she didn't want to say these things, but having been alone all these years, she had no one to confide in, and keeping them bottled up inside was a hurdle she couldn't overcome.

Fortunately, Lu Fan wasn't the type to talk big, and he also preferred to be alone, so Wang Qingzhu could talk to him without any reservations.

"This disciple's cultivation is shallow, and I truly do not know the schemes and plots of high-level cultivators," Lu Fan shook his head.

"Actually, I was picked up by the Supreme Elder. I have the same background as you, but my talent is better than yours, and I am a born swordsman."

"It is precisely because of my sword embryo physique that I am unable to control my own destiny."

Wang Qingzhu spoke slowly.

Upon hearing the words "Sword Embryo," Lu Fan was visibly startled, as he had seen this type of physique in his cultivation notes.

This physique is extremely powerful, but it doesn't refer to one's own combat strength. Rather, it refers to the ability of a cultivator with this physique to cultivate a sword-like magic weapon within their body once they form their core.

So, after decades or even centuries of nurturing, this magical artifact may become a true treasure!

The weapons used by cultivators are divided into four levels: magic tools, magic treasures, true treasures, and innate true treasures, which are further divided into four grades: low, medium, high, and supreme.

Many Nascent Soul stage monsters only need one top-grade magic weapon to stand out from the crowd.

Not to mention a real treasure!

However, this constitution has a huge drawback: once the nurtured magic weapon becomes a real treasure, it cannot be removed from the body.

Once separated from the body, the sword embryo body will immediately collapse. At best, it will lose all its cultivation and become a mortal with no possibility of cultivation again; at worst, it will shatter and die on the spot.

"Does the Dao Sect intend to use you to nourish their sword?" Lu Fan asked in shock.