Xu Chuan took out the rubbing of the Lunar Moon Brilliance Art.
Murong Yun swept her divine sense over it.
"This cultivation method must have been created by someone blending the Foundation Establishment Chapter of the Water Emperor Scripture with an Extreme Yin Cultivation Method. Although it has some ingenuity, it wastes Xu Deyue's physique.
Given her current age, if she spends some time reshaping her foundation, there is still time.
Xu Deyue's physique is the Extreme Yin Extreme Cold Physique. Practicing an Extreme Yin Cultivation Method or an Extreme Cold Cultivation Method would be very suitable for her. I have two Azure Dragon Sect true inheritances in my hands that I can pass down.
The first is the Water Emperor Scripture, but for this method, I only have up to the Golden Core chapter. I do not have the cultivation methods for the Nascent Soul level and above.
The second is my main cultivation method, the Pure Maiden Supreme Yin Scripture. It can be cultivated up to the Early Integration Stage, but before reaching the Integration stage with this method, her primordial yin must not be broken.
Otherwise, her magical power and divine abilities will be greatly weakened, and she will never be able to advance another inch for the rest of her life."
"I need to think about this matter."
"Understood."
After saying this, Murong Yun stopped speaking. Xu Chuan glanced at the Supreme Yin flying sword and immediately put it away.
The next day.
Xu Chuan called Xu Deyue over.
"Grandfather, did you need me for something?"
"Last time in the secret realm, your grandfather obtained a magic treasure named Supreme Yin. It is perfectly suited to your physique, and hidden within the magic treasure is a wisp of a senior's primordial spirit from the ancient Azure Dragon Sect.
She became an artifact spirit to survive until today. Now that she has awakened, she wishes to borrow your body for nourishment.
Put simply, it will become your natal magic treasure and grow alongside you.
Your grandfather is now a Candidate True Disciple of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect. To some extent, she can be considered my senior sister."
"Grandfather, I am willing. Since you brought it up, you must feel that it is beneficial for both me and the Xu Family, right?"
Xu Chuan nodded with a smile. "I have already forced her to swear an oath that she will not harm our Xu Family. Furthermore, she was once a mighty figure who had just entered the Divine Transformation stage, and she holds the true inheritances of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect.
Currently, she has two cultivation methods suited to your physique."
Saying that, he gave a brief introduction.
Hearing this, Xu Deyue fell silent for a moment before looking up at Xu Chuan. "Grandfather, I have thought it over. I choose the Water Emperor Scripture.
Sister Deling has mastered the Fire Emperor Scripture, and you cultivate the Wood Emperor Scripture. That means we are only missing the Earth Emperor Scripture and the Metal Emperor Scripture.
These five cultivation methods are interconnected and have an extraordinary origin. For our Xu Family, this should be the best choice."
"I am very gratified, but you cannot hide it from me. You must have other considerations, right? Like Ye Fan?"
A rare look of shyness appeared on Xu Deyue's usually cold and clear face.
"However, Deyue, you must understand that in this matter, I will only agree to Ye Fan taking a live-in son-in-law marriage. Even though he is my sole disciple, he is no exception.
You can ask Ye Fan about this matter yourself; I will not get involved.
If he agrees, once our Xu Family finishes remodeling Cloudstream Town, I will take charge and arrange a grand wedding for the two of you."
"I understand."
Having obtained this opportunity, Xu Deyue would become a Nascent Soul level combatant for the Xu Family in the future. Naturally, it was impossible for her to marry out.
Three days later.
Xu Deyue officially accepted the Supreme Yin.
Although she could not completely refine the Supreme Yin at this time, with the artifact spirit acknowledging her as its master, a natural connection formed between her and the magic treasure, allowing her to control it.
The Supreme Yin automatically flew into Xu Deyue's dantian to be nourished by her divine sense and mana.
Xu Deyue did not hesitate much either, explaining her situation and the marriage arrangement to him.
"A live-in son-in-law marriage?" Ye Fan fell into brief thought upon hearing this, then looked up and chuckled. "There is nothing wrong with that."
"You don't mind? With your innate aptitude, you could even establish a Golden Core aristocratic family of your own in the future."
"If it weren't for Honored Master, I would still be a boy bullied by everyone in the Cao clan. When I grew up, I would likely have been reduced to a breeding stallion for the Cao Family to produce excellent descendants.
If it weren't for the Xu Family, I could not have reached the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment at merely twenty years of age.
Besides, my personality isn't suited for establishing a family.
Currently, my sole hope is to cultivate diligently. One day, I will form a Golden Core, return to Great Wei, crush the Cao Imperial Palace, and avenge my mother!
As for the live-in son-in-law marriage, as long as I can be with you, Sister Yue, what does a mere reputation matter?
Perhaps one day in the future, when the Xu Family becomes a Nascent Soul noble family, countless male cultivators will consider it an honor to marry into the Xu Family!"
Xu Deyue covered her mouth and chuckled.
That very day, Xu Deyue and Ye Fan went to Xu Chuan and clarified the matter.
Xu Chuan was also quite pleased.
If Ye Fan had refused, he feared Deyue might become another Deling in the future.
When Xu Mingxian found out, he did not object either.
Afterwards.
Xu Deyue went into seclusion to accept Murong Yun's inheritance, cleanse her marrow, clear her meridians, and reshape her foundation.
With Murong Yun's help and a Spirit-Purifying Pill from Xu Chuan, she didn't have to start over from the 1st Layer of Qi Condensation, but rather from the First-Layer Foundation Establishment.
Her meridians became much broader, and her mana grew far more vigorous.
Her Extreme Yin Extreme Cold Physique also became even purer.
Following this effort, Murong Yun entered a short slumber, which would last a few months at the least, or a year or two at most.
Xu Chuan prioritized supplying Origin-Gathering Pills to Xu Deyue and had her cultivate in seclusion right at the core of the spirit vein.
With her foundation and the aid of Xu Chuan's pills, she could return to the Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment in four or five years. Moreover, due to her robust foundation, she definitely wouldn't be inferior to an ordinary Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Xu Chuan himself also received guidance from Murong Yun, learning how to walk the Divine Ability Golden Core Path.
————————————
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
A grand Xu Clan Residence rose from the ground, occupying three-quarters of the Tier 2 Spirit Vein. A plaza was built on the remaining quarter, where a three-story Cultivation Treasure Tower stood tall.
This Cultivation Treasure Tower was constructed entirely from Dark Green Profound Stone. It narrowed layer by layer from the bottom to the top, yet its imposing aura grew ever more upright and prominent.
The base of the tower covered nearly an acre. A Mountain-Suppressing Stone Lion stood at each of its four corners, a Glistening White Spirit Pearl held in their mouths, absorbing and releasing the surrounding spiritual qi day and night.
The pedestal was carved with cloud patterns and spirit lines. Flowing light faintly traveled between the patterns, subtly resonating with the aura of the Tier 2 Spirit Vein, solidifying the foundation of the entire tower.
The first floor was suitable for Qi Condensation Stage cultivators to practice in, containing thirty-six cultivation rooms.
Each cultivation room was tightly sealed, set up with a Spiritual Sense and Sound Wave Isolation Restriction.
Although sound could not be transmitted out, it could be transmitted in.
The second floor was suitable for Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, with eighteen cultivation rooms.
The third floor was the place with the richest spiritual qi in the entire tower, containing five rooms used for breaking through bottlenecks.
For instance, breaking through from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment, or from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.
Of course, it was most effective for breaking through from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment. If used to break through to the Golden Core, it wouldn't offer much of a chance increase.
One would need to be situated on a Tier 3 Spirit Vein at the very least for it to have a meaningful effect.
The entire tower was covered by the peak second-tier grand array deduced by Xu Mingxian, the Sun-Moon Profound Dome Array, which integrated spirit gathering and defense.
Each floor had different restrictions, and one could only ascend by possessing the corresponding Restriction Token.
The restrictions on the cultivation rooms also had to be unlocked with this token.
Because of the presence of the Cultivation Treasure Tower, numerous shops sprang up around the plaza.
Gradually, the commercial center of Cloudstream Town essentially migrated to this area, and the original residents nearby relocated elsewhere.
The entire layout of Cloudstream Town was practically brand new.
The Xu Clan Residence covered several square kilometers and was protected by two major grand arrays.
The outer layer was the Tier 3 Low-Grade Azure Nether Grand Array, and the inner layer was the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array.
The Azure Nether Grand Array had already been exposed during the Yuan Clan's attack, so they simply decided to leave it on display.
As for the future, once Xu Mingxian comprehended a more suitable Tier 3 Grand Array, they could naturally add another layer in between.
This was the foundation of the Xu Family, so naturally, their defensive buffs had to be stacked to the limit.
Additionally, with the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array forming an illusory landscape, outsiders could not see the true state inside the Xu Family at all, while the people inside could see right through to the outside world.
The layout of the residence was similar to the Xu Clan Main Estate in Dongxi. It was divided into seven areas, occupied by Xu Chuan and the six branches led by Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and the others, as well as their descendants.
Among them were flower fields, bamboo forests, ponds, pine forests, streams, and so on.
All the plants cultivated there were spiritual plants. However, most were mere saplings, and it would likely take at least several years for them to mature.
And that was assuming the dense spiritual qi of the Xu Clan Residence, coupled with dedicated caretakers.
The area where Xu Chuan lived was right at the core of the spirit vein, where a Small Herb Garden had been opened up.
He transplanted the Heavenly God Fruit Tree, the locust tree, and the azure spirit tree entirely into the herb garden. The soil in the herb garden consisted of the Profound Yellow Spirit Soil from his potted plant.
It had already been completely used up.
Xu Chuan felt that as long as he could help the Ancient Locust Tree King's descendants gain sentience and become demons, the Tree King wouldn't mind much about the rest.
The entire herb garden was protected by a Tier 3 Low-Grade Grand Array, the Azure Absolute Spirit-Locking Array. Aside from sealing off spiritual qi to further elevate its concentration, it could also isolate the divine sense of Golden Core cultivators.
Xu Chuan had personally tested it, and it was effective!
This array was one of the achievements Xu Mingxian had comprehended over the past half year after obtaining the Cang Family's Formation Dao Inheritance.
Xu Chuan estimated that even if Xu Mingxian completely absorbed all the Formation Dao Inheritance gifted by Cang Fengheng, he still wouldn't have reached his current limit.
He was currently at the Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment, and his divine consciousness was already comparable to Foundation Establishment Perfection.
If his cultivation base reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, his divine consciousness would be expected to hit the absolute limits of the Foundation Establishment stage.
After all, comprehending and researching the Array Dao greatly honed one's divine soul and willpower, making his divine consciousness far surpass cultivators of the same realm. Not to mention, he also had the opportunity of undergoing the Spiritual Thought to Spiritual Consciousness Transformation back in the Qi Condensation Stage.
Even if he fell slightly short, taking two High-Grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills should be enough.
By that point, his speed in comprehending and deducing formations would increase by several times at the very least.
Aside from the Heavenly God Fruit Tree and the others, Xu Chuan subsequently planted quite a few rare spiritual plants, among which were even several stalks of Tier 3 Spirit Medicine.
They were all primary or supplementary spirit medicinal ingredients needed for precious Tier 2 or Tier 3 pills.
Of course, they weren't necessarily a complete set.
After all, some materials had to be planted in specific environments, which was extremely troublesome.
There was no need for such hassle right now.
On the day the residence officially opened.
Xu Chuan invited several Golden Core acquaintances, including Perfected Person Fire Cloud, Chen Changge, Feng Juechen, Cang Yuyang, and Cang Fengheng.
When Perfected Person Fire Cloud, Chen Changge, and Feng Juechen saw the arrival of the two Golden Core cultivators from the Cang Family—both of whom were Mid-stage Golden Core—they were all shocked by Xu Chuan's connections.
When Xu Mingxian arrived, he cupped his hands to Cang Fengheng and said, "This disciple greets Honored Master."
They instantly understood.
"Has your Array Dao progressed during these days?" Cang Fengheng stroked his beard and chuckled.
"Replying to Honored Master, this disciple hasn't dared to slack off for a single day. With the Formation Dao Inheritance passed down by Honored Master, I have gained new insights into formations."
"Very good." Cang Fengheng nodded in satisfaction. "Later on, I will test you."
"Yes."
"Seniors, please follow me to the banquet venue."
Aside from them, the Xu Family had naturally invited the families of Cloudstream Town and some powerful rogue cultivators.
When they saw that the Xu Family's opening banquet had actually drawn five Golden Core Perfected Beings, everyone was inwardly appalled.
With such connections, it was no wonder they had become the lords of Cloudstream just a few short years after arriving in Cloudstream Town.
Anyone with the connections of five Golden Core experts could likely achieve the same.
"Fifth Uncle, congratulations," Xu Deling cupped her hands and laughed. She naturally knew that Xu Mingxian's Array Dao talent was not beneath her Artificing talent, and was perhaps even a cut above.
After all, she wasn't skilled at artifact deduction; otherwise, she would have been able to research and forge Three-Pattern Magic Tools on her own.
However, she was currently close to comprehending the Tier 2 "Fire" Character Artifact Pattern.
In a few years, she would be able to forge Magic Treasures.
As for the Fire Emperor's True Pupil, with the aid of numerous materials, she had also successfully comprehended a trace of Divine Ability Power. But she was still a long way from comprehending its True Intent and truly getting started.
"Mm," Xu Mingxian gave a slight nod. "By the way, you should stay at home for a month or so. Deyue is getting married to Ye Fan."
"They are finally getting together? I noticed the signs the last time I saw them." Xu Deling's eyes curved into a smile. "I understand, I'll let my master know."
"By the way, do you have any thoughts regarding the major events of your own life?"
"Fifth Uncle, I am not the only woman in the Xu Family who is single. Aunt hasn't married yet either, so I'm not in a rush."
"Forget it, since Father doesn't force the issue, why should I? But if you have an heir, perhaps your descendants will also be born with extremely high Artificing talent.
Just like Wu'er, who represents the culmination of your branch's Martial Dao talent!"
Xu Deling fell silent upon hearing this. After a short while, she nodded. "I understand Fifth Uncle's meaning. I will consider it."
The several Golden Core Perfected Beings all presented generous congratulatory gifts.
Especially the Cang Family, who gifted quite a few materials for forging Third-Tier Array Artifacts. Worthy of being a millennium-old aristocratic family, they were indeed rich and overbearing.
He wondered what kind of grand gifts they would present when he or Xu Mingxian stepped into the Golden Core stage.
Xu Chuan felt he could look forward to it a little.
"Elder Feng, to think you also had a friendship with Brother Xu," Chen Changge said as he looked at Feng Juechen.
"Isn't it the same for you, Elder Chen?"
"My friendship with the Xu Family is widely known. But as for you, Elder Feng, if you weren't here today, I'm afraid few people would know about it."
"Daoist Friend Chen, Daoist Friend Feng, today is my Xu Family's opening banquet, and all attendees are our closest friends. There's no need to cross swords, right?"
"Since Brother Xu puts it that way, I will give you face, Brother Xu."
Feng Juechen smiled faintly and did not speak.
"By the way, I heard that the recommendation for the next Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect is in three months. Is this true?"
Cang Yuyang chuckled and said, "Naturally it's true. At that time, the Heavenly Azure Sect will dispatch elders to bear witness."
"I am curious. Shouldn't the sect master be chosen based on who has the highest strength?"
Cang Yuyang replied, "Strength is naturally a criterion, but one must also consider their potential and ability to govern the sect. If they only have strength without strategy or wisdom, and they constantly make wrong decisions...
...that would be a devastating blow to the sect.
Therefore, every sect is extremely cautious when selecting a sect master."
As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Juechen and Chen Changge and smiled. "As far as this old man knows, Daoist Friend Feng and Daoist Friend Chen currently have the highest voices of support in the Green Wood Sect, correct?"
"Daoist Friend Xu, your eye for making friends is truly sharp. Regardless of who between the two becomes the Green Wood Sect Master in the future, the Green Wood Sect will be on good terms with your Xu Family."
Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Elder Yuyang flatters me. Being able to meet Daoist Friend Chen and Daoist Friend Feng was merely a matter of being in the right place at the right time."
Over two hours later.
The opening banquet concluded.
Chen Changge and Feng Juechen immediately left, needing to rush back to the Green Wood Sect as they seemed to have matters to handle.
Hearing that Xu Deling would be staying at the Xu Family for a month to attend Xu Deyue's wedding, Perfected Person Fire Cloud returned to Fire Cloud Valley first.
Cang Fengheng, on the other hand, tested Xu Mingxian's progress in the Array Dao.
He was very satisfied, and afterward, he left with Cang Yuyang.
Over half a month later.
The Xu Family held their grand wedding.
This time, only Perfected Person Fire Cloud came over.
After all, it was a wedding for the younger generation. In addition, Chen Changge and Feng Juechen were at a crucial moment in the election for the Green Wood Sect Master, so they didn't come.
But after hearing about it, they also sent congratulatory gifts.
The Xu Family's potential and connections were not weak; maintaining a good relationship with them would always be beneficial.
The Cang Family also dispatched someone to deliver congratulatory gifts.
During this time, Xu Deling personally forged the Water and Fire Concentric Ring.
The rings were pure black all over. The difference lay in the two embedded crystal stones: one was azure blue, the other crimson red, containing dense water-element and fire-element spiritual power respectively.
These two rings were both Two-Pattern Defensive Dharma Tools. If one party encountered danger, the other party would sense it.
They could rely on the sensation to track each other.
If one party died, the other's ring would shatter.
"Ye Fan, Deyue, Grandfather once said that rings are the testament to the vows shared by a married couple. As an older sister, I don't have much to give.
This is a Two-Pattern Defensive Dharma Tool I personally forged, called the Water and Fire Concentric Ring. They respectively resonate with the cultivation methods the two of you practice.
I gift them to you today to express my blessings."
"Thank you, Sister Deling."
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue didn't refuse and accepted them.
The wedding was extremely grand. Over half the people in Cloudstream Town had been invited.
The union of these two people...
...meant that in the near future, the Xu Family would have new clan members born.
This was taking root where one lands in the truest sense of the phrase.
Passing down the lineage from generation to generation without end—this was the true meaning behind the development of a clan!
On the third day after Ye Fan and Xu Deyue's wedding, Xu Deling returned to Fire Cloud Valley.
Even though the spiritual qi in the Cloudstream Xu Clan Residence was currently very dense, Fire Cloud Valley remained far more suitable for Xu Deling's cultivation.
Two months later.
In the Green Wood Sect Master election, Feng Juechen gained the crucial support of the old sect master. He triumphed over Chen Changge and became the new Green Wood Sect Master.
Hearing this news, Xu Chuan felt it was likely because Old Sect Master Yin had made a deal with Feng Juechen.
For instance, to protect the Yin Clan.
As for Chen Changge, he refused to become the Grand Elder of the Green Wood Sect. Instead, he continued to serve as the Law Enforcement Elder, overseeing the Green Wood Sect's punishments.
The position of Grand Elder was taken by another older Cultivator He, who was at the Peak Early Golden Core Stage.
Not long after this matter concluded...
...Golden Core cultivators from outside the Heavenly Azure Sect's sphere of influence brought three young Foundation Establishment geniuses to visit the sects.
Although they called it a visit, it was actually a challenge.
The result was that not a single Foundation Establishment disciple from the Green Wood Sect, Jiaocang Sect, or Qingcang Sect won. They completely lost face.
Upon hearing of this, Xu Chuan sent a message to Chen Changge to ask about it.
Only then did he learn that the Tiannan Bi-Centennial Prodigy Assembly was about to begin.
First, the top local sects in each region would host a Regional Prodigy Grand Assembly. Then, the prodigies of the five major regions would gather for the Prodigy Ranking List competition.
The top three on the Prodigy Ranking List would all receive a Connate Spirit Object, being a high-grade, mid-grade, and low-grade Connate Spirit Object respectively.
The top ten would receive a Golden Core Formation Opportunity: the Core Formation Pill.
Of course, aside from the Golden Core Formation Opportunity, anyone who made the list would receive rewards, such as magic treasures, dharma tools, cultivation methods, divine abilities, and so on.
In short, the Prodigy Assembly was a grand occasion for the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Tiannan to leap over the dragon gate and make their names known throughout the entire Tiannan region.
A hundred and twenty years ago.
Chen Changge had also participated in the past, but unfortunately, he had only recently reached Foundation Establishment Perfection at the time. He hadn't yet comprehended Divine Ability Power and failed to even secure an Official Selection Slot for the Northwest Region.
For the Prodigy Assembly, every region had seventy-two slots.
When the time came, three hundred and sixty people would compete for the Prodigy Ranking List.
The Prodigy Ranking List only recorded the top one hundred and eight Foundation Establishment prodigies.
It was further divided into the thirty-six Heavenly Dipper ranks and the seventy-two Earthly Fiend ranks.
Naturally, the higher the ranking, the richer the rewards.
Because of this, no one held back during the Prodigy Ranking List contention. As for whether they would deliver lethal blows, that depended on the competing parties.
But in every past assembly, quite a few prodigies had fallen.
'Seven years later, huh? There is still a long time. I will decide whether to participate when the time comes,' Xu Chuan thought.
The Foundation Establishment geniuses of other Golden Core forces and even Nascent Soul forces began to travel the world, sparring with one another or challenging Foundation Establishment cultivators of certain sects.
As for Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families, unless they were individuals with resounding fame, no one would bother challenging them.
Although the Xu Family possessed some fame within the Heavenly Azure Sect's sphere of influence, they had no one known for their combat prowess. Furthermore, since their clan members were few in number, no one would come to the Xu Family for the time being.
Aside from the three sects, no news came out from the Heavenly Azure Sect. Perhaps it had been sealed off.
However, news of a certain aristocratic family being challenged at their door would periodically emerge from the Seven Heavenly Azure Cities.
Some families won, but the majority lost.
As for the victors, people would show up to challenge them one after another.
Following past conventions, during the period of the Prodigy Grand Assembly, challenges were free and unrestricted. This served as a type of tempering for the various Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The challenged party could refuse, but what if they resorted to bullying others with one's power?
A Foundation Establishment family had once done this. Having lost face, they later found an opportunity to surround and kill that Foundation Establishment prodigy, causing the prodigy to flee with heavy injuries.
As for that Foundation Establishment family, it was leveled to the ground within a few days.
No one knew the backgrounds of the prodigies traveling abroad during this period. They could hail from Golden Core forces, Nascent Soul sects, or even peak-tier sects.
After a few instances of this happening, rarely did anyone make that mistake again.
After all, losing face was better than losing one's life!
Moreover, they weren't the only ones losing face!
——————————
Seasons changed.
Six springs and autumns slipped away.
News of the Prodigy Grand Assembly had already spread everywhere, showing signs of intensifying further.
In basically every Nascent Soul force's territory, someone had drafted a Genius Ranking, and this ranking was constantly being updated.
This made clashes between Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Heavenly Azure Sect's territory increasingly common.
Bookmakers in various cities publicly set up betting pools on how many from the Genius Ranking could make it into the seventy-two Official Selection Slots.
While this ranking wasn't necessarily comprehensive, it did include the Foundation Establishment geniuses of the Heavenly Azure Sect's disciples, the disciples of the three sects, and the various Golden Core aristocratic families of the seven cities.
Heart Constellation City.
In front of the Golden Core Aristocratic Family, the Yan Family residence.
A man and a woman stood there.
The man called out, "We wish to challenge the geniuses of the Yan Family. We request a battle of the same realm!"
"Someone has come to challenge the Yan Family again!"
"As expected, with the start of the Prodigy Grand Assembly, the gates of every aristocratic family are much livelier than before."
The gate guards of the Yan Family immediately went back to report.
Shortly after, two or three Foundation Establishment Perfection elders and over a dozen young Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived at the gate.
"Who are you two?"
The man chuckled lightly. "During the Prodigy Grand Assembly, sparring among Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators is entirely normal. What need is there to ask for names?"
This person was none other than Ye Fan, and the woman beside him was Xu Deyue.
The two had kept a low profile.
Many in Cloudstream Town recognized them, but hardly anyone in the Seven Heavenly Azure Cities could do the same.
"Of course, the Yan Family may refuse. As long as you answer one question for me, the two of us will absolutely not linger in front of your noble residence."
"A mere Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment dares to point fingers at our Yan Family, and even dreams of participating in the Prodigy Grand Assembly?"
A young Yan Family disciple stepped forward arrogantly, gripping a flying sword in his hand and pointing the tip at Ye Fan. "Defeat me first!"
A flash of displeasure crossed the Yan Family elder's brow, but he did not intervene.
After all, no matter what, he was fighting for the Yan Family.
The Yan Family disciple suddenly leaped up, his toes treading the air for leverage. In a flash, he appeared above Ye Fan's head. The long sword in his hand gleamed with a cold light, fine strands of sharp metallic qi lingering around the blade. The sharp aura stung the skin painfully.
The long sword violently slashed down. The sharp metallic qi condensed with the sword's momentum into a five-foot golden sword qi, chopping straight toward the crown of Ye Fan's head.
Even the air seemed to be sliced open by the blade, emitting a soft 'hissing' sound.
Ye Fan remained unhurried. He tapped his toes backward, his body shifting horizontally for three feet like a willow catkin. While dodging the sword qi, his right hand formed a seal, and a ball of crimson flame instantly surged from his palm.
The flame expanded upon encountering the wind, transforming into a ten-foot-long fire blade that slashed toward the Yan Family disciple's long sword.
"Clang!" The fire blade and long sword collided, producing a deafening ring of metal.
When the sharp metallic qi met the crimson flame, it was unexpectedly distorted by the scorching heat. The Yan Family disciple only felt a blazing force travel down the sword blade. His wrist went numb, and the long sword nearly slipped from his grasp.
Inwardly startled, he immediately spun to borrow the momentum. His long sword flourished into three sword flowers, each wrapped in sharp metallic qi, thrusting respectively toward Ye Fan's throat, heart, and dantian.
Ye Fan's expression was tranquil. With a wave of his left hand, the crimson flame transformed into a sky full of fire rain. While blocking the sword flowers, the fire blade in his right hand condensed once more. This time, a faint orange light actually shimmered within the flames.
The fire blade swept out horizontally, rolling out a blazing wave of fire. Even the bluestone tiles in front of the residence were roasted until white marks appeared.
Seeing this, the Yan Family disciple hastily retreated. At the same time, he poured all his mana into his long sword. The blade radiated a dazzling golden light as he attempted to cleave apart the fire wave.
However, when the wave of fire struck, he only felt scorching heat all over his body. The circulation of his mana actually felt sluggish, leaving him only able to block it forcefully.
"It is time to end this!"
Ye Fan let out a low shout. His hands formed seals, and the crimson flames condensed into a fire claw that viciously grabbed toward the Yan Family disciple's long sword.
With a loud "Bang!"
The long sword was slapped away by the fire claw, and with its remaining momentum unabated, the fire claw slapped him squarely in the chest.
He gave a muffled groan and spurted a mouthful of fresh blood. His body flew backward, crashing heavily onto the steps in front of the Yan Family's gate.
"Yan Qing!" the other Yan Family disciples cried out, rushing forward to help him up.
The cultivation method Ye Fan practiced was the Foundation Establishment Chapter of the Fire Emperor Scripture. It was naturally extremely profound, giving him unique mastery over the control of flames.
Additionally, he possessed Heavenly Spirit Root Aptitude and a fire-element Spirit Body, giving him extraordinary comprehension.
Although he was only at the mid-Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment, in a battle within the same realm, he would absolutely not pale in comparison to other geniuses.
"Let me try!"
Another Yan Family disciple stepped forward. Clad in a dark red brocade robe and bearing a cold expression, his aura had already reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.
"My name is Yan Han; I am Yan Qing's older brother. My foolish younger brother is untalented, so let me, the older brother, experience your skills."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ye Fan. "Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment. Even if I win against you, it would be an unfair victory. Why not let the Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment woman beside you receive a few moves from me?"
Ye Fan glanced at Xu Deyue and smiled faintly. "If you lose, you must answer one question for us without any concealment. However, this question will not involve your Yan Family's affairs."
"This person is so confident! Yan Han is a Foundation Establishment genius who made it onto the Genius Ranking!"
"That female cultivator is merely at the mid-Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment. Her appearance is quite beautiful, as pure and cold as a fairy under the moon."
"This woman isn't very old, yet she has reached the mid-Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment. She isn't much inferior to Fairy Fengwu on the ranking. I reckon she could be ranked on the Heavenly Azure Immortal Fairy Ranking List."
"Whether this fairy is someone from our Heavenly Azure Prefecture is still up for debate. Perhaps she is from the outside?"
"Fairy, pardon my offense!"
Yan Han patted his storage pouch, and a streak of crimson spiritual light shot out, transforming in midair into a three-foot-long sword.
The blade glowed red, with crimson fire qi lingering around the edge.
"Slash!"
The crimson flying sword transformed into a red rainbow, carrying raging flames as it pierced straight toward Xu Deyue's heart.
Xu Deyue neither dodged nor evaded. Her right hand formed a seal, and she softly chanted a profound incantation. The cold qi around her body abruptly surged. Light blue spiritual light gathered in her palm, unexpectedly condensing into a ten-foot-large Ice Phoenix Phantom.
The phoenix feathers were as crystalline as ice. As it spread its wings, Extreme Yin Cold Shards showered down.
"Go!"
Xu Deyue raised her hand and guided it. The ice phoenix beat its wings and flew high, charging toward the crimson flying sword. Its beak pecked directly at the sword blade.
Seeing this, Yan Han was inwardly startled. He hastily channeled his mana, and the crimson fire on the crimson flying sword burned even stronger, unexpectedly condensing into a Scarlet Fire Flood Dragon Phantom in front of the blade.
The flood dragon coiled around the blade and opened its mouth to spew crimson fire, crashing into the ice phoenix.
"Boom!"
As the crimson fire and the cold flame collided, the heat wave and cold qi intertwined. Air currents churned violently over the plaza. Even Ye Fan, standing far away, had to circulate his spirit power to resist the shockwave.
The scarlet fire flood dragon and the ice phoenix tangled in midair. The crimson fire scorched the ice phoenix's feathers, only to be instantly frozen solid by the cold qi.
"What terrifying cold qi!"
The pupils of the onlookers and everyone from the Yan Family shrank.
The ice phoenix's sharp claws grabbed toward the flood dragon. Every touch caused the crimson fire to dim by a few fractions.
Yan Han's expression turned solemn. He hadn't expected Xu Deyue's mana to be so vigorous. With a cultivation base at the mid-Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment, she was actually able to contend against his Foundation Establishment Perfection.
He took a deep breath, his hands forming a seal as he sought to push the flying sword's might further. "Scarlet Fire Flood Dragon, burn!"
But before his incantation could be completed, a bright light flashed in Xu Deyue's eyes. She poured all the mana within her body into the ice phoenix.
"Cold Flame, condense!"
The cold qi around the ice phoenix abruptly flourished. The light blue spiritual light materialized into physical form, fiercely enveloping the scarlet fire flood dragon within.
A continuous string of 'crackling' sounds rang out.
The flames on the scarlet fire flood dragon were instantly frozen. The crimson flying sword was also encased in a layer of ice, coming to a dead halt in the air.
Yan Han only felt his connection with the flying sword weaken abruptly. The circulation of his spirit power was obstructed, and a trace of fresh blood unexpectedly leaked from the corner of his mouth.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Xu Deyue raised her hand. The ice phoenix sharply dove down, carrying the frozen scarlet fire flood dragon and the crimson flying sword, smashing them viciously toward Yan Han.
Yan Han hurriedly raised his hand to block, but his arm was frozen stiff by the cold qi carried by the ice phoenix.
With a muffled "Bang!"
He was knocked back repeatedly, only managing to stabilize his body after crashing into the pillar of the residence gate, his face as pale as paper.
As for that crimson flying sword, it was embedded in the plaza ground. The ice layer on the blade had not dissipated, and there was not a single trace of crimson fire qi left.
Xu Deyue waved her slender hand, dispersing the ice phoenix. The cold qi around her gradually receded, and she cupped her hands together. "Pardon the offense!"
Yan Han similarly returned the salute, a bitter look surfacing on his face. "Indeed, the world never lacks geniuses!"
"I have lost this match."
"Fairy, whatever you wish to know, feel free to ask. As long as it doesn't involve the interests of the Yan Family, I will answer everything I know."
Xu Deyue asked indifferently, "Does the Yan Family know who possesses a Dual Water and Fire Cultivation method?"
"A Dual Water and Fire Cultivation method?"
Yan Han paused, then turned to look at the Yan Family elders.
Although his strength wasn't weak, when it came to broad knowledge and experience, it naturally fell to the elders with deep backgrounds.
A Yan Family Foundation Establishment elder spoke up. "I do indeed know of a few cultivation methods that allow the simultaneous cultivation of multiple elements, but Dual Water and Fire Cultivation is extremely rare.
The two counter each other. Unless one has a special constitution, cultivating such a method would very likely result in a clash of mana, leading to death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.
This old man has never heard of such a cultivation method.
At the very least, it's unheard of in the Seven Heavenly Azure Cities, or even within the three sects.
Of course, it's also possible that because no one could cultivate it, it was set aside and left to gather dust."
"Many thanks, Elder," Xu Deyue cupped her hands again, then turned and prepared to leave.