The Xu Family members, such as Xu Mingxian, Xu Deling, Ye Fan, and Xu Deyue.
They had all experienced consecutive soul transformations across two major realms.
Once they reached Golden Core Perfection, as long as their souls had not suffered severe trauma, their chances of reaching the Golden Core Limit were extremely high.
Of course, to transform their souls to the Nascent Soul Stage level was another matter entirely.
With the Xu Family's current heritage, only Xu Chuan alone could achieve this.
That single Divine Sense Crystal was condensed from the divine sense of a Divine Transformation level Ancient True Demon. It was enough to drive any Nascent Soul cultivator below the Grand Cultivator rank utterly mad with greed.
However, not having it now...
Did not mean they would not obtain one in the future.
After all, that place should hold countless opportunities of this kind; it only depended on how to acquire them.
Xu Chuan opened his eyes. A divine light seemed to flash within his gaze before returning to a tranquil calm.
He hesitated no longer, carefully and reverently extracting an item from his storage magic treasure.
It was a pure crystal the size of a knuckle, completely translucent and shimmering with a faint five-colored halo, radiating the purest soul power.
To any cultivator, this was an absolute supreme treasure.
However, anyone below the Golden Core Stage lacked even the basic ability to refine it.
Xu Chuan drew the crystal into his sea of consciousness.
This item was unique; it could only be refined using pure divine sense.
Mana and true essence were completely ineffective against it.
Within his sea of consciousness.
Xu Chuan even activated a Divine Sense Secret Method, mobilizing thirty-two strands of divine sense in unison.
The intensity of this process was no less taxing than fighting a fierce battle with an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator!
Yet the refining process was far more difficult and sluggish than he had anticipated.
Even with Xu Chuan's current divine sense strength, the moment he touched the Divine Sense Crystal, it felt as though he were trying to grind down an eternally unyielding divine mountain.
Every tiny sliver peeled away and absorbed required a massive expenditure of mental energy and time.
If not for his formidable divine sense and the support of his Divine Sense Secret Method, completely refining and absorbing this Divine Sense Crystal would have taken more than half a year.
As it stood, he estimated it would take nearly two months.
But exchanging two months of effort for a total soul transformation was an unimaginably massive opportunity no matter how one looked at it.
The Divine Sense Crystal continuously bobbed and floated within his sea of consciousness.
It radiated a starlight-like mist that was drawn out strand by strand, weaving into and merging with his soul.
'How wondrous!' Xu Chuan thought.
He could clearly feel as though a cool, refreshing spring had been injected into the origin of his soul, washing over him with waves of profound comfort and profound fulfillment.
It was a slow, deliberate enhancement stemming from the very essence of life, far surpassing any ordinary meditative cultivation.
The soul was the root of divine sense; a strong root naturally led to flourishing branches and leaves.
As his soul origin continued to grow, the shackles limiting his divine sense—which had previously reached its absolute limit and could not progress an inch further—seemed to quietly loosen.
This slow, grinding effort continued, day after day.
Time slipped away in silence.
Two months had already passed in the outside world.
Inside his sea of consciousness.
The Divine Sense Crystal had shrunk to the size of a grain of rice, its brilliant luster dimming to near nothingness.
Yet the seated figure of Xu Chuan exuded an increasingly terrifying soul pressure.
This pressure was not intentionally released; it was a completely natural emanation of his newfound power.
At a certain moment.
From the depths of his sea of consciousness, an invisible yet distinct crack echoed!
It was not the sound of a physical object shattering.
Rather, it was the sound of a sturdy barrier being smashed apart by an overwhelming, majestic force!
Xu Chuan felt his soul suddenly grow weightless. Like a butterfly breaking free from its chrysalis, he shattered his long-standing restraints and leaped into an entirely new world!
The very essence of his soul underwent a mystical transformation, becoming infinitely more condensed, agile, and vast.
It now carried a trace of the profound charm unique to Nascent Soul cultivators.
Following the rapid transformation of his soul, his divine sense surged like a flooding river bursting its dam, exploding in both volume and qualitative power!
"Nascent Soul Divine Sense!"
The corners of Xu Chuan's mouth curved upward. With a mere thought, his mind stirred.
His transformed divine sense poured out like spilling quicksilver, naturally cascading and spreading in all directions.
The Tier 3 formations of the Xu Residence could not impede it in the slightest.
In a single thought.
The rivers, mountains, birds, beasts, and cultivators within a hundred-kilometer radius were reflected in his heart as clearly as the lines on his own palm!
Every minute detail was illuminated, revealing the most profound subtleties!
Compared to his previous Golden Core divine sense, it was truly The Difference Between Clouds and Mud!
Furthermore, none of those he observed noticed a single thing.
No, wait!
Someone had indeed noticed.
Within the deep pool in Xu Chuan's courtyard.
Moyue, who had been relying on the Low-Grade Four-Tier water-attribute spirit vein to cultivate, suddenly snapped his eyes open.
A flash of astonishment crossed his dark gold, slit-like pupils.
"The divine sense of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator!"
He sharply jerked his head up, preparing to shoot out of the deep pool instantly.
Yet, after carefully sensing it for a fleeting moment, he realized the divine sense carried an incredibly familiar aura.
"Is this Xu Chuan's divine sense?!"
"This brat..."
Moyue muttered softly, the astonishment in his eyes morphing into a complex mix of emotions as he shook his large head.
"A mere Qi Refining junior from back then... In just a little over a century, his divine sense has already caught up to my current level.
The human race truly enjoys the unparalleled favor of heaven in cultivation. It's truly enviable."
After voicing his lament, he paid it no more mind, closing his eyes to resume his cultivation.
Xu Chuan's breakthrough—an extreme, limit-breaking advancement at that—was an absolute boon for the Xu Family.
After all, across the entirety of Heavenly South, Nascent Soul cultivators were the ultimate apex powerhouses, and they rarely ever made a personal move.
The Golden Core Stage was the true core fighting force for the various factions.
Meanwhile.
In another quiet room within the Xu Residence.
Xu Mingxian, who was currently comprehending spiritual restrictions, jolted violently.
He was the one in control of the many grand arrays arrayed inside and outside the Xu Residence.
While a Nascent Soul Stage divine sense could forcibly scan the area, it would inevitably cause the formations to ripple in response.
Therefore, Xu Chuan's recent actions could not be hidden from him.
"This fluctuation of divine sense... boundless as the ocean, pure and heavy as refined gold. This is far beyond what any Golden Core could possess..."
Xu Mingxian was startled at first, but soon a burst of ecstatic joy erupted in his eyes. "It's Father! Father... his divine sense has broken through to the Nascent Soul Level!"
Suppressing the intense thrill in his heart, a sincere smile bloomed on Xu Mingxian's face.
His father's strength taking another step forward held monumental significance for the Xu Family.
Back in the quiet room.
Xu Chuan slowly withdrew his projected divine sense.
He then began to consciously restrain his aura and pressure, eventually returning to complete stillness.
He opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, galaxies seemed to form and shatter, swirling with profound Dao Rhyme, making him appear even more impossibly deep and unfathomable.
"I should refine the remaining fragments of the Divine Sense Crystal as well."
Only a rice-sized speck of the Divine Sense Crystal remained, its soul origin practically depleted.
It took Xu Chuan a mere few hours to completely refine the rest.
The Clan Genealogy trembled faintly.
Xu Chuan summoned it to inspect, and sure enough, new content had appeared for the "Profound Heaven Divine Refining Art".
"The third layer and the fourth layer. The divine sense cultivation methods for the Nascent Soul Stage and Soul Formation Stage have appeared all at once. This is truly a pleasant surprise."
He did not immediately end his seclusion; instead, he continued sitting in meditation to consolidate this entirely new realm of divine sense.
He carefully comprehended its mysteries, allowing his soul to further synchronize and adapt with his physical body and mana.
A Nascent Soul level divine sense was not merely an expansion of scanning range.
It signified that his control over his own mana, his connection with the spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth, his comprehension of cultivation methods and Divine Abilities, and his understanding of the Dao of Alchemy would all step into a completely new dimension.
A few days later.
Xu Chuan felt he could now roughly control his pressure without it leaking out inadvertently.
If he could not, it would be inappropriate for him to leave seclusion and face others.
After all, this was going to be his greatest trump card!
Once he elevated his Divine Sense Secret Method to the next level...
By unleashing his Divine Sense Secret Method with his current divine sense, supported by the Azure Dragon Sword Formation and the Origin Life and Death Seal, he was already completely on par with an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
In fact, relying on his Divine Sense Secret Method, he could even make them suffer significantly.
"With a powerful soul, my cultivation speed will also accelerate. Perhaps I can even step into the Mid-stage Golden Core before the Great Tribulation begins!"
"First, I'll test a Nascent Soul technique—Spiritual Energy Manifestation."
Guided by Xu Chuan's divine sense, an immense tide of spiritual qi gathered, forming into a black flood dragon. However, just a moment later, the flood dragon dissipated into nothingness.
"It's somewhat difficult. Fortunately, with the blessing of Heaven Rewards the Diligent, practicing for a few months will surely grant me initial mastery."
Spiritual Energy Manifestation allowed one to mimic the attacks of magic treasures or demonic beasts.
A casual strike carried power comparable to an entry-level Divine Ability, and it could be utilized almost at will.
Even among Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators, not everyone could master it; one still needed to comprehend the profound essence of spiritual qi.
Naturally, when used against a peer in the Nascent Soul Stage, this move was a bit lackluster.
Unless the manifested entity boasted power rivaling a Divine Ability at the Great Accomplishment or Perfection stage.
The concept of a Magic Power Avatar was based on a similar principle.
If Xu Chuan could comprehend it, he could forge life-saving Jade Tablets for certain clan disciples in the future, attaching a wisp of his divine sense to them.
When triggered at a critical moment, the divine sense would condense into an avatar.
In terms of combat strength, it would be considered quite formidable within the Golden Core Stage, capable of rivaling ordinary Late-Stage Golden Core or even Golden Core Completion Stage Cultivators.
Most importantly, this represented the authority and face of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
If the avatar was scattered, the Nascent Soul cultivator would only lose a sliver of divine sense, but it would forge a significant, bitter enmity.
Average Golden Core cultivators would absolutely never dare to offend such an existence.
Unless they were certain they could escape the ensuing hunt.
But against an immortal cultivator like Xu Chuan, who was skilled in deducing the heavenly mysteries—if someone destroyed a wisp of his divine sense avatar...
With that karma binding them, as long as no one was deliberately obscuring the heavenly mysteries, they would be tracked down no matter where they ran.
He wouldn't even need to move personally; he could manipulate circumstances to arrange a flawless demise for the culprit, ending only when their life and Dao were extinguished and the karma settled.
Xu Chuan ended his seclusion.
As usual, he sat beneath the Withered Glory Tree for his quiet meditation.
Not long after.
Xu Mingxian arrived to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Father, on your divine sense breakthrough!"
"Keep a low profile," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.
"Your son understands," Xu Mingxian nodded knowingly.
"An early transformation of the soul brings many benefits. When we return this time, the Great Tribulation will hardly shake our Xu Family. However, your father cannot clearly divine the affairs of the Ancient Battlefield.
There may be countless opportunities, or there may be massive dangers.
But the most difficult hurdle should still be...
Never mind, let us put that matter aside for now.
Have the candidates for our return trip been finalized?"
Xu Mingxian replied, "Aside from the few of us, on the younger generation's side, Fei'er and his wife will definitely have to make the trip to acknowledge their ancestors and return to the clan. As for Ye Fan and Deyue's disciples...
I do not recommend they return.
The Yan Clan and the Wu Clan still need to manage portions of our Xu Family's industries, so they have no need to leave either.
The same goes for some of the personnel our Xu Family has recruited.
All that remains are Moyue and your other disciple, Father."
Speaking of the flood dragon, a deep blue stream of light suddenly shot out from the deep pool.
"Why not consider me?" Moyue glared at Xu Mingxian, his vertical pupils expanding.
"When we leave, we need you to hold the fort and oversee matters here," Xu Chuan explained calmly. "The opening of the Ancient Battlefield will inevitably involve many factions across Heavenly South.
I anticipate it will be similar to the Prodigy Grand Assembly, led by the top major factions of Heavenly South.
The Azure Dragon Alliance still needs you and Mo Wentian to lead it."
Moyue pondered for a moment before replying, "Since you put it that way, I will stay."
He was different from Xu Chuan and the others.
He held no lingering affection for that place; in fact, he felt nothing but sheer hatred toward it.
Furthermore, now that Xu Chuan possessed the battle power of an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator and a Nascent Soul level divine sense, he no longer required his protection.
"I will leave things here in your hands. Do not let your temper lead you into reckless actions," Xu Chuan advised.
"I know, I know!"
"As for Mei Yun, his situation is quite unique. He should have a significant opportunity tied to the Ancient Battlefield. Find someone to send him a message and tell him it is time to return."
"He certainly is unique... an unlucky kid, that one."
Moyue flashed a toothy grin before diving back into the deep pool to resume his cultivation.
A few days later.
Mei Yun, who was currently serving as a patrol captain in the city, suddenly received a transmission.
"The Family Head has issued an order. Return immediately."
Mei Yun's eyes lit up. "The heavens have eyes! Has my deadbeat master finally remembered he has a disciple like me?
But truly, my master is worthy of being called my master.
Driving out the Xi Family, executing a Nascent Soul cultivator, establishing the alliance...
Any of these achievements is enough to leave a heavy mark in the history of Azure Dragon Prefecture!"
"Still, what does the old man want with me at a time like this?"
"Don't tell me he wants me to go steal the Azure Dragon Alliance's Providence?"
From the Xu Family, only Xu Chuan had become the alliance's First Elder; none of their other prodigies had joined. Thus, many factions could see the situation quite clearly.
Xu Chuan was aiming for something massive and was intentionally keeping a certain distance from the Azure Dragon Alliance.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I wonder if the Providence of the Azure Dragon Alliance could propel my cultivation a step further!"
In just a short seven or eight years.
Since taking Xu Chuan as his master, Mei Yun's cultivation had skyrocketed from the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment all the way to his current realm at the middle phase of the Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment.
This speed was comparable to the results of combining a Heavenly Spirit Root Aptitude with the core nurturing of the Xu Family.
Several days later.
Mei Yun resigned from his position, using the excuse that the Azure Dragon Prefecture was vast and he wished to go on a journey to explore it, and departed from Jade Bamboo City.
The departure of a mere Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment cultivator...
Naturally failed to attract any attention from Jade Bamboo City or the Mo Family.
Most ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators spent their entire lives living within a single prefecture and rarely ever crossed its borders.
Let alone the fact that neighboring the Azure Dragon Prefecture was the Greedy Wolf Prefecture. Rogue Cultivators without immense courage and sufficient means simply would not dare venture there.
Attempting to cross both prefectures to reach the Profound Moon Prefecture...
For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, was a harrowing journey of Nine Deaths, One Life.
Three or four days later.
At the Xu Residence.
Inside Xu Chuan's courtyard.
Escorted by Wu Zhuqi, Mei Yun arrived at the compound.
Upon seeing Xu Chuan, he immediately bowed low. "Your disciple, Mei Yun, pays respects to Master."
"Not bad. In just a short seven or eight years, you've cycled through batch after batch of teammates," Xu Chuan noted.
Hearing the first two words, Mei Yun felt a rush of delight, but as he heard the rest, his face fell. With a bitter expression, he said, "Master, please don't tease your disciple."
"That was a genuine compliment," Xu Chuan chuckled softly. "If anyone else tried to accomplish what you have, and do so flawlessly without arousing suspicion, they would have had to rack their brains to the breaking point.
It's just a pity that the impact was a bit too small.
I wonder what it will be like once you step into the Golden Core Stage?"
Mei Yun gave two dry, hollow laughs.
Promptly shifting the subject, he asked, "Master, what is the reason for suddenly summoning your disciple back? Could it be to act as an undercover agent in the Azure Dragon Alliance?"
"Are you addicted to this or something?" Xu Chuan retorted.
"I just didn't want to bring any harm upon our own Xu Family disciples, right?" Mei Yun rubbed the back of his head and offered a wide grin. "After all, I simply can't control this constitution of mine."
"It is fine. Over the remaining year or two, I will put my full effort into helping you achieve Core Formation," Xu Chuan declared. "For the time being, just stay and cultivate in seclusion within my courtyard."
"Your disciple obeys."
Half a month later.
At the Heavenly Plume Sect.
"Elder Yan, Senior Brother Ning, as the Sect Master, I will be traveling abroad for several years. During this time, I leave the Heavenly Plume Sect in your care."
"Yes, Sect Master."
The two cupped their hands in acknowledgment.
Having said her piece, Xu Deling transformed into a streak of rainbow light and headed toward the Xu Residence.
Xu Mingxian, Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, and the rest—a family of five—gathered in Xu Chuan's courtyard.
The signature, ancient Withered Glory Tree in the yard was nowhere to be seen. Naturally, it had long since been moved and safely settled into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven by Xu Chuan.
Transplanting a spiritual plant usually drained its vitality, but for someone like Xu Chuan, who had mastered the Dao of Life and Death and withered glory, it was an effortless task.
A short while later, a crimson streak of light tore through the sky and arrived.
Xu Deling gracefully descended, clasping her hands and bowing respectfully to Xu Chuan. "Grandfather."
Xu Chuan gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over everyone present as he spoke calmly, "Since everyone is here, let us depart."