Chapter 36: The Standoff

[Filial Piety Points -10,000]

Chen Xuan held tens of thousands of Filial Piety points and immediately clicked to upgrade the sect.

Sect: Xuan-Dan Sect
Sect Master: Chen Xuan
Level: 2
Children of Destiny: Gold: 2, Red: 0, Orange: 1
Children of Filial Piety: 2
Ordinary Disciples: 230/500
Filial Piety Point Yield: 660 points/day
Bonus: None
Requirements for Upgrade: 1,000,000 Filial Piety points

The disciple capacity had increased from 50 to 500, but the requirement for the next upgrade had also increased by a factor of 100. However, this meant little to Chen Xuan; 1,000,000 points could be accumulated in a few years at most. For a powerhouse at his Spirit Transformation stage, a few years were merely a fleeting moment.

"Purchase Intermediate Medicine Garden!"

[Filial Piety Points -20,000]

In an instant, the Demon Flower Qilan began to grow again. Once it reached about a meter in height, its growth slowed down. However, around the base of the Demon Flower Qilan, new sprouts emerged, and before long, exotic flowers began to bloom—almost all of them rare medicinal herbs. Among them was the Screaming Qilan.

"It actually grew a Screaming Qilan." Chen Xuan was overjoyed. Looking at the Demon Flower Qilan, which had now fully grown into a humanoid shape, he felt the 20,000 Filial Piety points were well spent. After harvesting the Screaming Qilan and gathering the other 50 rare heavenly materials, Chen Xuan prepared to break through to the Enlightenment Stage.

Five days later.

Dark clouds gathered over the Xuan-Dan Sect, and the Heavenly Tribulation descended. Chen Xuan successfully broke through to the Enlightenment Stage.

Once one enters the Enlightenment Stage, they possess a lifespan of ten thousand years. Only then can one truly step onto the path of immortality and begin to glimpse the truths of the Great Dao.

"The Enlightenment Stage."

Chen Xuan’s strength had more than doubled. He felt that even without the aid of his Flood Dragon Snake Staff, he could kill Dongfang Bubai in an instant. However, he still felt somewhat vulnerable when facing the Feathering Stage.

The Immortal Holy Lands had legacies spanning ten thousand years and possessed immense foundations. Although the Xuan-Dan Sect was now filled with sacred artifacts, in terms of pure cultivation and strength, it was still far behind the Holy Lands.

"Breaking through to the Feathering Stage in a short time is almost impossible; I must have other defensive measures."

There was a world of difference between Enlightenment and Spirit Transformation. Spirit Transformation could only be considered a cultivator, while only after Enlightenment did one truly begin to practice immortality. It had taken Dongfang Bubai 500 years just to advance from the early Spirit Transformation stage to its peak, let alone breaking through from Enlightenment to the Feathering Stage. Even if he were given 5,000 or even 50,000 years, it would not be enough.

Moreover, his own practice of the "Dragon Origin Universe Technique" required several times more spiritual energy accumulation than that of an ordinary person. If it weren't for the filial offerings from Chu Lingyun and the others, he would not have been able to reach the Enlightenment Stage so quickly.

"If only there were a formation capable of blocking a Feathering Stage powerhouse." Chen Xuan thought to himself, clicking on the sect facilities again.

[Universe Sect-Protecting Array]
Grade: Immortal
Description: Can block any attack from cultivators below the Ascension Stage.
Price: 20,000
(Unlock Condition: Level 2 Sect)

"Block any attack below the Ascension Stage!" Chen Xuan’s eyes lit up. This formation was perfect for his current situation.

[Filial Piety Points -20,000]

A Bagua compass suddenly appeared in the center of the Xuan-Dan Sect, emitting a pillar of light that shot into the sky before enveloping the entire mountain peak.

"Let's test it first."

To be safe, Chen Xuan decided to go outside and test the strength of the formation.

"Brat, where do you think you're running!"

Outside the Xuan-Dan Sect, several men in black were chasing a youth. The youth had blood at the corner of his mouth; clearly, he had been severely wounded by the pursuers. One of the men in black unleashed a wave of spiritual energy, striking the youth again and causing him to collapse to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Brat, you dare to ruin the business of our Joyous Sect? You're courting death!"

The men in black surrounded him, sneering as they prepared to finish him off.

"If you want to fight, don't do it on my turf."

Suddenly, a voice rang out, calm and composed, yet it sent a shiver through the hearts of the Foundation Establishment stage men in black. They turned to look and saw a man in white Daoist robes standing in the clouds. Though he appeared to be in his forties, his presence was extraordinary, and his mature, steady demeanor only added to his charisma.

His turf?

The group took a look around and realized they had trespassed into the territory of the Xuan-Dan Sect. Cold sweat instantly broke out on their foreheads. The Xuan-Dan Sect had recently gained great fame. Not only had Sect Master Chen Xuan broken through to the Spirit Transformation stage, but he had also smashed another Spirit Transformation Sect Master to death with a single strike of his staff in front of three major sects. Afterward, those three sects had been forced to empty out all their storage rings just to leave alive.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Being merely in the Foundation Establishment stage, they dared not cause trouble on Xuan-Dan Sect territory and scrambled to run away.

"Th-thank you, Senior."

Li Ergou, lying on the ground, cast a grateful look at Chen Xuan and tried to get up to thank him, but his injuries left him immobile.

Name: Li Ergou
Cultivation: Mid-stage Qi Refining
Luck: White
Constitution: Red Dust Sacred Body
Comprehension: Extremely Intelligent
Filial Piety Value: 50
Summary: Outstanding aptitude, but plagued by bad luck.

"Red Dust Sacred Body?"

Chen Xuan felt a bit of regret. It was a good seedling, but unfortunately, his luck was only white, destined to make his path of cultivation arduous and difficult to achieve greatness. That was how the world worked. Among hundreds of millions of people, there were countless brilliant minds, but only a handful could reach the final peak. It was not that their abilities were lacking, but rather that many geniuses perished halfway due to poor luck, unable to truly grow. Li Ergou was one of them.

Chen Xuan did not say much and turned back toward the sect. Along the way, he noticed many disciples gathering in one direction and felt curious.

"What's happening in the sect?"

Chen Xuan followed them. In the training arena, two beautiful young women were confronting each other. Chen Xuan was stunned to find it was Chu Lingyun and Hong Luan.

"The two senior sisters are so beautiful, but why are they confronting each other?"
"It seems to be about some mission."
"A mission? What kind of mission could make two fairies stand off against each other?"
"Exactly. They are the Sect Master’s direct disciples, both holding sacred artifacts. What could be worth fighting over?"
"Could it be an immortal artifact?"
"It must be. What else would be worth such a confrontation?"

"So it was for a mission." After observing for a while, Chen Xuan realized they were competing over a mission, so he dismissed the idea of intervening. This was a good thing. Competition between disciples over missions could motivate them to work harder to improve their cultivation. Chen Xuan turned and returned to his cave dwelling.

"Senior sister, I didn't expect your cultivation to improve so quickly. In just over a month, you've reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Junior sister admires you. But I have already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment; you are still no match for me. The mission should be mine."

Hong Luan spoke in a tone that sounded like she was offering well-meant advice.