I Have a Compass for Opportunity

"My elder brother is concerned about my cultivation level, but he never asks about other matters. He respects my privacy greatly."

"If I have him act on my behalf, he surely wouldn’t ask what I’m doing with the Wood Spirit Energy."

Thinking of this, Liou Yuan took out Liou Zhen’s Jade Scroll.

Liou Yuan actually thought about showing the Longevity Scripture to Liou Zhen. After all, it’s a Grade B Top-grade Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, which would greatly benefit even those who have already formed their Qi Mansion.

But cultivation techniques are different from magic; magic can still be cultivated to related magic through the Five Elements’ relationships.

Cultivation techniques directly interact with the Star Acupoints Five Elements and cannot be practiced carelessly, so he dismissed the idea.

Liou Yuan picked up the Thousand Miles Ear Jade Scroll and succinctly expressed his desire to purchase Wood Spirit Energy to Liou Zhen.

After five or six breaths, Liou Zhen’s voice came through the Thousand Miles Ear.

"The price of Wood Spirit Energy is extremely high, even I cannot gather enough to purchase it. Your accumulation surpasses mine, it’s truly curious."

It was clear that Liou Zhen was surprised at Liou Yuan’s ability to afford Wood Spirit Energy, but he did not ask how Liou Yuan got the money nor why he wanted to buy it.

After saying this, Liou Zhen continued, "Sent by the sect, I have to go to Jiuli State tomorrow, so I can’t wait for the sect’s treasury to deliver."

"Purchasing such precious Foundation Establishment Spiritual Qi would take at least half a month for thorough review."

"It’s better to wait until the Jiuli State affair is over, then I can help you purchase Wood Spirit Energy."

"Elder brother is also being sent to Jiuli State? Has the situation there deteriorated so severely!" Liou Yuan raised his eyebrows at the message in Liou Zhen’s words.

His elder brother Liou Zhen is now a high-level force in the Foundation Establishment at Five Extremes Mountain.

Even the Late-stage Foundation Establishment Protector Liou Le Yao is no match for him, sending Liou Zhen to Jiuli State shows the seriousness with which the Five Extremes Mountain leadership is treating the demon cultivators’ disaster, reaching the point where they must send Liou Zhen.

"Hmm, I’ve heard some rumors; the demon cultivators’ disaster this time is quite severe, troubling the three major sects in Jiuli State immensely."

The fact that Liou Zhen described it as severe denotes dangers surpassing those of Qingyou Prefecture several times over.

Liou Yuan was already taking this trip to Jiuli State seriously, and upon hearing this, he raised the difficulty level of the trip further.

After some consideration, he told Liou Zhen that he too was being sent to Jiuli State.

Liou Zhen was just released from Erosion Land; Liou Yuan had become a disciple of the Disciplinary Hall during his punishment, and the mission had just been issued, so Liou Zhen wasn’t aware of this.

Upon hearing that Liou Yuan was going to Jiuli State’s Qingbao County, the Thousand Miles Ear on the other end fell silent for a while, presumably Liou Zhen was inquiring about Qingbao County’s intelligence.

After some time, the Thousand Miles Ear finally conveyed Liou Zhen’s response.

"Qingbao County is not the center of the demon cultivators’ turmoil. Those Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators are being restrained by experts from the three major sects in Youhuang State. My trip is also to Youhuang State."

"But you still need to be extremely careful; if you encounter a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator, don’t hesitate to prioritize saving your life. The mission can be pushed aside."

Perhaps it’s due to being born from the Ice Vein, Liou Zhen harbors resentment towards Five Extremes Mountain’s previous favoritism of the Fog Vein.

Though not enough to make him betray Five Extremes Mountain, if choosing between the sect and his younger brother, he would choose his brother without hesitation.

Liou Zhen’s words also matched Liou Yuan’s thoughts, and he replied with a smile.

After saying some words of advice, the Thousand Miles Ear fell silent.

Confirming that Liou Zhen had put away the Thousand Miles Ear, Liou Yuan also put down the Jade Scroll he was holding, his eyes showing obvious seriousness.

"The demon cultivators’ disaster in Jiuli State has left the three major sects in Jiuli State unable to cope, reaching the point of seeking assistance from Five Extremes Mountain."

"Absolutely not a turmoil stoked by a few Foundation Establishment cultivators; perhaps there is a Golden Core behind it all."

"This trip to Jiuli State will be difficult."

In the decades of Sect Leader Xuanyi’s reclusion, five new Golden Core True Masters emerged in Linlang Domain, claiming the title Five Masters.

Behind the demon cultivators’ disaster in Jiuli State, perhaps one of those Golden Cores is involved.

"Linlang Domain has ingrained the law of the jungle deep into its roots; such an environment very likely nurtures Golden Core True Masters, especially since demon cultivation techniques are inherently rapid advancement techniques. It’s not strange for five Golden Cores to appear."

"And these Five Masters are certainly not ordinary Golden Cores, able to stand out among demon cultivators and become Golden Cores; each must be a ruthless person that rose from mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

Fortunately, Five Extremes Mountain is not to be underestimated either.

Though Xuanyi remains reclusive, Five Extremes Mountain itself practices the demon cultivator method for training its disciples, making each of them brave and skilled in battle.

And there are three Golden Core Supreme Elders. In terms of sheer strength, they certainly would not lose to those Five Masters.

"So the sect has its own strategies, and as a Qi Cultivator, I shouldn’t worry too much. I’ll just do as the sect commands."

With this thought, Liou Yuan felt slightly more at ease.

Three days passed as Liou Yuan anticipated.

During this time, Liou Zhen had already left Five Extremes Mountain, departing before Liou Yuan for Jiuli State’s Youhuang State.

On this day, Liou Yuan climbed to the peak of the Fifth Mountain early and appeared in Fang Yu’s courtyard.

Fang Yu had been waiting for quite some time.

Upon seeing Liou Yuan for the first time, Fang Yu looked him up and down, seemingly discerning Liou Yuan’s current cultivation. Fang Yu congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, Mr. Liou, for reaching the Peak of Qi Cultivation; only waiting on Geng Metal Spiritual Qi, the day of Foundation Establishment is imminent."

Fang Yu never doubted Liou Yuan’s aptitude, just as he trusted Liou Zhen, sure that Liou Yuan would break through to Foundation Establishment.

"Thanks to Mr. Yu’s blessing." Liou Yuan maintained a smile and politely cupped his hands.