Chapter 921 - 693: Fire Chi Dharma Aspect
At this moment, Shen Xuan had already stabilized his cultivation in the Dharma Realm, and walked out of the inner chamber slowly.
"Ah, it’s the clan leader and Elder Liu, please have a seat."
He graciously cupped his hands in greeting.
The two hurriedly stood up to return the courtesy.
"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Guo on achieving the Dharma Aspect!"
Liu Minglin, on behalf of the Liu Family, presented a congratulatory gift.
"Just a small token, not enough to show respect."
Within the brocade box lay a Tier Two Top Grade Soul Crystal.
Besides being used in nether cultivation, its greatest use is as the core control material for a High Tier Puppet.
It’s quite valuable, clearly chosen with consideration.
"The clan leader is too polite."
Shen Xuan accepted it calmly.
"I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist Guo has delved deeply into the art of puppetry and achieved remarkable mastery."
Liu Minglin smiled and said, "This art is of significant use on the demon beast battlefield."
"You flatter me, clan leader. Puppetry is ultimately a minor path, merely a pastime in idle moments."
Shen Xuan sighed lightly, "For us Foundation Establishment cultivators, our primary task must be to condense the Inner Core."
"What Fellow Daoist Guo said is very true."
The three of them chatted over tea, while Xiangcao stood quietly as a maidservant.
"This girl Xiangcao, meeting Fellow Daoist Guo is her fortune."
Liu Minglin’s gaze swept over the maidservant pouring tea, as if speaking casually.
At this time, Xiangcao did not conceal her cultivation.
Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, Middle Stage of Body Refining.
Liu Minglin thought for a moment, and realized Xiangcao must have taken a Creation Pill or some such Spirit Pill that enhanced her Spirit Root quality.
Otherwise, given her original Lower Grade Spirit Root and maidservant status, it would have been impossible for her to progress so quickly.
This indirectly confirmed Liu Yiyun’s words.
Her master indeed treated those around him well.
"Xiangcao manages the trivial matters of the cave mansion quite diligently."
Shen Xuan rarely offered a word of praise.
"In that case."
Liu Minglin took the opportunity to say to Liu Mingzhi, "When you return, return Xiangcao’s Spirit Contract to her. Henceforth, let her serve Fellow Daoist Guo with undivided attention."
In Liu Minglin’s view, using a maidservant’s freedom to forge a connection with a Tier Three Dharma Realm cultivator was a very profitable exchange.
"Xiangcao thanks the clan leader."
The young girl immediately knelt and paid her respects, her voice trembling slightly.
In her mind, this equated to regaining her freedom.
Surely Master Guo would no longer keep that paper contract in hand.
After the small talk, Liu Minglin steered the conversation to the main topic:
"May I inquire what Fellow Daoist Guo plans to do next?"
"I have been honing my Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer for five years, and I feel it is nearing perfection."
Shen Xuan mused.
"Four years ago, when I took residence at your esteemed mansion, the clan leader mentioned that as an honored guest, I could be treated like a member of the Liu Family, accumulating meritorious service in the Bright Flame Sect to exchange for the Golden Transformation Pill."
Hearing this, Liu Minglin sighed lightly, "That is indeed true. However, the merits required for the Golden Transformation Pill are as high as a million. Even if Fellow Daoist Guo were alone, or if my Liu family exerted the full strength of the entire clan, it would take decades to gather enough."
This seemed quite reasonable.
In Song Country, the market price of a Golden Transformation Pill is between two to three million Spirit Stones.
Moreover, its availability is scarce.
Without special channels and certain connections, it is impossible to obtain one.
Most people collect the materials themselves and then ask a master of the Alchemy Dao to refine it.
Shen Xuan himself was an Upper Grade Tier Three Pill Master, with three Golden Transformation Pills still in his Storage Pouch.
What he needed was merely a reasonable excuse to join the Bright Flame Sect and embark onto the demon beast battlefield.
"Clan leader, I have heard that the fastest way to earn merits is to participate in the frontier war and slay demon beasts. If one can secure materials from a Tier Three Demon King, they can exchange it for a Golden Transformation Pill?"
Shen Xuan’s face showed anticipation.
"Indeed it is so."
Liu Minglin shook his head and said, "But Tier Three Demon Kings are no easy adversaries. Demon beasts have powerful flesh bodies and bloodline talents. If not fought with arrays and mutual cooperation, even a True Pill True Master would struggle to contend alone with a Demon King of the same tier."
"What the clan leader says is very true."
Shen Xuan’s expression turned increasingly resolute, "Yet we cultivators, in pursuing the Dao, go against the heavens; how can we shy away in fear? The sharpness of the sword is honed through grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold. I have made up my mind—I am willing to venture to the demon beast battlefield to seek my Core Formation opportunity!"
At present, what was displayed was Foundation Establishment Perfection in the Fire Technique, a Dharma Realm Body Refining Master, and a Tier Two Artifact Refiner.
If equipped with a powerful Magical Treasure, he could already contend with a Tier Three Demon King.
Seizing the opportunity, defeating a Tier Three Demon King was also normal.
"Good! Fellow Daoist Guo has such ambition, I admire it."
Liu Minglin applauded and praised, "Do not worry, fellow Daoist, I will immediately contact the patriarch to make arrangements."
He then informed Shen Xuan that the Bright Flame Sect’s frontier campaigns were "a minor war every three years, and a major war every ten years."
At present, the new round of "major war" was approaching.
According to the sect rules, the Liu family, as a vassal force, must send a certain number of cultivators to participate.
If Shen Xuan intended to battle for merits, the Liu family was willing to fully cooperate.
"If Fellow Daoist Guo is willing to lead, all the merits the Liu Family earns on this expedition can go entirely to Fellow Daoist."
Liu Minglin offered.
Shen Xuan was slightly taken aback.
This offer seemed excessively generous.
Liu Minglin immediately added, "I also ask that the fellow Daoist do their utmost to ensure the safe return of our Liu Family disciples."
Hearing this, Shen Xuan finally looked as if he had a sudden realization.
Indeed.
Now, he was undoubtedly the second most powerful person in the Liu Family of Dongming Mountain.
Second only to the clan leader before him, Liu Minglin.
For the Liu Family, the frontier war was truly a strenuous yet unrewarding mandatory sect mission, but one they could not refuse.
If he, a Dharma Realm powerhouse, led the team, the survival rate and achievements of the entire team would surely see significant improvement.
"There’s no need for the clan leader to be like this."
Shen Xuan’s expression remained calm, "Since I am an honored guest of the Liu Family, I should certainly do my utmost to protect the fellow disciples in our journey together."
Want me to be the scapegoat and bear the entire team’s safety?
He wasn’t taking on this hot potato.
Shen Xuan thought to himself.
Leading a group into battle, with its many entanglements, how could it compare to the joy of moving freely alone?