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"Fellow Daoist Fengye, can you verify the authenticity of this magic weapon for me?"
After Huang Jing regained her composure, clarity returned to her eyes as she spoke softly. Appearance alone wasn't enough to determine a magic weapon's true nature.
Taoist Maple Leaf responded decisively, tossing over the silver brush with full confidence, allowing Huang Jing to examine it freely.
The starlight on the brush had grown dim, as if it might flicker out at any moment. Huang Jing turned and handed it to Ling Yuling, who stood quietly behind him.
She had the most authority in matters like this.
Gu Jianmo, Feng Luotian, and others watched curiously. They were puzzled by Huang Jing's behavior and by the presence of this Foundation Establishment cultivator, whose appearance made it hard to tell if they were male or female. Despite their curiosity, they asked no questions.
Qi Yuan observed the expressions around him and smiled. The others didn't know Ling Yuling's true identity—but he did.
The forces of good and evil had already formed a secret alliance to resist the rule of the Star Palace. It was only natural they avoided open connections with its members.
After examining the brush, Ling Yuling gave a subtle nod.
With her confirmation, Huang Jing's expression settled. She retrieved a small bottle from her storage bag and tossed it to Taoist Maple Leaf—it was a bottle of Zhoutian Starlight Pills.
These pills held incredible medicinal power and were never sold outside the Star Palace, making them a mystery to most cultivators.
Taoist Maple Leaf took in the fragrance of the pill and put it away with visible satisfaction.
Thus, the treasure exchange concluded, and the Jindan cultivators' secret meeting—organized by Qi Yuan—ended smoothly.
After the guests departed, Xin Ruyin and Xiaomei entered the hall gracefully, their slender figures swaying with each step.
Qi Yuan smiled. "You've been listening for quite a while. Learned anything new about cultivation?"
Xiaomei frowned, her voice soft. "I feel like I've grasped something, but much still confuses me."
Xin Ruyin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke gently. "Xiaomei and I only just reached the Jindan stage. We're still newcomers. We catch glimpses of the bigger picture, but it's far from complete. Thankfully, I recorded everything. When we hit a wall in the future, we'll have something to refer to."
"Ruyin, you're really clever."
Qi Yuan reached for her soft hand and smiled. "With four Jindan cultivators here, our daily discussions can become a kind of mini secret meeting. We'll be able to exchange ideas and progress much faster than by cultivating in isolation."
He thought of Tiannan—of Nangong Wan and the rising star Yuan Yao, both on the brink of forming their golden cores. The future looked bright.
Someday, he could gather a group of Jindan-stage wives and concubines. Wouldn't that be its own large-scale secret meeting?
If one person struggled with something, they could bring it up, and everyone could help solve it together. The efficiency would be unbeatable.
And once they compiled their insights into a reference text, their cultivation base would steadily rise.
Qi Yuan would achieve in a few years what others took ten generations to build.
From then on, he held regular internal meetings, integrating his insights with Xin Ruyin, Yan Ruyan, and the others. This cooperation deepened his understanding and smoothed his cultivation path.
He also refined life-bound magical weapons for the three women to strengthen their combat abilities.
During downtime, he would take them to the outer sea to fight monsters and gather elixirs. He never let his guard down—one careless moment could be fatal.
After entering the Jindan stage, Xin Ruyin's Dragon Roar Body flared less often, but when it did, the force was far more intense than before.
She'd often hold Qi Yuan tightly afterward, unwilling to part from him.
Her cultivation advanced, and so did her formation skills—now bordering on the Nascent Soul level. Their cave residence's defense was greatly enhanced.
Qi Yuan thought the original teleportation array was insufficient, so he brought Xin Ruyin to rebuild it. Even a late-stage Jindan cultivator wouldn't sense anything unusual if they passed by.
Unknowingly, five years passed.
Realizing he'd reached a plateau, Qi Yuan knew pills and closed-door cultivation alone wouldn't take him further.
It was time to search for the Infant Formation clues.
Records spoke of a cultivator named Ku Deng who, three thousand years ago, found a bone-destroying vine on Sanxian Island in the Three Fantasy Seas. But he never returned.
His descendants sold this information to the Yu quintuplets for some spirit stones.
The five Yu brothers had extraordinary natural talents and chose not to risk their lives. They exchanged the clue for the treasures they needed.
The Three Fantasy Seas lay west of the Chaos Star Sea, shrouded year-round in auroras of pink, yellow, and black.
Even Nascent Soul cultivators who lingered too long would faint upon contact with the aurora—easy prey for the sea beasts lurking in the depths.
These auroras only affected humans. Beasts roamed freely within.
Every ten years, the auroras would vanish for three days. This short window drew countless treasure hunters.
Natural treasures abounded, along with relics from past cultivators who had perished there.
Though perilous, the area was too tempting to ignore.
Some who braved it returned stronger—one even broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, astonishing the entire Chaos Star Sea.
Qi Yuan shared his plan with the women. After many rounds of persuasion, he left Tianxing City and headed for the Miaoyin Sect.
He had to inform Zhou Yuan to take precautions if powerful enemies appeared.
"You're going to the Three Fantasy Seas, little brother?"
Zhou Yuan's expression was stunned, concern flashing in her eyes.
She knew all too well how dangerous the area was.
Qi Yuan took a sip of tea and said, "The clue I got from Fellow Daoist Yu points there. The ten-year mark is up, and I want to go in while it's still safe."
Whether he found anything or not, he had to try. As long as he left half a day before the auroras returned, his life wouldn't be at risk.
Finding the bone-destroying vine was his main goal—anything else would be a bonus.
"I've been there once," Zhou Yuan said, her voice serious. "There were bones everywhere. Right before the aurora appeared, I saw a horde of beasts trailing it, waiting to pounce on any unconscious monks."
Her expression darkened at the memory.
Qi Yuan was surprised. "Sister-in-law, you've been inside too? Then I'll be even more careful."
"I'm going with you."
Zhou Yuan's tone left no room for argument. "It's your first time, and you don't know the terrain. I'll guide you and make sure you don't act recklessly."
Qi Yuan was stunned. "But if you leave, who will manage Miaoyin Sect?"
"I've already arranged for the left and right emissaries to assist Zi Ling. Everything will run smoothly."
Qi Yuan nodded after a moment's thought. "I'll also ask Xiaomei to stay and help. A Jindan cultivator's presence is necessary to deter opportunists."
"Good. That sets my mind at ease."
Soon after, Zhou Yuan organized the sect's affairs, and Qi Yuan sent a message to Tianxing City.
Two streaks of light shot out from Miaoyin Sect, heading for the Sanhuan Sea.
Half a month later, in a sea glowing with three-colored auroras, hundreds of Jindan cultivators gathered.
It resembled a bustling market.
Some sold treasures on the outskirts, earning spirit stones without venturing into danger.
Qi Yuan was surprised at the crowd. Zhou Yuan, dressed in a graceful lavender palace robe, calmly shared some safety tips.
A dark-skinned young man approached. "Planning to enter? I've got powerful talismans—buy a few for protection?"
Qi Yuan glanced over and lost interest immediately.
Zhou Yuan smiled politely. "No need, thank you."
The young man persisted. "Maybe you're confident, but what about your companion's safety?"
Zhou Yuan blushed at his words and snapped, "Enough. We're not buying. Leave."
The man looked like he might argue, but Qi Yuan's cold gaze sent him scurrying away.
Qi Yuan smiled. "Don't mind him, sister-in-law."
Zhou Yuan shrugged it off but asked, "Are you sure we shouldn't buy anything for protection?"
Qi Yuan noticed the concern in her eyes. He quietly handed her several Blue Dragon Talismans. "Take these. They're far better than what he offered."
Zhou Yuan's fingers brushed over the talismans, feeling the power within. Her cheeks turned pink.
"These are too valuable..."
Qi Yuan pressed the talismans back into her hands. "They'll help me worry less."
She hesitated, then accepted them with a nod.
Just then, a grand beast-drawn chariot approached, pulled by three enormous six-eyed, four-winged blue birds.
The chariot gleamed with layered talismans and faint white light.
Eight graceful women in the Foundation Establishment stage flanked it, heads held high with pride.
Qi Yuan recognized the aura and guessed the owner—Wen Tianren.
Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed. She clenched her fists, trembling as she stared at the chariot. The man who killed her husband was right there.
But Wen Tianren's oppressive aura held her back—any rash move could endanger Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan noticed her distress and gently placed a hand on her back, transferring magic power into her meridians to calm her.
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