"The Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is vast. Let's be cautious and avoid those Killing Stars. Exploring some remote areas will surely yield rewards."
"Think about it, if you can find a few pieces of Tier Four Golden Materials in the Secret Realm, your Lifebound Flying Sword could progress further, even cultivating it into a Quasi-Tier Four Spiritual Treasure, wouldn't that be ideal?"
Chen Sheng listened quietly and only after he finished speaking did he slowly reply:
"I appreciate your kind intentions, Fellow Daoist, but I have contemplated deeply — for me, the only temptation in the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is the Nascent Fruit."
"Given my current Cultivation, facing those at Golden Core Perfection, especially the True Sword Child of the Myriad Swords Sect, the chances to compete for the Nascent Fruit are too slim. Rather than taking the risk, it's better to act prudently."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Spirit Fruits on the table, his tone carrying a touch of calmness:
"As for other Nascent Soul Spiritual Materials, the Daoist Sect Treasure Vault already has reserves. As the Master of Danming Hall, I may be able to exchange for them with contributions in the future."
"Moreover, the High Tier Spiritual Materials that Golden Core Cultivators obtain in the Grotto Heaven will gradually flow into the market, and I can refine a few furnaces of Elixir Pills to exchange for them."
Upon hearing this, Master Shi Fang slightly paused the hand holding the teacup, gradually understanding Chen Sheng's underlying message.
It wasn't that the other party disregarded those Spiritual Materials, but rather found that obtaining them from the outside world was safer compared to taking risks for non-essential opportunities, not worth the risk of falling.
He looked at Chen Sheng and suddenly remembered that the latter was only two hundred and sixty years old, yet already a Tier Three Top Level Alchemist and Master of Danming Hall.
While he himself, over four hundred years old, was only a Late-stage Golden Core and Tier Three High Grade Talisman Dao Grandmaster, the foundation between the two was inherently different.
"Fellow Daoist... I am utterly convinced."
Master Shi Fang put down the teacup, the urgency in his eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by genuine admiration, as he stood and cupped his hands towards Chen Sheng:
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"To be able to decisively choose even such a great opportunity without being swayed by greed, truly a great man! If it were me, even knowing the dangers of the Grotto Heaven, I would definitely be unable to resist taking a chance."
Chen Sheng smiled and waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity:
"I wasn't so resolute at the beginning either; I hesitated for a long time."
"However, I already handed over the Ancient Yue Token issued by the Sect to the Chen Clan Commerce Association to auction, thus eradicating any disturbance, which completely restored my usual mindset."
In fact, if not for Chen Sheng possessing the unparalleled opportunity of the Hundred Generations of Reincarnation, he might have been like Master Shi Fang, willing to face the risk of falling to enter the Secret Realm to strive for a Nascent Soul opportunity.
"Even the Token was auctioned off?"
Upon hearing this, Master Shi Fang was even more shocked, then he raised his thumb with a hearty laugh, saying:
"Fellow Daoist, such a mindset, truly admirable!"
"Forget it, forget it. Since you've made up your mind, I won't persuade you further. When I come out from the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven, should I find any good Spiritual Materials, I will certainly come to you to exchange for a few furnaces of Elixir Pills!"
Chen Sheng nodded with a smile, standing up to see him to the entrance of the cave abode:
"Then I shall await your good news, Fellow Daoist."
Master Shi Fang drank a mouthful of wine, transformed into a scarlet red Escape Light, and gradually disappeared into the Cloud Sea.
Chen Sheng looked in the direction he left, lightly nodding his head.
Though the opportunities in the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven are good, to him, steadily accumulating strength and making a gradual progression towards Nascent Soul was the most suitable path.
...
The main hall of the Three Elements Dao Sect is located at the peak of the Sect's main mountain.
The hall is constructed with Cloud Pattern Stone, with thirty-six fist-sized Luminous Beads embedded in the roof, emitting a gentle yet dignified light even in daylight.
True Monarch Chong Xu, dressed in a purple-golden Daoist Robe, sits at the Jade Throne at the head of the hall, with a Water Mirror suspended in front of him, clearly reflecting the names and combat strength evaluations of the Golden Core Cultivators of each lineage.
He taps lightly on the Water Mirror with his fingertip, occasionally annotating beside the names, as the pressure from the surrounding Nascent Soul permeates the air within the hall with intense gravity.
Suddenly, he flicks his finger, and several Spirit Lights float in the hall, manifesting as several Treasures radiating strong auras, each a genuinely valuable item.
At the center, a pale golden infant the size of a fist hovers within a Glazed Shield, breathing gently like a sleeping infant, surrounded by dense Talisman patterns, faintly revealing the flow of Spiritual Power inside.
Beside it is a folding fan with the feathers of five kinds of Spiritual Birds - Golden Roc, Peacock, White Crane, Swan, and Owl - painted on its surface, with fan bones made of unknown blood-colored Spirit Wood. The edge of the fan emits a soft flame halo, exactly the Tier Four Bloodline Spiritual Treasure Five Beasts Li Fire Fan.
Next to it is a faint blue cover...
True Monarch Chong Xu's gaze falls on the Talisman Infant, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.
This Talisman Infant is a supreme treasure painstakingly refined over three hundred years by a Tier Four Talisman Dao Grandmaster of the Sect. It uses thousands of sheets of Tier Three Talisman Paper as the base and incorporates a Dead Infant from a Nascent Soul True Monarch who has reached the end of their lifespan.
Functionally similar to an Outer Pill, cultivators can remove it at any time, and after refinement, though it cannot extend lifespan or grant the Divine Techniques of a true Nascent Soul Cultivator, it provides Nascent Soul level Mana, enough to crush Golden Core Cultivators.
However, the existence of this Talisman Infant is only a thousand years, requiring dozens of High Tier Spiritual Materials to refine, making it extremely rare, with only one left in the Daoist Sect now.
True Monarch Chong Xu taps the Water Mirror with his finger, and a golden light shines beside Master Qian Yuan's name:
"The Talisman Infant is entrusted to Master Qian Yuan for refinement."
"He is originally a Tier Four Lower Grade Array Grandmaster, skilled in setting up the 'Tier Four Killing Array', yet limited by the Mana of his Golden Core Perfection, unable to fully wield the Array's power. If supported by Nascent Soul level Mana, he will surely secure a Nascent Fruit in the Secret Realm."
Afterwards, his gaze turns to the Five Beasts Li Fire Fan, and the Golden Roc image on the fan surface seems to sense his scrutiny, glowing faintly red.
This Tier Four Bloodline Spiritual Treasure was left by a Nascent Soul True Monarch and Artifact Refining Grandmaster of the Daoist Sect, incorporating countless bloodline restrictions during its creation, only to be activated by descendants of that Grandmaster's bloodline, with the denser the bloodline, the stronger the Spiritual Treasure's power.
The fan seals the Flame Divine Techniques of five kinds of Spiritual Birds, capable of drawing upon some of the Spiritual Treasure's power even when wielded by non-Nascent Soul Cultivators, far surpassing the most top-tier Magical Treasures in power.
"The Five Beasts Li Fire Fan is entrusted to Master Shi Peng."
True Monarch Chong Xu taps the Water Mirror lightly again, causing Master Shi Peng's image to enlarge—this young man in the mirror, clad in a red Daoist Robe, with a handsome appearance and vigorous Spiritual Power, has already reached Golden Core Perfection Cultivation.
"He is currently the Zhao Clan descendant with the richest bloodline. Though young and not as seasoned as those few Daoists, with the support of a Spiritual Treasure, he can invoke the Golden Roc True Fire and wield some of the Spiritual Treasure's Divine Techniques, capable of contending with the Sword Children of the Myriad Swords Sect and the Saint Children of other Sects."
"As for the Vast Sea Qiankun Shield..."
Having allocated a series of invaluable Treasures, ensuring the Daoist Sect's baseline harvest in the Grotto Heaven.
True Monarch Chong Xu begins counting the life-saving Spiritual Objects prepared for some core Cultivators.
The Tier Four Teleportation Talismans prepared for the core leaders of various lineages, the Breaking Ban Scrolls prepared for Array Cultivators... each of immense value, all painstakingly collected or refined treasures of the Daoist Sect.
Just then, a Communication Jade Talisman flickers, and as True Monarch Chong Xu extends his Divine Sense into it, his eyebrows slightly raise, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes:
"I recall this individual, though only at Mid-stage Golden Core, has already grasped Sword Heart and Sword Intent, capable of deploying a Tier Three High Grade Sword Array."
"Previously evaluating his combat strength, among Mid-stage Golden Core he's already at the pinnacle, enough to rival ordinary Late-stage Golden Core Cultivators, yet he directly gave up?"
He sets down the Jade Talisman, yet a smile curls at the corner of his mouth:
"I've heard this individual has never left Three Elements Immortal City, truly cautious, abandoning even the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven—what boldness!"
It should be noted, Chen Sheng is the Daoist Sect's key prospect for nurturing a Tier Four Alchemy Grandmaster.
Currently, at two hundred and sixty years of age, he's already a Tier Three Top Level Alchemist, with Alchemy talent far surpassing his peers, and given time, might not be unable to break through to Tier Four.
The Daoist Sect had already prepared a Tier Four Void Shifting Talisman and a Tier Four Golden Light Talisman for him, to prevent any mishaps in the Secret Realm, but unexpectedly received his message of withdrawal.
"It's just as well, saving the need for preparing life-saving items for him."
True Monarch Chong Xu laughs and shakes his head, directing his gaze back to the Water Mirror, but this time, adding a remark beside Chen Sheng's name:
"Calm temperament, profound potential, worthy of focusing on Alchemy development."
Soon after, True Monarch Chong Xu completes his arrangements, gazing at the densely packed list of Cultivators in the Water Mirror, formulating a comprehensive plan for exploring the Grotto Heaven.
With Master Qian Yuan and Master Shi Peng among other core Cultivators leading teams, along with the coordination of all lineage Cultivators, the Daoist Sect is certain to obtain enough opportunities in the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven to foster several new Nascent Soul True Monarchs for the Sect.
Within the Nine Cloud Peak Cave Mansion, spiritual mist lingered like a light veil around the Cold Jade Pillar. On the jade couch at the center of the hall was spread a snow-white fox fur cushion, upon which Chen Sheng sat cross-legged.
A tea pot of Spirit Tea on the tea stove in the corner of the cave was steaming gently.
Chen Xixing, dressed in a dark brocade robe and holding a silver pot, carefully refilled the jade cup in front of Chen Sheng, his actions respectful, yet unable to conceal his excitement in his eyes.
"Father, the Ancient Yue Token has been auctioned off! You wouldn't believe the scene yesterday, it was simply terrifying!"
Chen Xixing put down the silver pot, his voice carried hints of excitement, as if returning to yesterday's auction scene within the Immortal City:
"The auction hall of our Chen Clan Commerce Association was already spacious, yet yesterday it was packed to the brim, with seventeen Golden Core Perfection cultivators, and no less than fifty at late-stage Golden Core!"
Chen Sheng took the jade cup, feeling the warm touch of the cup wall with his fingertips, took a sip of the tea, which spread its fragrance on the tongue, bringing a slight bitterness and sweet aftertaste.
He looked up at Chen Xixing, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Oh? Such liveliness? How many Spirit Stones did it finally fetch?"
Chen Xixing extended three fingers, his tone carrying a hint of awe:
"Three million two hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!"
"The starting price was five hundred thousand, and just as the bidding started, it was immediately raised to one million by a loose cultivator at Golden Core Perfection. Then another cultivator from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion called for one and a half million, and finally, the 'Master Iron Sword' from the Northern Territory threw down three million two hundred thousand to secure the token!"
"That Master Iron Sword had to sell off three Tier Three High Grade Magical Treasures and the Spirit Vein and ore vein of Iron Sword Sect. Excluding his Lifebound Magical Treasure, he nearly emptied his entire wealth."
He paused, then added:
"Not only that, in the auction, there were cultivators almost about to fight for the right to raise the price, it was only the activation of a grand array that suppressed the situation."
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"Those cultivators had eyes red with greed, chanting 'Nascent Fruit' and 'Nascent Soul Spiritual Object' as if getting the token would let them return from the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven fully loaded."
Hearing this, Chen Sheng shook his head lightly, but without surprise in his eyes:
"This is normal, nowadays the Daoist Sect only issues tokens to the Inner Sect Golden Core cultivators. The Outer Sect cultivators and loose cultivators haven't even seen the shadow of a token. Our token is currently the only one circulating on the market, naturally it would cause such a scramble."
"Don't mention three million two hundred thousand, even for five million, there would still be buyers. Even the most basic Nascent Soul Spiritual Object in the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven could fetch several million Middle Grade Spirit Stones in the outside world."
"Not to mention whether they can even buy it depends on the face of the Nascent Soul Grand Sect; sometimes holding Spirit Stones doesn't equate to being able to spend them. And since there are treasures like the Nascent Fruit in the Grotto Heaven, for them, it's worth risking everything for a chance!"
He put down the jade cup, his gaze glancing toward the Cloud Sea drifting in from outside the hall, his tone carrying a hint of calmness:
"Do you know, within the Daoist Sect's Inner Sect, even those who have just broken through to Golden Core early-stage are forming teams to head for the Secret Realm, very few choose to give up."
"Though they know they can't compete with Golden Core Perfection, they still wish to try their luck at the margins of the Secret Realm. By chance finding a Tier Four Spiritual Object or Spiritual Material would be a significant aid to their cultivation."
"And not to mention those loose cultivators, without the support of sect resources, the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is almost their only chance to break through to Nascent Soul, so they are bound to go all out."
Hearing this, Chen Xixing nodded lightly:
"Even so, these cultivators are too reckless."
Chen Sheng's eyes flashed with a calculated glimmer:
"That's also why I had you prepare a batch of 'Golden Jade Soul Reviving Pills' in advance, once those cultivators come out from the Secret Realm, regardless of whether they've found opportunities or not, they will need elixirs for healing injuries and repairing Magical Treasures."
"By then, we can trade elixirs for their Spiritual Materials, earning Spirit Stones while collecting materials from the Secret Realm, killing two birds with one stone."
Chen Xixing felt a chill in his heart, instantly realizing his father's scheme—foregoing the entry into the Secret Realm, yet profiting steadily from the opportunity through the token auction and elixir trade, showing far more stability and foresight than those cultivators who only knew to fight."
He bowed and said:
"Father's considerations are thorough, I will make arrangements immediately to have the commerce spies monitor the developments after the Secret Realm's opening, to purchase Spiritual Materials in a timely manner."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, closing his eyes again to continue refining Spirit Marrow.
...
Time slowly slipped like sand through fingers, as the Ancient Yue Tokens from the Six Great Sects were gradually distributed, the entire Cultivation Realm of Yue Country visibly plunged into chaos.
Whether in the bustling streets of Three Elements Immortal City or the secluded corners of the Northern Giant Deer Market, one could hear news of "murder for a token" daily.
Loose cultivators brazenly acted in the market to snatch a token, while sect cultivators set ambushes secretly to intercept lone token holders, only to end up being countered and their entire sect annihilated.
The entire Yue Country seemed to be shrouded in an invisible net, with everyone driven mad by the tokens, the air thick with greed and the aura of slaughter.
Half a year passed in a blink, and this chaos finally ceased completely with the departure of the flying ships from the Six Great Sects.
Only to see six massive flying ships slowly rise from the sect mountain gates, like six moving mountains, heading toward the direction of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven.
Each flying ship was engraved with the distinctive emblem of its sect: the ship from Myriad Swords Sect was entirely silver-white, its hull covered with intersecting sword patterns, the Sword Qi so fierce that even the surrounding clouds dared not approach.
The ship from the Western Wilderness Mirage towered like a mirage, surrounded by faint purple mist, occasionally revealing fierce mirage beast shadows...
Each flying ship was personally presided over by one or two Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
They either stood at the ship's bow, their Nascent Soul aura forming an invisible barrier to shield the ship, or sat cross-legged on the cabin roof, meditating with closed eyes, keeping the Golden Core cultivators around them completely still.
Inside the cabin, numerous Golden Core cultivators sat cross-legged on the ground, refining their energy, spirits, and minds to the peak.
On the ship of the Three Elements Dao Sect, Chen Xihua was dressed in a silver-white sword robe, with a long sword laid across his knees, his eyes slightly closed. The sword intent around him was restrained as he silently familiarized himself with the flow of the Sword Heart.
Beside him, Master Shi Fang held a talisman in his hand, occasionally injecting spiritual power into it. The lines on the talisman glowed faintly as he turned to Chen Xihua, whispering with a smile:
"With a sword cultivator like you who comprehends the Sword Heart accompanying us, we have a better chance of safety in the Secret Realm."
Chen Xihua nodded slightly. Though unable to travel with his father, teaming up with Master Shi Fang was also a reliable support.
Besides the core disciples of the Six Great Sects, the cabin also contained many loose cultivators and cultivators from other Nascent Soul sects.
They had either gained tokens through connections with the Six Great Sects or purchased them at a great cost from auctions. At this moment, all were holding their breath, no one daring to speak loudly; only the faint sound of spiritual power flowing resonated within the cabin.
After two months, the six ships finally arrived at the vast plain where the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven was located.
The plants on the plain had long since withered, and the ground was covered with ancient patterns, clearly traces of restrictions left by ancient cultivators.
The ships slowly descended, and the doors opened. One after another, Golden Core cultivators stepped out in an orderly fashion, forming six neat groups according to their sects.
Chen Xihua and Master Shi Fang stood with the Three Elements Dao Sect's group, their gazes fixed on the center of the plain, filled with anticipation.
Then, the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Six Great Sects began to rise slowly. The pressure from ten Nascent Souls simultaneously spread, as if solidifying the very air of the plain.
"True Monarch Sword Dust" of the Myriad Swords Sect was clad in an ink-colored sword robe, holding an ancient long sword. Though the sword remained sheathed, it exuded a sharpness capable of cleaving through the void.
"True Monarch of the Moon Mirage" from the Western Wilderness Mirage was draped in a light purple gauze garment, holding a "Mirage Bead" swirling with mist. Inside the bead, innumerable phantoms seemed to wriggle.
True Monarch Chong Xu and True Monarch Han Lou of the Three Elements Dao Sect stood side by side, with True Monarch Chong Xu holding a wholly emerald "Bamboo Jade Order", covered in intricate bamboo patterns with spiritual rhyme faintly swirling.
"Old friend Chong Xu, it's been years. Your Bamboo Jade Order appears more lustrous than ever,"
chuckled True Monarch of the Moon Mirage, her voice ethereal like celestial music, with an enigmatic tone: "It seems the spirit veins of the Three Elements Dao Sect have been nourishing well these years."
True Monarch Chong Xu responded with a smile:
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Moon Mirage. Compared to your Mirage Bead that can evoke mirage qi, my Bamboo Jade Order falls short. But, Fellow Daoist Jianchen, the Sword Qi of your 'Mountain-Slaying Sword' seems even more formidable than the last time we met. I imagine your Sword Dao has further advanced."
True Monarch Sword Dust nodded slightly, his words crisp with the characteristic straightforwardness of a sword cultivator:
"Words are pointless. Opening the Grotto Heaven early and letting the juniors find their opportunities is the real task."
The other True Monarchs agreed, ceasing their idle chatter and taking out the exclusive tokens of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven!
All six tokens burst into radiant brilliance simultaneously. The True Monarchs chanted, their fingers manipulating complex spells as Nascent Soul power poured into the tokens.
In an instant, six rotating, massive light screens erupted from the tokens like six colorful suns, converging at the center of the plain.
Within the light screen, bamboo patterns, sword shadows, mirage qi, nether flames, purple sun, and glazed light intertwined, exuding an unimaginably formidable aura, causing subtle ripples in the void.
The light screen gradually opened, revealing a massive virtual space gate behind it, shrouded in clouds, vaguely outlining the silhouette of ancient palaces—the very entrance to the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven.
All the Golden Core cultivators held their breath, eyes filled with awe. Chen Xihua clutched his long sword tightly, his fingertips slightly pale with excitement.
Master Shi Fang widened his eyes, staring fixedly at the virtual space gate, his mind already calculating the exploration route inside.
Before long, the Six Great True Monarchs ceased their spellcasting, the light from the tokens dimming as they fell back into their hands.
True Monarch Chong Xu scanned the Golden Core cultivators below and flicked his fingers, causing the Bamboo Jade Order in his hand to disperse into countless emerald light points, like fireflies, darting precisely into the Ancient Yue Tokens held by each Golden Core cultivator of the Three Elements Dao Sect.
The other True Monarchs followed suit, Mirage Bead scattered purple light points, Mountain-Slaying Sword scattered silver light points, Netherworld Lamp scattered black light points...
Countless light points merged with the tokens, which instantly shone, emitting spirit light resonating with the virtual space gate.
"The Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven is now open. Upon entering, remember—within the Secret Realm, restrictions abound, opportunities and dangers coexist; do not be careless."
True Monarch Chong Xu's voice carried throughout the entire plain, bearing the unique authority of a Nascent Soul cultivator:
"Cherish the opportunities, and bring glory to your sects!"
As his words fell, the Golden Core cultivators of the Six Great Sects could no longer contain their excitement, transforming into streaks of escape light, rushing towards the virtual space gate.
Chen Xihua and Master Shi Fang exchanged a glance, then leapt up simultaneously, blending into the crowd, swiftly heading toward the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven that bore the dreams of countless cultivators.
On the plain, the ten Nascent Soul True Monarchs hovered silently, watching the silhouettes of their disciples vanish into the virtual space gate. True Monarch of the Moon Mirage softly chuckled:
"Hopefully, more Nascent Souls will emerge this time."