Li Renhui laughed so hard that he could hardly catch his breath, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
Liu Sandao glared at him in fury, his face turning red with anger.
Suddenly, his gaze landed on the pills in Li Renhui's hand. His tiger-like eyes narrowed, a plan forming instantly.
"Old Ghost Li, hand them over!"
With lightning speed, he snatched the pills from Li Renhui and swallowed them whole, instantly refining them within his body!
Li Renhui's smile froze, his face looking as if he had just eaten a dead rat.
"Pa!"
Another sharp smack rang out—the bamboo staff landed mercilessly on Li Renhui's head, forming another swelling bump.
Two enormous lumps now stood proudly atop his head, almost like twin peaks!
Li Renhui came to his senses, not daring to look at Elder Xu, and could only curse Liu Sandao silently in his heart. Hastily, he retrieved another pill, swallowed it, and sat cross‑legged to meditate.
"Two idiots! What kind of karma have I accrued to end up with such disciples?!"
Seeing the two finally beginning to comprehend, Elder Xu muttered to himself under his breath.
He then lifted his gaze to Chu Ge, still with eyes closed.
"Heavenly Dao Derivation… Tsk, tsk… this youth's aptitude truly soars to the heavens. Even in ancient times, such a prodigy would have been extremely rare."
He clicked his tongue in amazement. Seeing that the rest of the sect had already fallen into deep meditation, even his two foolish disciples occasionally showing moments of clarity, a broad smile crept onto his face.
"Elder Xu, perhaps you should meditate as well. Such an opportunity… it would be a pity to miss it. I'll watch over this place; there's no need to worry about accidents."
Suddenly, a voice transmitted directly into Xu Xiuzhu's mind.
He shivered slightly, then cupped his hands toward the void. "Thanks for the guidance, Sacred Lord."
Moments later, he too sat cross‑legged, entering meditation.
In the void, Luo Huangjun remained as ethereal and aloof as ever, her thoughts impossible to read.
Beside her, Su Lingyuan sat cross‑legged, her delicate face occasionally flickering with comprehension.
Her gaze fell downward.
Looking across, countless mighty masters sat cross‑legged, absorbed in meditation. Even the quasi-disciples who had not formally joined the sect benefited.
Those without cultivation received the baptism of the mysterious aura pervading heaven and earth; their bodies were strengthened, and a gentle spiritual power quietly emerged within them, marking the first step on their path of cultivation. After some practice, this would transform into genuine cultivation, saving them much effort.
Those with existing cultivation not only saw their strength rise, but their aptitude was enhanced as well—slightly, but still invaluable!
A few of the luckiest among them, on top of enhanced aptitude, gained true comprehension of the mysterious aura. This was the essence of the Heavenly Dao Derivation itself. To grasp it, even powerful masters would benefit greatly—it was the very articulation of the Dao. In ancient times, it would be no different than receiving instruction directly from a supreme being above the Nine Heavens.
These fortunate few had truly transformed this understanding into an imprint within themselves. Though it might not manifest now or for a long time to come, once their cultivation reached the Sixth Heaven, it would play a crucial role in their breakthrough to the Seventh Heaven.
Her gaze shifted to Ye Chen, still lying on the ground.
"The child of fortune… truly extraordinary. Even in this state, he has gained benefits from the Heavenly Dao Derivation. His cultivation has risen silently, nearly reaching a small breakthrough."
"But… this time… you are indeed the unluckiest of them all."
A faint smile appeared on Luo Huangjun's face as she fixed her gaze on the simple, ancient ring on Ye Chen's hand.
Every movement in this place was under her watchful eyes.
The ring silently absorbed the mysterious aura from the Heavenly Dao Derivation. This power should have belonged to Ye Chen, but she had quietly siphoned most of it for herself.
Every subtle action escaped no detail from her observation. Yet she had no intention of interfering—simply watching, quietly and calmly.