Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Chapter 537: The Demonic Cave

. . .

After Yang Xueyi formed her core, it took her just about half a year to fully solidify her Cultivation Base, completely mastering the power of a Gold Core period cultivator.

Then, she left her secluded meditation to pay her respects to Sect Master Meng Zhang. Yang Xueyi’s demeanor was very appropriate; the first person she visited upon emerging from seclusion was Sect Master Meng Zhang.

Meng Zhang praised and encouraged her, spending a long time communicating with her. He generously imparted his own experiences and techniques from the Gold Core phase without any reservation.

What Yang Xueyi needed to do next was to continue to strengthen her Cultivation Base, cultivate the Divine Abilities unique to Gold Core period cultivators, and truly harness the combat strength of a Gold Core Daoist Master.

Within the vast library of the Taiyi Sect, there were several Third Rank magic tools. These tools, passed down from the Layered Mystery Sect, were of excellent quality and highly valuable. As one of the only two openly recognized Gold Core Daoist Masters in Taiyi Sect, Yang Xueyi was eligible to exchange her sect merits to possess one or two.

Although Yang Xueyi held a rune weapon passed down from seniors of the Purple Gold Sect, she was not in urgent need of the Third Rank magic tools.

Now, as a Gold Core Daoist Master, Yang Xueyi was also entitled to know some of the secrets of the Taiyi Sect.

Meng Zhang found an opportunity and had a long conversation with Yang Xueyi, revealing to her the origins and history of the Taiyi Sect without holding anything back. The origins of the Four Guardian Spirit Generals, including the secret of the Delicate Water Spirit General having restored her Gold Core Cultivation Base, were also shared with her.

After learning about the Taiyi Sect's history from Meng Zhang, Yang Xueyi felt a profound weight in her heart. The Taiyi Sect had faced calamities and been annihilated several times throughout history. She wondered if the same fate would befall the current Taiyi Sect.

She greatly admired Meng Zhang for carrying so many secrets while resiliently leading the Taiyi Sect to its rise. Being a person of steadfast determination, Yang Xueyi didn’t let these negative emotions affect her for long.

Having recently formed her core, she still had much to do. The Taiyi Sect's Hidden Scripture Pavilion housed numerous scriptures. Even Divine Abilities meant for Gold Core Daoist Masters were plentifully stored. These included legacies Meng Zhang obtained from the Taiyi Sect Trial Ground, continuous inheritances from the Purple Gold Sect, fragmented Layered Mystery Sect legacies, and contributions from the Guardian Spirit Generals.

Most Gold Core Daoist Masters could find Divine Abilities suitable for their cultivation within. The inheritance Yang Xueyi received from the seniors of the Purple Gold Sect was already vast, and the Taiyi Sect’s Hidden Scripture Pavilion could satisfy most of her needs.

Currently, Taiyi Sect had two open and one hidden Gold Core cultivators. The Grand Lion Ridge's Third Rank spirit vein was overburdened. The spirit essence that Yang Xueyi didn’t use when she formed her core was eventually shared among the sect members. The spirit essence wouldn't last long, and the Grand Lion Ridge's Third Rank spirit vein couldn't be over-extracted for an extended period. To support three Gold Core Daoist Masters, the Taiyi Sect either needed to find more spirit essences or acquire another Third Rank spirit vein.

Spirit essences were rare and often priceless in the Cultivation World. Apart from the Deadly Sea of Sand, no other places were known to have them regularly. The Deadly Sea of Sand was perilous. Even as Meng Zhang continued to send more cultivator teams into it, no new spirit essences were found. As for finding a new Third Rank spirit vein, Meng Zhang was at a loss.

Meng Zhang had never expected that one day he would be troubled because there were too many Gold Core cultivators in his sect.

Three years after Yang Xueyi formed her core, two unexpected visitors arrived outside the infamous Demonic Cave in the Deadly Sea of Sand. One was the external avatar of True Monarch Tian Zhu, and the other was Daoist Master Jin Li.

The so-called Demonic Cave was originally a series of interconnected caves that extended far below the Deadly Sea of Sand. After it was occupied and transformed by Demonic Cultivators, it became the stronghold for them, hence earning its ominous reputation.

As True Monarch Tian Zhu’s avatar stood silently in the sky, he looked down at the Demonic Cave and said, "Had you not reminded me, I would have been deceived by that old fox."

"It's pitiable. That old fox used to be a dominant figure across realms. Now he has stooped to colluding with these petty demons."

"You've done well this time. Consider it a merit."

Daoist Master Jin Li respectfully replied, "I dare not take credit. The anomaly in the Demonic Cave was first discovered by Taiyi Sect's Sect Master Meng Zhang, who then informed me."

In these matters, Daoist Master Jin Li had nothing to hide from the external avatar of True Monarch Tian Zhu.

"Taiyi Sect, that ambitious young man, he's somewhat interesting," murmured the avatar of True Monarch Tian Zhu.

"He's here. After all these years of waiting, the old fox, you've finally given me an advantage."

True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar suddenly became animated with excitement.

From the small demon cave, two Third Rank sand monsters flew out, ready to dissipate into the wind and sand. However, with a wave of his hand, True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar immobilized them.

The two Third Rank sand monsters struggled fiercely, but they couldn't move an inch.

With a pseudo grip in mid-air, True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar squeezed tightly. Those two Third Rank sand monsters, which even the average Gold Core Daoist Master wouldn't dare to provoke, were crushed by an invisible force, turning into a sky full of ash.

Jin Li Daoist Master, despite having witnessed True Monarch Tian Zhu's prowess before, was still astonished by the immense power possessed by the Primordial Spirit True Monarch.

Not long ago, Jin Li Daoist Master had broken through to achieve the Gold Core completion stage.

Although it seemed that there was only a slight difference between Gold Core completion and Primordial Spirit True Monarch, this gap had stumped countless talented Gold Core Daoist Masters in history.

Jin Li Daoist Master had an excellent inheritance and practiced a technique directly pointing to the Primordial Spirit Grand Dao. He was of excellent aptitude and exceptional talent.

After pledging allegiance to True Monarch Tian Zhu, Jin Li Daoist Master occasionally received guidance from the great expert in the late stage of the Primordial Spirit.

Even so, he wasn't confident of breaking through the barrier between Gold Core and Primordial Spirit periods to become a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.

After crushing the two Third Rank sand monsters, True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar effortlessly summoned the items from the monsters.

By now, the commotion had alarmed the highly vigilant demonic cultivators inside the small demon cave.

Dark shadows flew out of the cave, trying to investigate the disturbance.

True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar secured the items and instructed Jin Li Daoist Master, "Guard the entrance. Kill anything that tries to escape."

Without waiting for Jin Li Daoist Master to respond, the avatar casually marched into the demon cave.

Obeying the command, Jin Li Daoist Master guarded the entrance. Inside, thunderous booms echoed, causing intense tremors and collapsing tunnels. However, not a single demonic cultivator emerged.

Sometime later, a slightly disheveled avatar of True Monarch Tian Zhu returned, looking displeased. "The creature inside was nearly matured. Even an average Primordial Spirit True Monarch might have struggled against it."

"These little demons have some skill, managing to secretly cultivate such a monster."

"It's good you sought me out. Venturing in on your own, given your cultivation, you might not have escaped unscathed."

"What kind of monster was cultivated down there?" Jin Li Daoist Master inquired.

Ignoring the question, True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar continued, "I've completely obliterated that monster, leaving no trace. Some little demons managed to escape. I couldn't be bothered chasing them. With this, in our wager, he has lost another round to me. Now I have an excuse to cleanse the Deadly Sea of Sand and completely cut off his influence. Gather all available forces to eradicate all the sand monster colonies in the Deadly Sea of Sand. Capture or kill all ghosts and demonic cultivators."

Seeing Jin Li Daoist Master's hesitation, the avatar reassured, "Don't worry, you won't be alone. Aside from the Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect, I have prepared new allies for you."

Without further explanation, True Monarch Tian Zhu's avatar left with Jin Li Daoist Master.

Meanwhile, Meng Zhang, the Sect Master, remained unaware of these events. Despite having his senior disciple, Niu Dawei, share much of his workload, he still had numerous responsibilities.

After Yang Xueyi's emergence, many elders, inspired, suggested hosting a grand Gold Core celebration to not only celebrate Yang Xueyi's achievement but also to deter other forces in the Endless Sea of Sand.

The stronger a sect, the more benefits its disciples received and the more respect it garnered from other cultivation powers.

Meng Zhang was initially inclined to accept the suggestion but, after consulting Yang Xueyi, decided against it.

A more powerful Taiyi Sect might threaten the Flying Swan Sect. If Taiyi Sect continued to grow, the Northern Desert Qi Family might even align with the Flying Swan Sect. To avoid antagonizing them, it was best to keep Yang Xueyi's achievement discreet and not to ostentatiously celebrate with a Gold Core ceremony.

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