Chapter 251 - 257: Surprise

Words : 1491 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Li Zhirui was unaware that the reason Zhang Bufan didn't know the cause was because he had just recovered from his injuries when he coincidentally received this task. He rushed directly to Wanxian Island, resulting in a huge misunderstanding by the Li family. "So that's how it is." Li Zhirui had an expression of someone caught between laughter and tears. Facing the puzzled look from a Golden Core cultivator, he didn't explain but followed a Foundation Establishment disciple into the midst of Myriad Thunder Mountain, to the site where the Nascent Soul Ceremony was to be held. It has to be said that Shen Leishan had really splurged in this aspect! The vast square was paved with first-grade Spirit Jade, the utensils provided for the guests were at least second-grade Magic Artifacts, lit with third-grade Green Lotus Jade Incense, and the jade tables were arranged with various Spirit Fruits; these were just the basics. For a Golden Core cultivator like Li Zhirui, his table also held several plates of third-grade Spirit Fruits and a pot of fragrant Spirit Tea. And this was just a pre-meal snack, to quench the thirst and pass the time for cultivators like him who had arrived early. Li Zhirui casually picked up a Spirit Fruit, glanced at the cultivators nearby, and noticed that those who had arrived were from vassal forces; major powers like Wood Spirit Sect and Xuanfa Pavilion hadn't arrived yet. "Cyan Mountain's Shen Qingqi of the Shen Family greets fellow Daoist Li." A middle-aged male cultivator came up to him, greeting him with a smile. Li Zhirui, not knowing the reason, returned the greeting. He had heard of the Cyan Mountain Shen Family, which was located to the east of Myriad Thunder State, with three Golden Core members in the clan that had a legacy of over a thousand years, adept at talisman making, and considered one of the more powerful vassal families under Shen Leishan. However, because the two families were far apart, they had not dealt with each other before. Now, with a sudden greeting, Li Zhirui was somewhat surprised in his heart. "I have heard that fellow Daoist Li is young and promising, and seeing you today, I find it to be indeed the case!" Shen Qingqi praised sincerely. "Fellow Daoist flatters me." Li Zhirui felt this person must have come with a purpose, but he did not know what it was, so he chatted with him in a lukewarm manner. It was clear that Shen Qingqi had done his homework; he actually recounted several deeds of the Li family and Li Zhirui. "I heard that fellow Daoist is skilled in Alchemy?" Li Zhirui's heart stirred; this must be the reason he had approached him. With an impassive face, he replied, "I can only refine some Spirit Pills." A hint of joy appeared on Shen Qingqi's face, "I wonder if fellow Daoist can refine third-grade Spirit Pills that increase Mana?" "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint fellow Daoist. Although I've had my Golden Core breakthrough for several years now, due to the lack of sufficient Spiritual Medicine for practice, I haven't been successful to date." The Essence-Enhancing Pills were sold to the Southern Edge Commerce Association, so the Li family wouldn't make it publicly available for a short time. "It seems I have disturbed fellow Daoist." With that, Shen Qingqi left in disappointment. He came just to buy Spirit Pills from me? Li Zhirui watched his retreating figure, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes. Third-grade Spirit Pills were quite precious, but for a family like the Shen Family with consecutive generations of Golden Core cultivators, it wasn't possible that they couldn't buy them. Why would they specifically seek him out? After pondering for a while without coming to a conclusion, he had no choice but to put it aside and wait for the arrival of the major powers. "Wood Spirit Sect's Qingliu True Person has brought Water Peaches... Four True Lords, presenting one Gold-Patterned Ginkgo Spirit Tree of the fourth-grade, as a congratulatory gift for Cloud Thunder True Lord's Nascent Soul achievement!" Not long after, as an announcing voice echoed, a total of five Golden Core cultivators entered the square. "Such a large gesture!" Li Zhirui couldn't help but click his tongue when he heard the Wood Spirit Sect's congratulatory gift. Gold-Patterned Ginkgo, a fourth-grade Spirit Tree, its fruits effective with pure Mana, but this wasn't its most valuable aspect. The true value came from the fact that if it could grow for three thousand years without dying, it could transform into a Spiritual Root! After evolving into a Spiritual Root, the effect of its fruits would greatly increase, and it could be used to suppress destiny and was essential for creating Cave Heavens. Of course, the methods for creating Cave Heavens were extremely precious, and even Shen Leishan might not possess them. But even so, with just the first two effects alone, the Spiritual Root was already exceedingly precious. Subsequently, powers such as the Profound Fire Fan Family and the Xuanfa Pavilion also arrived one after another, and the gifts they brought were almost as precious as the Gold-Patterned Ginkgo. Even the Profound Ice Sect from the north had crossed the Great Void Province occupied by Devil Beasts, sending several Golden Core cultivators to offer their congratulations. 'Sects of the Immortal Tao within tens of thousands of miles have all come!' Li Zhirui silently thought to himself. At the same time, a question arose in his heart, why did the birth of a single Nascent Soul True Lord cause such a huge commotion? Especially concerning the Profound Ice Sect, according to intelligence gathered by the Li family, their relationship with Shen Leishan was mediocre at best, even fraught with several disputes, and yet they now crossed the Devil Domain! "Hahahahaha..." Accompanied by a laughter like thunder, a frail and hunched old man with white hair appeared on the cloud bed at the head of the room. That seemingly weak body contained a terrifying energy that was heart-stopping. In Li Zhirui's eyes, it was like a ball of light that had gathered a vast amount of thunder plasm, dazzling and too brilliant to gaze at directly. "My dear friends, coming from thousands of miles to congratulate me makes me very happy," declared Cloud Thunder True Lord magnanimously. "Don't be reserved, let's start right away!" One after another, beautifully featured female cultivators took the stage, their willowy waists swaying alluringly, their delicate hands gleaming against the white Jade Plates they held, causing all the male cultivators present to gaze with shining eyes. "Raise your glasses!" Cloud Thunder True Lord announced loudly, "To your unimpeded path on the dao!" "To the True Lord's Nascent Soul becoming divine, and his Ascension after Tribulation Transcendence!" The crowd stood up, repeating the words of the Shen Leishan cultivators. Amidst melodious singing and exquisite dancing, cups and platters were passed around in the bustling banquet, many cultivators becoming immersed in the festivities, unable to extricate themselves. But Li Zhirui remained calm throughout, and thankfully, there were other cultivators who were the same, so he didn't stand out too much. Dang dang dang! About an hour later, suddenly, a clear chime of bells rang out, rousing everyone to clarity. The clever cultivators knew that what was to come was the most important part of the ceremony — the teachings! Thus, many began to clear the stray thoughts from their minds, adjusting their states so as not to miss the opportunity. But there were also those who thought these so-called teachings were just about stating some unimportant matters, merely going through the motions of a tradition that had been passed down for countless years, and did not pay it much heed. "I, Cloud Thunder, was fortunate to receive heaven's blessing to break through Nascent Soul. Throughout my life, I could never escape from 'thunder'. Today, I will discuss this path, these methods with you all!" Cloud Thunder True Lord said solemnly. "Thunder, the subtle movement of yin and yang, also known as the union of yin and yang..." Li Zhirui was startled; the True Lord was indeed serious and not just placating the crowd with perfunctory words! Faced with such an opportunity, how could he allow himself to be distracted? He immediately focused his mind and continued to listen to Cloud Thunder's teachings. Those cultivators who had been dismissive before were suddenly alarmed and hurriedly cleared their minds, wishing to hear these teachings. But for some reason, they found themselves unable to concentrate and settle their minds; to them, those teachings sounded just like roaring thunder. If they tried to forcibly listen, it would instead cause their qi and blood to surge tumultuously, and myriad stray thoughts to arise!

Chapter 251 - 257: Surprise

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