Chapter 45: The Five Young Supremes of Xuanjiang

Chapter 45 - 45: The Five Young Supremes of Xuanjiang Shen Mo glanced at Zhao Rou and noticed a change in her aura. He raised an eyebrow, "Zhao Rou, did you reach the Foundation Establishment stage?" Zhao Rou smiled sweetly, "Yes, but unlike Senior Brother Shen, it's not a Perfect Dao Foundation, just a Flawless Dao Foundation." Shen Mo nodded, "A Flawless Dao Foundation is still impressive, better than most." Zhao Ting and Luo Shengnan looked thoughtful. "But compared to a Perfect Dao Foundation, it's quite a gap," they said. The Dao Foundation is the basis of the Dao. They had only established Flawless Dao Foundations, so their future achievements would certainly be lower than those of Shen Mo, who had established a Perfect Dao Foundation. The four of them then started chatting idly. During this time, Zhao Rou went to the martial arts stage. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she easily entered the top six. Luo Shengnan, noticing Shen Mo's aura was as unfathomable as a mountain, couldn't help but ask, "Shen Mo, what is your current stage?" Shen Mo replied, "Peak Foundation Establishment." There was no need for him to hide his stage, as it would be revealed in battle anyway. "So soon?!" Zhao Ting, who was sipping tea, was shocked. Luo Shengnan scratched her head, "I just broke through to the Major Achievement of the Foundation Establishment stage a few days ago. I didn't expect you to advance even faster." Zhao Rou's eyes sparkled with admiration. No wonder he has a Heaven-Grade Physique. His cultivation speed is far beyond ordinary people! "Shen Mo's cultivation speed, not just in Qingxuan Sect, but in the entire Xuanjiang Prefecture, is among the top," Zhao Ting remarked. "Shen Mo, have you heard of the Five Young Supremes of Xuanjiang?" Shen Mo was puzzled, "No, I haven't." Luo Shengnan scoffed, "Called young supremes, but who knows if they're secretly doing despicable things." Zhao Ting cleared his throat, "Divine Sword Sect's Sword Supreme Zhou Qingcang, Rising Sun Sect's Fiery Supreme Hong Chilong, Thunder Fire Sect's Thunder Supreme Wan Renjie, Green Vine Sect's Demonic Supreme Mo Yuheng, and Heavenly Water Sect's Dark Supreme Yin Xuege." Shen Mo pondered for a moment. He quickly understood. These five must be the top talents of the five major sects of Xuanjiang. They might even possess Heaven-Grade Physiques. "All five of them are at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage." "The reason they haven't formed their cores yet is that they're gathering materials for a Perfect Core." Zhao Ting sighed, "They are exceptional talents, so they naturally aim for a Perfect Core." Luo Shengnan was also moved, "If I ever reach the Core Formation stage, I'll be content with a Flawless Core." Shen Mo shook his head, "Aim high to achieve the middle, aim for the middle to achieve the low. If you set a low goal from the start, your achievements will be even lower." Zhao Ting, Luo Shengnan, and Zhao Rou were all taken aback. Luo Shengnan paused, then laughed heartily, "No wonder the sect master favors you; it's no wonder you're ahead of us!" Zhao Ting nodded, "I've learned something today. I must also aim for a Perfect Core!" Just then, a commotion arose from below. The four of them looked towards the martial arts stage. On the stage, Xiao Fan had defeated his opponent with a thunderous force. His opponent was also a Foundation Establishment disciple and had a good chance of passing the selection. But now he was stopped by Xiao Fan. Clearly, the opponent's luck was not good. Shen Mo shook his head. How can ordinary people compare to someone with great fortune? "Xiao Fan's stage... seems to have reached the Minor Achievement of the Foundation Establishment stage. This guy is strong too," Luo Shengnan scratched her head. Zhao Rou's expression turned cold, "A hypocrite and a true scoundrel. He has an Earth-Grade Physique, what a waste." Xiao Fan's Earthly Physique was not kept secret like Shen Mo's Heavenly Physique by Murong Yue's order. Many people knew about it. Luo Shengnan was puzzled, "What's the story behind this?" Zhao Rou then recounted how she was almost harassed by rogue cultivators one day and how Xiao Fan, hiding in the shadows, did nothing to help. Zhao Ting already knew this and had no reaction. But it was Luo Shengnan's first time hearing it, and she was instantly furious. "Clearly having the ability to save someone but choosing not to, it's truly disgusting!" "Originally, I thought he had decent strength and was considering befriending him." Luo Shengnan looked as if she had just found a fly in her food. "Ignore him, he's with the Vice Sect Master, not on the same path as us," Zhao Ting waved his hand dismissively. At this moment, the elder responsible for arbitration on the martial arts stage nodded slightly, infused his voice with spiritual power, and announced loudly, "The six disciples have been selected. Now, the four true disciples, please enter the arena!" His voice echoed like a bell, resounding throughout the sect. "Look, Liu Yunxuan is here too," Luo Shengnan suddenly pointed in a direction. The four of them looked over and saw Liu Yunxuan striding confidently towards the martial arts stage. The disciples along the way instinctively made way for him, filled with awe. "Finally, it's our turn," Luo Shengnan rubbed her wrists. "When we draw lots, I hope I draw Xiao Fan. Sister Rou, watch me beat him up for you!" Zhao Rou covered her mouth and giggled, "Alright!" Shen Mo, Zhao Ting, and Luo Shengnan, the three true disciples, walked down from the pavilion. They stood across from Liu Yunxuan at a distance. On the martial arts stage, alongside Xiao Fan and Zhao Rou, stood the six disciples who had passed the selection. There were a total of ten people. The watching disciples were all excited. Now, all ten people on the stage were at the Foundation Establishment stage! After waiting so long, they were finally about to witness a fierce battle! At this moment, several streaks of light flashed across the sky. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Several figures appeared in the sky. Leading them was a person dressed in a crimson palace robe, the Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect, Shen Mo's master, Murong Yue. Beside her were several Core Formation elders, including Vice Sect Master Liu Yuanfeng. Their arrival signaled the beginning of the final battle. Qingxuan Sect's ten strongest disciples were about to compete! Liu Yuanfeng suddenly spoke loudly, "Although this selection is to choose elite disciples for the Hundred Sects Ceremony, it wouldn't be right without a reward." "As the Vice Sect Master, I should set an example." With that, he casually tossed a book into the air, where it floated, tightly wrapped in a sphere of spiritual light. "This is a top-grade Profound-Grade martial technique, 'Eight Directions Thunderous Movement.' It will be the reward for the first place." Upon seeing this, the disciples gasped. And it's not from the sect's library; it must be Liu Yuanfeng's personal collection! He actually took out a top-grade Profound-Grade martial technique! Murong Yue frowned, not understanding why Liu Yuanfeng would offer something so valuable as a reward. Even Core Formation experts like them rarely had Earth-Grade techniques. So, many of the techniques used by Murong Yue, Liu Yuanfeng, and others were top-grade Poround-Grade Liu Yuanfeng said calmly, "Sect Master, what about your reward? As the Sect Master, shouldn't you also set an example?" Murong Yue pondered for a moment, then threw out a jade branch and a drop of crimson blood. "A top-level Profound-Grade treasure, Crystal Branch, which can serve as a wood foundation for establishing a Dao Foundation or condensing a Golden Core." "A top-grade Profound-Grade treasure, Lesser Dragon Blood, which can stabilize the body and increase the success rate of forming a Golden Core by thirty percent." When these two items were presented, the disciples gasped again. Each of these items was worth more than a thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Many inner disciples, even if they worked hard their entire lives, might not be able to save up even a fraction of their value. Following Murong Yue, the other elders also presented their rewards. The least valuable were mid-grade Profound-Grade treasures. The seven or eight treasures floating in the air all shone with a captivating light, attracting everyone's attention.