"Ding! Limited-Time Disciple Recruitment Quest issued: Within half a month, travel to Baiya Prefecture and recruit Chen Changsheng as a disciple!"
Lu Xuan blinked. "Huh?"
Chen Changsheng. Baiya Prefecture. Who the hell was this Chen Changsheng?
The System immediately provided information.
[Chen Changsheng: Male.
Realm: Unknown.
Technique: Unknown.
Comprehension: Unknown.]
Lu Xuan was momentarily stunned, then intrigued. "So my third disciple is this mysterious? No data at all."
The System replied, "Chen Changsheng's information can be traced from the host's annihilation of the Heavenly Net Hall Branch, back to the Martial Emperor Secret Realm. Anything before that is entirely unknown."
The System then dumped all of Chen Changsheng's recent exploits into Lu Xuan's mind. Lu Xuan read it and was utterly dumbfounded.
What the actual hell?
"How is my third disciple so 'Ultra Low-Profile'?" He was too Gou! An Emperor-tier Magnate—did he have no shame, running around the Martial Emperor Secret Realm snatching treasures from a bunch of Profound Venerates? And the guy was even plotting against him!
That's too much! I treat you like a disciple, and you treat me like a Fellow Daoist?
Still, this third disciple was incredibly versatile: a Puppet Master, master of the Buddhist Salvation Scripture, adept at Heavenly Calculation, a Formation Master, an Alchemist... He just hoped the guy knew how to cook.
With a third disciple joining, Azure Mystery Peak was about to get lively. Lu Xuan's heart pounded with excitement. If he took in Chen Changsheng, wouldn't his cultivation skyrocket? The guy had to be a Great Emperor! He just didn't know how many stars.
Lu Xuan was thrilled. More importantly, with a disciple this powerful, he could just make him the babysitter for Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen, cleaning up all their messes. Heh heh... I can go back to lying flat.
They were currently heading to annihilate the Ancient Qin Family. Once that business was concluded and they returned to the Grand Dao Sect, he would make some quick preparations and go recruit his third disciple!
Lu Xuan muttered, "Little Changsheng, come into Master's bowl!"
***
Soon after, Wang Man and Qing Yan respectfully left Lu Xuan's room. Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen stayed behind, eager to seek guidance on some cultivation issues.
Lu Xuan proceeded to 'demonstrate' the Heaven-Burning Art to Ji Fuyao and the Desolate Heaven Art to Ye Chen. Both disciples were utterly astounded. The comprehension their Master displayed was exactly what they needed! While two people cultivating the same technique would naturally develop different insights, their Master's understanding was perfectly aligned with their own—it was as if he was speaking from the perspective of the future. Ji Fuyao even began to wonder, Could Master already walk freely upon the River of Time?
Ji Fuyao parted her delicate lips and asked, "Master, you have integrated the Heaven-Burning Art and the Grand Dao Scripture even more perfectly than I have. What is your secret?"
Lu Xuan internally paused. Secret? There is no secret. It's pure plagiarism from the System.
Lu Xuan pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly, "Heaven-Burning Art governs the external, and the Grand Dao Scripture governs the internal; cultivate both inside and out! The two forces are bound to clash, but conflict will inevitably lead to fusion."
Ji Fuyao's eyes shone with realization. "It requires infinite refinement and grinding. Is that the way, Master?"
"You are correct," Lu Xuan confirmed.
Next, Ye Chen asked several questions regarding the comprehension of the Desolate Heaven Art. Lu Xuan answered from a position of overwhelming superiority, anticipating Ye Chen's questions before he even finished speaking. After all, the System had put me several versions ahead of him.
In no time, both Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen were utterly convinced. Master's comprehension of these two techniques is terrifying!
However, they were most curious about what would happen when these techniques were cultivated to their ultimate limit. They posed the question.
Lu Xuan said placidly, "Do not ask me such things. If I tell you, it will only hinder your journey toward the ultimate end."
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen nodded in unison. Master is right. We are too impatient.
Ji Fuyao asked, "Master, may Junior Brother Ye Chen and I remain in your room to cultivate? It would be convenient to seek guidance should any further questions arise."
Lu Xuan replied indifferently, "No matter."
The two settled down, one on his left and one on his right, and began to cultivate.
Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged on Lu Xuan's left, her fiery red dress flowing, outlining her perfect, alluring figure. Her slender hands shifted through seals as she began cultivating the Heaven-Burning Art! A terrifying spiritual fire power spread outward, its might immense.
Ye Chen cultivated the Desolate Heaven Art on the right! Behind him, the Martial Dao Furnace manifested, shining brightly like a cluster of stars.
Just then, the System's voice sounded in Lu Xuan's ear.
"Ding! Host's First Disciple, Ji Fuyao, is cultivating the Heaven-Burning Art. Beginning synchronization of comprehension!"
"Ding! Host's Second Disciple, Ye Chen, is cultivating the Desolate Heaven Art. Beginning synchronization of comprehension!"
A profound, mysterious wave of insight flooded into Lu Xuan's mind.
***
Several hours later.
Footsteps sounded outside the room. The voices of the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and Elder Mu drifted in. "Fellow Daoist, may we enter for a discussion?"
Lu Xuan replied, "Come in."
Creak!
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor, Elder Mu, the Sect Master, and others entered. They saw Lu Xuan lying on a wooden recliner in the outer room, eyes closed in repose, and Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen cultivating nearby.
"Hmm?" Elder Mu froze instantly. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Lu Xuan again. Wait a minute. Did I see that right?
"How is Lu Xuan here?" He distinctly remembered Lu Xuan being absent the entire time!
Elder Mu cleared his throat. "Lu Xuan, when did you arrive?"
Lu Xuan slowly opened his eyes. "Elder Mu, I've been with you all along."
Elder Mu frowned, trying to recall. "Why do I have no memory of that?"
Ji Fuyao suppressed a smile. "Elder Mu, Master has been here the whole time."
Elder Mu was dumbfounded. In the past two days, he truly hadn't noticed Lu Xuan's presence!
A sharp glint flashed in the Tianyuan Old Ancestor's eyes as he looked at Lu Xuan, as if he had grasped the key to the mystery. "Lu Xuan, could it be that the fighting done by that Fellow Daoist these past few days was all using your physical body?"
At that statement, the Old Ancestors and the Sect Master all stared at Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan frowned slightly. "You could say that."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor's gaze was profound. "Lu Xuan, where is that Fellow Daoist now?"
Lu Xuan replied, "Right in front of you."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor and the others swept their divine senses around, searching for a long time, but found nothing. Lu Xuan's face twitched.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor shook his head. "The Fellow Daoist is indeed mysterious. If he had personally engaged Duan Hunsheng earlier, I fear Duan Hunsheng would have perished!"
Lu Xuan said, "Not necessarily." If I had to go up against him, I'd have to activate the Corner of a Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern and run for my life! I can't beat Duan Hunsheng yet.
The Old Ancestors turned to the empty air beside Lu Xuan and asked, "Fellow Daoist, what is your view on our current plan to annihilate the Ancient Qin Family?"
No one responded. After a moment of silence, Lu Xuan said, "I agree."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor hesitated before asking, "Fellow Daoist, does your body have some kind of hidden affliction?"
Lu Xuan thought about it. His body was like a black hole; he had consumed a lot of Azure Nether Celestial Water, and it had been completely useless. He was essentially a Congenital Cultivation Waste Body, so yes, there was a problem.
With this in mind, Lu Xuan said, "There is indeed a problem."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor sighed deeply. "If the Fellow Daoist requires anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
Lu Xuan replied, "Very well. If the need arises, I will have Lu Xuan contact you."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor tossed a Transmission Jade Slip to Lu Xuan. "Lu Xuan, take this. If that Fellow Daoist has any instructions, you can use it to transmit a message to me."
Lu Xuan accepted the slip. "Understood."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor then looked at the Sect Master. "From now on, you must treat Lu Xuan better. The fact that his physical body can bear the Emperor-tier power of that Fellow Daoist proves he possesses a special constitution. He is not without merit."
"As you command!" the Sect Master replied.
Watching Lu Xuan converse with the Old Ancestors, Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen struggled to hold back their laughter. Ji Fuyao's starry eyes shone with reverence and respect for Lu Xuan. Sheesh, even if Ye Chen and I told the Old Ancestors right now that Master is the Emperor-tier Magnate, they probably wouldn't believe it. As expected of Master!
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor cleared his throat, hesitating before saying, "There is one matter I must briefly mention to the Fellow Daoist."
"Go on," Lu Xuan said.
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor's eyes were intense. "The message you transmitted across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds has already accelerated the momentum of the Southern Wilds. Almost all Great Emperors of my caliber have been roused from their slumber!"
Lu Xuan nodded faintly. "That is true."
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor gave a wry smile. "The Bronze Ancient Palace only appeared for a fleeting moment. By our calculations, it was not yet time for cultivators of our strength to awaken."
Lu Xuan asked, "Of the 'Cang, Heaven, Xuan, and Dao' lineages, are the other two Old Ancestors still asleep?"
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded, looking into the void. "Indeed, they are still dormant. The time for their awakening has not arrived! However, in this generation, our Grand Dao Sect must contend for the Supreme Fruit Position! Although the Founding Ancestor vanished long ago, he left behind instructions. This is the Ninth Supreme Path, and nine is the ultimate extreme. This will be the last one."
Lu Xuan looked thoughtful. The last Supreme Path?
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor mused for a moment. "Fellow Daoist, we should try to keep a low profile from now on. Your transmission across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds has been taken as a provocation by numerous foreign races, demon clans, several forbidden zones, and the newly emerged ancient powers! Now, all of that debt has been laid at the feet of our Grand Dao Sect."
Lu Xuan was noncommittal, merely nodding faintly.
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor sighed profoundly. "The Great Era has descended, and the Bronze Ancient Palace has appeared. Who dares claim invincibility? Who dares call themselves undefeated? Even a powerhouse like the Fellow Daoist must exercise extreme caution."