Lu Xuan couldn't help but comment, "Not bad, this Dao of Fire Principle is quite good."
He tucked away the Dao of Fire Principle, then glanced at the ten million high-grade Spirit Stones in his System space, a surge of excitement rising in his chest. It was practically a small mountain of them! To think, his nominal master, Azure Mystery Saint, had left him plenty of Spirit Stones, but only a few hundred thousand high-grade ones. Now the System had directly coughed up ten million! This was just ridiculously extravagant!
Lu Xuan let out a long breath, offering a rare word of praise to the System. "System, your rewards this time are pretty decent."
The System replied, "Call me Daddy?"
Lu Xuan: "What the hell?"
That System was acting cheeky again!
A short while later.
Lu Xuan sent a direct voice transmission to Ji Fuyao. Before long, Ji Fuyao, clad in a flowing fiery-red gown, gracefully entered Lu Xuan's cave dwelling. Her face was exquisitely beautiful and delicate, her curvaceous figure forming a perfect silhouette, and a faint divine radiance emanated from her, making her seem like an exiled immortal from the heavens.
Lu Xuan smiled. "Fuyao, Master has three more gifts for you!"
Ji Fuyao's delicate body trembled slightly. Three gifts! It was far beyond her expectations!
Lu Xuan offered a slight smile and retrieved the Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, from his Storage Ring. "This Emperor Weapon, a fire-elemental artifact, is primarily for destructive combat. It suits you perfectly."
Ji Fuyao stared, utterly stunned, at the Emperor Weapon before her. A six-star Emperor-tier Emperor Weapon!
Lu Xuan handed Heaven-Rending to Ji Fuyao. As Ji Fuyao's fingers brushed Heaven-Rending, a terrifyingly potent Spirit Fire Attack instantly resonated with her body. She could feel the dreadful will contained within the Emperor Weapon. It was practically tailor-made for her! The Heaven-Rending spear was far more powerful than the One-star Emperor Weapon she'd wielded in her previous life! If she had possessed Heaven-Rending in her previous life, she surely could have slain those three Great Emperors from the Heavenly Net Temple!
Lu Xuan chuckled, extending a finger to tap Ji Fuyao's brow. A brilliant divine light flowed into Ji Fuyao's mind.
Lu Xuan said, "Take it. I've already passed on the method for you to make it your own. Also, Heaven-Rending has several layers of Restrictions sealed within it. They will gradually unlock as your cultivation advances. However, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, you can forcibly remove the next layer of seals!"
Ji Fuyao's elegant neck tilted slightly, her chest rising and falling with emotion, as she bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan. "Thank you, Master!"
Lu Xuan smiled. "For the second gift, the Dao of Fire Principle."
As he spoke, a mysterious cube appeared in Lu Xuan's hand. Within the cube, the Dao of Fire Principle constantly shifted and pulsed with frenetic energy.
Ji Fuyao took the Dao of Fire Principle and froze, utterly dumbfounded. She felt the profound essence of "Dao and Essence." The cube contained terrifying primordial power. In her previous life, she had attained Emperor status through the Path of Spirit Fire, acquiring a fragment of a Great Emperor's primordial essence—it was this very aura. But compared to the item before her, the Great Emperor's primordial essence she had condensed was far too weak! A possibility flashed through her mind.
Ji Fuyao's voice trembled. "Master, this... could this be the legendary Dao of Fire Principle?"
Lu Xuan affirmed, "Precisely."
Ji Fuyao's starry eyes flickered, looking at Lu Xuan with immense shock. This was a legendary artifact! Once integrated and refined, one would undoubtedly attain Emperor status! And if a Great Emperor refined this item, they might even have a chance to touch upon realms beyond the Emperor Realm! A monstrous wave surged in the depths of Ji Fuyao's heart. If this item were to appear in the world, it would surely attract powerful Emperor Realm cultivators to fight over it! Ji Fuyao's gaze burned, and her breathing grew ragged. Now, with the Heaven-Burning Art and the Grand Dao Scripture, if she refined this Dao of Fire Principle, she was confident that in the future she could reach the absolute pinnacle of the Emperor Realm! Thinking of this, Ji Fuyao's slender, jade-like hands trembled slightly. "Master, this is... too precious..." This item could create a supremely powerful Great Emperor!
Lu Xuan offered a faint smile. "It's just a Dao of Fire Principle, take it and use it. Master has plenty of good things here."
Ji Fuyao was rooted to the spot, utterly astonished. As expected of Master! He casually produced a six-star Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, and the Dao of Fire Principle! She hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted the Dao of Fire Principle!
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. "With the blessing of this item, your cultivation speed will be even faster!"
Ji Fuyao declared, "Master, I will certainly cultivate with all my might!"
Lu Xuan couldn't help but nod, feeling exceptionally pleased. That was exactly what he wanted to hear! His investment was a surefire way to make a fortune, a guaranteed profit!
Ji Fuyao hesitated before speaking. "Master, I might have to leave you for a while again. I need to handle some matters concerning the Fuyao Dynasty."
Lu Xuan recalled. "What's the stance of that faction of yours, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, currently?"
Ji Fuyao's elegant neck tilted slightly as she shook her head. "Qing Yan and the others have been there, but the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's attitude is very ambiguous."
Lu Xuan frowned slightly. "If they dare to betray you, annihilate them directly. No mercy is needed."
Ji Fuyao nodded.
Lu Xuan said, "Go then. Your Junior Brother is on Azure Mystery Peak, so there shouldn't be any major issues. Oh, and take these Spirit Stones to use."
As he spoke, Lu Xuan tossed a Storage Ring to Ji Fuyao. Ji Fuyao caught it, and her divine sense probed inside, instantly freezing in shock. Five million high-grade Spirit Stones, piled up like a mountain, sparkled with dazzling light! She quickly composed herself. After all, Master had so casually given her a six-star Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, and the Dao of Fire Principle. Five million high-grade Spirit Stones were likely nothing to him.
Ji Fuyao put away the Storage Ring and smiled sweetly. "Master, I'll go to the Mission Hall to accept a quest, then I'll depart."
Lu Xuan said, "Alright. Be careful once you're out."
Ji Fuyao acknowledged with a hum.
Soon after, Ji Fuyao made her preparations, bid farewell to Lu Xuan, and with a divine rainbow appearing beneath her feet, she ascended into the sky and departed Azure Mystery Peak. She collected a three-month quest at the Mission Hall, then used a teleportation array to leave.
A few days later, Lu Xuan lay comfortably on his ice-jade bed in the cave dwelling, leisurely flipping through a story scroll. Suddenly, the System's voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the Second Disciple's limited-time cultivation quest!"
Lu Xuan checked Ye Chen's System panel.
[Second Disciple: Ye Chen.
Cultivation Realm: Initial-stage Profound Sovereign!
Cultivation Technique: Desolate Heaven Art!
Alchemy Attainment: Xuan-tier (Fifth-grade) Alchemist!
Treasures: Grand Dao Lock! Heaven-Devouring Cauldron! Bone-Chilling Ghost Flame!]
Lu Xuan nodded, highly satisfied. "Not bad. In just one month, Ye Chen not only became a Xuan-tier Alchemist but also broke through to the Profound Sovereign Realm!" He truly managed to balance alchemy and cultivation without hindering either! Dual cultivation of pills and martial arts! Lu Xuan thought inwardly, In the future, Ye Chen might even attain Emperor status in both alchemy and martial arts!
At this moment, the System's pleasant voice chimed again.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for acquiring a substantial amount of cultivation foundation!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for acquiring the Five-star Pill Emperor's Memories!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for acquiring half a stalk of Ancient Great Medicine!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for an additional reward: [Great Emperor Formation Pattern Fragment]!"
As the voice faded! A surge of pure spiritual energy poured into Lu Xuan's body. He directly broke through to Ninth-stage Profound Venerate! A moment later, Lu Xuan reined in his aura, a faint smile on his lips. "Just one more step, and I can enter the Profound Saint Realm!" This cultivation speed was simply too fast! In less than three months, he had gone from Qi Refining to Ninth-stage Profound Venerate! If his nominal master were still alive, he would surely be overjoyed.
Next, with a thought, an incomparably brilliant ball of light appeared in his palm. It was precisely the Five-star Pill Emperor's Memories! Lu Xuan could feel the terrifying amount of information contained within the light ball. If it all flooded into his mind at once, his brain would surely explode! At this point, the System prompted, "Host, don't worry. I have sealed this Pill Emperor's Memory with several layers of Restrictions. It will only slowly unlock."
Lu Xuan nodded. "Alright." He put away the Pill Emperor's Memories and took out half a stalk of Ancient Great Medicine. Though only arm-length and appearing unremarkable, an incomparably rich vitality instantly spread from it, and a boundless sea of power surged through Lu Xuan's body. A potent allure seemed to tempt Lu Xuan, urging him to consume this Ancient Great Medicine.
Lu Xuan playfully patted the Ancient Great Medicine's roots, smiling. "Heh heh, you want me to swallow you? I won't." This Ancient Great Medicine had already developed sentience. At Lu Xuan's pat, its roots immediately twitched, and it ceased to emit its tempting allure. Lu Xuan examined it carefully, commenting faintly, "So this is the Ancient Great Medicine that even Great Emperors from forbidden zones covet? It's nothing special, really." The Ancient Great Medicine trembled slightly, seemingly expressing its displeasure. Lu Xuan chuckled. "Quite a little tsundere, aren't you?" With that, he placed the Ancient Great Medicine into his System space.
Then Lu Xuan took out a palm-sized crystal. As his divine sense entered it, the crystal's interior immediately erupted with fervent divine radiance, and dazzling light continuously evolved into terrifying spirit patterns, like a galactic river. This was a Great Emperor Formation Pattern Fragment! Within this formation pattern, it was as if a grand domain had manifested, circulating with an obscure and ancient aura, utterly enigmatic.
The System explained, "Host, this is a reward for completing an extra quest. You can refine it, and once you do, as long as you know the destination, you can traverse the void across the Southern Wilds, reaching your target location in an instant!"
Lu Xuan was somewhat astonished. "This is good! This is very good." From now on, the vast Southern Wilds were his to roam freely!
The System provided Lu Xuan with the method for refinement. Lu Xuan sat cross-legged, his hand signs shifting as he chanted, "Heavenly secrets boundless, where my thoughts go, the ends of the earth are but a step away..." Soon, this Great Emperor Formation Pattern Fragment was directly refined by Lu Xuan. A flicker of enlightenment dawned upon Lu Xuan. What was called a Great Emperor Formation Pattern Fragment was, in essence, the rule power of a Formation Great Emperor. It was just that his fragment of a Great Emperor formation pattern could be used indefinitely!
Lu Xuan couldn't help but praise the System. "System, well done."
The System retorted, "If you're going to compliment me, keep them coming."
Lu Xuan: "..."
A short while later, Lu Xuan summoned Ye Chen. Ye Chen bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan, a smile gracing his lips. "Master."
Lu Xuan nodded. "Ye Chen, you've already become a Xuan-tier Alchemist. I've seen your hard work during this time. Do you enjoy alchemy?"
Ye Chen replied, "Master, I enjoy alchemy, but I don't want to abandon martial cultivation either."
Lu Xuan's lips curled slightly. "Ye Chen, do you wish to attain Emperor status in alchemy in the future?"
Ye Chen's eyes burned with fervent excitement. "Master, I do!"
As these words left his mouth, Yao Yan directly flew out from the jade pendant on Ye Chen's chest. Yao Yan looked at Lu Xuan with some shock, sensing that Lu Xuan was about to make a grand move! "Peak Master Lu, do you perhaps possess a method for attaining Emperor status through alchemy?"
Lu Xuan offered a faint smile, flicking his finger. A brilliant ball of light appeared before Ye Chen. Ye Chen gazed at the light ball with a hint of shock, sensing the terrifyingly immense power it contained. His voice trembled. "Master, this is...?"
Lu Xuan declared, "The Five-star Pill Emperor's Memories!"