The celestial phenomenon was utterly terrifying! It directly unleashed a dreadful pressure, an ultimate killing intent that threatened to scorch the skies and boil the oceans. A colossal will of spirit fire spread for dozens of miles, an overwhelming, earth-shaking force.
The very heavens changed color, the firmament trembled. The temperatures of the spirit peaks surrounding Azure Mystery Peak instantly soared. This power was too immense!
In a flash, the entire Grand Dao Sect was alarmed. The spirit peaks near Azure Mystery Peak suddenly became scorching hot, as if engulfed in a sea of flames. Several Profound Saints had to intervene, barely managing to suppress the terrifying spirit fire.
Countless elders and disciples were utterly stunned, all gazing towards Azure Mystery Peak. What in the world was happening?
Soon, the Sect Master and others were also alerted. Countless divine senses and spiritual perceptions swept towards Azure Mystery Peak. Many Profound Kings and Profound Saints couldn't help but feel shocked. A celestial phenomenon had been triggered on Azure Mystery Peak!
The Sect Master and his group continued their investigation. They quickly discovered the sealing barrier Ji Fuyao had erected. Though their power could easily pierce through it, they chose not to proceed further. Nevertheless, it was clear: Ji Fuyao had gained a profound insight while cultivating her technique! Such an anti-heavenly insight had directly triggered a celestial phenomenon!
At this moment, the sea of spirit fire in the sky intensified, seemingly forging phantom images that reflected across the firmament. Deep within the endless blaze, brilliant divine radiance surged, and a colossal aura swelled, gradually manifesting a glimpse of 'Dao and Momentum'.
The Sect Master and the others felt an instant tempest surge within their hearts! What kind of cultivation talent was this? One had to understand that 'Dao and Momentum' were concepts only accessible after reaching the Profound Saint realm! Some Profound Saints, throughout their entire lives, never had the opportunity to grasp them! Yet, what realm was Ji Fuyao in right now?
The Sect Master turned to the Profound Saints of the Pill Peak. "Your mastery of spirit fire is exceptionally deep; have you discerned anything?"
The Profound Saints of the Pill Peak were dumbfounded. "For Fuyao to touch a trace of 'Dao and Momentum' at such a young age… this talent… she already possesses the bearing of a future Great Emperor!"
"The bearing of a future Great Emperor!" The Sect Master and the others were tremendously excited. In the future, the Grand Dao Sect would have another Great Emperor-level powerhouse! One must know that the Sect Master himself was only a Profound King! If Ji Fuyao were to reach the Great Emperor realm, she could instantly become an Ancestor-level figure of the Grand Dao Sect! Their hearts surged with emotion, and their satisfaction with Ji Fuyao grew immensely.
A Profound Saint from the Pill Peak suddenly remarked, "Judging by today's celestial phenomenon, Fuyao definitely held back her true talent during the entrance examination. I finally understand why Ji Fuyao chose Lu Xuan as her Master; she likely harbors some secrets, fearing we might discover them."
A Profound Saint from Ethereal Peak smiled softly. "Alas… this child. Even with the bearing of a Great Emperor, our Grand Dao Sect's heritage would not find it particularly noteworthy."
The Sect Master explained, "Regarding Fuyao's secrets, the Ancestor already investigated during her entrance examination. She has no issues. What's more, she is now a disciple of our Grand Dao Sect and has sworn a Heavenly Dao Oath; she will not betray our sect."
The others nodded. "Indeed! Our Grand Dao Sect has many disciples from different powers and backgrounds. If we scrutinized every single one, our sect's foundation of several eras would have long since crumbled."
The Sect Master commanded, "Under no circumstances are you to actively probe Fuyao's secrets!"
They replied, "Understood!"
A moment of silence. The Pill Peak Profound Saint nodded. "Fuyao has a meticulous mind, so it's understandable that she'd want a quiet place to cultivate. But how do we explain Lu Xuan's insistence on taking Fuyao as his disciple?"
Everyone fell silent. They simply couldn't comprehend it. What could Lu Xuan possibly teach her?
Many Profound Saints suggested, "After the Inner Sect Trial, we should let Fuyao leave Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan is rife with bad habits, lazy and gluttonous; I fear he'll negatively impact Fuyao's future cultivation."
The Sect Master nodded. "Exactly! As the saying goes, bad company corrupts good morals! Fuyao will undoubtedly be influenced if she stays by Lu Xuan's side!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. This time, Fuyao triggering the celestial phenomenon once again proved her cultivation talent! It had absolutely nothing to do with Lu Xuan! How could such a genius be buried under Lu Xuan's incompetence?
Just then, a Grey-Robed Elder suddenly spoke, "Let's see what Peak Master Lu is doing right now."
The Sect Master said, "Let's take a look."
At this moment, Lu Xuan was leisurely lying on his Mystical Ice Bed, basking in the sun. Feeling the cultivation foundation within him continuously increasing, a hint of excitement stirred in his heart.
"Ding! Host's eldest disciple, Ji Fuyao, is increasing her cultivation, synchronizing!"
"Ding! Synchronizing insights from the Heaven-Burning Art!"
Instantly, the spiritual energy within him surged like a mighty river, continuously impacting Lu Xuan's limbs and bones. Utterly blissful! After cultivating the Heaven-Burning Art, Ji Fuyao's cultivation speed had increased severalfold! Lu Xuan was overjoyed! This investment, as expected, was a sure bet! Giving good things to his disciple was equivalent to doubling it for himself. He just needed to lie flat. Effortless governance! Most importantly, she was already incredibly diligent without him needing to push her! It was simply too effortless! Thinking this, Lu Xuan's mouth curved into a slight smile, his heart bubbling with delight.
Seeing this scene, the Sect Master and others' faces darkened; they simply couldn't bear to watch. Seriously. His disciple was diligently cultivating and gaining insights over there, and here he was, the Master, just lying around. Was this appropriate? He said he'd teach his disciple, didn't he? But he wasn't teaching anything! He was just lying there!
A Profound Saint from Formation Peak frowned in confusion, "What is Peak Master Lu grinning foolishly about?"
The Pill Peak Profound Saint's face twitched. "I have no idea… perhaps he's recalling something pleasant."
Everyone: "…" They wished they could beat Lu Xuan right then and there. They had thought Lu Xuan was finally going to turn over a new leaf, but this? Just this! Everyone was so infuriated their chests ached. They couldn't help but think how lucky the Azure Mystery Profound Saint was to have passed away early, otherwise, Lu Xuan would have infuriated him to death.
The Sect Master sighed. "Actually, I talked to Lu Xuan a couple of days ago. That fellow suddenly became very stubborn, absolutely refusing to let Fuyao leave. Let's endure him for another month!"
Everyone shook their heads. "It can only be so."
Not long after, the celestial phenomenon triggered by Ji Fuyao gradually dissipated.
Elder Mu asked seriously, "Do you think Ji Fuyao has a chance of coming in first place in this Inner Sect Trial?"
The Sect Master replied, "Impossible! The strongest true disciple in this Inner Sect Trial is at the peak late-stage Profound Sovereign realm. Even if Ji Fuyao reaches the Profound Sovereign realm, she won't be their match. Moreover, Ji Fuyao cannot possibly reach the Profound Sovereign realm in one month, unless Lu Xuan madly force-feeds her pills and artificially boosts her cultivation!"
Everyone nodded. "Let's hope Lu Xuan doesn't ruin Ji Fuyao's cultivation foundation by force-feeding her pills just to win."
The Sect Master frowned. "During this period, guide those inner sect disciples and true disciples more! We must ensure Fuyao finishes outside the top ten in the Inner Sect Trial!"
Everyone replied, "Understood!"
...Several days later.
On Azure Mystery Peak, Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged in a fiery red long dress, faint light radiating from her body. Her star-like eyes slowly opened. In these past few days, she had circulated the Heaven-Burning Art, refining the cultivation foundation within her once more. Her cultivation had already reached the late-stage Profound Emperor realm! But the benefits were not limited to just that. The spiritual power in her Dantian was several times purer! This meant her attacks would be significantly stronger than before! Moreover, she had inadvertently touched upon a trace of 'Dao and Momentum' of the Path of Spirit Fire. In her previous life, she had only achieved this after reaching the Profound Saint realm! In just a few days, she had undergone another transformation! The more she cultivated, the more Ji Fuyao realized the terrifying power of the Heaven-Burning Art. As expected of a six-star Emperor-tier technique! Compared to her one-star Emperor-tier technique, the 'Mystical Fire Scripture,' it was a world of difference. For Emperor-tier techniques, a single star difference created a chasm of disparity!
Ji Fuyao suddenly recalled that when she triggered the celestial phenomenon, the Sect Master and others had probed with their divine senses, but ultimately stopped before the sealing barrier she had set up. She breathed a sigh of relief. This time, she had only completely exposed her talent, but her identity should still remain undiscovered! One had to know that her reincarnation and re-cultivation involved an ancient secret art. Once targeted, even the most powerful Great Emperors of the Southern Wilderness might move against her! After all, it was a method of reincarnation and re-cultivation, incredibly defy-heavenly, something supreme powerhouses coveted and would stop at nothing to obtain. However, she then thought: with her Master being so mysterious and powerful, what did it matter if the most powerful Great Emperors of the Southern Wilderness descended? After a moment, Ji Fuyao composed herself and slowly stood up.
For the coming period, she had to go to the Grand Dao Sect's Fire Abyss Trial Grounds. Her Dao Foundation was already complete, but her divine soul was still incomplete. Over these days of cultivation, she had already felt the impact of her incomplete divine soul. The spirit fire in the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds could temper the divine soul; for her, it couldn't be more perfect. Furthermore, during this time, she had been in seclusion cultivating, and her internal cultivation foundation was still not very solid. In the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, she could use the power of the spirit fire to consolidate her cultivation foundation, temper her divine soul, and comprehend the Path of Spirit Fire. It was truly hitting three birds with one stone! With this thought, Ji Fuyao's intention stirred, and her identity token appeared in her hand. She probed with her divine sense and immediately saw the location and some introductions of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds from the token.
Putting away the identity token, Ji Fuyao suddenly realized she hadn't seen her Master in quite some time. A warm current flowed through her heart; she missed her Master a little. Although she had only become Lu Xuan's disciple less than a month ago, he already occupied a very important place in her heart. Her Master gave her a feeling unlike anyone else: unambitious, calm, mysterious. Ji Fuyao remembered that she hadn't cooked for Lu Xuan during these days of cultivation. A pang of guilt and apology rose in her heart. After all, she had promised Lu Xuan that as long as she was on Azure Mystery Peak, she would cook for him. Ji Fuyao murmured, "Before I go to the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, I'll go cook for Master first." Soon, Ji Fuyao stepped out of her cave dwelling and walked towards the thatched hut. She paused slightly. Lu Xuan was already lying on a recliner outside the thatched hut, basking in the sun. Ji Fuyao smiled softly. Master was still the same! Oh, right. She hadn't seemed to have ever seen her Master cultivate. She was very curious: exactly what star-level Great Emperor was Lu Xuan?
Lu Xuan stretched, then said with a smile, "Disciple, your cultivation has improved quite a bit these past few days. However, cultivating too fast, don't forget to consolidate your cultivation foundation, okay?" A divine radiance flickered in Ji Fuyao's eyes, and a slight ripple stirred in her heart. As expected, Master saw through it at a glance. She said, "Master, I will be going to the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds next to consolidate my cultivation and temper my divine… comprehend the power of spirit fire." Lu Xuan smiled faintly. "Excellent. Our Grand Dao Sect's Fire Abyss Trial Grounds can practically be said to be tailor-made for you." Ji Fuyao said apologetically, "Master, I'm sorry, I've been cultivating these past few days and forgot to cook…" Lu Xuan chuckled. "No big deal. While eating is very important, your cultivation is also very important." Ji Fuyao let out a soft laugh. Indeed, with Master, eating was very important. It was even ranked alongside cultivation! Ji Fuyao said, "Master, I'll go cook now." Lu Xuan tossed over a jade slip. "Fuyao, this jade slip has different cooking methods. Let's try a different flavor today; I'm a bit tired of just stir-frying." Ji Fuyao took the jade slip and probed it with her divine sense; she was stunned. All sorts of cooking techniques were complete within the jade slip! They were even categorized! Many she had never even heard of: stir-frying, steaming, boiling, twice-cooked, braising in oil, cold dishes… She couldn't help but exclaim internally: Master's research into eating had reached an unparalleled level of perfection! She thought to herself that these different cooking methods must contain profound mysteries. Seemingly unrelated to cultivation, in reality, they were deeply connected. This was Master guiding her!