Chapter 126: Eastern Bloodline

Observing the flicker of emotion on Xu Xuan’s face, Lin Hui sneered arrogantly, "Among the many paths of cultivation, body refinement may be the 'strongest' in terms of raw physicality, but before true divine abilities, it is utterly vulnerable. Otherwise, body refinement would not have fallen into decline. If you think that being at the ninth level of Solidification gives you some capital to rely on, you are sorely mistaken."

Lin Hui’s words were not only intended to disparage body refinement but also to dampen Xu Xuan’s spirit. If he had known that the youth sitting before him was not only a body refiner but a practitioner of the truly ancient arts, one could only wonder what his reaction might have been.

Hearing these remarks, Xu Xuan felt no anger, but a sudden sense of sorrow welled up within him. It saddened him that body refinement was held in such low regard by future generations, even reduced to being mere cannon fodder in the cultivation world.

Of course, Lin Hui was not entirely wrong. Unless a body refiner reached the stage of the "Indestructible Golden Body" during the casting phase—becoming nearly immune to the spells and divine abilities of the world—they would indeed be blasted into oblivion when faced with true supernatural power.

However, if body refinement relied solely on physical strength, Xu Xuan could never have killed a martial cultivator at the Refinement of Spirit stage using such forbidden techniques. Ancient body refiners did not rely merely on physical force. As the only beings among the myriad creatures of the primordial era to stand alongside heaven and earth, "humans," despite not borrowing the power of heaven and earth, possessed "divine abilities" that allowed them to influence the environment itself through their own essence.

While this sorrow took root in his heart, Xu Xuan became even more determined. In this lifetime, he would wash away the reputation of body refiners as helpless cannon fodder and make the cultivators of this age tremble in awe.

"I have no particular spirit to display, I merely follow my own heart. As for the body refiner you speak of, I would truly like to meet him."

Xu Xuan finally spoke in rebuttal, remaining calm and composed. Lin Hui’s acidic, thin-lipped face was indeed quite grating. Zhang Yuhan inwardly admired Xu Xuan’s words; he remained humble yet firm, his composure revealing a deep sense of self-assurance. She did not know, however, that Xu Xuan genuinely wished to see what a body refiner of this era was like.

"A truly ignorant brat. Once you reach Yellow Dragon City, you will understand your own insignificance." Lin Hui’s voice rose, clearly irritated.

Xu Xuan ignored him. He truly did not understand why this distant cousin of Zhang Yuhan was so hostile toward him from the moment they met.

"Immortal Master Xu, I have a suggestion. You need not become a disciple of the Zhang family, yet you could still stand within our camp."

A smile bloomed on Zhang Yuhan’s snow-white, delicate face, and a brilliant light flickered in her autumnal eyes. Perhaps she was the only one present who understood Xu Xuan’s character. Beside them, Lin Hui’s expression soured. Since Xu Xuan’s appearance, this cousin—whom he viewed as a fairy—had smiled more in one day than she had in the previous ten. What irked him even more was the high regard both she and her cousin, the young master, held for this man.

"Please, Miss Zhang, speak your mind," Xu Xuan replied respectfully.

Zhang Yuhan continued, "Immortal Master Xu could become a guest advisor to the Zhang family. This way, you would not need to fully join the family, allowing you to maintain a certain degree of independence while joining forces against our great enemy, the Dongfang family."

Xu Xuan was immediately intrigued. The status of a guest advisor carried fewer constraints; it was far freer than being a disciple of the Wind Feather Sect.

"If Immortal Master Xu is willing, I can take the liberty of granting you the status of a 'Second-Class Guest Advisor.'" Zhang Yuhan offered her terms, effectively using benefits to entice him.

"What! Second-Class Guest Advisor?" Lin Hui stood up abruptly, protesting, "Cousin Yuhan, a Second-Class Guest Advisor is equivalent to a management-level position in the sect. Usually, only those who have reached the Refinement of Spirit stage are qualified for such a title!"

Xu Xuan and the others were shocked. They had not expected Zhang Yuhan to offer such terms, nor had they realized the extent of her influence within the family. A Second-Class Guest Advisor was essentially considered mid-to-high level within the Zhang family.

"I believe in Immortal Master Xu’s potential; reaching the Refinement of Spirit stage is only a matter of time." Zhang Yuhan gave Lin Hui a cool glance before fixing her gaze—so beautiful that one dared not meet it—on Xu Xuan. "What do you think, Immortal Master Xu?"

Xu Xuan’s expression shifted slightly; he was truly tempted. The fact that the Zhang family could offer such high status showed they were genuinely thirsty for talent and willing to nurture those with potential. At the very least, Zhang Yuhan herself was sincere. Moreover, Zhang Feng, with whom he had conversed so pleasantly, was the young master of the Zhang family and likely its future leader. Staying within such a family would be highly beneficial for him.

Suddenly, Xu Xuan felt a pair of jealous, resentful eyes from beside Zhang Yuhan. The envy in Lin Hui’s eyes vanished quickly, but he gritted his teeth inwardly. What was so great about this brat that he deserved the favor of the greatest beauty in Yellow Dragon City? He had never seen Zhang Yuhan treat any other young talent with such importance.

At this moment, everyone’s eyes were fixed on Xu Xuan, and the members of the Wind Feather Sect were particularly eager.

Just as Xu Xuan was about to speak, a thunderous shout that shook the soul echoed from outside the jade pavilion: "Stop the flying pavilion ahead!"

A powerful spiritual pressure surged into the pavilion, causing the few Refinement of Qi cultivators present to feel their blood boil, a wave of intense discomfort washing over them. Zhang Yuhan looked alarmed and led everyone out to see. Through the doors and windows, they saw two Refinement of Spirit masters flying toward them, led by a middle-aged man in yellow robes with a commanding presence.

"I never expected it would be Dongfang Wei."

Zhang Yuhan’s surprised gaze swept over Xu Xuan and the others. It was hard to believe that a few "insignificant figures" from a small sect could provoke the leader of the Dongfang family to act personally.

"Patriarch Dongfang!" Zhang Feng immediately recognized the intruder, hatred flashing in his eyes.

"Hahaha, since when has the Dongfang family dared to obstruct the flying artifacts of the Zhang family?" A loud laugh erupted from the pavilion as a burly, imposing figure emerged, draped in a leopard-fur robe with golden spots, glaring coldly at Dongfang Wei from afar.

"Zhang Tiankui?" Dongfang Wei clearly recognized this third uncle of the Zhang family and pressed forward aggressively. "Is this where the remnants of the two Star Feather Mountain sects are hiding?"

"Nonsense. One of the disciples from the Wind Feather Sect is a good friend of our young master and a guest of honor to the Zhang family." Zhang Tiankui stood in the void, a fierce aura radiating from his body as powerful true power surged from within—he was, in fact, a martial cultivator.

Xu Xuan was taken aback. To his knowledge, the Zhang family primarily inherited the path of immortal cultivation, yet this third uncle practiced the martial path, showing he had great talent in it.

"You have actually entered the ninth level of the Refinement of Spirit..." Dongfang Wei was visibly surprised, but he soon said coldly, "You are no match for me. Hand over those remnants."

Both were ninth-level Refinement of Spirit martial cultivators, but the Dongfang Patriarch was at the peak of the Refinement of Spirit stage, only half a step away from entering the three stages of the Dan Dao.

"In ordinary times, I might not be your match, but you seem to have suffered a loss of vitality from a major battle. I wonder how badly wounded you are," Zhang Tiankui said, brandishing an iron spear and refusing to yield.

"Humph, the Refinement of Spirit masters of the Wind Feather Sect couldn't even scratch me," the Dongfang Patriarch said, his eyes chilling. He lunged at Zhang Tiankui, his blue, dragon-patterned spirit sword carving out waves of screaming, vibrating dragon shadows. The winds roared around them, and rocks flew as his momentum became grand and magnificent.

Witnessing such power, Xu Xuan and the others in the jade pavilion were struck with fear. Only then did they realize that when they were at Star Feather Mountain, the Dongfang Patriarch hadn't even used his full strength. It was true; the Refinement of Spirit masters from the Star Feather Mountain sects could never have harmed a quasi-Condensation stage powerhouse like him.

Zhang Tiankui’s eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit. His iron spear spun rapidly, conjuring dark purple vortices. A cold, heavy aura spread for dozens of zhang, colliding with the Dongfang Patriarch’s spirit sword. A series of explosions rang out, and powerful shockwaves rippled in every direction.

The two fought with blinding speed. After several heartbeats, there was a series of loud clashes, and they suddenly broke apart.

The Dongfang Patriarch staggered back a few steps, steadying himself with a grave expression. Zhang Tiankui let out a muffled grunt, retreating a dozen steps and panting slightly. He was clearly at a slight disadvantage, but the fighting spirit in his eyes only grew. He laughed heartily, "I have only recently promoted to the ninth level of the Refinement of Spirit; I need someone like you to sharpen my skills."

The greatest characteristic of martial cultivators, compared to other paths of cultivation, was their ability to greatly enhance their strength through battle—commonly known as "nurturing strength through conflict." Thus, in the wars of the cultivation world, martial cultivators appeared more and more frequently, gradually flourishing and replacing the body refiners of later generations.

"The Zhang family inherits the immortal arts; I never expected such a martial arts master to emerge from your ranks." The Dongfang Patriarch stood in mid-air, retracting his spirit sword.

"So what? I am not the family head; I only seek my own path." Zhang Tiankui arched his iron spear slightly, his eyes flashing with intense battle intent.

"Retreat!"

Dongfang Wei studied him for a moment, then suddenly waved his hand and turned to leave with the other Refinement of Spirit master, acting with swift decisiveness. Xu Xuan was deeply puzzled—why did these two masters stop after only a few exchanges?

"Patriarch, why not continue? We weren't without a chance of winning," the other Refinement of Spirit cultivator asked, puzzled, after they had flown several miles away.

"That old bastard’s self-detonation at the Condensation stage injured me quite heavily. If the fight dragged on, I might not have won. Moreover, clashes between martial cultivators of the same rank can greatly stimulate their cultivation. Zhang Tiankui has only just entered the ninth level; if I fight him now, not only would it be hard to win, but I would end up honing his cultivation state..." Dongfang Wei said coldly.

"The Patriarch is wise and thorough. It is indeed not worth risking our lives for a few remnants of Star Feather Mountain with potential. There are many geniuses in this world, but those who can surpass the three stages of Transcending Mortality are rare to see in Yellow Dragon City even once every few hundred years," the Refinement of Spirit cultivator beside him agreed.

On the other side, having repelled the Dongfang Patriarch, Zhang Tiankui returned to the jade pavilion, where the others were jubilant.

"Uncle, your strength is truly extraordinary. Even the Dongfang Patriarch was driven away by you," Lin Hui said with a flattering smile.

But after Zhang Tiankui entered the pavilion, his figure swayed, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. "He is worthy of being the Dongfang Patriarch, a powerhouse at the peak of the Refinement of Spirit stage. There is still a gap between us."

Xu Xuan frowned. Both were at the ninth level of the Refinement of Spirit; was the gap really that wide? The Dongfang Patriarch had been through consecutive battles; his strength must have been depleted, and he might even have been injured.

Zhang Yuhan explained in a low, grave tone, "The Dongfang family, as a clan of martial cultivators, inherits a certain thin and mysterious bloodline..."