Chapter 069: The Alchemist Immortal Master

Xu Xuan had already given up on the idea of entering the "Secret Realm Space." After all, his seniority and cultivation within the sect were far from sufficient, and he had no background or connections to speak of. Yu Qin's arrival truly surprised him.

For most inner disciples of the Immortal Sect, entering the Secret Realm was nothing but a distant dream, yet Xu Xuan had obtained a spot with such ease—he could only call himself fortunate.

"Junior Sister Yu, I truly thank you for giving me this precious opportunity," Xu Xuan said with sincere gratitude.

He was currently in the final stage of the "Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent." If he could enter the Secret Realm, it would greatly aid him in breaking through his bottleneck. Moreover, the Secret Realm was home to many spiritual materials long vanished from the outside world, and perhaps even unimaginable ancient treasures—a tremendous opportunity indeed.

"It's as it should be," Yu Qin replied, her cheeks tinged pink with happiness at being able to help Xu Xuan.

The two chatted for a while in the room when a man's voice came from outside. "Junior Sister Yu!"

"It's Senior Brother Lin," Yu Qin said, a trace of panic flitting across her face. She hurriedly stood up and said to Xu Xuan, "I must go now. Tomorrow, Master will summon you."

"Very well. See you tomorrow," Xu Xuan replied with a smile, seeing her off. He happened to catch a glimpse of "Senior Brother Lin" waiting outside—a man of about twenty, with cultivation at the second or third level of Qi Refinement.

Xu Xuan vaguely remembered him as another registered disciple under Elder Lu, not a core disciple by any means.

"Ah, Junior Sister Yu, I've been looking for you everywhere and only now found you here," Senior Brother Lin began in a lecturing tone. "As a true disciple, you possess a distinguished status. How could you associate with an insignificant mundane practitioner? Be careful not to let yourself be taken advantage of..."

Yu Qin lowered her head, silent.

"Also, your other quota is still vacant. Junior Brother Zhang has been begging me for ages—why not give that spot to him?" Senior Brother Lin instructed nonchalantly.

"The quota..." Yu Qin hesitated, anxiety flickering in her voice. "I've given it to Senior Brother Xu."

"What! You gave it to that mere body cultivator?" Senior Brother Lin was furious, nearly roaring, "How could you do such a thing!"

Yu Qin's face turned pale, her slender frame trembling, at a loss as to what to do.

"Junior Sister Yu, you must have been deceived by that fellow," Senior Brother Lin said, squeezing out a smile as he tried to persuade her. "Listen to me—give the spot to Junior Brother Zhang instead..."

He was thinking to himself: After taking dozens of substandard spirit stones from Junior Brother Zhang, he couldn't let it go to waste now.

"Senior Brother, Junior Sister Yu is a true disciple. She alone decides whom to give her quota to," came a cold, displeased voice.

Xu Xuan could watch no longer. He stepped out of the North Cliff Pavilion, fixing Senior Brother Lin with a frosty gaze.

"And who do you think you are? A mere mortal body cultivator dreaming of entering the Secret Realm? Like a toad lusting after swan meat!" Senior Brother Lin shot him a vicious glare, the spiritual pressure of a third-level Qi Refiner surging forth like a tide.

Xu Xuan keenly felt the power of this force; the man was far stronger than Wan Fushan. However, having already cultivated the "Awe" technique of the ninth transformation of the Dragon and Serpent to a profound level, Xu Xuan's spirit had already soared, and he was utterly unafraid of this spiritual might.

"Junior Sister Yu, if this Senior Brother Lin should threaten or disrespect you again, you need only report it to Elder Lu," Xu Xuan said, ignoring Senior Brother Lin entirely as he walked up to Yu Qin with a reassuring smile.

"You..." Senior Brother Lin's expression changed at these words, his heart skipping a beat.

He had bullied Yu Qin in the past only because of her kind and timid nature, never daring to go too far. But her giving the quota to someone else had truly angered him. Should she really bring her grievances to Elder Lu, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Heh, Junior Sister Yu, I was just being impulsive earlier—don't take it to heart. As for the quota, I won't interfere. Please don't mention this to Master," Senior Brother Lin said with a fawning smile.

Yu Qin cast a grateful look at Xu Xuan before leaving with Senior Brother Lin.

Watching them go, Xu Xuan muttered to himself, "Junior Sister Yu is far too kind—she's really not suited to life in the Immortal Sect. If she weren't a true disciple with the protection of her elders, she would have been swallowed whole by now. If only she could learn even half of Yang Xiaoqian's shrewdness, everyone in the inner sect would respect her."

That night, Xu Xuan, as always, cultivated the "Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent," his cultivation approaching the ninth level of Body Refinement.

Body Refinement Level Nine—throughout the entire Windfeather Immortal Sect, he doubted anyone had ever attained it.

The next morning, just as Xu Xuan awoke and was preparing to practice his breathing technique, the same Senior Brother Lin from the night before came by, speaking gruffly, "Master is summoning you."

By "Master," he of course meant Elder Lu.

Xu Xuan showed him no more courtesy than he received, and followed Senior Brother Lin to Elder Lu's residence.

Elder Lu's abode was in the southeast corner of the inner sect, a vast garden shrouded by a faintly glowing violet formation. Within, one could see spirit birds flying.

The rumors were true—Elder Lu was indeed deeply versed in the raising of spiritual beasts.

They made their way straight to a mansion deep within the gardens, built entirely from crimson spiritwood and occupying several acres. The surrounding grounds were all used to raise spirit beasts.

As soon as Xu Xuan entered, he sensed the spiritual energy here was even more vibrant than in the Spirit Hall of Le Peak.

"Master is waiting for you," Senior Brother Lin said, ushering Xu Xuan into a chamber. As he left, a look of schadenfreude flashed in his eyes.

At that very moment, he suddenly felt an immense pressure upon his mind, as if an invisible eye from the clouds was gazing down upon him.

Xu Xuan's heart skipped a beat. From memories of his past life, he guessed this must be the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul stage Immortal Master.

He braced himself, taking a deep breath and striding steadily inside.

The room was simply and tastefully appointed, sandalwood incense curling in the air, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall.

Seated on a meditation cushion at the center was an old man with silver hair and youthful features, his bearing dignified and severe. As Xu Xuan entered, the old man opened his eyes—brilliant as lightning, both illusory and real.

To Xu Xuan's senses, it was as if an invisible arc of electricity flashed through the room, followed by a crushing pressure descending upon his spirit like a mountain.

An ordinary practitioner would have collapsed instantly before the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul Immortal Master.

"Disciple Xu Xuan greets Elder Lu," Xu Xuan said respectfully.

It was the first time in his life he had ever stood face-to-face with such a master, yet he remained calm and composed under the weight of that spiritual pressure.

A flicker of surprise passed through Elder Lu's eyes, but his tone was even and measured. "So, you are the one Qin'er chose for that spot? Yes, I seem to recall something about you."

Xu Xuan immediately remembered the day of the bandit eradication, when Yu Qin had fetched spirit herbs for him and attracted the attention of Elder Lu and Aunt He.

"Yes, Master," Xu Xuan replied.

"The upper echelons of the two factions of Starfeather Mountain have spared no expense to open and stabilize the Secret Realm, primarily to cultivate our true disciples. Those who accompany them are supposed to serve as protectors... Yet with your mere body refinement cultivation, when you enter the Secret Realm, who will protect whom is a real question. Normally, I would not interfere with Qin'er's decisions, but in this matter, I must intervene," Elder Lu said, his gaze piercing.

Xu Xuan immediately understood Elder Lu's perspective. The Secret Realm held many opportunities, but just as many dangers—treacherous terrain, native tribes, and perhaps even unknown monsters. The chosen protectors could not be too weak, lest they become a burden.

"Disciple dares claim that when it comes to close combat, none among our peers can surpass me. In the Secret Realm, sudden danger may arise at any moment, and what is most needed is someone to guard Junior Sister Yu at her side," Xu Xuan said with dignity, the stagnant energy and blood in his body quietly beginning to flow.

"Oh! Body Refinement Level Eight... nearly Level Nine!" Elder Lu's eyes flashed with surprise for the first time, and he looked at Xu Xuan with newfound respect.

Xu Xuan's prowess in close combat had been astonishing during the eradication of the Blood Spirit Bandits. Now, his extraordinary level of body cultivation was enough to surprise even Elder Lu.

"Even with the aid of Marrow Cleansing Pills, it's exceedingly difficult to reach such a level in just a few months," Elder Lu mused, then said, "Come here, let me examine your body. Perhaps you possess some special constitution."

Xu Xuan complied without resistance, confident that with the ocean of memories he carried from a previous life, not even a Nascent Soul Immortal Master could see through him.

Elder Lu placed a hand on Xu Xuan's wrist and closed his eyes.

A moment later, Elder Lu opened them again, somewhat disappointed. "Just an ordinary spiritual root, no hidden talents." He then pinched Xu Xuan's bones, suddenly exclaiming, "Such perfect skeletal structure and meridians... no wonder, no wonder. It's only a pity your innate talent is average. Otherwise, with such a foundation, reaching Level Nine in body cultivation and then stepping onto the path of immortality would have been twice the result for half the effort, with limitless potential."

Xu Xuan was stirred by the latter half of his words. It seemed the remnant soul from his previous life was right: in any cultivation path, the foundation established at the outset was crucial.

After scrutinizing Xu Xuan for a long time, Elder Lu let go and said thoughtfully, "With your level of body refinement, entering the Secret Realm to protect Qin'er is acceptable. And through this opportunity, this vast Pinghua Town may soon give birth to the only Level Nine body cultivator in a hundred years. That will be the pride of our Windfeather Sect. At that time, perhaps certain martial arts masters will compete to take you as their disciple."

The only one in a hundred years? In all of Pinghua Town?

Now it was Xu Xuan's turn to be astonished. Was Level Nine of body refinement really so difficult to attain?