Chapter 7: Entering the Nascent Soul Stage Within a Year

Amidst the thick mist, a figure clad in a flowing glass-blue gown quietly descended before Lu Changfeng. Her jet-black hair fluttered behind her, and her delicate features seemed as if meticulously carved. Below, a fair and slender neck blushed faintly, yet evoked no thoughts of defilement. Her jade-like feet were bare, lightly touching the ground with grace. This woman’s aura was profound yet not burdensome; to Lu Changfeng’s eyes, she bore the air of a banished immortal.

At the instant she appeared, the various peak masters were momentarily stunned. “The Moon Cold Peak Master, who hasn’t taken disciples for ten years, has actually been stirred?” “Truly the peerless genius of the Nine Star Conjunction!” “To have the most mysterious peak master of the Dao Yan Sect personally come here!”

Below, the trial participants wore puzzled expressions. “Who is she?” “She must be the enigmatic Moon Cold Peak Master, Yue Qingshuang, of the Dao Yan Sect!” “Ah! She is truly beautiful!” “If she would just smile at me once, my life would be complete!”

Lu Changfeng met her gaze, raising an eyebrow slightly. At that moment, he discerned her cultivation level to be roughly at the Dao Palace realm, yet a subtle surge of aura unique to a Divine Treasury realm cultivator flickered within her. Though fleeting, Lu Changfeng sensed it. “Could it be…” a suspicion arose in his heart.

Just then, a streak of azure light suddenly appeared atop Mount Xuan. The entire mountain trembled, a gentle breeze stirring as the spiritual energy of the heavens seemed to part the air for the newcomer. The vast azure glow washed away and receded. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was about to surge, but abruptly ceased.

In the blink of an eye, a figure seemed to tread on emptiness, appearing distant yet instantly hovering above the crowd. The newcomer chuckled softly, speaking, “No wonder I felt unsettled today—it's because a genius has arrived!” “This is truly a blessing for our Dao Yan Sect!”

Upon seeing the figure, the peak masters reacted, “Sect Leader!” “You have emerged from seclusion?” “Of course, you must have sensed the sudden upheaval of the Dao Yan Heavenly Tablet’s spiritual power!”

The surrounding Dao Yan disciples bowed respectfully, voices filled with reverence, “Greetings, Sect Leader!”

Lu Changfeng shifted his gaze and found that the sect leader, dressed plainly in green, was an ordinary old man. No aura flowed from him. Yet in his eyes, Lu Changfeng perceived something extraordinary. Within his body lay a power surpassing that of any peak master. This elder had reached the realm of Primal Return — undoubtedly one of the strongest in the Tianyuan Domain.

“Though his aura is hidden, judging by everyone’s reaction, he must be the foremost cultivator of the Dao Yan Sect!” “The various peak masters stand at the Dao Palace realm, possibly half a step into the Divine Treasury realm!”

Qi Condensation, Meridian Unblocking, Heavenly Circulation, and Yuan Dan realms are common among cultivators in the Tianyuan Domain. But the Spiritual Platform, Dao Palace, Divine Treasury, and True Spirit realms appear only within great sects. After all, cultivation demands vast resources, and solitary cultivators face countless dangers, making it exceedingly difficult to rise. Great powers control over half the resources.

The Dao Yan Sect Leader waved his hand casually like an ordinary old man. His deep eyes seemed to pierce through Lu Changfeng’s secrets. Lu Changfeng was already aware yet maintained a composed demeanor. In his previous life, he had nearly reached the pinnacle of the Dao. A cultivator merely at the Divine Treasury realm was insignificant to him. Moreover, the hidden secrets within his body were beyond the insight of a half-step Divine Treasury cultivator.

“Indeed!” The sect leader nodded approvingly, “Calm and unarrogant—one who can accomplish great things.” A faint smile of satisfaction crossed his eyes. To be praised by a half-step Divine Treasury cultivator, most would already be elated. Yet Lu Changfeng remained indifferent, slightly bowing, “Thank you, Sect Leader, for your praise.”

The sect leader looked at the surrounding peak masters, then turned to him, saying, “Our Dao Yan Sect has seven peaks. Aside from the Enlightenment Peak Master, the other six have already arrived. Which peak do you wish to cultivate under?”

This was the privilege of a transcendent talent—to choose their own peak of cultivation!

Hearing the sect leader’s words, the hot-tempered Forging Peak Master spoke up, “Sect Leader, you already have a closed-door disciple! Why are you still competing with us for disciples?” The others nodded in agreement.

The sect leader seemed not to hear, his gaze still expectant on Lu Changfeng. Seeing this, the other peak masters said no more.

Lu Changfeng regarded the peak masters without making a choice. Xiao He frowned and said, “Young man! Choose me, and I will gift you the Heavenly Thunder Pearl, even the entire cultivation resources of the Forging Peak!”

He spoke proudly, confident that this was an excellent offer.

The crowd gasped in surprise, casting envious glances at Lu Changfeng. The Heavenly Thunder Pearl was a treasure Xiao He had laid plans for over a century to acquire, slain from a beast comparable to the Divine Treasury realm. He valued it more than his own life. Today, he was unusually generous.

The Heavenly Sword Peak Master chuckled lightly, saying, “I see your path lies in swordsmanship. I offer you the profound Heavenly Sword Guidance, and the next Heavenly Sword Peak Master will surely be you!”

The Heavenly Sword Guidance was the peak’s secret teaching, passed down only to successive masters, rumored to be the very swordplay legacy of a certain Sword Dao Emperor. Such an offer was an irresistible temptation for any sword cultivator.

The Divine Elixir Peak Master, He Youran, cleared her throat and waved her hand. Tens of thousands of pills filled the sky, their fragrance invigorating all present. “Though my Divine Elixir Peak lacks secret cultivation methods, my granddaughter is exceptionally gifted and gentle in nature…”

She scattered over a thousand pills around herself, clearly implying that if one agreed to cultivate at Divine Elixir Peak, not only would the pills be theirs, but her granddaughter would be theirs as well.

The trial participants’ breaths grew rapid. Such offers from the peak masters were beyond their wildest dreams.

The other peak masters looked at the pill-filled sky with wry smiles. For cultivators, resources were paramount. The Divine Elixir Peak was renowned as the alchemical sanctuary sustaining the Dao Yan Sect, famously wealthy.

The Ten Thousand Array Peak (Wan Zhen Peak) was silent.

After all the peak masters finished stating their terms, only the Moon Cold Peak Master remained. Curiosity among the crowd was high—what conditions would the mysterious Moon Cold Peak Master set?

Lu Changfeng fixed his gaze on the aloof peak master before him. Their eyes met. A ripple passed through her indifferent eyes, and she gently parted her crimson lips, “I am Yue Qingshuang.” She continued softly, “If you become my disciple, I guarantee you will enter the Yuan Dan realm within one year.”