70: So you are the main pusher?

Floating Cloud Sect.

In a pavilion wreathed in white clouds, where immortal cranes cried.

Xu Qi'an and Water Lingmiao were enjoying tea and playing chess.

Not far outside the window, a spiritual energy vortex floated in mid-air.

Xu Qi'an placed a piece, but sighed, saying, "This person failed in Dan Formation!"

Water Lingmiao was slightly startled and asked curiously, "Xu Qi'an, why do you say that?"

Xu Qi'an shook his head and chuckled lightly.

He currently possessed a Core Formation Stage seventh-layer cultivation and Divine Sense comparable to the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, naturally granting him powerful perception.

Although in everyone's eyes, the spiritual energy vortex had formed and seemed to show no signs of wavering.

It was different in his eyes; while the outside of the spiritual energy vortex didn't waver, the inside had already begun to fall apart.

Indeed, not long after, the spiritual energy vortex began to become precarious, just as Xu Qi'an had said.

Seeing this scene, the Jie Dan Cultivators of Floating Cloud Sect immediately felt a wave of regret.

This was the first Core Formation Stage candidate selected by Yue Country to fail at Dan Formation.

Seeing this, Xu Qi'an also sighed.

Although he had provided the highest quality Dustfall Pill, Dan Formation inherently involved some luck.

Even with thorough preparation, there was always a certain probability of failing Dan Formation.

Seeing this scene, Water Lingmiao also lowered her head slightly, unsure what to say.

Xu Qi'an, however, smiled and said, "Dan Formation is fated; there's no need to worry too much."

"Besides, there are still two Core Formation Stage candidates, so there's no need to be pessimistic yet."

"We've weathered so many storms; what else is there to fear?"

Water Lingmiao also smiled and nodded.

Just as the two were about to continue their game, two figures landed at their pavilion.

Leading them were Ying Kaihe and Shen Liang, who possessed supreme Spiritual Roots.

These two were the two Core Formation Stage candidates who would attempt Dan Formation after Water Lingmiao.

Their Dan Formation was within Xu Qi'an's expectations.

One had a tenacious personality, and the other had outstanding Spiritual Roots, both of which could increase the probability of Dan Formation in many aspects.

"Ying Kaihe pays respects to the Sect Leader!"

"Shen Liang greets the Sect Leader!"

Xu Qi'an paused his hand on the chess piece and faced the two.

"Since you two have arrived, I have something to give you."

Ying Kaihe and Shen Liang immediately exchanged glances.

Xu Qi'an then took out two bottles of pills and several magical treasures from his storage bag, letting them float in mid-air.

"Here are two bottles of pills beneficial for cultivation in the Core Formation Stage initial stage, along with a few magical treasures. Each of you can choose one."

"Consider it my gift for your successful Dan Formation!"

The two were instantly dumbfounded.

"Is Seven-An True Person that wealthy?"

But these were exactly the things the two needed.

Although they were extremely joyful upon entering the Core Formation Stage, they both discovered problems in their subsequent cultivation.

Cultivation in the Core Formation Stage was different from before, with the difficulty increasing exponentially.

Moreover, without a magical treasure for protection, it was akin to facing a Fellow Daoist of the same level with one arm missing.

The two then nodded, each selecting pills and magical treasures, expressing their gratitude with respectful looks.

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Xu Qi'an waved his hand and smiled, "There's no need for thanks. Just prepare well for the upcoming Extraterritorial Battlefield!"

"I wouldn't want you to painstakingly achieve Dan Formation only to fall in the subsequent war due to a mishap in battle!"

The two nodded with smiles.

Ying Kaihe looked at the Seven-An True Person before him, feeling an indescribable sensation.

But he always felt that following Xu Qi'an was definitely the right thing to do.

Although Xu Qi'an's cultivation level displayed to everyone was still the Core Formation Stage initial stage.

The aura he exuded, however, made him feel somewhat out of reach.

Just as Ying Kaihe left the pavilion and was walking on the plaza lost in thought, he unexpectedly ran into Shen Liang again.

To be precise, Shen Liang deliberately approached him.

"Hey, Brother Ying, what do you think of this Seven-An True Person?"

"Think?"

Ying Kaihe was taken aback for a moment, then said.

"The Sect Leader is so good to us. My opinion of the Lord is that I will definitely shed my head and spill my blood for him!"

"Without regret!"

Shen Liang twirled his embroidered finger and said with some deep meaning, "Fellow Daoist, are those true words?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Kaihe was displeased, even a little angry.

"True words? The words I, Ying Kaihe, speak are absolutely not false!"

"Rather, Fellow Daoist Shen, what kind of question is that?"

"I highly suspect your motive!"

"The Nascent Soul Decree has not yet expired, and the sword hanging over our Yue Country has not been removed. As a person of Yue Country, even if you have other intentions, you cannot do something foolish that harms the country and its people at this time!"

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Shen Liang was not angry at all. Instead, he seemed relieved and laughed heartily, "That's good, that's good!"

"Then we are on the same side!"

"Hmm?"

This sentence confused Ying Kaihe.

Shen Liang, however, stepped forward and let out a long snort, "Hmph!"

"I, Shen Liang, am a loyal subject of the Sect Leader!"

"The Sect Leader's talent, wisdom, and strength are all top-notch!"

"I, Shen Liang, am truly fortunate to have met the Sect Leader during the Core Formation Stage candidate selection!"

"He debated with numerous Cultivators, was devoted to the country, worked tirelessly, defended against strong enemies from without, and prepared plans within. Such strategy, such heroic bearing, who could not love him, who could not be loyal!"

"And what I admire most about the Sect Leader is the great battle nine years ago!"

"The Sect Leader was actually able to confront three Jie Dan Cultivators and ninety Foundation Establishment Cultivators by himself!"

"And he ended the battle without losing a single soldier or shedding any blood, striking fear into the Cultivators of the Three Great Countries from then on, making them dare not cross the boundary again!"

"Ultimately allowing us to successfully achieve Dan Formation safely!"

"Such a Sect Leader is truly unparalleled and a genius of heaven and earth!"

"How can he not make us follow him wholeheartedly?!!"

"He is strong, he is wise, he is selfless, he is generous!"

"Such a Lord is my Lord, the one I, Shen Liang, will pursue for my entire life!"

The more Shen Liang spoke, the more fervent he became. At the climax, he even tore his clothes to shreds, revealing the sturdy eight-pack abs beneath his chest.

Ying Kaihe on the side had been dumbfounded since the first sentence.

He had originally thought this person was an ungrateful villain.

But after listening through, he only came to a few words.

"This person is a Sect Leader fan!!!"

Hearing these words, Ying Kaihe also laughed and put his arm around Shen Liang's shoulder.

"Brother, I approve of you!"

"Brother, I approve of you too!!"

The two exchanged smiles, happier than they would have been from a cultivation breakthrough, and walked step by step towards the Floating Cloud Sect's tavern.

They felt for a moment that it was truly a pity they hadn't met sooner!

They had to drink for three days and three nights!

For no other reason than finding like-minded brothers!