26: Xuanyun Zhenren

Wu Qianning finally recovered from her shock and hastily asked, "With Young Master Xiao's talent, which Sect would miss out? It's just... does Young Master not have a Revered Master?"

"I merely explored on my own," Xiao Zhuo said calmly.

Wu Qianning's cherry lips parted slightly, and a tempest surged in her eyes.

Wu Longqing, who was beside her, also dropped his silver chopsticks with a 'clatter,' looking at the young man as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight!

Explored on his own?!

This monster, who could suppress the Condensing Aperture Realm at such a young age, had no Revered Master?!

If this news spread, it would likely shake the entire Great Chen Dynasty! The father and daughter exchanged glances, both seeing horror in each other's eyes.

"If that's truly the case..." Wu Qianning unconsciously brushed her fingertips over the folds of her sleeve, her eyes sparkling like stars, as if she had grasped some supreme treasure, "If Young Master is interested in the Dao, I... I will return to the Sect tomorrow and report to the Elders!"

"Alright!" Xiao Zhuo nodded.

The meal ended in a subtle atmosphere.

Xiao Zhuo was settled in the elegant west wing of the Wu Family residence to rest.

Who knew that—

Wu Qianning spoke of "departing tomorrow," but her figure had already swept out of the Wu Family's main gate like a gust of wind! She agilely flipped onto a swift horse, shaking the reins!

"Hup!"

The crisp sound of hooves shattered the tranquility of the bluestone slabs, startling the birds roosting under the eaves.

The young woman's palms, gripping the reins tightly, were covered in a thin layer of sweat. She had only one thought: Faster! Even faster! She absolutely could not give Young Master Xiao any room to change his mind!

The Yuyang Sect was only thirty li from Qingyang City.

Before the Yin hour (3-5 AM), Wu Qianning had already reined in her horse before the majestic mountain gate.

After her waist token was verified, she lifted her skirt, her steps like flight, and charged directly into the Outer Sect Elder Hall!

At this moment, Outer Sect Elder Zhao Yiqing was sitting cross-legged in his quiet room, cultivating.

A major circulation had just entered its optimal phase when it was interrupted by the urgent "thump, thump, thump" of footsteps outside the door.

"Elder Zhao, Outer Sect Disciple Wu Qianning requests an audience," a Disciple's voice announced.

Zhao Yiqing's brows furrowed tightly, and displeasure instantly arose in his heart—like being forcibly woken up from a deep sleep!

"Let her in," he suppressed his annoyance, making circular motions with his hands to conclude his cultivation, his voice cold.

Wu Qianning stepped into the quiet room, panting.

Seeing her in such a state, Zhao Yiqing's brows furrowed even deeper, his tone icy: "Wu Qianning, what is the matter that you are so flustered?"

"Elder Zhao! I have a friend of peerless talent, who wishes to join the Sect with his own skill! I earnestly request the Elder to consult with the Inner Sect!" Wu Qianning's breathing was still uneven, but the joy on her face was evident.

Thinking that if Xiao Zhuo could enter the Sect, she would be able to see him often, her heart couldn't help but leap with joy.

"Nonsense!" Zhao Yiqing's expression darkened, and he sternly rebuked, "This Sect has been established for hundreds of years and has always only accepted upright youths under sixteen years of age with clear backgrounds! When has there ever been a precedent for joining the Sect with one's own skill?!"

"But Elder, he..."

"Get out!" Zhao Yiqing impatiently interrupted, and the pressure of the Condensing Aperture Realm surged out like an invisible tide. Though only a wisp, it instantly made Wu Qianning's face turn pale, her Qi and blood churning, forcing her to retreat in a panic.

Her fervent enthusiasm was doused with a basin of ice water.

Wu Qianning stood outside the Elder Hall, lightly biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth. Suddenly, her eyes flashed, and she turned to rush towards the Inner Sect's Wuzhen Peak—she still had a good friend, Inner Sect Senior Sister Gao Mengxia!

The Yuyang Sect's mountain gate was vast, divided into three courtyards (Outer Courtyard, Miscellaneous Courtyard, Prodigy Courtyard) and Five Peaks (Zhenyang, Cuiyun, Wuzhen, Guanyun, Xuanyuan).

The Five Peaks were the Foundation of the Inner Sect; their Peak Revered Masters were all Divine Sea Realm mighty figures, holding transcendent status.

The Zhenyang Peak Revered Master and the Prodigy Courtyard Revered Master were concurrently held by the Sect Master, and the Peak Revered Masters of the other four peaks were also pillars of the Sect.

About half an hour later, in an elegant small courtyard on Wuzhen Peak.

Gao Mengxia looked at her Junior Sister, who had rushed in impetuously, her eyes full of surprise: "Ning'er? Weren't you down the mountain handling Family affairs? When did you return?"

She sent a wisp of gentle True Essence to help Wu Qianning regulate her breathing.

"Sister Mengxia! It's an emergency!" Wu Qianning grabbed her Senior Sister's hand and quickly recounted her encounter with Xiao Zhuo, the commotion at the city gate, and Xiao Zhuo's desire to join the Sect, like spilling beans from a bamboo tube.

The more Gao Mengxia listened, the more astonished she became.

She knew Wu Qianning's character would never lie. If that Xiao Zhuo wasn't truly astonishingly talented, she would never have been so flustered, rushing back to the Sect overnight.

"Ning'er, you want to ask my Revered Master... to personally go down the mountain and see him?" Gao Mengxia understood.

For the Yuyang Sect to accept Disciples, besides the triennial grand selection, only Inner Sect Elders and stronger individuals were qualified to make exceptional admissions.

Gao Mengxia's Revered Master, Immortal Master Xuanyun, was a revered Inner Sect Elder on Wuzhen Peak!

If she gave her assent, the mere rules of the Outer Sect could naturally be broken.

In Wu Qianning's heart, Xiao Zhuo was absolutely worth it!

The two talked for a long time, then Gao Mengxia took Wu Qianning to see her Revered Master.

In the quiet room, Immortal Master Xuanyun, clad in a gray Daoist robe, sat cross-legged on a futon, her countenance benevolent yet distant.

This female Daoist, who was devoted to the Dao, had already reached the Early Stage of the Divine Sea Realm, ranking among the top Inner Sect Elders of the Yuyang Sect, yet she had only accepted Gao Mengxia as a Disciple.

She quietly listened to Gao Mengxia's retelling, her gaze lingering on Wu Qianning's face for a moment. She did not question it, merely stating indifferently: "Tomorrow, bring This old body (Self-reference) down the mountain to see him."

Gao and Wu were overjoyed.

By the time they emerged from Immortal Master Xuanyun's place of secluded cultivation, dusk had already settled.

Wu Qianning stayed in Gao Mengxia's courtyard, and they talked through the night, meticulously recounting Xiao Zhuo's story, which made Gao Mengxia increasingly curious about this peerless Genius she had not yet met—her own talent was exceptional, having advanced to the True Essence Realm before the age of thirty, already a leader among her peers.

Now, to hear of an existence who could suppress the Condensing Aperture Realm at twenty? Unfathomable!

The next morning.

Immortal Master Xuanyun lightly flicked her sleeve, and a gentle yet immense power enveloped Gao Mengxia and Wu Qianning.

"Rise!"

The three figures soared into the air, transforming into streaks of light, shooting straight towards Qingyang City!

A Divine Sea Realm expert traversing the air was faster than a bolt of lightning; in less than half an incense stick's time, they had quietly landed in the Wu Family courtyard.

Wu Longqing, hearing the news, personally came out to greet them with trepidation, while also urgently ordering his servants to invite Xiao Zhuo.

Before long, Xiao Zhuo entered the main hall of the Wu Family.

The moment his gaze met the gray-robed Daoist nun in the main seat, Xiao Zhuo's heart instantly tensed! Unfathomable!

His Divine Sense, which he had quietly extended, dissolved like a clay ox entering the sea the moment it approached within three feet of her, disappearing without a trace.

He couldn't sense the slightest True Essence fluctuation around her, as if she had merged with the heavens and earth.

"This junior, Xiao Zhuo, greets Immortal Master Xuanyun!" Introduced by Wu Qianning, Xiao Zhuo bowed respectfully.

The person before him was a super existence, transcending his own Realm by three entire major Realms (True Essence, Condensing Aperture, Returning to True, Divine Sea)!

In this world, she could absolutely be considered a high-end combatant!

Immortal Master Xuanyun's gaze was as calm as an ancient well, falling upon Xiao Zhuo.

Buzz—!

A vast, star-sea-like, and ice-cold Divine Sense instantly enveloped Xiao Zhuo!

He felt as if he had been stripped naked and exposed under the scorching sun, his Physical Body and Soul completely penetrated!

An indescribable chill of being "seen through" rushed straight to his crown!

"Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art? Fourth layer?" Immortal Master Xuanyun's voice was not loud, yet it was like the clear chime of a jade chime, making the beams and pillars of the hall seem to emit a subtle hum.

At these words, Gao Mengxia, who was standing by, instantly widened her beautiful eyes, her shock intensifying amidst the shimmering brilliance!

The Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art was known in the Yuyang Sect for being "difficult to cultivate"; it wasn't that it demanded high Comprehension Ability, but rather that the time and effort it required were despair-inducing!

Thirty-six revolutions just to reach the fourth layer... How did this young man achieve it at such an age?!

"Immortal Master's Wisdom Eye is like a torch," Xiao Zhuo said with a bitter smile, knowing that in front of such an existence, all concealment was futile. "This Cultivation Technique... was indeed obtained by this junior from the residence of Zong Qing, the Lord of Peng City." He simply confessed, briefly recounting the events of Peng City.

As for how he managed to cultivate the first four layers in such a short time, he claimed that he had cultivated the Innate Merit diligently since childhood, accumulating abundant True Essence, and the Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art happened to completely transform and fuse it, thus achieving such speed.

Even Xiao Zhuo himself found this explanation far-fetched.

Immortal Master Xuanyun's profound gaze lingered on his face for a moment, neither pressing for details nor exposing his pretense.

"Since you already possess this Sect's Cultivation Technique and intend to join..." Immortal Master Xuanyun slowly spoke, her tone carrying an undeniable decisiveness, "Then follow This old body (Self-reference) back to the mountain. This matter requires the Sect Master's personal decision."

She made no promises, but her attitude was extremely firm, leaving no room for discussion.