248: Lectures and Yunjian Jue (two in one, please subscribe)

In an ancient, scholarly courtyard, the rising tea mist made the entire place appear even more ethereal.

Zi Xuan Sanren, clad in a purple robe, sat in a grand armchair, taking a teacup and sipping it gently.

His expression was quite relaxed, showing no signs of a frown.

Then he looked at the Disciples standing with their luggage in the hall.

He nodded unexpectedly.

The Named Disciples were somewhat surprised, but the Personal Disciples all maintained their usual composure.

Immediately after, Zi Xuan Sanren waved his hand, and ten prayer mats appeared, landing behind everyone.

Several Personal Disciples familiar with the routine sat down, and the Named Disciples, at Zi Xuan Sanren's signal, also gradually sat down and settled.

“Today, it's rare for all of you to be gathered. This Revered Master will thoroughly explain to you about the Purple Mansion…” Zi Xuan Sanren cleared his throat and began to speak, word by word.

At this moment, his words were like the sound of the Great Dao, unhurried yet weighty, shaking the hearts of those present.

The content taught, naturally, was the process for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to Breakthrough to Purple Mansion.

Lin Shiming and Lin Xianzhi were first greatly shocked, but then listened with extreme seriousness.

The Lin Family’s Ancestor Zhengxing was a Purple Mansion Cultivator, but he had established the Family after leaving the Sect, and neither Lin Xianzhi nor Lin Shiming had ever met Ancestor Zhengxing.

The Lin Family also lacked any Jade Slip containing insights on breaking through to Purple Mansion.

Regarding the Purple Mansion, they had only heard superficial mentions from books, knowing its Realm but not its form.

Cultivating Immortality was already difficult, and doing so without knowledge was even harder!

This was also the biggest hurdle for most Loose Cultivators and Cultivators from small families.

However, what neither of them expected was that Zi Xuan Sanren, upon arrival, did not assign tasks for the Secret Realm but instead imparted the Dao and resolved their doubts!

Although it didn't specify how a spirit platform transformed into a Purple Mansion, it contained many experiential insights that enlightened everyone.

This lesson lasted for most of the day.

From sunrise to sunset, all ten or so Disciples present gained a great deal.

Lin Shiming and Lin Xianzhi now felt a surge of emotion. They had thought they understood Zi Xuan Sanren, but at this moment, they once again found him incomprehensible, and feelings of gratitude emerged in their hearts, greatly diminishing their suspicions.

Especially Lin Xianzhi, who let out a long sigh of relief in his heart.

The sermon ended with the sunset, and Zi Xuan Sanren also put away the spirit tea that had long since grown cold.

A rare solemn expression appeared on his face as he looked at the Disciples.

Among his Disciples, there were four from the Qingxuan Sect. Xie An was ranked second, and his senior Disciple, named Chen Daoyuan, was said to have been raised by Zi Xuan Sanren from infancy. He possessed dual Spiritual Roots of Metal and Wood and was also a natural Sword Cultivator!

He was also the leader of Zi Xuan Sanren's faction for this Secret Realm expedition.

His Cultivation was rumored to have reached Peak Foundation Establishment, and he had even attempted a Breakthrough to Purple Mansion once, though it had failed.

But having experienced Purple Mansion once, his spirit platform was almost semi-Purple Mansion, and his Divine Soul and Divine Sense far surpassed those of ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

As for Zi Xuan Sanren's other two Personal Disciples, one was named Ye Qingren and the other Zhao Yongchang. Both were Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators, but they were not very old, and their Sword Dao Cultivation had both reached Sword Qi Manifestation.

Among the remaining Disciples, Lin Shiming knew one familiar face: Ye Changyuan, who had participated in the Nine-Leaf Enlightenment with him that day. Ye Changyuan was also a Cultivator from the Ye Family, and like Lin Shiming, he was a Named Disciple of Zi Xuan Sanren.

There were four others remaining, also from Foundation Establishment Families within the Qingxuan Sect's territory, but their reputation and strength were far inferior to Ye Changyuan's. Although their Cultivation was all in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, Lin Shiming found them somewhat ordinary.

At this moment, all eleven people sat upright.

Zi Xuan Sanren finally spoke:

“You must also be guessing in your hearts, the intention of this Revered Master in gathering you before this Secret Realm!”

“This Revered Master has been Cultivating in the mountains for four hundred and twenty springs and autumns, and for a hundred years, I have been trapped at Purple Mansion Peak! Unable to advance an inch! But which Cultivator does not yearn for the Great Dao, and who does not wish to become an Immortal Master? This Revered Master naturally has many regrets!”

“This Revered Master will not deceive you. This trip requires you to retrieve a Spirit Communication Sword for this Revered Master, to help this Revered Master achieve Sword Dao Perfection and attain the Golden Core Great Dao!”

At this moment, the Disciples were also startled by Zi Xuan Sanren's extremely direct and frank words, but each of them still maintained a normal expression, though their eyes clearly held turbulent waves.

Zi Xuan Sanren saw that everyone still hadn't spoken, and his expression remained as usual. He looked out the wooden window, a bit forlorn, then turned back to the crowd.

“Of course, this journey is difficult, and this Revered Master is aware of it. This Revered Master will individually bestow upon each of you a set of supreme sword arts to enhance your strength!”

“At the same time, if anyone can bring back the Spirit Communication Sword for this Revered Master, this Revered Master guarantees his Breakthrough to Purple Mansion, grants him Lifespan Medicinal Pills, and Purple Mansion Medicinal Pills. If he is a Named Disciple, this Revered Master guarantees his Family will become a Purple Mansion Family!”

Zi Xuan Sanren's series of promises made all the Disciples' eyes light up.

Especially Xie An and others whose Lifespan was nearly exhausted. Even with Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, the possibility of Breakthrough was very small, even if they had a dragon blood pill.

After all, unless it was a fourth-grade dragon blood pill, a normal third-grade dragon blood pill could already be considered Heaven-Defying power in assisting a Cultivator to Breakthrough from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment.

And the longevity Medicinal Pills Zi Xuan Sanren spoke of now were naturally different. These could greatly increase a Cultivator's Lifespan, and only then could one Breakthrough to Purple Mansion without worry.

Once one Breakthrough to Purple Mansion, one would immediately enter the Daoist Realm, enjoying five hundred years of life!

Although it still couldn't compare to eternity, it was a Realm countless Cultivators dreamed of night after night.

Moreover, at that Realm, who could say that one couldn't Breakthrough to Golden Core, with the thousand-year plan within reach!

“We are willing to devote our humble strength to Revered Master!” The Disciples, led by Chen Daoyuan's shout, swore together.

Zi Xuan Sanren also nodded, extremely satisfied, and with a wave of his hand, eleven Storage Pouches flew out.

They landed before everyone's eyes.

“These Storage Pouches contain the sword arts this Revered Master has prepared for you. This sword art must not be revealed by anyone, not even a fraction of it. It is an un 傳之秘 of our Tianjian Peak. Violators! This Revered Master will personally execute them on the spot, even if they flee beyond Zhao Country!”

“Additionally, each Storage Pouch will contain three drops of hundred-year spiritual milk and one High Grade third-tier offensive Magical Artifact Talisman. This is what this Revered Master has prepared for you, hoping that your journey will be smooth. As for other gains, this Revered Master guarantees that you can keep fifty percent!”

“Thank you, Revered Master, for the reward!” The Disciples shouted again.

All of them could not hide their excitement.

They were given hundred-year spiritual milk, High Grade offensive Magical Artifact Talismans, and sword arts, and finally, he even helped them secure fifty percent of their gains!

It should be known that the Qingxuan Sect's tradition for Secret Realms only allowed retaining thirty percent, and even that thirty percent, if it contained items needed by the Sect, had to be sold to the Sect at an artificially inflated price!

Now, Zi Xuan Sanren granting them this right meant that even if they found Medicinal Pills for Breakthrough to Purple Mansion or Magic Treasures within the Qingxuan Sect, as long as there was any left, it would belong to them!

Especially the Named Disciples, who could even bring them back to their families!

At this moment, everyone's joy even overshadowed most of the danger involved in obtaining the Spirit Communication Sword!

Zi Xuan Sanren raised his hands, then gently pressed them down, signaling for everyone to calm their emotions.

Then he continued:

“The information about the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard has already been given to your Senior Brother Chen Daoyuan. His strength among the Disciples participating in the Secret Realm can definitely rank in the top ten. Furthermore, he possesses a war treasure ship, which can even contend with a Purple Mansion Great Demon!”

“However, this Revered Master hopes that all of you can return victorious!!”

After Zi Xuan Sanren finished speaking, he took out another pot of spirit tea. This time it wasn't purple cloud tea, but a High Grade third-tier spirit tea, and he toasted everyone.

As a cup of spirit tea went down, the surging Spiritual Qi was just like the Disciples' determination!

Zi Xuan Sanren nodded in satisfaction, then waved his embroidered robe again, and the crowd departed.

Zi Xuan Sanren had already prepared rooms for them, and everyone had enough time to Cultivate the sword arts.

Before the Secret Realm began, they all had to stay here and Cultivate the sword arts.

After the group departed, Zi Xuan Sanren also flew to the top of the Peak.

Tianjian Peak was the second highest Peak in the Qingxuan Sect, second only to Shenji Peak.

The Peak pierced the clouds, and above the clouds, a white-bearded old Cultivator sat in meditation in the Void Realm.

He wasn't Cultivating; he was just looking at the mountains, the water, and the clouds!

The mountains were swords, the water was swords, and the clouds were swords!

“Revered Master!” Zi Xuan Sanren bowed.

“Is everything arranged?” The old man replied, still gazing at the clouds.

“Yes, it's settled, but it doesn't involve Senior Martial Uncle Divine Machine's plan!”

“Hm, Senior Brother Divine Machine has been playing this chess game for so many years, and he has even invited more than a dozen fellow Daoists, so he naturally has his own arrangements. You don't need to get involved. You only need to prepare for your entry into the Dao of Ruthless Sword. Cultivating Immortality, naturally, one's own Cultivation is paramount. Taking care of those Disciples and their families is already a great kindness!”

“Additionally, your Junior Martial Uncle Tianjian will also arrange for other Cultivators from Tianjian Peak to assist. You just need to have Chen Daoyuan cooperate!”

“Understood!” Zi Xuan Sanren nodded, but his eyes were somewhat evasive.

This was caught by Immortal Master Xuanjian.

“Zixuan, this Revered Master initially had the highest hopes for you, followed by your Junior Martial Uncle Tianjian. You must know that in this Cultivation world, Immortal Master is merely the starting point!” Immortal Master Xuanjian snorted coldly, somewhat displeased.

Zi Xuan Sanren immediately nodded in agreement.

“Zhengxing's departure back then had nothing to do with you. Over the years, you have repaid the Lin Family's kindness. Do not let it delay your Great Dao!”

The old man spoke once more, then fell silent.

He glanced at Qingxuan City, as if remembering something, his eyes filled with disdain.

He muttered softly:

“Mere clowns…”

...Meanwhile, in the room, Lin Shiming stared blankly at the sword art. The sword art was indeed an extremely profound Cultivation Technique.

It was called the Sword Nurturing Art!

Cultivating the Sword Nurturing Art could enhance a Sword Cultivator's strength, though not by increasing the Cultivator's Sword Intent.

Instead, it improved the compatibility between the Sword Cultivator and their Magical Artifact Flying Sword, and allowed the Cultivator to nurture their Flying Sword as if it were a Magic Treasure.

Especially when paired with the Zilai Sword given by Zi Xuan Sanren, it could almost unleash the full power of a Peak High Grade Magical Artifact!

Moreover, the Sword Nurturing Art could usually conceal Sword Intent, releasing it all at the moment of striking, which ordinary Cultivators simply couldn't withstand.

However, as soon as the Jade Slip for the Sword Nurturing Art appeared, a prompt suddenly flashed in his mind:

“By Cultivating the Sword Nurturing Art, you will obtain the Sword Guide for the Spirit Communication Sword. Please raise your Divine Sense to the Purple Mansion Realm to inversely control ordinary Spirit Communication Swords!”

The prompt appeared word by word in Lin Shiming's mind, immediately causing a storm in his heart, leaving him unable to calm down for a long time.

Before this, he had been vexed, wondering how they, Foundation Establishment Cultivators, could take away Spirit Communication Swords, which were sentient Magic Treasure Flying Swords, without other means.

Now it seemed, it wasn't about taking them away at all, but rather making them Cultivate the sword art for nurturing Flying Swords, to become sword sheaths themselves!

And the consequence of becoming a sword sheath was naturally the obliteration of one's consciousness by the Sword Intent.

From the System prompt, it was clear that only with Divine Sense reaching the Purple Mansion Realm could one inversely control ordinary Spirit Communication Swords, but what if they weren't ordinary?

How could there be so many coincidences in this world for them to encounter ordinary Spirit Communication Swords!

Furthermore, how could they achieve Purple Mansion-level Divine Sense during the Foundation Establishment Stage!

This was almost a dead end!

As long as they Cultivated the Sword Nurturing Art, as long as they went to the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard!

But with Chen Daoyuan present, who could truly avoid going to the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard? Under the war treasure ship, they didn't believe they could truly possess Purple Mansion combat power!

His mind suddenly recalled the group of Disciples. He suddenly realized that, excluding himself, among the ten Disciples, two each Cultivated the Five Elements sword arts of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

His Seventh Grand Uncle Cultivated the Azure Lotus Sword Intent, which belonged to the Water attribute Sword Intent. Xie An had the Blazing Fire Sword Intent, and that Chen Daoyuan had the Geng Metal Sword Intent!

And he had the Grass Sword Intent, but he knew that among the remaining few, there must be two who Cultivated the Grass Sword Intent!

This was also a Wood attribute Sword Intent, and there was also an Earth attribute Sword Intent!

Lin Shiming's mind was filled with countless thoughts for a moment, but at the same time, he was terrified.

Spirit Communication Swords naturally also had attributes. Zi Xuan Sanren wasn't trying to take away just one Spirit Communication Sword!

Instead, he wanted to take away an entire set of Five Elements Spirit Communication Swords!

Perhaps even more!

All of them were sword sheaths!

The difference was, all of them had room for error!

Of course, Chen Daoyuan might be an exception; he was Zi Xuan Sanren's true confidant.

He just couldn't understand why Zi Xuan Sanren would preach to them like this if he treated them this way.

He had also taken good care of their Lin Family before!

He naturally dared not Cultivate this Sword Nurturing Art now, but if he didn't, Zi Xuan Sanren would surely notice.

Moreover, he still had to figure out how to inform his Seventh Grand Uncle.

As for Xie An, he was somewhat unable to care about him at the moment.

Furthermore, he was unsure if Xie An was also a confidant of Zi Xuan Sanren.

One should know that when Old Devil Chen said there was a problem with Lin Xianzhi's Cultivation Technique that day, the other party was also furious.

However, the Cultivation Techniques given by the Qingxuan Sect to the various Named Disciples indeed all had problems.

What was terrifying, though, was that even with problematic Cultivation Techniques, all the Named Disciples could Cultivate to the Peak Foundation Establishment Stage!

This also indicated that the one who modified the Cultivation Techniques was definitely not a Purple Mansion Cultivator, and might even be a certain Immortal Master of the Qingxuan Sect.

The Qingxuan Sect had a total of four Immortal Masters: Immortal Master Divine Machine of Shenji Peak, Immortal Master Tianjian of Tianjian Peak, Immortal Master Xuanjian, and besides these, Immortal Master Qinglin of Overlord Body Peak. As for whether there were other Immortal Masters, that was a secret of the Qingxuan Sect, which he did not know.

But the most likely candidate was still Immortal Master Divine Machine.

This person was so formidable that even the Demon King of the Qingyun Mountain Range was wary of him, and he was also the only Cultivator at Golden Core Great Perfection.

Lin Shiming thought a lot at this moment, but the clues were simply too few.

His eyes grew more worried. This Secret Realm expedition was no longer a scheme of Foundation Establishment Cultivators; it had definitely escalated into a confrontation between Purple Mansion Cultivators and Golden Core True Persons!

And with so many war treasure ships, and the delivered imitations of the shenji pagoda, the three-colored treasure robes... Lin Shiming's unease grew. He also needed to be more cautious and proceed step by step!

Of course, he had to overcome this hurdle in front of him.