53: The sect master and peak master are here.

Returning to his small courtyard, Zhou Xuan’s expression was gloomy, and he couldn’t help but frown, muttering to himself:

“My current strength is decent, and I have some preparations and methods to deal with this guy.”

“However, to ensure a stable victory against Qi Yue, I still seem to need some additional methods.”

No matter what, Qi Yue was the top Core Disciple of the Sect, and his ability to maintain that position consistently naturally spoke to his skill.

Especially since his Golden Finger didn't directly grant him the power of an Emperor-level existence capable of suppressing the world, it was naturally more suitable to be cautious.

“There’s still an Earth-Grade body-refining Martial Skill that I can Cultivate; I also exchanged for the necessary Cultivation resources at the Sect’s exchange point earlier.”

Zhou Xuan whispered to himself.

If he could Cultivate this Martial Skill to Major Achievement, his overall strength would receive a massive boost, and by then, even facing Qi Yue, who was at the Linghai Realm Sixth Level, he would have no reservations.

Even if Qi Yue were to Breakthrough to the Linghai Realm Seventh Level within the next month, he would still have the power to fight.

Collecting his thoughts, Zhou Xuan immediately took out some Vicious Beast blood, which was faintly boiling.

These were the blood of fire-attribute Vicious Beasts, most suitable for Cultivating a Martial Skill like the Scarlet Sun Body, and could also help him grow rapidly.

Without any hesitation, Zhou Xuan directly took out a blood-filled container, and then a violent, scorching energy spread throughout the small courtyard.

With a thought, the boiling blood transformed into two bloodlines, entering his body through his nostrils.

Boom!

A violent and fierce aura surged forth, as if it wanted to corrode his flesh and blood.

Zhou Xuan’s lips curved into an arc, and then Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth surged into his body, while the Scarlet Sun Body circulated.

In just a dozen breaths, he had completely refined the essence blood of these fire-attribute Vicious Beasts.

Moonlight poured down.

After a day of Cultivation, Zhou Xuan’s crimson Spiritual Qi emerged from his body like blood threads, then scattered with the wind.

Faint patterns shimmered across his entire skin, seemingly containing endless power.

Zhou Xuan stood up, his eyes clearly showing excitement; after a simple assessment, he realized that in the state of the Scarlet Sun Body, he could now even contend with someone at the Linghai Realm Seventh Level without falling behind.

“Awesome!”

Zhou Xuan slightly felt the power contained within his body, as if he could split mountains and crack stones at any moment, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

After being cleansed by the Heavenly Sun Lotus Seed, his body had undergone an unprecedented change; now, whether it was Cultivating Martial Skills or his Realm, it was much faster than before.

“Even without the System’s help, I could be considered a Genius.”

Zhou Xuan made a simple assessment, then exhaled a long breath and continued to Cultivate.

The Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques he currently possessed definitely needed to be improved in a short period.

Therefore, for the next month, Zhou Xuan spent his free time Cultivating in his room.

In addition to Cultivation time, more time was spent on studying Martial Skills.

His Martial Skills were also rapidly improving in sync.

Finally, the day before the Selection Ceremony began, Zhou Xuan’s Realm reached the Linghai Realm Fifth Level, and the Scarlet Sun Body, refined with Vicious Beast blood, had directly reached the Major Achievement Realm.

The Nine Beast Seal had also been Cultivated to the eighth seal Rank, just one step away from Perfection!

“With my current strength, defeating Qi Yue in the Selection Ceremony, while not a sure thing, definitely has an eighty percent probability!”

Zhou Xuan’s eyes gleamed with intense Battle Intent, and he spoke slowly, his voice filled with fervor.

...

The next morning.

The previously quiet area was now filled with surging and boiling Battle Intent.

Today was the day the Selection Ceremony began, and all the Core Disciples of the Qingxuan Sect intended to use this ceremony to enter one of the Sect’s five major peaks for Cultivation.

According to the Qingxuan Sect’s Disciple Rank System, Core Disciple was merely a transitional stage; only by truly entering a Sect peak for Cultivation would one have the chance to dominate the heavens.

Only then could one become a true Dragon and Phoenix among men in the Great Yan Dynasty.

“All Sect Core Disciples, proceed to the Selection Ceremony.”

The voice of the Elder from the Enforcement Hall roared out like thunder.

As soon as the Elder’s voice fell, countless streaks of light shot out, and the area instantly became incredibly lively.

In his small courtyard, Zhou Xuan slowly stood up, his eyes also filled with boiling Battle Intent.

Then, without any hesitation, the Spiritual Qi on his body surged, transforming into a stream of light that directly rushed towards the designated location.

As Zhou Xuan flew towards it, he could see many Disciples also flying towards the location, and many landscapes whizzed by beneath Zhou Xuan’s feet.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the figures of the numerous Disciples present gradually stabilized.

Zhou Xuan’s gaze also turned towards the front, and his expression clearly showed a hint of emotion.

He saw a majestic giant peak emitting brilliant light, with faint clouds swirling around it.

On this giant peak, hundreds of Disciples had already gathered, all looking up at the massive mountain, their faces filled with emotion.

In front of them, countless huge bluestone steps extended upwards, looking like a prostrate Dragon from a distance.

These stone steps were mottled and ancient, and each step was taller than a person.

Zhou Xuan looked at the stone steps on the giant peak and muttered to himself:

“It seems that this Selection Ceremony will likely require passing through here, and I don’t think these stone steps will be easy to traverse.”

Many Core Disciples present were also whispering among themselves, clearly surprised by this Selection Ceremony.

However, everyone looked towards this place with fervent eyes.

And just as everyone was discussing, in the Void Realm, the voices of a group of Elders suddenly spread across the entire Void Realm with reverence, imbued with Spiritual Qi:

“All Disciples, welcome the Sect Master and the Peak Masters!”

At these words, countless Disciples present looked up at the Void Realm with shock and awe.

Zhou Xuan was also curious about what kind of powerhouses these Sect Masters were…