101: Chapter 101 News from the Exchange Meeting

"Junior Brother Li, I've seen less of you these past six months. Have you been in closed-door cultivation?"

In the neighboring herb field, Senior Brother Zhou, sitting on the ridge, stared at the newly arrived Li Changsheng and asked.

"No, I've just been visiting my fellow villagers from time to time, so I've spent less time in the fields."

Sizing up Li Changsheng, Senior Brother Zhou's brow furrowed more and more; the more he looked, the more confused he became.

"What is Senior Brother Li's current cultivation level? The more I look, the less I can see through it."

Li Changsheng glanced at Senior Brother Zhou.

Qi Refining Level 6.

"Congratulations to Senior Brother Zhou for breaking through to Qi Refining Level 6."

"If I remember correctly, when we entered the Secret Realm, Senior Brother Zhou was only at Qi Refining Level 4?"

"It's only been half a year since we returned, and you've broken through two levels in a row. Truly impressive."

"A matter worthy of celebration."

Senior Brother Zhou felt comfortable being praised, but he maintained a calm and indifferent expression on his face.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, unable to hide his joy.

"As far as I know, most of the Disciples who returned from the Secret Realm this time have broken through quite a bit during these six months."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Of course."

"Yesterday I went to the Main Peak Mission Hall and heard about it there."

"They said that most of those who returned from the Secret Realm have increased by one cultivation Rank. Some broke through from Qi Refining Level 3 to Level 4, and some from Qi Refining Level 4 to Qi Refining Level 5."

"Then someone like you, Senior Brother, who broke through from Qi Refining Level 4 directly to Qi Refining Level 6, is likely as rare as phoenix feathers."

"Not at all, I just had good luck. I was already at Qi Refining Level 4 Late Stage back then, and with the recent abundance of Medicinal Pills and my hard work in cultivation, breaking through to Qi Refining Level 6 was just a natural result."

Senior Brother Zhou suppressed the curve of his lips, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"I heard that a few gifted ones have even broken through to the seventh or eighth level."

"Senior Brother Zhou, don't be discouraged. Their original cultivation might have been higher to begin with."

"True."

"Speaking of which, these people also benefited from the fact that those who died in the Secret Realm are all gone."

"How so?"

"With people dead, there are fewer people to distribute things to, so they get more resources."

"That makes sense."

"The Sect will definitely prioritize nurturing those Disciples with potential."

"Exactly."

During these six months, many changes had occurred in the Outer Sect of the Qinglan Sword Sect.

The overall strength of the entire Sect had improved significantly compared to half a year ago.

Similar changes had also occurred in several other Sects.

The Jinyang Sect had the most surviving Disciples and the most bountiful harvest.

It was said that among their Qi Refining Stage Disciples, some had already touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment and could break through at any time.

The Qingxin Pavilion suffered significant losses, but among the surviving Disciples, there were several with extraordinary talent who reportedly obtained a complete Legacy, causing their strength to advance by leaps and bounds.

Although only ten people from Medicine King Valley went this time, seven survived.

However, it was said that the Spirit Medicine harvested this time was refined into many high-quality Medicinal Pills, and there were even quite a few foundation establishment pills.

The cultivation of their Qi Refining Stage Disciples had improved across the board, generally by two levels.

The Blood Fiend Sect suffered the most disastrous losses, with only a few of those who went returning.

But they seemed to have found something important in the Secret Realm.

During this period, they were exceptionally low-key, and even their usual arrogant bluster had been greatly restrained.

It wasn't just individuals that changed, but also the relationships between the Sects.

The cooperation and confrontations in the Secret Realm had created connections between Disciples who were originally strangers.

Lin Jingyun of the Jinyang Sect had even sent a small gift to Li Changsheng, calling it a "gift between friends."

Disciples of the Medicine King Valley also sent word to Mo Han, saying they wanted to spar if given the chance.

The Blood Fiend Sect, meanwhile, had become a target of public criticism.

Their actions in the Secret Realm had offended too many people.

People from the Jinyang Sect, Qingxin Pavilion, Medicine King Valley, and Qinglan Sword Sect were all secretly keeping an eye on them.

Against this backdrop, a piece of news quietly spread among the major Sects.

Senior Brother Zhou was chatting happily when he suddenly gave a mysterious smile.

"Junior Brother Li, let me tell you another recent secret."

"What secret?"

"I heard that several major Sects have agreed to hold a Qi Refining Stage Disciple Exchange Meeting in Yunzhou Prefecture one year from now."

"At that time, all the major Sects within Yunzhou Prefecture, such as the Jinyang Sect, Qingxin Pavilion, Medicine King Valley, Blood Fiend Sect, and our Qinglan Sword Sect, will participate."

"The Blood Fiend Sect? Aren't they a Demonic Cult? They can participate too?"

Hearing this, Senior Brother Zhou's expression also became serious.

"Speaking of this Blood Fiend Sect, I did hear some news in my earlier years."

"It's said that when the Blood Fiend Sect was first founded, it was also a true Righteous Path School."

"The Cultivation Techniques they Cultivate are mostly based on blood energy and blood balefulness, but the blood energy and blood balefulness used by the Sect for cultivation were all from Yao Beasts."

"I don't know when, but things started to change."

"The Blood Fiend Sect split into two parts; one part still insisted on using Yao Beast blood, while the other part resorted to killing people to Cultivate, simply because it is easier, as humans are easier to refine."

"Over time, the Blood Fiend Sect gradually became what people call Demonic Cultivators."

"So that's how it is."

Li Changsheng was indeed shocked to hear this secret about the Blood Fiend Sect from Senior Brother Zhou!

The Blood Fiend Sect actually had such a history.

"It seems that the organization of this Exchange Meeting by the five major Sects is a major event."

"I wonder what they will exchange at this meet? Is it a competition of skills?"

Senior Brother Zhou chuckled and said,

"No."

"I heard that the content of the Exchange Meeting includes Sparring, Discussing the Dao, and exchanging cultivation insights. It's said that outstanding performers will even have the chance to obtain rewards like a foundation establishment pill."

"Is this news reliable?"

"Absolutely reliable. A Senior Brother I'm very close with told me this morning. I expect the Sect will announce it in a day or two."

Sure enough, the next day, news of the Exchange Meeting spread, and the entire Outer Sect was in an uproar.

"A Qi Refining Stage Exchange Meeting! This is a rare opportunity!"

"I heard that in the last Exchange Meeting, the top three were all rewarded with foundation establishment pills!"

"I must participate!"

The next morning, while Li Changsheng was watering the Tea Trees in the spiritual fields, several passing Senior Brothers spoke as they walked.

One year later.

The Qi Refining Stage Exchange Meeting.

At that time, the Jinyang Sect, Qingxin Pavilion, Medicine King Valley, Blood Fiend Sect... would all send people to participate.

That would be a massive stage, and also a massive battlefield.

He touched the nine-turn azure profound bead in his robes, feeling the surging vitality within it.

One year was enough for him to do many more things.

He took a deep breath and continued watering.

The Tea Trees swayed gently in the sunlight, the dew on their leaves refracting tiny points of light.

A new journey lay ahead.

Zhao Guangyuan had been unable to sleep well these past few days.

He kept that blood-stained corner of a garment by his pillow, and every night before falling asleep, he would take a look at it.

The bloodstains on the garment had already dried and turned black.

But every time he saw it, he could remember what Zhao Yan looked like as a child.

That child who used to chase after him shouting "Uncle," that youth he had personally taught how to hold a sword, that nephew he had watched grow up.

Now, he was gone.

He believed seventy percent of what Xu Sen had said.

The remaining thirty percent was suspicion.

He couldn't trust people from the Blood Fiend Sect.

Those people would use any means necessary; it wasn't impossible for them to fabricate lies in order to borrow someone else's blade to kill.

Furthermore, Xu Sen himself had said that they had a grudge against Li Changsheng.

Could his words be fully trusted?

But on the other hand, although the Disciples he had questioned didn't have direct evidence, their attitudes were somewhat subtle when Li Changsheng was mentioned.

Some spoke evasively, some avoided the topic, and some even revealed a hint of... awe?

Why would a waste with a Miscellaneous Spiritual Root command such awe from so many Disciples?

Zhao Guangyuan decided to go and see that person for himself.

He wanted to ask clearly to his face.