26: Chapter 26 Demon Orb Nephew? The Game of National Fate Resumes (6K)

"Alright, stop crowding around. Ask Qingxuan when he finishes his seclusion later. Go do whatever you need to do now." Master Yuanxin waved his hand to disperse the crowd. As the Sect Head, he still had a lot of things to deal with.

At the back mountain, inside the quiet room where Ye Qingxuan was in seclusion, as Ye Qingxuan finished his cultivation technique, the strange phenomenon dissipated. His cultivation remained unchanged at the Golden Core Late Stage, but his magic power became more solid.

"With the Manifestation of Dharma and Earth reaching Major Achievement, unleashing it at full power is enough to slay a not-too-strong Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator. However, the consumption is not small. Huandan Fa has also been modified so that Master and Senior Brothers can Cultivate it as well."

Ye Qingxuan silently estimated that with the Golden Core forged from his supreme Foundation and the magic power provided by Huandan Fa, if he fought at full strength, he would be exhausted in at most four hours.

"It is time to leave seclusion. It has been a month, and the National Destiny Game should start soon. I always feel that He is holding back a big move."

Immediately, Ye Qingxuan walked out of the quiet room. With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he discovered that Master and the four Senior Brothers were all in the main hall. With a thought, his body transformed into a streak of light.

"Huh? Qingxuan has come out of seclusion. It is just right to wait for him to arrive and discuss it together." Master Yuanxin was originally about to say something, but suddenly feeling that his youngest Disciple had also arrived here, he changed his mind and decided to wait until Ye Qingxuan arrived before recounting everything together.

Just at this moment, with a soft swish sound, a cyan light suddenly flashed past, and immediately Ye Qingxuan's figure appeared before everyone's eyes. He first bowed and greeted Master and the Senior Brothers: "Hello, Master and Senior Brothers! I didn't expect everyone to be here. Huh? Eldest Senior Brother, what is wrong with you?"

Following Ye Qingxuan's line of sight, one could see that the Eldest Senior Brother's expression at this moment was exceptionally bizarre—his eyes stared straight ahead, as if he had lost focus; his face even revealed an unspeakable look of being withdrawn and disgusted, and he kept muttering in his mouth: "Too stupid... How can there be such a dull person! I am really going crazy!"

Facing the Eldest Senior Brother's appearance, Master Yuanxin also wore a look of helplessness and disgust, while the other three Senior Brothers all revealed looks of confusion, obviously knowing nothing about what had happened.

Seeing this situation, Master Yuanxin explained: "Isn't it all because of that universal cultivation matter! Various Schools successively sent Disciples out to impart cultivation methods and experiences, but as a result, our eldest here encountered a group of fellows who completely didn't get enlightened, and he was pissed off to no end."

"Master is right! Those people simply do not have a shred of Comprehension Ability to speak of! Junior Brother said nothing wrong, they are simply... simply..." Qingming became more and more excited as he spoke, to the point that in the end he actually stammered and became incoherent. Seeing this, Ye Qingxuan couldn't help but feel very curious in his heart.

What kind of person could make the Eldest Senior Brother, who was always known for being gentle and possessed quite a motherly temperament, suffer such a huge stimulus? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly pinch his fingers to calculate.

Not long after, Ye Qingxuan revealed a face full of pity as he looked at the Eldest Senior Brother, pondering to himself: "Fortunately, this thankless chore didn't fall on my head! Otherwise, given my temper, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to suppress the anger in my heart and would directly slap them all away..."

Just at this moment, he heard the crisp, pleasant yet slightly teasing voice of Senior Sister Qingling coming from the side:

"Yo-ho~ Junior Brother, could it be that you have cultivated this Heavenly Secrets Technique to Major Achievement? Hurry up and tell us what you calculated!" As she spoke, she didn't forget to gently nudge Qingyun and Qingmo beside her who were likewise filled with curiosity.

The Eldest Senior Brother became even more withdrawn. Looking at the curious gazes of the three Senior Brothers, just as Ye Qingxuan was about to speak, Master's voice came over.

"Alright, alright, stop messing around. We have serious business to discuss."

The five martial brothers and sister quickly quieted down.

"First, this universal cultivation has seen the emergence of several individuals with outstanding natural talent, but among them, the one with the highest talent was taken fancy to by your Senior Martial Uncle Yuanhui and taken in as a Disciple! He is that young man named Disciple Suyue, and the Disciple-recruitment ceremony will be held tomorrow!"

Hearing this, our arrogant and uninhibited Second Senior Brother, Daoist Qingyun, suddenly popped up to interrupt: "Master, this isn't right! With your temperament of not being able to move your feet when seeing a Genius on usual days, how could you not compete with Senior Martial Uncle for him?"

At this time, Ye Qingxuan, watching Master's face begin to turn red with anger, hurriedly spoke up to remind: "Second Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother is Master's closing-door Disciple, while I am the window-closing Disciple. Could it be that you still expect Master to take in some 'door-locking' Disciple? Have you all forgotten how Master back then..."

Before Ye Qingxuan finished speaking, everyone had already snapped back to their senses—they unanimously recalled those unbearable days they experienced ever since Master took Ye Qingxuan in as a Disciple.

Poor Master had suffered what kind of horrific torture from the Senior and Junior Martial Uncles! Thinking of this, several people suddenly came to a realization in their hearts:

So that was how it was! It seemed that unless that newly initiated Disciple possessed peerless talent sufficient to surpass Ye Qingxuan, otherwise even if the talent was mediocre, it really wasn't worth provoking a group of fierce martial brothers and sisters just for such an ordinary Disciple. After all, getting beaten up was not a pleasant thing!

"Ahem, don't interrupt. The second matter." Master Yuanxin blushed a little. If there really was talent like Ye Qingxuan's, even if it were only half, he would risk his life to take in another door-locking Disciple, and even getting beaten up again would be worth it.

"It is about the Spiritual Vein mines. Although the Mid-Grade Spirit Vein has the country assisting alongside, we ourselves should still dispatch a portion of young Disciples to go and mine the Ore, so as to let them broaden their horizons and temper themselves.

As for the High Grade Spirit Vein, one must have a cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage or above to excavate it. Yuanxing has already arranged everything over there. Disciples of various lineages will go in order sequentially, and personnel replacements will be carried out every month. Therefore, when it's your turn, you must set out on time."

"What?!! Master, you're making me go mine?!!"

Hearing these words, Eldest Senior Brother Qingming's expression instantly became incomparably resolute, almost as serious and earnest as joining the party. He had simply had enough of those fools, and would rather go mine than teach people.

However, before he could continue speaking, he was mercilessly interrupted by Master Yuanxin: "No! Let an Immortal Master of the Golden Core Stage go mine? This isn't a Top-Grade Spirit Vein. Master has an even more important task to assign to you."

"Th-Then what kind of task is it?" Although his heart was filled with doubt and incomprehension, Qingming still endured the inner unease and asked Master Yuanxin.

Only hearing Master Yuanxin slowly open his mouth to say: "The third is that now the entire country has entered the era of universal cultivation, so the government has decided to create a batch of academic institutions specially designed to Cultivate Cultivators."

"At that time, all major forces will select elite Disciples from their respective Schools to serve as teachers in these new academies. After deep consideration, Master feels that only you are most suitable for this position."

At this moment, these words spoken by Master Yuanxin sounded to Qingming no different from a bolt from the blue, terrifying to the extreme—even stronger by several times than the fear of facing heavenly punishment!

"No! Master, no!!" The Eldest Senior Brother broke down.

"After all, to impart cultivation to hundreds of thousands of people, all lineages of Shangqing must contribute manpower and effort. Our lineage has a thin population, so just one person needs to go. Who told you guys not to take in Disciples? If you don't go, who will?" Master Yuanxin looked at the five Disciples standing before him and said earnestly, but his gaze was filled with a sense of disappointment for failing to meet expectations.

"Junior Brothers can do it too! Why must it be me? I prefer mining!" The Eldest Senior Brother muttered and complained with a very reluctant face.

Seeing his own Eldest Senior Brother's such huge reaction, except for Ye Qingxuan, the other three Senior Brothers all revealed looks of confusion—wasn't it just imparting some experience? It wasn't anything earth-shattering, why would it make him so resistant?

Facing the incomprehension and questions of all the Disciples, Master Yuanxin shook his head helplessly, then turned his head to look at the Eldest Senior Brother Qingming and asked: "Alright, since you are unwilling to go, then tell us, in your view, who among these Junior Brothers of yours is more suitable?"

"Can Second Brother's reckless brute personality teach people? Look, he only taught Qingxuan for a month, look at what Qingxuan was taught into! As for Qingling, I would rather let Second Brother go."

"Huh? Master, why won't you let me go?" Qingling was somewhat puzzled.

"The Heavenly Demon Palace has dispatched Yun Huan, and Yaowang Valley has sent Lin Yao." As soon as Master Yuanxin's voice fell, Qingling bristled.

"What?!! Master, let me go, watch how I fix them!!" Seeing this, Ye Qingxuan and the Fourth Senior Brother hurriedly appeased her.

"Look, would Third Brother do?" Master Yuanxin asked rhetorically.

"... What about Fourth Brother? Qingxuan can work too, right?" The Eldest Senior Brother's tone was filled with hope.

"With Fourth Brother's personality where three strikes can't knock out a single fart, what can he teach? Be a mute? As for little Qingxuan? Let's not talk about the National Destiny Game first. Even if he went, are you sure anyone could understand what he teaches?"

'What mute? That's me being too lazy to talk nonsense.' Fourth Senior Brother rebutted in his heart, but dared not speak out. After all, the Eldest Senior Brother's temper was considered good. To be able to drive him into that state, Qingmo also understood a bit of what the situation was. At this time, silence was golden.

Following Master's examples one by one, the miserable Eldest Senior Brother discovered that it seemed only he was suitable to go. But recalling the teaching experience over the past month, at that time he just wished he could use the Soul-Searching Great Technique to pry open their brains and shove the knowledge in.

"The Disciples of various Schools are all of Foundation Establishment strength. With you being the only Golden Core Immortal Master, you still have some privileges. You can just pick the smart ones to teach!" Master Yuanxin offered an idea.

The Eldest Senior Brother's eyes lit up. That's right, with me being the only Golden Core Immortal Master, wouldn't it be fine if I only taught the smart ones? What's wrong with me using a little privilege? Unconvinced? Come fight a round.

"Huh? Eldest Senior Brother, you must go to this matter." Ye Qingxuan's tone was earnest, because he discovered that the Eldest Senior Brother's Luck had fluctuations, and following his calculation, he understood what the situation was.

"Huh? Junior Brother, what did you calculate?" Qingling looked at Ye Qingxuan's mysterious and rambling appearance, and several people all looked over.

"The affinity of Master and Disciple." Ye Qingxuan's expression was bizarre.

"What?!!" The Master and Disciples present were shocked.

"Junior Brother, where is my future Disciple? How is the talent?" The Eldest Senior Brother asked excitedly. Over the years, after Master's nagging, he hadn't sought fewer Disciples, but unfortunately none of them were very satisfactory.

"Just follow your heart, you will meet them." Ye Qingxuan said ambiguously.

"I hate riddle-makers the most. I'll go back and go into seclusion to bitterly practice the Heavenly Secrets Technique." Senior Sister Qingling's words caused several people to nod repeatedly.

"Third Senior Brother, heavenly secrets cannot be divulged. Once spoken aloud, it will lose its efficacy, and what if we miss out? This nephew of ours is a Genius who studies Talisman and Formation, and his talent in this aspect might even surpass Senior Brother."

Is it because of this personality? This future nephew, just like Xiao Jiu, is a little demon pill.

Mm, speaking of the little demon pill, where is Xiao Jiu?

"Surpass my talent? Good, I'll go teach him right now." Senior Brother turned around and prepared to leave.

"Wait, Senior Brother, I might enter the National Destiny Space at any time. I'll give you these welcome gifts for the future nephew in advance; you can hand them to him when the time comes."

Ye Qingxuan took out a few items from his Storage Ring: a blue Daoist robe, a head crown, a sword, and a jade pendant.

"It's not too late to give you and the others your gifts after we meet." Seeing that several Senior Brothers were ready to reach into their pockets, Ye Qingxuan hurriedly interrupted. With that demon pill's personality, it would be disastrous if he were truly armed to the teeth.

"The Daoist robe, head crown, and sword are all High Grade Treasure Artifacts as welcome gifts for the nephew. This Spiritual Artifact jade pendant is for you, Senior Brother; its function is to calm the mind and stabilize the spirit." Hopefully, you won't be angered to death by your Disciple in the future, since he is a demon pill after all, Ye Qingxuan muttered inwardly.

"For me? Calm the mind and stabilize the spirit?" Qingming accepted the several Magic Treasures with a blank look.

Qingling was somewhat curious, feeling that something was odd. Senior Brother Qingmo seemed to have guessed something, as he liked to use his brain after all.

"Third Senior Brother, where is Xiao Jiu? Why don't I see it?" Ye Qingxuan looked around, wondering where that little demon pill had gone.

Qingling scratched her head and suddenly slapped her forehead. "Oh my, look at my memory, I almost forgot about this! When we were at the mineral vein earlier, Xiao Jiu accidentally swallowed a wisp of Geng Metal Qi, and since then it has been sound asleep inside the Spirit Beast Pouch. But don't worry, I checked just now, its breath is very stable, and it has even grown a bit stronger!" As she spoke, she reached out to touch the Spirit Beast Pouch hanging at her waist.

When Qingling reached her hand into the pouch to grope around, she touched something round and heavy. She frowned in puzzlement and muttered inwardly, "Eh, what on earth is this..." Immediately following a slight sound, a glowing golden giant egg appeared before the two of them.

"! ! ! ? ? No way? How could this happen..." Seeing the scene before her, Qingling was instantly dumbfounded, her mouth wide open, almost able to stuff a chicken egg inside.

Meanwhile, Master and the three Senior Brothers by her side also wore expressions of utter shock, completely unable to believe their eyes—how could a perfectly fine cat turn into a huge golden egg in the blink of an eye? Could it be... that cats are truly oviparous animals? But that didn't seem quite right either...

"Is this completing its Foundation?" After probing with his Divine Sense, Ye Qingxuan also set his mind at ease.

"Haha, I almost forgot. This kitten has the Origin of a Refined Gold Holy Spirit. It seems that wisp of Geng Metal Qi is making up for its previous Innate deficiencies. Once it fully digests it, it should be able to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage."

Master Yuanxin laughed heartily; Shangqing was about to gain another Golden Core strength, even though it was a Three-Flower Cat.

"Phew, that scared me to death, I thought something went wrong." Qingling patted her ample chest.

"Third Senior Brother, put it away, you should continue carrying it with you for now." Ye Qingxuan observed it carefully once more, and after confirming there were no issues, he still decided to let Qingling continue carrying it.

"That's right, Master, Senior Brothers, this is what I gained from my closed-door cultivation, you can also consider cultivating it."

As he spoke, Ye Qingxuan took out a Jade Slip, which contained precisely Huandan Fa and Manifestation of Dharma and Earth. Through this closed-door cultivation, Ye Qingxuan had modified the restrictions of Huandan Fa so that it could also be cultivated at the Golden Core Stage, allowing one to freely choose to condense one to nine illusory cores.

Master Yuanxin took the Jade Slip and glanced at it without showing any surprise; it was merely a secret technique, not some major Divine Ability.

"All of you can Cultivate Huandan Fa. Through the tempering of the World Origin and the future rewards of the National Destiny Space, as long as it does not exceed six cores, there won't be any problem. As for Manifestation of Dharma and Earth, the consumption is too great, and one needs to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage and coordinate with Huandan Fa to Cultivate it."

This was the result of Ye Qingxuan's careful evaluation. Wanting to condense nine illusory cores would be impossible unless Ye Qingxuan procured another portion of World Origin.

"I really don't know how Junior Brother's brain is wired to be able to create such a secret technique." Qingling wore an expression of admiration, her eyes carrying a trace of adoration, though Ye Qingxuan did not notice it.

Master and the three Senior Brothers also nodded along. They saw Qingling's gaze crystal clear, but looking at Ye Qingxuan's clear eyes, they chose to keep their mouths shut.

Master Yuanxin had seen the initial version of Huandan Fa, but he had not told anyone, and now he had no intention of exposing it; let them be.

"No wonder Junior Brother's magical power is so strong, it turns out to be because of this Huandan Fa." Senior Brother Qingmo also wore an expression of admiration, marveling at how this Prodigy-like Junior Brother could always come up with some new tricks every time.

"Senior Brothers can Cultivate Huandan Fa first and Breakthrough after I obtain the National Destiny rewards. I have a premonition that this National Destiny Space is not quite simple," Ye Qingxuan said in a deep voice.

"Right, Junior Brother, these are the Spirit Stones mined this month. Take them with you, you should find them useful." Qingling took out a Storage Pouch from her ring.

That's right, it was a Storage Ring. The Void Gazer stones obtained last time had been refined into a dozen Storage Rings. Although they were only Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts, they were much larger than Storage Pouch items. As the ones who provided the Materials, Ye Qingxuan's Senior Brothers and Master had each been assigned one.

"There are over thirty thousand Medium Grade ones, about eight thousand High Grade ones, and fewer Top-Grade ones, only a few hundred."

Hearing Qingling's words, Ye Qingxuan's hand trembled slightly. So many? This was enough for a Soul Transformation Cultivator to Breakthrough to the Void Return Stage. "You gave it all to me? Didn't you keep some back?"

"This was decided by Master. We only kept some Medium Grade ones that are enough for our use. If we need more, we can just go mine them again; the Spiritual Vein is right there and won't run away. In case you enter a world without Spiritual Qi, these can also be used for emergencies. Rest assured, as the Sect Head, this old Taoist still has this much authority."

Master Yuanxin explained from the side. What's wrong? My Disciple is so formidable, and these Spirit Stones are thanks to my Disciple's blessings. Even if all of them are given to him, who can say otherwise? Or else why not spar with this old Taoist? Let's see if this old Taoist's Five Thunder Talisman can strike you to death!

"Rest assured, Junior Brother, we were all given our shares before you even arrived. We don't have a Dao Foundation like yours; Medium Grade Spirit Stones are enough for us." Senior Brother Qingyun patted his Storage Ring.

The Senior Brothers and the others had all been assigned quite a few Spirit Stones, so they didn't need to worry about Spiritual Qi issues at least before the Nascent Soul Stage.

Low-Grade Spirit Stones were sufficient for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Stage use; Medium Grade ones were used by the Golden Core and Nascent Soul Stages; High-Grade Spirit Stones were generally used by the Soul Transformation Stage; Top-Grade Spirit Stones were used by the Void Return Stage. As for Body Integration Stage Cultivators, they could already roam the cosmic Void Realm, absorbing energy directly from the Universe, and had no need for Spirit Stones at all unless they were Immortal Spirit Stones.

"Master, this Disciple will take his leave. I can't wait to see my Disciple." Senior Brother copied a Jade Slip and hurried away.

"Junior Brother, Senior Brother has left. If you have anything to say, just say it. It's about the nephew, right?" Qingmo asked.

"Hm? ? " Master Yuanxin, Qingyun, and Qingling were all somewhat puzzled. What words had to wait until Qingming left before they could be spoken?

"Fourth Senior Brother, you really are smart." Ye Qingxuan rubbed his glabella.

"Spill it!" Qingling was ready to physically get hands-on.

"That future nephew has unbelievably strong talent, but in terms of personality, he is simply a demon pill. Compared to him, Xiao Jiu is considered well-behaved and sensible."

! ! ! ! ! X4

"Xiao Jiu will be able to finish digesting it in about a month. When that time comes, just don't let them play together," Ye Qingxuan warned earnestly.

"Rest assured, Junior Brother, I will keep a good eye on Xiao Jiu."

Qingling put one hand on her hip, heavily patting her own chest, making a solemn promise to Ye Qingxuan.

As the range of her movement increased, ripples seemed to spread across the calm surface of a lake upon her chest. This scene happened to fall into Ye Qingxuan's eyes, causing him to take an extra glance involuntarily.

Ye Qingxuan thought to himself in surprise: "I never expected that Third Senior Brother, who usually looks so carefree and unconstrained, would be hiding his depth like this?"

However, as soon as this thought appeared, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate, and inwardly admonished himself: 'What on earth am I having wild thoughts about! How can I have such strange notions towards a fellow martial sibling...' He hurriedly surged his Sword Intent, severing these distracting thoughts.

At this time, Qingling did not notice the fluctuations in Ye Qingxuan's heart, but instead noticed that the gaze cast by the other party appeared quite strange.

Thus, the corners of her mouth ticked upward, and with a half-smile, she straightened her posture, intentionally displaying that proud figure once more while inwardly muttering: 'So Junior Brother, you actually know how to appreciate things! Looking at your appearance just now, you don't seem like a wooden block after all.'

Master and the two Senior Brothers, however, looked at the two of them with maternal smiles, thinking there was definitely something going on. But the Dao follows nature, so let them be.

"Ding, the National Destiny Space is opening. All Chosen Ones, please prepare; enter the game in half an hour."

"A full month, it seems the National Destiny Game has been brewing something big," Ye Qingxuan said thoughtfully.

"Qingxuan, do not be careless. Be careful with everything after entering," Master Yuanxin exhorted.

"Junior Brother, just how strong is your current strength?" Qingyun was somewhat curious, especially since ever since Ye Qingxuan achieved success in his cultivation, they had never seen him go all out.

Hearing Second Senior Brother's words, Master Yuanxin, Qingling, and Qingmo were all somewhat curious. Even the three Old Ancestors in the back mountain couldn't help but probe out their Divine Sense to eavesdrop on the gossip. In fact, they had been watching ever since Ye Qingxuan came out of closed-door cultivation.

Ye Qingxuan had known this for a long time anyway; there were no secrets to hide, so they could watch if they wanted to.

He turned his head to glance at the back mountain, the smile on Ye Qingxuan's face becoming somewhat eccentric. "To say something rebellious, if I go all out, I can slay the three Old Ancestors within fifty moves."

"..." You really are rebellious enough.

Although Master Yuanxin was speechless, he didn't say anything. After all, when the little Disciple was at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage, he had been able to remain undefeated under the Old Ancestors and even win a move or two, though neither side had gone all out.

The three Old Ancestors in the back mountain who heard this sentence were also speechless. This little fellow really held grudges; wasn't it just looking at you for a little while? However, the three of them didn't refute anything, because they had indeed sensed a feeling of danger from Ye Qingxuan.

"He isn't bragging; this little Qingxuan's strength has indeed surpassed ours," Old Ancestor Zhenyi said.

"..." We know, stop piercing our hearts.

"Alright, alright, go prepare, be careful with everything," Master Yuanxin said a word and went off to handle Sect affairs.