123: Third-order pine cones

"Senior Sister, do you know why the Sect Master wants to see me?"

On the way to the mountain peak, Liu Xuan tried to slow down and asked Xiao Ran.

Liu Xuan was very flustered! Why would True Person Xiao, a dignified Golden Core True Person, want to see him? What had he done?

The pressure from a Golden Core True Person was too immense, and Liu Xuan had many secrets, making it difficult not to be nervous.

The Red Pine Sect seemed to have strict rules, but that was for the lower-level Cultivators. The Sect rules had very little binding power on Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

As for Golden Core True Person Xiao Changfeng, the rules were set by him. Whatever he wanted to do, that was the rule!

Xiao Ran turned to look at the slow-moving Liu Xuan, not finding anything wrong with his reaction.

Every Disciple who met her grandfather for the first time reacted this way; very few were not nervous.

"I don't know either!"

Xiao Ran was also quite curious. She had returned from Yongning to watch Wang Qiao's Breakthrough to Golden Core. After that, her grandfather called her over and told her to bring Liu Xuan to see him.

Could it be that Liu Xuan's talent had caught her grandfather's eye?

The two arrived at the mountain peak, and Liu Xuan's emotions gradually calmed down; he no longer let his mind wander.

Overthinking was useless. With his strength being too weak, if True Person Xiao truly intended to harm him, anything he did would be futile.

He was the fish on the chopping block; lower-level Cultivators lived a difficult life!

'What a big red pine tree!'

The crown of the gigantic red pine tree covered the entire mountain peak. Its trunk had a diameter of over ten meters, covered with a layer of fine, snake-like scales, looking extraordinarily mystical.

It was said that this red pine tree was True Person Xiao's Natal spirit plant, reaching the third tier, and it was also the core of the Sect Grand Formation.

Xiao Ran led Liu Xuan forward. Under Liu Xuan's astonished gaze, Xiao Ran walked directly towards the tree trunk. Just as she was about to hit it, a ripple flashed, and her body disappeared, merging into the trunk.

'Formation!'

Liu Xuan was astonished for a moment, then followed her towards the tree trunk. As he was about to touch the trunk, his vision blurred, and he found himself in an Immortal Cave.

The Immortal Cave was not very large, about the size of an ordinary courtyard. The surrounding walls had the same scaled surface as the red pine tree outside, indicating this was likely inside the red pine tree.

What rich Spiritual Qi!

The ground was milky white. Liu Xuan looked closely and saw that it was entirely paved with Spirit Stones, most of them High-Grade Spirit Stones. He could also spot a few Top-Grade Spirit Stones, and even some things more Advanced than Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

A small pond, about three meters in diameter, was located in the center of the Immortal Cave. The pond contained not water, but Spiritual Qi condensed into a liquid state, with a layer of spiritual mist swirling above it.

Not daring to scrutinize further, Liu Xuan cupped his hands and bowed to a black-robed figure standing with his hands behind his back, "Disciple Liu Xuan greets True Person Xiao!"

"Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivation, twenty-five years old. Not bad, not bad!"

"Hmm?"

Xiao Changfeng suddenly asked in confusion, "Why is your Physical Body so powerful?"

"This Bloodline Power is comparable to some Late Qi Refining Stage Yao Beasts!"

Liu Xuan's heart was greatly alarmed, but his expression remained unchanged. He instantly calmed his mind and replied:

"Disciple is not sure. Disciple merely Cultivated some martial Dao Cultivation Techniques, and it became like this."

As expected of a Golden Core True Person, he could not only discern Liu Xuan's powerful Physical Body at a glance but also detect the Bloodline Power hidden deep within his Bloodline.

"Martial Dao Cultivation Techniques?"

Martial Dao Cultivation Techniques certainly couldn't produce such an effect. He had a guess in his mind.

The situation Liu Xuan was in likely indicated the Awakening of a Great Demon Bloodline within the ancient Human Race.

The Yao Race could transform into human form upon Cultivating to the Nascent Soul Realm, so some humans actually possessed a faint Yao Race Bloodline.

Humans are generally weak and cannot withstand the Yao Race Bloodline. This Bloodline Power usually weakens with each generation until it is no different from ordinary people.

However, occasionally, one or two chosen individuals would Awaken the Bloodline within their bodies, possessing Physical Body strength comparable to a Yao Beast.

The specific Realm it could reach would depend on what Bloodline Liu Xuan had Awakened and to what extent the Awakening had occurred.

Xiao Changfeng had seen relevant records during his time at the Heavenly Sword Sect and had even encountered a Senior Brother who had also Awakened his Bloodline within the Sect.

This Bloodline Power generally found it difficult to surpass the Golden Core Realm, and it became increasingly difficult to Awaken further on.

However, Bloodline Awakening greatly aided a Cultivator's Cultivation, essentially giving them an extra source of power compared to ordinary Cultivators.

Especially during the Qi Refinement Stage before Foundation Establishment, a powerful Physical Body could weaken the Breakthrough Bottleneck and accelerate Cultivation speed.

"A few days ago, when Wang Qiao made his Breakthrough to Golden Core, this True Person sensed a Nine Brilliance Sword Intent from Lin Qingyun's direction. After inquiring, I heard it was something you comprehended?" Xiao Changfeng asked.

"Reporting to Immortal Master, it was indeed this Disciple!"

Liu Xuan estimated that he entered True Person Xiao's sight when he comprehended the Sword Intent at that time.

He was in a state of Epiphany at the time, otherwise Liu Xuan would definitely not have emitted the Sword Intent!

"Show it to me!" Xiao Changfeng commanded.

"Yes!"

Liu Xuan pointed his fingers like a sword, and a Nine Brilliance Sword Light condensed from Three Yang Mana appeared, emitting a scorching aura.

To avoid revealing any abnormalities, Liu Xuan had already converted all the Azure Wood Longevity Mana in his body into pure Three Yang Mana.

Three Yang Mana was masculine, perfectly aligning with the Nine Brilliance Sword Intent. The golden-red sword light hovered to Liu Xuan's right, emitting an aura that seemed to incinerate everything.

"Hmm! Not bad!"

Xiao Changfeng nodded in satisfaction, "The Sword Intent is pure and naturally formed. I didn't expect you to also have the Clear Sword Heart talent!"

"With your talent, even in the Heavenly Sword Sect, you could easily become an Inner Sect Disciple. As long as you Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, you would easily be cultivated as a Golden Core seed."

After a period of praise, Xiao Changfeng continued, "You are Lin Qingyun's Personal Disciple, so by extension, this True Person is your Grandmaster."

"Disciple greets Grandmaster!"

Liu Xuan immediately bowed. Since True Person Xiao said so, then it should be settled.

He looked up at Xiao Changfeng, who was clad in a black robe, maintaining a gentle expression, making him seem much more approachable.

Xiao Changfeng smiled, and a Jade Slip, a red talisman treasure, and a black token flew before Liu Xuan, hovering.

"This is this True Person's ultimate technique, the Red Pine Sword Technique, a talisman treasure that can be used twice, and a Core Disciple token. Keep them safe."

Then he waved his hand, and a pine cone-shaped fruit also flew before Liu Xuan.

"This is a third-tier Red Pine Fruit. It can improve your Physique and increase your Cultivation speed. Your Physique is special, so you should be able to consume it directly."

"Disciple... Disciple thanks Grandmaster for the treasures!"

Xiao Changfeng gave too much, so much that Liu Xuan was a little scared!

An ultimate sword technique, a talisman treasure, a Core Disciple token, a third-tier spirit fruit—each item was incredibly valuable.

"The third-tier spirit fruit has powerful spiritual energy. You should consume it now. If anything unexpected happens, this True Person can ensure your safety."

Seeing Liu Xuan in a daze, Xiao Changfeng said gently.

"This..."

Liu Xuan hesitated for a moment, then respectfully said, "Disciple obeys!"

No choice! Even if it were poison, he would have to eat it. Could he possibly suspect a dignified Golden Core True Person of poisoning him?

With a firm resolve, Liu Xuan picked up the pine cone and swallowed it in one gulp!