91: Spiritual fruits are ripe, and the ghost-killing conference is underway.

Ten years later.

The five qi gathering tree constantly trembled, and the Five Elements Qi floating in the Void Realm rapidly converged, transforming into a Spiritual Qi Dragon that plunged into the tree canopy, absorbing everything.

Visibly, seven or eight infant-like fruits hung from the branches, emitting a unique, sweet fragrance.

Originally, the five qi gathering tree in the Five Viscera Temple produced a batch of greater five viscera pills every thirty years, and thus, with a thirty-year limit, it widely invited the world to host a Pill Appreciation Assembly.

However, the five qi gathering tree in Gu Changsheng's possession was Innately deficient in its early stages and was nurtured from a seed within the tree's core.

It wasn't until Yuanlian Island was established, the Five Elements Qi gathered, and it was cultivated with the Rapid Growth Technique that it truly began to grow wildly.

Thus, only this year did it bear its first batch of fruits.

Such a significant phenomenon naturally could not be hidden from the people on the island.

“This… after ten years of bitter waiting, the tree fruits have finally appeared…”

Gu Liuan's eyes burned with fervor as he gazed in a daze at the five qi gathering tree fruits, which were almost floating in the clouds.

“Father, this fruit is also known as the greater five viscera pill.

I heard that during the Five Viscera Temple era, the Pill Appreciation Assembly, held every thirty years, attracted countless Sects to gather.

This time, I wonder how Old Ancestor will distribute them?”

Gu Wan'er was equally eager.

Ten years ago, she cultivated the cultivation method recorded under the mountain-foot screen—the Animal Husbandry Method, Beautiful Snake—and joined the Sect.

Now, her cultivation had reached the Peak of the Foundation Building Realm.

Coupled with the Gu Family's dedicated collection of Evil Qi.

She was only one Qi away from Breaking Through to the True Core.

Li Clan Ancestral Hall.

Li Changhe inhaled the water vapor; the water veins in the lake were absorbed by black Qi, entering his body through his ears, nose, and mouth. Visibly, a layer of azure light covered his body.

He slowly opened his eyes, looked towards the horizon, and laughed, “Haha, this fruit has finally appeared.

This is my Opportunity.”

After speaking, the water vapor swirled, transforming into an azure long snake that flew towards the horizon.

At the foot of Yuanlian Island mountain.

A woman in white, with an elegant posture, struck the thick fir trees with her palm, leaving behind finger-thick handprints.

Her face was flushed, and wisps of white steam emanated from her body. The surging Qi and blood made the surrounding three zhang as hot as a steamer.

Tap—

The woman's Qi sank into her Dantian. As black Qi surged, three layers of iron shirt phantoms appeared on her body, shining brightly, making her as heroic and valiant as a female general.

“Break!”

Her palm wind was like a blade.

This palm strike was as sharp as a precious blade, actually cutting off a section of the tree, revealing layers of bark within.

“The fourth layer of mottled copper bark!

The first three layers of iron shirts have finally completely merged into one.”

Su Kexing was overjoyed.

Suddenly, a limping young man ran over from a distance.

His left foot was wrapped in layers of gauze, making it three times the size of a normal foot, yet he walked as if flying, his speed unaffected; in fact, he was extremely fast.

It was the resolute young man who had lingered before the Animal Husbandry Method at the foot of the mountain that day.

After much thought, he eventually chose to cultivate the Lame Foot Technique, and he actually succeeded.

“Sister.

Something happened.”

Song Aqi ran over frantically.

“Hm? What happened that makes you so anxious?”

Su Kexing reined in her Qi and blood, and the surrounding temperature dropped accordingly.

“The five qi gathering tree fruit has finally matured.

Now, Old Ancestor has even issued an order to hold a Ghost Slaying Assembly to clear out the fierce ghosts around Yuanlian Island.

Those who hunt the most Yin ghosts will receive Spiritual Fruits according to their ranking.

This is a True Core Opportunity!”

“So that's how it is…”

“Let's go!”

Yuanlian Island Main Hall.

“After all these years, a batch of fruits has finally appeared…”

Gu Changsheng's gaze penetrated the Void Realm as he looked at the five qi gathering tree fruits hanging from the branches, nodding slightly.

“Counting the days, my cheap Disciple should be here soon, right…”

Since the widespread opening of the Sect, a large number of Mortals and Cultivators have been absorbed, requiring immense resources.

Therefore, he had many dealings with the Great Shang Imperial Court.

Coupled with the Yuan Ci Avatar serving as a Great Shang Consecrated, with this relationship, the cooperation between the two parties was quite smooth.

For example, the tree fruits before him had been agreed upon with the Great Shang Imperial Court three years ago, allowing Imperial Court Disciples to come and compete for the Opportunity when they matured.

Of course, for this, the Great Shang Imperial Court paid a huge amount of resources.

Even Gu Changsheng couldn't help but agree.

At this moment.

Outside Yuanlian Island.

A streak of escaping light flew in on a sword, carrying more than ten people.

The leader wore a fiery red wide robe and had a dignified countenance.

It was Yan Qing.

Behind him were Imperial Court Disciples who had cultivated to the Peak of the Foundation Building Realm.

Separated by the Five Elements Formation, Yan Qing looked at the huge tree canopy that obscured the sky, sighing with emotion.

Decades ago, at the Pill Appreciation Assembly, he was just an unknown nobody, a Contemplation Realm Dao Child with a high probability of becoming fertilizer.

Now, he had cultivated to the True Core and was honored as the Great Shang Imperial Advisor.

Yet, the Daoist priests and Old Ancestors of the Five Viscera Temple, who once claimed to be Sect founders and were high and mighty, had turned into dust, buried in the dust of history.

Such a change in circumstances, how could it not evoke feelings of melancholy.

Suddenly, a mocking voice came from behind him.

“Imperial Advisor, Yuan Lian Old Ancestor is merely a Loose Cultivator, while our Great Shang has more than ten True Core Consecrated and Old Ancestors. How can he be worthy of making our Imperial Court bow down.

If you ask me, that five qi gathering tree originally belonged to the Five Viscera Temple; we should just snatch it back and plant it in the Imperial Court. How dare that Yuan Lian Old Ancestor refuse.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

“Brother Sitong is right.”

Many Imperial Court Disciples echoed in unison.

“Nonsense!”

Yan Qing's face turned ashen, and he angrily rebuked, “Wu Sitong, if you want to die, you can certainly do so.

But if you implicate this lord, don't blame me for reporting to Your Majesty and having you stripped of your clan and lineage.”

The prestige of a True Dan Grandmaster was immense, immediately scaring the Imperial Court Disciples into silence.

Wu Sitong said nothing, but his face was grim, clearly harboring other thoughts.

Yan Qing glanced at him and coldly snorted in his heart, ‘This person is small-minded, ambitious but incompetent, and quite adept at causing trouble.

If the situation turns sour, it might be better to just slap him dead…’

As a Great Shang True Dan Grandmaster, as long as he didn't kill the Emperor, he was virtually unrestrained.

Before long, ripples spread across the Formation covering the entire island, revealing a passage.

A white-clad figure flew out.

“Heart Fire Sect Master, Old Ancestor has been waiting for a long time…”

Nie Xiaoqian smiled slightly.

“Oh, then I truly trouble Immortal Maiden… Coincidentally, I still have some matters I wish to inquire about with Old Ancestor.”

Yan Qing bowed respectfully.

Everyone headed straight for Yuanlian Island's Immortal Cave.

Wu Sitong's gaze swept over Nie Xiaoqian, his eyes filled with disdain.

‘Bah, what kind of Immortal Maiden.

Just a Yin ghost woman.

I think Yuanlian Island sheltering Yin ghosts is, more often than not, closely related to Chong Prefecture's Yin soldiers.

Perfect, I'll go back and have my aunt dispatch troops to break Yuanlian Island and seize the Spiritual Tree.’

As if thinking of the benefits afterward, Wu Sitong couldn't help but curl his lips into a sneer.

Yuanlian Island Immortal Cave.

“Imperial Advisor Yan, this is a small island in the countryside, so the hospitality is simple; please bear with us.”

Gu Changsheng pointed a finger, and black Qi surged, sending a cup of fragrant Spiritual Tea flying to Yan Qing.

As for the others… they were not yet qualified to drink tea.

“This is… Qingming Tea…”

Yan Qing took a small sip and said in surprise.

This type of Spiritual Tea is unique to Qingming Mountain in Chong Prefecture.

In peaceful times, it was always an Imperial Court tribute.

Now that the world was in chaos and Yin soldiers were passing through, the Imperial Court's stock was dwindling with each sip.

“Imperial Advisor has good taste.

This tea was indeed picked by my good friend Dan Chenzi from Qingming Mountain in Chong Prefecture three years ago.”

“Dan Chenzi…”

Yan Qing's eyes were dazed, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.

He already knew that an additional person, named Dan Chenzi, had joined the Great Shang Consecrated.

Initially, he thought it was merely a coincident Daoist name.

But later, when he inquired about his appearance, it was identical to his own revered teacher.

Unfortunately, when he searched the Imperial Court, Dan Chenzi had quietly disappeared again.

Yan Qing put down the Spiritual Tea, stood up abruptly, and bowed to Gu Changsheng, saying sincerely, “To be frank with Old Ancestor, Dan Chenzi is indeed my revered teacher, and his kindness to me is as vast as a mountain.

Please inform me of my teacher's whereabouts.”

Gu Changsheng merely smiled and shook his head, “My good friend once said, ‘Where in the world do we not meet?’

When it's time to meet, you will naturally meet.

Everything depends on Opportunity.”

“Where in the world do we not meet… Opportunity…”

Yan Qing muttered to himself, letting out a soft sigh.

At this moment, outside, there were bursts of Yin thunder strikes, Yin Qi obscured the sky, and the roars of fierce ghosts could faintly be heard.