94: Ghost Face Substitute

Yan Qing isn't a royal descendant; these hotheads...

Presuming that Great Shang has many True Dan Grandmasters, they look down on everyone and don't take True Dan Cultivators seriously.

He knew that this ruthless individual before him had once forced his way into the Imperial Mausoleum, confronted the half-step Profound Cave Yin Tianxu, and managed to retreat unscathed.

If this person were angered, he too would have to be buried alongside these brats.

Immediately, he forced a smile and said, "Misunderstanding... It's all a misunderstanding."

"Oh, so you're saying...

You think this Seat is shielding his Disciple and using his power to bully others?"

Suddenly, Yan Qing felt his head swell.

"Old Ancestor, you jest..."

As he spoke, Yan Qing's face darkened, murderous intent surfacing, and he struck Wu Sitong, who was lying on the ground, with a palm.

Instantly, Wu Sitong's head exploded like a watermelon, and he died on the spot.

"Wu Sitong presumptuously ambushed Yuanlian Island Cultivators; his crime deserves death.

The rest are guilty of shielding and are sentenced to a hundred years in prison."

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the other royal descendants turned pale, as if they had lost their parents.

A hundred years in prison; even a Spirit Building Stage cultivator would be old and frail upon release.

If they couldn't Breakthrough to True Dan, their life would be considered over.

But circumstances were stronger than individuals.

Yan Qing was the Great Shang Imperial Advisor, holding a high position and great power.

Coupled with his status as a True Dan Grandmaster, his strength was extraordinary.

Far beyond what these royal descendants could compare to.

"Haha, Imperial Advisor Yan is indeed clear about grievances and gratitude.

Excellent!

Let's drink to this!"

Gu Changsheng laughed, tossing out a jade pot. A rich aroma of wine filled the air, instantly making the Cultivators present feel their bones stir and the black Qi in their bodies become active.

Yan Qing took the wine pot, brought his nose close to it, and his eyes lit up.

"Top-grade Monkey Wine..."

"Haha, an old friend once entered the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains and saw a group of mischievous monkeys leaping among the mountains, picking century-old spirit fruits, crushing and mixing them, and brewing wine into a pool. He took a few jars.

Improving cultivation is secondary; the most important thing is its exquisite taste, truly a marvel of the world."

'Old friend... Master...'

Yan Qing's heart was a mix of emotions. He immediately bowed in thanks and was about to lead everyone away.

To go with the flow, this was also an unspoken understanding among True Dan Grandmasters.

It wasn't worth falling out over some Foundation Building juniors.

As for the five qi gathering tree fruit, after such an incident, how could he still have the face to request it?

"Wait."

"What else does Old Ancestor have to teach?" Yan Qing asked with a solemn expression.

"Pass a message to the Great Shang Empress for this Seat.

This Seat once observed her Luck; it is that of a Nine Phoenix devouring a Dragon, the Luck of an Emperor.

Unfortunately, beneath the Phoenix, there are fierce birds fluttering, bringing disaster to the nation. This is a sign of external relatives interfering in politics.

If Great Shang wishes to secure its empire, it is best to clip the wings of these fierce birds.

Otherwise, I fear that the last province of Great Shang... will not be stable."

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing was secretly alarmed.

Yuan Lian Old Ancestor did not leave Yuanlian Island, yet he could observe the world's Luck and understood the situation of Great Shang as clearly as fire.

Such methods were inconceivable.

But upon closer thought, this also contained a hint of threat.

'Alas, let the royal Family worry about these matters.'

"Many thanks for Old Ancestor's guidance... This Daoist will certainly relay it to Her Majesty the Empress."

Soon, only the native Cultivators remained on Yuanlian Island.

Gu Changsheng's gaze swept across the entire scene.

Of the original hundred-plus Cultivators, less than half remained.

He sighed silently in his heart.

The path of cultivation is a struggle against heaven and against man.

To die at the hands of fierce ghosts is fate.

To die at the hands of royal Disciples is a man-made disaster.

"You all, take out the yin crystal stones you've acquired. The top seven will receive spirit fruits.

Henceforth, when you travel outside, you shall make your name as the Yuanlian Seven."

"Yes!"

The Cultivators present spoke in unison.

Soon, the rankings were out.

The first place, of course, belonged to Su Kexing.

The value of sealing a True Dan ghost Cultivator was equivalent to the total of all the yin crystal stones present.

Next were Li Changhe, Gu Wan'er, and the like.

They came from Cultivator Families with deep foundations, so it was not surprising.

Only the last one was quite special, a young beggar named Song Aqi, who came from the bottom of the Mortals.

It turned out that Su Kexing, confident in her first-place position, actually took off her Storage Pouch and gifted most of her yin crystal stones, which allowed Song Aqi to narrowly secure seventh place.

Two Loose Cultivators, one at the top and one at the bottom, occupied two of the Yuanlian Seven spots.

This was beyond most people's expectations.

'From now on, Yuanlian Island will be a struggle between Cultivators from common backgrounds and Family Cultivators... But what does it have to do with this Daoist?'

Gu Changsheng didn't take it to heart at all.

No matter how much these Disciples struggled, they would eventually die before him.

Soon, the seven five qi gathering tree fruits were distributed one by one.

"This is the five qi gathering tree fruit..."

Holding a crimson, baby-like fruit in her hand, threads of sweet aroma lingered at her nose, permeating her lungs, and all her pores opened up.

A look of joy appeared on Su Kexing's pretty face.

This was an Opportunity to form a Core.

Once the Core was formed, one could enjoy five hundred years of freedom.

How exhilarating!

"Wan'er... From now on, the rise and fall of our Family will rest upon your shoulders..."

"Father..."

Gu Wan'er's expression was solemn.

There were many Cultivator Families present, but none had ever produced a True Dan Grandmaster.

A Family protected by a True Dan Cultivator could at least ensure several centuries of prosperity.

Especially in troubled times, top-tier combat power was exceptionally important.

Beside them, Li Changhe silently glanced at Su Kexing, a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.

'Just you wait, as long as I Breakthrough to True Dan first, the top spot among the Yuanlian Seven will naturally be mine...'

A year later, above Yuanlian Island, winds and clouds gathered.

Dense black Qi formed a funnel, pouring down.

A vague illusion of an armored demon appeared.

It was the spirit of the Nine Refinements Iron Shirt technique.

"Someone is forming a Core!"

"This spirit... should be Fairy Yushan..."

"Our Yuanlian Island is finally gaining another True Dan Grandmaster... Truly a joyous occasion!"

The Cultivators and Mortals of Yuanlian Island looked at the sky, their eyes filled with surprise.

The more True Dan Cultivators there were, the greater Yuanlian Island's power, and naturally, no one would dare to bully them.

"How could this person achieve the Dao first..."

The jealousy in Li Changhe's eyes erupted.

Who would have thought that a female Loose Cultivator would actually suppress the Cultivator Families and take the lead?

Now, she had even become the second person in the True Core Realm after Yuan Lian Old Ancestor.

Soon, the black Qi in the Void Realm compressed, and the dao karma was expelled outside Yuanlian Island, a Golden Core the size of a dragon's eye floated in the air.

"A seventh-grade True Core, the quality is acceptable."

Gu Changsheng gazed at the Void Realm and murmured.

The next moment, Su Kexing swallowed the Core into her abdomen and transformed into a streak of light, appearing before Gu Changsheng.

"Many thanks for Master's assistance, otherwise, it would have taken Disciple at least several more years to refine the five qi gathering tree fruit.

Let alone the True Dan Dao."

Su Kexing bowed respectfully.

Gu Changsheng, however, waved his hand and smiled, "Your foundation is the deepest among the seven of you.

Only Li Changhe can compete with you.

Even if I didn't intervene, you would most likely Breakthrough to True Dan before everyone else.

Moreover, this Master did not act for free.

This Master is quite envious of your Incarnation Ghost Diagram.

As a trade, it is fair."

Three days ago, Gu Changsheng had traded his assistance in refining the spirit fruit's medicinal power for Su Kexing's Incarnation Ghost Diagram.

After some planning, he indeed obtained a spell.

【Incarnation Ghost Face Technique】

This secret method uses a Incarnation ghost as the main material to refine a ghost face mask.

The ghost face mask adheres to the heart, parasitizing the flesh, and can generate a special energy that covers the entire body.

Once a calamity is encountered, the ghost face mask shatters in response to the tribulation, but the main body remains unharmed.

This kind of life-saving method is considered superior.

Suddenly, the sky darkened.

Black clouds pressed down on the city, and winds and clouds gathered.

The momentum was more than ten times greater than Su Kexing's Breakthrough to True Dan.

Gu Changsheng looked towards the horizon and smiled slightly.

This phenomenon was precisely the Kunpeng Avatar Breakthrough to True Dan.