Chapter 9: Ancestor Xu

As for the Lingxu Pill, Xu Yang remembered that there were no more than ten in the warehouse of the Tianlan Sect.

"Ancestor, since the Lingxu Grass is so precious, why has it ended up like this?" Ling Qingshu couldn't help but ask.

Xu Yang shook his head, indicating that he was unsure. In fact, he also wanted to know what had happened.

Had the formula for the Lingxu Pill been lost? Did no one know the preciousness of the Lingxu Grass anymore?

Or was there some other reason? After the Lingxu Grass had spread again, its true use seemed to have been forgotten.

While he was talking with Ling Qingshu, a fragrant aroma wafted out of the pill furnace.

Xu Yang's spiritual sense had already been extended, and he was fully aware of the situation inside the furnace.

So at this point, there was no real surprise. He merely circulated his internal true qi and formed a series of hand seals.

When the last seal was cast, the furnace automatically opened, and several round, glossy pills floated out, which Xu Yang drew into his hands.

He casually handed the pills to Ling Qingshu, murmuring as he did.

"These pills are for you. I'll make another batch in a moment.

The effects of this batch are to speed up your cultivation. The next batch will help increase your chances of condensing a Golden Core."

Three months to condense a Golden Core—this was the latest deadline Xu Yang had set for Ling Qingshu.

Though there is a saying in the cultivation world that it takes three years of Qi Refining, ten years of Foundation Building, and a hundred years to form a Golden Core,

for geniuses supported by sect resources and guided by powerful experts,

Qi Refining and Foundation Building are but small steps. Most of them can form a Golden Core after just three to five years of cultivation.

Now, Ling Qingshu had the support of sect resources and guidance from someone like Xu Yang, an old monster.

Three months still felt a bit long.

Ling Qingshu entered seclusion after receiving Xu Yang's cultivation methods and pills, resolutely locking herself in a stone chamber.

With Xu Yang around, she didn't have to worry about any issues arising in the Tianlan Sect.

And if something truly happened that Xu Yang couldn't handle, she would be of no use outside anyway.

Now, with Xu Yang overseeing the Tianlan Sect, she could rest assured during her seclusion.

Xu Yang sat in the main seat of the grand hall, observing the few Tianlan Sect disciples remaining.

Though their numbers were few and their talents average, Xu Yang was still satisfied.

At least, these Tianlan Sect disciples and elders had stood by the sect during its recent crises.

As the saying goes, this generation of disciples may not be the best I've taught, but they are the ones I'm most satisfied with.

Xu Yang was very generous with the Tianlan Sect disciples, personally refining many pills to assist with their cultivation.

Among them, the Foundation Building Pills, which were as common to Xu Yang as candy, were the most abundant.

For those disciples stuck at the Qi Refining stage and unable to breakthrough to Foundation Building, Xu Yang generously gave each one two pills.

Two pills—was that a lot?

For the Tianlan Sect disciples, those two pills were life itself, a hope for their cultivation.

But to Xu Yang, those two pills were nothing more than a taste of candy.

Over the past hundred thousand years, the Foundation Building Pills Xu Yang had consumed could form a small mountain.

If one were to count the exact number, it would be an astronomical figure.

For these Tianlan Sect disciples and elders, Xu Yang had spared no effort.

For those lacking offensive techniques, Xu Yang passed down some attack spells that had been practiced by Tianlan Sect disciples a thousand years ago.

Lacking defensive methods, Xu Yang went out to slay spirit beasts, using their blood to draw protective talismans.

Each person received five or six talismans for defense.

In short, whatever was lacking, Xu Yang provided.

Although the Tianlan Sect was no longer the number one sect in the world, for the few remaining disciples, Xu Yang felt he absolutely couldn't be stingy. After all, back in the day, Tianlan Sect disciples, when traveling outside, were the envy of others.

Such things as "tiger falling into the plains and being bullied by dogs" would never happen again.

Xu Yang wanted to make sure people knew that, even though the Tianlan Sect had declined, it was not something that could be easily trampled on.

Hanging at the entrance of the Tianlan Sect, the skeletal remains of a Golden Core powerhouse served as a powerful reminder.

Over time, the disciples of Tianlan Sect also realized something.

This Xu Laozu (Ancestor Xu), whose cultivation was profound and whose age was unknown, was really approachable and gave the greatest support to their cultivation.

Moreover, Xu Laozu was truly all-around—he could refine pills, forge weapons, set formations, draw talismans, and more.

In addition, Xu Laozu had previously destroyed the Yunshan Sect and massacred Golden Core powerhouses.

Now, when the disciples of Tianlan Sect walked through Qi State, their treatment was identical to that of the former Yunshan Sect disciples.

Wherever they went, they became the most eye-catching figures, attracting attention wherever they went.

As the disciples of Tianlan Sect moved around, the title "Xu Laozu" gradually became known in the hearts of the cultivators in Qizhou.

Some people said that Xu Laozu was a white-haired Taoist with the cultivation of half a step into the Nascent Soul stage, and that his actions could shake the heavens and the earth.

Others said that Xu Laozu was the former sect leader of Tianlan Sect, and their reasoning was so logical that people believed it.

For those who had actually seen Xu Yang, however, they never spoke of him.

They were afraid that mentioning even a word would provoke Xu Yang and bring about the terrifying figure that could make one break into a cold sweat even in dreams.

As the saying goes, "A tall tree catches the wind." Xu Yang's actions naturally attracted the attention of some people.

Tianwu Prefecture, County City, Lord's Mansion.

Twelve cultivators sat together, each radiating powerful auras.

If there were outsiders present, they would surely be shocked, as all twelve of them were Golden Core cultivators.

Moreover, all of them were at the late Golden Core stage, not far from the Nascent Soul stage.

The leader of the group spoke first.

"Have you all heard? Recently, in Qi State, a cultivator named Xu Laozu has appeared. It's said that he is an elder of the Tianlan Sect."

"Tianlan Sect, that fallen sect?" someone sneered.

"I can't imagine, in our Tianwu Prefecture, there was once such a glorious sect. I wonder what the taste of its heir's blood is like."

As this person spoke, his eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty gleam.

The reactions of the twelve were varied, with some remaining more composed.

"Do we have any detailed information on this person?"

"The reports from below say that three Golden Core cultivators have died at his hands—two from the Yunshan Sect and one rogue cultivator."

The leader spoke as he took out a scroll, unrolling it to reveal a portrait of Xu Yang.

Among the twelve, the only woman looked at Xu Yang's portrait, her eyes full of lewd intent.

"This face... not bad."

"A pretty boy. Yu San Niang, you should try my big spear under my hips."

A man looked at the woman and made suggestive remarks.

"Try it? Are you scratching an itch for me!"

The woman, called Yu San Niang, was provoked and immediately looked like she wanted to take action. "You..."