"There should be nothing to worry about this ti I go to see Wen Renlan!" Xu Xing smiled.
However, after completing all this, Xu Xing did not rush to leave the Naless Island Cave Mansion. Instead, he first set up a Ten Thousand Miles Teleportation Array inside the Cave Mansion. Only then did he instruct Zi Ying to conceal its presence and depart for Sea Monkey Island.
If anything unexpected happened to him on Sea Monkey Island, Zi Ying would self-destruct, allowing his main body and Primordial Spirit to escape using the Ten Thousand Miles Teleportation Array.
Even if Wen Renlan possessed powers that reached the heavens and penetrated the earth, it would be difficult for her to pursue and kill him.
「Half a day later.」
Xu Xing arrived at Sea Monkey Island.
As agreed with Wen Renlan, he first went to find ng Zhongcai, the hall master of the Outer Hall.
Similar to Heavenly Star Island, Sea Monkey Island had a city of Immortals built upon it.
However, as there were three Refining Void Immortals on Sea Monkey Island and the sect was larger than Heavenly Star Island, the city's facilities were about thirty percent more prosperous than those on Heavenly Star Island.
Xu Xing arrived at the Outer City Gate, rented a horse carriage, and headed towards the Fire Spirit Sect's Outer Hall.
Like Heavenly Star Island, Sea Monkey City also had no-fly ordinances.
"Are you the Daoist friend Elder Wen ntioned, the one who ascended from the Lower Realm?" After announcing his na at the Fire Spirit Sect's Outer Hall, Xu Xing was soon granted an audience with Hall Master ng Zhongcai.
ng Zhongcai brewed a pot of Spirit Tea for Xu Xing and asked with a smile.
"Hall Master ng is correct," Xu Xing replied, taking a sip of tea. "I am indeed a cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm to the Chiming World. Immortal Wen can testify to this."
"Immortal Wen has highly recomnded you to Sect Master Chu. When you join our Sect, I'm afraid I'll have to address you as Elder Xu by then," ng Zhongcai flattered.
His current cultivation was only at the late stage of Nascent Soul. If not for the Fire Spirit Sect's power, he would have had to address Xu Xing as Senior Xu.
"Hall Master ng, you're too kind," Xu Xing said modestly, shaking his head. "It's already a great fortune for , soone from the Lower Realm, to be accepted by your esteed sect."
At this point, Xu Xing paused for a mont, his eyes flickering. I wonder when Immortal Wen will return to the sect? I was introduced by Immortal Wen; if she isn't present, I can't help but feel uneasy. If Wen Renlan were here, I could negotiate and bargain with her directly. With ng Zhongcai as an interdiary, things beco complicated. I can't very well tell him that Wen Renlan and I beca acquainted through a fight, that I forcibly took her personal belongings, compelling her to submit to . Dragging this out for a year or two isn't a solution. "I wonder when Immortal Wen will be able to return to your sect? I was recomnded by Immortal Wen, so if she is not present, I cannot help but feel anxious."
"Elder Wen has other important matters and may return to the sect in about two years," ng Zhongcai offered a vague tiline.
"Then, regarding my introduction to the Fire Spirit Sect..." Xu Xing looked at ng Zhongcai, feigning nervousness.
"With Elder Wen's instructions, I will naturally help you with this matter, Daoist Xu," ng Zhongcai said generously, patting his chest. "This is a Cave Mansion in the outer city. You may stay there temporarily, Daoist Xu. When there's news from the sect, I will inform you."
As ng Zhongcai spoke, he handed Xu Xing a Bronze Token. The front of the token was engraved with a sea monkey, its design sowhat similar to the tokens from Heavenly Star Island.
"I hope Fellow Daoist ng can assist greatly," Xu Xing said, rising and cupping his hands in thanks.
"It's a small matter, a small matter," ng Zhongcai replied, still smiling.
After escorting Xu Xing out of the Fire Spirit Sect's Outer Hall, ng Zhongcai's smile vanished, replaced by a chillingly cold expression.
"Elder Wen, Xu Xing has departed," ng Zhongcai said, bowing towards the inner palace.
Just monts before, he had received Xu Xing in the outer hall, while Wen Renlan, the Fourth Elder of the Fire Spirit Sect, had remained in the inner palace, silently listening to their conversation.
"I am already aware of this," Wen Renlan replied coolly. She waved her jade sleeve and instantly teleported to the high seat in the outer hall. Her eyes, visible through her gold mask, glanced askance at ng Zhongcai.
"Then... how should we handle the matter of Xu Xing?" ng Zhongcai asked, his face etched with worry. "For a Primordial Spirit Freelance Cultivator, especially one who ascended from the Lower Realm, to join the sect is a significant event. Xu Xing is currently residing in a Cave Mansion in the outer city; this cannot be kept secret for long."
Freelance cultivators who ascended from the Lower Realm typically possessed excellent aptitude. Many had reached the Primordial Spirit Realm without relying on external aid. Even those ascenders who did use external ans to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm generally had far superior aptitude compared to the Primordial Spirit cultivators of the Chiming World. This was one reason the Fire Spirit Sect was eager to recruit cultivators who ascended from the Lower Realm.
Secondly, ascenders from the Lower Realm had no family or connections in the Chiming World, making it easier for them to integrate into a sect. In terms of loyalty, they were far more reliable than ordinary Primordial Spirit Freelance Cultivators.
"Do you think I am unaware of this?" Wen Renlan's expression turned grave. "However, this person... has significant ties to the Emperor's Son Pavilion. Bringing him into the sect could bring fortune or disaster; it's difficult to predict!"
In the Chiming World, the Chiming Imperial Dynasty was the true hegemon. Their Fire Spirit Sect was rely a minor sect. Any of the kings and marquis enfeoffed by the Chiming Imperial Dynasty could utterly destroy them.
While adding a Primordial Spirit freelance cultivator would undoubtedly strengthen the Fire Spirit Sect, if that cultivator brought imnse trouble, it would be detrintal to the sect. Compared to the risk of annihilation, it was better not to accept him.
Besides, she, Wen Renlan, had many grievances with Xu Xing...
"Wait for another three years," Wen Renlan stated definitively. "If, during that ti, he is not discovered by the Emperor's Son Pavilion or cultivators from the Chiming Imperial Dynasty, then we will accept him into the sect."
"Three years..." ng Zhongcai nodded, committing the tifra to mory.
"Furthermore, there is one thing your subordinate does not understand," ng Zhongcai said, a puzzled look on his face. "The relationship between Xu Xing and you, Elder, is not amicable. Why haven't you eliminated this potential threat? Why keep him around, and even consider inviting him to join the Fire Spirit Sect?"
Cultivators who prioritize public duty over private grudges do exist under the sky, but ng Zhongcai didn't believe Wen Renlan was such a person. Within the Fire Spirit Sect, Wen Renlan was notoriously difficult to provoke.
"I have my own considerations; you need not know," Wen Renlan snapped, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. How could she possibly reveal in public that Xu Xing had forcibly taken her personal belongings?
However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Wen Renlan felt it was inappropriate. She snorted coldly and continued, "Just now, I used a Divine Power to observe Xu Xing's aura. His current aura is less than half of what it once was. Clearly, he does not trust ."
"Previously, my acquaintance with him was rely superficial."
"This person is cunning. Although talented, he could be detrintal to the sect. Considering the sect's interests, I would not rashly recomnd him. However, as for eliminating him as a threat, it is still too early..."
"This is not a personal feud!" she asserted forcefully.
"Your subordinate understands," ng Zhongcai nodded repeatedly, not daring to press the issue further.
「Three years passed in the blink of an eye.」
During this period, all was calm. No major incidents occurred on Sea Monkey Island or Heavenly Star Island.
One day, as Xu Xing was ditating in his Cave Mansion on Sea Monkey Island, a talismanic ssage suddenly flew in. After using his Magic Power to draw the talismanic ssage to him and examining it, he pondered for a mont, then flicked his sleeve robe and walked out of the Cave Mansion.
"It has been more than twenty years. I apologize for breaking our agreent, Daoist Xu," Wen Renlan said, receiving Xu Xing in the Outer Hall of the Fire Spirit Sect.
"I am rely a lone cultivator, while Immortal Wen is a high-ranking mber of the Fire Spirit Sect. That Immortal Wen is willing to see is already my good fortune; how could there be any talk of bla?" Xu Xing replied with a respectful bow.
"I heard from Hall Master ng earlier that you are eager to join our Fire Spirit Sect, Daoist Xu. Coincidentally, I have just returned to the Fire Spirit Sect, so I can recomnd you to my Sect Leader Senior Brother," Wen Renlan said, getting straight to the point after the initial pleasantries.
After their clash on Six Ships Island, she knew Xu Xing was not an easy person to deal with and was quite shrewd. Otherwise, he wouldn't have refused her invitations multiple tis, playing tortoise and hiding away. Now that she had made Xu Xing wait three years for her, if she attempted any further sches, she feared Xu Xing might retaliate. This was a point she had to be wary of. Furthermore, with Xu Xing's aptitude, the Fire Spirit Sect wasn't his only option. After all, Xu Xing had been in the Chiming World for over twenty years and must have gained a thorough understanding of the cultivation environnt in the Day Sky Ocean Region. He wouldn't be easily fooled by her.
"I wonder, if I join the Fire Spirit Sect..." Xu Xing began, "what kind of benefits can I expect? What will the terms be?"
However, to Wen Renlan's surprise, Xu Xing did not imdiately accept her invitation. Instead, he began to negotiate his terms on the spot.
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