With his level of cultivation, Shen Lian was not someone who would propagate unfounded rumors. Hence, the elders took what he said seriously.

　　Cultivation was something that went against the natural course of things, to begin with. It was only natural for there to be a trial. However, the tragedy of the world was not the same – it was a trial that involved all of the cultivators.

　　As for the tragedy of the world, Lu Jiuyuan did mention something about it. He said that cultivators were like the scabies of the world, and most of them would be removed when the time came.

　　A few years back, the demon clan was great in numbers. Those who absorbed the Qi of vitality outnumbered the number of cultivators now. However, a great trial that was not found in the records took place. Since then, the demon clan had dwindled in numbers and was slowly eliminated by the joint effort of Daoism and Buddhism.

　　Despite their current influence in the world, the demon clan was not as powerful as they once were.

　　After that, there was Saint Tianzi who founded a dynasty and the deities were able to propagate Dao. However, the peak period did not last long, and soon it had disappeared without a trace.

　　It was only natural for something to face declination after reaching its pinnacle.

　　This was why despite the strong inheritance in the four main Daoist sects, they would never expand unnecessarily. Moreover, the immortal Zhenrens in the sect would be kept at around three to five. This was how they were able to become the sacred places of Xuanmen and lasted for as long as they did.

　　Shen Lian offered his advice and engaged in idle chit-chats with the elders, and slowly, all of them left. Now that they were made aware of this, they would pay closer attention and start their own preparation in order to deal with the trial.

　　In the end, only Gu Caiwei, Jing Qing, and Ruoxi were left behind.

　　“Senior Apprentice-Sister, could you do me a favor?” Shen Lian said to her.

　　Gu Caiwei laughed, “Tell me about it,” she replied. Having entered into the state of Huandan and after consuming the celestial elixir, she could now go on living for a long time. There was nothing much that was bothering her heart of Dao now, and her speed of cultivation now was surprisingly faster than before she had attained the state of Huandan. Her mana had seen significant improvement day by day.

　　“Could you go to a place called Feng Village, it is three thousand miles westward from here. There is a child who goes by the name of Feng Qingyang, whose father was injured recently by a wild boar. His father is dying, and I would like you to pass on an elixir to him. At the same time, could you please teach him about our Qi cultivation technique. When he is done paying his respect to his father, direct him to the mountain. I will tell you via telepathy as to the actual location,” Shen Lian spoke slowly, and a gust of fresh breath was sent flying from his finger and landed on Gu Caiwei.

　　“Easy job,” Gu Caiwei replied as she looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

　　“Actually, this child is related to you somehow. He used to be the Fengsheng Beast in his previous life. When he is on the mountain, let him be your disciple. This would allow for the cause and effect to come to a full cycle,” Shen Lian replied.

　　Gu Caiwei immediately knew what Shen Lian was going for. She knew that her Junior Apprentice-Brother had her best interest in mind; allowing the cause and effect to come to a full cycle would eliminate the risk of future complications.

　　Gu Caiwei nodded and spoke, “Junior Apprentice-Brother, you have something else no?”

　　Shen Lian raised the corner of his lips and replied cheerily, “Indeed, I cannot hide it from you. When the grandmaster attained Dao, she cultivated a killing instrument like that of Qing Xiao Sword. As the third person who managed to attain Dao through Taixu Strategy, I should cultivate a magical sword and walk the world with it.”

　　Qing Xiao Sword was the item that Fairy Ziling used to attain Dao. It contained the Dao of Yin and Yang, which was why it was also known as Taiyi Ying Yang Sword. Just a single thrust of it would be able to extinguish the Qi of death and to rescue someone; just a single thrust of it could kill someone with its absolute killing vibes. However, Fairy Ziling did not like the name, ‘Taiyi Ying Yang Sword’, which was why she changed its name to ‘Qing Xiao Sword’.

　　“What kind of magical sword are you planning to cultivate?” Gu Caiwei queried.

　　“I attained the Dao of Five Elements of Taixu Strategy, and this is a different path from that of the grandmaster. Naturally, the sword that I am cultivating would be related to the five elements,” Shen Lian replied.

　　“With your current status, you will need more than the common items if you were to cultivate a magical sword,” Gu Caiwei pondered.

　　A wooden sword appeared in Shen Lian’s hand, and that was the Xuande Sword. He rubbed his finger along the length of the sword, and yellow ray shone from within. He spoke, “This sword used to be a thousand-year-old sandalwood, and has since manifested spirituality throughout my cultivation. Moreover, it received merits and its quality was raised in turn. I have also merged the phoenix’s Fire of Nirvana within it. Out of the five elements, it now contains wood and fire. I still need three more in order to complete it.”

　　“The three remaining materials would be metal, water, and earth. However, these three elements exist in abundance. Which three are you looking for exactly?” Gu Caiwei asked in curiosity.

　　“According to my calculations, the three materials that have the highest compatibility with Xuande Sword would be the cold iron of a thousand-year-old, Tianyi true water, and the star sand of the Universe,” Shen Lian replied.

　　“It would not be easy to procure these three items,” Gu Caiwei laughed bitterly.

　　Shen Lian spoke, “Indeed. I’m glad that I already found out where is the true water of the sky. At the Eastern Sea six thousand miles from here, there is a kingdom called Heishui Kingdom. The holy water in the kingdom is the true water of the sky.”

　　As he spoke, he pointed at Jing Qing and laughed, “The King of Heishui Kingdom was bitten by a dragon, and the dragon has taken over the water kingdom and is preparing to attack the dragon clan of the Eastern Sea. It is aiming to take over the Dragon Transformation Pond. I thought about it and remembered that Jing Qing is a flying serpent, Teng. As the saying goes, “After a thousand years of cultivation, snake would become Teng, and Teng would become dragon after overcoming the Trial of Heavens”. With the help of Dragon Transformation Pond, he might be able to evade from the Trial of Heavens and become a dragon. He definitely has the potential that could rival the ancient Great Deity Yinglong.”

　　Gu Caiwei pondered upon it for a while and replied, “Jing Qing has been here for such a long time. Even though he is a Daoist child here, but he is a part of Qing Xuan. If we have the chance to help him to become a dragon, we should give it our best.”

　　Shen Lian replied, “That is what I am thinking too. I have decided to bring him along when I am searching for the true water of the sky. I will see if I can get him into the Dragon Transformation Pond.”

　　Gu Caiwei spoke, “Let’s not rush things. We can request for Temple of Longevity to research into it and see what we can find out about the background of the dragon clan of the Eastern Sea and that of the dragon.”

　　“Indeed.”

　　“Didn’t you tell me about all of these just so that I can relay the message to Temple of Longevity when I’m on my way to look for the child? Junior Apprentice-Brother, you are becoming more and more manipulative.”

　　Shen Lian coughed.

　　Gu Caiwei smiled and left.

　　After Gu Caiwei left, Shen Lian told Jing Qing to bring Ruoxi to the back of the mountain so that she can have a good rest. For the past few years, Ruoxi had been cultivating hard as she followed the old Daoist around. She had not gotten any rest, which was why Shen Lian wanted to let her relax and unwind.

　　Shen Lian’s Daoist courtyard was located at the back of the mountain. It was decorated in a minimalistic manner, and he was sure that Ruoxi would love it when she was there.

　　Shen Lian was the only one left in the hall. He operated his Qi and calmed his mood down.

　　After that, he walked out of the door. Five-colored ray of the cloud manifested underneath his feet, and he soared into the sky. Within moments, he was at the foot of Zifu Peak.

　　He walked up the mountain on foot, and he was not headed to Taiwei Pavilion, but the hall of the founding masters of the Taixu branch.

　　Shen Lian walked calmly at a steady pace, and he could feel that the spiritual vigor up ahead. It seemed to be dormant and did not fluctuate at all. That was where his grandmaster, Fairy Ziling was having her solitary retreat. Ten years had passed, and her injuries did not heal.

　　Daoist Dengfeng’s Taiyue Real Shape Incantation was impressive indeed. He thought he would help his grandmaster out and try to regain their reputation.

　　Taixu Strategy was unrivaled in the world. Back then, Fairy Ziling had just attained Dao for the second time, and her foundation was still shaky. On top of that, she was ambushed, which was why she got injured. Given another three to five years, Fairy Ziling would not have been injured even if Daoist Dengfeng were to ambush her again.

　　Shen Lian snapped out of his thoughts and realized that he was in front of a temple situated on top of the cliff.