Following Lu Xuelian, upon arriving at Yanyang Lake, Lu Yuanshan saw that Liiu Qiumei had already arrived ahead of them.
She was surrounding herself around the Spirit Beast Nest, slightly bending her body, her beautiful eyes watching the scene within the spirit beast nest, with a look of anticipation on her face.
"Yuanshan, youâre finally here."
Seeing Lu Yuanshan, Liiu Qiumei immediately smiled.
She beckoned him, letting Lu Yuanshan come closer, "Hurry, they are about to hatch."
"Yes, Sect Leader, you should hurry too."
Lu Xuelian spoke: "When the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake is hatching, it will regard the first person it sees after opening its eyes as its mother, its closest companion, just like most spirit beast cubs."
"Therefore, Sect Leader, this is the best time to establish a close relationship with the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake."
Lu Yuanshan understood, realizing this is the crucial moment for hatching the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake, so he swiftly nodded and quietly approached the Spirit Beast Nest.
His gaze followed Liiu Qiumeiâs.
In the spirit beast nest, he saw the two Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake eggs, initially quiet and still, now slightly trembling, which indicated they were about to hatch.
This made Lu Yuanshanâs expression change.
It was his first time witnessing the hatching of snake-type spirit beasts, and he was quite interested in whether the two little ones would successfully hatch.
Both Lu Yuanshan and Liiu Qiumei were filled with anticipation as they exchanged a glance.
Liiu Qiumei placed her slender fingers against her lips, making a gesture to remain silent.
Lu Yuanshan understood, smiling and nodding, meaning "I know, we need to stay quiet now."
"It looks like these two little ones are about to hatch."
Lu Pingâs voice echoed in Lu Yuanshanâs mind at this moment.
Whenever he was free, he kept an eye on the hatching status of these two Celestial Cyan Cloud Snakes and could roughly gauge that their hatching time was these days.
Earlier, upon seeing Lu Xuelian excitedly running to the Sect Hall to find Lu Yuanshan, Lu Ping guessed that these two Celestial Cyan Cloud Snakes were about to hatch.
"Father."
Upon hearing Lu Pingâs communication, Lu Yuanshan immediately responded, "Indeed, as Tier Four Demon Beasts, if I can raise them to adulthood, itâs equivalent to cultivating a Golden Core Stage creature for the sect."
The main allure of the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake for Lu Yuanshan is its Tier Four bloodline.
Cultivating a Golden Core Stage cultivator requires an enormous amount of resources.
In addition, it demands a considerable amount of time.
While the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake?
As long as itâs properly bred, and it grows, awakening all of its bloodline, it can reach Golden Core Stage strength.
By comparison, breeding the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake is quite worthwhile!
"Yes, while the Tier Four demon beast is commendable, a broader vision is also important."
Lu Ping spoke calmly.
Lu Yuanshan pondered at his words, somewhat puzzled, "Father, what do you mean?"
He didnât understand what Lu Ping meant by "broader vision."
"Itâs simple."
Lu Ping explained concisely, "The Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake possesses traces of dragon bloodline and has the potential to evolve into a flood dragon in the future."
Speaking of this, Lu Pingâs eyes showed anticipation.
"From what Iâve learned, advancing the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake to the flood dragon level isnât difficult, as long as you find Dragon and Snake Dew, Earth Core Golden Liquid, or the Purple Jade Flood Dragon Kingâs blood, you can achieve this."
"Oh?!"
Lu Yuanshanâs eyes brightened upon hearing Lu Pingâs thoughts.
Yes, he had forgotten this point; the Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake has trace amounts of dragon bloodline.
The Tier Four level isnât the limit of their growth.
"However, Father, the Dragon and Snake Dew, Earth Core Golden Lotus, and Purple Jade Flood Dragon Kingâs blood, these three items, I must admit, are unfamiliar to me."
"I imagine acquiring these heavenly and earthly treasures wouldnât be easy, and the price wonât be cheap either."
Just thinking about the heavenly and earthly treasures needed for advancing Celestial Cyan Cloud Snake to the flood dragon level, Lu Yuanshan felt these treasures would be rare and hard to find.
"Yes, youâre right, both Dragon and Snake Dew and Earth Core Golden Lotus are Tier Five Spirit Medicines, not found within the Chu Kingdom, and youâd likely have to search across Lingxi State."
"As for the Purple Jade Flood Dragon Kingâs blood, such a demon beast itself is a Tier Five Demon Beast, generally no one dares provoke it, thus making acquisition less probable."
"But that doesnât prevent you from keeping an eye out for these three items in the future, with good fortune, you might encounter them."
Lu Ping smiled lightly.
Lu Yuanshan pondered the words, his face reflecting contemplation.
After a moment, he hesitantly spoke.
"Father, perhaps I can ask Qiumei."
"She manages the Cold Mountain Pavilion, perhaps through it, I can acquire Dragon and Snake Dew, Earth Core Golden Lotus, or the Purple Jade Flood Dragon Kingâs blood."
"Yes, asking wouldnât hurt."
Upon hearing Lu Pingâs reply, Lu Yuanshan promptly used the communication secret technique toward Liiu Qiumei to inquire.
Liiu Qiumei listened quietly, then thoughtfully pondered for a moment.
"Currently, Cold Mountain Pavilion doesnât have the three items you mentioned."
Liiu Qiumei spoke, "However, you mentioned the Purple Jade Flood Dragon King, I heard my master mention once that in the eastern sea region of Qingli Sea, thereâs an area called Purple Mist Sea, where Purple Jade Flood Dragons reside."
Specific details, Liiu Qiumei wasnât quite sure, requiring further inquiry with Elder Jiang.
After a brief conversation on this topic with Liiu Qiumei, Lu Yuanshan conveyed Liiu Qiumeiâs response to Lu Ping.
"Purple Mist Sea you say..."
Lu Ping pondered.
Although obtaining the Purple Jade Flood Dragon Kingâs blood wouldnât be easy, at least he had a lead; with enough power in the future, thereâs a chance to accomplish this.
It can be considered as having obtained a method.
Crack, crack, crack.
Soon, a sound of eggshells breaking resounded, capturing the attention of Lu Yuanshan and the other three.
"Sect Leader, Elder Liiu, Iâll step back first. You can stand by the spirit beast nest and donât move."
Seeing this, Lu Xuelian spoke while promptly standing aside, keeping a distance.
She was somewhat worried that if she got too close, once the two little snakes emerged, they might mistake her for their parent, which wouldnât be good.
Hence, she took this action.
As the eggshells were cracked open with a cracking sound, spreading fissures, a small head quickly peaked out from the snake egg on the left.
The little snakeâs head was only the size of chopsticks, its eyes slowly opening, filled with curiosity as it couldnât help but look around this world.
Then, its tiny head slightly turned, sensing the aura of the human race, first gazing at Lu Yuanshan, its tongue flickering gently.
Witnessing this, Lu Yuanshan was momentarily stunned, then squeezed out a hint of smile on his face.
He cautiously extended his hand towards the small snake.
Looking at Lu Yuanshanâs extended hand, the little snake flickered its tongue, swayed its body a few times without showing any fear.
In a bit of excitement, it slowly crawled onto Lu Yuanshanâs arm along his fingers.
The little creature slightly raised its head, showing a particularly affectionate side to Lu Yuanshan, making him unable to suppress a smile.
Crack, crack, crack.
Soon, another sound of eggshell breaking emanated from the other snake egg, crisp and clear.
Lu Yuanshan immediately withdrew a few steps with the little creature.
Just like that, the remaining Celestial Cyan Cloud serpent, after hatching, curiously observed this world as well.
Then, its small gaze fell on Liiu Qiumei, considering her the closest person.
Once both little creatures hatched, it was time to sign the spirit beast contract, a process long prepared.
Upon signing the spirit beast contract, Lu Yuanshan and Liiu Qiumei each possessed their own spirit beast.
In the following days, both of them attempted to feed the two little creatures and would occasionally play with them to enhance their bond.
Time flies, day turns to night, spring leaves for autumn.
In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.
During this half-year, in busyness, the Hengyue Sectâs mountain gate was completely taken over by the Cyan Mountain Sect, further expanding its territory.
Xuu Yi and Chu Qin also emerged from secluded cultivation, reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage in their cultivation.
Though Xuu Yiâs first attempt at Foundation Establishment wasnât successful, the second time with good luck, he succeeded.
Notably, Zhang Deming from the Zhang Family of Little Cold Mountain recently emerged from seclusion as well, reaching Foundation Establishment Stage, bringing great joy to the entire Zhang Family.
Because of this, the Zhang Family hosted a banquat lasting three days, allowing Cyan Mountain Sect disciples to freely feast and partake.
With Lu Yuanshanâs assistance, Zhang Deming obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, feeling deeply grateful and increasingly revering Lu Yuanshan.
The next day, Lu Yuanshan spread the news, announcing an open recruitment of disciples.
This news quickly spread throughout the Chu Kingdom and reached various parts of Lingxi State.
Many cultivators enthusiastically discussed this.
"Cyan Mountain Sect recruiting disciples, weâve finally waited for this day!"
"Yes, yes, ever since Elder Lu of Cyan Mountain Sect went into secluded cultivation over forty years ago, theyâve rarely recruited disciples."
"In the recent decade, theyâve never recruited disciples, claiming to expand the sectâs scale."
Some loose cultivators discussed eagerly, yearning for Cyan Mountain Sect.
Currently, within the Chu Kingdom, Cyan Mountain Sect is a Crystal Sect, second only to the Heaven-Facing Sect.
Rumors have it that recently Liiu Qiumei from Nine Cold Mountain has been closely associating with Lu Yuanshan from Cyan Mountain Sect, often appearing there.
Some cultivators even spotted Lu Yuanshan and Liiu Qiumei traveling through scenic spots in Chu Kingdom like a pair of immortal partners.
Thus, some gossip began spreading.
"Fellow Daoist, do you know the current relationship between Elder Liiu of Nine Cold Mountain and Lu Yuanshan?"
A cultivator from Heaven-Facing Sect was gossiping about Liiu Qiumei and Lu Yuanshanâs relationship, speculating on their connection.
"What relationship?"
A friend of the cultivator echoed.
Another cultivator quickly chimed in, "Hehe, what other relationship could it be? Isnât it obvious, Elder Liiu and Sect Leader Lu have intentions of becoming Dao partners."
"I think so too."
"Hmm, yes, yes."
This speculation led many cultivators to nod in agreement.
Since rumors spread throughout Chu Kingdom about Lu Yuanshan and Liiu Qiumei frequently associating like immortal partners, neither had stepped forth to clarify their relationship specifically, offering no explanation.
Furthermore, Nine Cold Mountain had not issued any statement, apparently accepting the rumors circulating, consenting to their association intending to become Dao partners.
With Cyan Mountain Sect opening its gates wide, loose cultivators and family descendants came from far and wide.
In front of Cyan Mountain Sectâs mountain gate, a large crowd gathered, numbering at least three thousand.
Most were teenagers around thirteen or fourteen.
The rest included various loose cultivators, and ordinary people yearning for immortality.
Cyan Mountain Sect treated all aspirants equally, with no exceptions, first checking their age.
Though the sect opened its doors to recruit disciples, the requirements were still high.
The age limit was no more than twenty years old.
Moreover, the background must be clear, not being a descendant of Demon Cultivators or Demonic Dao forces, as this crucial factor impacts Cyan Mountain Sectâs future reputation.
Finally, the most important requirement was cultivation talent.