Chapter 227: Bingyu and Jinqin

Then.

Shen Xuan saluted the surrounding fellow disciples with a four-corner bow.

"Dear fellow disciples, in a year, at the Wangxian Pavilion, Shen will treat everyone to a drink!"

"Alright!"

The response to Shen Xuan was a chorus of approvals.

After all, they were quite dissatisfied with Lei Yaoyang, such a sect genius.

Shen Xuan said no more.

He smiled and quickly left the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

Deng Xiangdong personally saw him off.

Returning to the office, Deng Xiangdong took out a blank Jade Scroll to record the event.

This incident happened at the Dharma Transmission Pavilion, so he was responsible for documenting it for future reference.

"With a Foundation Establishment Second Layer, he has a seventy percent chance of mastering Thunder Escape Technique within a year; why hasn’t such a talent been included at Celestial Thunder Peak?"

Beside him.

The white-haired and blue-clothed old cultivator, who had been dozing off with closed eyes, suddenly spoke.

"Seventy percent? Bullshit! That kid has a hundred percent chance! Celestial Thunder True Master, you’ve taught well, let’s see how you handle this!"

Deng Xiangdong suddenly shivered.

"Hidden Image True Master, you’re awake?"

"Get lost, you tactless thing! Don’t disturb old man’s sleep!"

Out of the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

Shen Xuan pondered for a long time and decided to return to Little Gu Feng.

Returning to the sect without visiting his mentor was unacceptable both emotionally and logically.

In the entire Cyan Cloud Sect, there were only two people he could trust.

One was Qin Yuehan, a classmate and friend of many years, to whom he could entrust life and death.

The other was his mentor, Master Gu Feng.

Among the many Core Formation True Masters in Cyan Cloud Sect, Master Gu Feng’s strength was average, and her authority was limited.

But she treated Shen Xuan very well.

At least she didn’t bow to powerful figures, casually selling Shen Xuan out.

Whether it was Celestial Thunder True Master or Master Cold Jade.

Master Gu Feng shouldered the pressure for him.

Many things don’t need listening to words but rather observing actions.

In his previous life, he had seen many leaders making empty promises.

There weren’t many leaders willing to take responsibility for their subordinates.

Master Gu Feng sent him to Cyan Yang Prefecture for his own good.

She genuinely gifted him the Foundation Establishment inheritance of the Divine Hidden Sea Technique.

Qin Yuehan mentioned in her letter that after breaking through the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, Lei Yaoyang no longer pressured her.

After all, female cultivators at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment are rare in any sect.

Thinking of this, Shen Xuan performed Soaring Clouds and Mist, generating clouds beneath his feet, and headed toward Little Gu Feng.

Behind him, however, came the sound of piercing through the sky.

No matter how many twists Shen Xuan took, the pursuit behind remained relentless.

With no alternative, Shen Xuan had to lower his cloud.

He stopped at a secluded mountain foot.

"Liu Bingyu from Cold Jade Peak greets Senior Brother Shen from Little Gu Feng."

A stunning female cultivator with icy skin and jade bones, exuding a celestial aura, her cold and bright eyes carrying a hint of warmth, gracefully saluted Shen Xuan.

"So it’s Junior Sister Liu!"

Shen Xuan quickly returned the gesture.

This person is Master Cold Jade’s only direct disciple.

She also gifted the cultivation insights of the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique.

This favor, Shen Xuan always remembered.

"I wonder if Junior Sister Liu has any business with Shen?"

Liu Bingyu glanced around.

Her slender hands waved, enveloping the surroundings with a layer of shielding spiritual light.

"Senior Brother Shen, Bingyu wants to ask you one thing: how is your cultivation of the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique going?"

"Not bad."

Liu Bingyu’s curious eyes fixed on Shen Xuan.

"May Bingyu have a look?"

Shen Xuan thought for a moment, then extended his finger, forming a spell gesture.

Soon, a miniature Cold Ice Divine Dragon formed at his fingertip, vivid and lively.

The temperature within the shielded spiritual light space rapidly decreased.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of frost.

A trace of shock flashed in Liu Bingyu’s eyes.

The progress of Shen Xuan’s cultivation of the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique far surpassed her imagination.

The power he displayed, although not as strong as hers, the gap was limited.

Note that she was at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, cultivating the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique for thirty years!

But Shen Xuan, how long had it been?

Liu Bingyu recalled carefully.

It seemed to be only three years.

This progress was too fast.

Actually, Shen Xuan only used seventy percent of the Ice Soul Cold Water Technique’s power.

He hadn’t added various talent skills.

His thought was to show Liu Bingyu his cultivation results.

Yet not so extraordinary to startle Liu Bingyu.

"Senior Brother Shen!"

Liu Bingyu hesitated for a moment and then spoke: "Your talent in ice techniques is so outstanding, why not transfer to my mentor’s sect?"

Shen Xuan was slightly stunned.

He had never considered this matter.

As a Loose Cultivator, achieving Foundation Establishment at an advanced age.

Being able to apprentice under Master Gu Feng was already quite rare.

What entitlement did he have to consider transferring to Master Cold Jade’s sect?

For a while.

Shen Xuan asked in puzzlement: "Junior Sister Liu, what do you mean by this?"

"Master Gu Feng doesn’t specialize in ice techniques, she can’t teach you. Besides, under Master Gu Feng, all are female disciples, with already six direct disciples; your addition won’t make much difference."

"My mentor has only me as a direct disciple and has always wanted to find someone to inherit the legacy, but there has been no suitable candidate."

Shen Xuan shook his head.

I must say, Liu Bingyu, residing in the sect for long, has oversimplified matters.

Many things can’t be viewed through immediate benefits.

Like transferring sects.

It’s actually a taboo in the cultivation realm.

Even if three parties agree, it cannot be easily done.

The bond between mentor and disciple is deep and involves karma.

How can one betray lightly due to temporary benefits?

"Junior Sister Liu, this notion is mistaken!"

"Let me ask you, if there were a Daoist Technique profound True Master in the sect, willing to take you as a disciple, would you be willing to transfer sects?"

Liu Bingyu shook her head: "I wouldn’t."

"Neither would I."

"But you’re different!"

Liu Bingyu’s expression was resolute: "If you switch to Cold Jade Peak, you can inherit the master’s teachings. At Little Gu Peak, you’re merely a registered disciple!"

"Soon, I’ll be converted to a direct disciple."

Shen Xuan lightly waved his hand, retracting the icy blue dragon at his finger tips.

"I have other matters to attend to and must meet the master. Your good intentions are appreciated, Junior Sister Liu, but let’s leave it at this and never mention it again!"

After speaking, Shen Xuan performed a spell, unleashed the vast spiritual power within his dantian, and a cloud appeared beneath his feet, allowing him to soar through the clouds and mist, flying out of Liu Bingyu’s screen of spiritual light.

Behind him, Liu Bingyu silently gazed at Shen Xuan’s disappearing figure, lost in thought.

...

"The master is in seclusion and will not see anyone!"

"The master asked me to tell you not to cause trouble again!"

"The master also said that if there’s nothing, don’t return to the sect unnecessarily."

"After thirty years, the master will naturally make you a direct disciple, don’t overthink it."

At the entrance of Master Gu Feng’s grotto heaven blessed land, a female cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm, with a cold countenance and piercing eyes, spoke to Shen Xuan.

This was the third direct disciple of Master Gu Feng, named Gu Jinqin, who managed the affairs of Little Gu Peak.

Shen Xuan bitterly smiled.

"Thank you for the information, Senior Sister. I will return to Cyan Yang Prefecture now!"

"Wait!"

Gu Jinqin lowered her voice.

"Shen Xuan, your gambling agreement with Lei Yaoyang is known by the master. She values her reputation highly. Since you bet, you must not lose!"

"If you lose, in her wrath, the master might remove you!"

"Is it that serious!"

Shen Xuan was shocked.

He’s been living pleasantly in Cyan Yang Prefecture under the golden banner of a disciple of Master Gu Feng from Cyan Cloud Sect.

"So, give Senior Sister some assurance. How confident are you?"

Shen Xuan was moved.

These words didn’t sound like the master’s tone.

As a Core Formation True Master, such a trivial matter couldn’t possibly interest her.

Shen Xuan glanced at the entrance of the grotto heaven blessed land.

He remembered that the last time he came, he stood right here, and his thoughts were immediately exposed by Master Gu Feng.

"The master isn’t here!"

"Senior Sister, you could have said earlier!"

Shen Xuan patted his chest and instantly relaxed.

Every time he met the True Master, he was extremely nervous.

There was always an anxiety and unease about his life being controlled by others.

"Why does Senior Sister ask about this matter?"

"Obviously, it’s to cover Little Gu Peak’s deficit, find a bookmaker to bet!"

Gu Jinqin said righteously.

This time, Shen Xuan was truly astonished.

"There are even bets on this?"

"Such an important matter, how could there be no bets."

Gu Jinqin impatiently asked: "Hurry up and tell. If they close the bets and Senior Sister does it too late, it’ll be over!"

Shen Xuan pondered and asked: "How much are the odds?"

"How much can it be!"

Gu Jinqin replied impatiently: "With you speaking so grandly, who dares to set high odds? I estimate it to be around 1 to 2 or 1 to 3!"

"Can I bet?"

"You can!"

"Can I retrieve spirit stones if I win?"

Gu Jinqin laughed coldly and said: "What kind of question is that! A bet is a bet!"

"Anyone daring to open a pool that wins but doesn’t pay after losing is unheard of in this world!"

"Perfect! I happen to have some spirit stones, please wager for me, Senior Sister!"

Shen Xuan thought clearly.

Gu Jinqin dares to gamble with Little Gu Peak’s funds.

He’s conveniently hitching a ride.

Regardless of the odds, he would definitely profit.

"You haven’t told me how confident you are?"

Shen Xuan looked around.

Within the range of the Insight Technique, there was indeed no cultivator’s breath within a hundred feet.

Unless intentionally hiding, like a Core Formation True Master.

"Ninety-nine percent!"

Gu Jinqin’s eyes sparkled brightly.

She stretched out her pristine white hand.

"Bet how much, quickly!"

"Two hundred thousand spirit stones!"

"Hiss!"

Gu Jinqin took a deep breath.

She hadn’t expected that the seemingly unremarkable registered junior brother not only had profound Daoist techniques but also considerable wealth.

Two hundred thousand spirit stones, offered so effortlessly.

"Enough? I can add more!"

"No, that’s plenty! Only taking one hundred thousand!"

Gu Jinqin decisively refused Shen Xuan’s additional stake.

The bookmakers, knowing her identity, certainly imposed limits.

If Shen Xuan added more, she would have to bet less.

Handing over one hundred thousand spirit stones.

Shen Xuan was still somewhat worried.

"If they gather to gamble, won’t the Law Enforcement Hall confiscate the stakes?"

"They wouldn’t dare!"

Gu Jinqin dismissively said: "The Law Enforcement Hall only manages those without roots and background."

"This kind of matter, everyone agrees, a bet is a bet. As long as there’s no incident, the Law Enforcement Hall won’t interfere."

"You think True Masters don’t gamble?"

Gu Jinqin’s words left Shen Xuan astonished.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

He’d heard that True Masters often make bets among themselves.

No reason they are allowed to gamble while those below aren’t allowed to mimic.

Gu Jinqin secured the spirit stones, gesturing for Shen Xuan to hurry back.

Once she entered Master Gu Feng’s grotto heaven blessed land.

At the center, Master Gu Feng was calmly seated in meditation.

In the colorful radiance, Master Gu Feng opened her phoenix eyes.

"Jinqin, you’re deceiving again!"

"Master, if I didn’t deceive him, would he be truthful?"

Gu Jinqin pouted, speaking with grievance: "Little Gu Peak has deficits every year. If not resolved, Master and all her sisters would have to endure hardship!"

Master Gu Feng waved her hand.

"Alright! Go and return swiftly! Do not delay cultivation for these mundane matters!"

Gu Jinqin nodded and agreed: "Fine, Jinqin will go now."

As she walked, she muttered.

"Shen Xuan, you better win big. Otherwise, if Little Gu Peak goes bankrupt, you’ll be the first scapegoat!"