Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 678: A Chaotic Nascent Soul Ceremony

A Six-winged Celestial Snake, over a hundred feet long with six cyan wings growing from its ribs, circled above Fire Birch Mountain. Its deep cyan eyes, as large as a baby's head, coldly scanned the humans below, seemingly ready to devour someone at any moment.

On the head of this cold-blooded demon beast, Master Celestial Serpent Xu Hanwen wore a smile as he made eye contact with Zhouyang and the others on the mountain, holding what he called a "gift" in his hands.

"It seems I didn't send an invitation to the Beast Taming Sect. Could Fellow Daoist Xu have come to the wrong place?"

Zhouyang's face was dark as he looked at this Nascent Soul cultivator of the Beast Taming Sect, his tone quite unfriendly.

His relationship with the Beast Taming Sect was one of enmity, not friendship. How could he send an invitation to this rival sect for the Nascent Soul Ceremony, just to invite trouble?

Now that Master Celestial Serpent Xu Hanwen, who had once personally sought the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to hand over Zhouyang after he killed Beast Taming Sect's Golden Core cultivator Zhong Chuming, showed up, how could Zhouyang be expected to show a friendly face?

Unexpectedly, Xu Hanwen's expression remained unchanged upon hearing the question, and he burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Xu also knows that arriving uninvited might be a tad presumptuous and disrespectful, so I especially prepared a generous gift to apologize. I hope Fellow Daoist Zhou will graciously accept it!"

"Kekeke, what Fellow Daoist Xu said is precisely to my liking, as I was just about to say the same thing!"

A burst of delightful laughter suddenly drifted over from outside Fire Birch Mountain. A fragrant breeze quickly swept in from outside the mountains, and soon, a beautiful female cultivator in a red lotus robe appeared in mid-air.

Upon seeing this Nascent Soul stage beautiful female cultivator, Zhouyang was still searching his memory for her origin when Master Celestial Serpent Xu Hanwen, already showing a look of surprise, revealed her identity.

"So it is Fairy Honglian from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers. Did Fellow Daoist Zhou not send an invitation to such a figure as the fairy? It truly surprises Xu!"

The Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers is one of the five most powerful forces within the Six Paths Alliance. The sect currently has two Nascent Soul cultivators, "Fairy Bailan" and "Fairy Honglian," holding the fort. The red-dressed beauty currently outside Fire Birch Mountain is Fairy Honglian, Zhao Honglian.

Although there is no distinction between men and women in cultivation, female high-tier cultivators are always much fewer than male cultivators in the cultivation realm. Female cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage without dual cultivation companions, like "Fairy Honglian" Zhao Honglian, are rare as a phoenix's feather.

Thus, in the social circle of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, people like "Fairy Honglian" Zhao Honglian are naturally individuals that many Nascent Soul stage cultivators are willing to cultivate friendships with.

Yet Zhouyang did not send an invitation to "Fairy Honglian" Zhao Honglian this time, so no wonder Master Celestial Serpent Xu Hanwen was surprised.

Upon hearing his astonished words, the incomparably beautiful "Fairy Honglian" also furrowed her brows, appearing troubled, and said, "I was troubled by this matter myself! I assure you I never had any interaction with Fellow Daoist Zhou before, and truly do not know when I ever offended him! Coming uninvited today, I only wish to inquire and understand the reason!"

The sight of the beauty furrowing her brows caused many of the guests on Fire Birch Mountain to involuntarily feel a desire to protect and care for her, and it even stirred a feeling of grievance and anger towards Zhouyang.

Of course, some cultivators with high cultivation levels and special magical artifacts were not befallen by the charming power contained in "Fairy Honglian's" smile. Upon witnessing this scene, they quickly lowered their heads, fearing to look upon her face.

"Hmph!"

Zhouyang snorted coldly, his voice thunderous, exploding within the minds of the bewitched cultivators, instantly awakening them from their allure.

Then, instead of looking at these fear-stricken cultivators awakening in fear, he simply looked coldly at the "Fairy Honglian" and said: "Why must Fellow Daoist Zhao feign ignorance? The Six Paths Alliance and my Profound Purity Dao Alliance are foes, not friends, and never have the tradition of inviting each other to Nascent Soul celebrations for each other's cultivators. Zhou is merely following tradition!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you speak wrongly!"

"The conflicts between the Six Paths Alliance and the Profound Purity Dao Alliance are but struggles for survival space and resources, not personal vendettas between the high-tier cultivators of both sides!"

"It is a grand event for the entire cultivation realm that such a worldly peerless cultivation genius as Fellow Daoist Zhou has emerged from the Liuyun Continent cultivation world. If you were to reject guests due to sect bias, it might arouse criticism, which could greatly mar your reputation!"

From outside Fire Birch Mountain, a sword light came from the east, a silver-white flash that swiftly vanished, revealing a remarkably handsome young man in white, who had just spoken these words.

"This is Master Leijian Li Shuhua of the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect, who formed his Nascent Soul less than three hundred years ago, a rare cultivator of gold and thunder attributes, with noteworthy combat strength!"

Master Cyan Yang knew Zhouyang wasn't familiar with other Nascent Soul cultivators in the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm, so he quickly transmitted a message to Zhouyang to identify the newcomer's background lest he speak improperly.

But before Zhouyang could respond to Master Cyan Yang's introduction, someone else countered Li Shuhua's words on his behalf.

"Fellow Daoist Li's words sound truly grand, but when Fellow Daoist held a Nascent Soul Ceremony over two hundred years ago, why weren't the Profound Purity Dao Alliance cultivators invited for support? Was it because you looked down upon the old man?"

From outside Fire Birch Mountain, another golden sword light swiftly arrived, manifesting the figure of an elder in a golden robe outside the mountain.

The elder in the golden robe is the Supreme Elder Ning Daoxuan of Qiantian Sect in Chang Country, a fifth-layer Nascent Soul cultivator with over two thousand years of cultivation, highly influential within the Profound Purity Dao Alliance.

Upon hearing Ning Daoxuan's words, Li Fufeng from Fire Birch Mountain spoke up loudly: "What Fellow Daoist Ning said is true! From what this old man knows, during Fellow Daoist Li's Nascent Soul celebration, not a single Nascent Soul cultivator from our Profound Purity Dao Alliance was invited. How can Fellow Daoist Li be allowed to do this while our Profound Purity Dao Alliance's cultivators cannot?"

Faced with such a retort, Li Shuhua's expression turned embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.

After quite a while, his face looking rather grim, he finally said: "Why must Master Fufeng be so aggressive? As the saying goes, the visitor is a guest. Today's festivities are for Fellow Daoist Zhou. Although we have come uninvited, we have no ill intentions either. If Fellow Daoist Zhou truly wishes to turn us away, then we shall leave!"

Hearing this, Zhouyang finally seemed to seize the opportunity and coldly said: "Visitors are guests, that's true, but guests can be divided into good and evil. If you come as good guests, Zhou naturally welcomes you with open arms and awaits with seats prepared, but if you intend to be troublesome, then forgive Zhou for not seeing you off afar!"

"Kekeke, it seems Fellow Daoist Zhou has a misunderstanding. I truly came with sincerity to be a guest. Besides, this is the territory of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect. Even if given ten guts, I wouldn't dare cause trouble in front of so many Daoist friends from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, right?"

"Fairy Honglian" Zhao Honglian chuckled softly, first expressing goodwill, evidently not intending to leave just yet.

And with her taking the lead, "Master Leijian" Li Yushu seemed to have forgotten his previous embarrassment and, smiling, said: "What Fairy Zhao said is very true. Li has also brought congratulatory gifts to celebrate for Fellow Daoist Zhou and would not want to ruin this joyful day."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou must have misunderstood Xu. Although Fellow Daoist and our Beast Taming Sect had some unpleasantness years ago, it has been many years, has our Beast Taming Sect bothered Fellow Daoist again? This time Xu comes with the intention of reconciliation, and if you don't believe it, Fellow Daoist, please look at the gift Xu has prepared for you!"

Xu Hanwen declared his innocence and misunderstanding while opening the Jade Box in his hand to reveal the gift inside.

Inside the Jade Box was a gray-black Spirit Fruit, about the size of a fist, resembling a mangosteen.

Although the gray-black Spirit Fruit looked unremarkable, it was filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, and seemed to be of Tier Six grade.

"Is this it? The gift Fellow Daoist Xu prepared, could it be the Sect's treasured Spiritual Object, the Transformation Fruit?"

"Master Leijian" Li Yushu looked at the gray-black Spirit Fruit in Xu Hanwen's Jade Box, his face full of shock, and couldn't help blurting out its origin.

Xu Hanwen ignored him, remaining solemn as he looked at Zhouyang and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, what do you think? Can this gift show Xu and Beast Taming Sect's sincerity?"

Zhouyang hesitated upon hearing this.

Initially, he didn't believe Xu Hanwen had come in good will to reconcile, as coming unannounced itself was discourteous.

However, the Transformation Fruit Xu Hanwen presented puzzled him.

Beast Taming Sect, a top Major Sect with nearly ten thousand years of heritage, naturally had stronger foundations than Suyun Sect, which only barely squeezed into the category of Major Sects. This Tier Six Spirit Fruit, the Transformation Fruit, was one of the Beast Taming Sect's strongest assets.

This Transformation Fruit grows on a peculiar ancient tree within Beast Taming Sect, reputed to have become a spirit, acting as a rare Tier Six Tree Demon King. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

As its name suggests, the Transformation Fruit can cause such transformation akin to rebirth for the demon beast that consumes it.

The reason Xu Hanwen's Six-winged Celestial Snake could ascend to become a Tier Six Demon King was because it consumed a Transformation Fruit while being a Tier Five High-Grade Demon Beast, successfully transforming its bloodline, awakening the ancient celestial snake lineage, and thus advancing to Tier Six.

Though not every demon beast will undergo such change after consuming the Transformation Fruit, it undeniably aids demon beasts in transforming their bloodline and advancing to Tier Six.

Such a precious treasure, even if not comparable to the Holy Infant Fruit, which assists in Nascent Soul Formation, is equivalent to a Fetus Nurturing Pill.

Xu Hanwen and Beast Taming Sect gifting such a valuable item to Zhouyang as a celebratory gift truly went beyond everyone's expectations.

Even the most critical people couldn't question the sincerity now.

"The cause of enmity between Fellow Daoist Zhou and my Beast Taming Sect years ago was because of an Exotic Spirit Bird, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle. Although the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle is a natural exotic spirit, few can advance to Tier Six. But if it could consume this Transformation Fruit, it's possible to turn the impossible into possible. My Beast Taming Sect uses this gift for Fellow Daoist Zhou's Nascent Soul Ceremony filled with utmost sincerity!"

Seeing Zhouyang's long silence, Xu Hanwen voluntarily explained the significance of the gift, speaking plausibly, making it impossible to dispute.

Because Beast Taming Sect's pursuit of Zhouyang years ago was well known, those investigating Zhouyang's background almost certainly knew of the incident, and today, the guests on Fire Birch Mountain were almost all aware.

Upon hearing Xu Hanwen speak and seeing the Transformation Fruit in his Jade Box, these guests, influenced by the presence of many Nascent Soul Cultivators, dared not vocalize their thoughts, but their gazes toward Zhouyang and Xu Hanwen shifted.

Initially, Xu Hanwen's flamboyant entry led everyone, including Zhouyang, to believe Xu Hanwen had come with ill intent, deliberately to cause trouble.

However, now they felt Xu Hanwen sincerely wanted to reconcile with Zhouyang and resolve the past grudges and enmity.

The opinions of these people seemingly inconsequential were indeed crucial.

Because they were all leaders of various forces, the actual upper echelon of these factions. Today's attendance at Zhouyang's Nascent Soul Ceremony aimed at observing and interacting up-close with this newly ascended Nascent Soul Cultivator and deciding whether to stay distant or deepen cooperation and interaction later based on their observations.

If Zhouyang left them with a hard-to-deal-with impression, a narrow-minded and unforgiving image, it would inevitably harm his reputation and interests greatly.

Thus, after noticing the change in expressions among these people, Zhouyang couldn't afford to hesitate and ponder Xu Hanwen and Beast Taming Sect's intentions any longer, immediately expressing, "If Beast Taming Sect wishes for reconciliation, Zhou is certainly eager for it. Fellow Daoist Xu and Beast Taming Sect's goodwill, Zhou is deeply grateful, please have a seat first."

"Hahaha, having Fellow Daoist Zhou's words, my trip was worth it."

Xu Hanwen laughed heartily, then bowed respectfully to the numerous cultivators on the mountain, saying, "Let this matter be witnessed by all the Fellow Daoists present today. From this day forth, my Beast Taming Sect and Fellow Daoist Zhou's personal grievances are considered settled, and neither shall retaliate over past grudges!"

"Zhou has no objections."

Zhouyang's eyes gleamed as he solemnly expressed his stance.

No matter how puzzled he felt inside, he couldn't be careless in his attitude; that would easily lead to criticism.

As for whether Beast Taming Sect sincerely sought reconciliation or had ulterior motives and plotted deception, he could candidly say he'll shield with soldiers against the enemy's assault, counter water with earth, meeting challenges as they arise.

With Xu Hanwen and others causing a stir, more time passed, and once everyone took their seats, the subsequent Nascent Soul cultivators arriving for Zhouyang's Nascent Soul celebration came together in a group, avoiding the need for individual lengthy entrances.

In the end, along with some uninvited Nascent Soul cultivators from the Six Paths Alliance, there were as many as twenty-eight Nascent Soul cultivators attending Zhouyang's Nascent Soul Ceremony, making up more than twenty percent of all Nascent Soul cultivators in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm!

At the same time, there were two hundred and forty-five Golden Core cultivators present, including nearly one hundred leaders from smaller Sects and Golden Core Clans.

This scale of a Nascent Soul Ceremony in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm was rare indeed. Shortly, this Nascent Soul Ceremony and the name of Zhouyang, the newly ascended Nascent Soul Cultivator, would soon spread across the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, becoming known to most cultivators.