Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 730 - 714: Borrowing Treasures, Giving Treasures!

Zhouyang never imagined that as an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator with less than a thousand years of cultivation, he would be recognized and even publicly named by Elder Du Chongyang, a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal.

After Du Chongyang called his name, Zhouyang was stunned for a long while before stepping forward to bow and salute, saying, "Junior Zhouyang, pays respect to Immortal Venerable."

"A few months ago, I learned of Fellow Daoist Zhou's reputation from Fellow Daoists Nie and Xu. Only then did I realize that the cultivation realm today has produced such an outstanding successor as Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

"Consider that Donglai Immortal Island has been isolated overseas for ten thousand years. Countless talents and geniuses have been drawn to its fame throughout the millennia, hoping to ascend the island and receive the inheritance of Master Donglai. Yet none have succeeded!"

"Even I, after achieving the Dao, once attempted to seek a handy immortal artifact by trying my luck there. However, I was ultimately unable to break through the island's protective immortal array and could only stop outside with regret!"

"Who would have thought that after thousands of years, this hidden island would finally be inherited by Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

Du Chongyang's eyes shined as he looked at Zhouyang, scrutinizing him for a long time before speaking with emotion about Zhouyang inheriting Donglai Immortal Island.

When Nie Yushuang and Xu Tianlin contacted him through the Void Celestial Pearl and informed him about Zhouyang using the Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, the Vermilion Bird Fan, to fight the Holy Demon Avatar, he specially inquired about Zhouyang's deeds from the Donghua Immortal Palace.

Facing the inquiry of a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal such as him, naturally, no one would hide anything about Zhouyang. Thus, it was easy for him to learn about the origin of the Vermilion Bird Fan and the impressive battle achievements Zhouyang had created.

Du Chongyang, who has cultivated for seven to eight thousand years, has met and heard of countless prodigiously gifted cultivators. However, a cultivator like Zhouyang, who has achieved such remarkable battle achievements at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, he has never encountered.

Especially considering Zhouyang's age—he's not even eight hundred years old!

With such dazzling achievements at such a young age, as long as he doesn't die prematurely, Du Chongyang would be the first to disagree with anyone who claims Zhouyang doesn't have a chance at Immortal Ascension.

Having observed Zhouyang today, Du Chongyang held a more favorable opinion of this possibility.

In his eyes, Zhouyang's aura was stable and restrained, his magical power concentrated without dispersing, indicating a solid foundation and high-grade cultivation techniques, showing his cultivation, even if not all from hard work, lacked any flaws or risks that could impede future advancement.

Zhouyang was naturally unaware of Du Chongyang's thoughts. Hearing Du mention being thwarted outside Donglai Immortal Island, he quickly explained, fearing a misunderstanding: "Immortal Venerable overestimates this junior. I managed to ascend Donglai Immortal Island and gain the inheritance of Master Donglai only because I happened to obtain the token for entry, not due to any real skill in breaking in!"

"No need to be so modest, Fellow Daoist. I mentioned this only out of genuine admiration."

Du Chongyang waved with a smile, reassuring Zhouyang.

Looking at Zhouyang, whose expression had relaxed somewhat, Du Chongyang hesitated, then proceeded: "I heard that the Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, the Vermilion Bird Fan, in your possession can unleash the true Vermilion Bird True Flame. Thus, I wish to borrow it from you to deal with the Holy Demon Avatar. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"

He quickly added, fearing Zhouyang and others in the hall might misunderstand: "I realize this request may seem abrupt and demanding, so if you're unwilling, just pretend I never mentioned it."

Unexpectedly, without hesitating, Zhouyang reached out and summoned the Vermilion Bird Fan into his hand, then presented it with both hands, saying, "With my cultivation, I can't wield its full power. Only in the hands of an elder like Immortal Venerable can it be truly effective. While this junior may be lacking, I am conscious of the bigger picture."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you..."

Du Chongyang was slightly moved, not expecting Zhouyang to agree so readily.

This is a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact after all!

There are less than ten such treasures in the entire Spirit Realm!

Such a precious artifact, yet Zhouyang agreed to lend it out so easily. This courage indeed surprised him.

But if he knew that Zhouyang intended to give this Tier Seven Immortal Artifact away in the future, he'd be even more amazed.

"Thank you for your trust, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I promise that once this demonic calamity is quelled, I will return it to you. If any damage occurs during its use, I will compensate you doubly."

Ultimately, as a preeminent figure in the Immortal Dao, Du Chongyang recovered quickly from his surprise, gestured to capture the fan from Zhouyang's hand, solemnly bowed, and made his promise.

Then, with a flip of his hand, he retrieved a water-blue Treasure Pearl the size of an egg, tossing it to Zhouyang, saying, "Without the Immortal Artifact to defend yourself, you lack a life-saving tool in the upcoming battle. This Treasure Pearl contains one of my Defense Divine Techniques. When activated, it's not as powerful as my personal casting but still holds about sixty percent of its power. Unless you face someone of my cultivation, it should keep you safe for a while."

Zhouyang didn't expect such a return for lending the Vermilion Bird Fan.

He hastily caught the water-blue Treasure Pearl, bowing in thanks: "Thank you, Immortal Venerable, for the gift."

"Alright, time is tight, so let's skip the pleasantries. I'll first go refine Fellow Daoist Zhou's Immortal Artifact. Fellow Daoist Xu, quickly select personnel to practice the Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array. I'll return in a month to set off with all of you."

With a wave of his hand, Du Chongyang instructed briefly, then moved, disappearing from sight within the hall, destination unknown.

The cultivators in the hall were both astonished and envious. A Nascent Soul Cultivator from the Beiting Continent couldn't help but ask Nie Yushuang, "Fellow Daoist Nie, was the technique Elder Du just used the true Instant Teleportation Technique that only Tribulation Crossing True Immortals can master?"

The true Instant Teleportation Technique allows one to cross overlapping spaces instantaneously, reappearing a thousand miles away, far surpassing the Shrinking Inches Technique used by Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators or the weakened teleportation used by Nascent Soul Stage cultivators after Nascent Soul Emergence.

"It should be!"

Nie Yushuang sighed gently, nodding to confirm.

Although Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivators are called "Half-Step True Immortals," the difference compared to true Tribulation Crossing True Immortals is not just half a step but a chasm between mortal and immortal.

Just like the Instant Teleportation Technique Du Chongyang demonstrated, Nie Yushuang barely captured a faint trace of spatial law fluctuation, and that was only due to being in close proximity.

Imagine, without interference and hindrance to True Immortals practicing the Instant Teleportation Technique, no matter how numerous or strong Nascent Soul Stage cultivators are, they couldn't pose any threat to Tribulation Crossing True Immortals.

Because Nie Yushuang was closest to this realm, she more profoundly realized the vast difference between the two realms, making her feel an immense regret at not having the opportunity to enter this realm in her lifetime.

As for Zhouyang, hearing the exchange between Nie Yushuang and the cultivator, he couldn't help but recall his own Vertical Earth Golden Light Technique.

If his technique could reach the Great Success Realm, its power might not be much inferior to the Instant Teleportation Technique.

It's just a pity that to cultivate the "Vertical Earth Golden Light" to the Great Success Realm, one must have a certain understanding of the Space Law. Before his cultivation reaches the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, it's estimated that it will be difficult to truly cultivate this Divine Technique to the Great Success Realm.

At this moment, Xu Tianlin also spoke.

With the array plate given by Du Chongyang in his hands, he loudly addressed the cultivators in the hall, "Fellow Daoists, you have all heard Elder Du's words earlier. Next, I ask you to cooperate with me in selecting candidates for the array formation, and quickly familiarize yourselves with the array bestowed by Elder Du!"

Using Du Chongyang's name, naturally, no one in the hall objected. At that time, they followed his instructions and reported the situation of their cultivation techniques and experiences in array formations, so he could make his selections.

Originally, Zhouyang, as an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, could also volunteer to be a candidate for the array formation.

However, his battle prowess and cultivation realm were completely mismatched. If he were just to serve as a candidate for the array formation and as a source of magical power for the array base, it would be a waste of his abilities.

Therefore, after some consideration, he chose not to volunteer and let others have the opportunity.

With cultivators actively cooperating, Xu Tianlin quickly selected the candidates for the array formation.

Among the thirty-six individuals for the array formation, apart from him serving as the main array person at the Eighth-Layer Nascent Soul, the remaining thirty-five were five Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators and thirty Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Among the remaining four cultivators from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, besides Shen Menglong, who had the Nascent Soul Fourth Layer cultivation and was included in the array formation, Guo Huaiyang and Master Cyan Yang voluntarily gave up the opportunity.

After selecting the candidates for the array formation, Xu Tianlin naturally took them to choose grounds for array practice. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Those like Zhouyang who were not selected were free to act as long as they did not leave the gates of the Xuechan Palace.

"If Fellow Daoist Zhou is free, why not come to my place for a visit? I happen to have something to give to you,"

Just as Zhouyang was about to leave the hall to return to his temporary residence for meditation and recuperation, Nie Yushuang suddenly looked at him and sent an invitation via telepathy.

Upon hearing this, he was moved and immediately agreed.

The two then left the hall together and returned to Nie Yushuang's residence.

"This time, many fellow Daoists from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm perished overseas aiding our Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm. I feel deeply guilty. After exterminating the demons, if I am still alive, I will certainly visit the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to express my apologies and gratitude on behalf of the billions of mortals and cultivators from our Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm!"

In the quiet chamber, after Nie Yushuang and Zhouyang sat down as host and guest, Nie Yushuang first spoke about the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm cultivators who fell in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm.

Zhouyang knew that this was just the preamble to what he truly wanted to say, so he didn't rush to speak and patiently waited for what would follow.

Sure enough, after a moment of contemplation, Nie Yushuang continued, "Fellow Daoist Zhou was first in the battle of Ice Wave City, where you killed a demon cultivator of the same tier from the Demon Dao, captured a demon cultivator from the Illusion Demon Dao, and later displayed Divine Techniques during the expedition to the Demon Realm, indirectly saving all the people who safely returned. Recently, you also avenged the thousands of slain cultivators from the Hanjiang Sect by killing the notorious Blood Robe Ancestor, who had been famous for a thousand years!"

"Therefore, I believe that if we were to discuss the contribution of the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm's reinforcement army to our Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm, even Fellow Daoist Xu pales in comparison to you, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

He was stating the facts, and given that the two were meeting privately with no third party present, Zhouyang did not feign modesty and silently accepted the recognition.

Nie Yushuang seemed unfazed and continued, "After the battle of Ice Wave City, I stated that I would reward cultivators like Fellow Daoist Zhou who had made meritorious achievements. Now, with the impending counter-attack on the Demon Realm, no one knows how this battle will end or if they will survive to return. To avoid any breach of promise due to such circumstances, I believe it is prudent to hand these things to Fellow Daoist Zhou in advance!"

With that, he waved his hand, retrieving over a dozen jade boxes from his storage ring, placing them on the wooden table beside him.

"Upon returning to the sect previously, I had already taken out the truly precious items from the sect treasure vault to carry with me. Inside these jade boxes, apart from the promised Ice Tear Flower, you can choose any three additional items based on your contributions, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Zhouyang hadn't expected that Nie Yushuang brought him here for this matter.

Looking at the table with the dozen jade boxes, he hesitated momentarily before nodding and saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Nie has said so, I will not be courteous."

With that, he began opening each jade box, inspecting the contents within.

The items in these jade boxes were all Tier Six Spiritual Objects, but those truly suitable for Zhouyang were not many.

He first accepted the Ice Tear Flower, then chose a bottle of Northern Polar Light and an Ice Crystal Source Stone.

The Northern Polar Light is a special celestial light nurtured above the Extreme North Icefield, which can assist in cultivating certain powerful special Divine Techniques or be used for artifact refining.

This object can only be contained in a jade bottle made of Ten Thousand Years Profound Jade for long-term preservation.

The Ice Crystal Source Stone, like the previously obtained Earth Fire Source Stone, can independently gather Spiritual Qi and create an exceedingly cold region, favorable for cultivating Ice Attribute Spirit Elixirs and supporting the cultivation of Ice Element Cultivators.

Zhouyang selected these two treasures with his own intentions in mind.

After picking the treasures, he cupped his hands to Nie Yushuang and said, "I'll choose these two treasures. As for the other Spiritual Object, I wonder if Fellow Daoist Nie might be willing to exchange it for a top-grade Spirit Stone?"

"No problem, this is a top-grade Spirit Stone. Fellow Daoist Zhou, please keep it safe."

Nie Yushuang waved his hand and immediately took out a piece of Wood Attribute top-grade Spirit Stone and handed it to Zhouyang.

Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm cultivators mainly focus on Ice, Wind, and Water element techniques as their main cultivation techniques. Naturally, they would save the top-grade Spirit Stones corresponding to these elements for their own future use. Thus, Zhouyang wasn't surprised when Nie Yushuang gave him a Wood Attribute top-grade Spirit Stone.

After securing the top-grade Spirit Stone and the other treasures, Nie Yushuang waved his hand to store away all the remaining jade boxes, then looked at Zhouyang seriously and said, "After learning of Fellow Daoist Zhou's killing of the Blood Robe Ancestor, I once sent a letter to you. Do you still remember?"

"Naturally, I won't forget."

Zhouyang nodded slightly, indicating he remembered the matter.

"In the letter, I mentioned a significant gift for Fellow Daoist Zhou, and this is not a casual remark. However, that gift is not located in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm. To obtain it, you will only be able to do so after this battle and by going there yourself after the demon eradication!"

As he spoke, Nie Yushuang's lips moved slightly, informing Zhouyang of the origin and location of this so-called "significant gift" through telepathy.