Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 748 - 732: Mid-Stage Nascent Soul

After expressing her deep gratitude, Liu Yunxiang returned to the Suyun Sect with top-grade spirit stones, full of joy and eager to advance the spiritual vein of the mountain gate.

However, the process of advancing a Tier Five High-Grade Spiritual Vein to a Tier Six Spiritual Vein is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Even with the top-grade spirit stones as a guide, it requires a considerable amount of time to complete, and there's even a potential for failure.

Zhouyang could only wish Liu Yunxiang great success and fulfillment of her wishes.

In the following years, Zhouyang settled various interpersonal matters and shared a few years of familial happiness with his wife and children before formally entering closed-door training.

In the initial stage of his retreat, he did not rush to take spirit pills to enhance his cultivation. Instead, he took a portion of the Cold Jade Essence he acquired from the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm to temper his physical magical power.

At that time, he obtained quite a bit of this spiritual object. Besides giving a portion to his disciple Lu Xuewei, his dao companion Xiao Ying and his son Zhou Guangcheng also received some.

He then specifically set aside about ten drops to store in the Zhou Family Treasure Vault, so that in the future, if the Zhou family has another outstanding ice spirit root cultivator, they could use this item for core formation, just like Lu Xuewei did.

While Zhouyang was in closed-door training, Xiao Ying and Zhou Guangcheng also retreated almost simultaneously.

Among them, Xiao Ying's seclusion was to practice a heart refining secret technique obtained by Zhouyang from the demoness Huan Qianqian. This secret technique helps her comprehend the seven emotions and six desires, strengthen her Dao heart, and prepare for the Heart Demon Tribulation during Nascent Soul Formation in the future.

Meanwhile, Zhou Guangcheng was absorbing the Cold Jade Essence given by Zhouyang and practicing the Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique.

When the Dragon-Taming Star Feather was slain, the storage ring it was carrying exploded into ashes along with it. Among the remaining spoils, Zhouyang sought nothing but the complete Flood Dragon Spirit Blood and half of the Life Essence Blood of the Tier Six Middle Grade Golden Flood Dragon.

All this Flood Dragon Spirit Blood and Life Essence Blood were given to his son Zhou Guangcheng to assist in practicing the Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique's body refining divine techniques.

The benefits of a powerful physical body are understood by every cultivator. Zhouyang's feat of confronting the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect's sword dao divine techniques using his physical body divine techniques was widely known, and Zhou Guangcheng saw it with his own eyes.

Influenced by this, he had long been eager for the Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique divine technique and even attempted to practice it during the Purple Mansion Stage, advancing it to the second layer using resources from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Now, with a substantial amount of Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood and Life Essence Blood bestowed by Zhouyang, he was motivated enough to eagerly request closed-door training without the need for Zhouyang's supervision.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, thirty years had passed.

After thirty years, the stone gate of the secret chamber on Fire Birch Mountain, where Zhouyang had been in seclusion, opened at last, and he reappeared in public.

At this moment, his cultivation had reached the Fourth-Layer Nascent Soul, officially stepping into the ranks of Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

However, it was evident that he had not been in this realm for long, as his aura had yet to be fully restrained, almost suppressing Xiao Ying, who was there to welcome him out of seclusion.

Seeing this, he hastily used the Stinging Dragon Avoiding Tribulation Technique divine technique to restrain his magical power aura, then apologized to his dao companion as he stepped forward and embraced her. "I'm sorry, my dear. I've just broken through and haven't fully mastered the control of my aura yet. Are you hurt, Ying'er?"

"This is not your fault, husband. It's I who am too weak, holding you back!"

Xiao Ying buried her head in his embrace, murmuring self-blamingly in a low voice.

Honestly speaking, her cultivation cannot be considered low. With a Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivation, she is certainly not considered low among the dao companions of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

But the difference between cultivators below the Nascent Soul Stage and Nascent Soul Stage cultivators is vast, leading to the situation just now.

This was not Zhouyang's fault, nor was it hers.

"Don't say that in the future. Between husband and wife, there is no such thing as holding each other back. Besides, you will soon form your Nascent Soul, and once you succeed, such things won't happen again."

Zhouyang lifted her head, leaned down for a deep kiss, and then smiling, comforted his beloved wife.

This time, Zhouyang came out of seclusion at the invitation of Liu Yunxiang to attend the spiritual vein advancement celebration of the Suyun Sect.

After thirty years of cultivation, with the help of the top-grade wood attribute spirit stones lent by Zhouyang, the mountain gate spiritual vein of the Suyun Sect successfully advanced.

With a Tier Six Spiritual Vein and Liu Yunxiang, a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, presiding over it, the title of a major sect for the Suyun Sect was firmly established.

This celebration was also meant to announce and affirm the status of the Suyun Sect to the cultivation realm.

Given the considerable effort Zhouyang contributed to this, he was, of course, the prominent guest invited by Liu Yunxiang and the Suyun Sect.

Since it was a formal celebration and to support the Suyun Sect, Zhouyang naturally needed to display the grandeur of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator.

Given his current reputation and status, no one would comment negatively on this grandeur; rather, they would praise it as being well-deserved.

So, when he, along with his dao companion Xiao Ying and son Zhou Guangcheng, appeared in a flying vehicle pulled by a Tier Six Demon King Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast, many guests who had arrived at the Suyun Sect's mountain gate ahead of time couldn't help but exclaim.

"Master Qianyang's honored presence brings great honor to both me and the Suyun Sect. This time, the successful advancement of our sect's spiritual vein is greatly owed to the Master's assistance. Our gratitude is immeasurable. Please accept our bow of thanks, Master!"

Within the Suyun Sect's mountain gate, Liu Yunxiang, dressed up like an ethereal fairy from the Ninth Heaven for today's celebration, and numerous beautiful and unique female cultivators from the Suyun Sect, stepped forth with expressions full of gratitude to deeply bow to the flying vehicle, expressing their thanks.

This scene deeply shocked all the guests present.

Today was supposed to be the most important day for the Suyun Sect, their most glorious moment. From the fact that every disciple of the Suyun Sect was dressed in grand outfits, one could see how much they valued this occasion.

Yet on such an important day, at such a glorious moment, they were willing to be the background to highlight a cultivator from another sect.

This scene was enough to amaze not only the guests but even Zhouyang himself was immensely surprised and touched.

Touched by the gesture, he couldn't help but say with a wry smile to his equally astonished dao companion Xiao Ying, "This Fellow Daoist Liu... she could have at least given me a heads-up. Now she pulls a stunt like this without a word, isn't she afraid I'll be unable to gracefully exit the stage!"

"Actually, this is Sister Liu's usual style. Her decisive character is quite similar to yours, dear. The disciples of the Suyun Sect admire and revere her very much, in no less measure than the Zhou family cultivators admire you. Her actions are well-meaning, simply wanting to repay the favor of your assistance."

Xiao Ying pursed her lips and smiled, very pleased that her beloved husband was receiving such treatment, not fearing that Zhouyang might feel out of place.

Seeing this, Zhouyang couldn't help but shake his head, said nothing more, and stepped out of the flying vehicle in his red robe, revealing himself to the crowd.

His [Exorcism Treasure Robe] was completely destroyed by that golden dragon horn during the siege of the Dragon-Taming Star Feather. The current red robe he's wearing was refined by himself using materials. Although it's also a Tier Five High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, on him, it is merely a simple symbol of identity.

He stood in the air, cupped his hands solemnly, and loudly said, "Fellow Daoist Liu and all the fellow Daoists of the Suyun Sect, please rise. What virtue or ability does Zhou possess to deserve such a grand gesture from all the fellow Daoists? Today is the joyous occasion for your sect. Please do not let Zhou harm the joyous atmosphere!"

"Hehehe, for such a high personage like Fellow Daoist Zhou to attend this sect's celebration, it is indeed a high honor for our sect. Fellow Daoist, please take the seat of honor."

Liu Yunxiang stood up and laughed gently, her beautiful eyes filled with brilliance as she looked at Zhouyang, her face full of smiles.

In fact, at this moment, she was full of surprise because before seeing Zhouyang, she hadn't expected that in just over thirty years, Zhouyang had further advanced in cultivation, breaking through the bottleneck from Early-Stage Nascent Soul to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul, becoming a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Now, Zhouyang's aura, which was faintly discernible and not completely restrained, was not only clear to her but also clearly perceived by the other Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who had arrived earlier than Zhouyang.

So when Zhouyang took a seat on the mountain, the Honored Guest Supreme Elder of the Qiantian Sect from Chang Country, Ning Daoxuan, who had also attended his Nascent Soul ceremony in the past and had some acquaintance with him, immediately looked at him with an expression full of amazement and admiration, sighing, "Fellow Daoist Zhou's progress in cultivation truly makes this old man feel ashamed. Compared to you, it's like all these years I've been living in vain!"

"Why does Elder Ning say such things!"

Zhouyang exclaimed in surprise and repeatedly cupped his hands to salute the other, humbly replying, "You are a well-respected elder in the Cultivation Realm, with magical powers and divine techniques renowned in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. Among cultivators of the same tier, everyone knows your name. How could a younger generation who has relied entirely on the power of elixirs to advance compare to you."

Fellow Daoist Ning, upon hearing this, looked sullen and continuously waved his hand, saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, don't be modest. The Cultivation Realm has always prioritized the capable. Although I'm a thousand years older than you, we are neither from the same sect nor have any relationship of imparting knowledge and mentorship. Please don't call me elder again; I don't want to be laughed at for pretending to be above my age!"

He spoke candidly, without appearing to be feigning politeness, which left Zhouyang silently speechless.

Eventually, Zhouyang gently nodded and said, "Alright, since Fellow Daoist Ning insists, I shall take the liberty."

"As it should be."

Ning Daoxuan reluctantly smiled, waved his hand, and showed no desire to speak further, seemingly needing some time to calm his complex emotions.

Fortunately, by this time, the other Nascent Soul cultivators began to greet Zhouyang proactively, easing his predicament.

Because they intended to use this celebration to firmly establish the reputation of the Suyun Sect as a Major Sect and thoroughly spread its name, Liu Yunxiang went all out this time, inviting not only people from various forces within the Profound Purity Dao Alliance to witness and attend the celebration but also, leveraging some past acquaintances, invited a considerable number of Nascent Soul Stage and Golden Core Stage cultivators from outside the Dao Alliance to lend support.

And upon seeing Zhouyang present, regardless of their cultivation level or whether they had any acquaintance with him, anyone who could come forward to speak would actively come to engage in conversation or chat, leaving an impression.

This is the effect of fame!

Today, Zhouyang has truly secured his footing in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm and has genuinely integrated into this Cultivation Realm.

After the bustling celebration concluded smoothly, Zhouyang, due to Liu Yunxiang's numerous requests and with his Dao Companion Xiao Ying assisting and advising from the side, couldn't decline and eventually agreed to take up the honorary position of Guest Elder Supreme Elder in the Suyun Sect.

Although he is already a Guest Elder Supreme Elder of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, it doesn't preclude him from also serving as a Guest Elder Supreme Elder of the Suyun Sect. Such things, as long as he is willing, no one can say otherwise.

However, even if it's just an honorary title, it's still a connection, and combined with his previous investment in the Suyun Sect, Zhouyang is now tied with the Suyun Sect.

"I understand this matter has put Fellow Daoist Zhou in a difficult position, but considering the sect, I could only shamelessly do so!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please rest assured, as long as you do not wish to, neither I nor anyone from the Suyun Sect will demand anything from you because of this. Moreover, if you ever need anything from the Suyun Sect, just give your orders. Everyone in the Suyun Sect, from myself downwards, will definitely do our utmost to fulfill your requests!"

After Zhouyang agreed to serve as the Guest Elder Supreme Elder of the Suyun Sect, Liu Yunxiang finally felt a sense of relief, then, with an apologetic expression, expressed her apologies and sincerity to Zhouyang, to avoid any hard feelings arising from this matter.

"Ah! I understand Fellow Daoist Liu's intention, but in the future, please discuss such matters with me beforehand. It's better for everyone that way."

Zhouyang sighed, nodded, somewhat helplessly, and with a slight warning tone, looked at her to express his stance.

That is, it won't happen again!

Liu Yunxiang, upon hearing this, her expression also became serious, quickly and solemnly responding, "I will certainly bear Fellow Daoist Zhou's words in mind."

In the following days, Zhouyang lingered a bit longer in the Suyun Sect before setting off back to Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion.

"During my time in seclusion, nothing happened to the Zhou Family, right? Did any remnants of the Dragon Taming Family appear again?"

In the Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion, upon return, Zhouyang summoned his demon servant, Bi'Er, who had taken human form, to the study room and asked about the matters he had arranged before his seclusion for protecting the Zhou Family.

Upon hearing this, demon servant Bi'Er respectfully replied, "Replying to the master, everything has been normal for the Zhou Family these years. After some remnants of the Dragon Taming Family were beheaded by this subordinate and Fellow Daoist Xue Wei, they have since behaved themselves. No one dared to come and throw away their lives again; presumably, they must have returned to the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm."

"Still, we must not be careless; never underestimate the persistence of Golden Core Stage cultivators. For at least the next century, you must continue to protect the Zhou Family in secret to ensure utmost safety!"

Zhouyang slightly shook his head, a serious expression on his face as he admonished the demon servant.

"Yes, this subordinate understands."

Bi'Er lowered her head, her voice carrying a tinge of reluctance.

Seeing this, Zhouyang pondered for a moment and realized why she felt this way.

After a brief pause, he looked at her and said, "There's no need to be reluctant. I, as the master, have always rewarded and punished fairly. You do well in this matter, and you will naturally be rewarded in the future. You won't be working in vain."

"This subordinate dares not!"

Bi'Er bowed her head even lower, her voice faintly tinged with fear.

She had experienced Zhouyang's fearsome authority long ago. Now, she truly respects and fears Zhouyang and no longer dares act rashly in front of him as she did when she had just advanced to Tier Six Demon King.

"Alright, don't doubt anything. I, as the master, always keep my word. Just rest assured and go about your work."

Zhouyang waved his hand, without further explanation, dismissing her promptly.