Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 816 - 799: Return in Triumph!

Two pieces of the Heavenly-Reaching Qiankun Pill: Zhouyang obtained one thanks to Master Withered Wood's leniency, while the other was taken by Xin Changming.

As a famed Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator in the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm, Xin Changming's cultivation and strength were formidable, and it was not surprising that he bested others during the pill snatching process.

With the outcome of the contest for the Heavenly-Reaching Qiankun Pill decided, Master Withered Wood's 12,000-year-old birthday celebration was essentially over.

After all, the so-called birthday celebration was ostensibly just an excuse to invite other Tier Seven existences to a gathering. Now that the event had concluded, everyone naturally dispersed.

"I, Du, have some matters to attend to and will stay in the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm for a while, so I won't be escorting Fellow Daoist Zhou back. But considering your own strength and that of Fellow Daoist Lei Yu accompanying you, there should be no danger."

As the gathering concluded, Du Chongyang first said his farewells to Zhouyang, indicating that he would not travel with him any further.

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang quickly bowed and said, "I dare not trouble Elder Du any further; I shall return by myself. The kindness and guidance you have shown me, Elder, I am eternally grateful for and will always remember."

Zhouyang indeed felt great gratitude towards Du Chongyang, this human True Immortal.

Not to mention that in the past, the treasures Du bestowed in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm saved his life during the Dragon-Taming Star Feather's attack.

More so in this instance, if not for Du Chongyang bringing him to Kurong Valley for Master Withered Wood's gathering, he would never have had the opportunity to acquire a treasure like the Heavenly-Reaching Qiankun Pill or meet the other two human True Immortals, as well as witnessing other alien Tier Seven existences from the Spirit Realm, such as Granny Wan and the Lord of the East Sea.

Zhouyang always followed the principle of a millennium gratitude for a favor received.

Hearing this expression of gratitude, Du Chongyang merely smiled and nodded, saying, "Upon your return, focus on your cultivation. With the Heavenly-Reaching Qiankun Pill given by Fellow Daoist Kumu, breaking through the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul bottleneck should no longer be an issue for you. I truly hope you can achieve immortality and join us in safeguarding the human race!"

"I will certainly remember the teachings of the Elder."

Zhouyang solemnly acknowledged and then departed Kurong Valley with the Thunder Feather True Spirit.

After leaving Kurong Valley, the Thunder Feather True Spirit led Zhouyang straight to the Wilderness Jungle to find his friend Lu Caixia.

"Fellow Daoist Lei Yu, regarding the celestial gathering to discuss the Ascension Technique, do you know what was discussed? What did Elder Du mean by the Ascension Technique?"

Along the way, Zhouyang could not suppress his curiosity anymore and asked the Thunder Feather True Spirit this question.

Given his close relationship with the Thunder Feather True Spirit, this question was not considered taboo.

However, upon hearing his inquiry, the Thunder Feather True Spirit slightly shook its head and said, "Apologies, Fellow Daoist Zhou, concerning the Ascension Technique, we have all agreed not to disclose the plan to outsiders until a decision is made to truly use this method for ascension."

"I see..."

Zhouyang murmured in disappointment. After a moment of contemplation, he asked again, "Then, Fellow Daoist Lei Yu, can you tell me how viable you think Elder Du's described Ascension Technique is?"

Zhouyang had a reason for asking this.

Because his master, True Monarch Donglai, gave him an Ascension Technique that was by no means a foolproof method but had only about a thirty percent success rate.

Even so, in the message from True Monarch Donglai, it was said that there was absolutely no method with a higher success rate in the entire Spirit Realm.

Naturally, Zhouyang believed that a reputable Returning Void Stage True Monarch would not deceive him on such matters.

However, this did not lessen his worries about the high seventy percent failure rate of this method.

So now, with the opportunity to compare the success rates of other Ascension Techniques, he naturally paid close attention.

"As for what percentage of success, I truly cannot say, as I have only recently achieved the Dao, and perhaps know even less about this matter than Fellow Daoist Zhou does."

"However, upon observing the attitudes of the other fellow Daoists, it seems the success rate should be fairly reasonable. Otherwise, the Lord of the East Sea would not have become involved!"

The Thunder Feather True Spirit sincerely revealed what it knew.

And this ambiguous answer failed to satisfy Zhouyang's curiosity. Instead, it only increased his desire to know the true answer.

Unfortunately, due to the agreement among them not to reveal the true contents, his curiosity could only be buried in his heart, waiting for a future opportunity to be answered.

After traveling for over a month, the Thunder Feather True Spirit and Zhouyang arrived at Lu Caixia's occupied Qilin Peak.

Not having met for a century, Lu Caixia had made significant progress in her cultivation after consuming the Qilin Vermilion Fruit, her aura much stronger than a century ago.

However, compared to Zhouyang, her cultivation progress was nothing remarkable.

Upon learning of the Thunder Feather True Spirit's successful tribulation transcendence, Lu Caixia was naturally overjoyed.

Her relationship with the Thunder Feather True Spirit was also extremely close, and since both were from the Demon Race, they were naturally more intimately connected.

With the Thunder Feather True Spirit now promoted to a Tier Seven True Spirit, she effectively had a formidable backing. With such support, she no longer feared Tier Six powerhouses from the Barbaric Alien Race hunting her down in the Wilderness Jungle.

After Zhouyang and the Thunder Feather True Spirit spent half a month visiting on Lu Caixia's Qilin Peak, they continued their journey back to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

Subsequently, Zhouyang naturally went to visit Master Cyan Yang at the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, while the Thunder Feather True Spirit returned to the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.

By this time, Master Cyan Yang's cultivation had also advanced to the Fifth-Layer Nascent Soul. Given his lifespan, barring any great opportunity, he was unlikely to advance to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul in this life.

Nevertheless, this did not affect his status as the top cultivator of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Indeed, although Master Cyan Yang's cultivation was not the highest among the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, his status was the highest.

What made him the top cultivator of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect was not only because he mentored Zhou Guangcheng, a disciple with Nascent Soul Cultivation, but also because of his good relationship with Zhouyang.

When Zhou Guangcheng returned with his newly attained Third-Layer Nascent Soul cultivation and reported Zhouyang's advancement to the Eighth-Layer Nascent Soul, it caused a sensation among the higher echelons of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Zhou Guangcheng's progress of advancing two layers within a hundred years to reach the Third-Layer Nascent Soul was even more extraordinary than his father Zhouyang's achievements in the past.

And Zhouyang's cultivation improved again less than a hundred years after advancing to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, leaving Master Cyan Yang, who had been numbed by Zhouyang's rapid progress, once again with a sense of aging.

But despite his sighs, Master Cyan Yang's inner excitement was deeply revealing.

With a talented disciple like Zhou Guangcheng to inherit the sect's legacy internally, and a powerful Guest Elder like Zhouyang as an external ally, Master Cyan Yang truly saw the opportunity for the revival of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

His greatest wish now was to witness the Profound Sun Immortal Sect's return to its former glory from a thousand years ago during his lifetime.

Therefore, upon learning of Zhouyang's visit to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, he immediately ordered the gates to be opened wide and welcomed him with the highest level of ceremony.

When Zhouyang arrived at the sect's gates, dozens of Purple Mansion Stage cultivators simultaneously used various attributes of splendid magic to display a spectacular magic performance above the gates.

At the same time, beneath several Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, everyone in the sect capable of sword flight flew into the sky on their swords, bowing uniformly to Zhouyang and shouting, "Disciples of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect welcome Master Qianyang, our honored senior, to our sect."

Riding in on his Golden-winged Thunder Roc, Zhouyang was somewhat surprised and amazed to see this scene.

The Golden Roc beneath him cried out excitedly, "Caw caw caw, the master is amazing, even top-tier sects like the Profound Sun Immortal Sect are now currying favor and trying to win the master's favor. When the master becomes immortal and returns, those still standing must bow and fawn over the master too!"

Hearing these words, Zhouyang's face twitched slightly, unable to hold back his loud rebuke: "You foul beast, hold your tongue! Elder Qingyang and others are my seniors, how dare you speak out of turn! Shut up quickly!"

But with the hearing of those Nascent Soul Stage cultivators on the mountain, how could they not overhear the Golden Roc?

Several Nascent Soul Stage cultivators were momentarily frustrated, glaring angrily at the bird, wishing they could tear off this beast's mouth, pluck its feathers bare.

Zhouyang also hated this foolish bird for its untimely speech, yet due to the occasion, couldn't immediately punish the troublesome creature.

He could only act as if nothing happened, with a broad smile, he cupped his hands distantly towards Master Cyan Yang and others, saying, "You are too kind, Elder Qingyang and fellow seniors, truly too generous. What have I done to deserve such an honorable welcome? I'm deeply ashamed, truly ashamed!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, whether in terms of cultivation strength or past assistance and kindness to our sect, you deserve this ceremonial treatment. Such formalities can hardly repay even a fraction of your aid to our sect!"

Master Cyan Yang temporarily forgot the awkwardness and unpleasantness just now, with a broad smile, he returned the greeting to Zhouyang.

The extravagant reception was not only to show respect to Zhouyang but also to borrow his fame to demonstrate to other forces.

After a silence of over a thousand years, it was time for the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to reclaim its place on the grand stage and recapture lost grounds and interests.

Zhouyang did not yet know of Master Cyan Yang's ambitious plans to reclaim lost territories through his power. His visit to the sect was simply to visit Master Cyan Yang and, conveniently, find a place to seclude himself and break through to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul.

Thus, after being enthusiastically welcomed inside the sect gates by Master Cyan Yang, he exchanged pleasantries with several Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, then privately expressed his intent to Master Cyan Yang.

Before stating his purpose, of course, he first presented the gift he had prepared.

"This is a Tier Six Middle Grade Longevity Spirit Fruit, the Jade Peach, prepared by this junior for Elder Qingyang. For the years you've sincerely guided Cheng'Er, apart from my gratitude, I wish to convey some of my intentions to repay the elder."

Zhouyang presented the gift he had prepared to Master Cyan Yang, expressing his gratitude with a look of appreciation.

"Hehe, if another gifted this old man such a valuable present, I wouldn't dare accept easily. But having known Fellow Daoist Zhou for over a thousand years, I'll be informal with you."

Master Cyan Yang chuckled and indeed did not refuse the gift, accepting it with a smiling face.

He considered himself watching Zhouyang's growth to this day, claiming a close relationship with Zhouyang that few could match except those usually by Zhouyang's side now.

To accept a gift from Zhouyang, in his view, truly was no significant matter, even if the gift's actual value was a million Spirit Stones.

Seeing this, Zhouyang took the opportunity to say, "There's one more matter I'd like to trouble Elder Qingyang with. During my recent travels I had some gains, and I wish to retreat for a period in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm to focus my efforts. Could I ask Elder Qingyang to arrange this for me?"

"Retreat again? Is Fellow Daoist Zhou preparing to break through to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul?"

Master Cyan Yang's eyelid twitched, looking at Zhouyang in shock, his voice slightly altered.

"Just intending to give it a try!"

Zhouyang faintly smiled but did not deny it.

"This really, this really..."

Master Cyan Yang's lips trembled as he looked at Zhouyang, completely losing his composure.

He truly, truly had tried his utmost to overestimate Zhouyang, repeatedly reminding himself not to view Zhouyang as an ordinary cultivator and to never question the pace of Zhouyang's cultivation achievements.

Yet now, he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by Zhouyang's words!

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, your cultivation speed, is it really without any hidden dangers?"

"What I mean is, if there truly were any potential future consequences affecting your Dao journey, even a little, you needn't rush. You're still very young, with plenty of time for cultivation!"

"I sincerely hope that you, Fellow Daoist Zhou, will one day break the immortal and mortal shackles and become the first Immortal in seven thousand years!"

He gazed at Zhouyang with a face full of shock and confusion, his tone earnest and sincere, filled with the concern and hope of a senior for his junior.

It's not his fault for speaking this way; meanwhile, the speed of Zhouyang's cultivation improvement had reached a shocking level, one completely unheard of!

"Thank you, Elder Qingyang, for your concern and care. You can rest assured, senior. This junior has reached this level of cultivation solely through diligent effort, without any radical methods to stimulate potential!"

Zhouyang's expression was one of confident calmness, his words firm and powerful, rendering Master Cyan Yang speechless for a long while.

Eventually, he could only shake his head with a wry smile, weakly saying, "Alright, if Fellow Daoist Zhou believes there's no issue, then I'll arrange for your retreat in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm. It will be taken care of quickly!"

Originally, he wanted to take advantage of their alone time to discuss utilizing Zhouyang's strength to reclaim territories and interests lost a millennium ago. But under such circumstances, he decided to hold his tongue for now.

What else could he say?

If Zhouyang indeed advanced to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul, wouldn't this matter become a piece of cake?

If not, discussing it after Zhouyang concluded his retreat might provide an alternative outlet for his efforts.