The elders expressed their respective views and engaged in a lively discussion. Sect Master Yun Tianqi raised a hand to signal for silence, then fixed his piercing gaze on Ye Wuji. "My young friend, since you possess the Chaos Spiritual Root, have you ever attempted to cultivate?"
Ye Wuji's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment he hesitated as to whether it would be better to confess or conceal the truth. On second thought, since the Sect Master himself was asking, concealment would likely only arouse suspicion.
"Answering the Sect Master, before becoming a disciple of the Qingyun Sect, I happened to acquire a manual called the *Hunyuan Formula*. I have already begun trying to practice it, and currently I am at Layer 1 Qi Condensation."
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out in the grand hall.
"Layer 1 Qi Condensation? He reached Layer 1 Qi Condensation entirely through self-study?"
"What kind of technique is this *Hunyuan Formula*? I've never heard of it."
"To break through to the first layer without any guidance—his talent is truly extraordinary."
Yun Tianqi frowned slightly. "*Hunyuan Formula*? There is no record of such a technique in our sect's archives. How did you acquire it?"
Ye Wuji truthfully recounted how he had met the old man and obtained the technique, omitting only the detail about the wisp of Spiritual Qi the old man had left him at the end.
A white-haired elder let out a cold snort. "Techniques circulated among the common folk are mostly incomplete, or even evil arts that harm the body and mind. Sect Master, this boy has already practiced a technique of unknown origin, which will likely affect his future cultivation. I suggest we first abolish his cultivation and let him rebuild his foundation from scratch."
Hearing this, Ye Wuji was greatly alarmed and was about to defend himself when he heard Yun Tianqi say, "Wait. Let me inspect his cultivation first."
With that, Yun Tianqi extended a finger, and a gentle beam of Spiritual Qi shot toward Ye Wuji. Ye Wuji felt a mild force enter his body, like a gentle spring breeze sweeping through, inspecting his meridians and the pathways of his Spiritual Qi.
A moment later, Yun Tianqi withdrew the light, a look of surprise on his face. "Interesting. The circulation route of this *Hunyuan Formula* is actually seventy percent similar to our Qingyun Sect's *Qingyun Formula*, yet in certain key nodes, it possesses unique ingenuity. The Spiritual Qi within your body is pure, devoid of impurities, and your meridians are unobstructed; there are no traces of flawed cultivation. Not only is this technique harmless, it is quite profound."
The white-haired elder frowned. "Does the Sect Master mean to... let him continue practicing this technique?"
Yun Tianqi pondered for a moment. "There is no rush. Wuji, take out the *Hunyuan Formula* and let me have a look."
Carefully, Ye Wuji took the tattered book from his bosom and offered it with both hands. Yun Tianqi took the book, flipped through it attentively, and the astonishment in his eyes grew steadily thicker.
"This..." Yun Tianqi suddenly stood up. "Fellow elders, take a look. Does this handwriting seem familiar to you?"
The elders crowded forward to examine it, their expressions changing drastically the next instant.
"This... This is the handwriting of the Taishang Daoist!" a white-bearded elder said with a trembling voice. "Old man, I once saw manuscripts left behind by the Taishang Daoist in the Scripture Pavilion, and the handwriting is identical!"
"The Taishang Daoist?" Ye Wuji blurted out, immediately realizing his lack of composure and hurriedly bowing. "This disciple was impolite."
Yun Tianqi, however, did not mind at all. Instead, he asked with keen interest, "You know of the Taishang Daoist?"
"The other day, Elder Zhao mentioned him, saying he was a peerless genius with the Chaos Spiritual Root three thousand years ago, who later ascended to the Immortal Realm," Ye Wuji answered honestly.
"Correct," Yun Tianqi nodded. "The Taishang Daoist was the number one figure in the immortal cultivation world three thousand years ago. Throughout his life, he created countless cultivation techniques and established many of the cultivation systems used in the immortal cultivation world today. When he was young, he cultivated here in our Qingyun Sect, but later left due to differing ambitions, founded the Taishang Dao, and ultimately ascended to immortality."
Yun Tianqi returned the book to Ye Wuji. "If this *Hunyuan Formula* was truly written by the Taishang Daoist, then this is an supreme fortuitous encounter. You should continue your cultivation, and if you encounter any difficulties, you may ask the inner sect elders for guidance."
"Many thanks, Sect Master!" Overjoyed, Ye Wuji hurriedly took the book and stored it safely away.
After a moment of contemplation, Yun Tianqi added, "However, simply having a good technique is not enough. Although the Chaos Spiritual Root can accommodate techniques of all attributes, its cultivation speed is indeed slower than that of a single-attribute Spiritual Root. You will need more resources and guidance. So be it: I appoint you as an inner sect true disciple, to be personally guided by Elder Xuanyang."
"A true disciple?" Ye Wuji felt a jolt in his heart. According to the previous introduction by Elder Zhao Yuanbai, true disciples were the elite of the inner sect, second only to core disciples in status, enjoying resources and treatment far surpassing those of ordinary inner disciples.
The middle-aged man known as Elder Xuanyang stood up with a smile. "Since the Sect Master honors me with this trust, this old man will naturally guide him with all my heart. My young friend, you need not feel pressured; the path of immortal cultivation values perseverance and step-by-step progress."
Ye Wuji bowed to Elder Xuanyang. "Disciple Ye Wuji pays respects to Master. I will certainly study and practice diligently, and not fail the expectations of Master and the Sect Master."
Elder Xuanyang nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Come to my dwelling early tomorrow morning, and I will explain the key points of cultivation to you in detail."
Thus, Ye Wuji officially became the personal disciple of Elder Xuanyang of the Qingyun Sect, embarking formally upon the path of immortal cultivation.
In the days that followed, under Elder Xuanyang's guidance, Ye Wuji made rapid progress. Every day, besides practicing the *Hunyuan Formula*, he also learned various foundational techniques and common knowledge of immortal cultivation unique to the Qingyun Sect. Because he possessed the Chaos Spiritual Root, he could cultivate techniques of all attributes simultaneously, which allowed his strength to improve much faster than that of disciples of his generation.
Elder Xuanyang placed special emphasis on cultivating Ye Wuji's practical combat abilities, frequently taking him out on missions to hunt Demonic Beasts and gather spiritual herbs and minerals. These experiences enabled Ye Wuji to rapidly accumulate a wealth of actual combat experience, preventing his cultivation from remaining merely on a theoretical level.
In a mere three months, Ye Wuji broke through from Layer 1 Qi Condensation to Layer 4 Qi Condensation. Such a speed was rare even within the Qingyun Sect, attracting considerable attention and discussion.
"Have you heard? Elder Xuanyang's disciple from the countryside is advancing at a terrifying speed!"
"Indeed, in just three months he's already reached Layer 4 Qi Condensation. That's faster than my whole year of cultivation."
"I hear he has the Chaos Spiritual Root and can cultivate various attribute techniques simultaneously, which is why he's progressing so fast."
"Hmph, he's just relying on a good Spiritual Root. The real test is yet to come."
Ye Wuji paid no mind to these discussions. He knew his advantages and was well aware of his shortcomings. What he was most grateful for was the meticulous guidance of Elder Xuanyang, which had saved him from taking many detours.
On this day, Ye Wuji was in Elder Xuanyang's dwelling studying a mental cultivation method called the "Five Elements Unity Formula", which was specifically designed for cultivators with the Chaos Spiritual Root like him, allowing him to better master Spiritual Qi of all attributes.
Suddenly, urgent knocking came from outside the dwelling.
"Enter," Elder Xuanyang said with a frown.
A Qingyun Sect disciple hurried inside and bowed, reporting, "Elder Xuanyang, the Sect Master has summoned all elders and true disciples to the deliberation hall, saying there is an important matter to discuss."
Elder Xuanyang nodded. "Understood. We are going right now."
After the disciple left, Elder Xuanyang said to Ye Wuji, "Let's go. Since the Sect Master has summoned even the true disciples, something major must have happened."
Following Elder Xuanyang to the deliberation hall, Ye Wuji found that many people had already gathered inside, and the atmosphere was heavy.
Sect Master Yun Tianqi wore a stern expression. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he began, "Everyone, recently in Qingshan Village, there have been successive Demonic Beast attacks on villages, resulting in hundreds of casualties. According to our agreement with Qingshan County, we have the responsibility to protect the safety of the county's people. I have summoned you all here today to discuss countermeasures."
An elder asked, "Sect Master, has it been investigated what kind of Demonic Beasts are responsible?"
Yun Tianqi nodded. "According to a letter from the prefect of Qingshan County, the villages were attacked by a pack of Tier 2 Fire Wolf Beasts, led by a Tier 3 Fire Wolf King. These Demonic Beasts originally inhabited the Flaming Mountains; for reasons unknown, they suddenly moved south and attacked human villages."
"Tier 2 Fire Wolf Beasts already possess simple intelligence and preliminary fire-type abilities, let alone the Tier 3 Fire Wolf King. Ordinary villagers are no match for them at all," Elder Xuanyang said in a deep voice.
Yun Tianqi swept his gaze across the room. "We now need to dispatch elite disciples to go to the various villages to protect the people, and at the same time investigate the reason for the Fire Wolf Beasts' southward movement and resolve this matter. Who is willing to take on this mission?"
Elder Xuanyang stepped forward. "This disciple is willing to go."
Yun Tianqi nodded. "Very well. Elder Xuanyang will lead the team and may take a few capable disciples along."
Elder Xuanyang looked at Ye Wuji. "Wuji, this mission is quite dangerous, but it is also a good opportunity for tempering. Are you willing to go along?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Wuji nodded. "This disciple is willing to accompany Master."
Elder Xuanyang then named a few other inner sect disciples with impressive strength, preparing for departure on the morrow. After the meeting dispersed, Elder Xuanyang specifically instructed Ye Wuji to make preparations: "Although this mission is dangerous, with me around, you needn't worry too much. Just remain constantly vigilant and look out for your safety."
Ye Wuji nodded solemnly. "This disciple will remember."
Returning to his small courtyard, Ye Wuji began packing his belongings, checking his reserve of magical tools and elixirs. This would be the most dangerous mission he had participated in since joining the Qingyun Sect, and he dared not slacken in the slightest.
While he was busy, a familiar voice drifted from outside the courtyard gate: "Junior Brother Ye, are you in?"
Opening the courtyard gate to find Li Mengzhu standing outside, Ye Wuji hurriedly bowed. "Senior Sister Li, what brings you here?"
Li Mengzhu smiled gently. "I heard you are going on a mission with Elder Xuanyang, so I specially came to bring you a few things."
She retrieved a delicate little vial from her bosom. "This is Blood-Replenishing Pill; it can be used for emergency recovery from injuries when you encounter danger. And this..." She produced a small flag. "This is the 'Fire-Averting Flag', which can fend off fire-type attacks. It should come in handy against the Fire Wolf Beasts."
Flattered, Ye Wuji said, "This... Senior Sister, you are too kind. These items are too precious; I cannot accept them."
Li Mengzhu thrust the items into Ye Wuji's hands. "Take them. Although you've only been in the sect for a mere three months, your diligence, eagerness to learn, and modest demeanor are plain for everyone to see. This mission is perilous, so an extra bit of preparation means an extra layer of security."
Seeing that Li Mengzhu insisted, Ye Wuji had no choice but to accept. "Many thanks for Senior Sister's deep kindness; I will certainly use them carefully."
Li Mengzhu nodded. "Be careful on the road and return safely soon." With that, she turned and left.