259Chapter 258 Respect your friends choice internal desires must be compared first

Yu Xian paused, frowned slightly as he looked at Zheng Huo, unsure of what to say.

Li Cexuan is a mid-stage Golden Core expert. If he becomes Zheng Huo’s master, it will definitely be beneficial to Zheng Huo.

Is Li Cexuan really that kind-hearted to take him as a disciple?

Yu Xian never judged others by his own petty standards.

But Li Cexuan wanted to kill him just because he didn’t want to be his disciple. Such a narrow-minded person was really hard for Yu Xian to trust!

But he couldn’t say this to Zheng Huo, otherwise Zheng Huo would definitely blame him in the future for making him lose a master in the middle stage of the Golden Core stage!

Human nature is such a thing…

Even if Yu Xian didn’t see through it, after years of experience, he had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Even the best of friends can’t withstand the scrutiny of human nature.

Seeing Zheng Huo’s hesitant expression, Yu Xian had already made up his mind and solemnly said, “It would naturally be a joyous occasion for a mid-stage Golden Core expert to take you as a disciple, but you have experienced many years and are more than forty years older than me. You see things more clearly than I do, so it is best for you to decide this matter yourself.”

When someone encounters a situation and doesn’t immediately refuse but instead hesitates, it’s highly likely that they are willing to accept it.

Li Cexuan disliked him because he was “ungrateful” and embarrassed him.

But if Zheng Huo were to become his disciple, even as a nominal one, things would be much more comfortable for him in the Haotian Sect. At the very least, Yang Song wouldn’t dare to cause him any more trouble.

As for what bad intentions Li Cexuan might have?

There is no best.

If it really exists… even I can’t stop it.

Forcing Zheng Huo not to become an apprentice would only damage their relationship.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Huo’s eyes showed a thoughtful expression.

Yu Xian previously stated that Li Cexuan was a narrow-minded person and not a kind one.

But what does being narrow-minded have to do with being a master?

If I could become his disciple, I would naturally respect him and be extremely respectful. His narrow-mindedness would not befall me.

He was unaware that Li Cexuan had once plotted to harm Yu Xian.

Yu Xian didn’t tell Zheng Huo either, because there was no evidence for it, and telling him would only make him seem paranoid, or even ungrateful.

After all, his triumphant return made countless Foundation Establishment cultivators jealous. They thought they could do it too, and that he was only able to go because of the Grand Elder of the Martial Arts Academy’s strong recommendation!

But he turned around and said that the Grand Elder of the Martial Arts Academy recommended him to harm him? Isn’t that the behavior of a beast?

Unable to resolve the open scheme, Yu Xian could only keep it to himself.

“but……”

But Yu Xian still couldn’t help but say, “Personally, I think Li Cexuan is not suitable to be a master.”

As friends, Yu Xian can only say so much; to say more would be to gossip and slander others.

In fact, even this statement might sound like a lot of personal prejudice to Zheng Huo.

Although we are friends and brothers, we haven’t seen each other for more than ten years. Our feelings for each other are neither too little nor too much.

Being accepted as a disciple by an elder in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm is an extremely fortunate opportunity, if not a meteoric rise. Yu Xian told him not to worship Li Ce Xuan, so who else could he worship?

Who would be willing to take in a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator like myself, whose potential isn’t particularly high and who is already over seventy years old?

Besides, what could someone like me, with such mediocre talent, possibly offer Li Cexuan for exploitation or schemes?

Therefore, Zheng Huo’s heart stirred, and he laughed and said, “Well, let’s not talk about this for now. Come on, let’s go back and talk. Brother, do you know why I came to the Haotian Sect?”

Yu Xian already knew what was going on, so he could only smile and not try to persuade her any further.

Even if Zheng Huo becomes Li Cexuan’s disciple, he will still be his friend.

One is one, two is two, Yu Xian can tell the difference clearly.

So he laughed and said, “Could it be that you came because of me?”

“Hahaha.”

Zheng Huo immediately burst into laughter and said, “You understand me best, brother!”

“I was cultivating in Xiaohuo Market and doing some business on the side, but I never expected to hear about your reputation!”

Zheng Huo said excitedly, “Yu Xian of Haotian Zhengzong killed six evil cultivators at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment from the Blood River Sect, and his name has spread far and wide! Even my little Huo Market has heard of your reputation! When I first heard this news, I felt that this Yu Xian must be you! So I packed up and handed the market over to someone else, and came to Haotian Zhengzong to find you, brother. Now that I’ve met you, it has indeed confirmed my thoughts! Hahaha!”

Upon hearing this, Yu Xian laughed and said, “I didn’t expect this. Speaking of which, I should have gone to find you, my fellow Daoist, more than ten years ago, but things were too complicated…”

The two walked and talked, reminiscing about the past, and soon returned to their lodging area. Yu Xian’s courtyard and Zheng Huo’s house were three miles apart.

“We should have met long ago.”

Along the way, Zheng Huo followed Yu Xian into the courtyard. Zheng Huo looked puzzled and said, “Brother, have you been in seclusion for the past year and a half, or have you been away? Since I joined the Haotian Sect, I have inquired about your residence and come to your courtyard more than twenty times, but you are never there. Over the past year and a half, I have almost doubted whether Yu Xian is really you.”

Yu Xian and Zheng Huo sat down in the pavilion and said with a smile, “I had some business to attend to when I came back. I heard that there was a duel, and I wondered if it was you, so I went to check. I didn’t expect it to be you.”

“Haha, what a coincidence!”

Zheng Huo laughed heartily and began to inquire about Yu Xian’s experiences over the years, while also sharing his own experiences.

The two talked at length, drinking tea and reminiscing about the past, and before they knew it, it was dark.

In the more than ten years since Zheng Huo and Yu Xian parted ways, they encountered an opportunity to obtain a body-refining technique, met some enemies, and even managed to fight back in the face of danger. But overall, their lives were not particularly eventful.

But over the past ten years, Yu Xian has walked the line between life and death countless times, fighting with enemies, venturing into secret realms and dangerous places, and finally arrived at the Haotian Sect.

Zheng Huo listened with a face full of amazement, repeatedly saying dozens of times, “Brother is amazing! Brother is amazing! Brother is amazing!”

“Even now, I am cultivating within the Haotian Sect, striving to advance further.”

Yu Xian raised his hand, took a sip of tea, and looked at Zheng Huo with a smile, saying, “From now on, Brother Dao and I will be from the same sect. If you need anything, just come and find me.”

“That’s right, I came here to seek refuge with you, brother.”

Zheng Huo laughed heartily, looked up at the sky, and said with a smile, “It’s getting late, I’ll head back now. I’ll come back to catch up with you again in a few days!”

Yu Xian smiled and raised his hand, saying, “Brother Dao, please wait.”

As he spoke, he took out a storage bag, stepped back in front of Zheng Huo, and said with a smile, “Here are some spells, pills, and spirit stones that I think are quite good. Brother, you can take them to study and use them.”

“this……”

Zheng Huo straightened his face and waved his hand, saying, “How could I take your things, brother?”

“We’re brothers, what need is there for further words?”

Yu Xian’s expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, “Unless you don’t consider me a friend or a brother.”

“All right!”

Zheng Huo only considered it for a moment before solemnly nodding and saying, “I won’t refuse what my brother gives me. I’ll remember our friendship!”

Yu Xian then smiled and said, “Yes, our friendship needs no further explanation.”

Zheng Huo nodded, reached for the storage bag, stood up and said, “Brother, I’m leaving.”

Yu Xian smiled and stood up, seeing Zheng Huo to the door, and said with a smile, “I will visit you in a few days, fellow Daoist.”

“Alright, I’ll definitely welcome you back with open arms. Brother, don’t bother seeing me off, I’m off.”

Zheng Huo smiled and nodded, waved to Yu Xian, and then walked towards his courtyard.

Yu Xian watched his figure disappear around the corner, sighed softly, and turned back to the courtyard.

Zheng Huo turned a corner and slowed down.

“Brother… although you said he’s narrow-minded and unsuitable to be a master, I really have no one else to learn from. Now that he’s willing to take me on, that’s my opportunity, and I… must seize it. So I can’t listen to you…”

Zheng Huo murmured to himself, his gaze resolute, “But you and I are brothers, and we’ll always be brothers. I will never do anything to betray you, and I will never hurt you!”

After saying that, he turned around and headed straight for the Martial Arts Peak.

…

Yu Xian would have no objection to any decision Zheng Huo made.

His decision was taking charge of his own life. Yu Xian would offer advice, but not opinions.

That’s what a friend should do.

I just hope I’m just guessing and that Li Cexuan really wants to take Zheng Huo as his disciple, and that he’s not plotting anything.

Back in the main room, Yu Xian cleared his mind of distractions and continued his cultivation.

It is estimated that in a few days, the sect will issue the sect mission, and then the alchemy sect will naturally call me back to receive the mission.

A night of cultivation had almost no impact on Yu Xian’s current Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivation level.

The process from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core is extremely time-consuming, and Yu Xian knew this well—there was no need to rush it, nor should he.

On the path of cultivation, it is quite normal for each major breakthrough to take anywhere from a few years to several decades, hundreds of years, or even thousands of years.

Yu Xian focused on breathing exercises to strengthen his Qi Sea, enhance the elm tree base, and seek a connection from the unseen world.

Just then, the sun rose outside, and the protective formation suddenly rippled. Yu Xian’s eyelids twitched, and he opened his eyes.

He got up and went to the door, opened the gate of the Array Academy, and saw a Qi Condensation disciple standing there. Upon seeing Yu Xian, the disciple quickly bowed and said, “Greetings, Senior Brother Yu!”

“No need for such formalities.”

Yu Xian asked, “Is something the matter?”

The Qi Condensation disciple said, “The Grand Elder, having learned of Senior Brother’s return, specifically came to ask me to summon him.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Yu Xian nodded.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

The Qi Condensation disciple bowed again and turned to leave.

“You’re well-informed.”

Yu Xian stood at the door, smiled, and without further ado, stepped out of the courtyard, closed the courtyard gate formation, and strode straight towards the alchemy gate.

It’s been four years since I last visited the Alchemy Sect, and I wonder how Xiao Duo’s alchemy skills have improved.

The flow of people to the alchemy sect remains unchanged, unchanged over the years.

Moreover, the Haotian Sect’s reputation gradually grew, and disciples from other immortal sects who had fled were constantly returning, their numbers gradually increasing, making their momentum even more magnificent.

Four more years have passed, and the Haotian Sect now has over 200,000 Qi Condensation disciples and over 400 Foundation Establishment disciples. Two Golden Core experts have also returned: one was a Golden Core cultivator from the former Yuhua Sect, and the other was a Golden Core sword cultivator from the former Yuanjian Sect.

Upon entering the Alchemy Sect, Yu Xian headed straight for the Alchemy Hall. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators inside displayed various expressions upon seeing Yu Xian.

Four years later, this guy still knows to come to the Alchemy Sect? He even knows he’s a disciple of the Alchemy Sect?

This guy hasn’t done a single task in the past four years, has he?

However, they did not know that Yu Xian was granted a few years of peace and quiet by special permission from the Fifth Elder of the Supreme Court. The sect leader of the Alchemy Sect, Hong Shao, had also said that he would not have any missions for the next few years and could cultivate in peace.

So why should Yu Xian hide so comfortably? What’s the point of explaining to them? Let them be jealous.

Upon entering the inner hall, the Grand Elder You Xiaohua was already seated at the front, along with a dozen or so Foundation Establishment disciples from the Alchemy Sect, all waiting once again.

Yu Xian’s arrival drew various glances and expressions from them.

You Xiaohua’s eyes flashed, and she revealed a faint smile, saying, “Junior brother, if you don’t come back soon, your master will have to use the Imperial Mirror to find you with your life tablet.”

Yu Xian has not returned for four years. Although he was granted special time for quiet cultivation, four years is still quite a long time. In addition, he was not in seclusion in his own courtyard, but was out and about, which inevitably caused people to worry.

Yu Xian stepped forward, looking apologetic, and said, “I went out to cultivate for a while, which caused some delays. Please forgive me, Senior Sister.”

“It’s alright, it’s good that you’re back.”

You Xiaohua smiled slightly, raised her delicate hand, and said, “Please sit down.”

Yu Xian then found a seat and sat down.

Then came the Foundation Establishment disciples from various alchemy sects. Before long, all forty Foundation Establishment cultivators from the alchemy sects had arrived.

This included Na Li’er and Guo Pin.

I haven’t seen Li’er and Guo Pin for nearly five years, and their cultivation levels haven’t changed at all.

However, Li’er has reached the Great Perfection of the early Foundation Establishment stage, and there are faint signs of a breakthrough.

Guo Pin’s aura also became somewhat heavier, but he was still a long way from condensing his core.

Yu Xian glanced at the two of them indifferently, and the coldness deep in his eyes disappeared without a trace. He sat calmly in place.

The two of them naturally noticed Yu Xian, their expressions differing, each pondering their own thoughts.

Is this envy the same as that envy?

If that’s the case… then it’s really going to be a very difficult situation!

He killed six evil cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and he himself was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. If it really was that Yu Xian… how could he not hold a grudge!?

“Alright, everyone’s here.”

A voice rang out, and seeing that everyone had arrived, You Xiaohua said calmly, “Another year, the sect has issued a task, all of which are things that have been difficult to solve in previous years, but given the assignment, we have no choice but to complete them.”

The crowd remained silent, having grown accustomed to this situation.

“There’s one more thing.”

You Xiaohua scanned the crowd and said, “As you all know, at the beginning of next year, Haotian Sect will hold an inner sect foundation building competition to select ten people to receive preferential treatment from the sect’s resources and focus on condensing their golden cores! This is a grand event, and there will definitely be more than a hundred or even two hundred foundation building disciples participating.”

Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivators all had different expressions, wondering what You Xiaohua meant. Everyone knew about this, so why was she repeating it?

“To avoid internal strife, the sect leader has ordered that a selection process be held within our alchemy sect a month from now to choose three winners to participate in this inner sect foundation building competition. I believe that if you can’t even beat your own fellow disciples, you won’t have the energy to participate in the inner sect foundation building competition.”

Everyone’s expression changed immediately, and they all looked up at You Xiaohua.

Internal selection within the Alchemy Sect?

The sect leader is quite insightful. Once the selection is made internally, the remaining Foundation Establishment disciples will give up and won’t waste resources on building up their foundation, thus avoiding internal friction.

Otherwise, let alone the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, many disciples, including those in the late stage of Foundation Establishment and even many in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, would be eager to try and desperately improve their combat power, even at the cost of destroying their future foundation and forcing growth.

You Xiaohua smiled faintly: “Of course, the competition is not for nothing. The inner sect will select three winners, and the sect leader will also bestow a separate reward upon them.”

The expressions on everyone’s faces varied, and they all looked thoughtful.

Yu Xian’s heart stirred, and he glanced at Li’er and Guo Pin out of the corner of his eye before looking away.

Internal selection first?

Very good, excellent!