Chapter 548

Chapter 548: Large Spiritual Vein

“Recruit new respected elders,” Xu Fan mused, stroking his chin as if a new idea had just dawned on him.

“It’s not impossible, but our Hidden Spirit Sect isn’t quite at that level yet.”

“Ordinary respected elders aren’t necessary, and bringing in overly powerful ones without knowing their character could lead to trouble,” Xu Fan considered.

“Spirit Cut Elder is concerned that without a respected elder-level fighting strength, the sect might face issues during his spiritual re-cultivation.”

“Spirit Cut Elder can rest easy; it won’t take more than one hundred years’ time for the sect to have a Great Ascension Level puppet.”

“It can protect the sect in Spirit Cut Elder’s stead,” Xu Fan said with a satisfied smile.

“A puppet at the Great Ascension Master level,” Spirit Cut sighed in relief.

Thinking about it, it was just a puppet after all.

“After Spirit Cut Elder completes his spiritual re-cultivation, he can take his time to train and make up for all his past regrets,” Xu Fan added.

“Of course, with the Grand Elder guiding the way, there’s hope for reaching the invincible realm in the future,” Spirit Cut said with a grin.

Back at the Demon Sect, the Grand Elder had once remarked that he had no hope of reaching the invincible realm in this lifetime and suggested he ascend early to the Immortal Realm to seek his fortune.

At the time, he had just reached the Great Ascension Level and felt indignant, but as he delved deeper into his cultivation, he realized the Grand Elder’s words were not unfounded.

“The invincible realm is just a milestone; the journey ahead is still long,” Xu Fan said, gazing out at the expansive Celestial Blue Spiritual Liquid Lake.

“I’ll follow closely in the Grand Elder’s footsteps.”

Spirit Cut felt he had made the right choice in aligning himself with such a figure.

“How’s your butcher friend doing lately?” Xu Fan asked casually.

“Same as always; he just advanced to a seventh-tier Tian Puppet Master and is busy earning spirit stones to buy new-style puppets,” Spirit Cut replied with a chuckle.

Years of camaraderie had deepened his friendship with the middle-aged butcher, who had recently taken a liking to visiting soul healing centers.

“He’s quite the gear enthusiast,” Xu Fan laughed.

“He’s nearly collected every Knife-wielding Puppet from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Void Refinement stage, making quite a contribution to our sect’s income,” Spirit Cut noted.

“A high-quality, tasteful chive~,” Xu Fan remarked about the middle-aged butcher. He thought if everyone were like him, it would create a perfect internal cycle.

“I’ll find a beast clan master craftsman to custom-make a set of Knife-wielding Puppets for him someday,” Xu Fan suggested.

“I’ll thank the Grand Elder on behalf of the old butcher,” Spirit Cut said.

“No need for thanks; it’ll cost the usual amount of spirit stones.”

Expecting a freebie was out of the question.

Just then, Grape’s voice interrupted.

“Master, Xiong Li and Xiang Yun have detected a large spiritual vein outside the sect, guarded by a large clan. They’re requesting backup.”

“A large spiritual vein? That’s worth looking into. Send a team of puppets and two railguns to test the mettle of that small clan,” Xu Fan said offhandedly.

“Grand Elder, why not let me handle this?”

“Relying solely on puppets might not be enough to handle that beast race. I’ll head over right now,” Spirit Cut said eagerly, ready to prove himself once again.

With that, he transformed into a swift shadow and sped off in the direction Grape had indicated.

"Otherwise, after that puppet is crafted, I’ll have the second one made into a celestial tool for Spirit Cut Elder," Xu Fan mused, stroking his chin.

Over the years, Spirit Cut had indeed made significant contributions to the Hidden Spirit Sect, which was why Xu Fan had this idea.

"Never mind, let’s wait until he undergoes spiritual re-cultivation before we discuss it."

Xu Fan stood up and flew toward the Sutra Pavilion, as there was still something he needed to do.

As soon as Xu Fan entered the Sutra Pavilion, he saw Zhang Xueling, his white hair a sign of his diminished vitality, studying a jade slip.

"Why didn’t you take the Youth Retaining Pill I gave you?" Xu Fan asked curiously.

"Greetings, Grand Elder."

Zhang Xueling, originally at the peak of Foundation Establishment, had now fallen to the fifth level of Qi Refinement due to his diminished vitality.

"I want to experience the entire cycle of life and death."

"Birth, growth, youth, peak, decline, and extinction," Zhang Xueling said.

At that moment, Xu Fan looked at Zhang Xueling with a strange expression.

You’re trying to grasp advanced concepts without mastering the basics; no wonder your vitality is fading so fast.

"Have you gained any insights?" Xu Fan asked.

"None, I’ve only felt my vitality decline and my cultivation regress," Zhang Xueling replied.

"Of course, you can’t comprehend it; what you’re talking about is the path of reincarnation, which is beyond your current realm."

"You could have lived for another hundred years, but at the rate you’re going, even a year seems unlikely," Xu Fan said with a sigh.

Sure enough, he’s obsessed with the Dao, daring to explore everything.

"I know, that’s why the Grand Elder came to see me, right?"

Zhang Xueling spoke with a faint smile, looking somewhat frail, and opened his mouth, revealing two missing front teeth.

"Are you hoping to reach Foundation Establishment before your last moment of death?" Xu Fan asked.

"Yes, once I start to comprehend, I can’t just give up halfway," Zhang Xueling replied slowly.

"You, from now on, just stay in the Sutra Pavilion for the rest of your life," Xu Fan said, a bit impatiently.

Xu Fan formed seals with both hands, and the scriptures appeared in his grasp, which he then pressed into Zhang Xueling’s body to ensure he wouldn’t lose control at the last moment, adding an extra layer of protection.

"Thank you, Grand Elder," Zhang Xueling said.

"Stay well in the Sutra Pavilion; I look forward to the day you emerge."

As Xu Fan said this, he prepared to leave.

"Grand Elder, please take care. I have a request," Zhang Xueling called out to stop Xu Fan.

"What else is there?"

"Recently, the divine techniques and methods created by the Grand Elder are quite few; the Sutra Pavilion hasn’t received new stock in days," Zhang Xueling said with a smile.

"Have you fully comprehended all the divine techniques in the Sutra Pavilion?" Xu Fan asked lightly.

"I have read through them all, but I haven’t fully understood," Zhang Xueling replied, looking down.

"Alright, I’ll have Grape send a batch over shortly," Xu Fan said before leaving.

Zhang Xueling was one of his more concerned disciples. Xu Fan had noticed his condition, realizing this young man wouldn’t last long. His hopes of reaching Foundation Establishment at the last moment were likely to fail.

That was why Xu Fan had made a special trip, yet he was unexpectedly urged for more content.

"Grape, place the beginner version of the East Wind Divine Technique in the Sutra Pavilion," Xu Fan instructed.

"Understood, Master."

"Feel free to toy around with this set of divine techniques; it should be enough for you during the Qi Refinement stage," Xu Fan said with a smile.

In Grape’s database, there were many secret techniques and divine methods he had deduced, matching the quantity in the Sutra Pavilion perfectly.

These were all derived from the Sword of the Origin Bell during his bouts of boredom.

Not long after Xu Fan left, a puppet delivered over fifty jade slips to Zhang Xueling.

"The East Wind series of divine techniques, created by the Grand Elder, always has such strange names," Zhang Xueling chuckled, picking up a jade slip to study.

Every time new techniques and methods arrived at the Sutra Pavilion, it was always his happiest moment.