Chapter 606

Chapter 606: The Disciple’s Filial Piety

As soon as Grape welcomed him home, Li Xuandao felt that the sect, which had seemed somewhat unfamiliar, now felt warm and welcoming.

“Grape, I still have some time before I reach the sect. Can you tell me about the major events that have happened since I left?” Li Xuandao asked.

“After you left, the Grand Elder…”

Li Xuandao entered Hidden Spirit Island just as Grape finished speaking.

As soon as he stepped onto Hidden Spirit Island, he sensed a familiar aura.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the five elemental origins spiritual energy gathered in his palm.

“This is the five elemental origins spiritual energy, transformed from celestial energy.”

“The transformation rate is fine, but isn’t this a bit wasteful?”

Li Xuandao looked up at the still magnificent Celestial Blue Spiritual Liquid waterfall, now filled with even more spiritual essence than before.

“Let’s go see my master first; I can enjoy the scenery later.” He realized that much had changed in the Hidden Spirit Sect during his absence.

In Xu Fan’s small courtyard, Li Xuandao performed the grand gesture of respect between master and disciple.

“Master, your disciple has returned.”

Looking at the figure before him, Li Xuandao suddenly felt hopeful for the future.

As long as he could maintain this strong bond with his master, he might even have the chance to bring his mother back and live the life he had promised her in his childhood.

“Welcome back! It must have been a tough journey,” Xu Fan said warmly.

“I’m fine, Master. It was just a long journey,” Li Xuandao replied.

A jade box appeared in Li Xuandao’s hand.

“Master, this is a special gift I picked out for you. Please accept it,” Li Xuandao respectfully presented the jade box to Xu Fan.

“You’re thoughtful,” Xu Fan smiled as he took the box from Li Xuandao.

Gently opening it, a blue jade stone appeared before Xu Fan’s eyes.

“The Destiny Stone?” Xu Fan asked, puzzled, as he thought the Destiny Stone had vanished from this world.

“Master, with your vast knowledge and experience, you know what this is: the Destiny Stone,” Li Xuandao said with admiration.

“This stone shouldn’t be in this world,” Xu Fan wondered.

“I found it in the demon race territory and immediately thought of you,” Li Xuandao explained.

Hearing his disciple’s words, Xu Fan burst into laughter.

“Excellent! This Destiny Stone is exactly what I’ve been searching for, so consider this my debt to you,” Xu Fan chuckled.

“Master never owes me anything; this Destiny Stone is my sincere gift to you,” Li Xuandao said with genuine sincerity in his eyes.

“Very well, I accept your filial piety.”

“Oh, I forgot to ask, was your training trip smooth?” Xu Fan inquired with concern.

“Everything went well, and I had many unexpected gains,” Li Xuandao smiled, realizing that the luck he carried in this life was even greater than before, bringing him continuous fortuitous encounters.

“That’s great! You have your own ideas, and there’s little I can help with, so if you need my assistance in the future, feel free to ask,” Xu Fan said as he stored the Destiny Stone away.

“Master, you’ve already done so much for me. Being able to call you my master is the greatest fortune I’ve earned over hundreds of lifetimes.”

He had once wondered if he’d ever meet a great being before they rose to power, thinking maybe he wouldn’t have to wait until his ninth life. And now, here he was, having actually found one.

“You, you! Don’t act like this in the future. As long as you don’t betray me, you’ll always be my disciple,” Xu Fan said.

“It’s my fault,” Li Xuandao replied.

“Enough of that. What are your plans next? If you’re not going anywhere, just stay in the sect and focus on your cultivation,” Xu Fan said.

“Next, I plan to go into seclusion until I reach the Great Ascension stage,” Li Xuandao said.

“Are you confident about your thunder calamity? Before you go into seclusion, check the treasure vault and take any artifact tools you might need,” Xu Fan advised.

“For the thunder calamity, I won’t need any external help. I can handle it on my own,” Li Xuandao said gratefully.

“Even so, I can’t let you face the thunder calamity alone,” Xu Fan replied.

“Before you go into seclusion, head to the sect’s trial small world and run some tests.”

“Leave the rest to me, Master,” Xu Fan said.

“Then I’ll respectfully follow your orders.”

“Alright, I’ve got things to take care of, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

As Xu Fan spoke, he dissolved into a burst of spiritual energy.

In the underground space, while Xu Fan was crafting a celestial tool, he received memories from his temporary avatar.

“Xuandao sent a Destiny Stone,” Xu Fan said with a smile to First Clone.

“A Destiny Stone? Nice! We can make a few rings, one for each hand—just something to fiddle with,” First Clone laughed.

“If used well, it’s no less valuable than a celestial tool.”

“The luck artifact made from the Destiny Stone will get stronger the longer you channel your own aura into it. It might even help you ward off disasters later,” Xu Fan explained.

This was the most satisfying gift Xu Fan had received in a long time.

“Give me half of that Destiny Stone, and I’ll craft a luck artifact for Master,” First Clone said.

“Aren’t you being a bit hasty?” Xu Fan asked, looking at First Clone, knowing exactly what he was up to.

“No rush. In a hundred years, you’ll advance to the Core Formation stage and become a true artifact great master. By then, even the Phoenix Divine Fire might not be enough for me and Second Clone.”

“So I’ll go see if my brother has anything in stock,” First Clone said while crafting a Great Ascension stage puppet.

“Sharpening the axe doesn’t waste time chopping wood—you’re right to prepare. But why use the Destiny Stone? Can’t you use something else?” Xu Fan asked, feeling a bit reluctant.

“With the limited resources we have in the Hidden Spirit Sect, how many things would catch my brother’s eye? We can’t just send anything.”

“The luck artifact is perfect—it’s rare and hard to come by,” First Clone explained.

“Fine, then. I’ll give you half,” Xu Fan said, though it pained him a little.

“Don’t feel bad; it’s not like it’s a free gift,” First Clone replied.

Xu Fan nodded and went back to crafting the celestial tool.

Time flew, and before he knew it, three months had passed.

“Master, this is the precious artifact I crafted—the Five Elements Pearl. Please take a look,” Zhang Daqi said.

At that moment, Xu Fan’s temporary avatar examined the Five Elements Pearl that Zhang Daqi handed over.

“Not bad. It’s coming along nicely. It’s just a bit rough around the edges, but it’s not a big deal,” Xu Fan said with a satisfied nod.

His expectations for his disciples always depended on their potential.

Those with higher potential had higher standards, while those with lower potential had more modest goals. But both were expected to push themselves to their limits.

“Just work a bit more on controlling the spirit fire and how different spirit fires work together.”

“At least at the artifact master level, you’re already qualified,” Xu Fan said as he handed the Five Elements Pearl back to Zhang Daqi.

“Master, how far am I from becoming a master craftsman?” Zhang Daqi asked, excited by Xu Fan’s praise.

“What’s this? Trying to run before you can walk?” Xu Fan chuckled as he looked at his named disciple.

“Here’s what you’ll do: craft a custom artifact for every first-generation and second-generation disciple. Once you’ve finished them all, you’ll know how close you are,” Xu Fan said with a smile.