Chapter 227: The Situation Is Complicated and Unpredictable, Only the Path of Body Cultivation Remains

Hong Shao watched Yu Xian’s departing figure, her gaze flickering briefly before returning to its usual calm.

Su Xiaoduo, however, looked visibly anxious. As Yu Xian left, she quickly turned to Hong Shao and exclaimed, “Master! Senior Brother is only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. How can he join that kind of competition? The difference between mid-stage and peak Foundation Establishment is two entire minor realms! Isn’t that just sending him to his death?”

You Xiaorong also frowned deeply, thinking the elders of the sect must be out of their minds.

The gap between mid and peak Foundation Establishment was like that between a fully grown man and a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy. While not entirely helpless, the weaker party had only a slim chance of survival—much less victory.

And yet they were sending Yu Xian to participate in the battle over the Xuantian Secret Realm?

Whether or not Yu Xian survived was one thing. But to place the sect’s hopes on a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Was the Xuantian Secret Realm even important to begin with?

Hong Shao shook her head. “Of course I objected. But Li Cexuan was even willing to offer one hundred Gold Core-grade nourishing spirit items as the price to recommend Yu Xian for the secret realm battle. He called him a peerless genius, capable of defeating opponents above his realm. If I stopped him from going, that would be the real tragedy. What more could I say?”

Genius? Crossing realms to kill enemies?

You Xiaorong couldn’t help recalling Yu Xian’s harmless expression—the gentle, ever-smiling youth who always seemed calm and composed, like he had no temper at all. He didn’t look the type who could kill above his cultivation level.

His mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura was also completely ordinary—neither weak nor particularly strong. Solid and stable, but not powerful or thick.

How could he possibly fight above his level?

“Master Aunt,” You Xiaorong said carefully, “Shouldn’t we hold an internal selection trial first, to see who’s most suited to go?”

She wasn’t Hong Shao’s direct disciple, so she spoke with caution.

“A trial?” Hong Shao said blandly. “You’re too naive. If there was a trial, how many disciples do you think would purposely hide their strength to avoid being chosen? No one wants to risk their lives. If we held a selection, we’d end up with fifteen cowards.”

“That can’t be!” Su Xiaoduo interjected. “We could offer a big reward to the top fifteen, without telling them the real purpose. Once they’ve competed and won, we announce the mission. That way, they won’t have a choice but to go!”

You Xiaorong’s expression changed slightly—she clearly hadn’t considered that.

But Hong Shao’s brow furrowed deeply, and her tone grew serious. “Xiaoduo, I know you came from a rough background as a rogue cultivator, but this kind of thinking… you must let go of it. Deception—especially by one’s own sect—hurts the heart most. Even if we selected fifteen people this way, once they learn the truth, would they be willing? Would they give it their all? And next time there’s any contest, wouldn’t every disciple wonder: is the sect lying again? Wouldn’t the sect’s foundation rot from within?”

It was the first time Su Xiaoduo had seen her master so serious. Her heart chilled instantly.

Although Hong Shao hadn’t raised her voice, the suppressed anger in her tone was unmistakable.

She instinctively shrank back and said softly, “Disciple was wrong. I shouldn’t have played such little tricks. I just… Senior Brother is only at mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Sending him is like asking him to die…”

“The Supreme Elders will make their own judgments. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Hong Shao waved her hand. “Go now. Learn alchemy well with your senior sister. When you can refine fourth-grade pills, I will personally teach you. No need to rush your cultivation—alchemy itself is a form of cultivation.”

“…Yes.”

Su Xiaoduo nodded and bowed along with You Xiaorong before withdrawing.

At this moment, Yu Xian was descending the mountain. His expression was calm, but his eyes were filled with deep unease.

Li Cexuan…

That man was insane!

Just because Yu Xian rejected him as a master, he would go so far to ruin him?

And this move—this was a perfect political trap!

Maybe Li Cexuan really was in a rush to return and complete a pill—if the ingredients weren’t delivered in time, the pill would be ruined.

Yu Xian had already taken hundreds of thousands of spirit stones from him. If he delayed further and caused the loss of the entire batch, he’d gain an enemy for life.

There was no benefit in provoking such a powerful foe. Better to avoid unnecessary enemies.

In the world of cultivation, fewer enemies meant fewer calamities.

So Yu Xian hadn’t hesitated and handed over the storage pouch directly.

The cultivator receiving it—Shi Fugui—smiled faintly as he checked the contents. “You’re the real rich one, my friend.”

He pulled out a storage pouch and said, “Sixteen spirit herbs. All inside. Please verify.”

Yu Xian swept it with his divine sense and nodded. “Thank you. It’s all correct.”

He turned and left without another word.

Shi Fugui watched him go, weighed the pouch in his hand, and sneered. Turning to a younger cultivator nearby, he said, “I’ll settle your reward at the end of the month. Do your job well.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

The cultivator, named Xiaolang, bowed joyfully.

Shi Fugui glanced in Yu Xian’s direction one last time before leaving with a sneer.

Yu Xian walked swiftly down the mountain.

He still lacked one fifth-grade spirit herb.

But with his current status, buying such a valuable item would draw attention and questions. Too many complications.

“Should I owe a favor…?”

He considered whether to ask Su Xiaoduo to purchase it on his behalf.

As the personal disciple of the Pill Sect’s master, she wouldn’t have much difficulty buying a fifth-grade herb.

But she had to keep it secret—not even You Xiaohua or Hong Shao could know.

He needed to think carefully. If they found out, and connected the dots, it could become a serious issue.

Too many risks!

Damn it. Why did such a mess appear out of nowhere!?

Yu Xian’s mood darkened, a cold glint surfacing in his eyes.

Li Cexuan…

They had no enmity. Yu Xian had even initially thought the man was generous and tolerant. He hadn’t asked for compensation when the Spirit Testing Hall was destroyed.

But just because Yu Xian refused to become his disciple…

He wanted to destroy him!?

Unforgivable.

Yu Xian’s gaze turned icy, but he quickly suppressed the killing intent. He had more urgent matters now—like refining the four kinds of high-grade fourth-tier body-forging pills.

Only then could he pursue the fifth-grade herb to refine the Diamond Body Pill.

He returned to his courtyard, activated the formation, and even laid down the “Eight Cloud Forbidden Air Array.”

In the main hall, he summoned a crimson pill furnace, sat cross-legged, and began refining.

As for refining a higher-grade fifth-tier pill?

No. The success rate was too low.

The Diamond Body Pill—a middle-tier fifth-grade body refinement pill—was the best choice.

With it, plus other supporting fourth-tier pills and two months of brutal effort…

He just might break through to late-stage Small Pill Body Realm!

And that would be his only chance against peak Foundation Establishment cultivators!