Zhong Cuiyu and Xiang ManCang, their talent is not high, and starting later than others makes it difficult to achieve anything remarkable after entering the sect.

"Indeed, cultivators cannot escape the influence of background," Liou Yuan secretly sighed.

At the table, Xie Miaobo asked Liou Yuan if he had fought with Star Evil.

And inquired about various aspects of Star Evil, seeming quite intrigued.

Although Kong Yi and the other two didn’t join in, they all pricked up their ears.

Liou Yuan then picked the story of Ms. Qiao to tell them, embellishing it, making the three future disciples of Five Extremes Mountain, still naive and inexperienced, stare wide-eyed.

Kong Yi even exclaimed, "You didn’t say before that it was you who chopped off Ping’an’s head. If the teacher knew, he’d surely be mad again."

"She knows." Liou Yuan responded with a smile.

The five were of similar age, and with Xie Miaobo enhancing the atmosphere, the meal was extremely harmonious.

Of course, mainly because Liou Zhen was not at home.

Otherwise, with a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator present, while Liou Yuan might be fine, the others would be uneasy.

Last night, Liou Yuan checked on Bai Xin at home, then rushed overnight to Qinghe Government Office to meet City Lord Xu Xiang.

He seemed intent on leveraging the power of Qinghe Government Office to select qualified people and bring them to Five Extremes Mountain.

Liou Zhen came out with a mandate from the sect this time; having already delayed returning to Yanhe City, he couldn’t afford further hold-ups with recruiting disciples.

Bai Xin and Kong Dasheng went to Xuanhu Clinic.

The Alien Star Evil has been eliminated, and with Liou Zhen, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, stationed in Yanhe City, there were no more concerns, so Liou Yuan didn’t stop them.

After the meal.

Xie Miaobo called out to Liou Yuan, who was about to leave.

"Mr. Liou, we’re fellow disciples now; once at Five Extremes Mountain, we should support each other."

"My family also has elders at Five Extremes Mountain, and with Mr. Liou Zhen being a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, we can share resources then."

Liou Yuan fixed his eyes on the kindly smiling Xie Miaobo.

He had long guessed that this kid was well-connected.

Thinking about his absolute lack of knowledge regarding Five Extremes Mountain, with this young man keen on fostering ties, there was no reason to refuse.

Although Liou Zhen’s status is currently not low, Liou Yuan can’t bother the kind elder brother with everything.

Thus, he quickly made a decision, speaking warmly, "Mr. Xie is right; once we’re at Five Extremes Mountain, we can assist each other."

"Haha, Mr. Liou understands," Xie Miaobo laughed heartily.

That night, at the old Liou residence.

This former home had been burned down by Liou Yuan, now only a frame of ruins.

Due to a past tragedy at the site linked to Star Evil, it became a forbidden zone in the eyes of Yanhe City residents.

Even pedestrians passing by during the day would instinctively quicken their pace, avoiding this place.

Hence, at night, it was even less likely anyone would come near.

This undoubtedly made it the best location for Liou Yuan to take out the Fixed Star Compass and undergo the star cleansing ritual.

The location was in the Qiao Family courtyard, separated from the old Liou residence by a wall.

Liou Yuan, taking advantage of the night, came to the Qiao Family’s backyard.

It had only been three to four months.

The backyard had grown knee-high weeds, which, after the extreme cold of winter, turned into dead grass, adding to the desolation.

Liou Yuan chose a spot in the backyard, cleared away the snow to reveal a blank area just large enough for him to lie down.

"This is it."

"I don’t know what this star cleansing ritual really does, but since it’s a star cleansing, it surely requires a location exposed to starlight."

Liou Yuan glanced up at the starry sky, grinning.

According to reason, the situation in Yanhe City is complex now.

Not only is Liou Zhen present, but also three disciples ready to enter Five Extremes Mountain brought back by Liou Zhen.

Liou Yuan using the Fixed Star Compass now for the star cleansing ritual could easily alert attentive individuals to anomalies.

But time did not permit.

According to Liou Zhen.

His elder brother would only stay in Yanhe City for six days, after which he would leave with those qualified.

By then, Liou Yuan would have to follow his good elder brother to Five Extremes Mountain.

"More eyes at Five Extremes Mountain."

"Even slight irregularities could be detected."

Liou Yuan muttered, then sat cross-legged on the cleared ground.

With a thought, the Fixed Star Compass was extracted from within him.

Since yesterday, after absorbing the Alien Star Evil’s energy.

Liou Yuan hadn’t dared to take it out, fearing the energy concentrated on the compass would expose his treasure.

It turns out Liou Yuan’s concerns were justified.

As soon as the compass appeared in his hand.

Bam! The energy concentrated in the compass center instantly diffused into dazzling light.

Especially the central purple hue, which dyed Liou Yuan’s face purple.

Squinting in the intense light, Liou Yuan silently awaited the compass’s reaction.

The compass didn’t make him wait long.

The milky energy always circulating the compass center, at the moment the purple light rendered Liou Yuan’s body.

Started to slowly seep towards his body via the hand holding the compass.

The sensation was like being enveloped by liquid.

The flowing energy first covered his arm, then his upper body; in less than five breaths, Liou Yuan was engulfed entirely by the milky energy.

"So refreshing!" Liou Yuan opened his eyes amidst, letting out a comfortable moan.

His whole body’s pores relaxed under this energy, feeling warmth and comfort akin to a baby in its mother’s womb.