Sunrise Peak.

The Luminous Beads in the grotto mansion emitted a gentle light, with Daoist Master Zhengyang and Daoist Master Yuxiao sitting across from each other at the table.

"Junior Brother, today Li Haoran came to bid me farewell, but the turbulent situation over at the Western Continent continues to make me uneasy."

"Senior Brother is overly worried; we can’t always protect our disciples.

We must boldly let them venture out; otherwise, even if he breaks through to the Golden Core Stage before traveling, you still won’t be at ease.

Because external threats like Nascent Soul Daoist Monarchs and Transformation Stage Demon Beasts still exist.

Staying within the Sect is stable, but how can the disciples take on great responsibilities without experiencing the storms outside?"

Daoist Master Yuxiao sipped a mouthful of Spirit Tea, nodded contentedly, and continued:

"Going out to travel might yield unexpected rewards.

In the past, you often mentioned that if it weren’t for the treasures you obtained during your travels which allowed you to barter for the Gold Core Pill, you might not have become a Golden Core Cultivator.

The disciples searching for places to absorb Qi are also searching for opportunities.

Those with fortune will naturally gain more than those cultivating safely within the Sect."

He could become a Golden Core Cultivator due to discovering a pivotal herb needed for the Gold Core Pill while traveling outside.

Otherwise, the small merits accumulated in the Sect would’ve been insufficient to ask the Sect for help in exchanging for the Gold Core Pill.

The Golden Spirit Sect does not have the pill formula for the Gold Core Pill, and to obtain the Pill, they can only trade resources with Central Continent Cultivators.

Daoist Master Zhengyang let out a barely noticeable sigh, then laughed softly:

"I truly am getting old, with my past ambition worn away by time."

Back then, he was the Sect’s first Golden Core Daoist Master, full of spirit and feeling capable of becoming the Western Continent’s first Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Never did he expect now to always be so tentative in actions, instantly feeling a sense of decline.

Daoist Master Yuxiao scratched his head, comforting him:

"Senior Brother has become more mature, how can it be considered aging."

Daoist Master Zhengyang waved his hand, saying:

"Junior Brother need not comfort me, I’m not saddened.

Throughout my life, I’ve lived without regret, contributing immensely to the Sect’s development.

I have a premonition that before my passing, I will witness more than one Golden Core Cultivator emerging from our Sect."

"Oh? Does Senior Brother have such confidence?"

Daoist Master Yuxiao was puzzled; breaking through to the Golden Core isn’t easy.

Apart from Li Haoran having a very high likelihood of a breakthrough, he had little confidence in Lin Qiu Bai and Lin Jiuxiao.

The Golden Spirit Sect’s foundation is quite shallow, lacking many secret techniques to enhance Core Formation success rates and not having established a comprehensive Golden Core Inheritance.

Both Senior Brother and he himself had a good deal of luck in their own Core Formations.

Daoist Master Zhengyang smiled and nodded, "The disciples’ progress in cultivation has given me ample confidence."

Daoist Master Yuxiao’s face also showed a smile, but it soon turned serious as he stated:

"The cost to purchase three Gold Core Pills is considerable."

The Gold Core Pill is an early-stage Tier Three pill, yet it’s much more expensive than the late-stage Tier Three pills used by late-stage Golden Core cultivators to enhance their cultivation.

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s expression also became grave, but he spoke with determination:

"Even if we have to clear out the Sect’s secret vault, we must procure the Gold Core Pills.

As Sect Leader, I don’t want to give up on any hopeful seed for Core Formation."

The sect’s custom is to loan resources to outstanding disciples, allowing them to repay slowly over time.

Doing so sometimes results in failure, but more often, it brings positive effects.

Daoist Master Yuxiao nodded gently, recalling the support he received from his Senior Brother during his Core Formation.

At this moment, Daoist Master Zhengyang sensed a special aura fluctuation appearing outside the grotto mansion.

He opened the Dharma Prohibition, and a Communication Golden Sword flew in.

After reading the information within, he immediately slammed the table in delight.

"What happened, making Senior Brother so happy!"

"Haha, a disciple from Red Flame Peak, Ji An, has cultivated a Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Plant.

Though it’s the relatively low-value Jade Leaf Mulberry, it gives me hope for his future cultivation of more top-grade Spirit Plants."

Daoist Master Yuxiao was astonished and said:

"If I recall correctly, the Spirit Plants in Red Flame Peak were all planted after Ji An moved in, right?"

He also paid attention to the information on the Sect’s disciples.

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded, saying:

"That’s right, this disciple didn’t rely on any predecessor’s legacy.

All of today’s achievements are results of his own efforts, which is why I say there’s hope."

After touring Red Flame Peak, he discovered it had planted Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Trees, Bodhi Trees, Cloud Peak Silver Needles, Blood Soul Xuan Yuan Trees, and Profound Leaf Sword Bamboos, all relatively rare Spirit Plants in the Sect.

If these Spirit Trees could be cultivated to Tier Two Upper Grade, the Sect’s secret vault would become greatly enriched.

Daoist Master Yuxiao murmured:

"A Chao Origin Stage Spirit Farmer can have such a strong impact?"

"A Chao Origin Stage Spirit Farmer wouldn’t have such strength; otherwise, the Divine Wood Sect would be the number one Sect in the Central Continent.

However, a cultivator who broke through to the Chao Origin Stage less than ten years ago and has perfected the Planting Technique can have such an impact."

...

A Spirit Ship slowly descended atop White Stone Mountain, and Daoist Master Nanshan, with half-closed eyes, leapt off the Spirit Ship.

Today, he came out to collect the owed resources from families relying on the Sect. Every place he visited, those families obediently handed over the resources and offered an apology gift.

The Zhang Clan of White Stone Mountain was the last stop on his itinerary. He glanced at the waiting crowd and said coldly:

"Who is the clan leader of the Zhang family?"

The White Stone Mountain Zhang clan is a Chao Origin Stage family; of course, he knows who the clan leader is.

However, to show his dominance, he pretends not to know.

He smells the rich scent of laurel flowers, feeling a sense of comfort in his spirit soul.

A sturdy middle-aged man steps out from the crowd and salutes with cupped hands:

"I am Zhang Jian, greetings to the Daoist Master."

Nanshan Zhenren still squints his eyes and says coldly:

"Clan Leader Zhang, why has your family not yet delivered the resources owed to Yuanhe Mountain?"

He is somewhat puzzled, as he has seen Zhang Jian several times and remembers his gray hair and sagging skin.

Yet today, he notices that Zhang Jian is full of black hair, with skin that has become more robust and elastic.

"Daoist Master, I spent a large amount of family resources to purchase a Tier Two top-quality longevity pill.

There really aren’t enough resources available for us to deliver; could the Daoist Master perhaps extend the deadline?"

Zhang Jian slightly hunched his body, humbly lowering his posture.

"Extend? Heh, you want an extension, and so do other families.

If everyone thinks this way, when will the tribute resources ever be delivered?"

Nanshan Zhenren’s lips curl into a harsh smirk as he says solemnly:

"Today, I don’t care what means you use, you must gather the tribute."

They could afford a Tier Two top-quality longevity pill, indicating that the family is filthy rich.

This level of longevity pill can have some effect on a Golden Core Daoist Master.

Zhang Jian’s face shows a bitter expression, smiling apologetically:

"Daoist Master, the Zhang clan really has no surplus..."

Nanshan Zhenren interrupts him rudely, scoldingly:

"Enough, I’m not here to listen to your complaints.

I’ll be frank; I’ve already collected all other families’ owed tributes.

Today, no matter what, your Zhang clan must gather the tribute, or else how would other families view me, and where would Yuanhe Mountain’s authority stand?"

Zhang Jian’s face changes from red to pale, finally gritting his teeth and saying:

"Please, Daoist Master, rest in the guest hall for a moment, I will immediately gather resources."

"That’s more like it! Lead the way."

Zhang Jian leads the way and arrives in front of a grotto mansion:

"Daoist Master, please."

Nanshan Zhenren and his two disciples step inside, instantly smelling an indescribable faint fragrance.

A yellowish spirit light suddenly appears behind them.

He turns sharply, his face darkening; this is the spirit light that indicates the activation of a magic array, and from the aura fluctuations, it’s a sealing array.

The Zhang family intends to trap them here.

Nanshan Zhenren immediately brings out his magical treasure, shouting sternly:

"How dare you act so recklessly, you..."

"Of course, he wouldn’t dare, but with my backing, it’s a different matter."

Nanshan Zhenren is suddenly startled, having failed to notice another presence in the grotto mansion before.

He looks back to see a cultivator dressed in green abruptly appearing on the room’s main seat.

A divine sense sweeps unceremoniously over, and Nanshan Zhenren’s heart sinks; the enemy’s aura is vast and far exceeds his own.

Today’s affair is a trap, a trap targeting Yuanhe Mountain!

All the families that owed tributes might be involved.

In that instant, everything clicks in his mind; magical power surges wildly from the Golden Core, spiritual artifacts gleaming with golden light.

Simultaneously, his bones crack with a popping sound, and his body expands rapidly, becoming over a yard tall.

At this moment, he abandons all wishful thinking, understanding that they must believe their strength can overpower him to have dared set such a trap.

The cultivator in green’s lips curl into a menacing smile, their skull elongates, quickly transforming into a camel-like head with two short black horns.

Their hands stretch into powerful claws, and their legs combine into a thick snake-like tail.

"You are the Cyan Flood Dragon that attacked Qingxu Daoist Master?!"

Nanshan Zhenren yells furiously, charging forward with his magical treasure.

The Cyan Flood Dragon stretches its body, causing the grotto mansion’s ceiling to shatter immediately.

The ground reveals streaks of array patterns; it’s a massive sealing array capable of resisting attacks from a late-stage Golden Core Daoist Master for a short time.

The tremendous commotion from the Cyan Flood Dragon’s appearance attracts the attention of Yuanhe Mountain cultivators stationed on the spirit ship.

They hear Nanshan Zhenren’s angry shouts, feeling waves of shock in their hearts; attacking a Daoist Master?!

A black demonic wind swirls around the spirit ship, and the Golden Core level pressure spreads in all directions, accompanied by an arrogant laugh:

"Haha, I, Chen Sheng, shall send you Yuanhe Mountain cultivators on your way!"

From the wind, a massive hand, several yards wide, emerges and strikes heavily upon the spirit ship.

With the first strike, a dozen cracks appear on the spirit ship; with the second, the spirit ship shatters.

Fighting the Cyan Flood Dragon, Nanshan Zhenren suddenly feels intense pain from his dantian, his magical power circulation abruptly hampered.

His eyes widen in rage, shouting:

"Despicable, even a dignified Golden Core Great Demon resorts to poison."

The Cyan Flood Dragon exhales a mist brilliant like rosy clouds, speaking leisurely:

"Poison is just one of my skills."