Translator: CinderTL
"How much longer until you break through to Foundation Establishment?" Xu Sanyan asked calmly, the heavy atmosphere gradually dissipating.
Lin Fan exhaled deeply, finally daring to raise his head slightly. "This disciple estimates that within half a year, I can gather sufficient preparations and attempt Foundation Establishment."
Xu Sanyan shook his head. "Half a year is too slow. What do you still need? Go ask Elder Liu for it. I want you to reach Foundation Establishment within half a month."
Lin Fan's face lit up with joy, his eyes brimming with excitement. "Thank you, Holy Son! This disciple will spare no effort!"
"Mm, go then."
"Yes, sir."
Xu Sanyan watched Lin Fan's retreating figure, stroking his chin. He sensed that this man possessed remarkable luck. Keeping him around might yield unexpected benefits.
The concept of luck was never mere superstition. Though invisible and intangible, it undeniably existed.
During his time in the Soul Realm of Great Solitary Mountain, there had been a mystical art for cultivating luck called the Calamity Shedding and Misfortune Transcending Method. However, he had never bothered to learn it, finding it utterly incomprehensible.
This technique allows one to transfer their own misfortune to another, essentially shifting calamity.
While the cultivation method is powerful, it requires a substantial number of rare treasures, many of which Xu Sanyan had never even heard of, such as the "Heavenly Fortune Bell" and the "Imperial Cauldron." It also necessitates the arrangement of an intricate formation, making the process exceedingly complex.
"I'll take it one step at a time..."
Xu Sanyan wasn't in a hurry. He felt his luck was still holding up. Though he had encountered some dangers along the way, he had always managed to turn misfortune into fortune, avoiding any significant losses.
Xiang Tan glided over and slowly settled into Xu Sanyan's lap. She picked up a teacup from the table, took a small sip, puffed out her cheeks, and leaned closer with a radiant smile. Her crimson lips pursed as she transferred the tea into his mouth, playfully sticking out her tongue.
"Little vixen..."
Xu Sanyan flipped her around and pulled her into a tight embrace. With a flick of his sleeve, the wooden door slammed shut with a bang, followed by the sound of tearing fabric and the girl's soft, playful laughter.
Such was the monotonous and tedious life of the Holy Son.
Withered leaves drifted from the ancient trees on the mountain, while birds perched on the branches chirped incessantly. Xu Sanyan reached out and snatched one, the bird flapping its wings frantically in a futile attempt to escape.
Xiang Tan hurried over. "Senior Brother, the Hall Master has summoned you to Harmonious Heart Mountain for a council meeting."
"Mm," Xu Sanyan replied, releasing the bird and watching it soar into the distance.
"Have them prepare. We'll depart within the next few days. Tell Elder Liu to distribute the supplies."
"Yes," Xiang Tan nodded.
Xu Sanyan rose into the air and flew directly toward Harmonious Heart Mountain. Along the way, disciples and elders alike paused to bow respectfully.
By now, everyone in the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect knew Xu Sanyan's name. He had broken through two cultivation realms in a single day and seized control of the Crimson Heart Faction within a month. Elders and disciples alike acknowledged his authority, placing him on par with the Hall Master himself.
"Senior Brother Xu, long time no see!"
Before he even reached the main hall, a voice called out from behind. Xu Sanyan turned to see Jiang Qinqin approaching.
"Congratulations on your cultivation breakthrough, Senior Sister Jiang," Xu Sanyan said, immediately recognizing that she had successfully advanced to the Dao Seeking Realm.
Jiang Qinqin waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing compared to your achievements, Senior Brother. I'm still far behind you."
As they strolled and chatted, Xu Sanyan and Jiang Qinqin entered the grand hall. Above the entrance hung a plaque, its four bold characters written in a sweeping, dragon-like calligraphy:
Harmonious Heart, Harmonious Virtue
Xu Sanyan inwardly curled his lip. Over the past few days, he had learned the origins of the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect: a merger of four independent sects, each retaining its autonomy and owing no allegiance to the others.
Yet Harmonious Heart Mountain remained the nominal main sect, its Sect Leader holding the highest cultivation level.
Inside the hall, everyone had already gathered. Three Hall Masters sat at the head of the table, with four others seated below. Including Xu Sanyan and Jiang Qinqin, there were now nine people present.
Xu Sanyan hadn't deliberately arrived last to show off his status; he had simply received the summons later than the others.
Among the assembled, one person was unfamiliar to Xu Sanyan. This middle-aged man had a serene countenance, his brows and eyes radiating calm. He wore a golden robe and a purple-gold crown, two strands of hair cascading naturally from his temples, lending him an air of effortless elegance.
This must be Qi Yuanzhu, the previous generation's Holy Son.
"Greetings, Hall Masters," Xu Sanyan said, bowing respectfully with clasped hands.
Venerable He Yu gazed at Xu Sanyan with admiration. "Martial nephew," he praised, "you've managed Crimson Dragon Mountain with remarkable order. Even I, at Blood Refinement Mountain, have heard of your name. Well done."
"Hall Master, you flatter me."
"Take a seat."
"Yes."
The Mad Daoist, his eyes glazed over, gulped down a mouthful of wine and slumped into his chair, as if utterly disinterested in everything.
The others were long accustomed to this.
Xu Sanyan's gaze swept over Tu Wanshan and the others, offering a polite nod and a smile.
Qi Yuanzhu, ever affable, returned Xu Sanyan's greeting with a warm smile.
Once everyone had gathered, Venerable He Yu spoke first. "As you all know, the Hundred Saints Secret Realm is about to open. This meeting concerns that very matter."
Xu Sanyan thought to himself, As expected. My prediction was correct.
Venerable He Yu then provided a brief overview of the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, which largely echoed Liu Tang's earlier explanation.
"With the Sect Leader in seclusion, Hua Gu and I will lead this expedition once again. Mad Senior Brother will remain behind to guard the sect. We depart in three days, gathering at Harmonious Heart Mountain. Do any of you have questions?"
Xu Sanyan paused thoughtfully before asking, "Venerable, is there a limit to the number of participants?"
Venerable He Yu shook his head. "No, but we shouldn't send too many. This secret realm expedition could last quite some time, and we must maintain sufficient personnel to keep the sect running smoothly."
"Understood."
Hua Gu cautioned, "We are all members of the same sect. Once inside the secret realm, we must unite and avoid infighting. The monks of the Heaven's Will Demon Subduing Temple have always looked down on us, so we must remain vigilant."
"Rest assured, Hall Master," Qi Liang and the others nodded in agreement.
Xu Sanyan smirked inwardly, thinking, We're the Demonic Sect—who's wary of whom remains to be seen. Those monks might be even more nervous than we are.
He considered himself no saint. If things turned ugly, he wouldn't hesitate to strike down anyone, whether from another sect or even his own.
Heaven's Will Demon Subduing Temple...
Hmph.
Let's see whether Buddha's power or the demon's might prevails!
Everyone present harbored their own agendas. The Demonic Sect was already rife with internal strife, so expecting them to unite was a pipe dream. Just preventing them from turning on each other would be a miracle.
"If there are no further concerns, return and prepare," Venerable He Yu said, surveying the crowd. "Of course, while the secret realm holds countless treasures, the risks are considerable. Those unwilling to venture forth may withdraw without penalty."
"This disciple wishes to go."
No one chose to withdraw.
"Excellent! As befits disciples of the Holy Sect, return and prepare."
"Yes."
Qi Yuanzhu took the lead in departing, with Qi Liang following closely behind.
Xu Sanyan glanced at Fang Xiang, who forced himself to suppress his discomfort and offered a stiff smile. "I'll be counting on your guidance when the time comes, Senior Brother Xu."
Influenced by the Demonic Seed, Fang Xiang's fear of Xu Sanyan had only intensified. His mind involuntarily replayed the memory of being brutally beaten by him, fueling his reverence and even robbing him of the courage to face Xu Sanyan directly.
Seeing Fang Xiang's demeanor, Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a faint smile. "You can count on it."
Though Fang Xiang had successfully broken through to the Dao Seeking Realm, Xu Sanyan's higher cultivation level meant the Demonic Seed's suppression hadn't lessened; on the contrary, it had grown even stronger.
(End of the Chapter)
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