There is a hidden ce called the Southern Dipper Mountain in the Qian Nation, which opens once every twenty years. It was sealed by several hundred great cultivators from the Qian Nation over ten thousand years ago, all for the sake of ensuring the future of cultivation in the Qian Nation.


    There are countless spiritual herbs inside, with the most precious being those used for Foundation Establishment Pills. However, these herbs have already been divided among and guarded by major sects, and the spots are limited.


    Furthermore, there are strict restrictions on the cultivation level to enter this secret realm; only Qi Refining stage cultivators can enter. Thepetition every twenty years is incredibly fierce, with only one out of ten making it.


    Except for the Ten Great Sects, no other sects possess the method to cultivate these Foundation Establishment Pill herbs. This is the fundamental difference between the immortal sects. Trying to achieve Foundation Establishment without the aid of pills is not only a waste of time but it is also prone to going astray. After all, the lifespan of a Qi Refining practitioner  was only a hundred years, and it takes a considerable amount of time to cultivate to the tenth level. Every extra year taken to achieve a breakthrough is a year closer to doom.


    Since the Foundation Establishment herbs outside the Qian Nation have long been collected to the point of extension, and the fact that Qi Refining practitioners were too many in the recent years, the demand far outweighed the supply.


    "I see now," Chen Xun understood. They wanted him and the others to act as pawns, or even cannon fodder.


    "Of course, if you manage to collect three main herbs, the sect''s seniors will naturally refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, and those who participated in the collection will receive a share," Yin Jun added, changing the topic. "At the Five Elements Sect, we''ve never forced our disciples to participate, so you don''t have to worry."


    Chen Xun chuckled in response to Yin Jun''s words but didn''t say anything. However, in his heart, he knew why they didn’t have to force anyone. Those with poor aptitude would flock to participate anyway.


    "After joining the Five Elements Sect, you can choose to be a disciple of the sect yourself, as long as you meet the contribution requirements every year," Yin Jun continued: "For example, I am an outer disciple. With contributions, I can exchange for techniques, spells, and many more. Every year, there is also a sect-widepetition. If you catch the eye of any elder and are epted as their disciple, you can soar to the sky and be an inner disciple."


    "What if I don''t meet the contribution requirements?" Chen Xun asked.


    "Make up for it the following year. If you fail to meet the requirements for three consecutive years, you will be expelled from the sect," Yin Jun exined, and his eyes showed fear when he mentioned expulsion. "This only applies to outer disciples, not inner disciples. And definitely not those in the Foundation Establishment stage.”


    "Thank you for rifying," Chen Xun said gratefully.


    "However, about this ox of yours," Yin Jun nced at the big ck ox, his brow furrowing slightly. "The sect only epts spiritual beasts."


    "That''s even better," Chen Xun patted the big ck ox.


    "Moo!"


    The big ck ox walked forward, emanating a burst of spiritual power. Yin Jun was shocked; The beast was at the second level of Qi Refining. He hadn’t noticed this before.


    "Then there''s no problem," Yin Jun stepped back and said, relieved.


    Spiritual beasts are a significantbat force for cultivators. The Immortal Beast Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects, specializes in spiritual beasts and has powerful disciples among low-level cultivators.


    "All right, I, Chen Xun, am willing to join the Five Elements Sect," Chen Xun said solemnly, bowing to Yin Jun.


    "Please ept this disciple token," Yin Jun''s eyes revealed joy as he handed Chen Xun a green token, smaller than the one from before. Chen Xun felt a surge of excitement inside him.


    "On the day of the sect''s closed-door cultivation, my senior will activate the token, and you will know where to meet then," Yin Jun exined.


    "Okay, then I won''t disturb you any longer," Chen Xun smiled and left with the big ck ox.


    Yin Jun nodded and looked back at the Purple Cloud Sect''s trial site. He also had a token simr to the one held by the three women.


    On the street, the big ck ox appeared excited, asionally nudging Chen Xun.


    "Old ox, we''re leaving this ce," Chen Xun said with a smile.


    He felt like he was a bit hasty in his decision. Perhaps he had gained a lot, but he also lost a lot, like grains of sand slipping through his fingers. However, joining the Five Elements Sect had long been part of Chen Xun''s n. He had inquired about the sect''s strength in the valley before, and it was inferior to the Ten Great Sects but still more than adequate for his purposes.


    The disciples of the Five Elements Sect often lingered around the Purple Cloud Sect''s tform every year. While Chen Xun didn''t know the exact reason, as long as they attracted attention, it served his purpose.


    By demonstrating extraordinary strength in the first trial of the Purple Cloud Sect and then appearing to falter in the second trial, disciples from the Five Elements Sect would undoubtedly seek them out. They had brought all their assets with them this time.


    _Ding ding._


    A crisp sound rang out as the big ck ox shifted its body a few times, looking at Chen Xun.


    Chen Xun halted his steps, walked to the side of the big ck ox, and gazed at their pots, pans, and bowls, all now yellowed and rusty.


    "When the timees, we''ll polish them nicely. These are treasures," Chen Xun said.


    "Moo, moo!" The big ck ox lowered in agreement.


    Chen Xun and the big ck ox strolled through the Nine Stars Valley, their steps not as hurried as before. Gradually, they walked out of the valley and then suddenly elerated their pace.


    On the slope of arge peak, a solitary grave mound stood. Chen Xun and the big ck ox arrived near Sun Kaiyue''s grave, tidied up the weeds, and lit some incense.


    "Old Sun, we''re leaving. We will be going to a distant ce and don''t know when we''ll be back," Chen Xun spoke softly, one hand still plucking weeds. "We''ve never been to such a faraway ce before."


    "Moo~" The big ck ox muttered something on the side, expressing its thoughts.


    The mountain breeze blew by the two figures who had already left, and a faint sigh wafted away with the mountain breeze.


    After another half day, Chen Xun arrived at Ning Si''s grave, next to which was the tombstone of Ning Si''s wife.


    "Master, Madam."


    Chen Xun''s voice trembled slightly as he bowed deeply, and the images of their smiling faces seemed like they had been with him just yesterday.


    _"Although you weren''t the most talented of my students, Master believes you will undoubtedly be the most skilled of them all."_


    _"This child is indeed excellent, with good character and an excellent temperament."_


    The two of them seemed to be sitting in front of their graves, still smiling, and looking at Chen Xun with satisfaction.


    "We''re leaving. We''vee to bid farewell to Master and Madam," Chen Xun said solemnly, bowing deeply, and the big ck ox followed suit, moving carefully.


    Chen Xun patted the big ck ox and turned to leave. Suddenly, he staggered forward as if someone had pushed him from behind. His pupils contracted sharply, and his eyes trembled.


    "Moo?" The big ck ox said.


    "It’s nothing. Let’s go." Chen Xun didn’t look back anymore and said with a smile, leading the ck ox away.


    At this moment, a gentle breeze blew, and countless pieces of fluff suddenly floated into the sky, drifting without hesitation; simrly, two figures walked further and further away, unwavering.


    ...


    A full moon hung high in the sky, appearing closer than usual. The moonlight of early winter, clear and cold, cast icy silver light on thend.


    Many cultivators had already started to leave the Nine Stars Valley since tomorrow will be the final day of the meet. Many people’s hopes were dashed already.


    In the distance, on a grassy field, several angry roars and pitiful screams echoed. The grass was stained with blood, and seven or eight figures stood scattered around, their lips curled with cold smiles.


    "This is what provoking the Liao n gets you!" The middle-aged man who had sold Chen Xun the seeds of the spirit herb stomped on a dead cultivator''s head with a sinister look in his eyes. He had flying swords circling around him.


    "Hmph, that idiot is here again," a round-faced manughed grimly. The grudge from that one punch he had taken from Chen Xun still lingered. "I never expected him to show up again."


    The Liao n did business in the Nine Stars Valley all year round, and while they didn''t have a Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing them, they were not to be trifled with by ordinary cultivators.


    "Hmph, he''s been hiding for so long. I won’t let him escape this time," the middle-aged man said coldly, and the flying swords buzzed around with sharpness.


    Suddenly, a palpitation surged through the Liao n members. They looked toward the high ground in the grasnd, their eyes filled with horror.


    Under the moonlight, a figure in a hooded robe and a ck ox stood on the elevated ground. The figure’s robe fluttered in the wind. He had three axes around his waist, and the big ck ox''s horns gleamed coldly, bathed in silver light.


    "Long time no see—Liao n."


    The hooded figure tilted his head slightly, a faint, icy smile on his lips as he looked down at the crowd. "I heard you''ve been looking for me."