Chapter 057 Opportunity Cannot Be Forced

Xu Xuan packed his belongings, preparing to move into the inner sect. Despite his repeated refusals, some outer sect disciples insisted on seeing him off. Among them were Xu Yuan and Yang Xiaoqian, both hailing from Yangmu Village, whose earnestness could not be denied, and so they accompanied Xu Xuan all the way to the gates of the inner sect.

Yang Xiaoqian’s presence was not unwelcome; Xu Xuan at least did not dislike her, and did not mind her company. But as for Young Master Xu Yuan, his excessive compliments and warmth along the way made Xu Xuan feel somewhat awkward. Nevertheless, one does not strike a smiling face; no matter how he felt inwardly, Xu Xuan merely maintained a cold attitude and refrained from any sarcastic remarks. With his current achievements—having become an inner sect disciple—the three major families of Yangmu Village would surely treat him with utmost respect, as an honored guest.

They escorted him all the way to the "North Cliff Pavilion," after which the outer sect disciples finally departed one by one.

“Oh, Brother Xu,” Xu Yuan said with a kindly smile, “according to sect rules, we may descend the mountain once every two months. In about a month and a half, we can return to the village together.”

Yang Xiaoqian was the last to leave. Her bright eyes shimmered like clear waves, fixed unwaveringly upon Xu Xuan’s face, as if trying to discern even the slightest flaw.

Xu Xuan felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze. His calm and somewhat forceful eyes met hers directly, maintaining the stare for several breaths, until Yang Xiaoqian’s cheeks flushed. Her pretty eyes darted away, she lightly stomped her foot and muttered, “In just over a month, you’ve transformed into a formidable practitioner of the sixth level of body refinement. I really wonder, are you still the same person?”

Faced with Yang Xiaoqian’s suspicion, Xu Xuan felt a sudden jolt in his heart. It seemed his drastic change had aroused her doubts, and she nearly guessed his true nature.

Fortunately, Yang Xiaoqian merely judged from his recent performance that he had reached the sixth level of body refinement. If she knew his real cultivation was the seventh level, bordering on Immortal Practitioner, her reaction would be unimaginable.

“What’s so strange about it? Everyone has their own opportunities. I happened upon a mysterious mentor in the mountains, and my fate took a turn. Just as with Sister Yu Qin—she joined the sect only half a month ago, was granted a ‘Marrow Cleansing Pill’ by her elders, and now has advanced to the ranks of Qi Refining Immortals.”

Xu Xuan replied in a mild tone.

Yang Xiaoqian’s delicate brows furrowed, half-believing, half-doubting. After all, Xu Xuan’s aptitude was ordinary and his background humble. Yet she could not refute him—life’s opportunities can indeed change one’s destiny entirely.

Take Yu Qin, now a true disciple, or Xu Xuan himself, who had suddenly advanced and become almost unrecognizable.

“Opportunity… Why does it never come to me?” Yang Xiaoqian paused, sighed softly with a hint of bitterness, and then turned away.

Watching her leave, Xu Xuan mused. Yang Xiaoqian was once a proud, reserved young lady of a small family, pure and radiant, but after just half a month in the sect, she had already begun to change. Who could say where her path would ultimately lead?

In the days that followed, having settled into the inner sect and its superior cultivation environment, Xu Xuan seized every moment to train.

Over four or five days, while recovering from his injuries, he consolidated the seventh stage of body refinement.

As an inner sect disciple, he now received monthly stipends not only of spirit stones, but also of various elixirs.

For example, with his current status, Xu Xuan was allotted two bottles of “Qi Nourishing Pills” each month.

This pill greatly benefits practitioners above the seventh level of body refinement—those who can emit internal force—and is even helpful for first and second tier Qi Refining Immortals.

It was said that anyone who reached the seventh level and took the pill regularly, even with mediocre talent, could advance to Qi Refining Immortal within two or three years.

For Xu Xuan, however, the pill served only to strengthen his cultivation and consolidate his vital energy and organs.

If he wished to advance to the Qi Refining stage, by integrating insights from his past life, even with his average talent, he could achieve it in a short time, like any ordinary prodigy.

Yet Xu Xuan hesitated. Firstly, he wished to lay a more solid foundation for himself; secondly, he was waiting for the awakening of his former soul, to seek its advice.

But after four or five days, each time Xu Xuan entered the sea of memories in his dreams, the remnant soul of his past life did not appear.

Instead, his wounds healed, his realm stabilized, and he could smoothly perform the seventh movement—the “Steel” technique—repeatedly.

Since returning from the bandit suppression, Xu Xuan’s exploits among the outer sect disciples had become the stuff of legend.

The youth who once, as a mere body refinement practitioner, stood against inner sect immortals, emerged triumphant in the perilous campaign and earned his place within the inner sect.

Of course, in the wider sect, the rising star whose reputation soared most brilliantly was still Le Feng.

During the bandit campaign, Le Feng demonstrated astonishing cultivation at the fourth tier of Qi Refining. Though lacking combat experience, he ultimately slew the Blood Spirit Bandit leader, saving disciples from two factions, and was accepted as a true disciple by Fairy He.

Thus, Le Feng became the brightest rising star in the Wind Feather Sect, his fame and cultivation rivaling Senior Brother Yun Yuanhang.

After the campaign, his character and strength inspired the respect of many, and won the hearts of countless female disciples.

Most of the glory and attention fell upon Le Feng, overshadowing the extraordinary feats of Xu Xuan in the same campaign.

This suited Xu Xuan’s wishes perfectly. Still in his infancy, he sought only to cultivate quietly, to steadily build his strength. Without sufficient power, it would not be wise to stand out.

For some time thereafter, he remained in the “North Cliff Pavilion,” seldom leaving.

With past life experience and insights, his path required no guidance from masters.

Xu Xuan calculated that, given time, most disciples would soon forget him. After all, a single bandit campaign was but a minor event in the long journey of sect cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed, with Xu Xuan diligently training in the eighth transformation—the “Roar” technique.

“Dragon Snake Nine Transformations” now had only two left: Roar and Awe.

The “Roar” technique was exceptionally powerful in regulating internal energy and blood, each movement exuding a formidable, fierce momentum that startled all who witnessed it.

Especially the final movement, which channels all one’s essence and spirit into a soul-shaking roar—the aura of this technique could even rival the forbidden martial wave “Blood Essence Shock” unleashed by Old Master Cao.

The difference lay in that the power of the “Roar” technique was entirely drawn from Xu Xuan's own essence, energy, and spirit, completely under his control.

Based on the strength achieved in his previous life, the “Roar” technique could threaten even first and second tier Qi Refining practitioners, several times stronger than ordinary eighth stage body refinement cultivators.

“Once I master the eighth transformation, my foundation upon entering the gate of cultivation will be more stable. Even in facing low-tier immortals like Wan Fushan, I will be able to triumph.”

Expectancy gleamed in Xu Xuan’s eyes, soon replaced by confusion and hesitation.

With persistent effort, he could undoubtedly reach the eighth stage of body refinement.

But what then, after the eighth stage?

The gates of immortality would open for him; the path he chose would determine the course of his life.

The last two transformations of “Dragon Snake Nine Transformations,” and even the legendary tenth stage of body refinement, were deeply alluring to Xu Xuan—not only as the aspiration of his former life, but as the dream of this one.

In the blink of an eye, over a month had passed.

Xu Xuan remained low-key in the sect, rarely interacting with other inner disciples.

He stayed secluded in his remote “North Cliff Pavilion,” cultivating “Dragon Snake Nine Transformations,” almost oblivious to the passage of time.

As expected, as time went by, most disciples gradually forgot his existence.

Yet, inevitably, a few exceptions remained.

On a night with a dark moon and high winds, in another isolated courtyard within the inner sect—

Inside, a slender man in a blue robe, with faint respect and a smile, said, “Brother Wan, congratulations on your recent advancement to the second tier of Qi Refining. It’s an honor for you to visit my humble abode tonight—may I ask what brings you?”

Yuan Qing, a disciple who had entered the inner sect only in recent years, had barely stepped into the first tier of Qi Refining half a year ago. Naturally, he held the veteran inner disciple Wan Fushan in awe, careful not to offend him.

Since returning from the bandit campaign, Wan Fushan had received sect rewards, acquired a lower-grade magical artifact, and, aided by the Qi Essence Pill, broke through to the second tier of Qi Refining, greatly elevating his status in the inner sect.

“Brother Yuan, I hope you’ve been well. I’ve come to trouble you with a small matter.”

Wan Fushan’s small eyes narrowed, and he stroked the newly sprouted mustache above his lip, looking aged and dignified.

“If it’s something even Brother Wan can’t handle, then I…” Yuan Qing was cautious, his face troubled.

“No need to worry, Brother Yuan. It’s an easy task, nothing requiring murder, arson, or dangerous feats. Merely a bit of information gathering, and given my current position, it’s not appropriate for me to act directly…”

Wan Fushan smiled knowingly, clearly holding all the cards.

He then produced two bottles of “Qi Nourishing Pills” and a box of spirit ginseng, handing them to Yuan Qing. “After advancing to the second tier, these are of little use to me, but perhaps you will find them helpful.”

“If it’s not murder or arson, I will gladly serve you,” Yuan Qing said, his eyes sweeping the gifts without change in expression, patting his chest and declaring himself eager to help.

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