Chapter 443 - 401: Secluded Cultivation

Alright, if Pearl Spirit keeps talking, fear it would take no less than two hours before stopping.

Lu Qian intervened quickly: "Guests are waiting outside, let’s chat next time. Little Yan, since you’ve become my disciple, I naturally have a disciple gift for you."

Upon hearing this, Pearl Spirit was indeed intrigued and saw Lu Qian smiling while handing over two shimmering items to Wu Yan.

A palm-sized verdant flower bud, along with a crystal-clear, almost transparent flying sword.

Wu Yan was filled with joy and hurriedly bowed to receive them: "Thank you, Master!"

Upon closer inspection, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Spiritual Artifact?"

It turned out these two items were not magical artifacts used by Qi Cultivators, but Spiritual Artifacts for Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars. Judged by their spiritual glow and pressure, their mighty power was extraordinary, standing a grade above the usual high-tier spiritual artifacts, worthy of being called supreme.

"Correct. With your current cultivation, I estimate you’ll achieve Qi Cultivation Perfection in about half a year," Lu Qian said with satisfaction, "Celestial Spiritual Root is favored by destiny; once Qi Cultivation is perfected, chances of Foundation Establishment will swiftly arrive, and the process will also go smoothly. Thus, gifting you a magical artifact would be pointless."

Wu Yan had always concealed her cultivation using the Secret Technique of Void Spiritual Root, and even revealing only the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation realm had astonished many disciples, who considered her a prodigy. If they knew her true cultivation, their jaws might well drop.

"Also, I am about to enter seclusion, which will take at least a year to finish. Therefore, I likely cannot be by your side during your Foundation Establishment. These two Spiritual Artifacts are a gift so that you can use them immediately upon succeeding in Foundation Establishment."

Wu Yan was carefully examining the two Spiritual Artifacts and was taken aback by his words, repeatedly asking, "Why does Master suddenly need to go into seclusion? Are you hurt, is there any danger?"

This fervent concern was genuine, and Lu Qian smiled, shaking his head: "There’s nothing wrong with me; I need to cultivate a secret technique and cannot be disturbed, hence the seclusion. Sect affairs have been arranged properly, and I will plan ahead for your Foundation Establishment."

After pausing for a moment, Lu Qian continued: "These two Spiritual Artifacts are extraordinary, originally prized possessions of Hee Yangchen from Xuanguang Sect, presumably obtained from Master Fengfeng, serving both attack and defense with unique purposes."

Defensive Spiritual Artifact, Spirit Flower Green Calyx. A flower bud the size of a fist, when activated, the spirit flower blooms upward, forming three layers both inside and out, with thirty-six cyan petals. Seemingly fragile, in reality it has exceptional tenacity, capable of dissolving all enemy attacks amidst its gentle sway.

Attack Spiritual Artifact, Light-Piercing Shadowless Sword. This flying sword was Hee Yangchen’s constant companion, its greatest attribute being invisibility!

By simply injecting spiritual power, the originally transparent sword will flicker and vanish, leaving not even a shadow behind. It also boasts razor-sharp sword qi, cutting through gold and jade effortlessly.

Such spiritual artifacts complement his Invisibility Dao Pattern, achieving a state of stealth and unpredictability.

However, no one would have thought that the Light-Piercing Shadowless Sword would be a perfect match with Wu Yan!

Wu Yan’s Void Spiritual Root has the attribute of invisibility, concealing traces of spiritual power manipulation, thus remaining highly covert when employing magic techniques, catching enemies off guard.

Yet when wielding ordinary weapons, the swirl of blades tends to give away hints to the enemy. If replaced with this invisible Shadow Sword, the situation changes!

Upon Lu Qian’s demonstration, Wu Yan was even more delighted, thanking him repeatedly, while Pearl Spirit clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes: "Well, Sect Leader Lu, you really know how to borrow things to make gifts, taking my spoils of war to hand out."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Yan giggled and hugged her: "Good sister, thank you! You are the best!"

Pearl Spirit’s form was created based on Innate Spiritual Qi and is a real entity, not an illusion, although ethereal and cool. At that moment, feeling the warmth and vitality emanating from Wu Yan’s body, she couldn’t summon any temper and resignedly shook her head.

"Ah, women are outwardly affectionate; ancient wisdom holds true."

The lively banquet lasted an entire evening, not only for guests who came to congratulate but also for most of the cultivators from Shuangye Alliance participating in a grand celebration.

Especially several true disciples became the object of congratulations and friendships; even Jiang Baitao couldn’t handle the drinks, blushing after a cup, and walked unsteadily.

After the banquet concluded, Yunshan Sect’s elders, Shuangye Alliance’s senior members, and envoys from various sects of Liangxiang County, along with Yan Beixing, sat down under Lu Qian’s organization, engaging in a cordial and friendly meeting, reaching numerous agreements on trade, joint defense, and multilateral exchanges.

Having various thoughts, the guests left with the meticulously prepared gifts from Yunshan Sect, after which Lu Qian made final arrangements concerning Yunshan Sect, Shuangye Alliance including spirit seed cultivation, disciple training, daily production, artifact refining and alchemy challenges, task issuing, foreign diplomacy, combat power allocation, defensive matters, emergency plans, and more.

Simultaneously, Zhang Lemei’s punishment was passed unanimously by the Elder Council.

She was relieved of her elder duties, barring annual compensation, cancelling all benefits and power, receiving a monthly stipend by Inner Sect Yi Class standard.

Confined at home for contemplation, shut-in for a year. After shut-in ends, confined to Golden Dawn Peak, prohibited from leaving without Sect Leader’s approval.

Her personal punishment was easy to decide, but ensuing guidance of Tan Yunxing brought considerable disagreements among the elders.

Everyone agreed that Zhang Lemei should not raise Xiaoyunxing for long, to prevent worse influences on him. However, forcibly separating a naive toddler with no understanding of right and wrong from his mother undoubtedly would fill his heart with resentment.

Allowing Zhang Lemei to interact with Tan Yunxing a few times a month, she might still pass her sect displeasure and resentment to Yunxing.

After lengthy discussion, it was decided to attempt both solutions.

During Lu Qian’s seclusion, Tan Yunxing’s education and cultivation were to be led by Jiang Qingfeng, easing his emotions and teaching him proper values. The mistakes Zhang Lemei made must be explained and guided, neither evading the topic nor being overly provocative. At least he should understand it is normal to accept punishment for errors.

They could reunite three times monthly, each time supervised by an elder. If Zhang Lemei misbehaves, reduce meeting frequency; if Zhang genuinely repents and exhibits a good attitude towards acknowledging faults, she may be allowed more visits.

These measures were enacted, and Yunshan Sect’s personnel structure was slightly adjusted. Primarily Wang Yu stepping down from Reward Elder role, taking on Punishment Elder and Security Elder immediately, while Wu Yan transitioned from Punishment Steward to Reward Executor.

During Lu Qian’s seclusion, the Elder Council consisting of Jiang Qingfeng, Wang Yu, and Yang Jiye collaboratively manage affairs, each steward offering full support and counsel.

Sect Leader’s disciple Wu Yan shall begin undertaking responsibilities, serving as a model for others, supervising and restraining fellow disciple behavior.

"Little Yan, you managed everything well, except for one aspect needing improvement." Standing at the center of Yunshan Sect’s location, before the heavily guarded chamber where Lu Qian was about to enter seclusion, he delivered final guidance, "Your lack of experience shows you to be slightly rigid in your actions with an inflexibility, often taking strong measures to protect your interests."

"Though bear in mind, too much rigidity is prone to break. When I’m gone, consult Lin Le frequently and seek instructions from your mentors."

Wu Yan respectfully agreed.

Lu Qian finally exchanged some words with several elders, also sharing lingering eye contact with the senior sister for a hesitant farewell—fortunately, the genuine parting was concluded last night, sparing any impropriety now.

Then he turned and entered the chamber, a wave of his sleeve quietly closing the door.

Under multiple arrays, silence prevailed within.

The few from Yunshan Sect Murmured prayerful hope, wishing Lu Qian all smoothness and sooner return.

Inside the chamber, Lu Qian surged spiritual power, opened the storage pouch, a jade scroll hovering midair with layers of sealed jade boxes and jade bottles suspended, aligned carefully.

These are the cultivation techniques for Pure Glazed Body and seventy-seven required Immortal Herbs and Elixirs!

Lu Qian regulated his breathing, recovering to a state of perfection, divine sense gathering, as the thoroughly memorized Divine Mysterious Technique emerged in his mind.

Throughout the year, he would refine seventy-seven spiritual medicines, combining them with a specific body-refining technique, following the orders of fusion without error, integrating the elixir essence into flesh, expelling acquired impurities, and returning to innate purity.

Pure Glazed Body, cultivation begins!