CHAPTER 902: CHAPTER 898: MEETING LI ZHAOJUN (1)

"Congratulations on advancing to the Golden Core Stage, junior brother."

The fox spirit is truly a fox spirit; even in Wu Ding’s most genuine illusions, it was her doing shameless things with Ye Fan among the flowers, naked. She was a straightforward woman. In a place like Tianxuan Sect, which focuses on cultivating immortals, she seemed quite out of place.

"Senior sister, I wish to see the master," Ye Fan said.

Wu Ding smiled lightly and said, "Why hurry? You hit me with a palm before, there are some things I haven’t completed yet. After teaching you, the next step is to take you to choose your personal magical artifact, come along with your senior sister."

Ye Fan followed Wu Ding to a hall within the sect, where a board hung outside the hall with ancient characters that read "Magic Artifact Pavilion."

Inside the Magic Artifact Pavilion were many cabinets, not made of ordinary materials. Upon entering the hall, one could feel a strong pressure of spiritual energy.

"There are many magical artifacts here, ranging from low-grade to mid-grade to high-grade. Every disciple of our sect starts training with a magical artifact. Since you’re now at the Golden Core Stage, after you reach the Nascent Soul Stage, you’ll be taken to the main hall, the place you first met your senior sister, where we store artifacts above magical artifacts."

Ye Fan didn’t want to accept benefits without reason, and he also didn’t consider himself a disciple of Tianxuan Sect. So he walked to the cabinets, randomly opened one, and found something like a gourd inside. When held, the gourd split into two halves, turning into two ladles.

He couldn’t help but smile bitterly; this kind of artifact was indeed rare.

"Junior brother has a good eye, you’ve chosen the most useless artifact. It’s said this gourd has been lying here for hundreds of years. A few disciples have used it before, but it didn’t suit them, so... you know." Wu Ding shrugged.

Ye Fan said, "I’m not asking for a fine artifact. I wish to see the master and ask him about going to Emperor Sect."

"Let’s leave after you’ve chosen." Wu Ding didn’t even explain the method of using the gourd, as if it wasn’t necessary. No matter its use, after generations had explored, they found it was only a low-grade artifact that could be used as a weapon.

A weapon’s strength is proportional to its length, but the gourd couldn’t freely stretch. After turning into a ladle, it could be held with one hand... to scoop water to drink.

Wu Ding led Ye Fan out of the Magic Artifact Pavilion, directly heading down the mountain. They hadn’t walked far when Qing Xu came bouncing along, "Senior sister, senior brother, I want to go with you."

"Hmm." Wu Ding nodded and led them to the martial arts field for outer disciples at the back of the mountain.

This martial arts field was where inner disciples of Tianxuan Sect competed. Disciples from Tian Sect and Xuan Sect could not step into each other’s territory, but they could hold gatherings in the main hall at Camelback Peak. Competitions were always held at the martial arts field.

But that day at the martial arts field, there were no competitions. Hua Wu and Jing Ya had selected some disciples above the Nascent Soul Stage from Tian Sect and Xuan Sect, preparing to set off to Emperor Mountain in a few days.

"Master, I have brought the people," Wu Ding respectfully greeted Hua Wu.

Ye Fan recognized no one opposite except for Jing Ya and Elder Wu.

Hua Wu glanced at Ye Fan and nodded, "Good. Qing Neng will go with us to Emperor Mountain, while Hui Ning will stay to guard the mountain gate."

The sect master would personally lead disciples of Tianxuan Sect to Emperor Sect. Those who went had to leave the mountain gate guarded. Someone opposite immediately asked, "Sect Master’s elder uncle, why can this fellow who is only at Golden Core Stage go to Emperor Sect?"

"Because he has a good master. Best not to say more."

Ye Fan had just injured disciples of Tian Sect, causing fury. People from Tian Sect were not friendly to him at all. If he hadn’t been a new disciple of Xuan Sect, someone might have already come to teach him a lesson.

Hua Wu didn’t explain Ye Fan’s going to Emperor Sect, speaking in an unquestionable tone, "Tian Sect and Xuan Sect, each leave an elder to guard the mountain gate. Follow Hui Ning’s instructions. If there’s an external invasion, Hui Ning can mobilize all forces without violation, and may even trigger the Heavenly Thunder Array. This is the Immortal Fate Stone, Hui Ning, take it."

Hui Ning respectfully took the Immortal Fate Stone in hand, equivalent to the master token.

"But before going to Tianxuan Sect, we need to contact people from Xia Yan Sect. The sect master has decided to let Qing Wu and Wu Ding go."

Qing Wu was Elder Wu’s ordinal name at the mountain gate. His regular name had the surname Wu. The Wu and Qing groups in Tianxuan Sect are equal, their names chosen based on the five elements.

Wu Ding smiled, "Master, disciple has a request. May Qing Neng junior brother go with us, is it possible?"

Elder Wu and Wu Ding, along with Ye Fan, had some connections. They were the first two people Ye Fan had known at Tianxuan Sect. Moreover, they once had connections with Zhuo Junwu, which could be helpful.

"Fine." Hua Wu nodded, "He’s just reached Golden Core Stage; it’s good for him to go out and experience. But he mustn’t cause trouble."

The little girl Qing Xu promptly called out, "Sect Master’s elder uncle, I want to go too."

"No, your cultivation is too shallow, and you have no experience going down the mountain; you cannot go!" Hua Wu refused firmly.

"Master, why not let junior sister Qing Xu go with us? It’s good to broaden her horizons too. After all, Xia Yan Sect is not far from Shuangfeng Mountain. After completing the task, we’ll send her back safely and then meet with you at Emperor Mountain."

Hearing her senior sister speak on her behalf, Qing Xu was delighted, gazing at Hua Wu eagerly.

Hua Wu thought for a moment, roughly feeling that with Elder Wu and Wu Ding around, Ye Fan and Qing Xu wouldn’t encounter any issues, so he nodded and agreed.

"Alright, I can go down the mountain!" Qing Xu jumped for joy.

Hua Wu said irritably, "You haven’t gone down the mountain yet, don’t get complacent. Once you’re down there, listen to your senior brother and senior sister."

Qing Xu pretended to be very obedient, nodding slightly, "Disciple understands."

Hua Wu waved his hand, "Today’s matters are concluded here; each disciple returns to prepare, departing in five days. As for Qing Wu and Wu Ding, pack up and today leave the mountain with Qing Neng and Qing Xu."

"Yes."

Wu Ding smiled and nodded at Shen Xi, indicating he should remember the favor.

Ye Fan didn’t want to go to Xia Yan Sect; he only wished to stay at Tianxuan Sect and wait to go to Emperor Mountain. Now, Wu Ding appeared to be giving him unnecessary tasks, which might hinder him from practicing the third layer of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Returning to the mountain, Ye Fan had nothing to pack, whereas little Qing Xu stuffed all her playful items into a storage bracelet, and then happily came out to meet with Wu Ding and Ye Fan.

"Not going for many days, yet you look excited. The world outside isn’t as simple as you think, many wolves and beasts," Wu Ding said sternly.

Qing Xu stuck out her tongue, "Doesn’t matter, as long as I’m with Senior Sister Wu Ding and Senior Brother Qing Neng, it’s fun anywhere. Even if there’s danger, you will protect me."