Chapter 3: The Master... Exquisitely Beautiful

    Hearing Qi Yuan''s agreement, Jiang Lingsu finally relaxed.

    "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

    The remaining six individuals looked at Jiang Lingsu with a hint of envy.

    Kang Fulu let out a sigh of relief, pleased that Qi Yuan had not chosen the person he had his eye on.

    "Now that the selections are complete, farewell everyone," Qi Yuan said.

    The senior disciples from the other peaks nodded.

    Despite Qi Yuan''s somewhat peculiar nature, he was still very polite.

    "Farewell, Junior Brother Qi Yuan!"

    "See you tonight, Junior Brother Qi Yuan!"

    These people warmly greeted Qi Yuan, creating a congenial atmosphere.

    Where interests were not involved, they all showed Qi Yuan considerable respect.

    However, Zhuge Miao from Shen Yao Peak hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "Junior Brother Qi Yuan, I have some questions about the formula for the Nourishing Essence Pill. Could you spare some time to enlighten me? If you can help me, I am willing to offer a Foundation Establishment spiritual item in return."

    Zhuge Miao''s attitude was sincere.

    Earlier, he had reminded Qi Yuan to choose first to create an opportunity for this conversation.

    His words caused varied reactions among the present disciples of Shen Guang Sect.

    Qi Yuan looked at Zhuge Miao and said, "I''ll be walking my pet down the mountain this evening. I can take a look then."

    Hearing this, Zhuge Miao felt a surge of joy.

    When Qi Yuan mentioned his pet, Xu Yiyi from Ten Thousand Laws Peak seemed to recall something, a smile appearing on her usually cold face.

    "Junior Sister, let''s go." Qi Yuan called out to Jiang Lingsu, and the two left the crowd.

    It was only then that Kang Fulu spoke, "Junior Brother Zhuge, are you sure you want to consult Qi Yuan about the pill formula?"

    The others present also showed expressions of doubt or mild amusement. They didn''t think Qi Yuan could actually help Zhuge Miao.

    "Junior Brother Qi Yuan is exceptionally talented, often having astonishing insights. He might have unique views on alchemy as well," Zhuge Miao replied.

    Half a month ago, he had encountered Qi Yuan walking his pet and discussed pill formulas with him. Unexpectedly, Qi Yuan''s perspective provided significant help.

    "If he''s so amazing, why hasn''t he gathered a single Foundation Establishment spiritual item?" The senior brother of Battle Peak, known for his straightforwardness, said, "Junior Brother Zhuge, you might end up wasting a Foundation Establishment item."

    Foundation Establishment spiritual items were highly valuable, essential for cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement to break through to Foundation Establishment.

    The higher the quality of the spiritual item, the better the results for the cultivator in establishing their foundation.

    Now, except for Qi Yuan, the senior disciples of the five peaks had all achieved Foundation Establishment.

    In their view, Qi Yuan''s inability to reach Foundation Establishment was likely due to offending his master and not being granted a Foundation Establishment spiritual item.

    Xu Yiyi from Ten Thousand Laws Peak said, "A genius one step, a madman the next. Qi Yuan might have unique insights."

    "Alright, let''s discuss these matters later. We have important tasks to attend to," Kang Fulu said.

    The conversation ceased, and Kang Fulu turned to the remaining five individuals.

    "No need for further introductions for them."

    "Let''s go pay respects to Master now!" Jiang Lingsu was eager.

    Qi Yuan shook his head, "We can''t."

    "Master isn''t here?"

    "No, there''s a barrier from the mountainside to the mountaintop. We can''t go up."

    "What?" Jiang Lingsu was confused.

    "Master said, without reaching the Core Formation stage, we are not allowed to see her at the mountaintop."

    In the path of cultivation, there are seven stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Purple Mansion, Yin God, and Yang God.

    Shen Guang Sect, one of the three major sects in Da Shang, had over a thousand disciples.

    Most of these disciples were in the Qi Refining stage.

    Above Qi Refining was Foundation Establishment.

    Foundation Establishment cultivators were already mid-level fighters in a sect, holding significant positions such as deacons or even elders.

    Once one reached Core Formation, they became a high-level member of the sect.

    In Da Shang, Core Formation cultivators could walk unchallenged unless they encountered Nascent Soul elders.

    As for higher stages like Yin God and Yang God, it was said there were none in Da Shang.

    Jiang Lingsu was stunned.

    Core Formation cultivators were strong wherever they went.

    Even with her family''s resources, it would take at least ten years to become a Core Formation cultivator.

    As for Senior Brother Qi Yuan, despite his moderate talent, she doubted he would ever reach Core Formation.

    Even if he did, the quality of his core might not be high.

    "Senior Brother, why did Master set such a harsh requirement?" Jiang Lingsu was puzzled.

    She didn''t have that much time to wait.

    Qi Yuan looked at Jiang Lingsu and said slowly, "Master might be afraid... of seeing me."

    "Huh?" Jiang Lingsu was taken aback, recalling Qi Yuan''s previous comments about the master.

    Master probably just doesn''t want to see you!

    "I understand, Senior Brother." Jiang Lingsu found it hard to deal with cultivators of the Obsessive lineage.

    She looked at Qi Yuan, "Senior Brother, where will I stay?"

    She couldn''t go to the mountaintop, and there were no other houses here.

    "There are straw and some wood in the courtyard."

    Hearing this, Jiang Lingsu felt a sense of foreboding.

    Was Senior Brother going to make her build a straw hut? She had never lived in one before.

    "You can move them and build a straw hut for yourself."

    Qi Yuan yawned again.