Time flew like a shuttle.
Chu Xuan sat in meditation within the Soul Gathering and Evil Cultivation Formation for two and a half years before barely stepping into the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.
The process took longer than he had anticipated. As for his physical cultivation, it had reached the eleventh level, which was equivalent to the strength of a cultivator at the first level of Foundation Establishment.
Although it seemed slow at a glance, the progress was actually astoundingly fast. Without the original energy cubes providing an endless intake of flesh, such rapid advancement to the eleventh level of body refinement in just two and a half years would have been impossible.
"Hmm? New intelligence?" Chu Xuan thought. "Now that I've reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, it's time to return and see what changes have taken place in Wu Province."
Upon noticing cracks in the motherstone, Chu Xuan used the blood mirror to traverse to Mystic Azure Realm.
...
Wu Province, White Water City.
This city was located three thousand li south of Plain City and was controlled by another cultivation family under the Heaven Burning Sect—the Huang Family.
The Huang Family treated the cultivators from the Yu Kingdom slightly better than the Situ Family had, but they still regarded Yu Kingdom cultivators as inferior to those from the Yue Kingdom.
Perhaps learning from the fall of the Situ Family, the Huangs also intended to relocate and seek development in Wu Province.
However, they did not move en masse but instead established a branch in White Water City, relocating some side-branch cultivators. Their actions were very cautious, which somewhat displeased Chu Xuan.
"How can they only move halfway? How am I supposed to pay them a visit like this?"
Disguised as an elderly man with white hair, Chu Xuan entered White Water City.
Soon after, he met with his informant in a house—Huang An, a mid-stage Qi Refining elder from a side branch of the Huang Family.
Chu Xuan obtained all his information about the Huangs from this elder.
Originally, Chu Xuan planned to use Yan Peng as a future source of intelligence.
However, after obtaining information about the Situ Family through Yan Peng and then annihilating them, he worried that someone might trace his whereabouts through Yan Peng. To eliminate future threats, he decided to dispose of Yan Peng.
As for Huang An, his story was somewhat peculiar. In his youth, Huang An had a serendipitous encounter and acquired a secret technique for sensing qi. Although he couldn't directly see cultivation levels, he could detect the merits and demerits on a person.
Chu Xuan had been walking through White Water City recently, gathering intelligence on the Huang Family in hopes of discovering a superior core condensation method.
Coincidentally, Huang An detected the dense aura of merit surrounding Chu Xuan and concluded that Chu Xuan must be a formidable figure.
Without a second thought, Huang An pledged allegiance to Chu Xuan, willing to serve him loyally in hopes that Chu Xuan would obliterate the Huang Family.
He sought revenge for his gifted grandson who, despite his talent, had been ostracized by the main branch of the Huang Family and died in resentment.
Chu Xuan was somewhat wary of such a readily offered subordinate.
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However, after Huang An willingly ingested a Five Organs Gu and remained steadfast in his loyalty, Chu Xuan began to regard him with a measure of respect.
"Old servant has seen the master," Huang An said respectfully.
Chu Xuan waved a hand dismissively, "Speak, what intelligence have you gathered?"
Huang An reported the information in detail.
After a moment, Chu Xuan nodded in understanding, his expression unreadable, yet his heart tinged with sorrow.
The intelligence brought by Huang An pertained to the underground relics in the Misty Mountains.
A month ago in Mystic Azure time, the dark mists that had long enveloped the underground relics finally dissipated.
Only three Golden Core cultivators emerged alive, all from the Divine Star Sect. This likely meant that Wan Wuying had perished.
As for those like Xu Ming, whose powers did not compare to those of Golden Core cultivators, there was no need to say more.
However, Han Liuyun, who was known for his caution, might have survived.
After a brief moment of sorrow, Chu Xuan pondered an important question. What about the Golden Core techniques?
How would he continue his cultivation?
"Oh, master, could you not survive a bit longer? Give me the Golden Core techniques before you die," he muttered internally.
Chu Xuan casually asked, "What about the whereabouts of the top-tier core condensation methods? None?"
Huang An shook his head, "Apologies, master. Top-tier core condensation methods are exceedingly rare. Despite my best efforts, I could not locate any. However, I did find two high-grade core condensation methods that meet your requirements."
Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "Not bad."
Perhaps he had underestimated the rarity of the top-tier methods. He had only just reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment and was still far from completely saturating his Spiritual Qi.
He would continue to search, but if no other way presented itself, he would have to settle for a high-grade core condensation method.
Huang An hesitated, seeming to have more to say.
Chu Xuan casually asked, "What else do you wish to say?"
Huang An spoke respectfully, "Old servant has heard another piece of news, though I cannot be certain it contains what you seek."
Chu Xuan gestured for him to continue.
Huang An explained earnestly, "A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the main branch of the Huang family, named Huang Wuyang, who serves the Heaven Burning Sect, recently returned from a battle against the Heavenly Seal Sect, bringing back many treasures. He arrived in White Water City a few days ago.
Huang Wuyang plans to hold a small auction here, selling these treasures, with at least ten Foundation Establishment stage cultivators expected to attend. I speculate that among these items, there might be something you need."
Chu Xuan's eyes lit up. This could be it. The treasures seized from the Heavenly Seal Sect by a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Huang Wuyang might very well include the core condensation method he sought. It was worth investigating.
Chu Xuan asked, "Do you have the intelligence on Huang Wuyang and the attendees?"
Huang An respectfully replied, "Old servant has gathered it for you."
With that, he handed over a small note to Chu Xuan.
Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction, "Good." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I've been mindful of your situation."
Huang An solemnly responded, "Master, your strength is formidable, and annihilating the Huang Family is just a casual act for you. This old servant can wait. Right now, I still need to use the Huang Family to gather intelligence for you. There's no rush to bring down the Huang Family too soon. If there's ever a need for me in the future, the old servant will always be at your service."
Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "Very well."
He had already obtained a lot of information from Huang An. The loyalty of this old cultivator was beyond doubt. If useful now, he could certainly be used again in the future.
In the blink of an eye, Chu Xuan disappeared without a trace. Huang An, seeming unperturbed, continued his daily work.
When encountering members of the main branch of the Huang Family, he would even humbly lower his head and smile.
No one knew that beneath the facade of this kindly-looking old man lay a seething rage capable of reducing the entire Huang Family to ashes, and it was only growing stronger.
...
A day later, at night.
Jade Tower, White Water City
This tower was a famous place in White Water City, known for its extravagant auctions.
The small-scale auction hosted by Huang Wuyang was held underground at Jade Tower. It was an intimate affair, attended almost exclusively by acquaintances. It was difficult for outsiders to obtain invitations.
Naturally, Chu Xuan couldn't secure an invitation. His solution was rather direct and brutal. According to the information provided by Huang An, he ambushed and killed another Foundation Establishment stage clan head from the Lv Family on the way, took his face to make a human skin mask, and effortlessly infiltrated the small-scale auction.
The clan head from the Lv Family was at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, known for his aloof and taciturn nature, and had some grievances with other Foundation Establishment cultivators. Chu Xuan simply sat down boldly, imperceptibly observing the other attendees.
Who to kill first, who to kill later. Who to curse, who to poison. All these calculations were running through his mind.