At Black Dragon Mountain, some time had passed when suddenly, a cultured and cheerful laugh echoed from outside the grand formation at the mountain gate.

"Old man Tong Yijian here, specially visiting the daoists of Black Dragon Mountain!"

Song Junjie and Qian Tang were in the midst of figuring out how to grovel in front of Chu Xuan when they heard this voice, making them shudder simultaneously. Tong Yijian?

Wasn't that a Golden Core cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect? What brought him to Black Dragon Mountain?

Neither Song Junjie nor Qian Tang dared to delay and hurried out to welcome Elder Tong Yijian.

Moments later, the white-haired Tong Yijian was respectfully ushered into the council hall.

Tong Yijian surveyed the two men and smiled slightly, "I wonder where that Golden Core fellow daoist is now?"

Song Junjie and Qian Tang feigned ignorance. "Elder Tong, what do you mean? There are no Golden Core great powers in Black Dragon Mountain."

Tong Yijian burst into laughter. "No need to pretend, the old man already received the news at the first moment, that Shangguan Feng and Zhang Wei are dead. I also have some skills in the way of Gu insects, and when I previously made contact with you two, I detected a Five Organs Gu in both of your bodies. Tell me, where is that fellow daoist of yours now?"

Song Junjie and Qian Tang were sweating profusely. Indeed, there had been a grand meeting called by the True Martial Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect at the Hundred Sects Alliance.

During the meeting, this Golden Core cultivator encouraged them all to diligently cultivate and stand together against the major sects, even patting them on the shoulders in a friendly manner.

It turned out this old fox had known about the trickery at Black Dragon Mountain all along but had never made it explicit.

As Song Junjie and Qian Tang were stammering, a voice came from the entrance of the council hall. "Looking for me?"

Chu Xuan walked into the hall with confident strides, his hands poised as if ready to strike at any moment. It was unexpected; just after dealing with two Golden Core cultivators, Shangguan Feng and Zhang Wei, a third one had shown up so soon.

Song Junjie and Qian Tang tensed up immediately, sensing the tense atmosphere as if a fight could break out at any moment.

'Should we run? If we don't run now, we might be caught in the aftermath of a battle between Golden Core cultivators.'

When Tong Yijian saw Chu Xuan, he did not initiate a fight but instead slowly rose and smiled, "I am Tong Yijian, nice to meet you, fellow daoist."

He exuded the aura of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow and casually withdrew his readiness to attack, a curious expression crossing his face.

Late-stage Golden Core? If he remembered correctly, according to the intelligence Song Junjie and Qian Tang provided, among Shangguan Feng, Zhang Wei, and Tong Yijian, only Shangguan Feng was a mid-stage Golden Core. Zhang Wei and Tong Yijian were both at the early stage. How was it that Tong Yijian now appeared to be at the late-stage?

The display of late-stage Golden Core cultivation might be intended to intimidate him. Given the unclear strength of the opponent, it was best not to act rashly.

Thinking this, Chu Xuan also displayed a smile, "Fellow daoist Tong, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Qian Tang looked confused, not understanding how the atmosphere had suddenly become so amicable. Song Junjie promptly pulled him aside, quickly stepping out of the hall.

"The two seniors, please talk, we will wait outside."

With a creak, the council hall doors shut tightly.

Chu Xuan greeted with a fist and palm salute, smiling, "Elder Tong, it's a pleasure. I am He Liang."

Elder Tong Yijian returned the smile, "Fellow daoist He, to be so young and yet so accomplished! Truly, the new waves push the old waves forward!"

Their exchange was filled with polite formalities until Tong Yijian finally spoke, "I wonder, fellow daoist He, what is your view on the Hundred Refinements Sect and the Heaven Burning Sect?"

Chu Xuan replied immediately, "To be honest, I was but a Foundation Establishment wanderer from Yu Country, who, by a twist of fate in these chaotic times, managed to achieve Golden Core. In my view, the trend of major sects absorbing smaller ones is inevitable. The Hundred Sects Alliance is essentially scattered sand. We, as Golden Core cultivators, should simply choose a major sect to join."

Chu Xuan smiled, "I wonder, Elder Tong, which sect's elder are you?"

Tong Yijian was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Fellow daoist He is truly astute, recognizing my identity at a glance. Well, I won't pretend any longer."

Elder Tong Yijian said solemnly, "I am Elder Jian Yitong of the Hundred Refinements Sect. Would fellow daoist He be willing to join our sect?"

Chu Xuan's smile broadened, "An invitation from a major sect is not to be refused. I am willing!"

Elder Jian Yitong was surprised by Chu Xuan's readiness. He laughed heartily, "Very good! I will report this to my sect. Fellow daoist He, you just need to wait for that day to come."

With that, he rose, gave a formal bow, and left Black Dragon Mountain with great strides.

Chu Xuan watched his retreating figure, his expression one of amusement.

This Jian Yitong had definitely been incognito in the Hundred Sects Alliance for a long time. He had previously manipulated Shangguan Feng and Zhang Wei to bind the alliance tightly together.

Surely, it was a form of entrapment! Those small sects willing to band together against the major sects were probably already on his blacklist.

It was indeed a clever strategy, significantly reducing the cost of absorbing the Hundred Sects Alliance. It seemed that the Heaven Burning Sect was still inferior to the Hundred Refinements Sect in this regard.

As for joining the Heaven Burning Sect or the Hundred Refinements Sect, Chu Xuan was indifferent. Either would do. Major sects would inevitably absorb the smaller ones.

His occupation of Black Dragon Mountain was simply because the situation was unclear, and he didn't want to get too involved with one side, preferring to observe how things unfolded.

Now, however, the situation had clarified. It was indeed time to join one side.

Some say it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. But that depends on the gap between the big and small ponds. If the gap is too large, why not be at the lower end of the top tier?

Moreover, with Chu Xuan's current strength, he didn't see himself as being at the bottom among Golden Core cultivators. If the Hundred Refinements Sect didn't offer him a fitting position, it would show their lack of discernment. Such a sect might not be worth joining after all.

On the other side, Jian Yitong maneuvered his flying magic treasure, swiftly departing from Black Dragon Mountain.

Initially, he maintained the appearance of a wise and distinguished cultivator, but after flying nearly a thousand li, he finally relaxed and let out a breath, his scalp tingling.

"What level of cultivation does that guy have? Why can't I see through him?" he wondered aloud. "From the moment he entered the hall, it seemed he was always ready with a killing move. Thankfully, I used a secret technique to disguise my aura, forcefully elevating it to late-stage Golden Core, which made him stand down his offensive. This is no simple matter; I must report back to the sect immediately."

In a secluded stony mountain, Jian Yitong gathered his energy and focused, waiting for someone. Soon, a figure approached from the north, landing swiftly and revealing his true appearance—a stern-looking middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Senior Brother Jian, what urgent matter requires my personal attendance?"

Jian Yitong hurriedly responded, "It is indeed a matter of urgency."

He promptly recounted the mysterious disappearance of Shangguan Feng and Zhang Wei, and his own visit to meet Chu Xuan.

The middle-aged man listened with some astonishment. "Shangguan Feng and Zhang Wei, one a fourth-layer and the other a third-layer Golden Core, were easily killed by him. What kind of strength does this person possess? Could he be, like Senior Brother Jian, at the sixth layer of Golden Core?"

Jian Yitong spoke gravely, "I cannot discern his level of cultivation, but this man is certainly no ordinary individual. However, he has shown interest in joining our Hundred Refinements Sect. Perhaps you should personally report this to the sect master. A cultivator of such strength must not be allowed to be swayed by the Heaven Burning Sect."

The stern middle-aged man nodded decisively, "Senior Brother Jian, your words are most prudent. I will return to the sect and report directly to the sect master. The master has always valued talent and will not miss the opportunity to recruit someone like He Liang."