Nobody knew how much effort Shangguan Hao had invested in his female disciple, Ning Yurong. He had provided her with the best spiritual resources, magic treasures, and cultivation methods available. Everything of the highest quality had been given to her, and she had understood the significance of his actions.

Ning Yurong practiced a seductive demonic technique and was adept in the arts of charm and intimacy. The two had extensively explored the profound pathways of dual cultivation.

Through Ning Yurong, Shangguan Hao experienced a unique flavor of companionship quite distinct from that with his other partners, which made him value her highly.

He could not accept Ning Yurong's death.

"Who exactly is this He Liang?" Shangguan Hao pondered, his fists clenched and eyes bloodshot from rage. "My Majestic Sword Sect has destroyed many sects; which one did he belong to?"

He was determined to use all his resources to find He Liang and make him understand the pain of losing a loved one.

"Shangguan Hao, come here immediately and start the pill concoction!" a woman's dissatisfied growl came from the pill concoction chamber. "If you're even a breath late, I'll whip you ten times!"

Shangguan Hao's face, twisted with rage, instantly softened into a smile. "Little Qianqian, I'm coming, I'm coming, don't be mad."

...

In Righteous Dao City, within the Duan family's estate.

"Third uncle, the monk Huikong from Golden Dragon Temple possesses great merit. He should be the one we recruit," urged Duan Que. "Didn't you agree two days ago to offer him a position in the Duan family? Why have you changed your mind now?" He asked anxiously.

Duan Cang, the head of the Duan family, frowned deeply and said in a grave tone, "Yesterday, a high monk from Celestial Sound Zen Temple visited our family."

"Celestial Sound Zen Temple from the Holy Sound Star?" Duan Que was taken aback.

Duan Cang nodded. "Exactly. You should know the prohibitions of Celestial Sound Zen Temple."

Duan Que sighed deeply. "I know. Celestial Sound Zen Temple reveres only human Buddhas. As for 'Dragon Buddha,' like those from Golden Dragon Temple, they don't even recognize them."

Not being recognized was putting it mildly. In the eyes of the monks from Celestial Sound Zen Temple, heretics were even more detestable than adherents of other faiths.

If monks from Celestial Sound Zen Temple and Golden Dragon Temple were to meet, a fight would likely break out without a word.

Duan Cang continued calmly, "Celestial Sound Zen Temple is the absolute ruler of Holy Sound Star. Master Yuanming, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator who also practices physical cultivation, is among them. He also possesses a layer of the merit wheel. His spiritual root is an earth-grade Metal Spiritual Root.

Golden Dragon Temple, I've never heard of it before. It must be just a small force on Mystic Azure Star. Between the two, whom we should choose needs no further discussion, does it?"

Duan Que sighed deeply, "I understand now, family head. It was my oversight. However, I've already made the offer that he could join our Duan family with just a nod from him."

A bitter smile formed on his face.

Duan Cang patted him on the shoulder, "It's not entirely your fault. I also did not expect that a high monk from Celestial Sound Zen Temple would seek to join our Duan family."

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"Family head, won't you reconsider? I can sense that Huikong is truly extraordinary," Duan Que pressed earnestly.

Unable to resist his urging any longer, Duan Cang finally said, "Very well, bring him here tomorrow, and I will assess his spiritual root with the magic treasure bestowed by our ancestors.

If his strength and talent surpass those of Yuanming from Celestial Sound Zen Temple, I will dismiss Yuanming without a second thought and take Huikong as an honorary elder of our Duan family. How does that sound?"

Duan Que nodded vigorously, "That would be excellent!"

...

Chu Xuan, sensing a visitor outside his cultivation chamber, promptly ceased his meditation.

A voice transmitted through the formation outside said, "Fellow daoist Huikong, this is Duan Que."

Chu Xuan then opened the gate of his dwelling. Standing before him was the bald middle-aged cultivator, Duan Que, who presented him with a storage bag, saying with a smile, "Fellow daoist Huikong, I've procured the Golden Core stage demonic beast hide you required."

Chu Xuan received it and swept his spiritual sense over it, instantly surprised.

"This is the hide of a Flying Squirrel, a complete hide that can sell for eight thousand small spiritual stones. How did you manage to obtain it, Benefactor Duan?"

Duan Que laughed heartily, "After all, I am a cultivator of the Duan family; I do have certain privileges. This Flying Squirrel's hide can be yours for just seven thousand small spiritual stones."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and tossed over a storage bag. Duan Que caught it without looking and said, "Please, come with me. Our family head is currently free and has been very curious about you, given your great merit."

Chu Xuan nodded, "I too am eager to see the esteemed family head of the Duan family."

The Duan family estate was located in the eastern district of Righteous Dao City, which was not very large.

Led by Duan Que, Chu Xuan walked only a thousand steps before they arrived. The estate itself was not very large; after all, the real Duan family resided on their original cultivation star. The purpose of this estate was primarily to receive guests.

As Chu Xuan was about to enter the main hall, he suddenly noticed a copper mirror hanging above the entrance.

At first glance, the mirror seemed ordinary, yet it appeared to possess the ability to peer into the depths of those it reflected.

Chu Xuan frowned slightly and immediately cloaked his presence, his Turtle Breath Technique allowing him to easily conceal his cultivation level and physical condition.

As for his spiritual root and merit, the former could only be detected by probing with Spiritual Qi, and the latter would only be apparent if he chose to reveal it himself.

"Why does the Duan family wish to scrutinize me?" Chu Xuan frowned, disliking this invasive approach to probing guests.

Shortly thereafter, Chu Xuan and Duan Que were ushered into the main hall to meet the family head, Duan Cang.

With just one glance, Chu Xuan discerned that this man's cultivation level was higher than his own—likely at least at the ninth level of the Golden Core stage.

However, he had not cultivated his physical body. In terms of strength, Chu Xuan was confident he could overpower the head of the Duan family, though not necessarily kill him.

For Chu Xuan, an opponent he could defeat but not kill was not worth fighting.

Duan Cang greeted him enthusiastically, "Is this fellow daoist Huikong? Truly a man of great merit and fortune! One can see his grand aura at a glance!"

Chu Xuan responded modestly, "You flatter me, Lord of the City. I merely strive to contribute a modest effort for the welfare of the common folk."

Duan Que stood respectfully to the side, remaining silent.

Chu Xuan smiled and inquired, "I wonder, Family Head Duan, what is the purpose of inviting me here today?"

Duan Cang smiled back, "Our Duan family has always enjoyed making connections with heroes from all walks of life. Even if we do not become friends, forging a good relationship is still valuable.

Fellow daoist Huikong, you must have come to the extraterritorial battlefield in search of opportunities, correct? My family has collected several unique Buddhist cultivation methods. If you are interested, you may choose any one of them."

Duan Cang continued, "Rest assured, fellow daoist Huikong, there will be no charge. Consider it an investment by the Duan family in you."

Chu Xuan's eyebrows rose.

Such generosity? He wasn't one to pass up an advantageous offer without a reason. His own "Body Protecting Golden Wheel Decree" was merely a Foundation Establishment stage technique and was quite outdated.

Now that Family Head Duan was offering Golden Core stage cultivation methods, it felt as if he was being offered a pillow as he was about to sleep.

"Such a generous offer from Family Head Duan cannot be declined without appearing ungrateful," Chu Xuan said, bringing his palms together and chanting a Buddhist mantra.

"Duan Que, please lead Fellow daoist Huikong," Duan Cang instructed.

"Yes," Duan Que responded, ready to guide Chu Xuan to the archives where the cultivation methods were kept.