In a side hall of the Duan family estate, rows of bookshelves stood, each laden with some cultivation methods.

Since this was not the core repository of the family, the selection of cultivation manuals was limited. Yet, each tome was of at least the Golden Core stage.

Duan Que led Chu Xuan to a set of shelves. "Fellow daoist Huikong, here are several Buddhist cultivation methods collected by our Duan family. You can rest assured, practicing these methods will not draw the ire of any sects."

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile. Many cultivation methods were closely guarded secrets within their respective sects. Should these secrets be leaked, the original sect would likely exact furious retribution.

However, there were also common techniques, or partial methods that could not be fully practiced without further instructions from the sect.

Such dissemination was inconsequential and often forced cultivators of these methods to seek tutelage under these sects to learn the complete technique.

As the saying goes, the most expensive things come for free—a truth Chu Xuan was well acquainted with.

His gaze swept over three mid-tier Golden Core stage methods available to him:

1. "Gilded Lotus Seal" - Minor accomplishments allowed the cultivator to form a protective golden lotus, while major accomplishments could condense a glistening glass-like armor, making it a versatile offensive and defensive technique.

2. "Heartfire Karma Sutra" - This method transformed merit into karmic power to unleash boundless karmic flames against enemies, boasting formidable strength.

3. "Mahayana Swift Escape" - This technique specialized in escape and evasion. Ordinary in offense and defense, but if one expended merit, the speed could be enhanced to rival that of a Nascent Infant stage cultivator.

Truthfully, it was a difficult choice. All three methods were mid-tier Golden Core techniques and considerably effective, not just filler among Golden Core techniques.

Moreover, upon reviewing them briefly, Chu Xuan noted that while none of these methods could elevate his cultivation to the ninth level of the Nascent Soul, each could definitely advance him to the ninth level of the Golden Core.

For the time being, this was sufficient. Once he reached the Nascent Soul stage, he could always search for new methods.

"I shall choose the 'Mahayana Swift Escape,'" Chu Xuan decided after much contemplation, selecting the technique specializing in evasion that best suited his needs for the Golden Core stage.

Duan Que was somewhat surprised. He had expected Chu Xuan to choose the "Gilded Lotus Seal," but instead, Chu Xuan opted for the "Mahayana Swift Escape," a technique that consumed merit to significantly enhance evasion capabilities.

Wasn't merit considered incredibly precious? Many Golden Core cultivators strived desperately to accumulate it, hoping to weaken the heavenly tribulations they would face when attempting to form their Nascent Soul.

Yet, Huikong seemed to regard his own merit as something to be expended freely.

Facing Duan Que's puzzled look, Chu Xuan merely smiled. Merit, to him, was just something he had in abundance—enough for his needs.

The "Mahayana Swift Escape," after consuming merit, could enhance his evasion to levels comparable to a Nascent Infant cultivator. For him, this was what mattered most. Even if he couldn't defeat a Nascent Infant cultivator, he could at least escape from one.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"It's settled then," Chu Xuan nodded.

Seeing his decision, Duan Que didn't press further. At that moment, he received a message from Duan Cang.

"Form his bone age, this person is nearly three hundred years old, not quite exceptional. His cultivation is only at the early stage of the Golden Core, albeit with physical cultivation as well. But compared to Yuanming from Celestial Sound Zen Temple, he falls short."

Duan Que sighed quietly. Had he misjudged the situation?

From a young age, he possessed a talent for recognizing potential. Several overlooked talents within the Duan family had risen through the ranks due to his discernment, even nearing his own level of accomplishment over time.

Chu Xuan casually asked, "Fellow daoist Duan, is there a problem with my joining the Duan family?"

Duan Que gave an awkward smile, "You guessed it?"

Chu Xuan just chuckled.

In a low voice, Duan Que explained the situation with Yuanming from Celestial Sound Zen Temple. "Celestial Sound Zen Temple does not favor the worship of unusual Buddhas, and your Golden Dragon Temple venerates the Dragon Buddha... so..."

Duan Que looked troubled.

Chu Xuan waved his hand dismissively, "It's fine. I never planned on joining any faction when I came to Righteous Dao City."

With those words, Chu Xuan strode confidently toward the exit of the Duan estate. Duan Que started to follow, but Chu Xuan waved him off without turning back, "No need to see me out."

Reluctantly, Duan Que stopped.

Duan Cang, who had silently approached during the conversation, spoke calmly, "We have given him a mid-tier Golden Core technique, which is respectful enough. Let us not dwell on this matter any further and focus on awaiting the unearthed treasures."

Duan Que sighed deeply, "Yes..."

Chu Xuan was about to return to his cave dwelling when he noticed three cultivators approaching from a distance, also heading to their respective dwellings. Their abodes were adjacent to his. As they noticed Chu Xuan, a look of surprise crossed their faces.

The fair-faced cultivator bowed with a smile, "Are you the revered monk Huikong who recently arrived in Righteous Dao City? A pleasure to meet you! I am Xiao Fengxian, a Golden Core stage talisman master."

The couple beside him also greeted him, "We've heard of you, fellow daoist Huikong. I am Liu Zhuo, and this is my Dao companion, Jin Chan."

Chu Xuan nodded, "Indeed, I am Huikong."

Xiao Fengxian continued with a smile, "I heard that the Duan family intends to take you as an honorary elder. I have also received an invitation from the Duan family. Should the opportunity arise, I would be pleased to collaborate with you, fellow daoist."

Liu Zhuo and Jin Chan also expressed their interest, "Although we are not honorary elders of the Duan family, we hope to collaborate with you too, fellow daoist Huikong."

Chu Xuan merely smiled and waved his hand before entering his own dwelling. These three were likely unaware that the Duan family had not truly accepted him as an honorary elder.

Seeing Chu Xuan's dismissive departure, Xiao Fengxian's face twitched with embarrassment, but he said nothing.

Liu Zhuo muttered quietly, "This Huikong... seems somewhat aloof, perhaps feeling superior now that he's associated with the Duan family."

"Let's not speak ill behind his back," Jin Chan chided, shaking her head as they entered their dwelling.

Xiao Fengxian bowed to them and lingered his gaze on Jin Chan for a moment before returning to his dwelling.

Several days later, the news that Tianyin Zen Temple's Yuanming and Golden Core talisman master Xiao Fengxian had both become honorary elders of the Duan family spread rapidly.

The Duan family, being the most powerful in Righteous Dao City, provided significant privileges to their honorary elders. Many cultivators were envious of Yuanming and Xiao Fengxian.

In contrast, despite his close interactions with Duan Que, Huikong did not become an honorary elder, which became a subject of quiet ridicule among other cultivators. Even the other two major families in Righteous Dao City, the Bai family and the Qin family, showed no interest in inviting Huikong, likely due to Tianyin Zen Temple's well-known exclusivity and the potential risk of offending Yuanming by associating with Huikong.

During this period, only Duan Que visited Chu Xuan several times to exchange information about the extraterritorial battlefield. He also hinted that the increased numbers of Nether Crocodiles were a sign of an impending emergence of a treasure—an opportunity that might arise anywhere between three to ten years, advising Chu Xuan to stay alert.

...

"Success! My life-bound magic treasure, the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, is finally complete!"

Chu Xuan looked at the large umbrella radiating an aura of chilling darkness in his hands, a smile crossing his face.

With ample ghost soldiers to feed the nine-inch Yin Soul Bamboo, and his superb artifact refining skills, along with a modest amount of merit used in the process, crafting the Sky-Shielding Umbrella had been almost effortless.

Now that the treasure's emergence might take at least three years, it was time for him to venture to the Soul Star.