Wan Wuying shrugged, "How should I know?"

Chu Xuan felt somewhat helpless inside. He had intended to keep a low profile, but his new master had just blown his cover. Having a master who loved to show off was truly headache-inducing.

He bowed to Zhao Wuya, "Senior Zhao, the destruction of the Infinite Sect made me realize the brutal truth of the cultivation world—only the strong survive. It was as if I had an epiphany that day. Plus, I had some good luck with unexpected encounters that allowed my cultivation to advance so rapidly. My talents are actually not superior to those of Senior Brother Li or Senior Brother Liu. It's just good fortune, nothing more."

Chu Xuan was well aware of his own cultivation aptitude. It really had been just good luck. If it hadn't been for obtaining the Blood Mirror, and by chance acquiring the apocalyptic planet to use as his backyard, how could he have reached his current level of cultivation and strength?

Seeing his humility, Wan Wuying nodded slightly in approval.

Zhao Wuya listened and nodded as well. Fortuitous encounters were something that one could encounter but not seek. The cultivation world was full of stories about people who fell off cliffs only to stumble upon the cave dwellings left by powerful predecessors. Some were even directly elevated from mortal to the Foundation Establishment stage in a single day.

Compared to those, Chu Xuan's extraordinary encounters seemed rather common. If it was true that he had such an encounter, then his rapid advancement over the past two years wasn't something out of the ordinary.

Zhao Wuya nodded and remarked, "Old Ghost Wan, you've got yourself a fine disciple."

Wan Wuying chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.

Zhao Wuya bowed slightly, "I will report the situation to the sect master. Within two days, there should be a formal directive. For the next two days, please rest here at Flying Mountain Hall."

Wan Wuying nodded, "Good, I'll await your swift news, Brother Zhao."

Zhao Wuya stomped on the ground, rose into the air with the aid of his Qi, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The middle-aged cultivator who had previously received Wan Wuying hurried over. He respectfully said, "Senior Wan, my name is Li Shan, I am an inner sect administrator of the Heavenly Seal Sect, currently in charge of the affairs at Flying Mountain Hall. For you and the other friends from Extreme Yin Cave, I have arranged temporary cave abodes. Senior Wan, your…"

Wan Wuying waved his hand dismissively, "Just arrange them as you see fit. After the formal appointment arrives in two days, I will set up my own cave dwelling."

"Yes," Li Shan acknowledged and left.

"Everyone, go and rest," Wan Wuying gestured dismissively.

Chu Xuan, guided by the disciples of the Heavenly Seal Sect, proceeded to his temporary cave dwelling situated halfway up the mountain. Upon entering, he immediately inspected the area, ensuring there were no existing formations that could spy on him. Once assured of his privacy, he began setting up his own array of intricate, confusing, and deadly traps. Only after securing his surroundings did he truly settle down on the stone bed to relax.

Reflecting on the recent events, even Chu Xuan was astonished by his own strength. "I never expected to be this powerful," he mused. "Huikong was among the top in his generation of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, and I eliminated him without even resorting to my gu insects. It seems my strength might already surpass most early Foundation Establishment cultivators."

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With a slight smile, Chu Xuan acknowledged his newfound understanding of his capabilities. Currently, at the second level of Foundation Establishment, he was already overpowering most at the initial stages. Once he reached the third level, even those at the fourth level would likely pose no challenge. With the Blood Mirror in hand and an entire planet of zombies at his disposal as resources, advancing his cultivation was only a matter of time.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan felt a stirring within him. "Ah, the Evil Soul Chain has some activity," he noted, pulling out the artifact. The souls within the Evil Soul Chain, particularly the restless souls he had intended to stabilize, were always problematic. Initially, he had planned to use Sun Shi's soul for this purpose, but after acquiring Huikong's soul, he had thrown it into the mix as well.

Now, a battle had been waged between the two souls, and a victor had emerged.

"Roar!!"

A triumphant roar echoed from within the Evil Soul Chain. Looking closely, Chu Xuan saw Huikong's soul viciously tearing apart Sun Shi's soul and devouring it swiftly.

Activating the Evil Soul Chain, Chu Xuan summoned Huikong's soul. Now reduced to a mere soul, Huikong's eyes burned with a ferocious and bloodthirsty light, devoid of any human rationality. The soul lunged at Chu Xuan, but with a thought, Chu Xuan sharply tugged on the Evil Soul Chain.

Crack!

The pain caused Huikong's soul to grimace, his spirit form dimming significantly. Yet, undeterred, he continued his fierce assault.

Crack!

The Evil Soul Chain whipped again, and Huikong's spirit dimmed even further. After a dozen more lashes, Huikong's form was so faint it was nearly transparent, on the verge of dissipation.

Chu Xuan frowned, realizing he must stop; any more could destroy Huikong's soul entirely. Yet, at that moment, Huikong's gaze finally softened, subdued.

Satisfied, Chu Xuan nodded. It was done. Huikong's now violent and ruthless nature made him an ideal soul for the Evil Soul Chain. Should Chu Xuan capture more cultivator souls in the future, he could simply feed them to Huikong for enhancement.

As his life-bound magic tool, the Evil Soul Chain would only grow stronger over time, and naturally, so would Huikong's capabilities within it.

"Not bad. Now let's continue the Soul Refining Technique"

Without stowing the Evil Soul Chain, Chu Xuan allowed Huikong to roam around the cave while he himself sat down and closed his eyes, circulating the Soul Refining Technique to further refine his spirit. Despite several menacing glares from Huikong, the subdued soul, now fearful, dared not act out and eventually settled down quietly.

Two days flashed by quickly.

Xu Ming's voice suddenly echoed outside the cave. "Uncle Master Chu! The appointment has arrived! The elder sent me to call you out!"

Chu Xuan exhaled, finished his meditation, and strode out of the cave, his eyes still flickering with a sharp light that made Xu Ming shiver slightly.

"Speak," Chu Xuan said calmly.

Xu Ming quickly relayed the news, "Our Extreme Yin Cave lineage has been fully integrated into the Heavenly Seal Sect. However, we won't be joining the main sect of the Heavenly Seal Sect; instead, we will establish our own cave dwelling here in Wu Province to assist Flying Mountain Hall in expanding its territory."

Chu Xuan smiled faintly. This was as he had expected. The Heavenly Seal Sect couldn't afford to turn away a Golden Core cultivator and four Foundation Establishment cultivators. Setting up a local cave dwelling was indeed the best option.

"Where is the master?" Chu Xuan asked.

Xu Ming respectfully replied, "He is selecting a site rich in Spiritual Qi to establish the cave dwelling. He instructed you to head south, and you should see him there."

"Good," Chu Xuan nodded.

He immediately summoned his flying sword and soared into the air, heading south. Xu Ming watched his departing figure, filled with both admiration and aspiration. "Someday, I too want to be like Uncle Master Chu," he muttered, clenching his fists with determination.

Chu Xuan continued southward and soon noticed a streak of light moving back and forth in the sky. Li Xuanming, Liu Zhenxiong, and Wu Teng were hovering mid-air on their flying tools, waiting for him.

"Junior Brother Chu," they all greeted him with smiles.

"Junior Brother Chu, your spirit seems to have improved," Liu Zhenxiong suddenly commented.

Chu Xuan nodded, "Indeed, I have completed the first level of the Soul Refining Technique."

Liu Zhenxiong expressed his admiration, "That's quick. For most, it takes years to master the first level of the Soul Refining Technique."

At that moment, a rumbling noise came from the mountain ahead—evidently, Wan Wuying was beginning to establish the new cave dwelling.

"Let's go," Li Xuanming said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.