Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 163 - 163 102 Paying Respects to Golden Core Master _1

163: 102 Paying Respects to Golden Core Master _1 163: 102 Paying Respects to Golden Core Master _1 “Junior Brother Shen, congratulations!”

Yang Xue approached and congratulated Shen Long.

Zhao Lei came over and enthusiastically said, “Junior Brother Shen, I’m hosting a banquet tonight and inviting several fellow sect members.

If you’re free, come over and have a drink.”

Shen Long had cultivated more than a dozen spells to Great Perfection, a testament to his strength.

On top of that, he was an Alchemist, and his future was boundless.

This made Zhao Lei and Yang Xue keen on befriending him.

Before this, they hadn’t taken Shen Long seriously, mainly because they didn’t know his true strength.

This Xuanyang Ceremony displayed Shen Long’s exceedingly remarkable performance.

With his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivation, he ranked third.

In the history of the Ceremony being held, even the weakest in the top five would at least have Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivation.

“Junior Brother Shen, in half a year, it will be my aunt’s birthday, and if you’re free, you’re welcome to come and have a drink,” Lin Sisi said as she approached, extending an invitation.

Qian Dafu, Ye Yuqing, Qin Bao, and others couldn’t help but feel envious and excited.

The Cultivation Realm is very pragmatic; the strong are esteemed.

Qian Kong came over, greeted Shen Long with a cupped fist, and said with a smile, “I am Qian Kong.

Taoist Friend Shen has truly opened my eyes.

If there is an opportunity in the future, shall we have a friendly exchange?”

“No problem.”

Shen Long agreed.

Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators came to greet him, but Shen Long did not recognize most of them, and he found it somewhat overwhelming.

A median-height man in a golden robe squeezed out from the crowd.

He was Xu Xin, the Ice Silkworm True Person’s top disciple.

Xu Xin also participated in the Xuanyang Ceremony, but he was defeated by Liu Sheng.

“Junior Brother Shen, our master wants to see you, come with me,” said Xu Xin.

Shen Long agreed, gave Lin Sisi and others a cupped fist salute, and followed Xu Xin.

In the Spirt Control Garden, the Ice Silkworm True Person, the Ice Centipede Fairy, and Xu Yang sat within a green-colored Stone Pavilion.

Xu Xin led Shen Long over to them.

“Disciple pays respects to Master Uncle Lin, Master Aunt Li, and Master Uncle Xu,” Shen Long said, bowing deeply.

“Shen Shizhu, would you like to become my disciple?” the Ice Silkworm True Person asked.

Shen Long was initially startled but quickly recovered and eagerly said, “Disciple is willing.”

“Good, after we return to the headquarters, we will hold the formal ceremony to accept you as my disciple.

This Ice Silkworm Amulet is a protective gift from me to you,” the Ice Silkworm True Person said as she took out a white jade pendant and handed it to Shen Long.

Based on the spiritual energy fluctuations, it was an exceptional Magic Artifact.

“Thank you, Master,” Shen Long said, thanking her repeatedly as he took the Ice Silkworm Amulet with both hands.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin, this time at the Xuanyang Ceremony, you have accepted a fine disciple,” the Ice Centipede Fairy said in congratulation.

If it weren’t for the Ice Silkworm True Person having the highest Cultivation amongst them, she would have liked to accept Shen Long as her disciple.

“Yes, congratulations, Senior Brother Lin,” Xu Yang added his congratulations.

The Ice Silkworm True Person smiled faintly and said, “Shen Long, this is your Senior Brother Xu Xin.

You also have a Senior Sister, but she’s currently traveling outside and hasn’t returned yet.

I’ll introduce you to her later.

You may leave now.”

Shen Long agreed, bowed deeply, and left with Xu Xin.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Shen!

From now on, we’re fellow sect brothers.

If you ever need help, just ask,” Xu Xin said.

“Absolutely, Senior Brother.

I have much to learn from you,” Shen Long replied humbly.

Xu Xin was quite satisfied with Shen Long’s attitude; he had been somewhat worried that Shen Long, having secured the third place in the Xuanyang Ceremony, would become arrogant and not take him seriously.

It seemed that his worries were unfounded.

After a brief chat, Shen Long parted ways with Xu Xin.

As soon as Shen Long stepped out of the Spirt Control Garden, he saw Lin Sisi, Qin Bao, Qian Dafu, Ye Yuqing, and Ye Yutang standing at the entrance.

“Junior Brother Shen, what did Master Uncle Lin want with you?” Lin Sisi asked politely, guessing the reason by seven or eight parts.

Shen Long, with his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivation and the Great Perfection of over a dozen spells, secured the third place in the Xuanyang Ceremony.

It was only normal for a Core Formation Cultivator to accept him as a disciple.

“To become his disciple.

He said the formal ceremony would be held after we return to the headquarters,” Shen Long explained, smiling broadly.

At these words, Lin Sisi and the others showed expressions of envy.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Shen!

I’ve already reserved a table at Qianyang Tower.

We were all admitted to the sect in the same group; how about a small gathering?” Lin Sisi cordially suggested.

With Shen Long being accepted as a disciple by the Ice Silkworm True Person, one of the seventy-two elegants and an Alchemist, his status was even higher than hers.

“I’ll gladly comply with your kindness, Senior Sister Lin; you shouldn’t have gone to the trouble,” Shen Long responded.

He wasn’t averse to socializing.

Lin Sisi’s initiative was naturally because of Shen Long’s strength, and Shen Long was also willing to befriend Lin Sisi, considering she had the backing of a Core Formation Cultivator as well.

“If Junior Brother Shen is willing to attend, then it’s no trouble at all.

Come on, let’s go to Qianyang Tower and have a good drink,” Lin Sisi said warmly.

The six of them arrived at Qianyang Tower, where the swift attendant led them to a private room.

They sat down, sipping tea and chatting leisurely.

Before long, the attendant brought in the dishes – nine dishes and one soup, accompanied by a jug of Spiritual Wine.

“Senior Sister Lin has gone to some expense; this table must cost at least a thousand Spirit Stones,” Qian Dafu commented.

“Junior Brother Qian, have you also reserved a banquet at Qianyang Tower?” Lin Sisi asked, puzzled.

“No, but I’m familiar with the approximate value of these dishes,” Qian Dafu explained.

“Just a thousand Spirit Stones, it’s nothing.

Let’s toast to Junior Brother Shen and celebrate his third-place victory,” Lin Sisi raised her cup and clinked it with Shen Long’s and the others’.

The group passed the cups and shared laughs.

An hour and a half later, the banquet ended, and Shen Long and the others left the Qianyang Tower to return to their respective abodes.

…

In a secret chamber, with runes flashing on the stone walls, a short and stout youth in a yellow robe and a tall, thin elder in a golden robe were discussing something.

“The Jinning Mirror, that’s the Xu Family’s ancestral Magic Artifact.

It seems like Taoist Friend Xu and the others were killed by this person,” analyzed the yellow-robed youth.

“It’s possible he purchased it, but this person is indeed formidable,” admired the golden-robed elder.

“Hmph, the Xu family sent people to explore the Green Cloud Mountain Range and found some dead Gold Ants.

This person has raised so many Gold Ants; it must have been his doing.

No wonder the Spirt Control Sect was able to discover the Jinlang Jade Mine; it was probably this person who tipped them off.”

The young man in the yellow shirt said.

“It doesn’t concern us.

Just send the message back, and that’s all.

The rest is not for us to worry about.”

The elder in the golden robe stated.

The young man in the yellow shirt nodded and agreed.

······

Seven days flew by quickly, and the Xuanyang Ceremony had come to an end.

Many Cultivators left one after another, each returning to their own homes.

In a secret chamber, Shen Long was seated on a blue meditation cushion, feeding the Gold Ants.

The Gold Ants had been a great help during this Xuanyang Ceremony.

They had strong teeth and soon finished eating the Artifact Refining materials on the ground.

A Sound Transmission Talisman flew in and hovered in front of Shen Long.

Shen Long grabbed and crushed the Sound Transmission Talisman, and Qian Dafu’s voice arose, “Senior Brother Shen, we are preparing to return to the headquarters.”

Shen Long put away the Gold Ants into the Spirit Beast Bag and stood up to leave.

He came outside and saw Qian Dafu.

Qian Dafu was all smiles; Lin Sisi had also invested in their business, holding a twenty percent stake.

Profit was secondary; the main point was to get closer to Shen Long.

“Senior Brother Shen, Master Uncle Lin has asked us to go over.

We’re preparing to return now.”

Qian Dafu said.

Shen Long had risen in stature.

As Qian Dafu was close to him, his own status had risen significantly, and other Foundation Establishment Cultivators also held him in higher regard.

Shen Long nodded and followed Qian Dafu out.

They arrived in front of a green stone pavilion where Ice Silkworm True Person, Ice Centipede Fairy, and Xu Yang were seated within the pavilion.

Lin Sisi and others were also present.

They greeted Shen Long when they saw him.

“Is everyone here?

If so, let’s set out!

The sooner we return to headquarters, the better.”

Ice Silkworm True Person announced.

“Master, everyone’s here.”

Xu Xin said.

Ice Silkworm True Person and the other two led Shen Long and the rest out of the Spirt Control Garden toward the marketplace exterior.

Leaving the marketplace, Ice Centipede Fairy summoned a Snow Winged Ice Centipede, climbed onto its back, and the group boarded it as well.

With a light flap of its wings, the Snow Winged Ice Centipede flew high into the sky.

After returning to the Spirt Control Sect headquarters, Shen Long went back to the Qinglian Garden.

He lay on a green stone bed, recalling the events of the Xuanyang Ceremony.

It all felt like a dream; he had successfully become a disciple of Ice Silkworm True Person, now a disciple of a Core Formation Cultivator.

The next morning, Shen Long left the Qinglian Garden, used a magic artifact to travel, and arrived outside a huge valley surrounded by mountains on three sides.

The valley was shrouded in green mist, and outside stood a massive golden stele over ten zhang high, with the words “Ice Silkworm Valley” carved into it in silver letters.

He sent a Sound Transmission Talisman, and after a moment, the mist churned, and Xu Xin’s voice emerged, “Junior Brother Shen, come on in!”

Shen Long strode inside where he saw a vast manor.

Xu Xin stood at the gateway, smiling.

Shen Long followed Xu Xin into the residence with pavilions, bridges over running water, and exotic flowers and rocks.

After passing through three archways and courtyards, they arrived at a small blue-tiled courtyard.

Inside was a three-story white building with “Ice Silkworm Pavilion” written on the plaque, its doors wide open.

Shen Long entered with Xu Xin, and Ice Silkworm True Person was sitting solemnly in the main seat.

A portrait hung on the wall, depicting a vibrant old man in green robes.

“Disciple pays respects to Master.”

Shen Long bowed deeply.

Ice Silkworm True Person pointed to the old man in the portrait and said, “This is your Master Uncle Qingcan Reverend.

Only after paying respects to your Master Uncle will you truly be my disciple.”

“Shen Long pays respects to Master Uncle.”

Shen Long knelt and kowtowed three times to the portrait.

“From today on, you will be my third disciple.”

Ice Silkworm True Person said warmly.

“Master, where is Master Uncle?”

Shen Long asked curiously.

Ice Silkworm True Person sighed and said, “Your Master Uncle and I were traveling to the Northern Sea, contending for Cultivation Resources with a formidable enemy.

Your Master Uncle was killed by that adversary.”

Shen Long suddenly understood and said no more.

“Right, what technique are you cultivating?”

Ice Silkworm True Person turned to serious matters.

“Nine Revolutions Transforming Flood Dragon Technique!”

Shen Long responded.

“Nine Revolutions Transforming Flood Dragon Technique!”

Ice Silkworm True Person frowned.

“Master, is there a serious flaw with this technique?”

Shen Long asked with some anxiety.

“There isn’t a flaw.

You should be aware of the origins of this technique; it is indeed powerful.

However, collecting Flood Dragon Essence Blood is challenging.”

Ice Silkworm True Person explained.

“Exactly, where there are advantages, there are disadvantages.

There’s no perfect technique.”

Shen Long spoke earnestly.

Ice Silkworm True Person nodded in approval and said, “It’s good that you can see that.

I’ve heard you’re also an Alchemist.”

“Disciple has learned just a smattering.”

Shen Long replied truthfully.

“Junior Brother Shen, Master is an Artifact Refiner.

It’s a pity.

Otherwise, Master could have guided you in Artifact Refining.”

Xu Xin chimed in.

Shen Long had already inquired about Ice Silkworm True Person’s background from Qian Dafu and was aware that he was an Artifact Refiner.

“Mastering one skill is sufficient.

You already know Alchemy, so there’s no need to learn Artifact Refining as well.

To bite off more than you can chew is unwise.

Whether it’s Alchemy or Artifact Refining, Cultivation is the foundation.

Do you understand?”

Ice Silkworm True Person instructed.

“Disciple will keep Master’s teaching in mind.”

Shen Long affirmed.

Ice Silkworm True Person asked Shen Long about his Cultivation, and Shen Long gave a candid account.

“It is rare that you still devote time to practicing magic techniques daily.

Nevertheless, I have the same message: Cultivation is the most important.

Don’t lose sight of what truly matters.

Within our sect, some predecessors became obsessed with crafting or Insect Repelling and Controlling Beast Taming, neglecting their own Cultivation.

By the time they realized their mistake, they didn’t have much lifespan left and no chance to rise to higher realms.”

Ice Silkworm True Person spoke slowly.

“Disciple is aware of what’s important.”

Shen Long stated.

Ice Silkworm True Person nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then allowed Shen Long to leave.