Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 225 - 143 Liu Zi’an_1

Chapter 225: 143 Liu Zi’an_1

A night passed by swiftly.

Early the next day, as dawn broke,

Shen Long, Ice Silkworm True Person, and Chen Bing rose early and followed the disciples of the Wang Family to Sky-Supporting Peak, a mountain with steep sides whose summit hosted an azure stone plaza of one hundred thousand acres.

The azure stone plaza was set with numerous green wooden tables, each one backed by a green cushion, upon which cultivators sat.

On the green wooden tables were laid fine wines and exquisite dishes, with many cultivators engaged in idle chat.

Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person were seated relatively at the front, close to the host platform, alongside the high-ranking cultivators of the Shangguan Family, Medicine King Valley, Zhou Family, and Five-Flame Palace.

Shen Long and other Core Formation cultivators chatted leisurely, sipped tea, and discussed the Dao.

After about half an hour, a loud bell chimed, and someone shouted, "The auspicious time has arrived, please welcome the ancestor."

As the voice fell, a multitude of begonia petals fluttered down from the sky, and a seven-colored rainbow bridge briefly appeared. Wang Tianhua emerged upon the rainbow bridge, and with a flicker of his figure, he appeared above the azure stone plaza.

"Shrinking Earth into Inches! Nascent Soul Late Stage!"

Ye Sen exclaimed with surprise.

Only Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators could master the great divine skill of Shrinking Earth into Inches, which was also a hallmark of Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators.

"Long time no see, Brother Wang’s cultivation has soared further. Congratulations are in order."

A plump, golden-robed elder complimented.

Zhou Hualong, Nascent Soul Early Stage, hailing from the Zhou Family of the Western Desert Cultivation Realm.

Wang Tianhua descended from the rainbow bridge and stepped onto the host platform.

Ye Sen and other cultivators stood up, and those below Nascent Soul bowed deeply and said in unison, "We greet Senior Wang (Ancestor Tian Hua)."

With a slight smile, Wang Tianhua took his seat, and the cultivators then gradually sat down.

"Medicine King Valley celebrates Senior Wang’s birthday and presents a bottle of Qingzhi Pills and a thousand-year-old section of Lihuo Bamboo."

"Five-Flame Palace presents two fourth-stage Demon Cores, a bottle of fourth-stage Ocean Flipper Whale’s Essence Blood, and a piece of its Beast Hide, to celebrate the elder’s grand birthday."

"The Shangguan Family presents a piece of Lihuo Crystal, a thousand-year-old section of Lihuo Bamboo, and ten stalks of eight-hundred-year-old Lihuo Ginseng, wishing Senior Wang a splendid birthday."

"The Zhou Family extends its congratulations to Senior Wang with a gift of a hundred pounds of fourth-stage Ling Water Xuan Yin Cold Water and a casket of Guardian Earth Divine Sand."

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The guests each presented their tribute, with Shen Long offering two bottles of Beast Nurturing Pills and Ice Silkworm True Person giving a piece of Dharma Treasure.

After all the guests had presented their tributes, Wang Tianhua raised his cup and said, "Thank you all for coming to wish this old man a happy birthday. I drink to everyone here."

After saying this, Wang Tianhua drained the wine in his cup.

"To Brother Wang."

Ye Sen raised his cup and drank it all in one go.

"To Senior Wang."

Shen Long and the others also raised their cups and finished the wine within.

Wang Tianhua chatted with the Nascent Soul cultivators, while Shen Long and other Core Formation cultivators mingled, engaging in wide-ranging discussions.

More than two hours later, the banquet concluded and the guests began to take their leave in succession.

Ice Silkworm True Person bid farewell to the Ice Flood Dragon Fairy and left the Wang residence to return to the Spirit Control Sect.

No sooner had they returned to the Spirit Control Sect than Chen Xiao contacted Ice Silkworm True Person through the Messaging Plate.

"Junior Brother Lin, is Junior Brother Shen there?"

Chen Xiao asked.

"Yes, he is! What’s the matter?"

Ice Silkworm True Person replied.

"Master Uncle Liu wishes to see him. You should come too."

Chen Xiao said.

"Alright, we’ll be right over."

Ice Silkworm True Person agreed and put away the Messaging Plate.

"Master Uncle Liu wants to see me?"

Shen Long was completely baffled.

As far as he knew, the Spirit Control Sect had three Nascent Soul cultivators and dozens of Core Formation cultivators – why would they want to see him? Could it have something to do with the fact that he had attracted the Tricolor Divine Thunder?

"It probably has to do with you attracting the Tricolor Divine Thunder. Master Uncle Liu is not one for empty smiles; don’t present yourself as flippant and leave a bad impression on the old man," Ice Silkworm True Person advised.

"Yes, Master," Shen Long replied.

He and Ice Silkworm True Person approached the entrance of a sprawling estate. The signboard read "Heavenly Ape Garden" in three large characters.

Just as Ice Silkworm True Person was about to release a Sound Transmission Talisman, the gate opened, and out walked a giant ape with a blue coat, baring its teeth and grinning. It made a gesture of invitation.

"You may follow it inside!"

A dignified male voice emanated from the Heavenly Ape Garden.

Ice Silkworm True Person and Shen Long responded, following the blue giant ape into the Heavenly Ape Garden.

Not long after, they arrived at a secluded courtyard with green tiles.

Inside the courtyard was a cyan hexagonal stone pavilion, where a tall and thin elder in green robes sat, with Chen Xiao standing beside him.

The elder in green robes had a square face and large eyes, his gaze commanding authority without anger.

"Disciple pays respect to Master Uncle Liu."

Ice Silkworm True Person and Shen Long paid their respects, their expressions reverent.

"So you are Shen Long. Master Nephew Chen has mentioned that you attracted Tricolor Divine Thunder when attempting Core Formation. Impressive."

The elder’s gaze settled on Shen Long, his voice resonant.

Liu Zi’an, Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

"It’s all thanks to the sect and my master’s cultivation."

Shen Long said modestly.

Liu Zi’an nodded and remarked, "Your divine sense cultivation is good, stronger than other cultivators at the early stages of Core Formation."

"Disciple has taken some miracle elixirs that enhance divine sense, so it is a bit stronger than that of cultivators at the same stage."

Shen Long explained.

"Cultivate well; the sect will always be your support. I heard you are an alchemist. I happen to have a piece of Five-Flame Crystal for you. Junior Brother Lin, help him refine an alchemy furnace."

With a flick of his sleeve, Liu Zi’an sent a red jade box flying towards Shen Long.

"Thank you, Master Uncle Liu."

Shen Long caught the red jade box with both hands, expressing his thanks.

"Junior Brother Shen, the Five-Flame Crystal is a fourth-tier material for Artifact Refining. It’s a superior material for refining alchemy furnaces and refining furnaces, enhancing the effects of alchemy and artifact crafting. It can only form in volcanic clusters that are over a thousand years old, and even Nascent Soul Cultivators find it hard to obtain."

Chen Xiao spoke with an envious tone.

"Disciple will diligently cultivate and contribute to the sect’s strength."

Shen Long spoke earnestly.

"Junior Brother Shen, attracting Tricolor Divine Thunder indicates the strength of your Foundation Establishment stage, but it doesn’t mean the same for the future. Never slack off in your cultivation, understand?"

Liu Zi’an lectured with sincerity and gravity.

"Yes, Disciple will heed Master Uncle Liu’s teachings."

Shen Long replied seriously.

"Master Uncle Liu, you are really generous towards Shen Long."

Ice Silkworm True Person said, full of envy.

"He is your disciple, and as his master, you share in his achievements. Here is the inner core of a third-stage late-stage Green-Eyed Ice Silkworm, which will aid the advancement of your life-bound spirit insect."

Liu Zi’an took out a white jade box and handed it to Ice Silkworm True Person.

"Thank you, Master Uncle Liu."

Ice Silkworm True Person’s face lit up with joy, and he thanked him repeatedly while receiving the white jade box.

After chatting idly for a while, Liu Zi’an dismissed them.

"Nephew Shen is a promising talent; cultivate him well."

Liu Zi’an instructed.

"Yes, Master Uncle Liu."

Chen Xiao agreed but hesitated.

"If you have something to say, speak freely. There are no outsiders here."

Liu Zi’an said.

"Master Uncle Liu, you gave Junior Brother Shen a piece of Five-Flame Crystal the first time you met him. Why such high regard?"

Chen Xiao asked curiously.

"Do you think I gave him the Five-Flame Crystal just because he attracted the Tricolor Divine Thunder? That is one reason, but more importantly, I value the merits he has established. The Jinlang Jade Mine, the Xuanyang Ceremony, and treasure hunting in the secret realm, his performance has been quite commendable. Without merits, I wouldn’t have given him the Five-Flame Crystal," Liu Zi’an explained.

Chen Xiao suddenly realized and said, "I understand now."

"Our sect has a history spanning tens of thousands of years, and many Core Formation cultivators have emerged. Less than twenty disciples managed to attract Tricolor Divine Thunder during Core Formation, and most of them have advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage. I hope that he will one day advance to the Nascent Soul Stage," Liu Zi’an spoke slowly.

"I believe Junior Brother Shen will not disappoint Master Uncle Liu," Chen Xiao said with a smile.

"He has just achieved Core Formation; there’s still a long way to go before reaching Nascent Soul. Go on with your tasks," Liu Zi’an waved his hand, dismissing Chen Xiao.