Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 507 - 415 Closed-Door Cultivation_1

Chapter 507: 415 Closed-Door Cultivation_1

Star Moon Marketplace, within a secluded estate, Wang Feng was reporting to Chu Buyu.

"Taoist Friend Shen sustained serious injuries?"

Chu Buyu exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes! Many people saw it with their own eyes; he indeed suffered grave injuries. It’s said that he encountered two late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators, which is how he was able to escape."

Wang Feng said.

"Two late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators? Do you know the origins of these two?"

Chu Buyu pressed for details.

"No, Senior Shen didn’t say, and we are still investigating."

Wang Feng replied.

"Taoist Friend Shen managed to escape from the grips of two fourth-order Flood Dragons; that’s truly impressive. Keep an eye out for any news on these two Nascent Soul Cultivators."

Chu Buyu instructed.

"Understood, Master Aunt Chu."

Wang Feng agreed.

"By the way, is Taoist Friend Shen still in Golden Flood Dragon Marketplace?"

Chu Buyu inquired.

"No, he teleported back to the Inner Sea; many cultivators witnessed it."

Wang Feng explained.

Chu Buyu nodded and, after giving a few more instructions, dismissed Wang Feng.

The news of Shen Long being saved by two late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators spread quickly throughout the Outer Sea.

The outside world did not doubt Shen Long’s story, even though not even a late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator would dare to face a fourth-order late-stage Thunder Flood Dragon alone, let alone an additional fourth-order middle-stage Wind Flood Dragon.

...

Heavenly Beast Island, Heavenly Beast Garden.

Wang Kun, Qinglian Sword Venerable, Taihao True Monarch, and Fairy Xuanbing were seated around a blue tea table, enjoying tea and conversation.

"Congratulations, Taoist Friend Ye, on subduing a fifth-order Monster Beast!"

Wang Kun expressed his envy with a beaming face.

"Based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, Ziyang Monarch’s cultivation place houses a fifth-order Fire Qilin Beast. Oddly enough, we searched his domain through and through but failed to find this beast."

Qinglian Sword Venerable remarked with confusion.

He had rushed to the Southern Border Cultivation World, entered Ziyang Monarch’s cultivation place, and subdued a fifth-order early-stage Wind-Stepping Lion.

"Perhaps someone else has subdued it. If it had escaped the cultivation place, it would surely cause havoc somewhere; it’s impossible for us not to know."

Taihao True Monarch speculated.

"That must be it! I just wonder which Taoist Friend managed to subdue the fifth-order Fire Qilin Beast."

Fairy Xuanbing was filled with curiosity.

"Maybe it was Taoist Friend Dongfang! Or perhaps Madame Du."

Qinglian Sword Venerable guessed.

"By the way, did any of you acquire Ziyang Monarch’s legacy?"

Wang Kun asked.

"No, by the time we arrived, many cultivators had already entered the cultivation place in search of treasures. By the time we entered and searched the place, Ziyang Monarch’s legacy was nowhere to be found, presumably obtained by another cultivator."

Qinglian Sword Venerable replied.

Too many cultivators had entered Ziyang Monarch’s cultivation place in search of treasures. It was impossible to determine who had received Ziyang Monarch’s legacy. Even if Qinglian Sword Venerable wanted to investigate, it was an insurmountable task; he simply did not know who had entered the place.

"What a pity! I had thought you could get some fifth-order Elixirs."

Wang Kun said with a tone of regret.

"It’s not that simple. Based on what we know, it’s very likely that Ziyang Monarch has perished. As for where he died, that remains unknown."

Qinglian Sword Venerable said, recalling something and adding, "Right, a major beast tide has erupted in the Outer Sea again, led by a fifth-order Monster Beast. Do you know the reason?"

"It might be due to the millennium Qixia Jade Lotus. The real reason is unclear," Wang Kun replied.

It was improbable for fifth-order Monster Beasts to reveal their plans to them, so it was difficult for Human Cultivators to ascertain the true intentions of fifth-order Monster Beasts.

"What level has it cultivated to?" Fairy Xuanbing asked, curious.

"Fifth-order early-stage. It has already gained the ability to speak human language. Over the recent years, numerous Nascent Soul Cultivators have mysteriously vanished. We suspect collusion with fifth-order Monster Beasts and are investigating. It’s very possible that Taoist Friend Mo’s disciple met his end this way," Wang Kun shared.

After chatting for half an hour, Qinglian Sword Venerable and the others bid their farewells and left, and Wang Kun went back into secluded cultivation.

······

In the Donghua Cultivation Realm, Qin Country, Spirit Control Sect.

Over a hundred Qi Refining Cultivators gathered inside the Grandmaster Hall, all with different expressions.

Chen Xiao stood in front of them, his face solemn.

Today was the day for new disciples to enter the sect, and according to the rules, they were to pay homage to the Grandmaster.

The Spirit Control Sect was now the number one faction in Qin Country, with a significant influence over a dozen neighboring countries, as not every power possessed the combat strength of a late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"From today onwards, you are disciples of our Spirit Control Sect. I hope you will diligently practice cultivation and travel further on the path of Dao."

Chen Xiao’s voice was heavy.

"Yes, Ancestor Chen."

The disciples answered in unison.

A series of loud dragon chants resounded, nine consecutive times, each louder than the last.

Chen Xiao’s complexion changed drastically; a major incident must have occurred for the Shocking Dragon Bell to ring nine times.

"Master Nephew Xu, I leave this place in your care. Take charge of their accommodations while I attend to an urgent matter."

After instructing, Chen Xiao hurriedly left.

He arrived in the council hall to find Yuan Rui, Du Yinyin, Shen Long, Ice Silkworm True Person, and Han Yuwei already there.

Shen Long’s complexion was pale, evidently suffering from severe injuries.

"Master Uncle Yuan, what has happened?"

Chen Xiao asked anxiously."

"Junior Brother Shen has sustained severe injuries and requires aged Spiritual Medicine for alchemy and healing. You are to send people to purchase this medicine and send it to Junior Brother Shen immediately upon collection."

Yuan Rui ordered in a grave tone.

Shen Long was a representative figure of the Spirit Control Sect, and he absolutely could not fall into misfortune.

"Yes, Master Uncle Yuan."

Chen Xiao accepted the task and left to carry out the orders.

"Senior Brother Yuan, I’m not in great trouble; there’s no need for such a fuss," Shen Long said.

He never expected that Yuan Rui would react so strongly upon learning that he was gravely injured.

"This is no trifling matter. The necessary measures must be taken. You focus on healing. Don’t worry about the Spiritual Medicine; we will send for it."

Yuan Rui said sternly.

"Indeed! Just concentrate on your recovery."

The Ice Silkworm True Person concurred.

Seeing this, Shen Long had no room to say more, so he agreed and left the council hall to return to his residence and heal.

"Senior Brother Yuan, logically speaking, if Shen Long is severely injured, shouldn’t we be suppressing the news? Mobilizing our efforts to find aged Spiritual Medicine might lead others to believe something has gone wrong within our sect," the Ice Silkworm True Person expressed his concern.

"Before Junior Brother Shen returned from the Inner Sea, he searched for information on those two Nascent Soul Cultivators, and many know of his injuries; it’s impossible to cover it up. Besides, Junior Brother Shen hasn’t objected."

Yuan Rui stated.

He suspected that Shen Long might have slain two fourth-tier Flood Dragons and was just using it as a pretext to make others believe he wasn’t strong.

If he were truly severely injured, Shen Long wouldn’t have personally sought out other Nascent Soul Cultivators for information. It would have been more prudent to focus on his recovery.

Shen Long’s actions were most likely meant to have those people serve as witnesses to confirm his injuries.

Guessing that Shen Long had his reasons for lying, Yuan Rui saw no need to point it out. With Shen Long’s brilliance becoming too conspicuous over the years, it was beneficial for him to feign weakness now. Intending to support him, Yuan Rui decided to solidify the news of his injuries.

This was merely Yuan Rui’s speculation, but with Shen Long showing no objections, they proceeded with the plan.

Ice Silkworm True Person and Han Yuwei nodded, indicating they had no objections.

After some idle chat, they excused themselves and left.

At Golden Roc Peak, Shen Long sat in a cyan stone pavilion while Lin Sen reported to him.

"I need to enter secluded cultivation to heal my injuries. Handle anything that comes up as you see fit."

Shen Long ordered.

Healing was an excuse; cultivating was the true goal.

"Yes, Uncle Shen."

Lin Sen agreed.

After giving a few instructions, Shen Long dismissed Lin Sen.

He entered a practice room, sat cross-legged, and muttered to himself, "It seems Master Brother Yuan realized I was feigning illness, but he hasn’t pointed it out. It looks like he approves of my method."

He took out a Blood Flood Dragon Pill, popped it into his mouth, and started cultivating.