Chapter 540 - 491: The Celebration Begins

Chapter 540: Chapter 491: The Celebration Begins

"Interesting..."

By the window of the pavilion, Xu Lingtian watched Chu Mu’s departing figure, the corners of his mouth curling into an irrepressible smile.

Xu Changqing seemed a bit puzzled. After a moment of silence, he hesitated before speaking. "Father, Fellow Daoist Chu... what was that about?"

"He won’t act without a clear incentive!"

Xu Lingtian chuckled. "Just as I thought. That kid usually avoids me like the plague, but this time he actually came looking for me."

As he spoke, Xu Lingtian waved the Jade Scroll in his hand. "He brought such a grand gift to my doorstep. It would be improper for me, his senior, not to give something in return."

"He doesn’t want to owe anyone a single favor!"

Xu Changqing explained, "Father, please understand. Fellow Daoist Chu clawed his way up from the secular world into the Cultivation Immortal Realm to achieve his current Cultivation. He’s bound to be cautious and vigilant about everything. It’s only natural that he doesn’t fully trust our Sect..."

"This boy’s talent is extraordinary."

Xu Lingtian shook his head and, with a flick of his hand, tossed the Jade Scroll to Xu Changqing.

"Go make arrangements. Have the Sect investigate the origin of that fragmented Soldier Puppet manual from the Chen Family."

"Remember to be discreet. Don’t let anyone notice anything unusual."

"Also, go to the Overlord Saber Alliance in my name and inform the Overlord Saber that I’m claiming that piece of Nine Heavens Profound Gold!"

Xu Changqing hesitated. "Father, if we do that, won’t the Overlord Saber True Master..."

"He won’t."

Xu Lingtian’s expression was calm. "This is also a good opportunity to use this Nine Heavens Profound Gold to test him."

"We can’t make the mistake of nurturing a tiger that will come back to bite us a second time."

"I understand."

Xu Changqing nodded, clutched the Jade Scroll, and turned to leave.

In the room, Xu Lingtian gazed out the window. From this high vantage point, he could clearly see the Overlord Saber Alliance’s base in the center of the city.

Outside the courtyard, Chu Mu had once again concealed his form and aura. After wandering about aimlessly for a while, he finally returned to his normal appearance.

Twilight had fallen, and the street lamps lit up one after another, casting a soft, pale yellow glow. The descending dusk added a certain beauty to the nightscape.

Chu Mu walked along the street, but his thoughts were still on the conversation he’d just had at the Longevity Sect’s base.

The conversation hadn’t lasted long—just a brief moment, a dozen or so sentences exchanged.

But without a doubt, he had achieved his goal.

And what he had given up was, for the time being, a benefit that was almost illusory to him.

’A hidden door within a hidden door... I’m confident about it, but with my current Cultivation—or rather, until I reach the Nascent Soul realm—the risks associated with that benefit are far, far too great for me.’

Exchanging this ethereal benefit for a tangible one right now, regardless of whether it was a good deal, was probably the best choice for him at this moment.

WHOOSH...

After a moment of thought, Chu Mu let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

This exchange wasn’t just a situation where both sides benefited.

It also relieved him of many worries.

At least he no longer had to worry about how to obtain that piece of Nine Heavens Profound Gold, or how to face the inevitable storm of blood that would follow.

The same went for the Chen Family’s Tier Four Soldier Puppet.

’Let the tall guys handle it when the sky falls.’

With that Sword Dao Nascent Soul standing in front of him, all the disasters and troubles related to these two matters would have nothing to do with him.

"Fortune or misfortune..."

Chu Mu shook his head with a smile and looked around. The lights flickered and the crowd bustled. On both sides of the street, numerous stalls had appeared one after another. In a city like Bazhou City where people gathered from all corners, the items at these stalls were varied and bizarre.

After a brief glance, he retracted his gaze. He took a single step and vanished from the spot in an instant. His figure flickered and, in just a few breaths, disappeared from the street.

「Several days passed, with the sun rising and setting.」

For several days, Chu Mu didn’t take a single step out of the True Understanding Base. But as the saying goes, the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. The news of his arrival in Bazhou City was no secret.

No Cultivator would pass up the chance to get acquainted with an Alchemy Master and an Artifact Refining Master.

Over those few days, a constant stream of Cultivators came to visit.

He had met with just about all the major and minor powers gathered in Bazhou City, even before the Overlord Saber Alliance’s celebration had begun.

It wasn’t until the fourth day, as the celebration drew near, that the True Understanding Pavilion’s base finally quieted down a bit.

On the fifth day, the millennial celebration that had stirred up the entire Great Chu and the Vast Sea Cultivation Immortal World finally began under the watchful eyes of all.

Towards the end of the year, ever since first entering the Bazhou Basin, Chu Mu had often seen Bazhou Alliance Cultivators zipping about, using Magic to disperse clouds and eliminate any moisture condensing in the sky.

All this was to ensure that the day of the celebration would be sunny and pleasant, with not a cloud in the sky.

A giant plaza had long since been cleared in the center of Bazhou City to serve as the venue for the celebration.

By early morning, the plaza was already a sea of people. It’s human nature to enjoy a spectacle, and it was common knowledge that this ceremony was for a Tier Four True Cultivator of Sword Intent.

According to the customs of the Cultivation Immortal Realm, whether it was a Golden Core Ceremony or a Nascent Soul Ceremony, as long as it was held, it was a joyous occasion for all. All who came were guests and had to be served with good food and drink.

Moreover, the ceremonies had a main event: a Dao lecture!

This Tier Four True Cultivator of Sword Intent was clearly even more special.

Unrivaled Attack! Who wouldn’t yearn for such power?

If one could gain even a little enlightenment or insight, it would be a heaven-sent opportunity!

It was for this very reason that any publicly announced Core Formation or Nascent Soul Formation ceremony was considered a grand, joyous event celebrated throughout the Cultivation Immortal Realm.

Parties from all directions gathered; a storm was brewing!

A near-endless series of announcements, calling out names, echoed across the plaza.

"The Longevity Sect! The Righteous Alliance! The Chen Family..."

Each name represented the arrival of a power and the presentation of a congratulatory gift.

The name of the True Understanding Pavilion was naturally among them, and they too presented a gift that was quite valuable.

A Tier Three Combat Puppet. Compared to the True Understanding Pavilion’s status in the Vast Sea Cultivation Immortal World, it was a fitting gift that also highlighted the Pavilion’s unique nature.

"Senior, this way, please!"

After the True Understanding Pavilion was announced, a graceful Maid immediately came forward to greet them.

Chu Mu gave a slight nod and, under the Maid’s guidance, took a seat in a private room in a pavilion to the side.

From there, the entire plaza was laid out before his eyes.

The sea of people gathered in the plaza sat in an orderly fashion. Maids weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of prepared Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruit to the Loose Cultivators who had assembled from all over.

On both sides of the plaza were raised pavilions, like the one he was currently in, which served as viewing areas for the various powers that had come to celebrate.

Directly in front was a high platform over a hundred feet tall. Amidst a forest of Banner Flags, members of the Overlord Saber Alliance stood ramrod straight, their expressions solemn.

This high platform was clearly the place where the Overlord Saber True Master would give his Dao lecture.

...