"Clang!"
It was as if a crimson sun exploded in the sky, sweeping away everything with its surging power, illuminating the stone cavern that had been dark for years, making it bright and transparent.
"Whoosh!"
The black demonic light that had pierced Gu Yuan's forehead instantly turned to ash and vanished.
Gu Yuan felt an unprecedented peace of mind.
Even though he was in the Demon Cave, he felt as steady as a mountain.
An icy azure lotus slowly appeared in the air, the petals spinning with a razor-sharp aura, like piercing swords, with a strong murderous intent that seemed to almost break through the clouds.
Above the lotus seat, a stunningly beautiful virtual shadow slowly emerged.
"Sizzle!"
Gu Yuan lifted his head, wanting to look at the appearance of the figure, but as soon as he raised his head, his eyes felt a piercing pain. The figure seemed to be composed of countless sword lights, dazzling and sharp like the sun, making it impossible for him to even look directly.
He could only quickly lower his head.
"Where did you get this token?"
A cold voice came from above, falling into Gu Yuan's ears.
"Reporting to the senior, I found it on a skeleton in the cavern!"
Gu Yuan knew the power within the token was vast, but he never expected it to summon a conscious shadow.
Facing such a figure, he did not dare to hide the slightest detail and could only speak truthfully.
A soul-piercing gaze scanned the stone cavern, and even the thick demonic aura could not block it. A rumbling sound echoed in Gu Yuan's ears, followed by billowing smoke and dust, and the crystalline, jade-like skeleton slowly floated up and landed in the hands of the shadow.
The vast stone cavern suddenly fell silent, yet an unspeakable sadness pervaded the air.
Gu Yuan's heart stirred slightly as if he understood something.
The skeleton in this cavern likely belonged to a powerful force, protected by a patron, which is why it was given the token for protection. But for some unknown reason, the token was enveloped in that bizarre demonic mist and never activated, leading to the demise of its owner.
And by a stroke of fate with the Stone Liquid, Gu Yuan was the first to discover the skeleton's location and reactivated the token, drawing out this shadow.
Yet he wondered, what kind of power did this shadow possess?
Could the opportunity mentioned by the Stone Liquid be realized? Could he escape this Demon Cave and see the light of day again?
Just as Gu Yuan was overwhelmed with thoughts and dared not speak, a somewhat panicked voice hurriedly sounded outside the cave:
"Fire Dragon Child of the Flame Dragon Sect, greets the Golden Core Ascendant!"
"This junior was unaware that there were disciples under the Ascendant in this place, acting rashly, acting rashly. I beg the Ascendant's forgiveness, beg the Ascendant's forgiveness!"
The old man outside the cave was no longer the calm person he was before. His expression was panicked and tense, seemingly regretful, as he continuously pleaded for forgiveness.
But his true form remained outside the cave, with vigilance deep in his eyes.
Gu Yuan was also shocked.
A Golden Core Ascendant!
Indeed, a terrifying figure surpassing Foundation Establishment!
"Is this Demon Star Cave under your rule?"
The cold voice came again, this time questioning Fire Dragon Child.
Along with it came a dazzling sword light, cold and chilling.
Beads of sweat instantly appeared on Fire Dragon Child's temples as he quickly defended himself, saying, "Ascendant, the stone mine here belongs to the Demon Slaughter Sect. I came today to clear out the Demon Sect, and that's why I arrived here. Everything in the cavern has nothing to do with my sect!"
"How many years has this Demon Slaughter Sect been operating this Demon Mine?"
The voice asked again.
"Fifty-six years!"
"Who owned it before?"
"Before, it was the property of the Heaven-Severing Sect. But for some reason, the sect leader died unfortunately, and the sect gradually declined, eventually being swallowed by the Demon Slaughter Sect!"
"Ascendant, this Demon Slaughter Sect has committed numerous crimes, ignoring the laws of the Celestial Palace, wantonly attacking various sects and factions. In just a few dozen years, they have destroyed three sects and seven clans. My sect united with the Celestial Essence Sect to uphold the majesty of the Celestial Palace and started a joint crusade against this sect!"
"Now that the Ascendant is here, this sect can be destroyed in a single day!"
Fire Dragon Child responded as if testing, ending with a deep bow.
But the cold voice simply uttered "The laws of the Celestial Palace," as if with a sigh, before turning its gaze back to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan felt the gaze, but dared not lift his head, suppressing the pain in his five viscera, and respectfully saluted.
"A cycle of sixty years ago, the life lamp of my disciple disappeared, her soul scattered. In my fury, I swore to hunt down the culprit, but the heavenly secrets were obscured. Despite my utmost efforts, I could not deduce where she died."
"I once promised within the sect, whoever could find out the cause of this matter, I would grant them one request."
"But the South Mountain Domain is vast and boundless. Decades passed with no results, and I gave up on the idea."
"But unexpectedly, after all these years, you have activated the token."
"I have roughly understood the cause of this matter. You have fulfilled one of my wishes, and I can grant you a request. Speak, what do you wish for?"
Along with these words, the chilling aura vanished, replaced by a brilliance like a great sun.
Under the illumination of this light, Gu Yuan felt the wounds on his Five Viscera healing rapidly, and the broken bone in his right hand restored in an instant.
"Crack!"
Not only that, the unbreakable Spirit-Breaking Ring on his wrist suddenly shattered into dust, scattering into the darkness.
"Clatter!"
The familiar Spiritual Qi flowed through his body again, and Gu Yuan's skin once more became rosy and glossy, all the grime and dust swept away in an instant by the Spiritual Qi.
Though his clothes remained tattered and he was still barefoot, the ethereal aura of a cultivator had returned to him once more.
Suppressing the joy in his heart, he reflected on his situation and the wisdom passed down by Zhou Shuren in his past life. Without thinking, he immediately knelt down with a heartfelt plea:
"Senior, you lost a disciple, and I lost a Sect. If you do not mind, please take me under your wing, and let me serve you!"
The kneel was straightforward and decisive!
The plea was sincere and heartfelt!
It was very much like the merciless slap he had dealt to Senior Brother Yangg before.
Decisive to the extreme!
Fire Dragon Child, witnessing this, couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
In front of him stood a boy with thick eyebrows, handsome and righteous-looking, yet he acted so shamelessly!
Just a down-and-out Qi Refiner, audacious enough to directly seek to apprentice under a Golden Core Ascendant?!
Shouldn't he take a piss and reflect on himself?
Why not suggest to the Golden Core Ascendant to take care of their retirement?
The Ascendant offered to fulfill one of your requests, did you really just blurt it out?
Aren't you afraid the Ascendant will be annoyed, the strong winds will snap your tongue, smacking you to death with a slap?
Fire Dragon Child felt disdain in his heart, but suddenly recalled something, abruptly looking at Gu Yuan with a bit of astonishment.
This boy, could he be...
As expected, after a brief silence, the cold voice spoke: "My line only accepts female disciples. Besides, you are already of age and have cultivation, it is difficult for this Sect to find someone to take you as a disciple."
"However, since I made a promise, I will not go back on my word."
"Raise your head!"
Gu Yuan obediently raised his head.
What met his gaze was a face so beautiful it defied description, completely different from the cold voice; this face was alluring to the extreme.
With hair fluttering like green silk, a face as beautiful as peach blossoms, skin as pale as snow, underneath brows like green jade were a pair of pink eyes.
It was the first time Gu Yuan had ever seen pink eyes.
Captivating to the soul.
So different from the cold and terrifying Sword Intent.
"Puff!"
The prick on his fingertip brought Gu Yuan back to his senses.
It was then that Gu Yuan noticed that the green token engraved with verdant leaves and vines had, at some point, fallen back into his palm.
Moreover, a drop of blood dripped from his fingertip onto the token, causing it to tremble lightly, seemingly linking to his heart and spirit with a faint connection.
"I am an Elder of the Cyan Peak Daoist School, and this is my token. Hold this token and go to Cyan Peak Mountain, then you may enter the Daoist School. Whether you can apprentice under any of the Elders depends on your fortune!"
"This token is for you alone, no one else may use it!"
"The causality of this matter is complete; I hope you will take care of yourself!"
The cold voice spoke again, and then Gu Yuan felt the immense power within the token being completely drawn out, transforming into a rainbow light that wrapped around the skeletal remains, heading northward, and disappeared in an instant.
Only a faint remnant of Spiritual Nature remained in the token.
Watching the scene before him, Fire Dragon Child couldn't help but sigh.
This boy with thick eyebrows and big eyes knows how to manipulate human nature.
Knowing full well it was impossible to apprentice under a Golden Core Ascendant, he dared to speak frankly, first proposing a request the Ascendant would not agree to, leading the Ascendant to compromise, allowing him to join the Daoist School.
If he had just requested to join the Daoist School from the start, he might have been refused too, only receiving some rewards instead.
It's like if a room is too dark, proposing to open the window is likely to be refused, but if you suggest tearing off the roof, opening the window becomes agreeable.
Raise expectations first, then compromise.
But saying it is easy, doing it is extremely difficult.
After all, that is a Golden Core Ascendant!
If they get angry, they could wipe someone out in an instant.
Yet this boy actually managed to pull it off.
This luck, this audacity, truly remarkable.
Fire Dragon Child was filled with reflections and simultaneously decided how he should approach dealing with Gu Yuan.