Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 134: Chapter 123 Old Friend

"Jump down?" Shen Yaqin's smile was incredibly captivating. "Oh, I almost forgot about you. You're not yet at the Foundation Establishment stage, unlike your two senior brothers. Climbing down forty-seven floors might take you half a day! Never mind, I'll take you down myself."

When she said "take you down," Shen Yaqin didn't waste any time. She simply grabbed Liu Suiyun by the collar. Although Liu Suiyun had become accustomed to this dizzying sensation, by the time he came to his senses, they had already landed. Shen Yaqin even patted his shoulder, smiling, "Alright, disciple, go take a stroll."

As she prepared to leave, Shen Yaqin gave a word of caution, "Disciple, be careful. Though this is our sect's territory, it's now filled with a mix of all kinds of people. Who knows how many unsavory types are lurking about? Be cautious and return early."

"Though it's been ages since I last saw your master and I'd love to chat longer, you must still be mindful and come back soon." With that, Shen Yaqin didn't even summon her flying sword. She simply soared straight to the top of the pavilion and entered the forty-seventh floor.

"Master's wife truly possesses the bearing of a celestial being!" Liu Suiyun couldn't help but marvel. "When will I ever have such abilities?"

After shaking off his reverie, Liu Suiyun followed Shen Yaqin's advice and began to wander around.

Perhaps due to the upcoming entry ceremony, Liu Suiyun frequently encountered large groups of outer sect cultivators within Shenxiao Mountain. He refrained from asking too many questions. After all, while his Eleventh Layer of Qi Refinement was impressive in the outside world, here in Shenxiao Peak, he was nothing more than an ant.

However, taking a stroll certainly broadened his horizons. Liu Suiyun patted his spirit stone pouch, which he'd barely touched since entering the sect. Now he had accumulated sixty to seventy stones, and this seemed like a good opportunity to lighten his load a bit.

Living on Zhonghua Peak, he didn't need to spend any spirit stones for essentials. He could easily borrow any Daoist scriptures or materials he needed from his two senior brothers, making life quite convenient and nearly cost-free.

This was his first chance to relax since entering Zhonghua Peak. "It's good to unwind," he thought.

The constant pressure of progress had indeed made his growth rapid, but maintaining such intensity over long periods could lead to minor, yet unavoidable, issues—even for a cultivator.

These days, Shenxiao Peak had become a sanctuary for cultivators. As Liu Suiyun wandered the stalls along the streets, he saw things that he had never dreamed of. He even saw someone openly selling Foundation Establishment Pills.

Knowing full well he couldn't afford one, Liu Suiyun snuck a glance, only to be shocked by the price—4,500 spirit stones for a single pill! Even if haggling were an option, he wouldn't dare buy one.

Of course, the cultivator selling the Foundation Establishment Pill was no ordinary person. With a single glance, Liu Suiyun could tell the yellow-robed man was a genuine Golden Core cultivator. Amused, Liu Suiyun thought to himself, "Golden Core cultivators really come in all kinds. This one isn't even worthy of my master's wife's shadow, let alone my master's little finger."

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He continued strolling around Shenxiao Peak, purchasing a few handy items for two spirit stones and occasionally stopping by stalls selling spiritual herbs. His knowledge of spiritual plants was somewhat lacking, so taking a closer look here and there was an educational experience.

He also noticed several Shenxiao Sect disciples dressed in the same novice robes as him, clearly new initiates. However, unlike Liu Suiyun, they weren't as fortunate and were relegated to serving as lowly patrollers. Liu Suiyun exchanged a few pleasantries with these fellow disciples.

Through them, Liu Suiyun learned important details, such as the significance of ranking in the upcoming entry ceremony and why all the senior cultivators had to attend.

In major sects like Shenxiao, ranking in ceremonies was critical. According to his fellow disciples, some sects even had entire peaks dedicated to studying the ranking of rival cultivators and their influences.

A single senior cultivator could drastically impact their peak, sect, or even family. On smaller peaks like Zhonghua, with fewer than a hundred people, they all relied on Liu Suiyun's master and his wife for their livelihood. Imagine the impact on peaks with hundreds or even thousands! The fall of a senior cultivator would be like the sky collapsing for them.

Although these senior cultivators were elusive, during such significant ceremonies, they had to make an appearance. Sometimes, to avoid suspicion, they would have to show off their abilities. Otherwise, rumors would spread, claiming the cultivator had either died in silence or suffered a serious setback in their cultivation.

The sect also valued these public appearances as they represented the true strength of the sect. Take the Shenxiao Sect, for example. They had long claimed to have a Yuanshen-level cultivator, yet this cultivator hadn't appeared in hundreds of years, not even in the sect's major ceremonies. Without any ranking for this figure, many believed the sect was merely fabricating the story.

Moreover, these rankings provided a way to evaluate a sect's true power. Not every Golden Core cultivator was the real deal; many were frauds. Take Tianhong Sect, which boasted of a Golden Core cultivator who had lived longer than some Nascent Soul cultivators, yet contributed little more than publishing volumes of criticism against the Shenxiao Sect every year. He was hardly reliable in battle.

Therefore, when assessing each other's strength, sects now adopted a new standard—'combat power ranking.' By comparing similarly ranked cultivators from different sects, they could gauge their true strength.

Liu Suiyun chuckled, "So that's how it works. Fortunately, I've heard my master's ranking is quite good. As disciples, we should be able to benefit from that."

"Has Senior Brother already apprenticed? I don't even know where my master is. I'll have to rely on Senior Brother's care in the future!"

Inwardly, however, Liu Suiyun pondered, "I wonder what my master's wife's ranking is? It can't be too low, surely within the top twenty."

But after witnessing Shen Yaqin's boundless celestial abilities, he quickly felt that a ranking within the top twenty seemed almost too modest. However, since Chu Nanhua was only ranked eleventh, Shen Yaqin's ranking must be around the twentieth.

As he mused on this, someone beside him exclaimed with delight, "Old Star!"

Liu Suiyun turned and saw Taikang grinning at him. "Old Star, I thought you didn't make it into Shenxiao Sect this time. I was worried!"

For an old friend he met in Jiazhou's markets, Liu Suiyun greeted him warmly. "Taikang! Let's catch up. I just arrived at Shenxiao Peak. Pick a place!"

The new disciple Liu Suiyun was speaking with seemed surprised. "You know each other?"

"Yes, yes!" Taikang replied, "Old Star—Xing Suiyun, my old pal. We looked out for each other when we roamed the world. Old Star, this is our junior brother, Huo."

"Isn't it Senior Brother Liu?" Huo asked, puzzled. "Why the name change?"

Liu Suiyun chuckled, "After joining the sect, my master's wife felt my old name was too forceful, so she had it changed to Liu Suiyun."

Taikang was already leading the way. "Old Star, you've already apprenticed? We lowly ones have to work as errand boys for at least a year before we have the chance. I know a newly opened restaurant to the east—cheap prices and hearty food!"

"Sounds good!" Liu Suiyun didn't hesitate, "Since we're all fated to meet, today's on me!"

The restaurant was only a short walk away. As soon as they stepped inside, a mortal attendant enthusiastically greeted them, "Master Taikang! What brings you here? You've come at the perfect time; we've saved a private room just for you!"

"Excellent!" Taikang said without hesitation, "Do you have beef? Bring out your best dishes!"

"Don't worry, Master Taikang!" The attendant was well acquainted with him. "We've stocked up on the finest goods from all over the world—land, sea, and air. Even spirit birds and herbs are ready. Eat to your heart's content!"

Though the private room wasn't by the window, it was still a luxury given how packed Shenxiao Peak was with cultivators.

After sitting down, Liu Suiyun had no complaints. The attendant swiftly poured tea for all three. "Would you like some music?"

"Get lost!" Taikang waved him off, "If we need girls, I'll let you know, and you'll be well-rewarded. But today's a day for us brothers to celebrate. No fox spirits to spoil the fun!"

Junior Brother Huo echoed the sentiment, "Women will always be there, but we can't let them ruin our brotherly gathering!"

Liu Suiyun, who had indulged in tavern delights before, added, "Indeed. It's hard to speak freely with women around. By the way, Junior Brother, what's your name?"

The young-looking disciple replied, "My name is Huo Tianya."

Taikang stepped out briefly to hurry the meal preparation, but when he returned, his expression was grim. "Trouble."

"What's wrong?"