***
The next day.
Azure Pillar Sect.
Li Shen returned to the front yard of the sect, watching Hao Ziyue and Xiao Bai practicing their techniques against each other.
Last month, they had fulfilled Li Shen's expectations and advanced to the Peak Foundation Establishment realm.
With that, when the Huang Valley Trials were held, no one would dare to fight them. In fact, Li Shen was confident that they would get the top positions in the trial.
A magic explosion happened, sending the two of them flying far back. Li Shen thought it was an impressive fight, even though they were both still at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Even so, with that kind of power, it wasn't impossible for them to injure a Core Formation practitioner.
"Just as I expected, your abilities have improved," praised Li Shen, flying over and standing right between them.
Xiao Bai and Hao Ziyue nodded obediently, paying their respects. Xiao Bai said that his comprehension of the Whirlwind Siege technique had become more refined and complex as their cultivation levels increased.
"It seems like we'll be able to fully understand the technique once we reach the Core Formation realm," explained Xiao Bai.
"HAHA!"
"Good, that's good. I can see it in the future that the two of you will become the most respected Azure Pillar Sect guardians," explained Li Shen.
"With your talent and determination, maybe I can guide you further to become the Fire Emperor and the Alchemist Queen," said Li Shen.
Xiao Bai smiled, his face looking enthusiastic at Li Shen's words. Xiao Bai clasped his hands together and bowed, followed by Hao Ziyue.
"Please guide us, Sect Master!"
"That's enough, you have trained well. As a reward, take these," said Li Shen.
Li Shen gently tapped his magic pouch, bringing out two technique scrolls and two bottles of pills for Hao Ziyue and Xiao Bai.
They got one technique scroll and one bottle of pills each. But they didn't know what the techniques and pills were.
"The power of those techniques cannot be relied upon as common attacks. They are only to be used as your ultimate techniques," replied Li Shen.
"Those are third-level technique scrolls, perfect for your current cultivation stages."
He told Xiao Bai the name of the technique, which was Blazing Serpent Dance. Its power was equivalent to that of a mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, capable of summoning a fire serpent that could be controlled by Xiao Bai's mind.
"Blazing Serpent Dance is suitable as an advanced technique for the Basic Fire Technique. If you manage to combine the two techniques well, your power will increase many times over," explained Li Shen.
"Thank you, Sect Master!" said Xiao Bai.
Li Shen nodded flatly, then turned sideways and looked at Hao Ziyue. He explained that Ziyue had learned three techniques before, one leaf element technique and two light element techniques.
To make Ziyue familiar with the elements of alchemy—light and water—Li Shen taught her the Mistveil Mirage technique.
He also explained the purpose of the technique, which was on par with the Blazing Serpent Dance technique.
"What? Create mist and concealed movement? Li Shen nodded.
"I gave you this technique on purpose so that you can help Bai'er later. With the illusion of mist and movement, you can easily defeat other practitioners," explained Li Shen.
Hao Ziyue smiled, jumping with joy as she said that the water element technique was something she had wanted for a long time. But she didn't dare to learn it before Master Li told her to.
"Thank you, Sect Leader. I will learn it well," said Hao Ziyue.
Li Shen smiled faintly, pleased that they appreciated his gift. As for the bottle of pills, they were Essence Recovery Pills.
One bottle contained 10 third-level Essence Recovery Pills, capable of restoring a practitioner's depleted strength and spiritual energy back to its original state.
"Keep the pills for the test later. The most important thing for you now is to learn the technique I gave you. I want you to have mastered it in three weeks."
"Are you sure you can do it?," asked Li Shen, challenging them.
Hao Ziyue and Xiao Bai nodded. They were very confident that they would be able to learn the technique within the time limit Li Shen had given them. Li Shen also asked them to stop cultivating, because he saw energy surges in their bodies.
This was a sign that they were about to break through to Core Formation.
Li Shen stretched out his hand and took the celestial spirit stone that had helped them. That way, the large supply of spiritual energy would be cut off and they would not break through in the near future.
"Start practicing."
Xiao Bai and Hao Ziyue nodded. Li Shen turned around and walked away from the front yard of the sect. Surprisingly, Chen Yi approached him with his two friends.
"Master Li," Chen Yi greeted him, and Li Shen turned to look at them.
"What is it, Chen Yi?" Li Shen asked.
"We have finished repairing the six buildings and making them look beautiful," Chen Yi replied.
Li Shen narrowed his eyes, then looked to the right and left. Li Shen flew up, clearly seeing the condition of his sect after it had been repaired by the Forest Leaf Sect disciples. What Chen Yi had said was true.
"This is even more beautiful than I remember," said Li Shen, smiling.
"How is it, Master Li?" asked Chen Yi.
"You have done well. I thank you," replied Li Shen.
The man descended and stood directly before Chen Yi. Li Shen raised his right hand, revealing the red gem he had used to seal their cultivation and dantian.
Now, Li Shen no longer needed them. They were free to do as they pleased and were no longer bound to the Azure Pillar Sect.
Li Shen gripped the red gem until it shattered, the red energy floating in front of Li Shen where he immediately deactivated the curse seals on them.
[Dantian Locking Seal Destroyed!]
The explosion of red energy fluctuations from the destroyed curse spread throughout the entire place, even reaching Ruo Fei in the Third Pavilion.
From Li Shen's eyes, the red curse seal patterns on their foreheads faded and disappeared.
Chen Yi and the others were shocked; they could feel spiritual energy flowing into their bodies through their reactivated meridians. Now, they could return to cultivation.
"Thank you, Master Li."
"You are no longer bound to the Azure Pillar Sect. From now on, I will not interfere in your matters anymore," replied Li Shen.
The man tapped his magic pouch again, bringing out 156 heaven-level spirit stones for them, one for each disciple. It was a gift from Li Shen because they had helped repair his sect.
"Share these among them, one per person. With these heaven-level spirit stones, you can buy techniques, pills, or weapons at any equipment shop in any city," explained Li Shen.
Chen Yi accepted the spirit stones, a great honor for him and his friends to receive such an unexpected gift from Li Shen. But that wasn't what they wanted.
"Thank you, Master Li. But spirit stones aren't what we need," explained Chen Yi.
"Then what? I won't give you any pills or techniques because you're not part of my sect," retorted Li Shen.
"That…"
Chen Yi looked behind him, where 156 disciples of the Forest Leaf Sect stood surrounding Li Shen. Li Shen narrowed his eyes, gazing at them warily, though he knew he could defeat them all alone.
"We have decided this long ago. We are prepared for any consequences, even if it means sacrificing our lives!" Chen Yi declared firmly.
"What? You're going to kill me?" asked Li Shen.
Shocking! The 156 disciples of the Forest Leaf Sect knelt toward Li Shen, then kowtowed three times while repeating the same sentence over and over.
Their voices attracted the attention of Hao Ziyue and Xiao Bai, who were practicing, as well as Ye Fa and Gu Mei, who were teaching sect disciples.
"We beg you! Please take us as your disciples, Master Li!"
Li Shen smiled coldly, then looked at each of them. Ye Fa was curious, so she flew closer to see the moment when the 156 disciples of the Forest Leaf Sect left their old sect to join the Azure Pillar Sect.
"Senior Li?" Ye Fa greeted him with a happy smile.
"Do you think I'll accept all of you as my disciples after you've repaired my sect? It's not that easy!"
"I have a special test for you, former disciples of the sect who once fought against me!" Li Shen said firmly.
"Tell us, Master Li. We will try to meet your expectations," Chen Yi said firmly.
"For those of you who are at the Qi Condensation stage, go to Gong City and meet the Li Family Head. Tell her that you were sent by me to help find the last material!" Li Shen ordered.
"You have one month," explained Li Shen.
Li Shen saw that there were a total of 120 disciples at the Qi Condensation stage, and they would be sent there to search for the items. Li Shen took out 120 high-level spirit stones and gave them to the disciples, solely for their living expenses for one month.
"Yes, Master Li!" said the Qi Condensation practitioners firmly.
"And you, the 36 Foundation Establishment disciples. Stay in the sect and help Bai'er and Ziyue with their training. If you can defeat them both, I will immediately accept you as disciples of the Pillar Azure sect," Li Shen said firmly.
"You only have one month."
"What if we keep losing?" asked Chen Yi.
"Then you must cultivate until you reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Those who achieve that within one to two months will be made disciples of the Azure Pillar Sect."
"Do you understand?" Li Shen asked again.
"Disciples understand!" they replied in unison.
"Go."