Chapter 508: Chapter 290: Tiger Mastiff

"I’ve doomed the Yuan Family!"

Yuan Gang felt his heart clench when he heard the news of Xu Yang’s breakthrough to the Celestial Essence Realm. The anguish was so intense he could barely breathe.

He had once recruited Xu Yang as a Tributor for the Yuan Family with just a single Profound Yuan Qi Transformation Pill and two hundred taels of silver. But the deal fell through because he had insisted on Xu Yang marrying Yuan Sujie.

In the past, he had thought Xu Yang was arrogant and didn’t appreciate the opportunities he was given.

Now he understood that Yuan Sujie truly wasn’t good enough for Xu Yang. If he had another chance, he’d be willing to make Xu Yang the Patriarch. But alas, the Xu Yang of today was far beyond his reach.

In fact, none of Cyan Yang City’s so-called ten great families were worthy of a connection to Xu Yang. They simply lacked the resources to support a genius of his caliber.

After breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm, things like silver were completely useless. Only treasures on the level of Spirit Medicine were effective. But items with such spirituality were considered part of the foundational reserves of even the ten great families—treasures they wouldn’t use lightly, let alone on an outsider. Besides, the Spirit Medicines in their vaults would be a mere drop in the ocean for a Celestial Essence expert.

...

Tianquan Peak!

Zhang Hanzhou’s face was a mask of disbelief. "He actually broke through to the Celestial Essence Realm on his first try."

Only someone like him, who had already reached the Celestial Essence Realm, knew just how difficult that step was. One careless mistake could be fatal.

After his first attempt to reach the Celestial Essence Realm failed, his Heart Spirit had been tempered. He had then gone to the Haisa Sect to witness the talents of various geniuses and spar with them. It took him three months on his second try, and he only succeeded through sheer, ruthless determination.

That Xu Yang had succeeded on his first attempt was simply incredible to him.

...

Medicine King Peak.

Xu Qing walked out of the Pill Room, exhausted.

She had recently begun learning to refine the Profound Yuan Qi Transformation Pill. She was studying it so painstakingly that she would often enter the Pill Room and not emerge for days.

"Junior Sister Xu, congratulations," Sun Jian said with a smile, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Junior Sister Xu, congratulations."

"Junior Sister Xu, you’ll have to look out for us senior brothers from now on."

...

In an instant, the disciples of Medicine King Peak gathered outside the Pill Room, their faces full of flattery and envy.

Xu Qing paused, confused. "Senior Brother Sun, what’s the happy occasion?"

"You don’t know yet, Junior Sister Xu? Your older brother, Xu Yang, was in seclusion for three months. Today, he broke through his bottleneck by Introducing Heavenly and Earthly Power into his Body! He’s become a Celestial Essence expert. Isn’t that a cause for great celebration?"

Before Sun Jian could reply, someone else jumped in and explained that Xu Yang had broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm.

A breakthrough to the Celestial Essence Realm was a monumental event. If someone from one of the great families in Cyan Yang City achieved it, they would host a non-stop banquet for seven days and nights, open to all.

Anyone who showed up to offer congratulations would receive a monetary reward.

In Cyan Yang City, a single Celestial Essence expert was enough to ensure a family’s prosperity for one to two centuries.

"My brother broke through to the Celestial Essence Realm?"

In an instant, Xu Qing’s face bloomed with astonishing radiance. She was beaming with joy, even happier than if she had broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm herself.

"Yes, Brother Xu is currently condensing his Gang Yuan. All of Li Fire Peak is in an uproar," Sun Jian said.

He was also considered to be in Xu Yang’s camp, and with his connection to Xu Qing, he was naturally happy about Xu Yang’s breakthrough.

’Xu Yang is making me so proud! I knew the mere Celestial Essence Realm wouldn’t be able to stop him!’

Xu Qing was so excited her cheeks flushed red, completely forgetting that she had also worried about Xu Yang before.

"Junior Sister Xu, quickly, Master wants to see you."

Suddenly, a disciple of Elder Chang Chun rushed over.

"Master?"

Xu Qing bid farewell to Sun Jian and the others and hurried to Elder Chang Chun’s Hall.

"Disciple greets Master. May I ask why Master has summoned me?" Xu Qing said, clasping her hands.

She had been accepted as a disciple by Elder Chang Chun because of her brother’s talent, but since she hadn’t yet reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement, she was only a Named Disciple. She only had the chance to ask him for guidance once every half a month.

In truth, she was still a stranger to this master. Whenever she had questions about the Martial Dao, she would go to Xu Yang for advice instead.

Elder Chang Chun offered a kindly smile. "Back when your brother wanted to become my disciple, I refused him. I was worried that Alchemy would hinder his progress on the Martial Dao. Though it was for his own good, I’ve always regretted that decision."

"Today, I intend to formally accept you as my Inner Disciple. Are you willing?"

What?

’Elder Chang Chun wants to accept me as an Inner Disciple?’

A look of delight spread across Xu Qing’s face. She hurriedly clasped her hands. "I am willing, Master!"

As an Inner Disciple, she could not only seek Elder Chang Chun’s guidance at any time, but more importantly, she would gain access to the true resources available to disciples of Medicine King Peak.

Medicine King Peak was the most resource-rich peak in the Purple Sun Sect, and its disciples enjoyed the best benefits. However, not everyone received this treatment. Only true Inner Disciples gained access to privileges beyond the reach of ordinary members.

She knew Elder Chang Chun was genuinely regretful; after all, who wouldn’t be after missing out on such a talented disciple?

But the primary reason was her brother’s breakthrough to the Celestial Essence Realm. Elder Chang Chun was using her to extend an olive branch to Xu Yang.

Seeing the benefits, she certainly wouldn’t refuse. She needed to learn how to refine the Profound Yuan Qi Transformation Pill, and the status of an Inner Disciple would save her a significant amount of money on ingredients. It would also grant her access to Elder Chang Chun’s private alchemy workshop, allowing her to receive his guidance at any time.

Elder Chang Chun’s face was full of relief. "Good. You may go. You must be eager to rush to Li Fire Peak to see your brother, so I won’t keep you. Please convey my congratulations to Xu Yang. I will have the benefits befitting an Inner Disciple sent to you shortly."

"I will be sure to pass on the message, Master. This disciple takes her leave."

Xu Qing turned and left Elder Chang Chun’s Hall, rushing down Medicine King Peak. When she arrived at Xu Yang’s residence, she found that Xu Yang was still in seclusion.

Most of the disciples from Li Fire Peak had already dispersed. Only his guardians, Zhu Yuan, Sun Tao, and a few others, remained.

After stepping forward to greet Sun Tao and the others, Xu Qing decided to stay on Li Fire Peak for the time being, until Xu Yang came out of seclusion.

Time passed slowly. Xu Yang kept up the act in his private chamber for two more days. When he felt enough time had passed, he severed his connection to the Spiritual Qi and walked out.

He looked radiant and full of energy. A faint aura of Spiritual Qi swirled around him with every movement, and a soft light seemed to flow just beneath his skin.

Xu Qing’s eyes went wide, and she broke into a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Celestial Essence!

Xu Yang had truly broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm. His lifespan would now extend for two hundred years.

’I have to break through to the Celestial Essence Realm too,’ she thought, clenching her fists. ’If I die an early death, who will be there to take care of Xu Yang?’

"Junior Brother Xu, congratulations on your breakthrough and transcending the mundane!" Sun Tao strode over, a broad smile on his face.

He was actually a little suspicious. ’Logically,’ he thought, ’Xu Yang shouldn’t have broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm any later than Li Chuyang. It’s highly likely this rascal is putting on a big show, just like before. He probably broke through secretly a long time ago.’

Xu Yang smiled and clasped his hands in salute. "I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you, Senior Brother Sun. You’ve also transcended the mundane."

He studied Sun Tao closely and noticed his aura had grown more profound. His entire demeanor was different than before, exuding an astonishing radiance. He now carried himself with the confidence and composure befitting a genius.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu. We’re green with envy," Gao Lin and Zhu Yuan said, their faces filled with admiration.

Xu Yang clasped his hands. "Thank you both for standing guard for me."

He was especially grateful to Zhu Yuan, who had been incredibly dedicated for three months, taking very little time to rest.

"It was my duty," Zhu Yuan said with a smile.

"Brother!"

Xu Qing strolled to Xu Yang’s side, quietly watching him talk with Sun Tao and the others.

Soon, disciples who lived nearby or were just passing through came to offer their congratulations. Before long, the entrance to Xu Yang’s courtyard was bustling with activity.

After mingling for a while, Xu Yang invited Sun Tao and the others into his courtyard. Xu Qing went to brew some tea and served it to them one by one.

Soon, Xu Yang’s courtyard became as crowded as a marketplace, its threshold nearly worn away by the foot traffic. Every disciple on Li Fire Peak who heard he had emerged from seclusion rushed over to congratulate him, and most came bearing gifts.

At first, it was just disciples from Li Fire Peak, but soon disciples from every peak began to arrive.

Zhang Yong, Liu Xiao, and others from Qingyuan County also rushed over. People were still arriving even after nightfall.

For the next few days, there was a continuous stream of visitors.

Young Sect Leader Bai Shaoling brought a Dragon Tiger Great Golden Pill. He stayed for half an hour, offering words of encouragement on behalf of Sect Leader Zhang Jingyuan and announcing the reward the Sect had granted Xu Yang.

Jiang Fan and Jiang Yan came as well. Jiang Fan was particularly generous, presenting a stalk of Spirit Medicine as a gift.

Xu Yang didn’t think much of it at the time. It was only after Jiang Fan left that Xu Qing opened the gift and discovered it was actually a Spirit Medicine.

Although Elder Tie Fu, Elder Gong Shu, Elder Wufeng, and Peak Master Yue Zhong of Li Fire Peak didn’t come in person, they all sent disciples to deliver a piece of Spirit Iron as a congratulatory gift.

Ye Qiuling and Zhang Hanzhou came in person, along with other acquaintances like Han Feng, Du Chuan, and Xie Zhan.

Lu Tianchen from Beast King Peak, who had a decent relationship with Xu Yang, sent an Exotic Beast cub—a Tiger Mastiff—as a gift. Cui Mingchong delivered it personally and even taught Xu Yang how to feed and train it.

This breed of Tiger Mastiff was docile and intelligent. If raised from a cub, it would grow into an excellent guardian beast. Adults typically reached the Bone Marrow Cleansing Cultivation level. If one was willing to invest heavily in it, there was even a chance it could become a Celestial Essence Beast.

Xu Yang wasn’t particularly impressed with the Tiger Mastiff. What he really wanted was a flying Exotic Beast like Lu Tianchen’s giant eagle, or at least something with greater growth potential. Not a creature that required a massive investment for only a slim chance of reaching the Celestial Essence level.

Unfortunately, he learned from Cui Mingchong that Lu Tianchen’s giant eagle mount would not lay eggs because it had no mate. Lu Tianchen himself had spent decades cultivating that flying Celestial Essence Beast.

Even if it could lay eggs, he doubted he’d get one. Countless people in the Purple Sun Sect coveted that giant eagle.

Xu Qing, however, quite liked this Tiger Mastiff, so Xu Yang simply gave it to her to keep as a pet.

Besides, he had received so many gifts over the past few days that an entire room was nearly filled to capacity.

In addition to the gifts from the disciples of the Purple Sun Sect, there were also presents from the great families of Cyan Yang City. These were mostly rare, aged medicines, many of which he no longer needed. They would be more than enough to raise the Tiger Mastiff.

Of course, this Tiger Mastiff cub that he was unimpressed with was considered priceless on the open market.

Countless families would willingly spend tens of thousands of taels of silver for an Exotic Beast guaranteed to reach the Marrow Cleansing level. Unfortunately, Beast King Peak didn’t sell them to the public.

If not for his passing acquaintance with Lu Tianchen and his good relationship with Cui Mingchong, Lu Tianchen might never have parted with such a gift. After all, Lu Tianchen hadn’t even gifted an Exotic Beast cub when Sun Tao and Zhang Hanzhou had their breakthroughs.

"Ding Yuan of the Ding Family requests an audience with Young Hero Xu!"

Suddenly, Ding Yuan’s voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

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