Chapter 119: Chapter 117: Secret True Cultivator

’This happiness... it came a little too suddenly...’

Qi Yun stroked the Taixu Jade Order in his hand, which had already turned a vibrant emerald green. Feeling the gentle, warm Spiritual Rhyme emanating from it—so different from before—he felt a bit dazed for a moment.

The status of an Inner Mansion True Cultivator, something he had longed for and fought so hard to achieve, had fallen into his hands so easily. It all felt rather unreal.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master." Coming back to his senses, Qi Yun immediately suppressed the turmoil in his heart and bowed respectfully to the old fisherman before him, who still hadn’t turned around.

"No need to thank me." The old man’s voice remained calm and placid, as if he were discussing something trivial.

"I didn’t show any favoritism. The laws of the Holy Sect are clear.

He who wins the title of Triple Champion Scholar is guaranteed a place in the Inner Mansion.

I am merely acting in accordance with the law."

His tone shifted slightly, his bamboo rod still held steady.

"Entering the Inner Mansion is something you earned with your own ability.

In addition to this, the Sect has another reward for you.

So, tell me, what do you want?"

The old man’s words, however, plunged Qi Yun into a brief silence.

’What do I lack?’

’Thinking about it, I lack almost everything.’

’Holy Essence, more profound Magic, Spirit Pills to aid my cultivation, powerful Magical Artifacts...’

He was in dire need of every single one.

But if he were to greedily ask for all this from the unfathomable old man before him, Qi Yun felt he would most likely get slapped right out of the Taixu Mirror Heaven.

As his thoughts raced, he hesitated in silence for a moment before finally making a safer, more meaningful request.

"Master, please understand. Although this disciple has some meager talent in the path of Magic, I often feel lost about the road ahead.

Now that I’ve entered the Inner Mansion, the world is much wider, and I fear taking a wrong step.

Therefore, I boldly ask for your guidance, Master. After entering the Inner Mansion, how should this disciple continue on the path of cultivation?"

Hearing Qi Yun ask not for a tangible object but for guidance on his future path, a faint, almost imperceptible smile graced the corners of the old man’s mouth, who still had his back to him.

’What a sharp little fellow. He knows to forsake immediate gains for long-term benefits, to plan before making a move.

Junior Brother Deng Yin’s judgment was indeed sound...’

His bamboo rod trembled ever so slightly, and a subtle ripple spread across the mirror-like surface of the lake.

"You want to ask which famous master you should study under after entering the Inner Mansion, don’t you?" The old man cut right to the heart of Qi Yun’s unspoken question.

"Your insight is profound, Master." Qi Yun lowered his head in acknowledgment.

"Cultivation in our Holy Sect is all-encompassing. Aside from the direct lineage of the Sect Leader, the Inner Mansion has cultivators who study all kinds of techniques and Great Daos, some of whom are profound experts.

Your talent for Magic is indeed of an Upper Grade. There are a few Elders in the Inner Mansion whose cultivated Daos would suit you well, and they could be excellent teachers for you."

The old man first affirmed Qi Yun’s potential, but then his tone shifted.

"However, if you ask me, you might want to choose another path."

’Another path?’

Qi Yun’s brow twitched. A hint of curiosity on his face, he asked softly:

"May I ask, Master, what path is that?"

The old man didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked a question concerning Qi Yun’s very foundation:

"You... are planning to forge the [Primordial Heaven Extreme Skill Dao Foundation], aren’t you?"

Qi Yun’s expression flickered at his words.

He possessed the [Taiyin Mother Qi] he had exchanged a Longevity Peach for, and he had indeed set his heart on this Upper Grade Dao Foundation with its limitless potential.

But this was just a long-term plan hidden deep in his heart.

After all, he hadn’t even reached the Perfection of the Qi Refining Seventh Layer yet.

The matter of Foundation Establishment was still far off.

Seeing the subtle change in Qi Yun’s expression, the old man already knew the answer and continued nonchalantly:

"Primordial Heaven Myriad Phenomena, No Dao Extreme Technique.

This [Primordial Heaven Extreme Skill Dao Foundation] is one of the most superior Dao Foundations on the path of a Magic Cultivator.

Its conception is lofty, its potential vast.

If you insist on achieving your Dao through it, then looking at the entire Holy Sect today, no one is suitable to be your teacher."

He paused, his tone carrying an unquestionable finality.

"If you take a master, you will have no choice but to change your cultivation method and give up on this [Primordial Heaven Extreme Skill Dao Foundation]."

These words struck Qi Yun’s heart like a heavy hammer, and his expression grew solemn.

He wanted to build this foundation not just because it was an Upper Grade Dao Foundation, but also because its characteristics of "Primordial Heaven Myriad Phenomena, No Dao Extreme Technique" were a perfect match for his mysterious panel, which could automatically update and evolve Ten Thousand Laws.

If he gave it up, it would be nearly impossible to find another path that suited him so perfectly.

"Please enlighten me, Master." Qi Yun heard a potential opening in the old man’s words and, no longer hesitating, made a sincere request.

The old man finally turned his head slightly, glancing at Qi Yun from the corner of his eye. His gaze was as deep as an abyss.

"You have the heart to seek the Dao and the courage to choose the hardest path;

Our Holy Sect has the magnanimity to nurture talent and is willing to open a convenient door for you.

I can grant you a special status, called a Secret True Cultivator."

"From now on, you can apply directly to the Sect’s treasury for all your cultivation expenses. Your allowance and treatment will be no different from that of a Direct Disciple of a Master in any hall.

And even... you will have more autonomy in certain aspects.

What you need to do is to advance bravely and diligently with the Sect’s support."

The old man’s voice changed slightly.

"For our Holy Sect, walk this path to its end and achieve this [Primordial Heaven Extreme Skill Dao Foundation]!"

Hearing the old man’s offer, Qi Yun’s expression flickered. The first reaction that surged in his heart was not ecstasy or apprehension.

It was an almost instinctive wariness.

’There’s... not a catch, is there?’

It wasn’t that Qi Yun was paranoid. It was just that his years in the Outer Mansion, being tormented by the Holy Sect’s endless rules, trials, and the schemes of his fellow disciples, had thoroughly put him through the wringer.

As a result, he now subconsciously suspected a hidden price behind any "kindness" from his superiors.

Although the fishing old man didn’t turn around, it was as if he could read minds. Seemingly sensing Qi Yun’s silent doubt, he gave a faint smile and didn’t press the matter.

"This concerns the foundation of your Dao path. There’s no need to decide in a hurry.

Go back and think it over. You can also go find my Junior Brother Deng Yin and discuss it with him.

Once you’ve thought it through, activate the Taixu Jade Order to inform me.

However, I can only wait for you for ten days."

The moment his voice fell, the seemingly ordinary bamboo rod in the old man’s hand suddenly dipped down.

Conspicuous ripples spread across the once mirror-calm surface of the lake.

"There’s a bite." The old man chuckled, flicking his wrist and lifting the rod in a seemingly casual motion.

SPLASH!

A carp was pulled from the water. It was jade-green all over, its scales shimmering with a gentle luster, and it exuded a dense Wood Essence Qi.

The carp thrashed in the air, full of spiritual nature.

"It’s our first meeting. Take this fish as a small gift," the old man said, skillfully removing the fish from the hook.

He casually tossed it toward Qi Yun.

The jade-green carp traced an arc through the air. As it flew toward Qi Yun, it flashed with Spiritual Light and changed form, turning into half of a plump pomegranate by the time it landed in his hands.

The pomegranate’s skin was smooth and lustrous, and its seeds within were like translucent emeralds, containing a vast and pure Wood Essence Qi.

One look was enough to tell it was no ordinary object.

’A Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Object?!’ Feeling the pure energy from the object in his hand, Qi Yun was secretly astounded.

’The generosity of a Foundation Establishment Master is truly extraordinary. A casual first-meeting gift is a Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Object of such high quality.’ 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The instant he caught the half of the Spiritual Pomegranate, clouds and mist suddenly materialized around him, quickly enveloping his figure.

The scene beneath his feet changed in a flash. When the clouds and mist dissipated, he was shocked to find himself back in his familiar private courtyard in the Outer Mansion.

Holding the now emerald-green Taixu Jade Order, Qi Yun could clearly sense that with a single Heart Thought, he could use it to leave the Outer Mansion’s domain.

He could formally step into the Heaven and Earth of the Inner Mansion, the true heart of the Holy Sect.

’It’s time to go...’

Without much hesitation, he quickly packed up his important belongings in the courtyard and inside the house.

After one last look around the small courtyard where he had lived for nearly three years, Qi Yun let go of any lingering attachment and immediately activated the Taixu Jade Order.

BUZZ!

A divine light flared up, enveloping him.

The next moment, he transformed into a streak of Flowing Light and shot into the sky, heading straight for the higher level of the Taixu Mirror Heaven—the realm of the Inner Mansion!

...

Entering the Inner Mansion for the first time on his own authority, Qi Yun didn’t even have a chance to get a good look at his surroundings.

The Taixu Jade Order in his hand spontaneously generated a guiding force, pulling him forward.

Before long, he arrived at a place with a layout quite similar to the main street of the Outer Mansion.

Looking around, he saw rows of uniform, single-residence private courtyards.

With their blue tiles and white walls, they didn’t seem much different from those in the Outer Mansion.

"The Inner Mansion... is this it? It doesn’t seem any different."

Qi Yun was slightly surprised. He had assumed that as an Inner Mansion True Cultivator, his living conditions would be at least a level higher.

For instance, a private Grotto-mansion or something of the sort.

Following the Jade Order’s guidance, he finally stopped in front of a courtyard gate.

The Taixu Jade Order in his hand shot out a faint ray of light that merged into the seemingly ordinary gate.

CREAK—

The gate swung open in response.

However, the moment Qi Yun stepped into the courtyard, his pupils contracted, and a look of sudden understanding appeared on his face.

Viewed from the outside, it was just an ordinary little courtyard with brick walls and a simple wooden gate.

However, the instant Qi Yun crossed the threshold, the scene before him changed completely.

Beneath his feet was a White Jade Plaza shrouded in clouds and mist.

At the end of the plaza stood pavilions and towers in a picturesque arrangement, with upturned eaves, interlocking brackets, and carved beams and painted rafters, all exuding elegance and luxury.

In the distance, there were even rockeries and flowing water, with a Spiritual Spring gurgling and exotic flowers and plants dotted about. The dense nature’s spiritual energy had practically condensed into a tangible mist, and every breath was refreshing to the heart and soul.

The vastness of this space far exceeded the scale of the courtyard seen from the outside; it was practically a miniature palace complex hidden behind an ordinary door.

"The Universe Expansion Technique?" Qi Yun was stunned. He finally understood that the treatment of an Inner Mansion True Cultivator was far from being as simple as it appeared on the surface.

This wasn’t just an upgrade in living conditions; it was a fundamental leap in status.

After touring his "palace" from top to bottom, feeling like a country boy who’d stumbled into an imperial garden, Qi Yun stood atop the central, seven-story hall. He looked down at his residence, took a slow, deep breath, and voiced his truest feeling at that moment:

"Sweet..."

...