Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1377 The Great Evolution Technique! Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage (2 chapters combined

"Who exactly are you, and why did you attack me? Can you atone for my sins?" Lin Mo's hair was disheveled, and the wound on his shoulder was spreading black. He stared intently at the swirling fog in the void, his voice hoarse like a broken gong, filled with resentment and final unwillingness.

Qin Hao stood outside the formation, taking in Lin Mo's disheveled state and despair through the array plate. A cold, slightly amusement-filled smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Sorry, no. Villains die from talking too much. Young Master Lin, you'd better just be a fool."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Hao's eyes turned cold, and he slammed his right hand on the storage bag at his waist again!

Uh-huh! Uh-huh! Uh-huh! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!

Five more "Golden Blade Storm Talismans" instantly unleashed their unique, violent spiritual energy fluctuations!

"Go!" Qin Hao pointed his fingers like a sword and sharply pointed at the swaying figure in the formation!

The five talismans transformed into five dazzling golden meteors, trailing scorching tails of light, and plunged into the "Inverted Five Elements Formation"!

"boom--!!!"

An even more violent golden storm exploded within the formation! Countless golden blades of energy, condensed from metal-elemental spiritual power, tore through the air, emitting a teeth-grinding shriek, and frantically slicing and shredding everything within the storm's range!

The remaining puppet remains were completely crushed like rotten wood and withered branches, and the dust they raised was instantly swallowed up by the storm! The protective aura that Lin Mo had barely managed to maintain was like a fragile eggshell, and it shattered with a "pop" before it could even last for half a breath!

"Ah... I'm not reconciled!!!"

Lin Mo let out a final, shrill, desperate, and heart-wrenching howl! The deadly poison of the black dragon within his body erupted completely the instant his physical defenses collapsed and his spiritual energy became disordered, and black energy instantly covered his face and neck! His protective spells dissipated, and his physical body was exposed in an instant to the center of a storm powerful enough to tear apart fine steel!

"Pfft! Snap! Sizzle—!"

The sounds of flesh being torn apart and bones shattering were chilling! Under such a ferocious attack, flesh and blood were incredibly fragile!

The blood mist, mixed with bone fragments and visceral fragments, was as if it had been thrown into a huge blood-red vortex, which was wildly churned and scattered by the golden storm!

In just a few breaths, only a deep pit stained dark red remained on the spot, along with scattered, shapeless pieces of broken puppet parts and artifact fragments.

Outside the formation, Han Li witnessed this bloody and shocking scene firsthand. Even with his resilient character and experience of life and death, he couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"The power of this intermediate-level talisman... is terrifyingly strong! Once I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I must improve my talisman-drawing skills no matter what! With such a means of protection, where in the world can't I go?"

Just as Han Li was momentarily stunned by the power of the talisman, Qin Hao's movements were as swift as a ghost. The "Inverted Five Elements Array" that enveloped the area flashed with light, and he quickly put away the array flags and array plates.

He moved swiftly and appeared at the edge of the deep pit, which was ravaged by the storm of golden blades.

His cold gaze swept across the mangled remains and fragments, his divine sense instantly locking onto a gray storage bag stained with dark red blood and featuring an antique design. He reached out and grabbed it, the bag landing steadily in his palm, which he then casually stuffed into the storage bag at his waist without even glancing at it.

Just then, the remains of a wolf-shaped mechanical beast lying on the edge of the pit, its leg severed by the storm, seemed to be disturbed by the slight airflow caused by Qin Hao's action of collecting the storage bag. With a very slight, unconscious tremor, it quickly fell silent again, blending into the surrounding deathly silence, as if the tremor just now was just an illusion.

"Senior Brother!" Han Li had also come to his senses and quickly walked to Qin Hao's side, his voice low and tinged with barely perceptible urgency: "Does the storage bag... contain those two secret manuals?"

Qin Hao took out Lin Mo's gray storage bag and, in front of Han Li, flipped his wrist, dumping all the contents onto the ground with a "whoosh".

There weren't many spirit stones, about three or four hundred low-grade spirit stones, a mixed bag of colors. Only two or three low-level magical artifacts remained, their spiritual light dim, clearly affected by the storm earlier.

Most of them are oddly shaped mechanical parts and puppet materials that shimmer with different metallic or wooden luster.

The most eye-catching item was a white jade slip with a warm luster and a faint fluorescence, mixed in with the pile of materials!

"It seems the most important things are all here." Qin Hao's gaze fell on the jade slip, his tone calm. Without even glancing at the other things on the ground, he flicked his finger, and the jade slip flew into his hand.

To Han Li's surprise, Qin Hao did not check it immediately, but instead tossed it to Han Li: "Junior brother, make a copy of this jade slip."

This action startled Han Li! A surge of immense joy and an indescribable sense of shame instantly welled up in his heart.

He never expected that Qin Hao would trust him so much that he would let him copy the content without even checking it first!

"My senior brother is so honest and open with me, yet I had secretly suspected that he might be hiding something... I was really judging a gentleman by my own petty standards! I shouldn't have done that!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Han Li gratefully cupped his hands and immediately accepted the jade slip. He deftly took out a blank jade slip from his storage bag, placed the two jade slips side by side, chanted incantations, and formed hand seals, enveloping the two jade slips in a soft white light.

A moment later, the copying was complete.

Han Li eagerly placed the copied jade slip on his forehead, and his immense divine sense quickly probed into it. At first, he frowned slightly, seemingly struggling to understand the profound and mysterious characters and symbols.

Gradually, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and his eyes burst forth with an uncontrollable light of ecstasy, his breathing becoming slightly rapid!

"Senior Brother!!" Han Li put down the jade slip, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement. "This 'Great Evolution Technique'... is truly wondrous and extraordinary! Its method of cultivating divine sense is unheard of, exquisitely ingenious!"

"Hmm." Qin Hao nodded calmly, and at the same time, he quietly put the original jade slip that Han Li had copied and returned into his storage bag.

"This technique is indeed extraordinary. If you and I obtain this technique, the path to Core Formation will be much smoother."

Han Li took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. He looked around again, confirming that despite the earth-shattering battle just now, there was indeed not a single fluctuation of spiritual energy leaking out, nor even a sound of combat. His gaze towards Qin Hao was filled with awe and admiration: "Senior Brother, the power of this 'Inverted Five Elements Formation' is truly...inconceivable! Such an intense battle could completely isolate the inside from the outside, without a sound! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that such a wondrous formation existed in the world!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hao simply shook his head calmly: "Junior Brother, you flatter me. Although this formation is strong, it's not as mysterious as you imagine. Its core lies in confusing and trapping the enemy. Once the enemy enters the formation and falls into this inverted and confusing illusion, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators will indeed find it difficult to break out of the formation and can only be slaughtered like headless flies. However, if one attacks the formation itself with brute force from outside the formation, its effect of confusing the mind will be greatly reduced. Although its defensive power is still considerable, it is not invincible."

"Even so, it's still quite extraordinary!" Han Li's eyes burned with even greater fervor. He took a deep breath, finally unable to suppress his inner desire, and cautiously cupped his hands, saying with a hint of pleading, "Senior brother, the effect of this formation truly impresses me. I wonder if you could..."

However, Qin Hao suddenly raised his hand without warning, interrupting Han Li! His gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto the remains of the wolf-shaped mechanical beast that had just trembled slightly!

"Senior brother, what's going on...?" Han Li was taken aback by Qin Hao's sudden action and looked in the direction of his gaze with a puzzled expression.

Qin Hao's right hand formed a claw, and he grabbed at the seemingly lifeless remains of the mechanical beast from a distance!

An invisible suction force suddenly erupted! The wolf-shaped mechanical beast with the missing leg was as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, and with a "whoosh," it flew into the air and landed steadily in Qin Hao's palm!

Qin Hao gripped the cold metal artifact, a chilling, mocking smile curving his lips. As if scrutinizing a laughable insect, he addressed the mechanical beast's empty eye sockets, each word distinct: "The former young master of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, like a stray dog, hides his remnant soul within this broken mechanical beast, clinging to life, attempting to deceive the heavens? Lin Mo, Lin Mo, your father was once a powerful figure; aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the entire cultivation world for eternity for such actions?"

The moment Qin Hao finished speaking, two faint yet extremely venomous, pale green lights suddenly shone from the hollow eye sockets of the seemingly lifeless mechanical beast with its broken leg, which he was holding in his palm!

"Who exactly are you, sir?! Why... are you so determined to kill me, Lin?!"

"Hiss—!" When Han Li saw the two green lights and heard that familiar yet venomous voice, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head like a venomous snake! His scalp tingled instantly!

"When...did this person manage to hide their soul within a mechanical beast?! I...I didn't even notice!!!"

A wave of overwhelming fear washed over him like an icy tide! If Qin Hao hadn't noticed, if this remnant soul had escaped with the mechanical beast, even if it had only managed to get a few miles away… Han Li couldn't even imagine the consequences! With Huangfeng Valley's capabilities, Lin Mo's remnant soul only needed to convey a vague message, and the charge that Han Li had colluded with outsiders to ambush and kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator from their sect would be confirmed! At that point, there would probably be nowhere left for them in the entire Tiannan region, leaving them no choice but to flee for their lives!

"Hmph! Enough with the nonsense!" Qin Hao's face darkened, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He had lost all interest in the dying struggle of this remnant soul. He didn't bother to utter another word, and his fingers tightened sharply!

"Crack!!!"

The legless wolf-shaped mechanical beast, under the powerful physical strength of the Foundation Establishment cultivator, was as fragile as rotten wood, instantly crushed into a twisted lump of scrap metal! At the same time, a ball of scorching red flame suddenly burst forth from Qin Hao's palm! This flame was no ordinary fire; it contained pure spiritual energy and exuded an aura that could incinerate everything!

"Ah—!! No—!!!"

A short, shrill, and distorted scream erupted from the scrap metal, filled with extreme pain and despair! The two points of pale green light flickered, struggled, and twisted wildly in the flames, like candles flickering in the wind. They lasted for less than a breath before fading away with a soft "pop!" sound, like bubbles bursting.

Lin Mo, the last remnant soul of the young master of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, was also completely burned away by the merciless flames, disappearing entirely from this world.

Han Li looked at the extinguished flame and twisted scrap iron in Qin Hao's palm, and the cold sweat slowly slid down his forehead. He exhaled a long breath. He solemnly bowed deeply to Qin Hao, his tone extremely sincere: "Thanks to Senior Brother's keen insight and lightning-fast eyes! Otherwise, a great disaster would have almost occurred today! I am eternally grateful!" If it weren't for Qin Hao, Han Li would probably be doomed today.

Qin Hao casually waved his hand, indicating that Han Li did not need to be so polite. The cold killing intent on his face had faded, replaced by a slightly amused smile: "Junior Brother Han, you seemed to have mentioned earlier... that you were quite interested in this 'Inverted Five Elements Formation'?"

Upon hearing this, Han Li's spirits lifted instantly, and his eyes blazed with undisguised fervor! He immediately straightened up, his attitude utterly respectful: "Indeed! Senior Brother, this formation is profound and unpredictable, and it has been of immense help to me! I wonder if Senior Brother..."

Qin Hao calmly replied, "If Junior Brother really wants it, it's not impossible. After all, we're from the same sect and have gone through many tribulations together; we're sworn brothers. However..."

He changed the subject, a hint of difficulty on his face: "The creation of this array is by no means easy. Not only does it require several extremely rare and precious array materials, but the creation process is also extremely complicated and intricate..."

Before Qin Hao could finish speaking, Han Li immediately patted his chest and assured him urgently, "Senior Brother, if you need any rare materials, just ask! I've accumulated some savings over the years, and I will do my utmost to find them! Even if it means going bankrupt, I won't hesitate!"

For this formation that can save lives and ambush people, it would be worth sacrificing even several thousand-year-old spiritual herbs.

"Hehe, junior brother misunderstands." Qin Hao chuckled and waved his hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "There's no need for you to worry about the materials. I have decent connections in the sect and I also have talisman-making skills. Although collecting these materials is a bit troublesome, I can gather them in time."

He changed the subject again, his tone becoming somewhat "helpless": "However... as you know, junior brother, refining this array is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which will inevitably severely slow down my own cultivation progress. It was alright when I was in the Qi Refining stage, but now that I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the advancement of my cultivation is crucial to the foundation of my immortal path, and I cannot afford to be negligent in the slightest. To be honest, junior brother, I have been relying on the 'Spirit Gathering Pill' to improve my cultivation recently, but this pill... alas, my resistance to it is getting stronger and stronger, and its effectiveness is greatly reduced. If I cannot find other suitable pills to assist my cultivation, I'm afraid my cultivation will stagnate here."

After Qin Hao finished speaking, Han Li's eagerness froze instantly, and his expression became complicated, filled with both worry and joy!

What's gratifying is that refining pills is precisely Han Li's greatest reliance and source of confidence! With the little green bottle in hand, accelerating the ripening of spiritual herbs is a piece of cake! As long as it's not an extremely rare spiritual herb, he can accelerate its ripening indefinitely.

What worries Qin Hao is that he needs elixirs that can help Foundation Establishment cultivators advance their cultivation and break through bottlenecks! These kinds of elixir formulas, regardless of type, are core inheritances that major sects and cultivation families cherish as their lifeblood and keep strictly confidential! They are simply impossible to buy on the market. The elixir formulas he currently possesses are either for the Qi Refining stage or the most basic and ordinary ones for the Foundation Establishment stage. Higher-level formulas? He has no access to them at all! This is the real problem!

Han Li frowned, his mind racing as he weighed the pros and cons. The powerful effects of the Reversed Five Elements Formation were something he couldn't let go of. With this formation, whether exploring dangerous places or defending against powerful enemies, he would have an extra powerful trump card.

Qin Hao's request, while difficult, wasn't entirely unsolvable. He himself needed better pills to aid his cultivation after Foundation Establishment; he simply needed to refine an extra batch. The key lay in the pill formula!

After careful consideration, Han Li gritted his teeth and his eyes hardened: "Alright! I will do my utmost to refine an even more potent pill for you, Senior Brother!"

"Good!" Qin Hao's face showed a "satisfied" smile, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes. He extended his right palm: "Then it's a deal?"

"It's a deal!" Han Li stretched out his palm without hesitation and struck Qin Hao hard!

"Clap!" A crisp clapping sound rang out in the silent mountain forest.

Qin Hao secretly rejoiced: "It's done! Although I don't have a heaven-defying treasure like the Little Green Bottle, with Han Li, this 'human-shaped Little Green Bottle,' actively helping me refine pills, the effect is the same! This deal is a sure win!"

With their pact sealed, the two exchanged no more words, glanced at each other, and then transformed into streaks of light of different colors, soaring into the sky in two completely different directions and disappearing instantly into the vast mountains and twilight.

half a month later.

Qingxu Sect, Qin Hao's cave dwelling located in a secluded mountainside.

The heavy stone door closed, shutting out all the noise from the outside world.

Inside the stone chamber, only the moonstones embedded in the walls emitted a soft and steady glow. Qin Hao sat cross-legged on a futon, his expression solemn.

He carefully took out the warm, white jade slip from his storage bag, and gently placed it on his forehead. His vast and pure divine sense flowed into it like a gentle stream, without reservation! The boundless and profound information within the jade slip instantly surged into his sea of ​​consciousness.

[AI: High-intensity mental information flow detected... Analyzing... New cultivation technique framework discovered... Contains vast information on the use of divine sense and puppet creation... Preliminary identification: "Great Evolution Technique" and "True Explanation of Puppetry"... Should it be added to the database?]

"Include it!" Qin Hao gave the order without hesitation.

[AI: Command confirmed... Information parsing in progress... Deduction model established... Database integration... Input complete. Current database completion rate: 13.7%... Due to the high quality of the collected information, the accuracy rate of deductions for unknown techniques has increased by 0.01%.]

Although the improvement was minimal, Qin Hao knew that the AI's deductive abilities relied on such gradual accumulation.

"AI, immediately deduce the 'Great Evolution Technique' and try to analyze its core architecture to find loopholes or areas for optimization and improvement."

Qin Hao issued his second command. He had great respect for the brilliant senior, the Great Evolution Divine Lord, but he also wanted to see if his "cheat code" could find room for improvement in the masterpiece of this top-tier figure.

[AI: Command confirmed... Deducing the target "Great Evolution Technique"... Analyzing the core logic of the technique... Scanning the energy flow path... Detecting the spiritual sense amplification model... Comparing with existing database information... Deduction in progress...]

Time passed slowly in the silence. A quarter of an hour later.

[AI: Deduction complete. Conclusion: The *Great Evolution Technique* has a rigorous logical structure, a complex yet efficient spiritual amplification model, and a near-perfect energy flow path with very few flaws. The current database lacks sufficient information of the same level, making effective improvement and deduction impossible. Forcing a deduction carries extremely high risks. Recommendation: Collect more advanced spiritual amplification techniques or related information to supplement the database.]

A cold, inaudible notification announced the result.

"As expected..." Qin Hao felt little disappointment, but rather a greater admiration for the Great Evolution Divine Lord. "After all, it is the culmination of a lifetime's work, a hero who swept aside his peers and dominated the human realm with his puppetry and divine sense! In terms of intelligence alone on the path of 'divine sense,' he is absolutely at the pinnacle of humanity. Even after ascending to the Spirit Realm, few could surpass him in this field. To improve his masterpiece, one would probably have to collect most of the cultivation manuals and classics of the entire human realm into a database."

"AI, abandon the improvement and deduction. Focus all your efforts on analyzing the first level of the Great Evolution Technique! Establish the optimal cultivation model, simulate and deduce risk points, and provide real-time assistance!" Qin Hao immediately changed direction. Since improvement was impossible, he would make the most of the AI's understanding and assistance in cultivation!

[AI: Command confirmed. Analyzing target: The first level of the Great Evolution Technique... Deconstructing cultivation steps... Establishing a three-dimensional energy circulation model... Scanning the frequency of divine sense oscillations... Predicting risk points... Constructing auxiliary cultivation programs... Analyzing...]

A massive flow of information began to be processed and deduced at an incomprehensible speed deep within Qin Hao's sea of ​​consciousness. Countless subtle trajectories of divine sense movement, energy nodes, and oscillation frequencies were clearly outlined, forming a complex and precise dynamic map. At the same time, the AI ​​began to monitor Qin Hao's own state in real time, fine-tuning and optimizing the divine sense route he was about to execute, avoiding minor flaws and potential risks discovered in the simulation.

Qin Hao closed his eyes, his mind completely immersed in his sea of ​​consciousness, and tried to circulate the first layer of the profound "Great Evolution Technique" according to the optimal path analyzed by the intelligent brain.

At first, it was like wading through a muddy swamp, every step was extremely difficult, and the tearing sensation brought about by the operation of his divine sense made him frown and fine beads of sweat seep from his forehead.

But with the precise guidance and assistance of the AI, he consistently progressed along the safest and most efficient path. Time passed little by little.

For three days and three nights, without sleep or rest.

at last!

Qin Hao, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes! Two beams of light, as if they were tangible, flashed in his eyes and then disappeared, as deep as an ancient well with a cold pool! He exhaled a long, slow breath, which was long and far-reaching, and brought up a faint vortex in the quiet room.

An unprecedented sense of clarity, transparency, and power filled his mind!

"Finally... I've mastered the first level of the Great Evolution Technique!" Qin Hao felt his sea of ​​consciousness nearly twice as strong as before, and his heart was filled with joy and a trace of lingering fear.

"No wonder Lin Mo, as the former young master of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, with abundant resources, has only cultivated to the third level after so many years! The requirements of this technique on temperament and comprehension are simply abnormally demanding!"

In terms of cultivation difficulty alone, the Great Evolution Technique is definitely the most profound and obscure of all the cultivation techniques he has encountered so far! If it weren't for the heaven-defying assistance of the AI, which analyzes, optimizes, and mitigates risks for him, even with his exceptional talent, he would never have been able to break through the first level in such a short time!

Just as Qin Hao was immersed in the joy of his rapidly increasing spiritual power, a powerful spiritual pressure, far exceeding that of the early Foundation Establishment stage, suddenly erupted from his body without warning! The air in the quiet room seemed to freeze instantly, and an invisible wave of energy spread outwards from him, causing his robes to flutter loudly!

"Huh?!" Qin Hao was taken aback at first, then a look of surprise and amusement appeared on his face: "This is... after my divine sense became stronger, I actually broke through the bottleneck of the early stage of Foundation Establishment and advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment! Is this... is this a lucky accident?"

He carefully examined his inner self and found that the liquid mana in his dantian had become more viscous and pure, and its total amount had increased significantly. His body's meridians and bones also seemed to have been strengthened—this was the mark of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment!

However, after the initial joy, Qin Hao's brows immediately furrowed, and a hint of seriousness and vigilance flashed in his eyes.

"A breakthrough is a good thing, but this speed... is simply too astonishing!"

Qin Hao quickly calmed down and began to weigh the pros and cons.

"I just successfully established my foundation, less than a year in total! In just one year, I jumped directly from the early stage of foundation establishment to the middle stage? This speed... let alone those with three spiritual roots, even cultivators with heavenly spiritual roots would find it difficult to achieve! It's too dazzling!"

A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind! Qin Hao understood this principle better than anyone else.

"No! I absolutely cannot let anyone know that I have broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"

Qin Hao made a decision instantly: "Seclusion! I must go into seclusion immediately, and I need a reasonable and plausible reason!"

After a moment's thought, Qin Hao immediately took out a blank communication talisman from his storage bag. He pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and infused it with his divine sense, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and focus:

"Senior Brother Liu, my skills in talisman crafting still have many shortcomings. Since successfully refining a beginner-level high-grade talisman, I've deeply felt that to reach a higher level, I must diligently study. Recently, I've made some progress, but drawing intermediate-level talismans is extremely difficult, often consuming a great deal of mental energy, and I've failed repeatedly. I deeply feel that the path of talismans is vast and profound. Therefore, after much painful reflection, I've decided to go into seclusion and devote myself entirely to comprehending the methods of drawing intermediate-level talismans, hoping to achieve a breakthrough..."

The sound transmission talisman transformed into a streak of light, piercing through the stone gate's restrictions and flying towards Senior Brother Liu's cave.

Almost at the same time.

Inside the main hall of the Qingxu Sect's main peak.

The Taoist Xuanzhen was sitting cross-legged on the cloud bed, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. A stream of light from a communication talisman pierced through the palace door's restrictions, landing steadily on the jade table in front of him like a bird returning to its nest. It was the talisman that Senior Brother Liu had forwarded, the one Qin Hao had sent.

Xuanzhen Daoist slowly opened his eyes, and with a sweep of his divine sense, he understood the contents of the transmission talisman. A hint of contemplation appeared on his dignified face, which then slowly relaxed, revealing a smile of satisfaction and approval. He even stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

"Hmm... Junior Brother Zhang is so young, yet he is neither arrogant nor impatient, and he has calmly devoted himself to studying the Dao of Talismans. Knowing that it is difficult, he forges ahead bravely, even going so far as to go into seclusion to seek a breakthrough. This kind of temperament and perseverance is truly rare! The Dao of Talismans is one of the foundations of our Qingxu Sect. It is a great blessing for the sect to have such a junior disciple who is dedicated to studying it!"

"Junior Brother Liu, convey my decree: Junior Brother Zhang Tie is currently in seclusion, delving into the Dao of Talismans, a move that benefits the sect. It is hereby ordered that no one, without the sect leader's order, is permitted to disturb Junior Brother Zhang's cultivation for any reason! Anyone who disobeys this order will be treated as interfering with important sect affairs and will be severely punished! All the talisman materials he requires must be personally delivered to the entrance of his cave on time and in sufficient quantity, without delay!"

"I will obey the decree of my senior brother, the sect leader!"

Cold comes and summer comes, spring passes and autumn comes.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and today is the day of the Qingxu Sect's once-every-five-years Ascension Ceremony for disciples.

As in previous years, Master Xuanzhen addressed his disciples below.

Suddenly, a sound transmission talisman shot over. Xuanzhen Daoist activated the talisman, and after listening to only two sentences, his expression changed. He immediately set up a soundproof array.

Before the disciples could react, Xuanzhen Daoist transformed into a streak of green light and disappeared from the main hall.

"What does the Sect Leader/Uncle-Master mean by this? Why are you abandoning us so easily?"

"It must be related to that communication talisman, right?"

"A communication talisman? I think I heard that a senior martial uncle named Zhang Tie has emerged from seclusion."

"It's just a Foundation Establishment stage martial uncle emerging from seclusion. Why is Martial Uncle Xuanzhen, the sect leader, so agitated?"

Just as the disciples were discussing among themselves, Steward Liu entered the main hall and coughed twice.

"Silence! Senior Brother Sect Leader has urgent business to attend to, so I, Liu, will preside over today's initiation ceremony on his behalf..."

One disciple immediately complained, "It used to be the sect leader who presided over the ceremony. Why was someone changed without reason? If Uncle Liu doesn't give me a clear explanation, I will definitely go to my grand-uncle to argue my case."

Deacon Liu secretly groaned. This disciple was the grand-nephew of a Golden Core Elder of the Qingxu Sect, and this Golden Core Elder was always protective of his own.

Left with no other option, Steward Liu had to invite the other party to the back hall.

“Junior Nephew Yang, this matter concerns the secrets of our sect. If it is leaked, I, Liu, will be severely punished…”

At first, he didn't take it seriously, but when he heard the words "intermediate talisman", his expression changed immediately.

"I see. A talisman master who can improve intermediate talismans deserves the utmost respect..."

Meanwhile, in a simple stone chamber, the Taoist Xuanzhen held a "Golden Blade Storm Talisman" in his hand, his eyes gleaming.

"Junior Brother Zhang not only successfully drew an 'intermediate talisman' during his seclusion, but also improved it. Such talent is simply unbelievable."

Qin Hao chuckled inwardly. If the other party knew that he had spent less than a fifth of his time drawing talismans in the past three years, and the rest of the time cultivating the "Great Evolution Technique" and the "Puppet True Explanation," he wondered what kind of expression this sect leader would have.

"Junior Brother Zhang, can you achieve a 10% success rate in drawing this improved version of the 'Golden Blade Storm Talisman'?" Xuanzhen Daoist asked cautiously.

(End of this chapter)