Reborn as Xu Xuan, Plundering Perks & Flooding the Mountain Ling

Chapter 12: The Path of the Great Dao: Struggle Alone

“Master, you…”

Xu Xuan was stunned into silence. He hadn’t expected Master Xuan Mu to go to such lengths. If he were to be accepted as a disciple on behalf of the master, wouldn’t that place him on the same seniority level as Master Xuan Mu?

Xu Xuan opened his mouth, wanting to express his gratitude, but he realized that words were ultimately meaningless compared to actions. Master Xuan Mu chuckled and shook his head.

“Of course, that doesn’t matter! As cultivators, while we respect titles and ranks, in the end, strength truly matters! Now, there is a small issue. I’ve praised you to the skies and even accepted you as a disciple on my master’s behalf. While the Celestial Master agreed, he found this move to be a bit impulsive…”

Before Master Xuan Mu could finish explaining, Xu Xuan had already guessed the issue.

“Master, I haven’t even completed my servitude period and was already granted early entry into the sect. Now, with your guidance, I have skipped two entire ranks—from an inner disciple straight to a core disciple—landing directly at the level of department heads and elders. Even if the senior members say nothing, the countless disciples of Mount Longhu may not accept it so easily.”

Master Xuan Mu’s eyes lit up. Until now, he had only thought of Xu Xuan as an exceptional talent in alchemy. But hearing these words, he realized Xu Xuan also possessed remarkable social awareness. As the saying goes, “Understanding the ways of the world is a form of knowledge, and mastering human nature is an art.” The path to enlightenment was not just about fighting and cultivation—understanding people was just as important!

“Oh? Then what do you propose?”

At this moment, Xu Xuan saw no need for false modesty.

“The path to the Great Dao is one of struggle—eternal growth through competition! If anyone has doubts, I just have to beat them!”

Seeing Xu Xuan’s unwavering confidence, Master Xuan Mu felt a deep satisfaction.

“I’ve already witnessed your unparalleled talent in alchemy. Aside from us old core disciples, no one on this mountain can match you. But strength in battle is valued even more than alchemy. If the Celestial Master only cared about alchemy, I might have been the Celestial Master myself…”

Master Xuan Mu laughed at his own joke.

“With the year-end approaching, the Celestial Master’s annual tournament is soon to be held. This competition tests both alchemy and combat prowess. Of course, don’t feel too pressured—you’ve only just started your cultivation journey. Consider this event an opportunity to observe. But next year…I expect you to rank at least in the top ten among the inner disciples!”

With that, Master Xuan Mu ended the discussion and handed Xu Xuan two cultivation manuals.

…

“This technique, Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon, is best practised in a sunlit forest before noon…”

Xu Xuan focused intently, absorbing every word. After an hour, Master Xuan Mu paused.

“Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon is a divine technique, unlike ordinary Yin-gathering methods. It is highly difficult. It took a full month to grasp the basics even for a genius like me. If you have no questions, try it now. I’ll watch over you to prevent any mishaps…”

Xu Xuan hesitated briefly before extending his right hand. A soft green glow, brimming with Qi, gently emerged.

“Master, like this?”

The moment the green glow appeared, Master Xuan Mu’s expression froze.

“You… When did you learn this?”

“When you were halfway through your explanation. I didn’t see any difficulties, so I tried it myself. Turns out I got lucky and succeeded on my first attempt!”

Master Xuan Mu stared at the glow in Xu Xuan’s hand, his mouth twitching as he forced a stiff smile.

“Not bad… not bad at all! It seems you have a natural affinity for Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon…”

Cough, cough.

“Actually, I was lying earlier. I mastered this technique in a single day—I just didn’t want you to feel too pressured, so I stretched the timeline a bit. Go ahead and keep practising. I… I need to step outside for a bit…”

In the next second, Master Xuan Mu disappeared. In the distance, his voice could be heard scolding the alchemy disciples.

“Bragging again! And you can’t even brag big? How will you ever achieve greatness?”

Xu Xuan, however, had already immersed himself in cultivation.

The Pristine Physique within him naturally guided his Innate Qi along the meridian pathways of Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon, seamlessly drawing in external spiritual energy and transforming it into a thriving, life-infused force.

“Exhale—This Pristine Physique is extraordinary. My body is thoroughly cleansed, allowing spiritual energy to flow without hindrance. No wonder my cultivation progresses so quickly!”

By the time Xu Xuan snapped back to reality, it was already midnight. Feeling the surge of Qi within him, he opened his system panel.

[Host: Xu Xuan]

[Race: Human]

[Realm: First Level of the Innate Realm(6%)]

[Cultivation Technique: Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon]

[Attributes: Benevolent Man of 20 lifetimes (Gold), Pristine Physique (Red), Expert Alchemist (Blue), Tiger-Dragon Demon-Slaying Swordsmanship (Green), Herculean Strength (Green), Overflowing Qi (White), Slight Talent (White)]

[Attribute Generation Available: 1 (Luck: 15)]

The first thing Xu Xuan noticed was the progress indicator next to his realm. Though he was still in the first stage of the Innate Realm, a percentage marker had appeared. His progress had instantly jumped to 6%, a drastic improvement compared to before.

Based on his calculations, with his previous foundation in Dragon-Tiger Breathing Technique, he could advance to the second stage of the Innate Realm in about a month. But what surprised him the most was the new attribute in his panel. With the completion of Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon, a new white attribute appeared.

[Bursting Vitality (White): Slightly accelerates wound healing.]

Though merely a white-tier attribute with only minor benefits, Xu Xuan was more than satisfied. Not only could he enhance this attribute through further cultivation of Qi of the Azure Yimu Dragon, but he could also speed up its advancement by absorbing redundant attributes, creating a perfect cycle of reinforcement. Feeling optimistic about his future, Xu Xuan clenched his fist. He had taken another step closer to his goal of toppling the strongest fighters in the world.

The next morning, Xu Xuan woke early, carefully grooming himself for the day. Today marked his first official appearance in the Alchemy Sect. He had to make a strong impression.

“This is your senior brother, Xu Xuan…”

Before Master Xuan Mu could finish his sentence, a commotion erupted among the alchemy disciples.

“Senior brother? What’s going on?!

“He joined later than us—how did he suddenly become our senior?”