Chapter 701: Chapter 701

As long as the Qinglian True Flame didn’t speak, no one knew it had become sentient.

The Green Fire Phoenix and the Golden Fire Flood Dragon fought fiercely together, but the Golden Fire Flood Dragon was no match for the Green Fire Phoenix, who promptly defeated it, devouring one-seventh of the Flood Dragon’s body.

"Stop, Taoist Friend Shen, I admit defeat,"

Wang Lian hastily conceded.

Shen Long nodded and withdrew the Qinglian True Flame.

"Madam Qin, Young Friend Shen is quite impressive!"

Shangguan Yunshang praised.

"After all, Young Friend Shen is an Ascendant Cultivator, it’s normal for him to be a bit more formidable."

"Blood Dragon Rice is a special product of the Spirit Clan; Young Friend Shen has consumed quite a bit, no wonder his physical body is so strong,"

Ni Hongshan revealed an expression of sudden realization.

"Junior Brother Shen is still young and should interact more with other cultivators. After all, it’s just a friendly competition; if it were a fight to the death, it would be hard to say,"

Qin Yan modestly said.

Shen Long’s performance had exceeded her expectations, and Qin Yan didn’t want Shen Long to become too arrogant.

At this time, the Soul Transformation Cultivators who had challenged the Thousand Beast Tower all emerged, with Shen Long earning first place and successfully receiving the reward.

Amidst the envious gazes of the vast number of cultivators, Shen Long collected his rewards and returned to his seat to chat leisurely with people like Ni Tianhe.

More than two hours later, the dual cultivation ceremony concluded and the numerous guests gradually left the venue to return to their accommodations to rest.

In Qianling Garden, Qin Yan and Chen Xuan sat within the Stone Pavilion, with Shen Long, Li Qing, Li Tianxue and others standing respectfully to the side.

"Junior Brother Shen, your performance this time was quite remarkable, you’ve brought honor to the Qianling Sect,"

Qin Yan commended with a smile on her face.

"This is what a disciple should do,"

Shen Long responded modestly.

"You must be tired from today, go back and rest well,"

Chen Xuan instructed.

Shen Long agreed, turned around, and left.

Back at his residence, Shen Long walked into the Practice Room and sat cross-legged on a cushion, his face showing a thoughtful expression.

He had purposely held back in his bouts with Shangguan Zilong and Ni Tianhe, and most people thought Shen Long had only a slight advantage.

"I wonder who created these techniques that even purely on physical strength they are so strong,"

Shen Long muttered to himself, full of curiosity.

In Big Dipper Garden, Liu Guang and Huo Tianxing, along with other five Void Refining Cultivators, sat in the Stone Pavilion, discussing something.

"Shen Long’s physical strength clearly surpasses that of Shangguan Zilong and Ni Tianhe; Qianling Sect has a promising new talent,"

"The youngster does possess formidable physical strength, but what I didn’t expect is that Shangguan Zilong, whom the Shangguan Family heavily invests in, would actually lose to Shen Long,"

Huo Tianxing expressed his surprise.

"It was merely a contest of physical strength, in a real fight to the death, treasures, Divine Skills, Spirit Beasts, Spirit Birds, Secret Talismans, Formations and so on, all can affect the outcome,"

Liu Guang remained unimpressed.

"Given Shen Long’s talent, advancing to the Void Refinement Phase is only a matter of time; an Ascendant Cultivator’s chances of reaching the Void Refinement Phase are much greater than those of native cultivators from the Realm of the Spiritual Pivot,"

Huo Tianxing analyzed.

In Red Scale Garden, Shangguan Yunshang sat within a green Stone Pavilion, with Shangguan Zilong reporting to her.

"It seems he gave you face, otherwise he wouldn’t have deliberately retreated a few steps,"

Shangguan Yunshang analyzed.

"It might not be the case! I’ve not got the same Qi Strength as him, but the gap can’t be that big, right? He’s eaten quite a bit of Blood Dragon Rice, but I haven’t skimped on consuming Elixirs to temper my body either!"

Shangguan Zilong retorted.

He was, after all, a key figure groomed by the Shangguan Family, practicing the clan’s cornerstone techniques. Losing in a sparring match to Shen Long was not a big deal, but he didn’t believe the gap was that significant.

"You’re still too arrogant," she admonished, "I’ve told you, there’s always a higher mountain, always someone better. You haven’t experienced many life-and-death battles, and there are details you fail to notice. The Green Lotus Continent is full of exceptional people and splendid places—just because you are a key member of our family doesn’t mean there aren’t any Soul Transformation Cultivators who can challenge you. Remember, there’s always someone better."

Shangguan Yunshang spoke earnestly and sincerely.

"I understand, Grand Ancestor Yunshang, and I will take your teachings to heart."

Shangguan Zilong replied, his expression respectful.

In a serene manor, Ni Tianting, Lin Yuyuan, and Ni Hongshan sat inside a green stone pavilion while Ni Tianhe stood to the side.

"There’s no shame in losing to Young Friend Shen. Shame can lead to courage."

"Taoist Friend Shen is indeed an Ascendant Cultivator; no wonder our family has always maintained numerous Ascendant Platforms."

Ni Tianhe showed a look of sudden realization.

"Ascendant Cultivators do have their merits, but that doesn’t mean all of them possess the strength of Shen Long. Shen Long knows how to behave—he gave face to our Ni Family. If he hadn’t backed down at all, it would have been an embarrassment," Ni Tianting analyzed.

"Shen Long is strong, an Alchemist, and he knows when to advance or retreat. He cultivates good relationships with others—it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the Void Refinement Phase," Lin Yuyuan praised.

"Tianhe, you should cultivate a good relationship with Shen Long. It’s always good to have more friends," Ni Tianting advised.

"Yes, Ancestor Tianting," Ni Tianhe agreed.

Seven days later, Qin Yan and Chen Xuan bid farewell to Ni Hongshan and took Shen Long and the others away from the Ni Family.

After more than half a year, they returned to the Qianling Sect.

Shen Long and Li Tianxue arrived outside Master Aunt Mo’s residence. Li Tianxue produced a Law Disk shimmering with white light, into which she injected a spell and said, "Master, Junior Brother Shen has important matters to report to you. We are outside your residence."

"Bring Shen Shizhu in," Mo Bingbing instructed.

Li Tianxue agreed and led Shen Long inside, where they found Mo Bingbing in a secluded courtyard.

"Senior Sister Qin has told me about you. Junior Nephew Shen, you have performed well in the Ni Family and brought honor to our Qianling Sect," Mo Bingbing commended.

Master Aunt Mo, has Ancestor Wu not left seclusion yet?" Shen Long asked.

"Not yet, but you can tell me anything you would have told him. You are close to reaching Great Perfection in the Divinity Transformation Stage, aren’t you? You should consider practicing dual cultivation to prepare for Void Refinement," Mo Bingbing said.

To break through to the Void Refinement Phase, a Soul Transformation Cultivator must unify the Five Elements. Generally, they would practice a second cultivation method.

"That is what I wish to discuss with you, Master Aunt Mo," Shen Long said earnestly.

Mo Bingbing took out a green Storage Bracelet and handed it to Shen Long, saying, "This contains my experiences when I attempted to break through to the Void Refinement Phase. You can also go to the Scripture Pavilion to look up the experiences of others who’ve attempted the same and watch their recordings."

"Junior Brother Shen, not just anyone is granted access to Master’s experiences in attempting to break through to the Void Refinement Phase," Li Tianxue said meaningfully.

"Thank you, Master Aunt Mo. I will never forget your kindness," Shen Long said gratefully.

"You call me Master Aunt, so this is my duty. Now, don’t run around aimlessly anymore; prepare for Void Refinement. The Divinity Transformation Stage is still too weak in the Realm of the Spiritual Pivot; Void Refinement is somewhat better," Mo Bingbing admonished.

"Yes, I understand," Shen Long replied.

After giving a few more words of advice, Mo Bingbing sent Shen Long away.

Shen Long visited the Scripture Pavilion to trade Kind Attribute points for the experiences and recordings of his predecessors’ attempts to break through to the Void Refinement Phase, and he also exchanged Kind Attribute points for a batch of Alchemy Materials before returning to Golden Roc Peak.