Daily Life

The cultivation method Yaoguang chose to impart to the Nine Cauldrons Sect was called the Xuan Yuan Creation Technique. It originated from a faction known as the "Creation Conglomerate." Compared to the Heavenly Dao Sword Intent he had selected from the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Xuan Yuan Creation Technique was balanced and peaceful, possessing exceptionally high compatibility and stability. Apart from placing fairly steep demands on comprehension and natural aptitude, it was practically a flawless immortal cultivation method. Of course, it was merely an immortal cultivation method. Cultivators of this technique did not excel in combat; rather, it leaned toward nurturing health and longevity. Yet this was precisely what was needed to compensate for the somewhat extreme cultivation system of the Cangwu Great World. It was especially suited for Li Hanqiu, the Golden Core Zhenren. Upon receiving this method—which began at Foundation Establishment and pointed straight toward the Void Piercing Realm—Li Hanqiu could hardly wait to enter seclusion to comprehend it. As for the heavy responsibility of instructing others in the technique, to a certain degree, it fell onto Yaoguang's shoulders. This was because the pilot reform for the new cultivation method was situated at the Jiuxiao Domain branch sect. Yaoguang took the lead, with Zhao Siliang and Zhu Yanyu assisting him. Thus, following his appointments as Deputy Hall Master of both the Artifact Refining Hall and the Mystic Formation Hall, Yaoguang took on the additional titles of Honorary Sect Master of the Jiuxiao Domain Branch Sect and Honorary Deputy Hall Master of the Heritage Hall. According to Li Hanqiu's original intention, he had wanted to promote Yaoguang directly to full Hall Master. He had even considered transferring Zhao Siliang to the main sect to serve as a Deputy Hall Master in one of the halls, thereby clearing the way for Yaoguang and making it easier for him to carry out his work. However, Yaoguang had declined. The reform of the cultivation method required someone on-site to oversee its progress at all times. Zhao Siliang was an excellent choice for this. As for being promoted to full Hall Master... It held little meaning. On one hand, whenever anything arose, he basically dealt directly with Li Qingshan and Li Hanqiu now; to a certain degree, his importance was no longer inferior to Li Qingshan's. Coupled with the boost in combat strength his status as a Dharma Idol cultivator brought to the Nine Cauldrons Sect, in a true life-and-death crisis, Li Qingshan would probably fight to his own death just to ensure Yaoguang's survival. Therefore, the position of full Hall Master was truly just an empty title to him. Not only did Li Qingshan and Li Hanqiu recognize this, but the other Hall Masters also understood Yaoguang's importance to the Nine Cauldrons Sect and would never treat him as merely a deputy. Consequently, Yaoguang was more than happy not having to deal with so many trivial matters. ... In just one month, the Nine Cauldrons Sect delivered the first batch of cultivators. Among this group were thirty thousand high-tier cultivators across qi refining, body refining, and spirit refining, as well as one thousand cultivators at the Foundation Establishment, Star Lord, and Origin Spirit levels, their cultivation varying across early, mid, and late stages. Yet after this group arrived, Yaoguang did not immediately make an appearance, nor did he instruct them in the cultivation method right away. Instead, he observed them in silence through the Virtual Spirit Realm. Beyond merely watching them, he even secretly monitored the communications of all the Foundation Establishment cultivators to identify undercover agents from other sects. A few months later, the results were indeed remarkable. Among the thirty thousand high-tier cultivators sent over, fully six hundred had suspicious backgrounds, along with over forty Great Cultivators. As for problematic Great Cultivators identified within the broader Nine Cauldrons Sect itself, the number exceeded a hundred. Once the dossiers on these individuals reached Li Qingshan, he quickly had He Xifeng and Jiang Zhuoyue jointly deal with them in secret, sparing only a tiny fraction whose actions could be easily manipulated to turn their schemes against them. ... At the peak of the mountain where the Zixiao Institute was located, Yaoguang had made a rare trip back. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Su Yaoyu gave him a financial report on the institute's revenue and expenditures over the past period. "According to your instructions, the Zixiao Institute disbursed a total of 8,643,504 spirit stones in wages and bonuses over the past year... Of that, wage payments accounted for..." She read through the numbers. Yaoguang listened patiently. Although he could review much of the data far faster with a single sweep of his divine mind than by listening to her report... listening patiently now was a mark of respect for Su Yaoyu's work. Furthermore... When Su Yaoyu paused in her report, he even smiled and remarked, "At least your voice isn't trembling anymore when reading the financial figures." Hearing this, Su Yaoyu didn't joke back, answering solemnly instead, "Anyone mentioning figures in the millions or tens of millions of spirit stones would inevitably react that way. After all, ordinary mortals who cannot develop divine sense might never save up enough money in an entire lifetime just to purchase a single spirit stone." Yaoguang did not dispute her words. He, too, had risen from the bottom rungs of cultivation. Back when he first bought a Heavenly Being Pill, he had to borrow spirit stones from Zong Yan to afford it. At that time, he was already a high-tier cultivator— an undisputed member of the elite within the Nine Cauldrons Sect's territory. Even then, scraping together thirty spirit stones had been an ordeal, to say nothing of low-tier cultivators in the first through third layers. Still... *Once the internal production of spirit stones in the Nine Cauldrons Sect increases in the future, we can lower the exchange rate between standard currency and spirit stones. That way, more people will be able to access spirit stones and cultivate with them,* Yaoguang mused. Just then, Lei Yun walked in from outside and whispered, "Young Master, they have arrived." "Send them in," Yaoguang replied. Before long, Lin Xia, Leng Jun, Su Yaoxue, Kong Xuan, Yue Xingzhou, and Su Hua walked into the courtyard. Over the past two years, under the direct tutelage of Great Cultivators and with an expenditure of tens of thousands of spirit stones on each of them, every single one had stepped into the realm of high-tier cultivators. Lin Xia, possessing the highest cultivation among them, had reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. "Patriarch." Upon seeing Yaoguang, they bowed in unison. Yaoguang nodded to them. His gaze lingered on Su Yaoxue for a moment. When he had first met her, she had been fighting with others, leaving him with an unimpressive first impression. Now, however, that impression had changed. The girl possessed great self-discipline. Although her talent was only that of a medium spiritual root, she practiced with utmost diligence. In terms of pure effort, she ranked among the very best even within the Jiuxiao Domain branch sect. Compared to Su Yaoyu—who was equally hardworking but whose overall aptitude was rather underwhelming—she had achieved the absolute best within her capabilities. However... Given Yaoguang's current stature, he could effortlessly find hundreds of peers far more gifted than her. A medium spiritual root... was simply too modest. After a brief silence, he spoke: "The Jiuxiao Domain branch sect has established a new cultivation institute. Externally, it is billed as experimental, making its prospects look bleak, but the resources and treatment it enjoys are the best of any institute. I have added all your names to its roster." "We obey the Patriarch's arrangements," Lin Xia and the others replied. "This is the cultivation method the institute will teach you: the Xuan Yuan Creation Technique. I will impart it to you now. Focus your minds." As Yaoguang spoke and the six gathered their concentration, his divine mind split into six streams, swiftly transmitting a body of information into their minds. It was none other than the Xuan Yuan Creation Technique. However... "The Xuan Yuan Creation Technique I gave you has been modified compared to what the new institute will teach. It has been customized specifically for your cultivation progress and aptitudes..." Yaoguang paused. This was precisely why he had made a special trip back. To adapt the technique so it suited them better, he had spent an entire day searching through the vast ocean of information. Given his stature now, what was his time worth? Even if he did nothing all day and simply collected revenue from his existing enterprises, he would bring in over a hundred thousand spirit stones daily! If poured into Lin Xia alone, that would be enough to make her a Great Cultivator within a year or two. This alone showed how much value he placed on them. Naturally, he did not voice these thoughts. "Patriarch, this technique..." After digesting a portion of the information, Lin Xia showed a flicker of astonishment, her gaze instinctively turning to Yaoguang. "As I said, this is a new direction in cultivation. Furthermore, compared to the extreme path followed by the Cangwu Great World, it is vastly more promising," Yaoguang said. After all, since embarking on that extreme trajectory, it had been a very long time since a true Golden Core had emerged in the Cangwu Great World. "If you can distinguish yourselves in practicing this technique, I can promise you a brighter future." Lin Xia, Leng Jun, Su Yaoxue, and the others felt a solemn tremor in their hearts. "Yes!" they answered respectfully in unison. "You may go." Yaoguang waved his hand. Lin Xia and the others promptly took their leave. To the side, Su Yaoyu saw Su Yaoxue turning to leave with the group and parted her lips as if to speak. Yet considering how busy Yaoguang was with countless matters every day, she held her tongue. Shortly after their departure, Lei Yun approached again and whispered something into Yaoguang's ear. Hearing this, Yaoguang considered it briefly before saying, "Let her in." Lei Yun nodded. Soon, dressed in... formal business attire, a somewhat uneasy Su Yaoshuang walked over. Yaoguang glanced at her, rather surprised. In his memory, this younger sister had always paid meticulous attention to glamorous styling. Dressing like today—with only light makeup and a woman's formal business suit—was exceedingly rare for her. Seeing her arrive, he nonetheless asked, "You wish to interview me?" "I know this might take up a bit of your time, but... I only want to ask a few questions regarding the Zixiao flying swords... If it's inconvenient to answer, or if you prefer not to appear on camera, I can skip those, or conduct the interview purely in text," Su Yaoshuang spoke rapidly. At first, she seemed uneasy and nervous, but as she continued, her demeanor visibly settled. Her speech flowed much more smoothly, as though she truly was interviewing an eminent figure in her capacity as a reporter. Seeing this, Yaoguang nodded slightly. "Go ahead and ask." At those words, Su Yaoshuang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and her eyes brightened at once. "Could Hall Master Yaoguang tell us about the Zixiao-15 export-model flying sword? Rumor has it that our Nine Cauldrons Sect relied on this very sword to crush the Great Sun Sword Sect in the East Sea Archipelago, and many media outlets in the Great Sun Sword Sect have dubbed it the 'Peerless Divine Sword of Nine Cauldrons.' Just how formidable is its performance?" "Certainly." Yaoguang cooperatively answered her questions regarding the sword's capabilities. Watching this unfold from the side, Su Yaoyu's eyes filled with gentle warmth. It was wonderful. The second sister had shown commendable talent, making steady progress in cultivation. Their third brother went without saying—he was the pride of the whole family. The fourth sister seemed to have found a way of life she truly enjoyed. As for the fifth sister... Thinking of the posts she constantly shared on her social feed gave Su Yaoyu a slight headache. Still, regardless of that, though Mom and Dad were gone, their family was still heading in a good direction. And that was more than enough.