Having initially refined his stomach into the Bagua Furnace, Jiang Xuan's internal organs now possessed powers akin to magical treasures. However, he still lacked complete control over them—something that would require time, adaptation, and deep insight to master.
Over the past ten days, Jiang Xuan had come to understand the path his future cultivation would take. It was one destined to involve the devouring of heaven-and-earth treasures—a path akin to the Devour Heaven Demon Art, but in the form of a living magical weapon.
A smile emerged on Jiang Xuan's face.
The Great Dao awaits!
With the current might of his Bagua Furnace, he now clearly surpassed the expected limits of the Life Spring Realm. For him, defeating foes of higher realms had become routine.
Calculating the time, Jiang Xuan summoned a divine light and flew toward the Sect Master's Hall. He had been absent from the lecturing platform for ten days and felt he owed an explanation, especially since he had only fulfilled one day of his assigned lecturing duties before disappearing.
"Haha, no need for apologies. Your cultivation is far more important," the sect master, Master Li, said with a hearty laugh. "You are the Immortal Seedling of our Lingxu Paradise. Your own cultivation must take precedence—everything else is secondary."
Seeing Jiang Xuan come to apologize, Master Li was utterly unconcerned, instead showing more interest in Jiang Xuan's progress.
"When you didn't show up on the second day, I went looking for you. Seeing that you were in the midst of enlightenment, I chose not to disturb you. I've been covering the lectures these past ten days," Elder Wu Qingfeng explained.
Noticing Jiang Xuan's even stronger aura and obvious leap in cultivation, Master Li and the other elders were overjoyed.
"Constant closed-door cultivation isn't always ideal. Alternating rest and activity brings swifter progress," Master Li said with a nod. "Jiang Xuan, you are a once-in-a-generation genius. Judging from your aura, you're no weaker than many elders. Therefore, I plan to give you a responsibility—one that will bring you into the power structure of Lingxu Paradise."
"I intend to have you replace Elder Lu in leading the new disciples on a medicinal herb-gathering expedition into the Lingxu. You needn't handle every detail personally—just protect them as needed."
Master Li looked Jiang Xuan over with growing satisfaction.
The other elders exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Master," Jiang Xuan responded respectfully.
He was indeed surprised by the task Master Li had entrusted to him. The gathering of spiritual herbs had always been of utmost importance to Lingxu Paradise. Liquids such as the Hundred Herb Elixir were refined from such herbs and were essential for the cultivation of young disciples. Some rare herbs even had powerful effects for the sect leader and elders themselves.
That the sect master would assign him to protect the young disciples on such a crucial mission was a great show of trust.
Clearly, Master Li and the elders believed he could carry out this task well.
Returning to his residence, Jiang Xuan continued to stabilize his cultivation while quietly awaiting the next day.
After the Bagua Furnace had been refined in his stomach, the rate at which he absorbed the world's spiritual energy had dramatically increased. Bottles of Hundred Herb Elixir entered his stomach and were almost instantly refined by the Bagua Furnace, converting into pure essence to expand his Bitter Sea.
With a flash of rainbow light, the Mystic Flame Furnace appeared, floating and rotating before him.
Whoosh!
Opening his mouth, the three-foot-wide Mystic Flame Furnace began to shrink and flew toward his mouth. By the time it reached him, it had shrunk to the size of half an egg—and Jiang Xuan swallowed it in one gulp.
Within the Bagua Furnace resided profound Dao and mystical principles. Spatial compression was but a minor function. Even though his Bagua Furnace was merely a basic version, it was still capable of wielding such a power.
As the Mystic Flame Furnace entered his stomach, it gradually melted. Spiritual energy surged toward his Bitter Sea, which then bathed his entire body. Precious materials fused into the Bagua Furnace, enhancing its might. The flames of the Mystic Flame Furnace slowly merged with those of the Bagua Furnace, making the fire more fierce and potent.
Jiang Xuan believed that one day, the fire of his Bagua Furnace would surpass even the legendary Six Ding Divine Fire, perhaps even approach the mythical Flame of the Great Dao.
Cultivation made time fly like an arrow. Before he knew it, the next day had arrived. Jiang Xuan rose and headed for the gathering point.
"Senior Brother Jiang is leading the team? Has he already stepped into the Divine Bridge Realm?" a disciple speculated in astonishment.
In Lingxu Paradise, the threshold for becoming a steward was the Divine Bridge Realm. In the past, stewards of such a level had often led the expedition teams. That Jiang Xuan was now leading one caused many to believe he must have already reached that stage.
"Lingxu is filled with spirit beasts. Even though Senior Brother Jiang's cultivation is deep, I still feel uneasy."
"The sect master and the elders are always incredibly busy. Their decision must have its reasons. Don't worry—I trust Senior Brother Jiang."
"Cultivation ultimately depends on oneself. Even if no one protects us, what then? Will someone always shield you in life-and-death battles?"
Some disciples worried that the expedition would be dangerous. Others trusted Jiang Xuan, and some bold ones were completely unafraid, secretly determined to work hard and one day stand shoulder to shoulder with him as a pillar of the sect.
Regardless of their thoughts, all were astonished that Jiang Xuan would be leading the group.
Jiang Xuan had only joined the sect less than two months ago—far more recently than most of them.
It was almost too much to accept.
Jiang Xuan sat high in the sky, his gaze fixed on the distant Lingxu. Through the dense forests, he could already detect many hidden dangers—but he did not act. If he removed the threats, what meaning would their trial hold?
A great crowd of disciples marched forth toward the Lingxu.
Their training ground was the outer region of the Lingxu, yet even these outer fringes yielded enough heavenly treasures to sustain the sect's young disciples. Truly, the Lingxu was a land of rich resources.
"Junior brothers and sisters," Jiang Xuan said, "once you enter the Lingxu, remain cautious at all times. Never let your guard down while gathering herbs. Safety first—remember, a careful boat sails for ten thousand years."
Excitement lit up the faces of the disciples as they entered the Lingxu and laid eyes upon the many spirit herbs growing abundantly. Just as they were about to rush forward and begin harvesting, Jiang Xuan's calm voice rang in their ears.
He descended slowly from above, a crimson divine radiance blooming behind him. He had not activated any true divine powers—this was merely the basic function of the Bagua Furnace.
As he spoke, a flick of his finger released a spark of flame that shot out and struck a point a hundred meters away—where a massive white wolf was instantly reduced to ash.
"Ah! That was a spirit-infused Frost Wolf!"
"It had already transformed into a demonic beast, hiding behind that large tree. We didn't even notice it before!"
"That Frost Wolf was lying in ambush, waiting for the right moment to strike—it wanted to devour us!"
"It concealed itself behind a big tree, and next to that tree was a stalk of Clearheart Grass. Some disciples, upon spotting the herb, would rush in to pick it, neglecting to check their surroundings. That's when the wolf would pounce."
Jiang Xuan spoke patiently, guiding them with a calm and instructive tone.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Jiang!"
"I actually saw that Clearheart Grass just now—I nearly walked over to it. That was close… I'm lucky Senior Brother Jiang was here."
"This trial is already proving to be incredibly worthwhile."
Some disciples began to realize that opportunities in cultivation were often accompanied by danger. To seize those opportunities safely, one had to exercise great caution. Their admiration for Jiang Xuan deepened even further.
Yet there were still some who, though they understood the lesson, could not maintain vigilance at all times due to their innate personalities. Others were simply unlucky—despite being extremely careful, they were still injured by dangers hidden in the shadows.
For non-lethal dangers, Jiang Xuan remained seated high in the clouds, allowing the disciples to handle them on their own. Only when they encountered threats beyond their ability did he intervene—this, after all, was the very essence of a true trial.
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