Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds

Chapter 439 - 235, The Art of Somersault Cloud_2

"I shall disturb Senior Sister no longer. I wish you great success in the Small Pill Conference, bringing glory to our Caiyun Mountain."

Xu Xing, using his Fire Cloud Escape, moved to the side to make way for Yin Zi and bowed respectfully before departing.

After leaving the entrance of Yin Zi’s Cave Mansion, Xu Xing pondered for a moment. Instead of returning to his own Cave Mansion, he decided to visit the Cave Mansions of his other Senior Brothers and Sisters.

The Pill Cauldron Sect was no small sect. While its top combatants might be weaker than those of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, it still ranked among the Ten Major Sects in East Huangzhou.

Having joined this major sect, his identity as "Yao Dang" was not one to be trifled with; it needed to be managed carefully.

After acknowledging Caiyun Fairy as his Master, he had accompanied Yin Zi to visit his other Senior Brothers and Sisters. However, most of them were not in their Cave Mansions at that time, so he had merely left his calling card and departed swiftly.

Perhaps it was due to the upcoming Small Pill Conference.

Among his five Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers, aside from the Eldest Senior Sister who was preparing to condense her Dao Pill, the others were generally in their Cave Mansions.

Compared to the warm hospitality of Third Senior Sister Yin Zi, the other Senior Sisters seemed far more indifferent. Upon learning of Xu Xing’s visit, they merely offered him a cup of fragrant tea before seeing him out. No banquet was prepared to entertain him.

Cultivators are inherently aloof; even being from the same sect doesn’t guarantee deep affection...

Seeing this, Xu Xing shook his head, not feeling particularly disheartened.

The coldness these Senior Sisters showed him didn’t imply that Yin Zi possessed a more unique character or superior conduct. Rather, Yin Zi was under orders from Caiyun Fairy to instruct him, their new fellow disciple, thereby gaining benefits for herself.

As for the other Senior Sisters, had they not acknowledged the same Master, they likely would have had minimal interaction throughout their lives.

Their politeness was already commendable.

However, Xu Xing wasn’t discouraged. His visits to his Senior Sisters and Senior Brother were a performance for Caiyun Fairy and the Pill Cauldron Sect to see. He was not actually determined to befriend these Younger Generation cultivators.

After being rebuffed at the Cave Mansions of the four Senior Sisters, Xu Xing finally received some hospitality when he arrived at the Cave Mansion of his Fifth Senior Brother.

"Those few Senior Sisters possess aloof temperaments and, being already betrothed, tend to keep others at a distance. Never mind you, Junior Brother; even if I were to visit, I’d receive the same treatment."

Hearing Xu Xing pour out his grievances, Fifth Senior Brother Shi, surnamed Shi, smiled faintly and offered comfort.

"It’s the same even for Senior Brother Shi?"

Xu Xing was slightly surprised, his expression brightening considerably. So, I’m not the only one being turned away.

Female Cultivators from small factions, upon reaching high Cultivation levels, often found it difficult to find suitable spouses and ended up alone.

However, it was the opposite for Female Cultivators from major sects. They were rarely single; even if they were, they were usually already betrothed through alliances with Aristocratic Families.

The Senior Sisters who had treated him and Senior Brother Shi coldly were not necessarily being indifferent; it was more likely an act to avoid suspicion.

"Senior Brother Shi."

"Does our Master... have a marriage engagement?"

Xu Xing glanced around. Seeing no one else nearby, he lowered his voice and quickly broached the subject.

His inquiry about Caiyun Fairy’s marital status wasn’t driven by any improper thoughts.

Rather, he wished to curry favor with Caiyun Fairy, and for that, understanding her situation was key—like prescribing the right medicine for an ailment. Whether a Female Cultivator had a marriage engagement significantly influenced her demeanor and how she handled affairs.

"Master..."

Senior Brother Shi was momentarily startled. He scrutinized Xu Xing for several moments before shaking his head. "Master is the type who is devoted to Cultivation and pays no mind to matters of romance."

Speaking of which, he advised Xu Xing, "Junior Brother Yao, while forming a Daoist partnership with a high-Cultivation Female Cultivator as your spouse is advantageous, the dynamic can often be quite stifling. It’s still best to find someone truly compatible."

"Senior Brother Shi, you’ve misunderstood."

Xu Xing hurriedly explained, "Just now, Senior Brother Shi mentioned that our Senior Sisters have marriage engagements, which explains their somewhat distant behavior towards us. That’s why this Junior Brother asked if Master has a marriage engagement."

He was already doing his utmost to avoid Yan Luanqing. How could he possibly get entangled with Caiyun Fairy as well?

This explanation seemed plausible.

Senior Brother Shi nodded, his expression softening slightly.

He pondered for a moment, then said to Xu Xing, "Even if you admire Master, Junior Brother, you mustn’t reveal even a hint of it. While Master has no intention of seeking a spouse, numerous True Monarchs within the Sect are her suitors."

"However, every loss comes with a gain."

"Consequently, our Caiyun Mountain lineage receives considerable favor within the Sect."

In the blink of an eye, five years passed quickly.

The Small Pill Conference of the Pill Cauldron Sect was held as scheduled. From the Caiyun Mountain lineage, aside from Eldest Senior Sister Bai Qian and Xu Xing, the other five members all registered for this grand event.

The Small Pill Conference was held on Qingyuan Mountain.

Xu Xing attended as a spectator.

As Yin Zi’s de facto disciple, it was only right for him to attend and cheer her on.

Furthermore, every alchemist qualified to compete in the final alchemy contest on Qingyuan Mountain was a genius from their respective Schools, and the techniques they employed during refinement were all closely guarded secrets.

Even catching a glimpse of these techniques was a significant boon for any spectator.

"It’s starting."

When Xu Xing heard the clear ring of a Jade Chime from the arena, his gaze immediately fixed upon the nine competition platforms atop the mountain, eager to observe the alchemists’ contest of skill.

Selecting medicinal ingredients.

Warming the pill cauldron.

Extracting medicinal essence with spirit fire...

The fundamental steps each alchemist took were largely the same, yet the subtle details varied considerably. And it was these step-by-step variations that determined the quality of the Pills and the victor of the contest.

Xu Xing looked at the competition platform in the middle. Seeing a young girl in green robes take a significant lead over her opponent, already reaching the Condensing Pill stage, he thought, Senior Sister Bao has won.

This young girl in green robes was Caiyun Fairy’s second disciple, Bao Rong.

She possessed the highest alchemy attainment among Caiyun Fairy’s disciples.

The first round of the Small Pill Conference was an elimination match, a two-into-one format that culled half the alchemists.

The alchemists in the first round were of mixed proficiency, so Bao Rong’s victory was not difficult.

After Bao Rong’s victory, the second match fell to Yin Zi. However, after a short while, Yin Zi was defeated.

What a pity.

Although Senior Sister Yin is diligent, the Small Pill Conference attracts a multitude of talents. Every alchemist here from the Pill Cauldron Sect is an elite. Her luck was poor, drawing such a formidable opponent in the very first round.

Xu Xing shook his head, sighing inwardly.

After Yin Zi left the platform, he and other fellow disciples approached to console her, urging her to take heart.

"There’s always next time."

"It’s held once every thirty years. I can still participate four more times..." Yin Zi said, forcing a smile.

The Small Pill Conference imposed restrictions on the Cultivation and age of participating alchemists; they could not exceed five hundred years of age.

The competition lasted for three days and three nights.

In total, five rounds were held.

Ultimately, from the Caiyun Mountain lineage, only Bao Rong advanced to the top ten. The others were unfortunately eliminated at various stages for different reasons.

"Next time, at the Small Pill Conference, it will be your turn, Little Seven."

"As your Master, I don’t expect you to reach your Second Senior Sister’s level, but you must at least make it into the top fifty. Otherwise, you’d be squandering your innate talent."

Upon returning to Caiyun Mountain, after a few words of praise for Bao Rong, Caiyun Fairy’s attention shifted. She looked at Xu Xing, her expression stern.

While an Innate Spirit Fire isn’t the sole indicator of an alchemist’s talent, possessing a superior one generally signifies a promising future for an alchemist.

"Yes, Master," Xu Xing bowed in response.

The Pill Cauldron Sect’s next Small Pill Conference is thirty years from now. By then, I should have successfully achieved the Nascent Soul Realm. As a Nascent Soul Cultivator, claiming first place in the Small Pill Conference should be a simple matter. The higher a Cultivator’s Cultivation, the correspondingly greater their innate talents become. The same holds true for alchemy talent.

"Master, this disciple will soon be condensing his Returning Core and wishes to apply for a superior Cave Mansion..." Xu Xing hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to speak, after Caiyun Fairy had finished admonishing her disciples.

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the Pill Cauldron Sect now. It’s about time I returned to the Immeasurable Sect to make an appearance, lest suspicions arise. Going into seclusion to break through a major Realm is an excellent pretext.

"You’re about to condense your Returning Core?"

Hearing this, Caiyun Fairy swept her Divine Sense over Xu Xing. Observing that his aura was indeed close to the Void Elixir Realm, she nodded her Qiufu and said, "Take my Token and go to the Sect to apply for a Xuanjing Abode. Use it for your closed-door breakthrough."

"This is a White Carp Pill. Consume it during your breakthrough; it can improve the quality of your Returning Core."

She retrieved a Jade Bottle from her Sleeve, had a Child present it to Xu Xing, and continued.

White Carp Pill?

Xu Xing accepted the Jade Bottle, a strange light flickering in his eyes, his heart filled with astonishment.