"Ah, so you are a disciple of a True Monarch, I’ve heard of you for a long time!" Zhou Xun replied politely.

It turned out that the reason Master Sanchuan could occupy Qianying Market was largely due to the efforts of the Illusion Spirit Sect.

Upon Zhou Xun’s successful condensation of the Immortal Golden Core, Master Sanchuan immediately used a precious Long-Distance Communication Talisman to report the news.

He then received instructions from the Illusion Spirit Sect’s higher-ups, telling him to spare no cost in recruiting Zhou Xun to the Illusion Spirit Sect.

With the previous example of the "Fuxing Sect" setting a precedent, the other Central Continent Sects naturally competed to win over a Golden Core Cultivator.

However, Zhou Xun possessed the "Spring Condensation Scripture," and with the successful condensation of the Golden Core at this moment, as long as he cultivated steadily, he would most likely advance to the Nascent Soul in the future.

Why take unnecessary risks?

If a Nascent Soul Cultivator targeted his Golden Core body, with his current cultivation power, he might be in great danger.

As for the previous example of True Monarch Yuanji, Zhou Xun believed it couldn’t be that simple!

One didn’t have to be from a prestigious lineage; having good aptitude could still lead to overwhelming support from a powerful force, which truly tested the integrity of that force,

But Zhou Xun was unwilling to leave his fate in the hands of others.

"I wonder what Daoist Ye has decided, as long as you nod, a Nascent Soul Pill can be yours immediately!"

Seeing Zhou Xun still appeared hesitant, Master Sanchuan couldn’t help but raise the stakes,

Originally, he intended to save that Nascent Soul Pill.

"It’s a major decision, I really can’t agree so quickly!" Zhou Xun waved his hand, putting on a pose of waiting for the highest bidder.

Seeing this, Master Sanchuan sighed and nodded.

If it were him as Zhou Xun, he would also listen to other sects’ terms and would not make a hasty decision.

"Very well, Daoist, please consider carefully. If you make a decision, please inform Wan Mou!"

The few of them chatted a bit longer before taking their leave.

...

After Master Sanchuan left, Zhou Xun began packing his belongings.

The recent events gave Zhou Xun a deeper understanding of these major forces.

This Chaotic Domain was indeed a place filled with both good and bad; even notable Loose Cultivators appeared as pawns placed by major forces.

Master Sanchuan was, indeed, one of them, just like Old Demon Yulu in the past.

It’s important to note that the current "Lii Feiyu" is still wanted by two entities.

Shaking his head, Zhou Xun packed up everything and walked out of the Cave Mansion’s entrance without hesitation.

"The master has emerged!"

As soon as the door to the Cave Mansion opened, the cultivators surrounding it exclaimed in astonishment and then bowed together:

"We greet the master, please be kind and take us as disciples!"

"I am willing to serve under the master!"

There were also female cultivators who considered themselves outstanding in beauty, coquettishly trying to catch Zhou Xun’s attention, thinking that being accepted by him would be like ascending to heaven in a single step!

Zhou Xun snorted coldly, his Core Formation Stage mana spread outward, creating an invisible suppression that silenced the crowd.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun immediately turned around and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, slowly walked away.

At the city gate, the middle-aged steward stationed there was still guarding the gate, 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The young man who once served as a guide for Zhou Xun was also present, soliciting business.

Seeing Zhou Xun approaching, the two of them were filled with excitement, and knelt down in a fluster:

"Junior... greets the master!"

"Oh, it’s you, young friend!" Zhou Xun had a favorable impression of this young man.

He tapped the Storage Bag at his waist, and a bottle of Elixir appeared in his hand, which he tossed to the young man, while patting his shoulder:

"Cultivate well; I hope one day you’ll reach the Core Formation stage!"

The young man, upon hearing this, was thrilled and received the Elixir with trembling hands,

While Zhou Xun transformed into a Spirit Light, leaving under the admiring gazes of the crowd.

Not until Zhou Xun’s silhouette completely disappeared did the young man stand up, uncork the bottle, and upon seeing its contents, his heart was immediately shocked,

Lying inside was a Premium Foundation Establishment Pill!

...

Quickly, the news of Zhou Xun leaving Qianying Market reached Master Sanchuan’s ears.

Upon hearing this, Master Sanchuan sighed repeatedly, knowing that Zhou Xun had not accepted any faction’s recruitment.

"In hundreds of years, perhaps Central Continent will be filled with the renown of this Daoist Ye; I just wonder if I will still be around to witness it by then!"

...

After leaving Qianying Market, Zhou Xun immediately summoned the Earth Element Beast, and together with his clone, sat on its broad back.

"Now I’ve successfully formed the Core and my strength has significantly increased, my mana and Divine Sense are not inferior to Late-Stage Core Formation Cultivators,"

"If I drive a Tier Four Human Puppet, even ordinary Peak Core Formation Cultivators wouldn’t be my match!"

"It is time to acquire that Dragon Blood Holy Fruit!"

But before setting off, Zhou Xun had one more thing to confirm,

He tapped his Storage Bag, and a Spirit Light flew out in front of him, which was his Small Divination Compass.

Then he took out the Dragon Blood Holy Fruit Spirit Plant Ash he had obtained from the Thunder Flood Dragon Nest in the Accumulation Mountain Range,

He injected mana, forming hand seals while chanting incantations, and began a Divination.

After a moment, the compass flashed with a light, yielding a result.

Zhou Xun carefully examined it.

"The result from the compass shows that the person is still stationed at the northern border of the Chaotic Domain!"

Zhou Xun had divined several times before, and the person lingered there for many years.

It was only due to the previous divination suggesting great perils that he postponed his intentions to compete for the Dragon Blood Holy Fruit; now seems to be the right time.

Firstly, his real body now controls a Tier Four Human Puppet, equivalent to half a Nascent Soul Cultivator,

Secondly, his clone’s current strength is formidable, and even ordinary Peak Core Formation Cultivators cannot contend,

With such a configuration, he could barely stand a chance against a Nascent Soul Cultivator!

This journey is bound to be safe!

Then Zhou Xun tapped the Earth Element Beast beneath him, changing direction, and sped towards the Land of the Far North.

...

Traveling from Qianying Market to the northern border of the Chaotic Domain would take about twenty days.

During this time, Zhou Xun did not rest but instead began attempting to cultivate the Secret Techniques of the "Spirit Wood True Technique."

Having now successfully entered the Core Formation stage, his Lifebound Spirit Plant finally sprouted, allowing the execution of various secret techniques.

The first is the Wood Escape Technique!

As one of the Five Elements Escape Techniques, it can temporarily expend part of the Lifebound Spirit Plant’s vitality to instantaneously traverse great distances,

It can also meld into trees and Spirit Plants, becoming undetectable,

Unless the opponent’s cultivation is significantly higher, they cannot discover it,

It is a first-class escape technique.

In addition to it, there is the "Spirit Wood Limit,"

Which transforms a large area into a Spirit Wood Domain, where the host becomes virtually invincible, possessing abilities like Spirit Wood Puppet, Spirit Wood Clone, Instant Teleportation, and more.

Within the domain, the host becomes nearly immortal, and only by breaking this Spirit Wood Limit can the host be truly harmed.

It absolutely rivals the clone’s "Purple Sky True Thunder Array."

Zhou Xun at this moment, while mounted on the Earth Element Beast, was contemplating these secret techniques to grasp a greater advantage during the upcoming competition for the Dragon Blood Holy Fruit.