Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds

This wasn't because she had set her sights on Xu Xing. Instead, she had unconsciously used Charm Art. Charm Art was already ingrained in her every move.

It's truly a pity, she thought. Decades ago, when Xu Xing was still in the Purple Mansion Realm, I intended for Yan Wenyuan to actively pursue him and form a good relationship. However, Yan Wenyuan considered herself too dignified. She thought that since she and Xu Xing were at the same cultivation level, she still needed to test him further... With that delay, the situation reversed instantly. Now that Xu Xing is a Dao Pill Daoist, and a Top-Grade Dao Pill at that, if he were still willing to accept Yan Wenyuan, who is only in the Returning Core Realm, it would be Yan Wenyuan's immense good fortune and serendipity.

"Sister Yan, since Wen Yuan isn't interested, I won't insist anymore..." Xu Xing shook his head, sighing.

During his recent decades of closed-door cultivation, he had occasionally emerged. With Yan Xiling playing matchmaker, he had met Yan Wenyuan a few times. However, he showed no affection, and she had no interest. The development between them was not progressing quickly.

Besides, there's Yan Luanqing... If I could gain the assistance of a One Nascent Soul Daoist, it would greatly benefit my future cultivation path.

"It's a pity." Yan Xiling remarked, giving a slight nod. "You two have a connection by fate, but no destiny to be together." She wasn't surprised by Xu Xing's response.

Marrying a female cultivator from the Yan Family was just a political alliance between "Chang Kun" and the "Yan Family." Whether it was Yan Wenyuan or another female cultivator from the Yan Family, the purpose was the same. How could feelings so easily develop between them? Now that Xu Xing's status has risen, making him a Dao Pill Daoist, and considering they had no solemn vows from before, it's quite normal for Xu Xing to now 'look down on' Yan Wenyuan. If they had a marriage contract or even a verbal agreement, one might accuse Xu Xing of being fickle and abandoning her. But they had only met a few times; there was no basis for such claims.

The Yan Family couldn't possibly let a future Nascent Soul Daoist Lord slip away to someone else.

Hosting the Pill Condensation Ceremony is not an affair that can be arranged overnight. Guests attending the Pill Condensation Ceremony were, at the very least, Dao Pill Daoists. A Dao Pill Daoist's closed-door cultivation could last ten to twenty years. Therefore, before sending out invitations, the Immeasurable Sect had to consult with the various sects to determine when the True Monarchs were available. Only after a time was agreed upon could they begin organizing the ceremony.

After about a year of negotiations, the Pill Condensation Ceremony was finally scheduled to be held fifteen years later.

During this period, Xu Xing met with Sect Master Gu Chengbin several times, asking him to arrange a lucrative position for him.

"Junior Brother Chang, seeing you always in closed-door cultivation, I thought you were a man of few words. I didn't expect you to be... quite so silver-tongued..." In the Lingxin Pavilion, Gu Chengbin looked at Xu Xing, who was seated nearby savoring a spirit fruit, shook his head, and said with a wry smile.

This was the seventh time in a year Xu Xing had visited his Lingxin Pavilion.

"Previously, when I was in the Returning Core Realm, I wouldn't have dared to be presumptuous in front of Senior Brother, fearing a reprimand," Xu Xing clasped his fists and joked. "Now that Junior Brother and Senior Brother are both Dao Lords, we can address each other as equals. Please don't mind me being a bit opportunistic."

Since he had decided to put down roots in the Immeasurable Sect for the time being, fostering a good relationship with Sect Master Gu Chengbin was crucial. Furthermore, the position of the sect's External Affairs House Elder was a lucrative one. If he didn't actively contend for it, Gu Chengbin might not consider him for the role in reality.

Fate Deduction only provided him with a general direction for his destiny. How to actually proceed was still up to him.

"Never mind, never mind..." Gu Chengbin put down the account book in his hand, took out a gold-inlaid jade plaque from his sleeve, and tossed it to Xu Xing. "Junior Brother Jinglian has been away from the sect for nearly one hundred years. You will temporarily take over his vacant position."

Jinglian True Monarch had previously been the External Affairs House Elder of the Immeasurable Sect, responsible for the Crane Mountain Marketplace and over ten other markets under the Immeasurable Sect's jurisdiction.

"Jinglian?" Xu Xing, hearing this Daoist name, feigned surprise and asked, "Elder Brother Gu, I've never heard of this person. Who is this Senior Brother Jinglian? I've never seen him since I joined the sect."

His inquiry about Jinglian was a feint; his true concern lay elsewhere—much like Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was a pretext aimed at Lord Pei. The position of External Affairs House Elder and control over the Crane Mountain Marketplace, while important to him, paled in significance compared to Small Ring Mountain. Small Ring Mountain was one of the Immeasurable Sect's territories. Once Jinglian True Monarch's death was confirmed, Small Ring Mountain would inevitably be investigated by the Immeasurable Sect. If the Ancient Teleportation Array inside was discovered, it would be disastrous for Xu Xing...

Jinglian True Monarch hadn't made an appearance for nearly one hundred years. Even if Xu Xing could cover for him once or twice, that would be manageable. However, as time went on and inquiries became more frequent, the truth would inevitably be exposed.

"Junior Brother Jinglian..." Gu Chengbin's eyes showed a complex expression. "Like you, he is also a Freelance Cultivator. After joining the Immeasurable Sect, he was always diligent and conscientious."

Under Jinglian True Monarch's management, the revenue from the Crane Mountain Marketplace consistently reached new highs, significantly alleviating the sect's financial pressure. With ample resources, the sect had the means and ambition to recruit Freelance Cultivators. Conversely, when resources became scarce, various factions within the sect would vie for a larger share. Over time, this led to frequent infighting and intensified conflicts, sending the sect into decline.

Without Jinglian True Monarch's "revenue generation," the Immeasurable Sect was now, indeed, on a downward path.

"I wonder about Senior Brother Jinglian's whereabouts now? Has the sect made any inquiries?" Xu Xing pressed further.

"Perhaps Junior Brother Jinglian is occupied with important matters..." Gu Chengbin began, then added, "He might be unable to spare the time at this moment." He looked at Xu Xing and said seriously, "For True Monarchs, the Immeasurable Sect does not interfere excessively. This applies to both you, Junior Brother Chang, and Junior Brother Jinglian."

While one hundred years is a long time, it isn't necessarily so for a True Monarch. Rashly disturbing a True Monarch over a trivial matter, even for the sect, would likely earn their resentment and prove to be a loss greater than any gain.

"I will temporarily manage the Crane Mountain Marketplace and assume Senior Brother Jinglian's duties..." Xu Xing stated, using the words he had prepared. "If you learn of Senior Brother Jinglian's whereabouts, Elder Brother Gu, please be sure to inform me. Otherwise, if I'm seen as usurping his position... it would mean making an enemy of him."

Freelance Cultivators joining the Immeasurable Sect were required to swear a Blood Oath using a Blood Oath Talisman. Normally, this talisman could only be used to bind Freelance Cultivators, not to determine if they were alive or dead, unless the Blood Oath Talisman itself was triggered. Clearly, the situation hadn't escalated to the point of triggering it merely to ascertain someone's status.

"Of course," Gu Chengbin nodded slightly. He didn't dwell on it, assuming Xu Xing was simply trying to avoid suspicion. After all, Xu Xing was taking over Jinglian True Monarch's duties; without an immediate explanation, misunderstandings were certain to arise.

Having received Gu Chengbin's appointment, Xu Xing had no intention of lingering in the Lingxin Pavilion. He quickly made an excuse and took his leave.

However, not long after exiting the Lingxin Pavilion, he encountered an acquaintance on the hall steps.

"Greetings, Uncle Master." Kang Yu bowed respectfully to Xu Xing, his attitude sincere. "Last time, this Junior offended you, Uncle Master. I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness. Please forgive me, Uncle Master."