Boom!

A massive explosion erupted on a mountainside outside the sect.

Only a gigantic crater remained at the site.

Su Yuan flashed through the air and arrived above the location.

After glancing at the pit's bottom,

he stretched out his hand, summoning a finger charred black like coal from the crater. The ring on the finger slipped off directly into Su Yuan's grasp.

Examining the pit again, Su Yuan found no other items remaining.

Using [Mind Echo] to sense around, he detected no trace of Heavenly Spirit Sage's aura whatsoever.

"That's it?"

Su Yuan was slightly stunned.

He hadn't expected that just a portion of the final heavenly lightning from the Triple-Nine Heavenly Tribulation could easily annihilate a Nascent Soul powerhouse.

In truth, if the opponent had been able to use his techniques, he might have resisted. But Su Yuan's ambush, combined with the heavenly might suppression from [Great Being's Demeanor] during the Quadruple-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, left Heavenly Spirit Sage completely unable to react in that critical moment.

Thus, a formidable Nascent Soul expert perished just like that.

"Fortunately this storage ring is high quality!" Su Yuan examined the ring with satisfaction. Not only was it fifth-grade, but it was also forged from extremely durable materials. Combined with Su Yuan deliberately avoiding attacking the arm, it had survived intact.

Infusing his spiritual sense into it,

the previous owner's spiritual imprint quickly dissipated after death, allowing Su Yuan to complete the preliminary refinement effortlessly.

A quick inspection revealed one fifth-grade spiritual treasure, one fourth-grade spiritual treasure, and some ordinary materials inside.

Finding nothing particularly exciting, Su Yuan tossed the entire storage ring with all its contents into the Myriad Treasures Heaven-Earth Cauldron.

"Refine it! Strengthen our foundation a bit."

Old Qian unceremoniously began the refinement process immediately.

The raw materials, spiritual plants, and books were automatically sorted and stored in the cauldron's internal space - a minor task requiring no specific instructions.

Su Yuan inquired, "After refining the heavenly lightning, what new functions did you gain?"

"I can simulate a Thunder Pool that converts ordinary lightning into lightning essence. This essence can be used for body tempering, spirit forging, pill refining, artifact crafting, and so on," Old Qian explained.

"None of the heavenly lightning's special properties remained?" Su Yuan sounded surprised.

"None. The heavenly might contained within disappeared completely after refinement. However, my fundamental essence has increased as a result. This didn't raise my current grade but elevated my potential ceiling instead - an extremely significant benefit!" Old Qian elaborated.

"That kind of benefit exists?" Su Yuan nodded in understanding.

"Additionally, after refining spiritual treasures from the Demon Sect, Ghost Fiend Sect, and Corpse Demon Sect, I unexpectedly extracted the ability to create Dao Soldiers!" Old Qian mentioned another new function.

"What does that mean?" Su Yuan asked curiously.

"I can now refine a cultivator into an obedient Dao Soldier for your command! The Soul Control Banner controls souls, the Corpse Nurturing Pagoda controls corpses, and the Heavenly Demon Pool controls spirits. Combined, they create a complete Dao Soldier!"

"Sounds rather sinister?" Su Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"They're originally demonic methods, but we can just repackage them!" Old Qian said casually. "Perfect for dealing with demonic cultivators anyway - making good use of waste."

"But I don't have any corpses to refine now."

Su Yuan looked at the charred finger. "Would this work?"

Old Qian fell silent: "Do you have some misunderstanding about what constitutes a corpse?"

"Want to give it a try?" Su Yuan suggested.

"Fine!" Old Qian stored the severed finger while internally complaining about Su Yuan's ridiculous request - trying to make a Dao Soldier from a single finger?

After confirming no other demonic cultivators were nearby, Su Yuan returned to the sect.

Inside Cave #6,

all eleven remaining Nascent Soul elders of the sect had gathered. With Gu Qingzhu included, twelve individuals sat surrounding Su Yuan.

Prompted by Nangong Xianweng's meaningful look, Gu Qingzhu served as spokesperson and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Elder Su, what level have you reached now?"

Seeing their expectant gazes, Su Yuan responded with amusement, "I've only just broken through to Nascent Soul. Why are you all acting like I've reached Void Refining already?"

Initially disappointed, their expressions quickly shifted to relief.

Su Yuan discerned their thoughts: "You're worried I'll leave the sect if I reach Void Refining, aren't you?"

Gu Qingzhu nodded: "Historically, founding ancestors who reached Void Refining all left to explore distant lands, eventually departing from Green Vine Continent entirely. We're not trying to stop you, but this seems too sudden..."

Su Yuan waved his hand: "Rest assured, even if I break through to Void Refining or beyond, I won't leave the sect."

"What?" Gu Qingzhu looked surprised. "But our sect lacks the resources to support cultivation above Void Refining - those require law-level materials. You might eventually need to leave to continue progressing."

Nangong Xianweng interjected: "Forget law-level resources - we're even short on intent-level materials. If not for protecting the sect, we'd all be out searching for resources. Cultivating in isolation makes progress painfully slow."

Surveying the gathered Nascent Soul elders, Su Yuan said, "Currently, my combat power should be at Nascent Soul level. I can help protect the sect, allowing you to venture out in groups to seek resources rather than remaining here permanently."

At the Nascent Soul stage, everyone sought further advancement, but sect protection required constant Nascent Soul presence. Su Yuan's words made their eyes light up with excitement.

Many felt tempted but quickly composed themselves.

"With just one Nascent Soul combatant though..." Gu Qingzhu hesitated.

Su Yuan waved again: "At Nascent Soul level, I can take on five opponents simultaneously and emerge victorious. Sect security shouldn't be an issue!"

Gu Qingzhu's eyes brightened. Checking his storage ring, he retrieved "Biographies of Past Ancestors" and found descriptions matching Su Yuan's current displays of power perfectly. The book's credibility kept increasing!

The other Nascent Soul elders also looked visibly impressed.

"If that's the case, I'd like to apply for an expedition! A Nascent Soul-level secret realm seems about to open!" the Art Extremity Peak elder declared immediately. "And since I asked first, no arguments!"

The Technique Extremity Peak elder retorted: "You already went out last time! Remember when you came back missing an arm? It's my turn now!"

"Enough arguing," the Mystery Extremity Peak elder mediated. "Let's maintain some dignity in front of junior Gu here. I'll review your applications. Hmm... both of yours lack sufficient materials - rejected."

The Nascent Soul elders began bickering excitedly, clearly restless from prolonged seclusion.

Su Yuan sighed before adding: "Also, I'm opening the Floating Light Secret Realm. Inside is the Silver Spirit Waterfall - a natural wonder containing eighteen types of intent Dao charm, beneficial for Nascent Soul cultivation and insight. Those remaining can study there."

The Art Extremity Peak elder coughed: "Since my application was rejected, I'll stay and study here instead."

The Technique Extremity Peak elder nodded: "Let Elder Mystery go then! We wish him triumphant success!"

"Wait, let's discuss this further..." Elder Mystery hesitated.

As the elders resumed quarreling, Su Yuan felt momentarily stunned. These previously dignified, immortal-like figures had suddenly turned into a bunch of comical old men?

But he quickly realized - with his power surpassing theirs, they no longer felt constrained by Nascent Soul decorum.

Gu Qingzhu shrugged at Su Yuan as if this were completely normal.

The eleven elders moved to another room in Su Yuan's cave to debate who would stay or leave, while Gu Qingzhu remained sipping tea with Su Yuan.

"By the way, Su Yuan, what were you doing outside earlier?" Gu Qingzhu asked casually. "You rarely leave the sect - just curious."

"Oh, just spotted a suspicious demonic cultivator lurking about, so I eliminated him," Su Yuan replied casually.

"I see." Gu Qingzhu remained calm. "What level was he?"

"Hmm... late-stage Nascent Soul? Didn't look closely. Called himself Heavenly Spirit Sage or something - found his token in the storage ring."

Su Yuan tossed out a token casually.

Clang!

All eleven elders came rushing back from the adjacent room, crowding around the table to stare at the token in shock.

Nangong Xianweng asked urgently: "Elder... no, Ancestor Su, was it truly Heavenly Spirit Sage? Any remains left? We should ensure no contingency plans - perhaps we should go destroy all evidence..."

Su Yuan frowned thoughtfully before producing the charred finger from the cauldron.

"This is all that's left. Useful for anything? Tried making a Dao Soldier but failed."

Everyone stared silently at the coal-like finger - without explanation, they might have mistaken it for charcoal.

Instantly, they fully comprehended the weight behind "taking on five opponents simultaneously."

"I think we can allow two more expedition slots!" someone suggested.

"With Heavenly Spirit Sage gone, our burden is significantly lighter!"

After exchanging glances, the eleven elders returned to their discussions.

Soon, decisions were made: five would embark on expeditions, two would guard sect assets, leaving four to protect the sect.

The seven departing elders left immediately to prepare, while the remaining four entered the Floating Light Secret Realm to study the Silver Spirit Waterfall - except Nangong Xianweng, who stayed drinking tea with Su Yuan.

"Aren't you going to study the waterfall's insights?" Su Yuan asked curiously.

Nangong Xianweng waved dismissively: "My second Nascent Soul is still comprehending the 19th volume of supreme techniques in the Scripture Pavilion - can't be disturbed."

"But shouldn't your main body go study too?" Su Yuan pressed.

"Even immortals need balance between work and rest," Nangong Xianweng replied serenely.

"Though I should mention I'm about to add volumes 28 through 36 to the Scripture Pavilion. Sure you have time for tea?" Su Yuan asked pointedly.