Blossoming Peach Valley

Time flew by and a few years passed quickly. Ouyang Li's personality hasn't changed much. If there was anything, he became much more cautious.

Furthermore, he avoided leaving the sect.

At the same time, his cultivation climbed to the middle of the Immortal Foundation Realm! He was now eligible to become an Elder!

However, Ouyang Li thought it unwise to show his current spiritual attainment. Right now, he was satisfied with his Steward position.

Besides, with his innate talent, even considering the previous lucky encounter, it would take decades of hard work to advance further! So, it was better to keep a low profile!

"It's still not the time for me to expose my current cultivation base. It will be fine to apply to become Elder as long as I reach the Golden Core Realm."

However, it was easier said than done. There was another qualitative leap between the two realms. It was said that only those with mid-grade Spiritual Roots stood a chance to cross it without outside help.

However, Ouyang Li still had the Mysterious Bead. He clearly felt that his body was getting more and more attuned to nature. His Spiritual Roots might be evolving too. Soon, he might even have the opportunity to check up on them, as he would be receiving a talent Measuring Crystal soon.

Being a Steward provided him with some benefits. As a half-a-step Immortal Foundation cultivator, he was allowed to open his own cave abode. It was supposed to be a privilege.

After all, mountain peaks where Immortal Foundation cultivators lived were located between Outer Sect and Inner Court. And Spiritual Energy was much more abundant there!

At the same time, as a Steward, he received a few precious cultivation pills and 10 middle-grade Spirit Stones every month.

However, there were also many responsibilities corresponding to his position. Apart from operating Waste Disposal Formation, he was obligated to teach Outer Disciples and bring in the newcomers.

As luck would have it, Grand Immortal Destiny Conference was about to be held in the Blossoming Peach Valley. It wasn't far from here.

Such an event happened once every ten years, and every major martial sects of the secular world knew about it. Five Great Immortal Sects, including Gentle Wind Valley, participated as well.

However, it was Ouyang Li's first time going out as a true-blue sect representative, so he was a bit nervous.

After all, other sects were coming there to pick up talents too. Furthermore, he wouldn't be the most powerful one there.

Fortunately, there was supposed to be a Gentle Wind Valley's Grand Elder overseeing the venue.

Ouyang Li thought that the event would provide him with the perfect opportunity to check up on his talent. After all, the sect would lend every accompanying Steward a talent Measuring Crystal.

Ouyang Li was well prepared for this trip. After arduous practice, he could freely restrict his cultivation base. Right now, it only showed half-a-step into Immortal Foundation Realm.

Besides that, he had also managed to master the Sword Finger Technique and the Spirit Qi Manipulation Technique to the Major Accomplishment. It was all thanks to his high cultivation base.

Still, he decided against vising a fortune-teller. He sincerely hoped that Steward Lin won't be coming to the assembly with him.

On the day they were supposed to set off, Ouyang Li came to the square first.

Soon after, seven other red-robed Stewards arrived. Then, two foreign-looking Elders appeared. They were both extremely pale-faced and tall. Clearly, they came form a faraway nation.

As for the Grand Elder, it was actually the same silent man who questioned him a few years back. Everyone bowed to him while respectfully waiting for his instructions.

However, there was yet another familiar face who soon run up to the square.

"Master!" The yellow-robed girl greeted while bowing toward Grand Elder. "This disciple has finally succeeded in breaking through! I should be to accompany you now, right?"

The Golden Core cultivator frowned. After looking at her for a long while, he finally nodded. Then, he took out a flying boat from his spatial artifact and gestured for all gathered cultivators to enter.

"Hair Disciple Wei" Sect Stewards greeted the girl while slowly boarding the ship. Heir Disciple's status was equal to that of an Elder. Hierarchically, she was still a bit higher than Stewards.

However, the girl wasn't arrogant in the slightest.

"I hope that everyone here can take good care of me. After all, my cultivation is a bit unstable now."

That's right. Even without using his divine consciousness, Ouyang Li could clearly feel strong fluctuations emanating from this Wei Yu Qi. Clearly, she has just established her Immortal Foundation!

Who would have thought that the girl who fought in the Arena Theater would only need a few years to advance thus far? Clearly, her Spiritual Roots were at least of the mid-grade.

As soon as they entered the ship, a whitish shield separated them from turbulent air currents. Grand Elder put some Spirit Stones inside ship's formation and then they soared to the sky.

Within the sect barriers, there was always Spring. However, Misty Mountains outside were covered by snow. As they flew towards the Blossoming Peach Valley, with each passing peak, ambient Qi was becoming less and less abundant.

Finally, the air became half-barren.

Grand Immortal Destiny Conference was held in a place where mortals could get on foot. It wasn't easy for them, though. Only the strongest martial artists, as well ass some itinerant cultivators, were able to appear there.

Legends said that the Blossoming Peach Valley was where the first envoy of the Heavenly Court descended in the flesh thousands of years ago.

It was immortal's descent that caused the earth to rejoice, giving birth to five Immortal Peaches. They were then gifted to the masters of the five most prominent martial sects of the time.

This is how Gentle Wind Valley, Blue Pond Valley, Seven Desires Grotto, Fire Mountain Sect, and Mount Eternal received the Mandate of Heavens. They then became holy lands of immortal cultivation.

They were also tasked to rule this mortal world establishing order and eliminating devils.

However, Ouyang Li suspected the history of this world to be much more complicated than what was seen on the surface. Still, he was way too weak to come into contact with any hidden records.

It took them three days to arrive in the valley. Everyone spent their time in quiet mediation. Even Ouyang Li gave it his all. Of course, he would prefer to read a good book. However, they didn't want to stand out much. Obviously, he tried to keep a low-profile.

There were already three sects gathered below. Colorful banners and sedan chairs suspended in the air could be seen all around the venue.

There was also a small market where mortal participants traded. Ouyang Li saw from above that they even had some low-level talismans on sales there!

The ship landed in a square designated for their Gentle Wind Valley. It seemed that each sect had its own slope high above the valley.

As soon as they landed, Grand Elder leading the ship was greeted by Golden Core cultivators from other sects. Their auras were so thick and powerful that they made Ouyang Li shiver.

Then, Elders and Stewards were told to go and familiarize themselves with the venue. If, by any chance, they encountered rare geniuses, they were encouraged to poach them. Grand Elder even sent them a silent transmission instructing them on how to bring in the good seedlings in advance.

Very quickly, the flying boat disappeared in the spatial packet of their Grand Elder. Then, everyone slowly dispersed. Very few people stayed to put up some tents.

Ouyang Li only took a few steps forward when he noticed an old man approaching.

"Good day to you, fellow Taoist." The man greeted him. "My name is Ming Yu."

"Yes, I know." Ouyang Li smiled gently. He has already seen this elderly Steward on the ship. So, he knew that he was from the same sect as him. That was the only reason he allowed him to approach in the first place. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well, I've only recently received my red-robes. However, I'm still quite knowledgeable on the matters of this assembly. I say, let's go and explore this place together. What do you think, Steward Ouyang?"

"Alright," the boy agreed quickly. It was a spontaneous decision. "After all, it would be nice to have some company."

Ouyang Li knew what was going on. This man was probably at the end of his rope, so he was trying to make some connection with younger and more promising cultivators.

It didn't matter whether he had some business to be taken care of or if he was looking for someone to help manage the things after his death. What mattered was that after Steward Ming found him trustworthy, he would probably offer him some treasures in exchange for a few favors.

Ouyang Li was indifferent to all of these. However, he still decided to accommodate him. After all, this elderly man was, first and foremost, a great source of information!

And indeed, from what Steward Ming told him during the next few hours, Ouyang Li realized that their Gentle Wind Valley was only in the middle when it comes to strength.

It was partially the reason why their sect arrived early. The weaker the sect, the earlier they came. Of course, no one said such things out loud. On the surface, all five immortal sects were equal.

Soon, both of them went to look for the market. After all, their Gentle Wind Valley arrived earlier to search for some talents. It was their responsibility to take care of it.

Still, it couldn't be done openly. Otherwise, it would be called snatching!

Besides that, most conference participants were quite knowledgeable when it came to sect's rankings. They all knew that the most influential sect was Mount Eternal. After all, they always arrived last.

Moreover, it was said that they even had a peak Nascent Soul patriarch!

Still, many people would be happy if they were accepted by any sect.

Besides, being taken in before the Grand Immortal Destiny Conference officially started saved them the trouble of competing with others. It also involved being offered more favorable conditions. So, in the end, they would be getting more precious resources.

This practice wasn't openly discussed. However, it was generally accepted. After all, over time, sects' rankings changed. As with everything in the world, there was a rise and there was also decline.

As a result, powerful factions might suddenly decline and be forced to snatch disciples. The most important thing was to prevent small sects from taking their place in a top-five! Fortunately, such an event has never happened before. After all, the Five Great Sects had the Mandate of Heavens!