The Summoning Token

Translator: CinderTL

Ten days later.

In the garden of the Xu residence, a bird lightly perched on Yang Qiyuan's hand, pecking at the scattered grains in her palm while keeping a wary eye on Xu Sanyan. At the slightest movement from him, the bird would swiftly take flight.

Xu Sanyan curled his lips in disdain and turned his head away. With his current strength, he could easily capture the bird with a mere gesture.

Yang Qiyuan observed everything with amusement, then leaned close to the bird's beak.

The bird let out a clear chirp, hopping about in her palm before flapping its wings and disappearing into the sky.

Yang Qiyuan cleared her throat and said, "It says that there have been many new people at your elder brother's residence recently."

Xu Sanyan nodded, unconcerned.

No matter how many ordinary martial artists there were, he had no fear. However, he was curious about the immortal cultivator in the prince's residence.

That cultivator stayed in the pavilion every day, with doors and windows tightly shut, never venturing out. Even the birds couldn't observe his movements.

Suddenly, Xu Sanyan paused and said to Yang Qiyuan, "You should head back now. We have a guest."

"Alright."

Yang Qiyuan nodded. She knew that some information wasn't meant for her ears, so she never pried.

After she left, a figure emerged from behind a tree ahead. Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes and said, "Miss Yang? What brings you here?"

The visitor was none other than Yang Qizhu.

Yang Qizhu no longer wore her usual smile. She glanced in the direction her sister had left, her expression grim. "News has arrived from the front. The imperial court suffered a major defeat, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers massacred. Su Kuohai committed suicide to atone for his failure. Father is leading his troops toward the capital."

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "This is good news. Why do you look so upset after a victory?"

"Yang Xinyou is dead," Yang Qizhu said softly.

"The Third Young Master is dead?"

Xu Sanyan was stunned. Yang Xinyou had been a strong contender for the throne. When he first arrived, he had even sent people to win Xu Sanyan over. How could he have died so easily?

Yang Qizhu's expression grew even darker. "Father issued an edict, accusing Yang Xinyou of treason and listing dozens of crimes. He was beheaded before the battle as a sacrifice to the war banner."

Xu Sanyan's expression turned serious. Prince Rui was ruthless enough to kill his own son?

He then asked curiously, "Why are you telling me this?"

Xu Sanyan knew she must have other reasons. She certainly hadn't come just to deliver this news.

Yang Qizhu pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed. "Well... since it's come to this, I won't hide it from you. Young Master Xu, do you know the cultivation method I practice?"

Xu Sanyan replied, "Is it the 'Heart Devouring Yin Art'?"

"Correct. Did Father give you a copy as well?"

Xu Sanyan nodded.

Yang Qizhu continued, "There are three methods for Foundation Establishment in it. Do you know them?"

"I do."

"Actually, there's a fourth method, and it's the most superior one..."

Yang Qizhu spoke word by word, "The 'Blood Skull Dao Foundation,' also known as... the 'Bloodline Foundation Establishment Method'!"

"Bloodline..." Xu Sanyan seemed to understand something.

"Using this method, one absorbs and refines the essence of blood relatives. The number of relatives required is enormous. The few of us siblings are far from enough. As for where the most members of the Yang clan are..."

Xu Sanyan was startled, realizing the true reason behind Prince Rui's rebellion. "The capital?"

Most of the imperial clan members resided in the capital. Over the centuries, there must be thousands of them.

"Exactly," Yang Qizhu nodded.

"So... the death of the Third Young Master is a signal that the prince is preparing to begin his Foundation Establishment?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow.

Yang Qizhu slowly nodded. "I once sent someone thousands of miles away to the Cui Family, our maternal relatives, to inquire about this cultivation method. I only received the news recently."

"What a coincidence."

Xu Sanyan smiled, though it was unclear whether he believed her.

He didn't believe that Yang Qizhu hadn't considered it. For the sake of the Path of Immortality, what were a few blood relatives, especially those she wasn't close to or had never even met?

"Why are you telling me this?" Xu Sanyan turned and asked.

"I want you to help me," Yang Qizhu said with utmost seriousness.

"Help you?"

Xu Sanyan laughed. "What's in it for me?"

Regardless of what she wanted him to do, the question was whether she could offer something that interested him.

"I have something in my possession that I think you'll find interesting," Yang Qizhu said with a mysterious smile.

"Oh?" Xu Sanyan was slightly curious and turned to look at her.

Yang Qizhu slowly said, "The Summoning Token of the Upper Sect!"

Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes. Just from the name, he could guess its purpose.

"With this token, you can join the corresponding sect without undergoing the entrance test."

Yang Qizhu's explanation confirmed Xu Sanyan's speculation.

"What do you want me to do?" Xu Sanyan needed to consider whether it was worth it.

Currently, he had no understanding of the World of Immortal Cultivation. Joining a sect as a buffer would be much safer than venturing out blindly.

Yang Qizhu said, "In exchange for you taking action three times. How about that?"

Xu Sanyan pondered silently. This deal seemed acceptable. After a moment, he softly asked, "Do you think... the prince will target you?"

Since he already has the blood relatives of the clan, why would he still target his own children?

Yang Qizhu's expression turned grim. "Because we practice the same cultivation method. We are... the medicinal ingredients."

Xu Sanyan understood. It seemed that this method of Foundation Establishment still had its limitations. He then asked, "Since you have this token, why don't you go to the Upper Sect yourself?"

Yang Qizhu smiled bitterly. Of course, she wanted to. "Young Master Xu, you may not know this, but joining the Upper Sect has its requirements. One must reach the Peak Stage of the Celestial Being Realm before the age of thirty or reach the Foundation Establishment Realm before the age of fifty."

If she could meet the requirements, she would have gone long ago. Who wouldn't want to pursue the Path of Immortality?

Even someone like Prince Rui, who has enjoyed the utmost of worldly power, is doing everything he can to step onto the path of immortality.

Xu Sanyan nodded. The Upper Sect's requirements were indeed high. Although he had reached the Peak Stage of the Celestial Being Realm before the age of twenty, it was because he had his own advantages.

For normal cultivation geniuses, only a handful could meet the requirements before the age of thirty.

Even talents as strong as Ma Tianqing and Yang Xinli had to put in extra effort.

Xu Sanyan said with a serene expression, "Miss Yang, could you let me see the token?"

Yang Qizhu smiled and shook her head. She had a deep understanding of Xu Sanyan's character. The Cui Family still harbored a deep grudge against him.

With such a precedent, how could Yang Qizhu dare to carry the token with her? She could only assure him, "Young Master Xu, rest assured. After the three times, I will definitely present the token to you with both hands."

Xu Sanyan nodded with a hint of regret.

"In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell." Yang Qizhu stood up and left.

Xu Sanyan looked up at the sky, curious about the grandeur of the Upper Sect. It must be a gathering place for geniuses. He wondered if he could secure a place there if he went.

He certainly could!

A surge of ambition rose in Xu Sanyan's heart. In the path of cultivation, it all boiled down to one word: "competition."

Not long after, Yang Qiyuan slowly walked over and sat down silently beside him, showing no intention of inquiring about what had just happened.

She only wished for the safety and peace of those around her. Everything else in the outside world was of no concern to her.

(End of the Chapter)

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