The head of the Shenmu Sect was named Meng Hong, a kind-looking old man with white hair.

His favorite pastime was fishing. There was a lake in the midst of the Giant Tree Ridge with a third-order water vein, which was his usual haunt.

Today, Mu Yuan was planning to participate in the ninth round of the Sect’s grand competition when Meng Hong suddenly summoned him.

“Greetings, Master.”

“Hmm, your opponent today is quite formidable. If you feel you can’t hold on, just admit defeat.”

Upon hearing these words, Mu Yuan, who had been bowing his head, instantly looked up, his face full of disbelief.

【I’ve already defeated Yuan Chiyi. The only ones left who could pose a threat to me are Feng Hongxue and Mo Yingyang. What’s this Chen Guixian? A nobody who couldn’t even withstand a single move from me last year?】

This was what Mu Yuan was thinking, but of course, he wouldn’t dare to be so bold in front of his sect master. He just frowned and said one sentence.

“I will not lose!”

Hearing this, Meng Hong didn’t bother to say more and simply waved his hand to dismiss Mu Yuan.

“This kid has good talent, but his character is a bit arrogant. After this Sect’s grand competition, should we send him out for some experience?”

After Mu Yuan left, another grey-haired old man appeared. He was the most mysterious leader of the twelve divisions, named Cang Qi.

He sat with Meng Hong, both holding fishing rods, each fishing on their own.

“I was planning to do so, but Zeng Shidi’s Foundation Establishment Pill will be ready in two months. I was thinking of giving him a chance after he becomes the first true disciple.”

“Originally? So you’re not planning to do so now?”

Hearing Cang Qi’s words, Meng Hong smiled slightly, but did not answer directly. Instead, he asked another question.

“I asked you to investigate Chen Guixian’s life. What do you think?”

“This man is a hardworking cultivator. After entering the Giant Tree Ridge, besides cultivating, he farms and brews wine. He only visits Shenmu City a few times a year to narrate in the Spirit Plant Division and drink with a few sect friends. But what’s strange is that he didn’t participate in the grand competition in his first year of joining the sect.”

After listening, Meng Hong nodded with a smile, then picked up his fishing rod and caught a carp with red scales. After releasing it, he mentioned another thing about Chen Mobai.

“He is Sun Gaochang’s man. I also inquired a few days ago. It is said that he has always been very interested in the Foundation Establishment Pill that Zeng Shidi is refining.”

“Oh, so you mean, if it weren’t for this Foundation Establishment Pill, he wouldn’t even participate in the Sect’s grand competition these two years?”

“That should be the case. If it weren’t for this catalyst, we might have to wait until the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Fungi mature before we could know that there is such a peerless swordsmanship genius hidden in our sect.”

Meng Hong’s words made Cang Qi fall into deep thought. There were only a handful of geniuses in the entire Eastern Wilderness history who had comprehended the third realm of sword cultivation before Foundation Establishment and could use it without severely injuring their Qi.

“So you mean, Zeng Shidi’s Foundation Establishment Pill should be reserved for him.”

“Let’s see. After all, if we’re lucky, this batch of pills could yield two or three. And we’re just guessing. What if this Chen Guixian wants a perfect Foundation Establishment and doesn’t want a beast Foundation Establishment Pill, but waits for a traditional one?”

Hearing this, Cang Qi knew that Meng Hong was still biased towards Mu Yuan.

This beast Foundation Establishment Pill currently being refined was an unexpected gain for the Shenmu Sect. If Mu Yuan took it and successfully established his foundation, that would be the best.

But even if he failed, he could wait for the traditional Foundation Establishment Pill refined in Huitian Valley seven years later and attempt a second Foundation Establishment.

Generally speaking, a dual spiritual root genius has more than a 50% chance of success in two Foundation Establishments.

Everything was planned well.

However, a Chen Guixian suddenly appeared halfway.

According to the sect rules, if the first true disciple wants a Foundation Establishment Pill, he should be the first to be supplied.

Even the sect master can’t do anything about it.

Unless there’s a private deal, and he voluntarily gives up.

But according to the information Cang Qi collected about Chen Guixian, he knew that this man was solely focused on cultivation.

When he hadn’t reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, he was already asking Ding Ying and other true disciples if they were selling Foundation Establishment Pills.

Now that he has reached the perfection of Qi Refining and has comprehended the sword aura of Foundation Establishment, there’s no need to say more.

Even if the sect master’s disciple stood in his way, he probably wouldn’t give any face.

“Chen Guixian is from Yun Country, and it seems that E Yun has some relationship with him.”

Cang Qi reminded from the side, but Meng Hong shook his head.

“I’ve asked about it. It’s just a rumor. E Yun tried to recruit him, but how could someone with a ‘sword heart as iron’ be willing to be under someone else? He was directly rejected, with no room for negotiation.”

“Having such a genius join our sect is a blessing, but should we investigate his background to prevent him from being sent by another sect?”

Upon hearing this, Meng Hong nodded and took out another roll of information to hand to the grey-haired old man beside him.

“When we recruited him, E Yun had already checked. Although he’s a loose cultivator, based on the bits and pieces he inadvertently revealed, we found out the cause and effect of his stepping onto the path of cultivation.”

“E Yun found a water mansion. I had the mole left in Kunyuan Mountain check it. It was confirmed to be a separate mansion of the Five Elements Sect before the split. The previous guardian of the water mansion was named Liu Yangpei, who practiced the Black Water Technique. Unfortunately, it seems that he fled in fear of war when we split, and later revealed his whereabouts. He was regarded as a traitor by the Five Elements Sect and was hunted down.”

“This Chen Guixian has an amazing destiny. During the change of dynasty in Yun Country, amidst the chaos of war, he was separated from his family and accidentally fell into the water and entered the water mansion where the formation was loose. He obtained the technique left by Liu Yangpei and embarked on the path of cultivation. He previously sold the Black Water Technique in Nanxi Market to obtain spirit stones. During the time on Qingguang Island, he also revealed the Ice Technique when facing the attack of the beasts. All the clues match up.”

After reading this background investigation, Cang Qi couldn’t help but nod.

Compared to other loose cultivators, this Chen Guixian could be said to have a clean background.

“Most importantly, if he were a spy sent by another sect, he would definitely not be able to cultivate such an extraordinary swordsmanship realm.”Meng Hong’s words resonated deeply with Cang Qi.

Those who practice sword cultivation reflect their Dao heart in their sword heart.

Those with dark and scheming hearts could never possibly cultivate a rainbow-like sword Qi at the Qi Refining stage.

This Chen Guixian is a monk who is dedicated to practicing the sword.

“He might surpass Hong He in the future, but he might also fall more easily than Hong He.”

Cang Qi sighed. Most sword cultivators are unbending, and Chen Guixian’s character will become more and more radical as he bravely advances in the path of the sword.

“He probably knows this himself, which is why he farms and brews wine to temper his sword heart. If there’s nothing major happening in the sect in the future, let him cultivate in the Giant Wood Ridge.”

“Indeed, this sword should be well nurtured within the sect. When it is unsheathed, it will surely shock the entire Eastern Wilderness.”