Within Qingxu Temple, relative calm was maintained. The disciples cultivated and completed sect tasks according to routine, appearing no different from ordinary days. However, beneath this seemingly calm water surface, an invisible undercurrent was quietly surging with the passage of time, gradually spreading beyond Qingxu Temple, reaching even the broader world of cultivation.
"Have you heard? That disciple of Qingxu Temple named Tang Xiaoqi—the orphan from Xu Lan Villa from years ago—gained great fortune in the previous Misty Secret Realm!"
"Not just great fortune! Rumor has it he obtained the purification inheritance left behind by some ancient great power. His purifying techniques are godly; even the demonic qi from the Shadow Snake Pavilion's demonic cultivators can be easily suppressed by him!"
"True or false? Didn't they say that kid had mediocre aptitude and was just a waste who got into Qingxu Temple through connections?"
"Hey, that was then, this is now! They say he's already reached Foundation Establishment stage, with astonishing combat power. He shone brilliantly in the secret realm, saving many fellow disciples. Even the Temple Master and several elders look at him with new respect!"
"Ancient purification inheritance... that's something incredible. If one can obtain its methods, wouldn't dealing with demonic cultivators and evil spirits be unstoppable? No wonder Qingxu Temple suffered little loss in this secret realm—it turns out they had this kid."
Similar discussions began to quietly spread through the tea houses and wine shops in the markets around Qingxu Temple, and through the word-of-mouth of traveling rogue cultivators. At first, they were just scattered rumors with blurry details. But as some disciples from other sects who had personally participated in the secret realm trials and been saved by Xiao Qi returned, the news grew wings, spreading ever wider, with details becoming increasingly "rich."
Some swore they had seen Xiaoqi unleash ten thousand feet of white light with a wave of his hand, causing demonic qi to crumble upon contact. Others vividly described the heavenly phenomena triggered when Xiaoqi obtained the inheritance. Still others even described Xiaoqi's seemingly ordinary frying pan as some mysterious, powerful inherited artifact.
The news that "Qingxu Temple's Tang Xiaoqi obtained ancient purification inheritance" blew across mountains and rivers like an unstoppable wind, entering the ears of the major sects, cultivation clans, and gathering places of rogue cultivators.
This wind brought different reactions.
Some sects and clans that had long been friendly with Qingxu Temple or upheld the righteous path, after confirming the news was not groundless, mostly adopted an attitude of making friends and showing goodwill.
On this day, Xuanlin Zhenren received a visit from an external affairs elder from "Floating Cloud Sword Sect." Floating Cloud Sword Sect had a decent relationship with Qingxu Temple, with frequent disciple exchanges.
"Brother Xuanlin, congratulations, congratulations!" Elder Li of Floating Cloud Sword Sect said with a face full of smiles, cupping his hands, "I heard your sect has produced an extraordinary young talent who actually obtained ancient purification inheritance. This is the fortune of Qingxu Temple and also the fortune of our righteous path! Demonic forces are rampant; the emergence of this inheritance is truly a blessing for the common people. Our sect leader specially ordered me to come to offer congratulations and prepared some humble gifts as a token of our regard."
Saying this, he presented a gift box containing several precious alchemy materials for sword refining and a bottle of "Jade Liquid Pills" to assist Foundation Establishment cultivators in their cultivation.
Xuanlin Zhenren's expression remained calm, though in his heart he understood clearly. He smiled and accepted the gift, responding courteously, "Elder Li, you flatter me. My disciple merely happened to obtain some legacy left by predecessors—a few trivial skills, unworthy of such high praise. Qingxu Temple and Floating Cloud Sword Sect are of the same breath and branch. We should indeed interact more frequently in the days to come."
Similar scenes occurred frequently in the following days. Forces friendly with Qingxu Temple, such as "Hundred Herbs Valley" and "Jinshi Pavilion," known for alchemy and artifact refinement, also sent people to offer congratulations. In their words, they often inquired whether the "purification inheritance" could help remove pill toxins in alchemy or purify materials in artifact refinement, subtly expressing their desire for exchange and cooperation.
Xuanlin Zhenren and Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren responded appropriately, neither losing etiquette nor firmly holding the bottom line. They were vague about the core matters of the inheritance, only emphasizing that Xiaoqi needed to cultivate in quiet and consolidate his foundation.
However, not all attention came with goodwill.
In certain more covert channels, the news about Tang Xiaoqi and the purification inheritance aroused intense interest from other existences.
In a gloomy underground palace somewhere, several cultivators dressed in black robes with cold auras gathered together.
"Is the news confirmed? That bastard brat of the Xu family not only didn't die, but also obtained the purification inheritance?" A raspy voice rang out, carrying a trace of disbelief and intense killing intent.
"It can be basically confirmed. Our spies near Qingxu Temple reported that this child has been in closed retreat since returning from the secret realm, and Qingxu Temple's high-level protection of him is extremely tight. Moreover, piecing together scattered information from survivors in the secret realm, the power he uses is extremely similar to the characteristics of the Xu family's 'Purification Source' recorded in our texts, but seems even more... complete and powerful," another person responded in a deep voice.
"A complete purification inheritance... absolutely cannot let him grow! Otherwise, he will be a huge threat to our Sacred Pavilion's plan!" A third voice said sharply, "We must immediately report this news to the Silver-Faced Envoy, or even... the Pavilion Master. This child must be strangled in the cradle!"
"Qingxu Temple's defense is tight. Direct action carries too much risk. Perhaps we can apply pressure from the outside, or... place a bounty. There will always be desperate people willing to take risks for resources and inheritance."
Chilly laughter echoed in the hall, filled with malice.
At the same time, some neutral, or both-righteous-and-evil, rogue cultivator forces and intelligence organizations also turned their attention toward Qingxu Temple, toward that young disciple named Tang Xiaoqi. Ancient purification inheritance meant immense potential, but it also meant possible trouble and opportunity. Some were watching, some were assessing, and some were secretly plotting how to get a piece of the pie from this storm.
Even in the black markets of some large markets, detailed intelligence about Tang Xiaoqi—his combat power assessment, behavioral habits, and other information—quietly climbed in price. Although no one had yet openly placed a bounty, a kind of invisible pressure had already begun to converge upon Qingxu Temple.
Qingxu Temple, Main Peak Great Hall.
Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren and several core elders, including Xuanlin Zhenren, gathered together. The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat solemn.
"The winds from outside are growing ever tighter," said the Enforcement Hall elder in charge of sect discipline, frowning deeply. "Friendly, probing, and ill-intentioned—all kinds of ghosts and monsters are starting to emerge. Continuing to let Xiaoqi stay in the sect, while safe, also makes him like a living target, attracting more and more attention."
"Indeed," another elder agreed, "For now it's still just rumors. But if in the future Xiaoqi's cultivation breaks through again, or that purifying technique displays its might again, I fear those harboring evil intentions will no longer be able to restrain themselves. Open spears are easy to dodge; hidden arrows are hard to guard against."
Xuanlin Zhenren fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Xiaoqi is currently in closed retreat consolidating, digesting the gains from the secret realm. His state of mind is steady. After my reminder, he already understands the stakes and knows how to keep a low profile. For now, we need to strengthen sect patrols and formation vigilance, especially around Cloud Hidden Peak where Xiaoqi is located. Externally, we continue to maintain a low profile and downplay the inheritance matter. As for the future... perhaps we need to consider letting him venture out for experience, but not now. He still needs time to grow."
Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren nodded slightly, a flash of wisdom and determination in his eyes. "What Xuanlin says is correct. Pass the order down: starting today, activate part of the early warning function of the sect's Great Protective Formation, and strengthen the inspection of incoming outsiders. Unless on important business, disciples of each peak should minimize their外出 in the near future. As for Xiaoqi... he is a disciple of Qingxu Temple, and even more so, the future hope. Before he possesses enough power to protect himself, the sect will be his most solid barrier. We, his elders, will shield him from these external winds and rains for the time being."
With the decision made, orders were issued one after another from the great hall. The massive machine of Qingxu Temple began to quietly accelerate its operations in preparation for the possible storm.
And Tang Xiaoqi, at the center of this storm, remained in his cave dwelling, absorbed in cultivation. Although he sensed the undercurrents and winds rising because of him, he did not allow himself to be distracted. He knew that only his own strength was the foundation for dealing with everything. Outside the cave dwelling, winds and rains were gathering; inside, his Daoist heart was firm as he advanced steadily. All the attention—whether friendly social overtures or malicious spying—was transformed into the fuel that accelerated the circulation of spiritual power in his dantian.