Tianling Peak was naturally the main peak among the seventy-two peaks of the Tianling Sect. With countless ravines and pine waves, wondrous peaks and cloud-wreathed beauty, no place under heaven could surpass its scenic splendor.

And unlike the Xiaohe Peak where Fang Jinyu resided, a mountain gate had been erected at the base of this peak, and restrictions had been set around it. Even Golden Core great cultivators could not fly over it and could only enter honestly through the gate.

It was said that this Tianling Peak was the true mountain gate of the Tianling Sect.

The other seventy-one peaks had been seized bit by bit from several immortal sects originally located here during the Tianling Sect's expansion and growth.

Of course, some were just taken along the way, like Xiaohe Peak.

Peaks with special products, like the Goddess Peak, had been occupied by immortal sects early on.

After all, for any entity in an organizational form, besides a stable and reliable promotion channel, the most important thing was an interest chain. Without either of these two, even the strongest immortal sect would collapse in an instant.

Fang Jinyu arrived riding a talisman tool. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this appeared far too shabby and impoverished, since the standard for Foundation Establishment was a spirit tool. But no matter how shabby, he was still Foundation Establishment!

Therefore, the two ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples on duty at Tianling Peak hurried forward to greet him.

"Greetings, Uncle-Master!"

The Tianling Sect had nearly a thousand ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples, so although both were at the ninth layer, they did not recognize Fang Jinyu.

"I'll trouble you two Junior Brothers to report that Fang Jinyu of Xiaohe Peak, newly advanced to Foundation Establishment, has a matter to seek an audience with the Sect Leader."

The two ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples' eyes immediately revealed envy upon hearing this.

Newly advanced to Foundation Establishment meant Fang Jinyu had just broken through not long ago. In other words, just a few days earlier, Fang Jinyu had been at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, just like them.

"Yes, Uncle-Master."

This was their duty, so the two ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples hurriedly complied.

Fang Jinyu had expected to wait for some time. After all, although the Sect Leader wasn't a Golden Core great cultivator, he was still very busy with affairs. Unless a Golden Core great cultivator came, one shouldn't expect to cut the line.

However, the two ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples soon informed him that the Sect Leader had told him to come quickly.

This sounded a bit odd, but Fang Jinyu still went up the mountain immediately. After all, filing a complaint... no, resolving the trouble of the Lingdu Secret Realm slot was the priority.

Although there were magical treasures in the Lingdu Secret Realm, and refining one could greatly increase his fate energy, compared to his life, a magical treasure was nothing!

Having read that book, Fang Jinyu now knew of three other places where magical treasures were hidden.

But the awkward part was that, apart from one semi-finished magical treasure he could attempt to obtain now, venturing to the other two locations with his first-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation would be nothing short of suicide.

Fang Jinyu ascended Tianling Peak, not daring to wander anywhere else, and headed straight for the main hall.

As soon as he entered, he found that inside the hall were only the Sect Leader and a young man with both hands behind his back. This young man looked like a mortal, but the Sect Leader treated him with an extremely respectful demeanor.

Thus, Fang Jinyu immediately performed a salute: "Disciple Fang Jinyu, greets Senior and Sect Leader."

Although Fang Jinyu had never met a Golden Core cultivator of the Tianling Sect, the young man before him was definitely a Golden Core great cultivator, and very likely one on the verge of shattering his core and forming a nascent soul.

Otherwise, the Sect Leader would never display such an attitude.

According to the book's description, when this Sect Leader met with the master of the female lead Su Yier, he treated her completely as an equal.

After all, the Sect Leader's identity was special, and he inherently carried a generational seniority boost.

"What is your matter? Speak," the Sect Leader asked.

"Reporting to Sect Leader, this disciple was fortunate enough to comprehend the true meaning of the cultivation formula, break through the bottleneck, and relying on accumulated mana, broke through to Foundation Establishment. Therefore, the Lingdu Secret Realm slot granted by the sect is no longer needed. Thus..."

Fang Jinyu quickly began, but before he could finish, that young man interrupted: "You keep it. The Lingdu Secret Realm is still a considerable opportunity for you. With good luck, it could save you twenty years of bitter cultivation. However, before you enter, you must bring a Precept Bead."

Upon hearing this, the Tianling Sect Leader immediately added, "Hurry and thank the Ancestor."

Only then did Fang Jinyu understand the identity of the young man before him; it was actually the Tianling Sect's Nascent Soul stage ancestor.

Foundation Establishment stage, lifespan of two hundred.

Golden Core stage, lifespan of five hundred.

Nascent Soul stage, lifespan of at least one thousand five hundred years.

Overseeing the rise and fall of dynasties, they were true transcendent celestials beyond the mortal world!

It was precisely because of this Nascent Soul stage ancestor that the Tianling Sect was able to become one of the Six Great Immortal Sects of the Nine Wastelands in one fell swoop. Even if half of the seventy-two peaks had no restrictions, no one dared to overstep their bounds even by half a step.

Immediately, Fang Jinyu performed a great formal salute: "Disciple kowtows in thanks for the Ancestor's grace!"

"Mm," the Tianling Sect's Nascent Soul stage ancestor nodded, actually acknowledging Fang Jinyu, and then added, "You are indeed just like your parents. But if you wish to go far in the cultivation world, don't be too honest."

Only then did Fang Jinyu realize why the Sect Leader had told him to come up quickly—it turned out that his predecessor's parents had actually known this Nascent Soul stage ancestor!

Though the relationship was probably not very close, this was enough!

Thus, Fang Jinyu quickly said, "Many thanks for the Ancestor's teaching; this disciple will definitely remember it in his heart. Sect Leader, this disciple has one more matter to report."

"Speak!"

"Earlier, Chen Baxing sent people to find this disciple, demanding that I give up my slot to enter the Lingdu Secret Realm. I naturally refused, but they said that as long as I gave it up, they would handle all the subsequent issues cleanly. Furthermore, there was a junior brother named Lu Shaojun, who claimed his father was an alchemist, and promised to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for me," Fang Jinyu said.

Since the Nascent Soul stage ancestor was present, he didn't dare to be too long-winded, so he only mentioned the two key figures. As for Lu Yifang, he simply let him off.

Before the Sect Leader could say anything, that Nascent Soul stage ancestor's face turned cold first, and he snorted angrily: "Such audacity!"

Fang Jinyu was slightly baffled.

Why did this Ancestor seem even angrier than he was?

"You know what to do about this matter, don't you?" That Nascent Soul stage ancestor turned to the Sect Leader.

"This disciple will certainly handle it according to sect rules!" The Sect Leader hurriedly said, well aware that some sect rules had been personally set by this Ancestor. Violating those rules was tantamount to challenging this Ancestor!

For example, among fellow sect members, Golden Core cultivators must not harm Foundation Establishment cultivators without cause.

And for another example, the entry slot to the Lingdu Secret Realm—whoever's slot it was, that person must enter!

The Nascent Soul stage ancestor nodded, then his form transformed into a streak of light, intertwining and vanishing without a trace in an instant.

This was the unique ability of the Nascent Soul stage: transforming the body between the tangible and intangible, gathering and scattering at will.

Once this Ancestor left, the Tianling Sect Leader visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and then he beamed at Fang Jinyu: "Junior Brother Fang, go and receive a Precept Bead, then activate it before entering the Lingdu Secret Realm. As for the rest, your Senior Brother here will give you an explanation!"