With this trip to the Sea God's Ruins, he had also made considerable contributions, proving his strength and potential.
It was only natural that these fellow disciples should try to get along well with him and foster their relationships.
As one's status and position changed, differential treatment was normal.
This was not about anything else, but simply that wolves and dogs were different species, tigers and cats were not the same, dragons did not dwell with snakes, and elephants did not speak with ants. It was a matter of status and position. The strong had their pride and would not associate with the weak.
…
In fact, during these past few months, Wu Tao had not been idle.
After dealing with the dozens of cultivators who had died by his hand and the treasures from their storage bags, he browsed the treasure pavilions in various markets and bought many things he needed.
Afterward, Wu Tao went to Xu Yan's newly opened alchemy shop.
Xu Yan's alchemy skills were now quite famous among the Foundation Establishment stage cultivators of the Taiyi Immortal Sect.
Xu Yan came from a prestigious family and was a disciple of "Dan Ding," a renowned alchemy master of the Core Formation stage in the Taiyi Immortal Sect. The elixirs she refined were of excellent quality and had earned widespread praise, making her one of the most sought-after alchemists.
When Wu Tao found Xu Yan, she had just successfully refined a batch of Zang Ling treasure elixirs. Seeing Wu Tao enter, she directly tossed a bottle of these elixirs to him.
Then she asked, "How have you been lately? I heard you've been doing quite well, kid?"
Hearing this, Wu Tao scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and smiled awkwardly at Xu Yan. He then took the Zang Ling treasure elixirs and examined them.
This bottle of Zang Ling treasure elixirs was something Wu Tao had pre-ordered from Xu Yan for five hundred spirit stones, intended for Yin Yue to accelerate its growth as a demon beast elixir.
…
Wu Tao sensed the spiritual energy contained within the elixir and replied, "The quality of the elixir is truly excellent. I didn't expect you to be so proficient even with such difficult elixirs."
Xu Yan smiled proudly and said, "You really shouldn't underestimate me, junior brother. I've now reached the late Foundation Establishment stage."
A gleam of light flashed in Wu Tao's eyes, and he asked with interest, "With your spiritual power advancing further, your alchemy skills must have also improved. Does this mean you're also confident in refining elixirs like the Fu Ling Purple Qi Elixir?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's expression suddenly dimmed, clearly touched on a sore spot.
With a cold snort, Xu Yan replied somewhat irritably, "Junior brother, you have quite the ambition. You've only been in the late Foundation Establishment stage for a few years, and you already want to break through to the Core Formation stage?"
"Unfortunately, my alchemy skills are not yet sufficient to refine such elixirs that can enhance a cultivator's chances of entering the Core Formation stage."
Wu Tao shook his head and said with a smile, "It's all in human effort; how can you know you can't do it without trying? If you had such a thing, how confident would you be, senior sister?"
As he spoke, Wu Tao took out the top-grade alchemy furnace he had obtained from the Sea God's Ruins from his storage bag.
Xu Yan, being knowledgeable, her eyes immediately lit up upon seeing the ancient alchemy furnace. She immediately pressed, "Tsk tsk, junior brother, you got this antique from the Sea God's Ruins, didn't you? The refining technique looks quite ancient and profound. It must be tens of thousands of years old."
"Yes, yes, although the refining technique is rustic, it is also grand. It's a pity it's a bit damaged, but if a master craftsman repairs it, it should still be usable..."
Seeing that Xu Yan had forgotten what he had told her the moment she laid eyes on the alchemy furnace, Wu Tao was deeply impressed by her obsession with the Dao of Alchemy.
However, after a while, Wu Tao still interrupted Xu Yan's reverie and said proudly, "Senior sister, you can study this alchemy furnace later. My biggest problem now is, with this, should you be able to refine elixirs like the Fu Ling Purple Qi Elixir without issue?"
Xu Yan finally tore herself away from the allure of the top-grade alchemy furnace and replied seriously to Wu Tao, "There's no problem, but I'm certainly getting a great deal from you this time."
Wu Tao pretended to be fierce and said, "Hmph, how could I let you take advantage of me? I want all the accumulated wealth from your years of alchemy, senior sister, not a single spirit elixir left!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's pretty face immediately crumpled.
Seeing that he had gained the upper hand in their banter, Wu Tao happily left Xu Yan's alchemy shop.
He left Xu Yan stamping her delicate foot and cursing her misfortune in making a bad friend.
…
Wu Tao then went to Xu Sheng's residence and presented her with a top-tier magical artifact handkerchief with a very attractive design.
With an expectant look, Wu Tao asked Xu Sheng, "What do you think? Do you like it? I think the design of this handkerchief is quite good."
Xu Sheng's face blushed upon hearing this, but she still gracefully accepted the handkerchief and said, "You've become quite glib in the past few days. The handkerchief is nice, I like it very much."
"What about your apprenticeship? What are your plans?"
…
Wu Tao replied indifferently, "I don't even know my master's name, so what plans can I have?"
Xu Sheng's face showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing this, but it vanished in an instant.
Xu Sheng then reminded Wu Tao, "When you apprentice, the disciple must offer a gift of apprenticeship. Have you prepared one?"
Wu Tao chuckled, rubbing his hands, "I've known about this for a long time, but thank you anyway, beautiful lady Xu Sheng!"
Xu Sheng gave Wu Tao a sidelong glance and shook her head helplessly.
…
In the Taiyi Immortal Sect, inner disciples who reached the middle Foundation Establishment stage were already eligible to apprentice.
The main reasons why Wu Tao was not rushing to find a reliable Core Formation stage mentor were threefold.
The first reason was that Wu Tao had already obtained complete inheritances from ancient sword cultivation and desolate ancient Buddhist cultivation, and recently, he had also received the inheritance of the Primordial Nightmare clan. He essentially did not need a so-called master for guidance and assistance in terms of techniques.
The second reason was due to Wu Tao's personality. He disliked being restricted and having someone above him dictating his life.
The third reason was that he had never relied on anyone for the past thirty-odd years; he had reached his current realm solely through his own efforts and his sword.
…
In the Taiyi Immortal Sect, there were generally three ways to apprentice.
One was for inner disciples who performed exceptionally well and had already attracted the attention of a Core Formation stage elder beforehand. In such cases, after apprenticing, they would naturally receive focused training from their master, much like how Xu Yan had gained the favor and assistance of Master Dan Ding when she was only in the Qi Refining stage.
Another way was for disciples with connections and networks, such as those from large families with deep backgrounds and extensive connections, who had already arranged suitable teachers for them in advance.
The third way, which was adopted by most inner disciples, was to pass the various trials set up by the elders who were willing to take disciples in the Qionghua Peak.
Inner disciples who passed the trials could apprentice under the Core Formation stage elders who had set up the trials.
Xu Sheng, Long Ao Potian, Chang Pingqian, and others had all passed the trials set by their respective teachers before apprenticing.
However, they could only be registered disciples at first. It was only by gradually gaining their master's attention and recognition that they could become formal disciples.
Given Wu Tao's consistently outstanding performance, even though he was initially unwilling to apprentice, he had already attracted the attention of a Core Formation stage inner elder.
Wu Tao did not dwell on this.
After all, he was forging his own path of dual cultivation of sword and Buddhist arts, and he was well aware of the numerous difficulties he would encounter on his future journey.
…
In the Taiyi Immortal Sect, it was likely only he who was walking this path of dual cultivation of sword and Buddhist arts. Even if he took a master, he probably wouldn't receive much help or guidance.
Of course, it wasn't entirely without benefit to apprentice.
After all, the cultivation of inner elders in the Taiyi Immortal Sect was at least in the middle Core Formation stage.
Having a master who was in the middle Core Formation stage or above could indeed provide considerable convenience in terms of resources, knowledge, and techniques.
Speaking of which, it was worth mentioning something.
The sole difference between inner and outer elders in the Taiyi Immortal Sect was their cultivation level. Inner elders must be at the middle Core Formation stage or above, while outer elders were generally at the early Core Formation stage.
…
After apprenticing, according to the universally accepted customs of the cultivation world, disciples were required to offer a gift of apprenticeship. In reality, this step was merely a formality.
Core Formation stage inner elders had seen all sorts of treasures; how could they possibly care about the belongings of these junior disciples?
However, this was ultimately a matter of "face." The more precious and unique the disciple's apprenticeship gift, the more face the master would gain among their fellow Core Formation stage peers.
Correspondingly, the master would naturally pay more attention to and value this disciple in the future.
To gain something, one must first give something; this was fairness to a certain extent.
…
Daytime.
Wu Tao registered his name with a Core Formation stage inner elder responsible for this matter.
This elder, who was specifically in charge of this, was first slightly taken aback, then asked with interest, "You are Wu Tao?"
Wu Tao did not understand why an ordinary Foundation Establishment stage cultivator like himself could elicit such attention from a Core Formation stage inner elder.
However, Wu Tao still replied earnestly, "This disciple is indeed Wu Tao!"
Upon hearing this, the Core Formation stage inner elder smiled kindly and then said, "Nephew disciple, please wait in the side hall. Someone will escort you to see your master shortly."
Wu Tao was puzzled, but out of respect for the rules, he did not dare to ask further. He could only follow a maidservant to the side hall to wait.
When Wu Tao arrived at the side hall, there were already several Foundation Establishment stage cultivators waiting inside.
Clearly, these individuals, like Wu Tao, had already received the attention of a Core Formation stage inner elder and had been deliberately arranged to be here.
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