Chapter 776: I Am Standing Right In Front Of You

A robbery occurred at the Star Emperor Branch Sect!

It's said many items were stolen, including a stone book kept in the forbidden zone. This book typically looked ordinary, but a faint shadow would appear on it during thunderstorms. The Star Emperor Supreme Sect had studied it for a long time, eventually discovering it was carved from a special recording stone. The faint shadow depicted an ancient Core Formation cultivator. While it held archaeological value, its practical worth was minimal.

The loss of this stone book was one thing, but the other stolen items were simply outrageous... It's rumored that in one area, thirty percent of all trees, floor tiles, and even buildings were dismantled. Some spots were scraped three feet deep, as if locusts had descended upon them... Even more unbelievably, some clothes were also stolen! What's going on here... Why steal these things?

Although the Star Emperor Branch Sect was not large, it originated from one of the ten super sects of the human race. Therefore, its every action naturally drew attention, especially a robbery, compounded by the bizarre nature of the stolen items. Thus, this morning, news of the Star Emperor Branch Sect's robbery spread continuously, surprising and puzzling more and more people.

Gradually, some individuals unearthed confidential information through various channels. This information, like cold water dropped into hot oil, instantly caused an uproar. "One of the thieves utilized a fully mastered 'Outsider Immortal Flow' technique! And according to the Star Emperor Branch Sect's assessment, this person's soul threads numbered in the hundreds of thousands, an unprecedented amount, surpassing even the two grand patriarchs of the Outsider Immortal Flow! How is that possible? I've looked into Outsider Immortal Flow before; its cultivation speed is extremely slow. To possess hundreds of thousands of soul threads... setting aside whether one's soul can even endure such separation, just the time required would be nearly ten thousand years! Unthinkable!"

The news spread rapidly. Within a single morning, a storm quickly formed, sweeping across the entire imperial capital and naturally reaching the Grand Academy. By noon, the Outsider Immortal Flow sect, the source of all this commotion, saw a large crowd of students gather outside its white pagoda, all staring in disbelief and discussing amongst themselves. This was because a representative from the Star Emperor Supreme Sect had requested entry and gone inside the white pagoda, still not having emerged.

After another incense stick's time passed, the Star Emperor Supreme Sect's representative emerged from the Outsider Immortal Flow's white pagoda, his face grim, and swiftly departed. Following him were the Outsider Immortal Flow's sect master and three disciples. Although the academy's masks largely concealed their emotional fluctuations at that moment, the shock evident in their eyes revealed their inner turmoil. Their current emotions were a mix of shock, bewilderment, excitement, and fervor.

They had initially heard about what happened at the Star Emperor Branch Sect but hadn't paid much attention until the news of a mysterious, fully mastered Outsider Immortal Flow practitioner emerged, which startled them. Then, the Star Emperor Supreme Sect's representative sought them out, revealing many details and inquiring about individuals practicing Outsider Immortal Flow. Only then did they truly understand the full scope of the incident. Their internal turmoil had already reached its peak.

However, the Star Emperor Supreme Sect's investigation yielded no answers. Although there were only four core disciples practicing Outsider Immortal Flow in recent years, the cultivation methods for Outsider Immortal Flow were actually available to outsiders. After all, the Grand Academy was established to break down sectarian barriers and make cultivation methods accessible to everyone. So, even if the Outsider Immortal Flow theoretically restricted its methods to core disciples, this rule was often inconsequential in practice. Consequently, throughout history, countless individuals had knowledge of Outsider Immortal Flow techniques, making any investigation akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Under habitual thinking, people instinctively believed that this mysterious master practitioner was, with some probability, the sect master, or more likely... a reclusive old fellow who had been hiding for thousands of years! Who it truly was remained a matter of speculation; the outside world didn't know, and the four members of the Outsider Immortal Flow sect knew even less.

Standing outside the white pagoda, the Outsider Immortal Flow sect master suppressed his inner excitement, striving to appear calm as his gaze swept over the surrounding Grand Academy students. He felt an endless surge of emotion within him. "It's been so many years," he thought, "since Outsider Immortal Flow has received this much attention, or been surrounded by so many students..."

Amidst his surging emotions, he felt immense gratitude and pride towards that mysterious, fully mastered Outsider Immortal Flow practitioner. Taking a deep breath, he projected his voice outwards. "This old man doesn't know how the Star Emperor Branch Sect provoked that reclusive senior of our sect," he declared, "leading to our senior administering a slight punishment. But for this incident, our Outsider Immortal Flow sect can take responsibility! And since ancient times, many have studied our Outsider Immortal Flow cultivation methods, passing them down through generations. Therefore, within our human race, there exist numerous powerful practitioners of our Outsider Immortal Flow sect. Originally, I did not wish to inform the outside world of this, as our sect has always maintained a low profile, refraining from worldly disputes, and intending to interact with outsiders as an ordinary sect. But today... since our senior has taken action, we shall no longer conceal ourselves. Indeed, this person is one of the powerful experts of our sect!"

The Outsider Immortal Flow sect master spoke proudly, his voice echoing and causing an uproar among the countless students nearby. Amidst the clamor, he walked back into the white pagoda, hands behind his back and head held high. His three disciples, equally thrilled, immediately followed him.

Once the four were back inside the white pagoda and its doors closed, the three disciples could no longer contain their excitement and turned to look at the sect master. "Master, what is going on?" "Master, does our Outsider Immortal Flow truly have so many powerful practitioners?" "Hundreds of thousands of soul threads, this... how is this possible?" Their voices trembled.

The Outsider Immortal Flow sect master raised his head and spoke calmly. "Ignorance!" Under normal circumstances, these three disciples would have surely retorted, knowing the sect master couldn't really punish them, and even hoping to be dismissed. But today, the three were uncharacteristically obedient. One stepped forward to massage the sect master's shoulders, another fanned him, and the third proactively began tidying the jade slips, all gazing at the sect master with anticipation.

The Outsider Immortal Flow sect master felt comfortable inside; he hadn't experienced such treatment in a long time. So, he spoke softly. "Very well," he said, "though you three have made minor mistakes over the years, you've committed no major offenses and have thus passed the assessment. It's time I tell you some things." Upon hearing this, the three disciples immediately perked up, their hearts racing with excitement.

The sect master glanced at them, feeling even more pleased, and slowly began to boast. "I naturally know the identity of this senior," he began, "and what I said to the outside world earlier was true. Our sect was once extraordinarily glorious, drawing much attention, which was detrimental to cultivation. Later, our grand patriarch made a secret agreement for future disciples to maintain a low profile and interact with the outside world as ordinary individuals. That's why we allowed the sect to decline. But in reality... our Outsider Immortal Flow merely transitioned from being overt to covert. Within our sect, there are several practitioners with hundreds of thousands of soul threads, and even one with a million soul threads! This is a top secret, and you must not reveal it to outsiders! Now, go and organize those ancient texts, categorizing them properly!"

The sect master snorted coldly. The three disciples each gasped, nodding rapidly. Though still somewhat incredulous, their attitude had completely reversed. They immediately went to the place where the sect master usually worked, doing what he used to do... Thus, the storm surrounding the Outsider Immortal Flow sect intensified further in both the Grand Academy and the imperial capital, fueled by the sect's acknowledgment.

Time flowed, a day passed, and it was the morning of the second day. Xu Qing opened his eyes in the secret chamber. He had spent the entire day giving his all, continuously attempting to absorb the Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood using the Outsider Immortal Flow method. There were failures during this process, but ultimately, he achieved a certain degree of success. "The conversion is a bit low..." Xu Qing frowned, sensing nearly half a million soul threads now pervading his sea of consciousness. The additional hundreds of thousands of threads were gained from absorbing over fifty pieces of the Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood. In reality, a single piece of Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood was enough to enable him to activate his second form. So, fundamentally, Xu Qing knew his conversion efficiency was insufficient. Fortunately, the absorbed Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood didn't vanish; it merely shriveled. Its depths still contained divine essence, but it was too tightly integrated with the flesh and blood for the Outsider Immortal Flow cultivation method to convert further.

"It was worth it!" A gleam appeared in Xu Qing's eyes. Now, with a little more practice, he could instantly manipulate his soul threads to form the second layer of the divine state, without needing additional power from the Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood. "There are still over a hundred pieces of Scarlet Mother's flesh and blood... I need a higher-level Outsider Immortal Flow cultivation method. That way, I might be able to convert more. After all, for the third layer of the divine state, the divine essence and soul threads required... a million might not even be enough."

Xu Qing pondered. After a while, he stood up, and in the morning sunlight, left his residence to head to the Grand Academy. As for the captain, he still hadn't returned. Xu Qing didn't pay it any mind. He arrived at the Grand Academy gate, and the moment he stepped inside, he was seemingly teleported, appearing randomly within the academy. His clothes also changed, and a mask appeared on his face. The place was bustling with people, and the clamor seemed louder than usual. Xu Qing ascertained his direction and, on his way to the Outsider Immortal Flow sect, couldn't help but overhear the discussions around him. He remained unmoved by the talk of the mysterious Outsider Immortal Flow cultivator.

A moment later, pushing through the crowd, Xu Qing saw the Outsider Immortal Flow's white pagoda. It was completely different from usual; dozens of students were inside, respectfully inquiring about Outsider Immortal Flow techniques. The sect master stood dignified inside, his gaze commanding. The three disciples, each with their heads held high, were answering questions for others.

Noticing Xu Qing's arrival, the sect master gave a slight nod. The three disciples immediately beckoned him over, pulling him closer. One of them spoke in a low voice, laced with triumph. "Why weren't you here yesterday? You must have heard about the big news concerning our Outsider Immortal Flow, right? Let me tell you, our Outsider Immortal Flow has actually always been hidden. We are truly extremely powerful. That senior with hundreds of thousands of soul threads is one of our sect's grand patriarchs!"

Just as the disciple was about to say more, the sect master cleared his throat. "Someone's here, Xuan Leizi, go greet them." Xu Qing cupped his hands, and the disciple next to him immediately fell silent, then added one last remark. "Some things, you just joined, you can't know yet. In any case, do your best. We... are actually very formidable!"

Xu Qing blinked. He had already anticipated this scene, so he feigned excitement, nodding vigorously. Then he looked towards the main entrance, where seven or eight students were approaching. Xu Qing stepped forward and spoke calmly. "What brings you all here? If you wish to learn about Outsider Immortal Flow, I can answer your questions."

In Xu Qing's eyes, due to the Grand Academy's rules, these seven or eight students all looked alike. However, one of them was inwardly cautious. While others were questioning Xu Qing, his gaze quickly swept over everyone present, including Xu Qing himself. He finally fixed his gaze on the sect master for a few extra moments, muttering to himself. "The outside world says that Outsider Immortal Flow cultivator is an old man who's thousands of years old," he thought, "but when I fought him that day, the sense of age about him wasn't very obvious. Especially since he spoke so little, he must have a taciturn personality. Is it possible that 'Er Gou'... is this very sect master?" Thinking this, the student casually asked Xu Qing, who was standing nearby. "Student, I am interested in joining Outsider Immortal Flow and would like to learn more about the sect. For instance, our sect master, I feel he must have a taciturn personality, and he doesn't seem very old either..." Upon hearing this, Xu Qing glanced at the person, a hint of wariness rising in his heart.