Supreme Master - Chapter 52: A Surge of Chiefs

Translator – Misty

Chapter 52: A Surge of Chiefs

“Is there still a hidden formation core that hasn’t collapsed?”

Daoist Qingning looked suspiciously at Gu Qingfeng. Clearly, she didn’t believe him. After all, she had just thoroughly inspected the area with her spiritual sense, and all the formations and cores had completely collapsed. How could there be any core left?

“Daoist Qingning, this person’s origins are unknown. He might be deliberately stalling us. Perhaps he has already sent word and is waiting for reinforcements to seize this cave dwelling.”

The white-robed cultivator named Li Qiandong sent a voice transmission. Daoist Qingning paused for a moment; thinking carefully, it seemed like a plausible possibility.

“I think he’s just stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements. Daoist Qingning, let me deal with him first!”

Huang Yao had just summoned his flying sword when suddenly a violent sound erupted from inside the cave, shaking the surrounding ground.

“Not good! Retreat quickly!”

Daoist Qingning’s expression changed dramatically as she swiftly retreated. The others, startled, leapt away immediately.

At the same time, a powerful force exploded from the cave entrance, instantly shattering the formation Daoist Qingning had previously set up. The flash of light quickly vanished, and soon the explosion subsided.

Witnessing this, Daoist Qingning was filled with disbelief and lingering fear. Judging by the force of that explosion, had she descended earlier…

She dared not think further and instead looked at the unfamiliar man standing under a tree, calmly eating a red-leaf demon fruit. She couldn’t understand how there was still a hidden formation core, especially after her thorough investigation. How did he even know?

Without thinking too much, she quickly expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for your reminder earlier, fellow cultivator. Otherwise, I would have…” She paused and then introduced herself, “I am Qingning from the Jiuhua Alliance. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

Jiuhua Alliance?

Gu Qingfeng had heard Huo De mention the Jiuhua Alliance before. It was said to have risen during a great catastrophe and had grown powerful, covering almost the entire Qingyang Region. It also controlled many sects, including the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect.

Gu Qingfeng didn’t expect to encounter not only a disciple of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect today but also a member of the Jiuhua Alliance. When Daoist Qingning asked for his name, he simply replied that he was just passing by. As he glanced into the cave, the chaotic spiritual qi made him decide it would be better to wait before entering.

Though suspicious of his refusal to give a name, Daoist Qingning didn’t press further. However, she found him rather strange—there wasn’t the slightest trace of spiritual qi on him.

Too strange.

Any cultivator should have spiritual qi.

Why didn’t he?
Could he not be a cultivator?
Impossible!

If she hadn’t sensed the hidden formation core inside the cave but he had, it implied his spiritual sense was stronger than hers.

How could such a person not be a cultivator?

While Daoist Qingning pondered this, Li Qiandong and Huang Yao also frowned deeply, feeling both awkward and cautious. Awkward because they had underestimated him earlier; cautious because his origins and strength were unclear.

“I am Huo Yong from the Wind and Fire Sect. Thank you for your earlier warning.”

A burly cultivator stepped forward and cupped his fists in thanks.

Wind and Fire Sect?

Gu Qingfeng tried to recall the name but found no impression.

Perhaps encouraged by this, Li Qiandong also stepped forward and cupped his fists. “Li Qiandong from the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. Thank you for your earlier warning.”

Gu Qingfeng glanced at them and asked, “Are all of you disciples of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect?”

The young man named Huang Yao stepped out proudly. “That’s right. I’m one of the chiefs of the Twelve Courtyards of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, and Senior Brother Li here is also a chief. Soon, our senior brother, Mu Zibai, will be arriving. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

Mu Zibai?

Gu Qingfeng hadn’t heard the name before. “Also a chief of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect?”

“Of course, our senior brother Mu Zibai is the top chief among the Twelve Courtyards, having established a Colorful Foundation.”

Colorful Foundation?

Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He knew that a Colorful Foundation was a rare and special type of foundation. Most cultivators form ordinary foundations, while a Colorful Foundation greatly surpasses them. The meridians, dantian, and even bones become colored, allowing the cultivator to absorb spiritual qi much faster and refine it more effectively. Most importantly, it is exceptionally stable and possesses the protection of colored spiritual qi, making it hard to damage even under severe injuries.

Though rare and powerful, not everyone could form a Colorful Foundation. The more colored spiritual roots one had, the greater the chance—at least four-color roots or higher were necessary for a possibility.

Gu Qingfeng couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Back when he cultivated in this realm, anyone who formed a Colorful Foundation would be considered a genius, fiercely contested across regions. But now, even someone with a Colorful Foundation could only rank as a chief disciple in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect—and not even the strongest, since there were supposedly higher-ranking Nine Hall Chiefs.

If Mu Zibai, with his Colorful Foundation, could only be a Twelve Courtyard chief, what kind of figures were the Nine Hall Chiefs?

Just then, a voice echoed from the sky:

“Junior brothers, I’m not too late, am I?”

As the words fell, a handsome cultivator clad in white jade robes flew in on a white flying sword. His long hair billowed gracefully as he arrived.

“Senior Brother!”

Seeing the newcomer, both Li Qiandong and Huang Yao were visibly excited.

This was none other than Mu Zibai himself, the top chief of the Twelve Courtyards, renowned for his Colorful Foundation.

Mu Zibai retracted his flying sword and greeted Daoist Qingning with a gentle smile. However, instead of addressing her formally as a Daoist, he simply called her “Qingning,” suggesting familiarity.

“Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, aren’t you playing unfairly, calling reinforcements? If that’s the case, I might as well call my brothers from the Wind and Fire Sect!”

In this realm, an ancient rule stated that any unclaimed treasure belonged equally to those who discovered it first—no reinforcements allowed.

“Hehe, Brother Huo, I didn’t call for reinforcements. This cave dwelling was discovered by Qingning and me first. I just had urgent matters to attend to earlier. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her.”

Daoist Qingning nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Mu Zibai and I—”

Before she could finish, Gu Qingfeng suddenly jumped into the cave without saying a word.

“Hmm? Who was that just now?”

(End of Chapter)