Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments

"So you're saying, when he came to the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm, he still didn't know about the new relic."

Tideng True Monarch, however, shook his head and countered, "But what if his Dao lineage also has records of the Celestial Star Island relic?"

City Lord Huo was still incredulous. "If such a powerful faction existed, surely we would have heard some whispers about them, right?"

In this age where Divinity Transformation Cultivators were as elusive as phantoms, few things could escape the notice of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, who were effectively at the apex of the cultivation world—let alone an entire, unknown faction operating in the shadows.

"Before the Compassion Sea made contact with us, the Kunpeng Sea was practically the end of the world."

Tideng True Monarch sighed before asking, "Old Huo, did you notice that this Golden Light Wanderer took all the Spiritual Objects from the relic for himself?"

City Lord Huo stared at the intelligence report in his hand.

In the cultivation world, strength had always commanded respect. It was perfectly normal for someone at the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm like the Golden Light Wanderer to take the best items, so there was nothing unusual about that.

That was why he had subconsciously overlooked this point before.

Looking at it again, he was suddenly startled. "He was the only one who found the Tokens to open the altars?"

This was a new relic. All twelve Tokens had been claimed by a single person.

This was undeniable proof that the Hidden Dao Lineage the Golden Light Wanderer belonged to truly had prior knowledge of the situation inside Celestial Star Island.

City Lord Huo sucked in a sharp breath. "I'll go through the Ancient Texts left by our predecessors later. Tideng, you know many Loose Cultivators. Help me ask around for any related news."

Tideng True Monarch nodded. "You can count on me."

"Speaking of which, I happen to be heading to the vicinity of the Vast Sea Secret Realm soon to perform some alchemy for the Jade Morning Sect—two batches of elixirs. I'll ask them if they have any leads while I'm there."

"They're both Hidden Dao Lineages, so it's possible they know each other."

City Lord Huo sounded a little surprised. "Oh? So soon?"

"I recall the last time they contacted you was about five years ago, wasn't it?"

Compared to factions like Hundred Herbs City, Hidden Dao Lineages preferred to seek out Loose Cultivator alchemists like Tideng True Monarch to create custom Tier Four elixirs.

And once they found a partner to work with, they rarely switched.

However, due to issues with Spirit Grass yields and general security, there was usually a gap of about ten years between transactions.

"It is a rather short interval this time. Someone in their sect probably has an urgent need for Spirit Pills."

Tideng True Monarch nodded. He was quite pleased, though, as each transaction brought a handsome reward. "Anyway, if I don't send word on schedule, remember to send someone to rescue me."

.

Similar situations were unfolding in various sects throughout the Inner Sea.

After exchanging information, everyone became even more certain that this Golden Light Wanderer who had appeared out of nowhere must hail from some deeply hidden Ancient Dao Lineage.

For a time, all sorts of theories sprang up like mushrooms, spreading from person to person.

Some Loose Cultivators, in particular, seemed to think they had uncovered some earth-shattering secret.

"Did you hear? That Golden Light Wanderer is actually from a Hidden Dao Lineage."

In a corner of the plaza, a gaunt Loose Cultivator's eyes were wide as saucers. "They say that incident two thousand years ago at the Feidu Sea, where the earth fire went rampant? That was them practicing their Fire Technique!"

"Hah! That's old news."

Another, more burly Loose Cultivator cut in, "Let me tell you, that Celestial Fire eruption in the Ten Thousand Immortals Archipelago eight hundred years ago? That was them too."

"I knew it! I always said I'd never heard of a sect in our Eastern Domain that cultivates Fire Techniques."

Someone in the crowd slapped their thigh with a look of sudden realization. "So that's how it is! We've finally found the source!"

...

"Zhang, latest news! That Red Peony is probably from the same background as the Golden Light Wanderer."

"Huh? He has a background like that?"

"Of course! Think about it, otherwise, how could a mere Loose Cultivator have such a powerful Fire Technique?"

...

"Old Li, did you know? There's another ancient sect in our Eastern Domain."

"Who doesn't know that by now? I just heard that the sudden opening of the Profound Celestial Immortal Palace a few years ago was related to this Hidden Sect."

"What? They were behind that too?"

"Oh, you don't know? Rumor has it their Sect Leader is the successor to the Lord of the Immortal Palace. That's why they had a way to open the Immortal Palace early."

...

All these baseless rumors and wild speculation took Cui Yunxian, who had just emerged from seclusion in Hundred Herbs City, completely by surprise.

'I was only in my seclusion chamber for three years, so why does it feel like I've been cut off from the outside world for thirty?'

"Senior Sister, don't listen to their nonsense. They don't know anything."

The female cultivator, dressed in the robes of a True Disciple, shot a disdainful glance at the gossiping Loose Cultivators around them.

Then, her expression shifted to one of intense eagerness as she looked at Cui Yunxian, her eyes holding a hint of sycophancy. "Before City Lord Huo went to his study, he instructed that the Nascent Soul Storage Pill is still being guarded by Elder Sun."

"You only need to say the word, Senior Sister, and you can retrieve it for use at any time."

As she spoke, she secretly sized up Cui Yunxian, her gaze filled with envy and a trace of hidden jealousy.

But the jealousy flashed in her eyes for only a moment before she concealed it deep within her heart.

The Nascent Soul Storage Pill was a Tier Four Spirit Pill. As its name implied, it was a Tier Breakthrough Spirit Medicine that could increase a Golden Core Cultivator's chances of achieving Nascent Soul Formation by twenty percent. Its value was self-evident.

City Lord Huo was especially concerned for this exceptionally talented Direct Disciple.

He had long ago paved the way for her to reach a higher Realm.