The territory of the Tianxing Sect attracted many other Sects, with numerous powers vying for a piece. In the absence of any first-rate Sects, it became a free-for-all for the smaller Sects, all scrambling to occupy territory and fighting fiercely over resources.

As for Jia Ren's own ambitions?

Two Sects!

Four Sects!

Eight Sects!

Failure. Still failure!

Since when had Golden Core Cultivators become so worthless that not a single Sect dared to accept one to lead them? Jia Ren had approached several Sects on par with Luoyun Villa, but without exception, each attempt to become their Sect Master had ended in failure. Sects only accepted disciples and Guest Elders, not... Sect Masters. Historically, there had never been a case of a Sect recruiting a Sect Master. While Golden Core Cultivators were desirable, no one wanted an additional Supreme Emperor lording over their Sect, leaving its rise and fall to the mercy of an outsider.

The few remaining Sects all housed Golden Core Cultivators, making the prospect of becoming a Sect Master even more daunting.

What a nuisance! Jia Ren felt a headache coming on as he contemplated a way to break the stalemate. If no Sect is willing to make me Sect Master, then I'll create one that will. He would create chaos, intensify conflicts between Sects; once a Sect faced annihilation, they would grasp at any lifesaving straw. He would 'descend with justice,' making it easy to seize the opportunity and become the master of a Sect. This method leaned towards the demonic path and wouldn't be employed unless absolutely necessary.

Before he knew it, Jia Ren arrived at Xingluo Market. This place, originally belonging to Tianxing Sect, had now become a contested area between two Golden Core Sects. Hundred Flowers Pavilion and Xuan Shui Sect both had Golden Core Cultivators. With comparable strength, their protracted battle had yet to yield a result. Xingluo Market was split in two: Hundred Flowers Pavilion occupied the south, and Xuan Shui Sect held the north.

Xuan Shui Sect?! Jia Ren felt the name was familiar. After a moment, he finally recalled why. The Xuan Shui Technique, Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, Mysterious Water Pill Recipe, Profound Yin Pill Recipe, and Xuan Shui Escape... all originated from the Xuan Shui Sect. Was the news false? A Sect by the same name? Or... had the Xuan Shui Sect been reborn from the ashes? As long as it was confirmed to be the Xuan Shui Sect, it meant he had a Sect he could potentially lead.

Ahem, I could be considered half a disciple of Xuan Shui Sect. Competing for the position of Sect Master shouldn't be a problem... he mused. Internal competition is just infighting. As long as I operate under the guise of the Xuan Shui Sect, I'm bound to find supporters and opportunities to rise. I wonder how many Golden Core Cultivators the Xuan Shui Sect has? How difficult would it be to become its Sect Master?

Jia Ren strode into Xingluo Market. Before long, he spotted a Qi Refining Cultivator in a light blue Taoist robe from afar.

Seeing a Golden Core Cultivator approach, the young Qi Refining Cultivator was terrified and cautiously asked, "Senior, do you need something from me?"

"Wasn't the Xuan Shui Sect destroyed?" Jia Ren inquired.

Confronted by the Golden Core Cultivator's question, the young man didn't dare hide anything and quickly divulged all he knew. "Back then, the Xuan Shui Sect was destroyed by the Heavenly Feather Gate. Only a few Xuan Shui Sect Cultivators survived, remaining hidden and dormant. It was only after the fall of the Heavenly Feather Gate that they dared to reemerge..."

The Heavenly Feather Gate destroyed the Xuan Shui Sect?! Jia Ren was unaware of the inner workings and had no intention of delving deeper. He continued his inquiry, "How many Golden Core Cultivators does the Xuan Shui Sect have? What is their strength?"

The young Xuan Shui Sect cultivator turned ashen. Is this considered divulging Sect secrets? If I die, it wouldn't be hard for this Golden Core Cultivator to learn the information anyway.

With this thought, he hurriedly said, "The Xuan Shui Sect only has one Golden Core Cultivator."

Jia Ren handed him One Hundred Spirit Stones. "Thank you, young brother, for the information."

Jia Ren strode toward the north of Xingluo Market, a radiant smile on his face. A single Golden Core Cultivator suits my purposes perfectly. If the Xuan Shui Sect had two, the difficulty of contending for Sect Master would be much greater. This is the best news I've heard today.

As Jia Ren approached the Xuan Shui Sect's encampment, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators braced themselves and blocked his path. "Who goes there? Halt! The area ahead is the Xuan Shui Sect's temporary outpost."

Sensing the aura of a Golden Core Cultivator nearby, he shouted coldly, "Is the Xuan Shui Sect Master present?!"

A powerful Golden Core Cultivator's aura rose from the Xuan Shui Sect's outpost. A female Cultivator in a blue Taoist robe, her expression cool and aloof, floated over. "Who are you, fellow Daoist, and what brings you to the Xuan Shui Sect?"

"I have never seen you before," she continued, her eyes narrowing. "Are you one of Hundred Flowers Palace's hired paramours?"

Xuan Shui Sect Master Zuo Siyan regarded Jia Ren with an unfriendly gaze, sensing ill intent from the unfamiliar Golden Core Cultivator. Hundred Flowers Palace was known for its members' unrestrained charm and skill in social maneuvering, with paramours throughout the Western Wasteland Domain. It was perfectly normal for them to hire a Golden Core male cultivator to assist in battle. She can't beat me herself, so now she's resorting to underhanded tactics? Zuo Siyan thought.

Just then, Palace Master Ji Hongshang of Hundred Flowers Palace arrived, dressed in fiery red palace attire. A vivid scarlet petal mark adorned her brow, resembling an exquisite blooming flower. "Such a handsome and distinguished young master. Might I have the honor of knowing you?"

The moment she arrived, flowers seemed to bloom all around, their fragrance wafting for miles. It's rare for someone to show up and challenge that old hag from Xuan Shui Sect. I should try to get him on my side, Ji Hongshang mused.

"I am not here at the request of Hundred Flowers Palace," Jia Ren stated. "I am a Cultivator of the Xuan Shui Sect, and I have come to challenge for the position of Sect Master!"

Jia Ren's voice wasn't loud, but his final words struck like thunder from a clear sky.

A Xuan Shui Sect Cultivator?! Challenging for the position of Sect Master!

The members of Hundred Flowers Palace, all female cultivators known for their flirtatious ways and ability to entice male cultivators to their aid, had assumed the mysterious newcomer was one of their Palace Master's lovers. They never expected him to challenge the Xuan Shui Sect Master. Everyone's expression was a sight to behold.

Zuo Siyan, the Xuan Shui Sect Master, and the other Xuan Shui Sect Cultivators exchanged bewildered glances. They had never seen this person in their Sect before. The addition of a Golden Core Cultivator is a major event for the Sect. How could we not know about him?!

Zuo Siyan's gaze turned frosty, her eyes filled with a chilling intent. "Who exactly are you? Why do you impersonate a disciple of the Xuan Shui Sect?!" This person is impersonating a Xuan Shui Sect disciple and wants to challenge me? He's clearly up to no good, she thought.

"I am from a lost branch of the Xuan Shui Sect," Jia Ren announced. "Today, upon learning of the Sect's return, I was overjoyed! The position of Sect Master has always been open to the most capable; I believe I have a right to contend for it."

As Jia Ren lifted his hand, a pitch-black water droplet condensed at his fingertip. This secret technique was his way of proving his affiliation with the Xuan Shui Sect.

"Xuan Yuan Heavy Water?!" Zuo Siyan exclaimed, then frowned. Something's not right...

The Xuan Yuan Heavy Water was a secret technique of the Xuan Shui Sect. Many practiced it, but it was difficult to learn and master. Only a handful of cultivators could wield Triple Profound Primal Heavy Water. The technique this man displayed closely resembled Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, yet there were significant differences. Most importantly, although his cultivation technique was water-based, it was not the Xuan Shui Technique. Simply practicing the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water secret technique didn't definitively prove he was a Xuan Shui Sect disciple.

"I want to see if you have the strength to remain the Xuan Shui Sect Master," Jia Ren declared. "Otherwise, the position is mine!"

As Jia Ren raised his hand, the single drop of profound black water divided, gradually becoming ten drops of slightly lighter-colored Xuan Yuan Heavy Water. The killing power of Eight Origin Heavy Water is too strong. I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow. It's safer to divide it into Seven Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, he thought. He was challenging for the position of Sect Master, not seeking to kill. If he killed the incumbent Xuan Shui Sect Master, even if he truly was a Xuan Shui Sect Cultivator, he wouldn't be able to take the position.

"The position of Sect Master isn't something you can claim just because you want it!" Zuo Siyan retorted, her voice cold. "Do you think you can defeat me with a mere Foundation Establishment Technique? Show me your true abilities!"

Zuo Siyan snorted coldly and produced a Jade Seal engraved with a water dragon. "Water Dragon Seal, endless cycle!"

The Xuan Shui Law Domain activated, and in that instant, the Water Dragon Seal came to life. It transformed into a water dragon tens of zhang long, coiling around Zuo Siyan protectively, its head fixing Jia Ren with an icy stare. The dragon opened its maw, and a thick pillar of water shot out.

Jia Ren casually flipped his hand, revealing ten purple-black elixirs. Each elixir merged with one of the ten drops of Seven Xuan Yuan Heavy Water.

"Profound Yin Pills!" several Xuan Shui Sect members cried out, recognizing the Sect's unique external elixirs.

The ten drops of Seven Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, now fused with the Profound Yin Pills, rested between Jia Ren's fingers. He flung them out, and they smashed down with terrifying speed.

BOOM!

The water pillar from the Water Dragon Seal was struck by the profound black water droplets and instantly froze solid. The Xuan Yuan Heavy Water continued its barrage towards the blue-robed figure guarded by the water dragon.

BOOM!

Xingluo Market trembled violently, as if under the impact of colliding mountains. The protective Formation above the market visibly dimmed.

Jia Ren raised his hand. The ten profound black water droplets flew out from the swirling dust and returned to his palm, where they slowly merged into a single, potent drop of Eight Origin Heavy Water.

"How about you try this move of mine?" he offered.

"No need to try! I concede!"

A gust of wind swept through, clearing the dust. Zuo Siyan stood pale and bloodless, a trace of frozen blood at the corner of her lips. Her Life-bound Magic Treasure, the Water Dragon Seal, was dim, its Spiritual Nature greatly diminished. The power of those ten Xuan Yuan Heavy Water drops was indeed astonishing! There's no need to continue this battle. This isn't even his true strength. Once those ten Xuan Yuan Heavy Water drops merge, their power will be even greater, she thought despairingly.

"Is this really the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Technique?" a disciple murmured. "Isn't the upper limit Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water?"

Indeed, as the Xuan Shui Sect's most difficult secret technique to cultivate, Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water was already a top-tier Foundation Establishment Technique, renowned throughout the lands. Zuo Siyan herself had attempted it; the cultivation was arduous and time-consuming, and she had only managed to reach Triple Profound Primal Heavy Water. Throughout the history of the Xuan Shui Sect, fewer than ten individuals had ever cultivated it to the level of Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water. Zuo Siyan was certain that even Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water could not possess such astounding power.

"Eight Origin Heavy Water," Jia Ren stated calmly.

I want to become the Xuan Shui Sect Master. Demonstrating my strength and talent should serve as a good way to get my foot in the door. This is only the tip of the iceberg, not revealing my full hand. The Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Technique can still be pushed beyond its limits. There's an even more powerful Nine Xuan Yuan Heavy Water after this, Jia Ren mused.

"Eight Origin Heavy Water?! You've raised the upper limit of this technique? By two whole grades?!" Zuo Siyan stared, unable to hide the profound shock in her eyes, and remained stunned for a long moment. The Xuan Shui Sect, with its thousands of years of history and countless talented individuals, had never managed to advance the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Technique beyond Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water to reach the level of Seven Xuan Yuan Heavy Water. This man was a peerless genius, the kind rarely seen even in ten thousand years, to have single-handedly elevated the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water to the realm of Eight Origin Heavy Water. She felt utterly outclassed by such talent.

Is the Xuan Shui Sect about to experience a resurgence? Will it regain its former glory?!

The position of Sect Master had always gone to the most capable. If this person could lead the Xuan Shui Sect to new heights of glory, then relinquishing the position to him was acceptable.

Zuo Siyan took a deep breath, calming her turbulent emotions. She then said with solemnity, "I admit defeat! However, whether you can truly assume the position of Sect Master will depend on the verification of your identity."

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