He endured the excitement in his heart and left with the three pillars. Due to the cultivation difference, he couldn’t keep up with them, so Elder Waning Moon carried him.

The matters in the sect were settled and he had received acknowledgement for his strength. Although the spirit force inside Zhao Jiuge was a bit chaotic due to the battle earlier, he felt extremely relaxed.

The connected peaks seemed to form green waves that surged up and down.

Zhao Jiuge was in a good mood, so everything looked good. He comfortably observed this scenery that he rarely paid attention to.

Because it was now sunset, the residual sunlight scattered over the peaks, making them look like they were wearing a layer of golden clothes.

At this moment, there were no clouds shrouding the peaks, making the sect look like the land of the immortals, but it had its own charm.

“Elder Dawn Wind, what was the place you talked about that could increase our strength?”

On the way, Zhao Jiuge was very curious, and he couldn’t help but ask the question in his heart. He respected and feared Elder Dawn Wind, so he naturally wasn’t as casual as he was with Master Moon.

“You’ll naturally know before the Battle Competition, after you return from your training in the outside world.” Elder Dawn Wind revealed a mysterious smile and didn’t tell Zhao Jiuge directly.

Although he was still very curious, given Elder Dawn Wind’s identity, Zhao Jiuge didn’t ask more.

Soon, they arrived at Elder Moon’s peak. There was still one month left, and Zhao Jiuge originally intended to prepare on his own. Although there would be no fighting during the exchange, he was cautious by nature, so he would naturally adjust himself to peak condition.

Thinking about the immediate possibility of seeing that cold and noble figure, Zhao Jiuge couldn’t help but feel some excitement. Destiny makes fools out of people. The two that originally had no fate together due to the difference in their statuses would meet again like this. However, when they met, what kind of gaze would she look at him with now?

At this moment, Zhao Jiuge seemed to be lost in thought. The next moment, he noticed that all three pillars of the sect were looking at him.

Zhao Jiuge touched his face and nervously asked, “What’s going on?” 

“I’m asking you if you want to go with Pine Tree to learn the sword art or stay with me. I’ll explain more about the exchange.”

Elder Waning Moon looked at Zhao Jiuge, who was able to be absent-minded before the three of them, with a strange gaze. They had asked him something and he hadn’t even heard it. They didn’t know what he was thinking.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiuge immediately began to ponder. He didn’t think that he wouldn’t even have this last month to himself. He had his own plans.

If he learned from Elder Pine Tree, his strength wouldn’t make any significant improvements. As for the exchange, Zhao Jiuge had a general idea. He wanted to use the last month to push his Sanskrit Divine Body to see if he could cultivate other parts of his body beside his right hand.

Thinking about this, Zhao Jiuge hesitated and said, “Can I choose neither?” After he spoke, he nervously looked at Elder Waning Moon.

Elder Dawn Wind was shocked. Others would beg a Mahayana Realm senior to teach them, yet Zhao Jiuge actually didn’t want it?

Even Elder Waning Moon was confused. She frowned and her tone became a bit harsh. “What? You have something else to do?” She thought that Zhao Jiuge had some private matters to attend to and felt annoyed. The exchange was a very big event for the sect, and everyone should be focused on this matter. Zhao Jiuge didn’t seem to have his priorities straight.

Both Elder Pine Tree and Elder Dawn Wind stared at him for an answer, and even Elder Waning Moon looked unhappy. Zhao Jiuge didn’t know what to do and stuttered a bit before he finally said, “It’s that I have this spell I haven’t cultivated yet. Now that I have reached the Spirit Core Realm, I want to try to complete it in the next month. If I can, my strength will increase to another level.”

Hearing Zhao Jiuge’s answer, Elder Dawn Wind and Pine Tree finally understood, and Elder Waning Moon’s expression softened. “Since that is the case, it’s not impossible. However, there are some matters about the exchange you must learn. You are the Chief Head Disciple, and you represent the sect. You can't make small mistakes and make the sect a laughing stock.”

Elder Dawn Wind pondered a bit and said, “How about this? I’ll explain these things to him on the way there. This month, let Jiuge cultivate. I believe he knows what he should do. As long as you improve your strength, we all support you. No matter what you need, just tell us. The sect will be your backing and will provide all resources.”

This caused Zhao Jiuge’s eyes to shine brightly and his heart to burn with passion. He even lost his manner for a moment and shouted, “Really? It just so happens that the spell I cultivate requires some spirit herbs.”

Elder Dawn Wind raised his brow. Thinking about the golden light that always surrounded Zhao Jiuge, he understood what kind of spell this was. Body cultivation methods were always difficult, but they were always powerful. This made him even more curious about the matter with Carefree Valley.

However, those thoughts only flashed through his mind. Elder Dawn Wind smiled. “Just say what you need. This month, you will cultivate here with Elder Waning Moon. I’ll bring whatever materials you need.”

With that, Zhao Jiuge felt a bit restrained and embarrassed from knowing that one of the pillars of the sect was going to run an errand for him. However, at the same time, he felt his pressure intensify. His status was different now.

Elder Waning Moon couldn’t help but ask, “Then what about things he needs to look out for?”

“That’s fine, I’ll explain them to him on the way to the Ten Thousand Dao Sect,” Elder Dawn Wind lightly answered. Then he looked at Zhao Jiuge and asked, “What do you need?”

“Arhat Divine Fruit.”

The more he cultivated the Sanskrit Divine Body, the more treasures it would require. This made Zhao Jiuge realize the value of spirit stones. Even if you were to become very strong, without resources, you won’t be able to continue cultivating.

In the record, the Sanskrit Divine Body would produce a Sanskrit Golden Body in the end. It was a very domineering physique that could compete with the bodies of spirit beasts. However, it required a lot of spirit herbs and spirit stones. He had accidently succeeded in cultivating the Sanskrit Divine Palm in his right hand. The record said that he needed something called the Arhat Divine Fruit.

Zhao Jiuge naturally didn’t know what the Arhat Divine Fruit was, but he guessed that it was something precious. He complained that if it required something so precious this early, how was he going to cultivate it in the future?

“Arhat Divine Fruit?” Elder Dawn Wind muttered to himself. “Okay, I’ll bring it over later.”

When Zhao Jiuge tempered his body and upgraded his spirit core, a lot of the precious herbs the sect had in stock had been used up. Fortunately, the Arhat Divine Fruit was not one of them

Seeing that Elder Dawn Wind had made a decision, Elder Pine Tree and Elder Waning Moon no longer said anything. Elder Waning Moon stayed with Zhao Jiuge, while the other two left. Elder Dawn Wind went to get the fruit, while Elder Pine Tree prepared to guard the sect. Elder Dawn Wind and Jian Wuxian were gone.

After staying in the bamboo forest for a while, Elder Waning Moon softly said, “This time, I can’t accompany you. We can’t all leave the sect. Someone has to stay down and hold the fort. You will have to assess the situation yourself. Also, you have to be prepared. You are currently too weak—there will be a gap between you and the other Chief Head Disciples. However, don’t let that affect you. You only lose to them in terms of time. There are still almost two years until the Battle Competition, and you will be able to catch up to them by then.”

Zhao Jiuge nodded. He had been prepared for this. However, there was no fighting during the Seven Holy Lands Exchange, so there was nothing for him to be nervous about.

After saying this, Elder Wang Moon didn’t speak more and left Zhao Jiuge here to cultivate.

Soon, Elder Dawn Wind appeared once more, but this time he brought with him three Arhat Divine Fruits. After Zhao Jiuge accepted those three bright, golden fruits, Elder Dawn Wind said a few more things before leaving. Unlike Zhao Jiuge, Elder Dawn Wind and Jian Wuxian had too many things to prepare.

The three Arhat Divine Fruits were like three spirit cores, but golden and round. Aside from that, there was nothing special about them. This spirit herb was great for strengthening the body. Zhao Jiuge was going to use this to help him cultivate the Sanskrit Divine Body. This way, if some accident happened during the exchange, he would be able to protect himself better.

Previously, he was worried. Cultivation wouldn’t always go smoothly, and he was afraid of wasting the fruit. However, when he saw Elder Dawn Wind bring him three fruits at once, Zhao Jiuge was very happy.

Zhao Jiuge sat down, and the sound of the bamboo leaves rustling in the wind emptied his mind.

There were naturally some high level formations arranged here at the peak where Elder Waning Moon lived. The spiritual energy here was much more dense than outside. Cultivating here had many benefits for Zhao Jiuge.

He held one fruit in his hand and observed it for a while. Then his eyes were filled with determination and he devoured one of the Arhat Divine Fruits.

In an instant, a violent force rushed through Zhao Jiuge’s meridians. He knew that this was the time and quickly began to cultivate according to the recorded method. His eyes were closed, but his face was filled with pain.

In the following days, bursts of light would come from the bamboo forest Zhao Jiuge was in. Finally, after almost a month had passed, a burst of golden light several times stronger than before appeared. Zhao Jiuge was wrapped in golden light and his aura was much stronger. This light slowly disappeared, then he revealed a look of satisfaction.

His Sanskirt Divine Body had taken a step forward, but the price was the three Arhat Divine Fruits. As for the process, only Zhao Jiuge and Elder Waning Moon, who had been observing him out of concern, knew.

Zhao Jiuge stretched his body and felt the powerful feeling inside him; he couldn’t help but feel comfortable. There was no way to improve his strength in a short period of time unless he made another breakthrough.

However, he had just reached the mid stage of the Spirit Core Realm, so he wouldn’t be able to make another breakthrough any time soon.

He now had three spirit treasures and had condensed a total of four golden dragons. The Sanskrit Divine Body had reached its current peak, and although his understanding of the sword art was somewhat lacking, he had the Sword Slaughter Aura to help make up for it. A wave of self-confidence filled Zhao Jiuge’s heart.