Inside the Divine Temple.
After several hours of work, Ian Song finally refined over a thousand Godbreaking Pills, using up only a tenth of his spirit medicine stock.
The Godbreaking Pill is a divine pill that allows late Out-of-Body cultivators to break through to the Nascent Divinity realm. Each pill sells for five hundred top-grade spirit crystals—a sky-high price even for core disciples of top sects, let alone second- or third-rate sects or rogue cultivators, who simply can't afford it.
Moreover, the Godbreaking Pill is extremely hard to refine—even pill masters might fail nine times out of ten. But for Ian Song, as long as he has enough spirit medicines, he can produce them at will.
With a thought, Ian Song instantly teleported Nanspring and the other eight guards to his side.
"Greetings, Master!"
All nine of them saluted in unison.
Ian Song didn't bother with pleasantries and simply tossed each of them a Godbreaking Pill.
All of them were disciples from major sects, and after serving at the Duke of Qi Residence for so many years, their judgment was sharp. They instantly recognized the Godbreaking Pills and became wildly excited.
"Hurry up and take them—break through now!" Ian Song urged.
"Yes, sir!"
The nine responded together, then swallowed the Godbreaking Pills and sat down cross-legged on the spot.
It had to be said, the Godbreaking Pills worked wonders. Moments after taking them, the nine's auras began to shift. All were originally peak late Out-of-Body experts, just one step from a breakthrough.
A quarter-hour later, Nanspring's aura reached its peak first. With a booming shock, his cultivation broke through and condensed again—his aura had fundamentally transformed. His eyes snapped open, shooting out sword-like divine light. But when he saw Ian Song, he quickly restrained it and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Master, for remaking my fate!"
"Good! Get up. From now on, your name is Song One!" Ian Song nodded in satisfaction.
"Thank you, Master, for the new name!" Nanspring said gratefully.
Over the next two hours, the other eight broke through one after another, all successfully reaching early Nascent Divinity.
Ian Song then gave each of them a new name, from Song One to Song Nine.
"Here's a joint-attack formation. You nine, take it and train well!"
Finally, Ian Song tossed Song One a jade slip and left the Divine Temple.
Although several hours had passed inside the Divine Temple, only a short time had elapsed outside.
"Young Master, an elder from my Calamity Blade Sect is here and wishes to see you!" Raina Quinn came up to report.
Ian Song looked outside the formation and sure enough saw a middle-aged woman and a young girl.
"How should I address her?" Ian Song asked.
"Her name is Hannah Xia, but she's also known as the Jade Maiden Blade," Raina Quinn replied.
"Jade Maiden Blade, huh? The Jade Maiden Sect is quite interesting!"
Ian Song casually formed a hand seal, opened the formation, and spoke at just the right moment: "Senior Hannah, please come in."
Soon, Hannah Xia entered the formation with the young girl.
"Greetings, Sect Aunt!"
Raina Quinn hurried forward and bowed in greeting.
"Mm."
Hannah Xia nodded, then sized up Ian Song with curiosity before bowing slightly: "Hannah Xia of Calamity Blade Sect greets Young Master Song."
"Haha, no need for such formality, Senior Hannah. Please, have a seat."
Ian Song smiled and returned the gesture.
Once they were seated, Ian Song got straight to the point: "Senior Hannah, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Not at all. Young Master Song, you alone have stirred up a storm in the capital." Hannah Xia said with a half-smile, though a hint of disdain flickered in her eyes.
"It's just an empty reputation—nothing special," Ian Song replied, unconcerned.
Hannah Xia suddenly changed her tone, her voice growing serious: "Indeed, it is just reputation. But your appearance has shaken certain people, and soon your situation may become precarious."
"So you came here just to knock some sense into me, Senior Hannah?" Ian Song said with a smile.
At his words, Hannah Xia smiled proudly and said, "If you are willing to join my Calamity Blade Sect, we are prepared to shelter you."