C16 Golden Core Stage

"Who are these individuals?"

Zhang Yi and Zhuh Feng perked up, their curiosity piqued as they eyed the newcomers.

"These will be your junior brothers."

Lee Xuan introduced them, then specifically highlighted Nangong Yue.

"On behalf of my master, I'm accepting disciples. From now on, Nangong Yue and Loong Ling will be my master's disciples, which makes them my junior sisters," Lee Xuan explained.

The most talented were always personally trained disciples. Yet, at the Azure Cloud Academy, there was no such master to speak of; the highest authority was Lee Xuan himself. Although he was fully capable of the responsibility, Lee Xuan was aware that his youthful appearance might lead many to doubt his abilities. Moreover, having an alias could make things a bit easier.

"Our master?" Loong Ling asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, mirroring the expression of Nangong Yue beside her.

Nangong Yue was equally intrigued. Her primary mission at the Azure Cloud Academy was to investigate Lee Xuan's background. She had already given Nangong Kun a thorough thrashing, which turned out to be quite beneficial. Had the Nangong family been clear about Lee Xuan's origins, they would have eliminated him long ago.

Recognizing his strengths, Lee Xuan nodded and with a feigned depth said, "Indeed, our master is named Heavenly Venerate Wang Yun!" In truth, Lee Xuan had just concocted the name, but Nangong Yue accepted it without question.

Little did Nangong Yue realize that she was now the sole representative of the Azure Cloud Academy. When it came to upholding the entire institution, the answer lay in a sort of mental duality.

Nangong Yue's face still registered a mix of belief and skepticism. "Then why doesn't our master show himself?"

"Our master is in seclusion, having reached the Golden Core Stage," Lee Xuan replied.

Nangong Yue was astounded by this revelation and made a mental note to relay the information to her brother. Her brother, Nangong Yu, upon receiving the news, immediately abandoned any plans to harm Lee Xuan. Instead, he encouraged Nangong Yue to remain at the Azure Cloud Academy and foster a strong relationship with Lee Xuan. After all, there were precious few in the world who had attained the Golden Core Stage. A single individual at that level could safeguard an entire nation.

Cultivating a friendship with a disciple at the Golden Core Stage was undoubtedly beneficial.

Moreover, Lee Xuan's background stood out as unique.

Once he had settled all his affairs, Lee Xuan was faced with a significant dilemma.

"What's the matter? You look so troubled," Loong Ling inquired with concern as she approached Lee Xuan.

Turning to see Loong Ling's ethereal beauty, any weight upon his heart seemed to vanish.

"I'm just realizing how desperately I need money..." Lee Xuan lamented with a heavy sigh.

He voiced a concern that seemed all too mundane.

Loong Ling had never imagined that Lee Xuan would be ensnared by financial woes.

She turned, retrieved her bank card, and presented it to Lee Xuan.

"I don't have much, these are my savings over the years," Loong Ling admitted sheepishly, aware of her modest balance. "I've dedicated my funds to supporting an orphanage, so..."

As a result, she hadn't saved much over the years and still needed to send money home.

But this gesture was a true reflection of Loong Ling's kindness.

Lee Xuan snapped out of it.

How could he possibly accept it?

"Are you kidding? Does our Azure Cloud Academy look like it's short on funds? Even though I'm only the Acting Sect Master and the Sect Master hasn't returned, I'm responsible for sustaining the entire academy."

The real issue was not that Lee Xuan needed money for himself, but that the Azure Cloud Academy had expenses to cover.

If Lee Xuan were truly in need, he could exchange points for cash. However, points were far more valuable than money, making such an exchange profoundly unwise.

After perusing the items in the Merchant Shop and pondering for a moment, Lee Xuan snapped his fingers.

Money concerns could wait. For the next few days, he would focus on helping the talented disciples achieve their Foundation Establishment. Other matters could be addressed later.

The disciples had promising aptitudes and showed good understanding.

Particularly Nangong Yue, who had progressed even faster than Loong Ling within the Azure Cloud Academy. She quickly advanced and became the second person in the group to successfully establish her foundation.

Following her Foundation Establishment, Nangong Yue faced the same embarrassment as Loong Ling had. But this time, Lee Xuan didn't need to offer a piece of clothing; thanks to his foresight, Loong Ling had already prepared well in advance.

Loong Ling felt a mix of emotions, even a touch of happiness.

She was pleased because she had been able to help, and partly because Lee Xuan didn't have to treat Nangong Yue the way he had treated her.

Nangong Yue was attractive and young, with a well-off family background. Deep down, Loong Ling couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

"Damn it!"

After her bath, Nangong Yue blurted out an expletive as she admired herself in the mirror.

She gazed at her reflection with adoration.

"My skin! It looks amazing. I could stare at myself all day."

Even Nangong Yue, usually so composed, was taken aback by her own reflection.

If Nangong Yue was this astonished, imagine the reaction of others.

The perks of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage were numerous, but for a woman, this was perhaps the most enticing.

A spark of inspiration struck Lee Xuan.

Indeed!

The pills he crafted were far superior to the beauty products flooding the market.

Those cosmetics were made with materials costing no more than fifty cents, yet they retailed for five hundred yuan. In such a lucrative industry, if he decided to earn money, he could not only sustain the Azure Cloud Academy but also easily fund the creation of another.

But who should he partner with for business? Lee Xuan's gaze settled on Nangong Yue, who suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

Lee Xuan presented the Muscle Jade Bone Pill he had previously rewarded, now diluted a hundredfold, to Nangong Yue to sell.

"Take these hundred pills and sell them. Keep forty percent of the profits for yourself and give me the remaining sixty percent."

"What is this? It's not toxic, is it?" Nangong Yue asked with a wary look. "The Nangong family has a legacy in commerce with a commitment to quality. We don't just sell anything."

"What are you talking about?" Loong Ling chided. "The Acting Sect Master Senior Brother isn't so desperate for money!"

Lee Xuan corrected their titles, as he had no intention of actually becoming the Sect Master.

Previously, when it was just a few of them, it didn't matter, but now Lee Xuan was set on elevating the entire Azure Cloud Academy. He needed to craft the image of a formidable and decisive Sect Master to command respect and deter anyone from targeting his academy.

Currently, the Azure Cloud Academy may appear quite modest in stature, but should others have the opportunity to uncover its inner workings and find that he alone is privy to them, it would pose a significant disadvantage for the entire institution.