Lu An smiled without explaining. The identity of the Old Beggar seemed to have some issues within the Great Qi, and he had not mentioned it to anyone.
However, considering his past status as a Talisman Saint, even if his cultivation had faltered, he should have some way to deal with the late-Core Formation stage.
It was useless to dwell on this; it was better for Lu An to use this time to enhance his strength.
When the time came to enter the "Extreme Secret Realm," he would have some self-preservation ability.
Mo Xuan and Gu Chuanfei had also gained a lot, especially Gu Chuanfei, who obtained so many Flame Crystals that he could likely improve his cultivation techniques significantly.
As for Mo Xuan, he had been in the early-Core Formation stage for years with a solid foundation but had not yet reached the mid-stage threshold.
With the Blood Spirit Grass and numerous pills and materials obtained, he might finally make that breakthrough.
This was something Lu An valued greatly. If Mo Xuan could reach the mid-Core Formation stage, everyone's situation would be much safer.
When they parted ways, Lu An took out a dozen or so Spirit Gathering Talismans and handed them to the two.
The reason for having so many talismans was thanks to Mo Xuan's collection of talisman materials over the years, which was much faster than Lu An's own search.
"Senior, these Spirit Gathering Talismans are only second-tier talismans and are said to be of minimal use to those at the Core Formation stage."
"But these Spirit Gathering Talismans have been upgraded to perfection, so they should be somewhat helpful."
"It is urgent that we focus on improving our strength to have the capital to counter the Fang family."
Mo Xuan and Gu Chuanfei understood the importance of the matter and were pleased to see the perfected Spirit Gathering Talismans.
With these talismans, their cultivation speed would likely increase significantly.
Mo Xuan took them and bade farewell first.
Gu Chuanfei, however, did not return to the Talisman Residence with Lu An. Instead, he went back to the San Cai Dao Sect and immediately announced a temporary sect closure to prevent the Fang family's attack.
Lu An returned to the Talisman Residence and took out the Nine Turns Blood Soul Banner he had just obtained.
If he could refine several restraints on this banner before entering the "Extreme Secret Realm," it would likely be of great benefit to him.
The banner had seventy-two restraints, with the first layer being the easiest to refine, and subsequent layers increasing in difficulty.
He only needed to refine the first layer to use the banner initially. However, based on Lu An's estimates, at first, it could only release some Refining Qi stage fierce souls to attack enemies.
To control the three Foundation Establishment stage fierce souls, at least thirty-two restraints needed to be refined.
Thirty-two restraints were not as simple as the number suggests; with his current strength, it would likely take at least three to five years.
Without further delay, Lu An began refining diligently.
At the main hall of the Talisman Residence, Bai Sheng was napping in a chair, while Gu Yuer was daydreaming nearby.
With the San Cai Dao Sect temporarily closed, the Talisman Residence was no longer as bustling as usual, and the few enjoyed the peace and quiet.
At this moment, a haggard, bent figure walked in.
Bai Sheng's eyes spotted the figure and immediately lost his drowsiness. He quickly stood up and said, "Master Ancestor, you're back."
Old Beggar nodded and asked, "Where is Lu An?"
"Master is in closed-door cultivation. Would you like me to call him?"
"I'll go myself… Oh, Yuer is here too. It's been a few months. You've grown even more beautiful."
Gu Yuer glared at him with a pout and ignored him.
Bai Sheng had a few black lines on his forehead, thinking to himself that his master ancestor was indeed disrespectful to his age.
Unexpectedly, he received a knock on the head from the Old Beggar.
"You brat, do you think I'm going to fight with you for a wife?"
With these words, Bai Sheng and Gu Yuer both blushed.
The Old Beggar, however, acted as if nothing happened and went to Lu An's secret chamber.
Before he could send a voice transmission, the chamber door opened from within.
"Disciple greets the master."
Old Beggar waved his hand and was about to say something when his eyes suddenly sparkled with a glint.
"Hundred Refinements Soul Method, have you mastered it?"
Lu An nodded and replied, "Yes, disciple has cultivated it to the Hundred Refinements stage."
"Good, good, good!"
The Old Beggar repeated the word "good" three times, his joy overflowing.
Not only was he pleased that Lu An had mastered this method, but also because Lu An's divine sense issues were now completely resolved, proving the Hundred Refinements Soul Method was indeed effective.
Recalling the years of research and discussion with his dear friend, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment, realizing that all the hard work had not been in vain.
Lu An, of course, was unaware of this. Even if he knew, he would probably only think to himself:
"Master, can you at least be a bit reliable? You give me untested methods to practice."
Once they arrived at the guest room, the Old Beggar spoke first:
"Disciple, I've prepared everything for the Extreme Secret Realm. Since your secret method is complete, we might as well set off immediately to avoid long delays."
"I discovered that the secret realm will not open for another half year, so we don't have much time left."
Lu An pondered for a moment and nodded.
"I was also considering that, but Master, I have one more matter to discuss."
He then told the Old Beggar about the recent events: the Fang family's Foundation Establishment and Core Formation members being killed, and the Fang family's ancestor advancing to the late-Core Formation stage.
The Old Beggar frowned slightly and then waved his hand.
"It's no problem. I'll take you through the Extreme Secret Realm. If necessary, we can just leave and go far away. It's a good opportunity to let you experience the outside world."
Lu An furrowed his brows. He couldn't agree to abandoning his friends and family and leaving alone. Moreover, they were in a favorable position with the situation looking very promising. There was no reason to flee before a battle had even begun.
He was about to refuse when a voice came from outside.
"Lu An, is this your master? He seems quite adept at preserving himself, but I wonder how strong he really is."
Lu An looked up to see Gu Chuanfei entering with a dark expression.
The Old Beggar, however, merely smiled to himself, completely indifferent.
Lu An stepped forward to explain, "Uncle Gu, how could I abandon everyone and flee alone? You underestimate me, Lu An."
Gu Chuanfei's expression softened slightly, and he said, "I know well enough about your character, but I cannot agree with your master."
He didn't know when Lu An had become his disciple, but seeing the Old Beggar with no visible cultivation and an air of carelessness, he found him unreliable.
The Old Beggar, seeing Gu Chuanfei mocking him again, scoffed and said, "Ignorant young man, your grandfather wasn't even born when I was out in the world."
Hearing this, Gu Chuanfei's anger flared, and an astonishing aura erupted from his body, pressing towards the Old Beggar.
Had it not been for the fact that this person was Lu An's master, he would have struck him dead already.
However, the Old Beggar remained unmoved by the pressure, as if it were nothing.
Gu Chuanfei was shocked, increasing the pressure to its maximum without any effect. The Old Beggar remained unaffected.
He was startled, trying to retract his aura, but it seemed to have slipped out of his control.
Just as he was feeling embarrassed, Lu An said, "Master, enough. Uncle Gu didn't mean to offend. Please retract your power."
At these words, the Old Beggar finally let go, acting as if he was not going to argue with him.
Gu Chuanfei was horrified and exclaimed, "You, you are a Nascent Soul cultivator!"