Li Feng’s eyes snapped open, his sharp gaze fixed on Yun Qianyue.
Shi ng stopped looking around and turned to look as well.
At his words, Yun Qianyue tilted her head slightly. The purple veil fluttered, revealing eyes that were as clear as ever, yet seed even more profound than before.
She didn’t deny it, rely nodding lightly. Her voice was as cool as ever but carried a captivating serenity.
"Yes. By a stroke of luck, I broke through to the Late Stage of Eighth Grade last night."
Although he had expected it, hearing the confirmation with his own ears still caused a flicker of unconcealable shock in Li Feng’s eyes.
Shi ng was even more direct, blurting out, "You’re already... at the Late Stage of Eighth Grade?!"
Among the new disciples of the Seven Sects, those who had reached the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade were few and far between.
Yun Qianyue’s breakthrough ant she was now officially the first among this year’s disciples of the Seven Sects to reach the Late Stage of Eighth Grade.
Yun Qianyue was truly the strongest of the new disciples, the undisputed number one among them.
’Late Stage of Eighth Grade... She really broke through!’
A ripple of emotion went through Fang Han’s heart.
The surprise quickly faded, and he cald down.
He thought about his own progress. In the half-year since joining the Sect, he had soared from the Early Stage of Ninth Grade all the way to the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade, breaking through four minor realms, including the great hurdle of the Eighth Grade.
Yun Qianyue’s Talent was extraordinary. Her Root Bone was likely second only to his own, with its sixteen-fold enhancent. It wasn’t hard to understand how she could have broken through to the Late Stage of Eighth Grade.
He had just thought that with his Mid-Stage Eighth Grade Cultivation and Great Success Swordsmanship, even if he wasn’t her equal, the gap shouldn’t be very large.
Now it seed there was still a noticeable gap between him and Yun Qianyue, the one who had always held the top spot in the Sub-Branch.
He didn’t feel discouraged, though. The gap wasn’t that large anymore.
Besides, Elder Chen Xuan had already revealed that he would do his utmost to secure Earth Core Stone Milk for them as an additional reward.
Given the trendous rit they had earned for the Sect, the chances of receiving the Earth Core Stone Milk were extrely high.
If he could get his hands on that Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object to improve his Root Bone, and combine it with his sixteen-fold enhancent Talent...
Fang Han was confident he could catch up to Yun Qianyue in a short amount of ti!
The carriage rolled smoothly along the main road, its wheels making a rhythmic, monotonous sound as they passed over the ground.
Inside, Huang Ling’er was still chirping away, asking Yun Qianyue about the experience of her breakthrough. Shi ng listened on, a look of envy on his face.
He had the weakest Cultivation of the five, still only at the Late Stage of Ninth Grade. Although he was close to the Eighth Grade, he hadn’t made the breakthrough yet.
Li Feng closed his eyes again, but the hand gripping his saber hilt revealed his inner turmoil.
Yun Qianyue offered a few cool, quiet replies to Huang Ling’er now and then.
Fang Han gazed out the window at the distant, rolling mountains and the unfurling clouds on the horizon, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of anticipation for the Earth Core Stone Milk.
...
「Five days later」
Two carriages pulled by Cyan-hoofed Deer entered the imposing mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect.
The wheels rumbled over familiar bluestone paths, making a low, rhythmic sound.
Looking through the carriage window at the distant, cloud-shrouded peaks and familiar buildings along the way, Fang Han felt as if a lifeti had passed.
The carriage ca to a stop in the square near the Task Hall.
Elder Chen Xuan was the first to disembark. He turned to the five disciples as they gathered and said:
"I must go report the details of the Seven Sects tournant to the Sect Leader. The rest of you should return to the Sub-Branch and rest. You’ve worked hard. Take so ti to relax."
"Yes, Elder," the five replied in unison.
Elder Chen Xuan nodded. Without another word, he turned and hurried off toward the main peak.
Although the results of the tournant had already been sent back to the Sect, the detailed account of events, the performance of the Sect’s disciples, and especially the request for a crucial reward like the Earth Core Stone Milk for the five of them, still required him as the supervising Elder to personally present the case to Sect Leader Chen Tianyuan.
The five disciples turned and headed toward the Sub-Branch.
As they walked through the Sect grounds, they could feel many eyes on them. This feeling of being watched only intensified when they entered the Sub-Branch.
The bluestone paths were crowded with disciples, and many cast glances their way, so openly, so furtively.
Their gazes were filled with a mix of complex emotions: curiosity, admiration, envy, and even a hint of fear from those who kept their distance.
Low murmurs of conversation drifted to their ears on the wind.
"Look, the five of them are back!"
"First place in the Seven Sects tournant! They really brought honor to our Qingxuan Sect!"
"I heard that in the final match of the Seven Sects tournant, Fang Han defeated Mo Chen from Tingyu Building—the guy who’d mastered a Middle Grade Martial Technique to the Great Success stage!"
"Li Feng is incredible too! He’s the one who defeated Xin Wuming, the number one new disciple from the Netherworld Pavilion!"
"The Qingxuan Sect hasn’t taken first place in years. Our Sub-Branch is really in the spotlight this ti!"
These comnts made it clear that news of the Seven Sects tournant results, and their performance in it, had already spread throughout the Sect.
Fang Han’s expression remained placid. He paid no mind to the stares and walked straight toward his residence, Room C-7.
Yun Qianyue’s gaze was cool, her stride unhurried.
Li Feng’s eyes were sharp, ignoring the chatter.
Huang Ling’er, on the other hand, was rather giddy, occasionally nodding to disciples she knew with a hint of smug satisfaction.
As for Shi ng, he puffed out his chest, his face beaming with shared glory.
Pushing open the door to the room he hadn’t been in for half a month, he was greeted by the familiar scent of dust.
A thin layer of dust coated the table, chairs, and bed, clearly visible in the sunlight filtering through the window.
Fang Han shook his head slightly and put down his simple pack. Spotting a young servant passing by, he waved him over.
The servant recognized Fang Han. Seeing that he was being summoned by the senior brother who was currently the talk of the Sub-Branch, he hurried over and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Brother Fang, what can I do for you?"
"Could you please clean my room?"
Fang Han’s tone was placid.
"Yes, Senior Brother! Please wait a mont, I’ll go get the tools right away!"
The servant acknowledged and hurried away.
Before long, the servant returned with cleaning supplies and began to tidy the room efficiently.
Fang Han didn’t go inside to disturb him. He stood under the eaves with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the Sub-Branch.
He hadn’t seen it in half a month. With the arrival of winter, the courtyard scenery had changed significantly—just as his own state of mind had changed since he left.
「anwhile, on the main peak of the Qingxuan Sect, inside the Sect Leader’s Hall.」
The grand hall was magnificent and solemn. Sunlight stread through ornately carved window lattices high on the vaulted ceiling, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.
Tendrils of smoke curled up from a censer, releasing the calming scent of sandalwood.
The Sect Leader of the Qingxuan Sect, Chen Tianyuan, sat at the head of the hall on a large chair made of purple sandalwood.
His features were refined and scholarly, though his temples were streaked with frost. His brow held the gravitas and composure accumulated from years of leading a Major Sect.
He appeared to be around forty, but since Martial Artists enjoyed extended lifespans and aged slowly, his true age was likely much greater.
He wore simple, unadorned robes of deep purple, yet he possessed an air of natural authority.
At this mont, he was listening to the report from Elder Chen Xuan, who stood before him.
Bowing slightly, Elder Chen Xuan stood in the center of the hall and gave a detailed report on the Seven Sects tournant, focusing particularly on the performance of the five disciples.
When he spoke of how Fang Han had defeated one strong opponent after another, ultimately beating the top-ranked new disciple from Tingyu Building, Mo Chen, to secure victory for the Qingxuan Sect, a faint smile finally touched Chen Tianyuan’s previously impassive face.
"To be able to defeat Mo Chen, the top new disciple of Tingyu Building... this Fang Han is indeed a promising talent."
His voice was mild, and he committed the na Fang Han to mory.
For a figure of his stature, whose single command could shake all of Qingyang County, to rember one’s na was, without a doubt, a supre honor.
"Sect Leader, your insight is profound. This ti, Fang Han, Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi ng have rendered a Great rit to the Sect and glorified the na of our Qingxuan Sect."
Seeing his chance, Elder Chen Xuan felt his resolve firm. He seized the opportunity and spoke, clasping his hands.
"Such talents are the future pillars of our Sect. I implore you, Sect Leader, to bestow upon them the Earth Core Stone Milk. It would help them advance further and serve as the Sect’s acknowledgnt of their achievents and our hopes for their future."
The hall fell into a brief silence.
Chen Tianyuan’s gaze was profound as he seed to weigh the decision.
Earth Core Stone Milk was exceptionally precious, a strategic resource for the Sect. It was typically reserved as a reward for those who had made imnse contributions or for key True Inheritors being grood for leadership.
After a mont, he spoke, his voice slow and steady.
"The five have indeed brought glory to the Sect, and their potential is worthy of significant investnt."
"Your request is granted. I will bestow upon each of the five one drop of Earth Core Stone Milk. Furthermore, to encourage them, they will each receive an additional two thousand Contribution Points."
A delighted expression imdiately spread across Elder Chen Xuan’s face. He bowed deeply. "The Sect Leader is wise! On behalf of the five disciples, I thank you for your generous reward!"
...
The room had just been cleaned, and the servant had departed, leaving it looking brand new.
Fang Han was just about to tidy up when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside, followed by a respectful knock.
"Senior Brother Fang? Are you in, Senior Brother Fang?"
A servant had arrived in a hurry.
Fang Han opened the door. "What is it?"
The servant caught his breath and said quickly, "Senior Brother Fang, Elder Chen Xuan asks you to go to the reception room next to the Inheritance Hall imdiately. He says it’s important."
A thought flickered in Fang Han’s mind. He imdiately guessed this was likely related to the rewards for the Seven Sects tournant.
He suppressed the ripple of excitent in his heart and nodded to the servant. "I understand. I’ll go right away."
Closing the door, Fang Han quickened his pace and headed directly for the Inheritance Hall.
As he arrived outside the familiar Quiet Chamber, he saw Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi ng approaching from different directions at almost the sa ti.
Their gazes t, and in each other’s eyes, they saw mutual understanding and anticipation.
Clearly, they had all received the sa notice.
Without a word, the five of them pushed open the door to the Quiet Chamber in unison.
Elder Chen Xuan was already inside, waiting. A warm smile spread across his face when he saw all five had arrived.
"Please, sit," Elder Chen Xuan said, gesturing to the chairs in the room.
The five sat down as instructed, their eyes fixed on the Elder.
"I’ve summoned you here to announce the Sect’s rewards for your outstanding performance in the Seven Sects tournant."
Elder Chen Xuan’s gaze swept across the five of them as he began to speak.
He paused, seeing the irrepressible anticipation in their eyes, and then continued.
"The Sect Leader was extrely pleased with your performance and has approved the following rewards: each of you is granted two thousand Contribution Points."
Two thousand Contribution Points!
That was the equivalent of forty thousand silver, an undoubtedly enormous sum!
Even though the five of them had been prepared for a generous reward, they still couldn’t help but feel a jolt of shock at the number.
For disciples like them, forty thousand silver was an enormous fortune, enough to exchange for a massive amount of Cultivation Resources.
However, Elder Chen Xuan’s next words made their breath catch in their throats.
"Furthermore."
Elder Chen Xuan raised his voice slightly, his tone turning solemn.
"In light of the Great rit you have perford for the Sect and your promising potential, the Sect Leader has made a special exception and will reward each of you with... one drop of Earth Core Stone Milk!"
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