Chapter 266: Chapter 256: The Role of a Good Reputation, Becoming a True Disciple

Fierce flames blazed as if the Flame Sacred Fire Area would burn eternally. For the past month, many forgemasters had been extracting fire seeds here.

Among these forgemasters, the visitors from the Phoenix Creek Sect were the most eye-catching.

Lin Daoyan, the Grand Elder of the Refining Equipment Hall, was the oldest and most experienced. His appearance was as incomparably dazzling as a firefly in the dark night.

Escorted by several Elders, Hong Yuan’s Master Lin Daoyan, slowly walked into the depths of the Fire Region. He was there to extract the first fire seed for the Phoenix Creek Sect’s Refining Equipment Hall, one that would serve them for the next ten years.

This was a ritual, a ceremony meant to unite hearts and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Every hall and palace within the Phoenix Creek Sect held such ceremonies, typically presided over by a respected, senior, and amiable Elder.

This marked Lin Daoyan’s twenty-third time performing this ceremony.

Lin Daoyan was already over two hundred years old. Although he had been blessed with Creation in his youth, sustaining its benefits had become difficult.

He once considered striving for the Martial Saint Realm, initiating the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation to gain more Life Span. However, after witnessing the tragic deaths of his beloved first and second Disciples during their own tribulations, his desire to achieve the rank of Martial Saint had faded considerably. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Especially after the birth of his daughter, Lin Yiru, he found it even harder to abandon everything and strive for the Martial Saint Stage.

His sole remaining aspiration was to nurture a prized Disciple capable of reclaiming the Eagle Immortal Blessed Land.

Lin Daoyan suddenly let out a soft sigh, his pace slowing.

As he did so, the other Elders also slowed their steps, accompanying Lin Daoyan’s leisurely pace.

In an era devoid of Saints, the oldest individuals ordinary Martial Artists could encounter were figures like Lin Daoyan.

"Senior Brother, why do you look troubled?"

"Yes, Senior Brother. After next year, you may no longer be the First Elder of our Refining Equipment Hall, but you will still be a highly respected senior. If something is troubling you, why not share it with us?"

"Indeed, indeed..."

The Elders showed their concern, wanting to help Lin Daoyan alleviate his worries.

Lin Daoyan said little, merely stroking his whitening beard and continuing his slow pace forward.

Eventually, Lin Daoyan’s thoughts turned to his closed-door Disciple—Hong Yuan.

If any of his Disciples had the potential to reclaim the Eagle Immortal Blessed Land, it had to be the unassuming Hong Yuan.

Zhu Wushang possessed mediocre aptitude, Bai Ge was plagued by misfortune, and Zhao Gonghe was too impetuous. Only Hong Yuan... only Hong Yuan!

Yuan, I hope you can become a True Disciple this year. That way, I can better pave the way for you, Lin Daoyan thought.

「 」

「Nanyang County.」

Today, the Phoenix Creek Sect’s encampment was heavily guarded, its defenses stringent.

Even Hong Yuan, waiting quietly in the Refining Room, could feel the grim atmosphere. Through the Power Swallow Worm’s insight, he observed that an important figure had been injured and forced to return to the encampment to recuperate.

This important figure was none other than Long Zhandu, the one Hong Yuan had effortlessly crushed!

A single glance was enough for Hong Yuan to lose interest; he withdrew his gaze.

「Half a month later.」

On the agreed-upon date, Hong Yuan placed the Sun Piercing Spear into his storage bag and headed towards his small office.

Beneath the stone pavilion in front of his small office, Hong Yuan saw Liu Jichi, an Outer Sect Steward.

At that moment, Liu Jichi was pacing back and forth within the stone pavilion, his expression shifting between joy and anxiety as he muttered to himself.

"Hong Yuan will succeed, right? He’s a genius forgemaster."

"Please don’t let it fail, please don’t let it fail. The rest of my life depends on this Sun Piercing Spear..."

Hong Yuan’s hearing was exceptional; even from a distance, he could make out Liu Jichi’s words.

Hearing this, Hong Yuan’s expression remained unchanged; he felt no disdain for Liu Jichi.

THUMP, THUMP...

Just before arriving, Hong Yuan deliberately stomped his feet, making his footsteps louder.

Liu Jichi turned at the sound, a humble smile on his face, and hurried towards Hong Yuan.

"Hong, I was wondering if my Sun Piercing Spear is ready? If not, I’m not in a rush. Please, take your time," Liu Jichi said, his tone almost fawning.

"Hehe, no need for such courtesy. It’s ready," Hong Yuan replied warmly, his voice as pleasant as a spring breeze.

Sensing the warmth in Hong Yuan’s words, Liu Jichi was deeply moved.

Although Outer Sect Stewards were officially converted from regular disciples, in the eyes of many cultivating disciples, these stewards were hardly considered true Sect members. This was even more so for those cultivators on the cusp of advancing to become True Disciples.

Under Liu Jichi’s watchful gaze, Hong Yuan gently patted his storage bag. A large halberd materialized, floating ethereally in mid-air.

The large halberd was bluish-red, with three points and two edges. Its blade glinted with a frosty chill, and it seemed to gather the power of wind and fire, inspiring awe and fear in any who beheld it.

"A treasure! What a treasure!" Liu Jichi stared at the large halberd, momentarily lost in fascination.

A fine Instrument is a Martial Artist’s second life. Sword Tao practitioners, in particular, lived by the stark creed: "Sword intact, man alive; sword broken, man dead."

While ordinary Martial Artists might not be so fanatical, they still cherished their Instruments immensely.

"This is your Instrument. Go on, try it out," Hong Yuan said with a smile.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Senior Brother! Thank you so much!" Liu Jichi eagerly grasped the large halberd.

The large halberd was heavy, causing Liu Jichi to sag under its weight.

Yet, instead of concern, joy filled him, for this proved Hong Yuan hadn’t cut corners and had diligently forged his Instrument.

Liu Jichi excitedly began to wield the halberd in the open space before him. Wind and fire swirled around the Sun Piercing Spear, and streams of light flowed in its wake.

The more he brandished it, the more Liu Jichi’s heart swelled with joy.

Upon completing a set of halberd forms, Liu Jichi was drenched in sweat, yet he felt boundless elation.

THUD—

Liu Jichi planted the Sun Piercing Spear upright in the ground. Then, he actually prepared to kneel and perform a grand salute.

"Absolutely not! I was merely fulfilling my duty. Don’t let others see this and mock us," Hong Yuan quickly reached out to stop him.

"Hong, you may not know this, but although we are both Disciples of the Phoenix Creek Sect, the disparity between us is as vast as heaven and earth."

"If we Outer Sect Stewards wish to ask for assistance from cultivating disciples, we always face immense difficulties and sometimes even suffer for it."

"Great kindness transcends mere words of thanks. I, Liu Jichi, will remember this debt," Liu Jichi said, his voice heavy with unshed tears.

His words left Hong Yuan somewhat pensive. Such class distinctions, he knew, existed wherever people gathered.

Change? That was easier said than done.

「 」

Liu Jichi indeed fulfilled his promise.

With his assistance, Hong Yuan quickly integrated into the environment here, obtaining numerous easy yet highly rewarding ’insider’ missions.

Bronze Leaves flew to him, one after another.

In less than half a year, Hong Yuan successfully passed the True Disciple assessment, officially becoming a True Disciple.

Meanwhile, the other cultivating disciples from his batch were still struggling arduously. Some even predicted they would fail the current True Disciple assessment.

This incident made Hong Yuan keenly aware of the power of reputation.

Reputation may seem intangible, yet it exists quite concretely. It can be a burden, but it can also bring benefits. Such profound mystery is truly remarkable.

My inclusion in the True Disciple registry has been announced throughout the Sect. I can return to the main Sect earlier now, without waiting for the others.

The coveted position of True Disciple, a lifelong dream for many Phoenix Creek Sect Disciples, is now mine. If I were to return to the secular world, I could easily dominate a city and establish a prominent family.

But I am merely a sojourner in this secular world; my future ultimately does not lie here. Without achieving immortality, all eventually turns to dust—even one as mighty as the Dragon Sun Emperor!

Now, it is time to go to the Central State, find Bo Qing, and undergo the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation.

Various thoughts surfaced, leaving Hong Yuan’s mind in a whirl.

Amidst a raging downpour, all traces of Hong Yuan vanished from Nanyang County as he set off towards the Central State.