Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 213 - 203: I’ve Become a Sect Elder?! The Importance of Strength
The Phoenix Creek Sect is the Overlord Sect in Yong State, regarded by its Martial Artists as a Holy Land.
Moreover, Yong State is a vast territory with numerous prefectures and counties.
Thus, traveling far from the sect to Maple Leaf City in Red Feather Mansion meant the procedures for Hong Yuan and his companions were quite complex.
Red Feather Mansion is also quite famous within the Phoenix Creek Sect due to the Flame Sacred Fire Secret Realm it houses. This Flame Sacred Fire greatly enhances both alchemy and artifact refining. This is one of the reasons Red Feather Mansion produces so many alchemists and artifact refiners.
From the City Lord’s Mansion of Red Feather County, a small Cloud Boat resembling a floating leaf took flight, rushing towards Maple Leaf City.
Within the small Cloud Boat, Hong Yuan, Jiang Nai, Le Congsheng, and Tang Baiwei were gathered.
Although it had been nearly a month since they left the sect, Hong Yuan gazed at the white clouds drifting by and the fierce birds of prey flying past. He still felt a torrent of complaints in his heart but didn’t know to whom he should voice them.
They’re asking me to provide support... Good grief, I really am the strongest one here.
You can’t seriously believe that just because you’re disciples of an Overlord Sect, you can do whatever you want in Yong State without any restrictions, can you?
This is far too reckless. Are we treating this like a spring outing?
Hong Yuan felt helpless.
Look at the strength of his teammates:
Le Congsheng, an Earth Tao Martial Artist, peak second-order.
Tang Baiwei, a Wood Tao Martial Artist, mid-second-order.
Jiang Nai, a Wood Tao Martial Artist, early second-order.
If Hong Yuan didn’t accompany them, these three might very well encounter some frenzied Demon Tao Martial Artists, desperate due to their lack of progress, and could fall prey to a deadly plot to steal their cultivation at any moment.
Normally, a matter like annulling an engagement would involve the accompaniment of a sect Elder or a senior brother.
However, because of the incident where "Bo Qing achieved sublimation and became a Martial Saint in the midst of battle," Le Congsheng’s master and senior brothers had all gone to strive for their own chance at becoming Martial Saints. This left Hong Yuan to effectively take on the role of a sect Elder.
It seems the Sword Tao Incarnation has dug a pit for the Power Tao Incarnation!
"Yuan, these are snow pears I specially cultivated. Would you like to try one?" Jiang Nai looked at Hong Yuan with hopeful eyes. The washed snow pears in the fruit bowl looked as pure as snowflakes.
Jiang Nai’s glossy black hair fell softly around her face. Her gentle eyes and warm expression made her look beautiful and captivating. Her skin was as white and smooth as suet jade, utterly flawless. She wore a loose, well-fitting blue dress, exuding a watery gentleness. Her well-proportioned figure, bathed in the morning sun, seemed to radiate a dreamy luster.
Behind her, Tang Baiwei was silently cheering her on, Go, Little Nai! Try your best to win Senior Brother Hong Yuan over!
Tang Baiwei sincerely hoped that Jiang Nai could find happiness with someone as outstanding and upstanding as Hong Yuan.
"Thoughtful of you," Hong Yuan said, accepting a snow pear and taking a light bite.
Snow pears were second-order Spirit Plants. They weren’t easy to cultivate, yet their price wasn’t high. Their mellow, sweet taste made them perfect for enjoyment.
The cost-effectiveness of cultivating snow pears was far inferior to that of cultivating Gathering Spirit Grass, especially for Martial Artists like Jiang Nai who needed to be self-sufficient.
Amidst Jiang Nai’s anxious anticipation, Hong Yuan smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Heehee, as long as you like them, Yuan, that’s all that matters..." Jiang Nai felt a wave of satisfaction, a sweet smile gracing her lips.
From the back of the Cloud Boat, Tang Baiwei watched the interaction between her best friend and Hong Yuan, a pleased, aunt-like smile on her face.
「...」
The Lin Family of Maple Leaf City, Clan Grand Hall.
The hall was brightly lit, opulent and magnificent. All the important figures of the Lin Family had gathered, seated in order, exchanging glances. The atmosphere was solemn and serious.
An Elder seated on the right was pressuring Lin Bu Jing, intending to undermine the prestige of his father, Lin Zhan, and to prepare for the next redistribution of family interests.
"Clan Leader, Bu Jing is already twenty-five this year, yet he’s still a first-order Martial Artist. I suggest we cancel his resource allocation as a ’Heavenly Talent.’" The Fifth Elder, Lin Pingxin, gazed disdainfully at the figure standing in the center of the grand hall, contempt clear in his eyes.
"Moreover, compared to his peers, he has achieved nothing noteworthy. Yet, he continues to enjoy the family’s resources allocated to a ’Heavenly Talent.’ This does not comply with the family rules," the Fourth Elder, Lin Pingnian, said casually, his words making Lin Bu Jing’s face burn with humiliation.
As soon as the two Elders spoke, disdainful laughter and regretful sighs regarding Lin Bu Jing began to ripple through the Clan Grand Hall.
In the center of the hall, Lin Bu Jing’s lips curled into a self-mocking smile, his expression bitter.
In the past, such discussions would have enraged him, causing him to clench his fists so tightly that his palms ached.
Now, he had grown somewhat numb to it.
The family had indeed shown him special favor. If not for their persistent belief in his supposedly outstanding talent, he would have long been assigned to one of the family’s various enterprises, handling mundane affairs.
But...
Lin Bu Jing roared inwardly, Strength, strength, I need strength! He was filled with unwillingness.
He couldn’t resign himself to becoming the "living proof" others used to attack his father, nor could he bear to become the blade that would wound him.
Faced with the flood of accusations, the Lin Family’s Clan Leader, Lin Zhan, remained calm.
Not only that, Clan Leader Lin Zhan was observing his son, Lin Bu Jing.
Clan Leader Lin Zhan thought to himself, Bu Jing must have a profound understanding of the importance of strength by now.
Compared to a life-and-death battle with a Martial Artist, the offensive launched by the Great Elder with the Fourth and Fifth Elders is nothing significant. I hope you understand this too, Bu Jing.
In the Clan Grand Hall, responding to the attack from the Fourth and Fifth Elders, Elder San and the Second Elder immediately retorted.
Elder San Lin Pingkuai’s eyes were sharp. "The resource allocation for the Heavenly Talent program? Bu Jing himself requested its cancellation two years ago. The clan evaluated and approved his request. Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, surely you are not unaware of this?"
A scoffing laugh escaped the Second Elder, Lin Pingle. "Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, I think you two are truly muddled. I just wonder if you’re pretending to be confused or if you genuinely are..."
The Fifth and Fourth Elders’ expressions changed drastically. They hurriedly turned their gazes towards the Great Elder seated at the head of the hall, seeking his aid.
The Great Elder remained calm and composed. "It’s normal to forget things as one gets older," he said casually. "Recently, the Long Family has been coveting our Lingze Mountain’s small yuan-currents. Who does everyone think would be suitable to send to support Old Ninth?"
With a few light words, the topic was diverted.
A familiar scene played out once more.
Lin Zhan’s gaze suddenly deepened. He said nothing further, quietly observing the situation.
Lin Bu Jing, however, harbored a deep resentment towards the Great Elder, itching to give that old coot, who leveraged his age, a sound thrashing.
「...」
Three days later, a small Cloud Boat shaped like a floating leaf descended upon the Maple Leaf City Lord’s Mansion.
"Senior Brother Huang Sanyi..."
"Junior Brother, Junior Sister..."
Hong Yuan and the others exchanged greetings and pleasantries with Huang Sanyi, the City Lord of Maple Leaf City.
At Huang Sanyi’s hearty invitation, Hong Yuan and his companions attended the welcoming feast.
Hong Yuan hadn’t overlooked the possibility of food poisoning. However, with the protection of his Vermilion Bird Sub-Divine Power, he was confident he could save anyone from harm unless it was inflicted by a Martial Saint.
As for injuries inflicted by a Martial Saint, whether he could save them was another matter entirely.
"Junior Brother, these are Flying Fish Slices, a rare delicacy even within the sect."
"Junior Sister, this is Snow Lotus Soup; it has beautifying and nourishing effects."
Huang Sanyi was a warm host, showing none of the cold demeanor one might expect from a City Lord.
Huang Sanyi was a True Disciple from the Phoenix Creek Sect’s Scripture Pavilion, an advanced fourth-order cultivator, and relatively advanced in age.
When he realized becoming a Martial Saint was beyond his reach, he applied for an external assignment from the sect. He was then granted stewardship over Maple Leaf City, allowing him to establish his own family branch and live like a wealthy patriarch.
"Haha, Senior Brother, we can serve ourselves," Hong Yuan said generously.
Le Congsheng was even bolder, engaging Huang Sanyi in a drinking contest.
During the meal, Hong Yuan casually remarked, "Senior Brother, I heard a story about a Martial Arts Heavenly Talent here who ended up as a failure. What’s that all about?"
"A Heavenly Talent turned to trash? You must be talking about Lin Bu Jing of the Lin Family," Huang Sanyi clicked his tongue. "It’s surprising you’ve even heard of it. Truly, good news rarely leaves the house, while bad news travels far and wide. Lin Bu Jing isn’t having an easy time lately, and the Lin Family isn’t peaceful either."
"How so?" Hong Yuan leaned in.
Subsequently, Huang Sanyi told Hong Yuan about the Lin Family’s internal conflicts and Lin Bu Jing’s situation.
Gradually, Hong Yuan’s plan for handling the annulment became more refined.
However, hearsay could be deceptive; he still needed to gather information himself.
The method Le Congsheng had previously suggested—simply tossing down some pills and crudely breaking off the marriage—was too rough. If mishandled, both parties could suffer greatly.
"Senior Brother, do you have a more detailed map of Maple Leaf City? The one I have is too crude," Hong Yuan said, his eyes narrowed in a smile.
"I do. Junior Brother, remember not to circulate it carelessly," Huang Sanyi cautioned, handing a highly detailed map to Hong Yuan.
Hong Yuan examined the map while subtly shaking his wide sleeves.
Numerous Worms, resembling tiny grey swallows, detached themselves from his sleeve cuffs and scattered in all directions to gather intelligence for him.
Power Swallow Worms, it’s time for you to act.
His Original Body had Rapid Bee Worms, his Sword Tao Incarnation had Sword Sparrow Worms, and similarly, his Power Tao Incarnation possessed Power Swallow Worms.
Hong Yuan had always placed extreme importance on intelligence gathering.
The Power Swallow Worms, with strength equivalent to fourth-order Martial Artists, were more than capable of handling this task.
