Chapter 166 Asking Heaven, Asking Earth, Asking for Immortality
After a moment of silence, True Lord Kongbei continued to speak.
"Additionally, I would like to extend a special thanks to those who assisted the Wendao Sect in the fight against the Sea Clan. As previously stated, participants in this battle may receive temporary Sect Contribution Points, and the points for all contributors have been recorded. After the ceremony, you may visit the Hall of Merit to exchange your points for the items you need.
Furthermore, for those who earned the most contribution points at each level of strength, our sect will provide additional rewards. They are:
At the Nascent Soul Stage, the Invincible True Lord of the Cangqiong Sword Sect, who slew one mid-Fourth Stage, three early-Fourth Stage Sea Clan members, and destroyed the physical body of one late-Fourth Stage Sea Clan member, earning 70,000 contribution points;
At the Golden Core Stage, Fairy Qi Xun of the Qunfang Pavilion, who together with others slew four late-Third Stage, twelve mid-Third Stage, twenty-six early-Third Stage Sea Clan members, contributing over half the effort, earning 28,000 points;
At the Foundation Establishment Stage, Yu Qingtan from Tianxiang Valley, who slew three early-Third Stage, eight hundred sixty-seven Second Stage, countless First Stage Sea Clan members, assisted in the killing of a late-Third Stage Canglong, and saved more than two million cultivators from the external city of the Wendao Sect, earning 110,000 contribution points.
Please come to the stage now, the three of you, to receive the rewards prepared by our sect."
Yu Qingtan, with graceful steps, moved toward the stage.
On the other side, both the Invincible True Lord and Fairy Qi Xun also stepped forward, their gazes toward Yu Qingtan carrying an obscure meaning.
"Greetings to Sect Leader Mo!" The Invincible True Lord offered a casual salute, while Fairy Qi Xun and Yu Qingtan bowed respectfully, holding up the hems of their skirts.
The crowd below was filled with amazement; they refrained from making noise due to the solemnity of the occasion, but cultivators at or above the Foundation Establishment Stage began to discuss amongst themselves through transmitted messages.
"It's expected of Fairy Qi Xun, but why does Yu Qingtan from Tianxiang Valley have to be so strong when she clearly could just rely on her looks?"
"This Yu Qingtan is definitely making it onto this year's Hundred Flowers List; she may well be called Fairy Qingtan."
"Despite being at the mere Foundation Establishment Stage, the contribution points Yu Qingtan has earned are even higher than those of the Invincible True Lord and Fairy Qi Xun; how terrifying!"
"It's said that Yu Qingtan has been fully committed to sweeping the Sea Clan aside to rescue more cultivators from the lower strata of the Immortal City; what a kind and beautiful girl!"
"They say that Yu Qingtan, capable of casting the powerful Water Blade Technique for extended periods without draining her spiritual power, might possess the legendary Soul Devouring Physique that allows instant absorption of spiritual energy from spirit stones."
"Yu Qingtan also has an explosive secret technique with a minimal cost and long duration that can elevate her from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage to the Golden Core Stage; it's fearful this could be a legendary heaven-grade technique."
"The taller the tree, the harsher the wind; with such talent, Yu Qingtan is not inferior to the Invincible True Lord in his early days. I'm afraid Tianxiang Valley won't be able to keep her!"
"Aren't there also Qunfang Pavilion and the Wendao Sect?"
The discussions among the crowd were mostly focused on Yu Qingtan; after all, the strength of the Invincible True Lord and Fairy Qi Xun was to be expected.
The cultivators of Wendao Immortal City, especially those from the outer city whom she had rescued, were even more excited at the sight of Yu Qingtan, enthusiastically singing her praises to those around them.
"Invincible True Lord, this is a Jade Slip containing the insights into Divinity Transformation from a venerable senior of our sect's Thunder Vein who ascended years ago. I'm entrusting it to you, in the hope that you will achieve Divinity Transformation soon and protect our Human Race."
At that moment, True Lord Kongbei produced a Jade Slip and addressed the Invincible True Lord.
The invincible True Lord, who had appeared nonchalant, now looked solemn as he respectfully took the Jade Slip with both hands.
"Thank you!"
True Lord Kongbei then turned toward Fairy Qi Xun.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Fairy Qi Xun, here are the Core Formation insights and a Turtle Shell of a Fourth Stage Gui Turtle from a Nascent Soul True Lord of our sect's Water Vein; they should be useful to you."
"Thank you, Sect Leader Mo!"
Finally, True Lord Kongbei looked at Yu Qingtan.
"Young friend Yu, it would not be out of place to call you Fairy Qingtan at this point; your future is indeed formidable! These are the aforementioned Core Formation and Nascent Soul insights from a Nascent Soul True Lord of my Water Vein, along with a drop of Innate Ren Water and a bloom of Innate Bing Fire."
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"Thank you, Sect Leader Mo!"
Yu Qingtan suppressed the excitement in her heart, accepted the reward, and said.
The Innate Five Elements objects all belong to the Fourth Stage spiritual materials. Previously, True Master Shuiyun had given her a drop of Innate Gui Water, which she had hardly contemplated. She had not expected to receive two more portions now.
The importance of the insights into Core Formation and Nascent Soul needs no further mention. With these, she could avoid many detours and even affect the success or failure of her advancement.
"Additionally, you may now be recorded as a named true disciple of the Wendao Sect Water Vein and may join our Wendao Sect at any time!"
True Lord Kongbei announced another significant reward, though the status of a named true disciple must have been out of consideration for the sentiments of Tianxiang Valley and Qunfang Pavilion.
The relationships between orthodox sects are generally harmonious; they do not forcibly take away disciples. However, as cultivators improve their cultivation levels, they naturally migrate to larger sects because only the larger sects possess spirit veins for major realm advancements.
For example, cultivators from Tianxiang Valley who wish to form their Nascent Soul must go to the Fourth Stage spirit vein of Qunfang Pavilion or Wendao Sect. Cultivators from Qunfang Pavilion desiring to achieve Divinity Transformation must rely on the Fifth Stage spirit vein of Wendao Sect. After a successful advancement, they generally stay because their cultivation still requires the corresponding spirit vein.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Mo!"
Yu Qingtan knew that giving her the status of a named true disciple was also a form of protection for her.
The three returned to their seats, and True Lord Kongbei continued to speak.
"True Lord Xinghe, Meng Xinghe, joined the Wendao Sect in the year 7020 of the Lichuan Calendar, becoming a disciple of the Water Vein. It has been eighty years to date, and he formed his Nascent Soul earlier this year.
True Lord Xinghe has driven back the beast tide for our sect, pacified the Sea Clan, and fought against the Demon Sect, achieving great merit through toil.
Just a few days ago, during the calamity caused by the Sea Clan, True Lord Xinghe faced two opponents, slaying one early Fourth Stage Sea Clan member and severely injuring another.
Today, we hold the Nascent Soul Ceremony to celebrate his achievements!
Next, please let True Lord Xinghe share his insight into cultivation."
Yu Qingtan's heart stirred; this newly promoted True Lord Xinghe was indeed a fierce individual. Although it took him over eighty years to form his Nascent Soul, which was considered quite young among Nascent Soul cultivators, his combat achievements immediately after his advancement were impressive, and he must have been renowned on the Pride of the Heavens List during his Golden Core Stage.
As for the Lichuan Calendar, more precisely known as the Lichuan Ancient and Modern Calendar, it was divided into eras based on significant events, and this year was 7100 on the Lichuan Calendar.
This was also one of the reasons the Wendao Sect chose to hold the Nascent Soul Ceremony. Typically, such significant sects would hold such ceremonies only once every hundred or two hundred years.
True Lord Kongbei stepped down from the stage and took a seat in the front row while a woman in a pale blue dress gracefully stepped onto the stage.
"I am Meng Xinghe, the newly advanced Nascent Soul of the Wendao Sect Water Vein. Thank you all for attending my Nascent Soul Ceremony. Next, I will share some of my cultivation experiences.
Cultivation is the practice of the Great Dao of immortality.
It involves cultivating both the body and the heart.
The law of man is linked to the earth, the earth to the heavens, the heavens to the Dao, and the Dao to nature.
The beginning of Qi Cultivation…"
True Lord Xinghe, with a jade hairpin at her temple, light brows, bright eyes, and attractive features, looked like a woman in her thirties as she eloquently shared her cultivation path from the stage.
Yu Qingtan listened intently, enraptured. She also primarily cultivated water-based cultivation techniques and spells, and True Lord Xinghe's speech was full of insights for her.
The speech lasted an entire hour, and after True Lord Xinghe stepped down, the crowd felt an unfulfilled longing and thus, took a fifteen-minute break.
After the break, it was time for the well-anticipated junior competition segment.
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