Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Reputation Rises Once More

Qin Hao is an Inner Sect Disciple.

However, within the Cyan Cloud Sect’s hierarchy, above Inner Sect Disciples are the Foundation Establishment Elders. More specifically, among Inner Sect Disciples, there are those who hold core steward positions in various sects; these stewards possess cultivation levels at the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Refining, making them the high-end combat power of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Qin Hao was such a figure, and Zhu Chen also reached this point in his first lifetime.

During Zhu Chen’s seventy-plus years in the Cyan Cloud Sect, besides Qin Hao, the sect also managed to locate several missing disciples’ corpses outside the sect, confirming their deaths.

These people were all manipulated by Zhu Chen, among them was even a Foundation Establishment Elder. But at this moment, Qin Hao was undoubtedly the most suitable.

Xuu Tao cautiously sensed Zhu Chen’s aura again and asked, “And Senior Brother Qin… or perhaps is there any token…”

“Token? This one?”

Zhu Chen took out an identity token. Xuu Tao already had the answer in his heart; if Qin Hao was still alive, it was impossible for him not to return to the sect.

“When did Senior Brother Qin…”

“The master passed away five years ago; he only taught me the Cyan Cloud Breathing technique, a few magics and talisman-making methods, and told me the location and time of the Dragon Gate Conference…”

“How has Junior Brother spent these years…”

Xuu Tao asked several questions continuously, all of which Zhu Chen answered one by one, without a hint of flaw.

“Junior Sister Han, lead this child back to the sect; the Dragon Gate Conference will continue to be executed by me and Junior Brother Li.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Zhu Chen glanced at the three people present; among them, Xuu Tao and Han Li would preside over the Dragon Gate Conference ten years later, while the other person seemed unfamiliar.

[The identity you created was successfully concealed, and the Cyan Cloud Sect disciples escorted you back to the sect.]

[Upon returning to the sect, two Foundation Establishment Elders, including Master Fuyang, conducted various inquiries with you. You answered smoothly, using your century-long experience combined with the Meditation Technique to remain calm in any environment, showcasing outstanding acting skills. After thorough investigation, the two Elders affirmed that you were recruited by Qin Hao outside.]

Upon the majestic mountaintop, an elder in a cyan robe, white hair, and white beard wore a slight look of sadness on his face.

The other Foundation Establishment Elder quickly consoled, “Elder Qin, the path of cultivation itself is like this…”

“It’s nothing; even I might fall by accident someday.”

Master Fuyang gently touched Zhu Chen’s head, a ripple of emotion deep within his eyes which were otherwise as serene as a mirrored lake.

“According to seniority, Qin Hao is my clan nephew; he is dead. From today, I am your master.”

“Zhu Chen, greets Master!”

Normally, those with Five Spirit Roots could not become pupils of Foundation Establishment Elders; only those outstanding in certain fields could catch the eyes of Elders.

Zhu Chen demonstrated his capability in controlling magic and battle skills developed in his previous life, but such development requires time.

“Congratulations to Elder Qin for gaining another disciple. With matters confirmed, I shall take my leave.”

“Elder Li, take care.”

“I shall guide you around the Cyan Cloud Sect; the sect’s rules differ greatly from those of the Independent Cultivator Market, and you’ll need to adapt. Also, since you have talent in talisman-making, I can teach you firsthand.”

[You’ve successfully joined the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Outer Sect, becoming a disciple under Master Fuyang again.]

[Looking at Master Fuyang’s familiar face, you couldn’t help but think of the future Northern Expedition battle; this time, you won’t let Master Fuyang fall in combat.]

[Master Fuyang is proficient in talismans and pill theory, as well as various cultivation techniques. He tries to impart talisman knowledge to you but discovers your innate ability isn’t strong in this aspect. After experimenting, he feels a bit disappointed but says nothing.]

[Your entry has aroused dissatisfaction among some disciples born into Independent Cultivator Families within the sect.]

[The Cyan Cloud Sect’s rules impose heavily on numerous small factions, and even though you are Master Fuyang’s disciple, these groups often target you secretly.]

[In the mission hall, you accepted a task; three days after entering the sect, you slew a powerful demon beast comparable to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and returned with its massive head to submit the task, astonishing everyone in the hall.]

[Fifteen days after joining the sect, you carried the head of a bounty-hunted Loose Cultivator of the Qi Refining Third Layer into the mission hall.]

[On your forty-eighth day in the sect, you slew a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Tribulation Cultivator, saving a fellow sect junior sister, gaining attention from a sect faction which you handled appropriately.]

[Seventy-seven days after joining the sect, you forcefully slew a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Loose Cultivator at great cost with heavy injuries and depleted talismans, dragging your blood-soaked body back to the sect, shocking the Outer Sect. The sect sent disciples specializing in healing to tend to your wounds.]

[The name Mad Zhu Chen spread throughout the Outer Sect; cultivators in the distance witnessed the process of you overcoming strong enemies across three small stages, and the madness and battle reputation began to spread throughout the entire sect.]

[Returning to the sect, you healed and cultivated.]

[Unbeknownst to others, each time you set out, you were searching for opportunities remembered from past memories, merely battling strong foes to acquire these resources.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1696, you successfully broke through to the Third-Layer of Qi Refining, fully digesting the opportunity. Due to the opportunity, your physical strength increased, the intensity of your Divine Sense rose, and you preliminarily mastered two rare high-tier skills from the opportunity: Sky-jumping Air Sword and Indestructible Earth Armor.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1697, you reacquired all the skills cultivated in your previous life; yet due to limited True Essence reserves, the skills couldn’t be freely deployed.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1698, you went out on a mission and were hunted by foes of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, exhausting your trump cards and barely surviving.]

[In the same year, your master, Master Fuyang, personally eliminated this enemy, startling three dynasties.]

In his previous life, Zhu Chen was but a martial artist who later exhibited expertise in magics, earning attention from Master Fuyang, but wasn’t nearly as talented as in this lifetime.

Nourished by a Spiritual Lotus Spring, coupled with the acceleration aided by Celestial Demon Heart Devouring Technique, Zhu Chen had already surpassed disciples with Four Spirit Roots in the first three layers, further exhibiting powerful combat talents, naturally gaining priority from Master Fuyang.

[You broke and then stood again, consuming a large amount of resources, approaching the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining in cultivation.]

[Master Fuyang detected your cultivation, just as the previous life, offering personal sessions for you. You chose the same options as before; in the last life, Master Fuyang held nothing back, and faced with those same three choices, you continued the same path.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1699, you had a burst of inspiration in your heart, successfully breaking through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, transitioning successfully to the Blazing Fire Technique.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1700, you turned twenty; by mortal standards, you became an adult, but it didn’t concern you.]

[In Daqi Calendar 1701, the once-in-a-decade Outer Sect Grand Tournament commenced; you participated and stopped at the top thirty-two.]

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