Chapter 116: The Third-Rank Sect

Chapter 116: Third-Rank Sect

“Sect upgraded to third rank.”

“The sect leader’s ring space expanded to one hundred square meters.”

“Rewarding intermediate second-rank versions of the Golden Flame Technique, Water Transformation Technique, Departing Fire Technique, and Thick Earth Technique—one copy each. Also awarding an intermediate third-rank Green Wood Technique and one copy each of third-rank Five Elements offensive techniques: Green Wood Archery, Black Water Sword Rain, Fire Scorching Heaven, Yellow Earth Axe Method, and Golden Flow Sword Qi.”

“Rewarding second-rank Spirit Plant cultivation methods: Earth Qi Technique, [Name Redacted] Technique, and Spirit Transformation Technique—one copy each; second-rank Beast Taming Technique: Beast Control Technique—one copy; second-rank Pill Refining Techniques: Condensing Fire Technique and Pill Division Method—one copy each.”

“Rewarding six second-rank flying spirit beasts, Sky-Traveling Cranes.”

“Rewarding a Realm Gate.”

“Granting two opportunities to upgrade any sect building.”

The voice of the sect leader system rose and fell continuously, and the reward items appeared inside the sect leader’s newly expanded ring one after another, as if dumplings were being served non-stop.

Of course, the second-rank flying spirit beasts, Sky-Traveling Cranes, would not appear in the sect leader’s ring. Spirit beasts rewarded by the sect leader system usually appeared in the Spirit Beast Garden. The garden’s capacity for second-rank spirit beasts was capped at nine, and with these six new beasts alongside several others, there was still ample space in the garden.

“Ding. Please select a special building to upgrade,” the sect leader system prompted Jiang Yan to choose which sect special building to enhance.

“The main gate and the sect hall,” Jiang Yan chose without hesitation. The main gate housed the mountain-protection formation, the foundation of Mount Hua’s stability, so it was essential to upgrade first. The sect hall served many functions and provided strong auxiliary powers. To gradually unlock these capabilities, upgrading was necessary.

Other special buildings could be upgraded later by accumulating resources. Jiang Yan was confident about the sect’s future development. Mount Hua already had two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Once they produced a third, they could rival the largest sect in Linqing Prefecture, the Golden Flame Sect. Jiang Yan was full of confidence about the path ahead.

“Main gate upgrade complete.”

“Sect hall upgrade complete.”

The upgrades to the main gate and sect hall were swiftly finished. Jiang Yan’s curiosity about their appearance after the upgrades was tempered by the memory of the shattered Demon-Hunting Gate, which weighed heavily on his heart.

At present, beneath his feet lay the Spirit Herb Valley of the Yunlan Demon Realm. According to the pale-colored young monk’s words, the region of Linqing Prefecture should be within the Tianyue Realm. Jiang Yan was unsure of the exact distance between the Yunlan Demon Realm and the Tianyue Realm. Without the Demon-Hunting Gate, he wondered how he could return.

“Swish…”

Above Jiang Yan, the Green Wood Sky abruptly dissipated. Looking up, he saw that the spiritual explosion at the Demon-Hunting Gate had ended, and the shockwave had passed. Aside from occasional bloodstains on the ground, the place was peaceful, with no other signs of disturbance.

“Brother, help…”

A hoarse voice mixed with painful groans came from nearby. Turning, Jiang Yan saw all the monks of the Huasheng Temple lying prone on the ground. The faint golden glow of their Golden Bell Shield had long vanished. Except for the monk Wukong, the others were moaning in pain.

With a flick of his wrist, a vial containing Huasheng Powder appeared in Jiang Yan’s palm. Spiritual energy surged forth, enveloping the milky-white porcelain bottle as he brought it before Wukong and calmly said, “This is the healing spirit medicine Huasheng Powder. Little Master, please give this to the elders.”

Wukong accepted the powder with a look of surprise and shock, his expression filled with astonishment. “Brother, you’ve reached Foundation Establishment.”

After a cultivator achieves Foundation Establishment, the newly formed Foundation Seat inside carries a heavy spiritual pressure, a weighty presence to those still in Qi Refinement. When this pressure is unleashed, lower-level Qi Refinement cultivators can hardly resist. This spiritual pressure is one reason a Foundation Establishment cultivator can sweep through Qi Refinement sects.

Having just succeeded in Foundation Establishment, Jiang Yan’s control over his spiritual power was not yet refined. The spiritual energy and the spiritual pressure from the Foundation Seat were freely radiating. Upon sensing this intense spiritual pressure from Jiang Yan, Wukong looked at him with sheer astonishment.

A faint smile curved Jiang Yan’s lips as he said lightly, “As the Little Master said, this sect leader has indeed reached Foundation Establishment.”

Wukong administered the Huasheng Powder to his fellow disciples before crawling laboriously to Jiang Yan’s side. He respectfully returned the vial, gratitude evident in his voice: “Thank you, Brother, for your kindness in providing the medicine. The Huasheng Temple will surely repay this favor.”

Jiang Yan stored the vial away and curiously asked, “Little Monk, why didn’t you use the Huasheng Powder yourself? I see your injuries are severe. Without prompt treatment, you might suffer lasting consequences.”

Before Jiang Yan, Wukong’s transparent information displayed:

Name: Wukong

Sect: Huasheng Temple

Position: Third Generation Registered Disciple

Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Ninth Layer, Nine Meridians Damaged

Spiritual Artifacts: Golden Bell Shield, Earth Condensing Pearl

Spiritual Techniques: Thick Earth Technique (First Rank, Upper Stage), Mantra Spell (First Rank, Upper Stage)

Merit Points:

Innate Talent: 45

Wukong’s nine meridians were all injured from withstanding the shockwave of the spiritual explosion. The Huasheng Powder would help repair them, so Jiang Yan wondered why Wukong hadn’t used it.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Wukong’s face twisted slightly from pain as he said, “Brother, to be honest, although Huasheng Powder is effective, it no longer works for cultivators above the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. Even if I took it, it would be wasted.”

Jiang Yan smiled knowingly. The little monk was correct. While the Huasheng Powder’s effectiveness was remarkable, its potency was limited. After a cultivator surpasses the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, its effects diminish significantly. By the ninth layer, the repair speed from the powder is slower than the cultivator’s own spiritual power healing. So it was reasonable that Wukong, at the ninth layer, refused to waste the powder.

“Brother, you should understand the Green Wood Spirit Transformation Technique, right? Heroine Tang Wan’s mastery of Green Wood Spirit Transformation is profound. As the leader of Mount Hua, you must also have learned it, yes?” Wukong looked at Jiang Yan with hopeful eyes.

Jiang Yan smiled broadly. He gently spread the five fingers of his right hand, then brought his palms together. He casually waved toward Wukong, sending a bright gleam of light hurtling toward him.

Wukong’s refusal to take the Huasheng Powder and his respectful demeanor suggested he had a request. Recalling the pale-colored young monk’s entrustment before entering the Demon-Hunting Gate, Jiang Yan willingly helped his mentor’s disciples.

The bright light brought a swift smile to Wukong’s face. He placed one palm over his chest and bowed deeply to Jiang Yan, gratitude overflowing his voice: “This humble monk thanks Brother for your timely aid.”

As the bright light entered his body, Wukong immediately felt warmth spread throughout. A gentle, soothing current coursed rapidly through his meridians. Wherever the warm flow passed, the fiery pain within his meridians vanished swiftly. Furthermore, the spiritual power that had long been blocked now showed signs of breaking through.