Chapter 122 - 119 The Goal of a True Disciple

Chapter 122: Chapter 119 The Goal of a True DiscipleEmerged from the water, the crimson glow surging around Ye Xuan gradually receded, and the fierce and domineering aura on him also dissipated slowly before the likes of Murong Yun and others. "Ye Xuan, well done—congratulations to you." Feng Yuan’s aged face was filled with smiles, obviously very pleased with Ye Xuan’s performance in the Yang Yuan Pond. "I also have to thank the Hall Master and the Elders for this opportunity." Ye Xuan quickly clasped his hands in thanks. A place like the Yang Yuan Pond was truly a treasure land for cultivation. If not for such a place, he couldn’t have advanced to the Seventh Grade Martial Master in such a short time. Besides his cultivation, his body had undergone thousands of temperings by the Yang Gang energy and had become much stronger than before. "It’s good that you know it. This use of the Yang Yuan Pond means it won’t recover for ten years, which is a significant loss for our Yang Hall." Beside him, Murong Yun spoke with a somewhat indifferent tone. "I’m sorry..." Ye Xuan spread his hands helplessly. Such things were beyond his control—it’s not like he could just leave halfway. Since he had entered, he naturally would endure as long as he could. Such a good opportunity, no one would think of other considerations. However, regarding Ye Xuan’s apologetic attitude, Murong Yun shook his head, his eyes flashing with a sharp gleam, "You don’t need to apologize to me. The Yang Yuan Pond is specifically intended for the cultivation of outstanding disciples of the Yang Hall. Ye Xuan, your performance today was truly excellent, so I also hope that within three years, you can join the ranks of the True Disciples, alter the current situation, and raise the prestige of our Yang Hall. Then, even if the Yang Yuan Pond can’t be used again for ten years, it will have fulfilled its purpose." With these words, Feng Yuan, Shen Hong, and the others couldn’t help but look shocked. Enter the ranks of the True Disciples within three years? If Ye Xuan really achieved this, then their Yang Hall could truly stand tall and proud. But becoming a True Disciple was not something that could be achieved just by saying so. Advancing to the Martial Sect realm was a step that most people found difficult to take. Each of them had spent a considerable amount of time, and to become a True Disciple, not only talent, temperament, perseverance, and luck were all crucial factors. "Three years?" Ye Xuan raised his eyebrows, revealing a thoughtful expression. "What, you don’t have confidence?" Murong Yun’s expression darkened slightly. Though it was indeed challenging, if Ye Xuan didn’t even have this much confidence, it would disappoint him. "No, I just think that three years is a bit long." Ye Xuan made a surprising statement, "To become a True Disciple, one year should be pretty much enough." Upon hearing such an astonishing declaration, Murong Yun and the others were momentarily stunned, and then their expressions took on a playful look. It seems Ye Xuan found even three years too long. However, none of them thought Ye Xuan’s words were arrogant, as being able to endure in the Yang Yuan Pond for half a month was something not even Murong Yun could do. Perhaps if an ordinary disciple said this, it would be an unrealistic boast, but coming from Ye Xuan, there was indeed a possibility it could become reality. "Good, since you have this much confidence, then we will wait and see." Murong Yun looked at Ye Xuan with a piercing gaze. The more he looked at this new disciple, the more he took a liking to him. If a True Disciple could indeed emerge from the Yang Hall within a year, then he, as the Hall Master of the Yang Hall, wouldn’t need to bow his head before the masters of the other three halls in the future. Of course, he hoped that Ye Xuan would reach that level sooner rather than later. As for Ye Xuan, given his current pace of cultivation, advancing to Martial Sect in one year didn’t seem like an issue at all. If he couldn’t achieve the status of True Disciple of the Heavenly Martial Hall within that time, the road ahead would be even harder, and he did not have much time to waste. He could not wait for three years. Within one year, he had to achieve his goal. ... After the events on Jade Sun Peak, Ye Xuan returned to his residence. He had gained quite a few benefits from his time in the Yang Yuan Pond and, with his realm having just improved, needed to rest and consolidate a bit. Meanwhile, some residual Yang Gang energy within his body also required some time to be fully assimilated. Newcomers to the Heavenly Martial Hall were supposed to learn some basic Martial Arts courses, but Murong Yun had waived all these for Ye Xuan. After all, Ye Xuan had already mastered an integrated Martial Arts Realm, making those basic courses redundant and a waste of his time. Even if Ye Xuan wanted to attend them, Murong Yun had no intention of letting him. This made things much easier for Ye Xuan, who wouldn’t have to deal with trivial matters, thus being able to devote most of his time to cultivation. In the Heavenly Martial Hall, instead of Gold, a type of Pill called "Xuanyuan Pill" was commonly used as currency. This Earth-grade Pill was a most common cultivation resource and could be traded for other sect resources. For instance, Inner Hall Disciples like him received a monthly stipend of one hundred Xuanyuan Pills as a basic living allowance. However, the Sect did not support disciples who contributed nothing. Every disciple from both the Inner and Outer Halls had to complete appropriate level of experience tasks each quarter. Those failing to do so within the stipulated time faced severe punishment and could even lose their qualifications, being demoted to menial disciples. Therefore, the Sect should not be seen as a peaceful place for cultivation. The competition here was just as brutal, if not more intense, compared to the outside world. In the following days, Ye Xuan stayed in his own courtyard, consolidating his cultivation on the one hand, and on the other, while in the Yang Yuan Pond, he sensed signs of his Great Jade Spiral Finger Skill approaching a breakthrough to the third level. Once back at his residence, he meticulously pondered and refined it, focusing most of his energy on the cultivation of this finger skill. Once the Great Jade Spiral Finger Skill reached the third level, it could unleash ten spiraling finger forces in rapid succession, as fierce as a tempest, their power no less than that of hidden weapons. Previously, Ye Xuan had needed to use pebbles as a medium to achieve such consecutive strikes that could wound others, but upon reaching the third level, he no longer required pebbles. He could directly and freely employ his finger force to attack, which was undoubtedly more convenient and practical in a duel, not to mention its increased power and its element of surprise. Outside the courtyard. In a small grove of trees, Ye Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing silently at a row of trees in front of him. Centered around Ye Xuan, the space seemed to faintly form a cycle, rhythmically pulsating with the sound of his breathing. Whoosh! Suddenly, Ye Xuan extended his hands, releasing a powerful suction force. Then, with his fingers spread, a terrifyingly sharp edge swiftly gathered at the tips. His eyes flickered, and immediately Ye Xuan pointed outwards. Those finger forces, like transparent arrows, cut through the air, leaving vigorous trails behind before falling like rain upon the row of trees. It was as if a downpour had struck the woods, making a faint noise. At first glance, the entire grove seemed undisturbed as if Ye Xuan’s attacks had completely missed their mark. Bringing his fingers together, Ye Xuan stepped forward to inspect the trunks of the trees more closely. Through his gaze, he saw clean-edged finger holes in the bark of the trees—holes twice the size of a finger. Beneath the row of trees lay a scatter of wood shavings as if they had been sawed. Bending down to peer through one of the holes, Ye Xuan could see straight to the end of the grove; the trajectory of the Spiral Finger Force had cleared all obstructions in a straight line. Even if it were a giant rock, Ye Xuan was confident he could pierce through it. Imagine, the force of a thousand galloping horses, entirely condensed into a single finger; its power was self-evident. "The Great Jade Spiral Finger Skill, indeed, has not disappointed me." Pleased with the lethality of the Great Jade Spiral Finger Skill, Ye Xuan recognized it as a new trump card in his arsenal. Previously, though menacing and capable of injuring, it lacked the ability to kill. But now, it undoubtedly had become a silent killer in Ye Xuan’s hands. Having completed his martial practice, Ye Xuan started to head back. At the same time, he contemplated how to integrate the Great Jade Spiral with his other martial arts skills to maximize his combat effectiveness. As he walked and thought, Ye Xuan unknowingly returned to his courtyard. However, upon his arrival, he found a figure standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone. "Xiang Qing?" Ye Xuan’s gaze fell upon the figure, and he was somewhat surprised. Why would the latter have the time to come to see him today? "Ye Xuan, I’ve finally found you. Trouble has come looking for you. Quick, find a place to hide," Xiang Qing said urgently as soon as he saw Ye Xuan, quickly pushing him aside and looking around to make sure no one was nearby before speaking hurriedly. "What’s going on? This is Yang Hall; what trouble could I possibly have?" Ye Xuan felt baffled, wondering who would seek trouble with him at this time. Could it be Shen Hong? Unlikely, for the Elder would presumably not stoop to such conflicts with a mere disciple. Then who could it be? "Didn’t you get summoned by the Hall Master and enter the Yang Yuan Pond for cultivation a few days ago? That’s the issue; it’s causing quite an uproar. Many of the older disciples are very unsatisfied with it. I heard that Yuan Hao, one of the ’Three Heroes of Yang Hall,’ is looking for you. His intentions aren’t good... You should lay low for a bit..." Xiang Qing said, obviously concerned. "So, it’s about that." A look of realization crossed Ye Xuan’s face; he was not surprised by this development. A newly initiated disciple like him had taken a shortcut to enjoy the highest treatment in Yang Hall; it would be strange if there were no dissatisfaction. But what could their dissatisfaction amount to? What’s done was done. Moreover, Murong Yun had made that decision; if there were trouble to be had, it should be directed at him, not Ye Xuan. Yet just as Ye Xuan was about to speak, a group of more than a dozen people appeared not far away, clearly heading towards them. Among the group, the leader was a young man in a gold robe with a long saber at his waist, and his aura unmistakably reached the level of a Half-step Martial Sect. Seeing this gold-robed youth, Ye Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. This person must be one of the "Three Heroes of Yang Hall," the very Yuan Hao brother Xiang Qing had mentioned... "We’re done for..." As the gold-robed young man and his entourage appeared, Xiang Qing’s face turned grim, not expecting them to arrive so quickly. Now, it seemed Ye Xuan could only fend for himself...