Translator: CinderTL
Since breaking through the Dao Seeking Realm, the most noticeable change on his panel was in his lifespan, which had increased from 360 years to 460 years, giving him an extra century of life.
At this moment, the remaining high platforms gradually saw their contests conclude. The eight finalists had been decided: six men and two women, all at the Peak Stage of the Celestial Being Realm, just one step away from attempting Foundation Establishment.
But that final step was the most challenging. The transition from Celestial Being to Foundation Establishment was a leap in life itself. Once achieved, one would be separated from the mortal realm, making it the most difficult stage. It required not only the formation of a Dao Body but also the gathering of various heavenly earth treasures to forge a dao body.
For instance, Xu Sanyan's previous cultivation method, the Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra, offered three methods for forming a dao body. The inferior dao body was relatively simple, requiring only thirty-six human hearts and lungs. However, this dao body had obvious drawbacks, and no one with a genuine desire for the Dao would choose it.
The intermediate dao body required various heavenly earth treasures, while the superior dao body demanded heavenly earth treasures, both of which were difficult to obtain.
Xu Sanyan slowly rose to his feet, his voice encouraging, "Rest well, everyone. Tomorrow, strive for excellence and compete fiercely for first place!"
"Thank you for your cultivation, Holy Son!"
The eight victors wore expressions of excitement, their eyes shining as they gazed at the tall figure. They all knew that the competition had been funded entirely by the Holy Son himself, with the purpose of encouraging younger disciples to cultivate diligently.
Moreover, the Holy Son had promised to hold the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition every three years from now on. The top five winners would not only receive generous rewards but also be granted the opportunity to become his disciples. From then on, they would have a powerful patron, and no one would dare to bully them.
Compared to the rewards, they valued the latter even more. Most importantly, the Holy Son didn't care about their backgrounds, only their abilities, so everyone had a chance.
In the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect, life as an Outer Sect Disciple was incredibly difficult. They had to complete numerous daily tasks and constantly watch their every step. Offending an inner sect disciple could mean being crushed like an ant.
Under such circumstances, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was even more challenging. Xu Sanyan's actions had given them a glimmer of hope. Becoming his disciples wouldn't guarantee Foundation Establishment, but it would certainly make it much easier.
After this Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition, Xu Sanyan's reputation among the Outer Sect Disciples had already risen considerably. When they spoke of the Holy Son, their eyes held a hint of reverence.
Xu Sanyan smiled warmly. These people would be his valuable allies in the future. Not only did they need him, but he also needed them. Mutual support was the true path to success.
"Go now. I hope you all give your best tomorrow and don't disappoint me," Xu Sanyan said, turning to leave.
"Farewell, Holy Son!"
Over a thousand Outer Sect Disciples roared in unison, their voices like a mountain avalanche, stirring the hearts of all who heard.
The elders watching from both sides exchanged glances, understanding that the Holy Son's momentum had been established.
Though his supporters appeared to be merely a group of unremarkable Outer Sect Disciples, the significance of their support was far from trivial.
"Momentum" possessed a blind following. It could subtly influence the human heart.
Even the elders, though fully aware that the highest cultivation level among the thousand disciples was only the Celestial Being Realm—easily crushed by their Soul Refining Realm cultivation—still felt a slight tremor when they shouted the Holy Son's name in unison.
Liu Tang followed closely behind as Xu Sanyan departed, and the elders dispersed as well.
Lin Fan watched Xu Sanyan's retreating back with a hint of respect in his eyes. He overheard the other disciples' discussion:
"The Holy Son has arrived! Life at Crimson Dragon Mountain is about to get better. Even we Outer Sect Disciples might have a chance now."
"That's right. No one ever cared about our lives before. Ever since the Holy Son took over, even Old Man Wang hasn't dared to be so harsh."
"Exactly! They've changed their attitude because the Holy Son treats us like human beings..."
Lin Fan clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "Father, Mother, when your son becomes an immortal, I will avenge you..."
At that moment, someone approached Lin Fan and whispered, "Follow me. Someone wants to see you."
Lin Fan turned to look at the person, whom he didn't recognize. He cautiously asked, "Who wants to see me?"
"The person you just met."
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. Could it be...?
In Xu Sanyan's room, a screen divided the spacious chamber in two. Four maids stood on either side of the screen, their hands clasped respectfully in front of them.
Lin Fan knelt on one knee, glanced briefly at the figure leaning casually against the bed, and quickly lowered his head. Through the screen, he could vaguely make out a silhouette.
His voice tinged with excitement, Lin Fan declared, "Outer Sect Disciple Lin Fan greets the Holy Son!"
"Rise and be seated," Xu Sanyan said, leaning against the bed, his voice gentle. "Zhu'er, serve tea."
"Yes, Master."
Lin Fan sat down as instructed, but he dared not sit fully, perching on the edge of the chair. He quickly reached out to accept the tea Zhu'er offered, murmuring his thanks, "Thank you, Immortal Maiden."
He then sniffed the air, savoring the delicate fragrance of the Sea Blossom Tea. This was the finest tea he had ever seen, far superior, in his opinion, to what Old Man Wang drank.
"Let me see your sword," Xu Sanyan said slowly.
Lin Fan hesitated briefly, then reasoned that if the Holy Son coveted his treasure, he would simply seize it. Why bother with such elaborate pretense? He unfastened the longsword from his waist and presented it to Zhu'er with both hands. "Holy Son, please examine it."
With a flick of his finger, Xu Sanyan caused the black sword to detach from Zhu'er's grasp, circle around the screen, and land in his hand.
Clang!
The blade emerged from its scabbard, unleashing a chilling aura. The dark sword's surface was utterly devoid of any imperfections. Sunlight streaming through the window struck the blade, yet it reflected no light at all.
The sword's material was unknown, appearing completely non-reflective.
"What kind of sword is this?" Xu Sanyan asked.
Lin Fan shook his head. "Reporting to the Holy Son, this disciple doesn't know. I found this sword in a dungeon. It was buried more than ten feet underground. I only discovered it by chance."
Xu Sanyan nodded, channeling his Spiritual Power into the longsword. The blade trembled slightly, but remained unresponsive. This puzzled him even more. He sensed...
The sword was rejecting him!
The last time he'd encountered such a phenomenon was with the Azure Crimson Twin Swords of the Red Sea Twin Immortals. However, those swords were magic artifacts they had cultivated themselves, so it was normal for them to reject the Spiritual Power of outsiders. But this black sword had no master. Why was this happening?
Lin Fan was merely at the Celestial Being Realm, with no Spiritual Power to cultivate the sword and thus unable to make it acknowledge him as its master. Logically, this shouldn't be possible.
Could it be... that for some unknown reason, the sword had already recognized Lin Fan as its master?
He couldn't figure it out.
Xu Sanyan shook his head and casually tossed the longsword back to Lin Fan. It was just a magical artifact. No matter how extraordinary, it wasn't a heavenly earth treasure and wouldn't be of much use.
Lin Fan caught the sword with both hands and reattached it to his waist.
"Do you have any family left?"
"No, my parents have passed away. I have no ties left."
"Good. Perform well tomorrow. I have high hopes for you," Xu Sanyan encouraged.
"This disciple will not disappoint the Holy Son's expectations!"
Lin Fan nodded firmly. He never imagined he would catch the Holy Son's eye. The thought filled him with excitement.
"Go now," Xu Sanyan waved him away.
"Yes, this disciple takes his leave."
(End of the Chapter)
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