Chapter 369: Chapter 180: Fifth Realm
On the high platform, the elder’s composed voice echoed through the hall.
"Breaking Mortality Seed, Enlightenment Divine Fire... With Perfect Qi Blood as fuel, you ignite the fire of life upon the Other Shore and forge the Seed of True Essence... All your accumulated foundation—your bones, Qi Blood, and willpower—are smelted as one in this crucible. The innate disposition of your True Essence begins to manifest, and its Nature is held within."
"Be it solid, vibrant, or resilient... This is the first reflection of the Dao Foundation’s Nature."
"The key to this realm lies in establishing both the foundation and the disposition simultaneously."
"Only when its Nature is formed can it be called a True Species. A seed without Nature is like a soulless husk, incomplete..."
The gentle voice reached the Inner Sect Disciples below, each of them listening, completely captivated.
Just as he was speaking, the elder heard a commotion. He paused mid-sentence and subconsciously glanced toward the hall’s entrance, but a moment later, he raised an eyebrow, a glint in his eyes.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
Qin Fang felt a touch helpless. ’I was careless. I knew I shouldn’t have worn this Infinite Star Armor out. Now everyone greets me wherever I go.’
For instance, he had just sat down and was listening intently when several Inner Sect Disciples beside him, after a moment’s hesitation, still bowed to pay their respects.
As more people were startled by his presence, the commotion grew.
...leaving Qin Fang at a loss for words.
Just as he was about to say something, a gentle voice spoke up. "Might you be Nephew Qin Fang of the Guiyuan Lineage?"
Qin Fang froze. He looked up to see that the elder who had just been lecturing was now looking directly at him.
The moment the Elder spoke, everyone in the hall instinctively turned to look toward the entrance.
"Is that *the* Qin Fang?"
"The Hall Master’s True Inheritance?"
"He actually came to the Tempering Martial Hall?"
"I heard that today..."
Immediately, the hall grew noisy with chatter.
Resigned, Qin Fang had no choice but to stand up. He clasped his hands in apology. "Greetings, Martial Uncle... My apologies, I didn’t mean to interrupt your lecture..."
"It is no matter."
The Elder smiled, unconcerned. He then gestured with his right hand toward a splendid, much larger and thicker cushion in the very front row. "True Disciples have designated seats in the Tempering Martial Hall," he said with a smile. "Nephew Qin, feel free to come to the front."
Qin Fang’s mouth fell open. A wry smile touched his lips, and after a brief hesitation, he clasped his hands. "Yes, thank you, Martial Uncle."
He rose and walked toward the front.
Curious gazes from all over the hall fell upon him.
...For many, it was their first time seeing Qin Fang.
Among them, however, were a few gazes that were far more complex.
Qin Fang, of course, noticed these complicated looks. He turned his head and saw one belonged to, of all people, Xu Nianzhen, whom he had seen just last night. She was sitting on a cushion near the front. When she saw Qin Fang looking her way, her expression visibly stiffened.
A flash of understanding crossed Qin Fang’s eyes. ’It was Xu Nianzhen... She’s the one who recognized me last night.’
’And that’s how the news spread.’
’In a way... you could say this Xu Nianzhen was his benefactor.’
’If not for her, Qin Fang probably wouldn’t have become a Hall Master’s True Inheritance so quickly.’
’...Heck, in another couple of days, he might have really become Fan Zhengchu’s disciple!’
’...Both are called a True Inheritance, but a Hall Master’s True Inheritance and an Elder’s True Inheritance are clearly two entirely different concepts.’
So, Qin Fang gave her a slight nod in greeting.
Xu Nianzhen’s expression instantly grew even more rigid...
Qin Fang paid her no mind, his gaze sweeping on to find several other complicated stares... He spotted a few familiar faces: Duan Ling, the dark horse who had placed eighth, and Fu Chen...
’They’re all attending the lecture in the Tempering Martial Hall?’
The looks in their eyes were even more inscrutable...
...Before the Martial Arts Examination, they were the high and mighty heirs of noble families. During the exam, they were among the top twelve, yet they had been surpassed by Qin Fang. After the exam, they entered the Sect together, all as members of the Inner Sect.
But in less than three short days... Qin Fang had leaped directly from the Inner Sect to become a Hall Master’s True Inheritance!
...The gap in status was enormous!
They were just ordinary Inner Sect disciples, even if they were among the top twelve from this year’s exam. But among the Inner Sect Disciples present, more than half had been one of the top twelve from their own Martial Arts Examination!
What was so special about that?
But what about Qin Fang?
He was the True Inheritance of a Hall Master of the Six Meridians!
The entire Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect is comprised of just the Six Meridians. And each Hall Master has only three to five True Disciples.
Aside from the reclusive Supreme Elders, the Sect Leader, and the Hall Masters of each meridian... the status of a True Disciple was practically the most prestigious of all!
...Even the Elder giving the lecture right now couldn’t compare in terms of pure status to a Hall Master’s True Inheritance!
It was only because their Cultivation was higher, and the Sect placed great importance on respecting one’s teachers, that they were afforded such reverence.
But in terms of sheer hierarchy... a Hall Master’s True Inheritance was undeniably a tier above!
Take Luo Yuntian, who had greeted them on the mountain that day, for example...
...He was a Hall Master’s True Inheritance!
When Elder Lei and Elder Lu were arguing, a single, cold sentence from Luo Yuntian had put an immediate end to their dispute.
He was even the one to lead the new disciples through the initiation ceremony afterward...
His status Within the Sect was so high... it was plain to see!
And now...
Qin Fang’s status was, in theory, already on par with Luo Yuntian.
It was just that Qin Fang’s Cultivation was nowhere near the same level...
Otherwise, he would truly be one of the core figures of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect!
And when they compared themselves to him...
...it was impossible not to feel a complex mix of emotions.
...This leap of Qin Fang’s was a little too high!
Even they couldn’t help but be profoundly shaken!
Of course, Qin Fang couldn’t be bothered with their thoughts. He had already crossed the hall and reached the cushion in the very front row.
"Have a seat."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter