Soul Emperor Awakening

"The Pattern Master Competition?"

Liu Qing paused for a moment before speaking. "Young friend Lin, you seem quite interested in this?"

"Yes. I’m curious about the competition, and I’ve also grown quite interested in Pattern Masters." Lin Xuan was very direct. He was, indeed, very interested in Pattern Masters. ’The path of cultivation is long and arduous. For most who become supreme experts, the first requirement is to have money...’

’That’s right. Without resources, one’s progress is incredibly slow, so you have to be exceptionally wealthy. Without money, how can you buy Elixir Pills or good Weapons?’

"It seems you’re not too familiar with this, young friend Lin. In truth, the Pattern Master Competition is quite simple. It’s a competition between all the families in the Empire to select their most outstanding young Pattern Masters to compete. The participants must be under twenty-five years of age. Not only do the top contenders receive handsome rewards, but more importantly, it’s a chance to prove their family’s strength!" Liu Qing said with a serious expression.

Lin Xuan understood immediately. ’It’s all about prestige.’ The under-twenty-five age limit made the requirements even stricter. ’Any Pattern Master without true talent would just be cannon fodder, and they’d only end up disgracing themselves.’

"I see. Speaking of which, the Liu Family and the Fang Family aren’t on good terms, are they? The purpose of their visit this time..." Lin Xuan began to probe. Their earlier confrontation had made it obvious that relations were poor, and he wondered about the true purpose of the visit.

"Hmph! Clan Leader Fang is here ostensibly for the Pattern Master Competition, but his main goal is to get his hands on the collection of insights left behind by my Liu Family’s ancestor. It records numerous Patterns, and when combined with the insights, allows one to learn them with incredible speed." Liu Qing sighed. "Our ancestor was an illustrious Sixth Grade Pattern Master. It’s a pity that our generation has failed to live up to that legacy. Our Highest Grade is only Fourth Grade, a far cry from Sixth Grade."

"A Sixth Grade Pattern Master!"

Lin Xuan drew in a sharp breath. He would never have guessed the Liu Family had produced such a formidable Pattern Master. He might not have known about the Pattern Master Competition, but he knew a thing or two about the Grades. A Sixth Grade Pattern Master held a prominent position in the Soaring Dragon Empire—in terms of status, they were on equal footing with the Great Emperor!

’That just goes to show how terrifying a Sixth Grade Pattern Master was. The insights they left behind must be even more astonishing; that goes without saying. No wonder the Fang Family is plotting against the Liu Family—they want to seize those Sixth Grade Pattern Master’s insights! The value of that collection would absolutely surpass even Celestial Level Martial Arts.’

"Does that mean you were attacked because of this, Clan Leader Liu?" Lin Xuan asked, his brow furrowed and his voice low.

"Yes. I was ambushed, and the attacker was also a Spirit Pill Stage expert. Though they were masked and I couldn’t see who it was, I’m certain they were one of the Eldest Prince’s men. Fang Feng’s visit was to probe whether I had recovered. If I hadn’t, the consequences would have been unimaginable!" Liu Qing’s eyes filled with rage. ’After thinking it over, besides the Eldest Prince’s faction, no one else would do something like this.’

’The Liu Family hasn’t offended anyone. If we have to point a finger, it’s that we simply backed the wrong horse.’

"So, I have you to thank for this, young friend Lin. Otherwise, I would have really been at Fang Feng’s mercy!" The anger in Liu Qing’s eyes faded, replaced by a gentle tone. "You seem quite interested in the Pattern Master Competition. Could it be that you plan to participate as well?" His eyes lit up. ’An idea was forming—he wanted to rope Lin Xuan in to help.’

"Well, I’m very interested, but I’m not even a Pattern Master yet. There’s no point in me wanting to participate," Lin Xuan said helplessly.

"That’s true. One can’t have it both ways. You’re in the middle of competing for a ranking, young friend Lin. Even if you knew a bit about Patterns, you should be focusing on your Cultivation. Otherwise, you’ll fall behind in the tournament," Liu Qing said regretfully.

Becoming a Pattern Master was a difficult path that required a great deal of time to advance. Given Lin Xuan’s youth, and with the current Inner Hall competition, it was perfectly normal that he hadn’t also trained as one.

However, a powerful Pattern Master was certainly a supreme expert, but a supreme expert was not necessarily a powerful Pattern Master.

"Even if I’m not a Pattern Master, I assume you have some decent ones in your family, right? For example, Miss Liu’s Pattern Level shouldn’t be low, I imagine?" Lin Xuan’s gaze shifted to Liu Menghua.

"It’s not low, but compared to the geniuses from other families, there’s still a bit of a gap. She’s only a Third Grade Pattern Master right now." As he spoke, Liu Qing’s face was filled with pride. What gap? That level wasn’t bad at all!

Lin Xuan couldn’t help but glance over at Liu Menghua. He never would have guessed she was a Third Grade Pattern Master—that was an astonishing achievement. Especially at her age, she looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, which made it truly incredible. One could hardly say she was failing to live up to her ancestor’s glory.

It was just that Liu Qing himself was only a Fourth Grade Pattern Master, which made him feel ashamed and caused him to pin all his hopes on Liu Menghua.

"So, young friend Lin, what brings you here today?" Liu Qing inquired.

"Um... I actually came to ask Miss Liu if she knew of any ways to make some money. You all understand the path of Cultivation... and my funds are a little tight at the moment." Lin Xuan gave an awkward smile. This was indeed an embarrassing topic to bring up.

They were stunned for a moment. They had wondered what had brought Lin Xuan here, only to find he was looking for a side gig.

"You’re too polite, Young Master Lin. If you really want to know the best way to make money, it’s by becoming a Pattern Master... But since you aren’t one yet, how about we start with learning to become one?" Liu Menghua said with a small smile. "You helped us last time, so how about I teach you this time, Young Master Lin?"

Lin Xuan’s eyes lit up. ’Making quick money would mean working as a guard or venturing into dangerous places to gather herbs, but those options are perilous. For a long-term plan, becoming a Pattern Master is definitely the best choice. Training as a Pattern Master would also help advance my own Cultivation!’

"Then if I may be so bold as to make a request... might I borrow those Pattern insights to have a look? Since I’m going to learn about Patterns, I’d like to learn from the best." Lin Xuan wanted to see for himself just how incredible the insights of a Sixth Grade Pattern Master could be.

Everyone wants to learn from the best, and he was no exception.

His request did not seem to surprise them. Liu Qing replied without hesitation, "Of course, that’s no problem. But there’s one condition!"

"What condition?"

Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes. He was already prepared for this. ’To learn from Patterns of this caliber, there’s bound to be a price. They wouldn’t agree to it just because I gathered the Mystery Heart Grass for them. At most, they would offer a standard reward for that, not hand over a family heirloom.’

"No need to be so nervous. The condition is simple: become an Honored Guest of our Liu Family!" Liu Qing stated his condition.

"An Honored Guest?" Lin Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes. You wouldn’t have to do anything, just hold the title in name. We wouldn’t ask for your help unless it was absolutely necessary, young friend Lin," Liu Qing said with a smile.

What Liu Qing truly wanted was Lin Xuan’s name and his potential. If he became a Core Disciple one day, then the Liu Family would have gained a powerful backer!

Becoming a Core Disciple already signified a boundless future, and with an Elder as his master, this deal was an absolute bargain. He might even become an Elder himself in the future. At that point, the Liu Family would have all of Qingcheng Mansion as their backer. How could that not be a profitable deal?

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!