Chapter 113: Vice Sect Leader
Chapter 113: Vice Sect Leader
“Xiong Qi, you must make Junior Brother a proper set of Spiritual Artifacts later. I saw clearly during the battle at the mountain base — that set of Spiritual Artifacts you gave Junior Brother looked too shabby. Many Elders asked me about it, and I felt so embarrassed. They asked when the Golden Jade Hall had declined to such a state, wearing such poor items.”
“You still have the nerve to criticize me? What cultivation level is that mutant Spirit Beast you raised before now? Ninth Grade! And you? Seventh Grade! If I were you, I’d dig a hole and hide in it…”
“Hey! How dare you talk back to me!”
“If you have the guts, use your words, not your hands!”
“…”
Returning to his own courtyard in the Golden Jade Hall, Lu Hangzhi heard the loud, teasing banter between his Senior Brothers Xiong Qi and Lü Liang from afar. Accompanied by the hearty laughter of Nangong Jun, Qi Yuanfeng, and others, the courtyard was filled with the cheerful sounds of the young talents:
“Alright, alright, you two, stop teasing. Hangzhi is now at the peak of the Tenth Grade of Spirit Condensation, Lü Liang, so don’t make things hard for Little Bear. Not just Little Bear—it’s hard for the entire Xuanxin Sect to find suitable Spiritual Artifacts for Junior Brother now.”
With a senior sister stepping in, Xiong Qi immediately puffed up with pride, casting a sidelong, provocative glance at Lü Liang.
“See? Justice lies in the hearts of the people.”
“Little Bear, you shut up!”
Nangong Jun’s sudden change in tone startled Xiong Qi so much that he dropped the Spirit Fruit in his hand.
“Daring to bring up Little Gray’s cultivation level in front of all us senior brothers and sisters—who are you trying to provoke? Looks like you need a good lesson!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Leng Wuya, Lü Liang, and the others around all cracked their knuckles, ready for action.
“Ah! No, please!!”
Xiong Qi immediately covered his head and scurried away in panic.
Just then, Lu Hangzhi entered the courtyard.
Xiong Qi’s eyes lit up, and he made an exaggerated gesture: “Quick, quick, the Deputy Sect Leader is here! Xiong Qi pays his respects!” decisively shifting the focus.
Everyone in the courtyard composed themselves and looked over with smiles.
Since Lu Hangzhi broke through to the Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage and had a private talk with Lady Honglian, everyone knew that Lu Hangzhi was now dealing with matters far beyond their level.
The title of Vice Sect Leader was well-deserved!
“Xiong Qi.”
Xiong Qi gave his junior brother a pitiful look before being called back miserably by Nangong Jun’s sharp tone.
Lu Hangzhi found the situation both amusing and exasperating as he scanned the courtyard.
The small courtyard was packed with over forty people!
Besides Lü’e, Cong Fang, Ruan Qing, Leng Wuya, Zhu Fuqin, and others, Nangong Jun and her two companions, Qi Yuanfeng, and Tang Zhen had brought all the brothers and sisters under Qin Huai’s command, crowding the already small space to the brim.
“Hangzhi.”
Qi Yuanfeng and Tang Zhen stepped forward with their group and said, “This time, we’re all staying at the Xuanxin Sect. We’ll be setting up defenses and carrying out missions here with the Venerable One. You’ll be fighting alone.”
“If you need helpers, just say the word to the Venerable One, and we’ll go with you.”
“That’s right! Suddenly coming down from Two Realms Mountain to live a quiet life—I’m actually finding it a bit hard to get used to.” Lei Qun laughed from within the crowd.
Hearing everyone’s sincere and passionate words, Lu Hangzhi felt a warm current flowing through his heart, filling him with warmth.
However…
Lu Hangzhi smiled and said:
“Everyone’s kindness is appreciated, but this time going up Two Realms Mountain is different from the usual defense duties!”
“Oh?”
Everyone perked up their ears, ready to listen.
Lu Hangzhi nodded:
“Lady Honglian plans to form a Southern City Special Operations Team, responsible for reinforcing the Core Battle Zone at Two Realms Mountain, specifically targeting Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts at the Late Concentration Stage and Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage. So, the battles will be more dangerous and intense than before.”
“…Hiss.”
Upon hearing the terms Late Concentration Stage, Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts, and Core Battle Zone, the group couldn’t help but suck in their breath sharply.
“Hangzhi.”
Nangong Jun furrowed her delicate brows and couldn’t help speaking up:
“You’re only at the Early Spirit Concentration Stage now. Isn’t it too dangerous for you to join high-intensity battles against Late Concentration Stage and Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts?”
“Exactly!”
“This is asking too much of him!”
Everyone chimed in with their opinions.
Even the usually steady Cheng Fei showed a grave expression: “The casualty rate in the Core Battle Zone has always been extremely high. It’s too dangerous for you to go! Why don’t you ask the Venerable One for a favor?”
“Thank you for your concern, everyone!”
Lu Hangzhi smiled:
“The Two Realms Mountain Southern City Special Operations Team is a group of fifty cultivators at the Late Concentration Stage and Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage. Above them, there’s the Vanguard Team personally led by Lady Honglian, composed entirely of Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage cultivators to handle extreme situations. I’m just going there to play a minor role. When real danger arises, the Vanguard Team will step in.”
Lu Hangzhi naturally didn’t tell everyone that the main purpose of the Special Operations Team was to eliminate the most dangerous Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts in the Core Battle Zone, and that he was the secret weapon of this team—possessing the aura of the Epiphany Stage but the strength of the Spirit Condensation Stage.
He said this to keep them from worrying too much.
“Even so, you still need to be careful. The Two Realms Mountain now is no longer the impregnable fortress it once was.”
“Right!”
“Don’t worry, with the Matrix Tower given by Lady Honglian, I can survive even in the most desperate situations.”
Lu Hangzhi winked at his senior sister Nangong Jun.
She was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood:
Spirit Honey, combined with the Matrix Tower, was indeed a great safeguard, which put her much more at ease.
“Fine, if we can’t persuade you, just be careful when the time comes.”
“Hehe, I will.”
“By the way, Hangzhi, how do you plan to spend the next two days? Will you keep practicing day and night, or take this chance to rest properly?”
Everyone asked.
They didn’t know when they would meet again after these two days.
“Today, I still have a task entrusted by Lady Honglian, so I won’t chat much with everyone. At this time tomorrow, please gather here. I have a small gift for each of you.”
“A gift? Can you give us a little hint about what it is?”
Xiong Qi couldn’t resist asking.
Lu Hangzhi smiled mysteriously and declined:
“It’s a secret for now. You’ll find out when you come tomorrow.”
The others seemed to have guessed and cupped their hands in farewell:
“Alright!”
“At this time tomorrow, we’ll come again!”
“We’ll definitely be on time.”
“Farewell!”
Soon, everyone dispersed, leaving only Lü’e, Cong Fang, and Ruan Qing in the courtyard.
Lu Hangzhi’s gaze fell on Ruan Qing, revealing a faint sense of relief.
The latter had broken through to the Fifth Grade of the Epiphany Stage in just a few short months. It was clear he hadn’t been idling during that time.
“Ruan Qing.”
“Disciple pays respects to Vice Sect Leader!”
Ruan Qing was very excited.
When Xiao Ying and Xiao Mu first introduced him here, he had wanted to take a gamble. The result, however, far exceeded his expectations. Lu Hangzhi had risen from an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple to a True Disciple in less than a year. Then, skipping the transitional period as an Elder, he directly became a Deputy Sect Leader in charge of the Xuanxin Sect. The swift changes around him left Ruan Qing awestruck and filled him with even more respect and admiration.
Lu Hangzhi had long learned from Lü’e and Cong Fang that during this period, Ruan Qing cultivated day and night. His diligence was no less than his own. He had even figured out the technique of One Thought, Two Actions, enabling him to control two flying swords simultaneously. In a recently added Sect Grand Competition, he had claimed first place among the Inner Sect Disciples and acquired the technique manual for the “Seven-Seven Sword Formation.” It was unknown to what extent he had cultivated it now.
“I’ve heard that you used your first-place reward in last month’s Sect Grand Competition to exchange for the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation?'”
“Reporting to the Vice Sect Leader, yes.”
Ruan Qing spoke with great emotion,
“During the more than half a year I’ve spent with you, Vice Sect Leader, I was fortunate to learn a thing or two from your words and actions, which helped me achieve something in the Sect Grand Competition… I wish to follow in your footsteps, Vice Sect Leader, and continue cultivating the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation.’ I hope that one day I too can represent the Xuanxin Sect and bring glory at Two Realms Mountain.”
“You are very thoughtful.”
Lu Hangzhi nodded and asked, “To what extent have you cultivated the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation?'”
“Thanks to your favor, Vice Sect Leader, your disciple has now reached One Thought, Four Actions!”
Ruan Qing’s reply left Lu Hangzhi somewhat stunned.
The “Seven-Seven Sword Formation” involved many basic Art Techniques and Formation knowledge. In less than two months, Ruan Qing had mastered all of that and reached the state of One Thought, Four Actions? Even if he had followed his own cultivation method and gained insights daily, achieving this level in such a short time was truly remarkable!
“During this time, you’ve helped me manage the courtyard while immersing yourself in cultivation. Your outstanding performance in the Sect Grand Competition brings me honor as well…”
After a pause, Lu Hangzhi thought that, as a senior, he should offer some encouragement at a time like this.
“The ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation’ demands extremely high cultivation. Here, I have one Seventh Grade Monster Beast Inner Core and one bottle of Spirit Honey. Consider it a reward for your hard work and achievements during this period!”
“Thank you, Vice Sect Leader!”
Ruan Qing was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude.
“Don’t thank me just yet. As Vice Sect Leader, I naturally can’t be too stingy,” Lu Hangzhi said with a smile.
“I bestow this set of Artifact Flying Swords upon you.”
“Vice Sect Leader!”
Seeing the familiar Sword Box, Ruan Qing’s breath hitched. His chest heaved rapidly, and he could hardly contain his excitement.
“This is yours…”
“Indeed!”
Lu Hangzhi gently stroked the Sword Box, sighing slightly. “In the Sect Grand Competition, I placed first and was promoted to True Disciple. The Supreme Elder granted me this set of Flying Swords.”
“They followed me for only two months, drinking deeply of Monster Beast blood!”
“At Two Realms Mountain, they accompanied me in slaying nearly ten thousand high-level Epiphany Stage Monster Beasts… and drank the blood of dozens of Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts… Today, I grant them to you. I hope you use these swords to cut down all enemies who dare invade the Xuanxin Sect. Do not tarnish their reputation.”
“Your disciple will adhere to the Vice Sect Leader’s command!”
Ruan Qing received the set of Flying Swords he had long dreamed of.
“Since you are also cultivating the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation,’ I will personally demonstrate its minor mastery stage to you. Whether you gain anything from it will depend on yourself.”
“Disciple obeys!”
Ruan Qing’s reverent and respectful demeanor reminded Lu Hangzhi of his former self…
Well.
Actually, he had never been in such a situation himself.
After sending Ruan Qing away, Lu Hangzhi summoned Lü’e and Cong Fang.
“Elder sisters, I have two Defensive Magical Devices here. One is a Lotus Bracelet, and the other is a Heartguard Mirror. Both can withstand several attacks from high-level Epiphany Stage Cultivators. Please take them.”
“Hangzhi, what about you?”
“I no longer have any need for such items.”
Lu Hangzhi smiled as he handed the Defensive Magical Devices to the two women. Then he instructed, “The Two Realms Mountain defense line may collapse at any moment. You two must cultivate even more diligently to establish yourselves in the Barbarian Continent in the future. This Qiankun Pouch contains some True Essence Pills, Beast Essence Pills, and Monster Beast Inner Cores. They will suffice for you to quickly break through to the Seventh Grade. Beyond that, it will depend on your own efforts.”
“Mm.” “Hangzhi, you must be careful too.” The two women then left.
Lu Hangzhi decisively closed his door. Inside the room, he set up a Barrier that blocked sound and Spiritual Sense, then began to brew honey.