by Translator: BornToBe; Author: Ordinary Magician (平凡魔术师); Licensed From: 17k
Tu Fang nodded. He said to Long Chen, “This time you managed to kill a Corrupt Elder. With your strength, we applied for a Chosen disciple position for you.”
“Chosen?”
“Yes, a Chosen. For most people, to gain a Chosen disciple position requires you to also be a Favored,” explained Tu Fang.
“But I’m not a Favored.” Long Chen bitterly smiled.
He didn’t even have a Spirit Root, so how would he become a Favored? Just thinking about that angered Long Chen. Inside, he cursed whatever person who had stolen his Spirit Root.
Tu Fang continued, “You aren’t a Favored, but your strength would not be inferior to any Chosen.”
That was what he said out loud, but inside, he said, What are Favored when compared to you? If you don’t die, those Favored won’t even be fit to polish your shoes.
“The fact remains that you managed to kill a Favored, kill an eight-temper Bone Forging Elder, and in the end, even cut off the leg of another Chosen. That proves you have enough strength.”
“That Yin Mule- ah, I mean Yin Luo, is also a Chosen?” asked Long Chen.
“Correct. Back when Yin Luo was just born, he already had a Dao-mark supporting him. When he was five, his Dao-mark covered his entire body and incited a special manifestation of heaven and earth. That’s why he was raised with a Chosen’s treatment.” Tu Fang sighed.
Yin Luo was extremely famous. In truth, when they had first found out that the Corrupt path had instigated that battle, they had immediately gone to ask the supermonastery for aid in order to handle Yin Luo. They had been hoping for the monastery to send down another Chosen to face Yin Luo.
Ling Yunzi’s Xuantian Monastery was the 108th monastery, the last place monastery. This monastery was unable to compare to the other monasteries.
All the higher ranking monasteries had Chosen talents within them. But those fellows wouldn’t go out fighting for others.
The supermonastery knew that if they didn’t send a Chosen to help, then the 108th monastery would be completely routed. So they had dispatched one of the first monastery’s disciples to go provide assistance.
The first monastery was the strongest monastery, and it possessed three Chosen. Sending one down was extremely simple for them.
But that Chosen had used getting lost as an excuse to arrive half a month late.
By that time, the battle had already ended. Completely infuriated, Ling Yunzi had directly reported this to the higher levels of the supermonastery.
However, the first monastery had a very deep relationship with the supermonastery. They had actually managed to suppress this matter so it didn’t become bigger.
That had truly infuriated Tu Fang and Ling Yunzi. That was intolerable bullying! The fact that the Chosen had arrived late could have caused countless of their disciples to die. How could this matter be settled just like that?
The heavens really had been protecting them during this battle. Mo Nian had appeared out of nowhere, Chu Yao had displayed a shocking battle ability, and Wilde had been incredibly powerful as well. Furthermore, Tang Wan-er and the other core disciples had also fought outstandingly. With Long Chen leading them, they had completely reversed this battle which should have resulted in a massacre for them.
If it was just the fact that they had suppressed this information from becoming widespread, that would have been one thing. After all, the first monastery was extremely powerful and was not an existence they could provoke. They could only endure.
But when Tu Fang had brought over a huge number of Corrupt disciple’s heads to them to exchange for points, he had also reported the matter of Long Chen killing an eight-temper Bone Forging Elder in hopes of getting Long Chen a Chosen disciple position.
Chosen were all existences unrivaled within their realm. Even the supermonastery valued them and would provide plenty of resources to raise them.
But Tu Fang had only just sent in the request when an Elder from the supermonastery rejected him, his reasoning that this was clearly fake.
Tu Fang had really been infuriated then. He had gone straight back to the monastery and received a photographic jade from Ling Yunzi that had the events of the battle recorded.
When he ran back to the supermonastery and handed over that photographic jade, that Elder had been silent for a long while.
He had then told Tu Fang that this matter was too peculiar, and he had to report it to the higher-ups first.
Tu Fang had felt that it was odd for him to have to wait. Normally, this kind of matter would be handled extremely quickly, especially since he had handed over that photographic jade as proof.
But then again, this situation really was peculiar. After all, Long Chen was only at the peak of Blood Condensation, and he was also not a Favored. The fact that others found it inconceivable and had to discuss it first was reasonable.
However, the next day, that Elder had sent Tu Fang a message saying that he was extremely sorry, but all the Chosen spots for this generation had already been taken, and there were not enough resources to distribute anymore.
Tu Fang had been about to burst with rage. This was clearly making it hard on them on purpose. The supermonastery’s inheritance stretched back for tens of thousands of years. Would they really be lacking resources for a single genius?
But Tu Fang also had no way around this. There was no way he could get in touch with the true higher-ups. He could only swallow this stomach of fire and simply receive the ordinary resources and rewards for the monastery.
But just as he was about to leave, he had heard a single bit of news: the first monastery had just given birth to another Chosen.
Didn’t they say that there were no more Chosen spots to hand out?
This time Tu Fang was far too suspicious. He hadn’t gone to find that Elder and had instead secretly asked around. He had learned that the Elder who had refused to give them the Chosen disciple position was someone extremely close to the first monastery’s sect leader.
Tu Fang had then come to a sudden realization. It was no wonder Long Chen’s Chosen application had not gone through. They had just angered the first monastery by reporting the fact that their Chosen had failed to accomplish his task.
Once he realized this, Tu Fang realized that there really was no hope. He had had no choice but to dejectedly return.
After hearing Tu Fang’s explanation, Long Chen smiled, stood up, and bowed to Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang.
Chapter 275 Nine-Vein Soul Calming Jade
“Disciple thanks seniors for their care. Please accept disciple’s thanks.” Long Chen bowed towards Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang.
Although Tu Fang had explained it all extremely calmly, Long Chen could guess just how much pent-up frustration and anger he had.
Because of something involving him, Tu Fang, an upright and solemn man, had been driven to such intense fury. That moved Long Chen.
“Child, we really will be too embarrassed like this.” Tu Fang was somewhat ashamed. It was true that he had fought for Long Chen, but in the end, he had still failed.
Furthermore, fighting for a Chosen disciple position for Long Chen didn’t just benefit Long Chen. Once Long Chen received a Chosen’s treatment and his cultivation base grew, he would be able to help their monastery increase their ranking.
Fighting for him would also benefit the monastery, and so Long Chen’s bow really did cause Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang to blush.
“Long Chen, although we couldn’t get you a Chosen position, I can promise you that all the monastery’s resources will be available to you.” Ling Yunzi suddenly clenched his teeth.
“What?!” Tu Fang was given a fright.
“It’s no matter. If the supermonastery refuses to raise him, then we’ll do it ourselves. As for the consequences, let me accept them all,” said Ling Yunzi resolutely.
Tu Fang’s expression changed slightly. He knew that with Ling Yunzi’s stubbornness, nothing he said would change his mind.
“Then I’ll thank
seniors again.” Long Chen really did need the monastery’s support at this time.
He didn’t need cultivation techniques or Battle Skills, but he did need medicinal ingredients. Furthermore, he needed a huge amount of those medicinal ingredients to condense the Alioth Star.
Long Chen suddenly thought of a matter. Hesitating for a while, in the end, he took out his Soul Calming Jade and asked:
“Seniors, do you know the origin of this jade pendant?”
Seeing the jade in Long Chen’s hand, Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang’s expressions changed. They were filled with disbelief.
Neither of them took the Soul Calming Jade from his hand. Instead, they just carefully examined it for a long time.
“This should be the legendary nine-vein Soul Calming Jade. This is the first time I’ve ever seen it in person. Just where did you get this jade?” asked Ling Yunzi.
“Wait, no, don’t tell me. What do you want to know about it?” Just as Long Chen was about to reply, Ling Yunzi stopped him. It’d be better for him not to know that much.
Long Chen had just been hesitating over whether or not he should really tell them the origin of this jade. Although he knew the two of them were trustworthy, this matter was just too major for him to tell others about.
Long Chen sighed in relief that Ling Yunzi didn’t want to know. “Thank you, sect leader. Disciple wants to know about where this Soul Calming Jade comes from and its use.”
Ling Yunzi nodded. “Soul Calming Jade is a very special item because it is able to accept Spiritual Strength. That allows it to have many effects.
“In terms of quality, the first thing to mention is its grade. It is first split into five categories that are very easy to distinguish. Its grade can be determined by their color. They go from white, blue, yellow, green, and then violet.
“Other than grade, there is also a matter of its texture. Soul Calming Jade is a natural treasure that is able to absorb natural energy. It can also ‘cultivate’ just like a person.
“Each time it matures to a certain point, an extra vein will appear on the jade. The more veins and the higher the grade, the greater the amount of Spiritual Strength it can endure.
“However, most Soul Calming Jade is used to make teleportation jade talismans.
“An ordinary one-vein white Soul Calming Jade has a teleportation distance of around three thousand miles. As for nine-vein Soul Calming Jade, it has a teleportation distance of twenty-seven thousand miles.
“Although I said Soul Calming Jade can be split into white, blue, yellow, green, and violet grades, I’ve only personally seen white and blue jade. The rest, I’ve only heard of.
“Blue Soul Calming Jade should have a teleportation distance of thirty thousand miles. But blue Soul Calming Jade is extremely rare. Our monastery doesn’t have it. Only the supermonastery has it.
“I’ve heard that yellow Soul Calming Jade has uses other than teleportation, but I’m not sure about the specifics. And so of course I know nothing about your peak tier nine-vein violet Soul Calming Jade.”
Long Chen was dumbfounded by this explanation. The supermonastery had a total of one hundred and eight monasteries. It was a huge existence that had existed for tens of thousands of years. And yet, it only had up to blue jade.
Then this violet jade, which his parents had left for him, really was too frightening. Just who were his parents? They were actually able to use a peak tier Soul Calming Jade as just a keepsake for him.
This discovery both excited and saddened Long Chen. He was excited to have found a clue. But this clue told him that he still had a long, long way to go before finding out the secret of his origin.
Before arriving at the peak of the martial path, do not try to search for your origins.
Those words that terrifying expert had left for him echoed within his mind.
He was still far too weak. This discovery depressed him. Saying farewell to the sect leader and Tu Fang, Long Chen returned to the Heaven Earth Faction.
Tu Fang and Ling Yunzi looked at his back as he left. Ling Yunzi finally sighed, “No wonder Long Chen is so mature at such a young age. It seems he is carrying far more on his shoulders than we imagined.”
Tu Fang also sighed. “That’s true. Many people have seen his powerful side, but no one knows just how much he had to pay in order to become so strong. Sect leader, are you really planning on supporting Long Chen? Aren’t you afraid of the Heavenly Dao’s karma?”
Ling Yunzi smiled slightly. “I’m not afraid. Didn’t I already say that all the consequences will be shouldered by just me?
“I, Ling Yunzi, have no child or wife, my master has already departed from this world, and I also have no apprentices. Who cares about the backlash of the Heavenly Daos? The most it can do is take my life. Is that so terrible?
“To be able to personally watch a Divergent grow, that is heaven-defying karmic luck. Or perhaps Long Chen’s appearance in front of me was all set up by the heavens.
“Since no one can be sure of what the final result will be, what’s the point of being so fearful and worried? It’d be better to just stop having any misgivings and do whatever I want!”
Tu Fang bitterly smiled. “In any case, nothing I say will change your mind.”
Ling Yunzi said, “The Heavenly Daos are difficult to fathom. The higher your realm, the more the Heavenly Daos veil themselves. Rather than trying to analyze the Heavenly Daos, it’d be more interesting to do whatever I want to do. I’m going to do my best to raise Long Chen. Hmph, the other monasteries’ Favored are nothing in front of him. I’m looking forward to seeing Long Chen dominating in the next competition.”
“You’re getting addicted to gambling,” said Tu Fang helplessly.
“I really am getting a bit addicted. I feel like my bottleneck has loosened a great deal now. Perhaps I’ll go into seclusion and try to break through. This time, I feel like I have a thirty percent chance of advancing.” A confident light shined in Ling Yunzi’s eyes.
“That high?” Tu Fang was shocked.
“Long Chen’s success in the battle also filled me with confidence. Hmph, if I succeed, then during the next competition, I’m definitely going to give a slap to a couple of old faces.” Ling Yunzi icily snorted.
“That’s right, I forgot to tell Long Chen. He absolutely can’t tell senior Cang Ming about the matter of the Chosen position. Otherwise, if senior Cang Ming learns of it, he’ll definitely go slaughter a path to the supermonastery.” Tu Fang suddenly slapped his leg.
“You’re worrying too much. Long Chen isn’t the gossiping type. He probably won’t tell this to anyone.” Ling Yunzi shook his head. “I need to go into seclusion now. The monastery will be in your hands during this time. Remember, give Long Chen everything he needs. Even if he wants to empty the entire monastery of its treasures, let him.”
Although that was what he said, he knew with Long Chen’s character, he definitely wouldn’t do anything like that.
Tu Fang nodded. He then suddenly asked, “What about Elder Sun…?”
“Leave it be. Let Long Chen handle it however he wants. It’s his life.”
Tu Fang left Ling Yunzi’s immortal cave. Looking down on the scenery below, he suddenly felt that although it looked the same on the outside, the monastery was undergoing a complete transformation.
By the time Long Chen returned to the Heaven Earth Faction, all the monastery’s disciples had already gathered there. They had already set up food and alcohol. They were just waiting for Long Chen.
When Long Chen finally arrived, all those disciples cheered. Long Chen’s melancholy was immediately blown away by their enthusiasm.
“Boss, let me tell you, these little fellows are all planning a conspiracy to get you completely drunk.” Guo Ran immediately called out from within the crowd.
“Fuck, Guo Ran, you little traitor, how dare you betray us so quickly!”
“What are you talking about? I’ve always been on the same side as boss! As if I would eve
r follow your bad examples!” Guo Ran didn’t get embarrassed or angry. Instead, he acted completely righteous.
Watching this play out, how could Long Chen not realize what was happening? He laughed. “Isn’t it just drinking alcohol? When have I, Long Chen, ever been afraid of that? Come, Guo Ran and I will challenge you all!”
Seeing that Long Chen immediately agreed despite knowing their intentions, everyone cheered. That kind of heroism was the same heroism Long Chen had on the battlefield.
“Let’s go! Drink Long Chen into the ground!”
“Brothers, hurry up!”
Even Tang Wan-er, Ye Zhiqiu, and the other women who didn’t like drinking alcohol laughed and got a cup, prepared to charge over at any time as well.
Victory in that huge battle had not been easy. Over half of their monastery’s disciples had ended up sacrificing their lives. Everyone had been filled with sorrow.
When they had first returned to the monastery, they had all been silent. There hadn’t been any party or celebration. But now Long Chen had returned. He was everyone’s spiritual pillar. They vowed to drink to their heart’s content with Long Chen. That was also a way to vent their feelings.
Guo Ran was actually unnerved now. Originally, he had thought that Long Chen would pull in all the brothers of the Heaven Earth Faction to drink against everyone else.
But now it was just him and Long Chen against everyone. His face was completely green. His capacity for alcohol was definitely not high enough for this.
He suddenly cried out, “Brothers, just now I succeeded in invading the enemy camp and managed to find out the truth about him! I’ve found out that Long Chen is all alone and won’t have any help! Brothers, quick, don’t be afraid, charge with me!”
“Come boss, let me offer you a cup!” Guo Ran raised a cup, his face not turning the slightest bit red.
“Fuck, Guo Ran, you really are becoming more and more shameless!” cursed Long Chen.
“Boss, that’s just what I have learned from you! A real man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him!” Guo Ran said quietly, quickly drinking his cup.
