It was over. In the final moments of the Aperture Opening Conference, Chen Dongsheng still hadn't awakened.
If Chen Dongsheng wants to open his Aperture, can he only wait for the next time?
Hong Yuan gazed at the figure on the ground, unable to rise, a slight smile playing on his lips.
When he glimpsed Le Congsheng's expression of gloating satisfaction, as if a great vendetta had been avenged, a cold glint flashed in Hong Yuan's eyes.
Le Congsheng, Chen Dongsheng, tsk tsk tsk...
「 … 」
Following the white jade stone steps, Hong Yuan began his descent.
「A stick of incense later...」
Why are so many people crowded at the foot of the mountain? A talent recruitment fair? Hong Yuan wondered.
At the foot of the mountain, cultivation disciples from various Sect organizations were incessantly trying to win over disciples with B-rank Apertures and official disciples with Class A Apertures, engaging them in lively conversation. Hong Yuan knew that disciples, after successfully opening their Apertures, would choose a Sect organization to join for cultivation, but these arrangements were typically finalized a month later.
Just as Hong Yuan was pondering, several disciples in blue robes spotted him. Their eyes lit up, and they immediately abandoned the other disciples, hurrying towards him.
In an instant, three blue-robed disciples stood before Hong Yuan.
"Junior Brother Hong, come to our Refining Equipment Hall! Looking at your physique, it's clear you need more training. Choose us, and you'll understand the true meaning of strength!"
"Please! Only someone with rocks for brains would want to become a muscle-bound oaf. Junior Brother Hong, our Spirit Beast Hall not only boasts all sorts of rare Exotic Beasts, but Elder Sister Mingxin, number one on the Ten Beauties List, is our head, you know!"
"Heh. Junior Brother Hong, I'm from the Elixir Refining Hall."
Gradually, the three cultivation disciples began to argue over which hall Hong Yuan should join.
A Class A Aperture, and one of the highest caliber at that. Even the Phoenix Creek Sect, the hegemon of Yong State, only managed to recruit two or three disciples of such talent each year.
Is this like a scene from a fantasy novel where factions fight over a genius? But why have only disciples come for me, and not an Elder?
Then again, Elders hold a very high status.
Understanding dawned on Hong Yuan, and he began to consider which Sect organization he should join for his cultivation.
Meanwhile, an altercation was taking place not far from Hong Yuan.
Chen Dongsheng, now awake, was earnestly begging Gao Gou, a disciple of the First Elder of the Enforcement Hall. But Gao Gou, who had once treated Chen Dongsheng with kindness, now regarded him with cold indifference and even hurled abuse at him.
"Chen Dongsheng, you cur! If you don't let go of my hand this instant, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Gao Gou said hurriedly, glancing anxiously at Hong Yuan and the three cultivation disciples, terrified that someone else would snatch Hong Yuan away first.
"Senior Brother Gao, Master..." Chen Dongsheng pleaded in a low voice, unable to believe he had been abandoned.
"Master? What master are you talking about? Let go!" Gao Gou's face was frosty. Seeing Chen Dongsheng still clinging to him like a stubborn leech, he violently swung his wide sleeve.
SMACK.
Chen Dongsheng was sent sprawling, landing face-first in the dirt, his face bruised and swollen.
"Useless trash, not knowing your place," Gao Gou snorted coldly and hurried towards Hong Yuan.
It's over... It's all over... Chen Dongsheng closed his eyes in anguish, tears welled up as he choked back sobs.
Among this batch of disciples, he was the only one who had not yet opened his body's Aperture. Furthermore, after this aborted attempt, he feared his Aperture's B-rank aptitude would degrade to C-rank, or in a severe case, plummet directly to D-rank aptitude.
When Chen Dongsheng opened his eyes, he saw Hong Yuan ahead, like the moon surrounded by stars, laughing and chatting merrily with the cultivation disciples.
In that instant, the remorse in his heart intensified.
If only I hadn't... Oh, the regret!
Hong Yuan was indeed riding a wave of success and elation.
However, he didn't let himself become overly arrogant; he knew full well that all this adulation was illusory.
Only the Way of Longevity is truly real!
He didn't adopt a rebellious persona; he was very "sensible."
Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, Hong Yuan bid farewell to his Senior Brothers, who were all cultivation disciples.
"Senior Brothers, opening my Aperture has consumed a tremendous amount of energy. I shall take my leave for now," Hong Yuan said, cupping his fists.
"Mm, go back and rest well. Think carefully about your future path."
"Here, I have a bottle of Class 1 Tranquil Heart Pills. Junior Brother, take this first."
"I... I also have a piece of Class 1 Cold Iron. Consider it a congratulatory gift for your successful Aperture opening, Junior Brother."
While Hong Yuan feigned being "hesitant" and "torn," several Class 1 items found their way into his hands.
「 … 」
After Hong Yuan thanked them again and departed with a smile, the previously harmonious group of cultivation disciples immediately began to squabble.
The scene grew somewhat intense.
"Heh, I never thought Senior Brother Gao Gou, so notorious for his stinginess, would actually take the initiative to gift Junior Brother Hong Yuan Tranquil Heart Pills," Liu Ping, a disciple from the Elixir Refining Hall, remarked sarcastically. It was because of Gao Gou that she had been forced to part with three Energy Stones.
"A woman's petty view!" Gao Gou retorted, flinging his sleeve dismissively as he turned and left without a backward glance.
"You stop right there!" Liu Ping shrieked, her eyebrows bristling with fury as she pointed at Gao Gou's retreating figure.
"It's not every day one gets the chance to build goodwill with a top-tier Class A Aperture genius," Xu Hongde from the Refining Equipment Hall, who had been smiling foolishly until then, said seriously, his smile vanishing.
The other cultivation disciples also shot Liu Ping disdainful glances before turning to leave, which made her explode with anger.
How could she not know the importance of currying favor with a top-tier Class A Aperture genius? But three Energy Stones! That was a third of her entire monthly allowance of Energy Stones!
「 … 」
「 … 」
In the cramped solitude of his private room, Hong Yuan wore a broad smile, cheerfully tallying his unexpected windfall.
He knew a Class A Aperture was exceptional, but he hadn't realized just how exceptional.
Cultivation disciples! They rank second only to True Disciples in the Sect's hierarchy!
One bottle of Class 1 Tranquil Heart Pills, worth five Energy Stones.
One piece of Class 1 Cold Iron, also worth five Energy Stones.
Nine Energy Stones in total...
Energy Stones were the standard currency for trade among Martial Artists, containing Essence Qi that they could absorb for cultivation.
Hong Yuan looked at the piece of Class 1 Cold Iron, then at the pile of materials for refining Class 1 Sting Bee Worms, his smile widening with satisfaction.
Class 1 Cold Iron is even more precious than Hundred Tempered Fine Iron. Using it to refine Sting Bees will yield even more outstanding results!
All preparations for Worm Refining were complete; all that was missing were forty-nine Tiger Head Bees.
Tomorrow and the day after are free. Should I venture into the Phoenix Creek Mountain Range? Hong Yuan silently asked himself.
But he quickly shook his head. No rush. I'll wait until I've consumed all these resources and increased my strength.
He had plenty of time!
Hong Yuan selected two of the nine Energy Stones, clutching one tightly in each hand.
He lightly closed his eyes and began to absorb the Essence Qi, converting it into True Essence. Gentle wisps of Essence Qi flowed from the Energy Stones into the Aperture in his abdomen.
Gradually, a few more strands of silver appeared within his bronze Sea of True Essence.
Hong Yuan was drawing ever closer to becoming a second-tier Martial Artist.
During his cultivation, Hong Yuan shifted his primary consciousness to his Mysterious Water Snake Avatar and found it didn't hinder his Essence Qi absorption. Thus, he absorbed the Energy Stones while simultaneously controlling the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar to hunt large fish in the aquatic regions.
By cultivating both simultaneously, his joy multiplied!