Hong Yuan was able to calm his mind and cultivate earnestly, but Chen Dongsheng couldn't quiet his thoughts.
After much deliberation, Chen Dongsheng decided to kill Hong Yuan immediately, not allowing Hong Yuan time to grow.
But after a week of constant surveillance on Hong Yuan, he nearly fell into despair.
Damn it! Why is this Hong Yuan so afraid of dying!? Chen Dongsheng fumed internally. Which disciple with a Class A Aperture, after opening it, isn't overjoyed to go to the Phoenix Creek Mountain Range to test their strength, activating True Essence to hunt ferocious beasts? Yet you just stay in your room all the time, only appearing in the dining hall for meals?
I'll monitor for three more days. If it still doesn't work, I'll have to find another way.
Chen Dongsheng painfully closed his eyes, his heart filled with frustration.
Aren't geniuses with Class A Apertures supposed to be arrogant and proud, or at least possess unyielding integrity? Is this Hong Yuan being overly cautious!?
Chen Dongsheng simply couldn't understand.
Could it be that this is the method truly top-notch geniuses use to handle things?
Three days later, Hong Yuan was still staying in his private room.
Outside, Chen Dongsheng, who was monitoring his movements, despaired.
Damn it, this son of a bitch. he cursed silently. A country bumpkin will always be a country bumpkin. He has talent but doesn't know how to show it off and vie for resources.
After swearing a few more times in anger, Chen Dongsheng had no choice but to leave.
「Half a month later.」
In the private room, Hong Yuan sat on the bed, while Le Congsheng was sitting on a stool.
"Yuan, tomorrow is the day for selecting our specializations. Which department are you planning to join for your cultivation?" Le Congsheng asked.
In the Phoenix Creek Sect, after official disciples successfully opened their Apertures, they had to choose and enter different institutions for cultivation. But not everyone could choose. It also depended on whether the respective institutions would accept them.
Generally speaking, only disciples with B-rank and Class A Apertures had the right to choose.
"I plan to go to the Enforcement Hall," Le Congsheng said, his eyes fierce. "I won't be at ease until Chen Dongsheng is dead."
"Sigh, when will this cycle of vengeance end? That Chen Dongsheng is almost crippled now," Hong Yuan sighed lightly, then pulled out two Energy Stones from his sleeve. "You've made up your mind. I hope these two Energy Stones can be of some help to you."
"Yuan, how many times do I have to say it before you understand? Chen Dongsheng must die! You have to change this personality of yours. I used to be just like you, and that's why I was... Forget it, let's not talk about it."
"Consider these two Energy Stones a loan. I'll return them to you as soon as possible, so don't worry!"
Le Congsheng accepted the two Energy Stones and placed them carefully in his bosom.
The two conversed for another hour before Le Congsheng left Hong Yuan's private room.
Hong Yuan stood at the doorway, watching Le Congsheng leave, a slight smile on his lips.
Brother Cong Sheng, please don't disappoint me.
With such anticipation, Hong Yuan returned to his private room.
He took out the last two Energy Stones and continued to absorb them while manipulating the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar.
In the month that had passed, his attributes had been strengthened in all aspects.
[Name: Hong Yuan]
[Life Span: 16/207]
[Talent: 20]
[Realm: First Order Middle Stage]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword (Minor Accomplishment 3,532/4,000)]
[Skills: Culinary Arts Second Order (121/2,000), Painting First Order (25/1,000)]
[Avatar: Mysterious Water Snake]
[Level: First Order Peak]
[Talents: Water Gun, Water Fluctuation, Deadly Poison, Water Flow Tail, Black Fog, Tiger Shadow]
He was now incredibly strong, able to effortlessly dominate five versions of his past self from a month ago.
The price for this was that, apart from the piece of first-tier Cold Iron he hadn't yet used, all his other items had been exchanged for Energy Stones, every single one of which was now depleted.
Two hours later, Hong Yuan slowly opened his eyes. The Energy Stone in his hand had turned to powder and scattered in the wind.
Should I go to the Elixir Refining Hall or the Refining Equipment Hall? Hong Yuan fell into deep thought.
This past month, following the Sect's arrangements, he had served as an apprentice in the Enforcement Hall, Refining Equipment Hall, Elixir Refining Hall, and Spirit Beast Hall, learning many internal affairs.
For example, the Enforcement Hall offered the largest "unofficial" income but was also the most dangerous, suitable for disciples willing to risk their lives to fight for resources.
But risking his life for resources was the last thing Hong Yuan needed. He could simply bide his time.
Thus, Hong Yuan set his sights on the Refining Equipment Hall and the Elixir Refining Hall.
If I work in the Refining Equipment Hall, I can accumulate Energy Stones early on to exchange for a Cultivation Technique, and the future prospects are quite good. The Elixir Refining Hall, though very demanding initially, offers the greatest rewards in the long run... Hong Yuan's eyes lowered slightly as he thought seriously.
The Phoenix Creek Sect neither encouraged nor supported disciples switching their chosen institution. This choice largely determined a disciple's future prospects.
After some consideration, Hong Yuan decided to choose the Refining Equipment Hall, as it was the fastest way to obtain Energy Stones.
Disciples in the Elixir Refining Hall, before completing their apprenticeships, generally had a very tough time, having to be meticulous about every single Energy Stone.
Although Hong Yuan didn't mind lying low indefinitely, he very much minded remaining poor indefinitely.
「The next morning.」
Hong Yuan arrived at the Refining Equipment Hall early, only to find the entrance already filled with a line of disciples.
The Refining Equipment Hall was located on Phoenix Fire Peak. It occupied a vast area and was surrounded on all sides by high walls of refined iron, resembling a colossal iron barrel.
But no matter how large it was, its doors couldn't accommodate so many official disciples at once.
Good grief, the Refining Equipment Hall is even more popular than I imagined. Hong Yuan thought, feeling he had come to the right place.
「An hour later.」
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...
The doors, shaped like a sword sheath, slowly opened, and Disciple Xu Hongde emerged, accompanied by a few official disciples.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xu Hongde, dressed in a blue robe, stood at the entrance.
Due to the high threshold of the entrance and the level ground outside, all the disciples had to look up at him.
Xu Hongde began to speak:
"Disciples with C-rank Apertures, register your names. If your Aperture is below C-rank, do not register."
"Disciples with B-rank Apertures, stay behind. Those below B-rank, leave quickly. Do not loiter."
"Disciples with Class A Apertures, come over to me. I will take you to meet the Instructional Elder."
Upon hearing Xu Hongde's words, the faces of disciples who had opened D-rank Apertures turned pale, and those with C-rank Apertures didn't look much better.
Disciples with B-rank Apertures nervously watched their similarly qualified competitors. Only those who had opened Class A Apertures could relax.
This is so harsh. It's just like the high school entrance exams from my past life. Hong Yuan thought.
This strong sense of déjà vu reminded Hong Yuan of the cutthroat high school admissions process from his previous life.
Fortunately, he was no longer that student who had just barely scraped past the mark, needing the pity of others.
I'm now a genius disciple with a Class A Aperture!
Hong Yuan took a step forward and approached Xu Hongde.
At this time, only one blue-robed disciple stood next to Xu Hongde. He appeared calm, but the arrogance in his eyes was unconcealed. Xu Hongde did not rush to greet him.
Xu Hongde was well aware of the pride and arrogance of these descendants of the Sect's senior figures. There's no point in befriending them. Even if you were to give your all for them, they would consider it nothing out of the ordinary.
Just then, Hong Yuan's figure entered Xu Hongde's line of sight. Xu Hongde's expression immediately brightened with joy, and he hurried down from the elevated doorway to greet Hong Yuan.
"Hong, it's been a long time, a long time indeed."
"Brother Xu, I've come to join you. I'll be relying on your guidance, haha."
Xu Hongde welcomed Hong Yuan warmly. He had recently investigated Hong Yuan's background and found him to be an incredibly steadfast and reliable person, well worth investing in and befriending.
Amid Xu Hongde's enthusiastic welcome, Hong Yuan presented a stark contrast to the other disciples who were constantly trying to showcase their abilities.
Laughter filled the air on their side, while the other side was drenched in sweat.