Page 60: Request
Days before the sect's martial and alchemy competition: 110 days
It has been more than a week since Long Bai stayed at Senior Jun's place to train together. While Senior Jun is being trained everyday to reach intermediate mastery of the
[Yang Jun
Age; 109
Cultivation level: Flesh tempering layer (3rd)
Core grade: High
State: Normal ]
Old man Jun's mastery of the
There is a rule in the way of cultivation. Since a person tries to go against the heavens, that individual must try to reach it with their own efforts or else the foundation would become shallow. Taking the past as an example, the original authors of the manuals were the strongest bunches of cultivators ever came since they were the ones who achieved enlightenment. Whoever who would study under them would only come in second and will never be able to exceed their master unless the apprentice would be able to create his own cultivation way even just for halfway.
This is the reason why apprentices only receive pointers but are not taught everything. An aptitude of a cultivator doesn't just rely on their constitution but also with their comprehension abilities and degree of concentration and perseverance towards difficulties. When one gives up halfsway, they would only end up as mediocre cultivators, if not just an ordinary one.
Old Jun knows this that is why he would only ask Long Bai for a match every time but not to ask questions and just learn from experience. This is also what he taught to Long Bai. On the other hand, Long Bai doesn't have this issue since the system can mold the learned skills into something that would match his type. This way, he can become someone who would become an original owner of the skill.
After practicing for the entire morning, the two took a rest and had a chat. On that high afternoon, the conversation shifted to old Jun asking for some help.
"Young master Bai, it might be too much but I would like to borrow your strength. I can tell that you are not really on the flesh tempering stage but somewhere higher. As a cultivator who once reached the soul tempering stage, I have the feeling that you are hiding your real strength. Just two months... no a month. I would like to request you to be my guard. Now that I can prove some of my skills, I would like to get a position in this family. Right now, most of the members see me as an invalid due to my broken core but now, it's a different story. Of course, you will be rewarded. You see, once I can claim a seat as an elder, I will be given an opportunity to choose two treasures from our treasury. You are young so it will be beneficial to you. I mean the breakthrough pill, a pill of a kind that can hugely increase one's cultivation specially to the ones in the lower realms. Its a pill that is suggested to be taken only once since the effects detereorates after having one. Supposedly, I can only take one type of treasure each but I'll speak with the leader myself so there will be one for you and another for me. The others might disagree but once they'll see my improved version of the
Old man Jun was cautious about bringing the topic to the skill Long Bai taught. The skill was a treasure that is worth even the combined manuals of the entire mirage families so how could he just give it to the household? There just no way, he thought.
"Senior Jun, I really don't mind how you're going to manage the skill I gave you. Remember the first time we met?"
"But this..."
Senior Jun was still hesitant since the skill was a heaven rank and a high grade to boot. The difference was just huge.
"Well, if you can't really do that, I still have here a manual that you can present as a contribution to your household. This manual is not that compatible with everyone and for me, its effects are jot really that much beneficial compared to the skill I have right now. You might recognize it."
Long Bai took out the manual that contains another movement skill. Upon handing it out to old Jun, he saw senior Jun's eyes lit up. He was able to recognize the skill.
"This ..this is the Tao household manual. How did you manage to get it?"
Senior Jun was surprised that Long Bai was still keeping more treasures with him. Knowing all of this, Old man Jun began to wonder about Bai's origins.
"Ah, I just won it on a bet. Since I was given an opportunity to read their manual one time, I just rewrite it on another parchment. With this, you don't need to worry sharing the skill you learned from me. What do you think?"
Senior Jun totally agreed with Long Bai's proposition. Even just with this, the household would rejoice with it because it is something that is considered treasure by the Tao household. Having it, they can study its weaknesses and how to cultivate it also in the future. This was not an alternative but the best course of action for Senior Jun.
"Senior Jun, then when and where do we start?"
Long Bai then agreed to have the bodyguard job for a month or until senior Jun would be able to secure his position within the council.
*Yang Household Council meet
"Clan head, the mirage sect's qualifying exam is just a few months from now. Although we have some promising young ones but we all know that it is not enough. Our opponents have grown stronger since then. I learned that one of the Tao's young generation was able to reach the advanced success of their movement skill. Having reached the advanced success of a sky rank skill is too much as an opponent for us however, it is the same with the Ye household. There has been some reports that some of their young generations has reached the advanced success of their skill. Maybe, our only opponent that we can defeat with confidence is the Ye household. What are your plans headmaster?"
All the elders second the motion of the first elder. Since the upcoming qualifiers will dictate who would fight in the interschool competition 2 years from now, everyone is on the edge of bringing up the best. This opportunity will definitely help the household rise once a participant from them would be able to enter the mainland and join an illustrious sect. Imagine the resources that would flood into their treasury when that happens.
"Wise elders of the council, I, the household head have been thinking about this a lot. Since we lack man power, I planned to instill one more elder seat in the council. With this, we can have more younger generations to improve."
The entire hall became chaotic with the clan head's suggestion. Adding another elder seat will definitely increase their capacity to rear younger generations but that would also mean that the resources will be divided further hence making each share of cultivation resources will be reduced.
"But head master, if that is so, where will we get more resources and who are you planning to promote for the new seat? We already know the capable elders here and the only ones qualified are just the ones present today."
"The new seat will be given to Yang Jun."
Upon saying the name of the new personnel, everyone rose to their seats and gave a mighty objections.
"Clan head, please reconsider!"
"What can he do when he can't cultivate essence at all? Isn't this just a waste of resources? What can a cripple do this time?"
Almost everyone shared the same sentiments towards the issue. Thinking of the situation, they might even become a laughing stock by the other household once they'll learn that one of the elders is a cripple.
"Silence you old coots! This man I'm speaking of was able to enter the mainland. His experience is even wider compared to all of us. In addition, the youngster he is teaching now has already reached the advanced success of our household skill. I didn't tell you but he was able to do this in just a few months. In addition, with his insights, he was able to pinpoint the faulty practices we hade before. Didn't you notice the change in our training routines? All of that is because of him!"
The entire hall became silent. It was as if they have experienced a calamity in front of them for the first time. For a long time, the headmaster has always been forgiving and passive but now, they have seen a new side of him. It was the first scolding they took from him. A moment later, they heard the creaking of the door from being opened. Everyone's sight took the same direction and saw an old man with a youth following behind.
Old man Jun entered and noticed the animosity from the council members. Although the atmosphere felt strange, he continued to walk towards them and made an announcement.
"Head master, wise elders! I came to make a proposal."