Chapter 69: You Need to Visit Zhen Tian City
Afterward, Li Xun's matches became far less challenging.
Almost every time he stepped onto the platform, his opponents conceded immediately.
Finally, in the last match, a junior brother at the early Profound Elixir Realm decided to give it a try. However, as expected, he was defeated in a single move.
Thus, Li Xun claimed the title of this year's tournament champion.
At the same time, he earned the status of a Core Disciple.
Nearby, the purple-robed elder approached with a smile on his face. He walked over briskly and said with a laugh, "Congratulations, Nephew Li."
"The Core Disciple's robes and identity token have been prepared in the hall at the rear. Nephew Li may claim them at any time."
"Thank you, Elder," Li Xun said, cupping his hands in thanks before stepping down from the platform.
Amid countless admiring and respectful gazes, he made his way toward the grand hall behind the square.
Upon entering the hall, Li Xun noticed a tall figure with white hair, dressed in the robes of an elder.
"Elder Xie?"
Li Xun paused for a moment.
The figure was all too familiar—Elder Xie, the one who had single-handedly slain tens of thousands of Otherworldly Demons.
At that moment, Li Xun felt a trace of doubt. By all rights, Elder Xie had no involvement with the core disciple assessment. His appearance here seemed unusual.
Could it be... he was here to take Li Xun as his disciple?
In the Profound Sun Sect, it was customary for Core Disciples to choose an elder as their master.
Similarly, the elders were free to select disciples they admired and take them as their apprentices.
Once a Core Disciple succeeded in becoming an elder's apprentice, their status would automatically be elevated to True Disciple.
In terms of benefits, there was no difference between Core Disciples and True Disciples.
The only distinction was that True Disciples had a mentor, while Core Disciples did not.
If not for the system on his person, Li Xun would have immediately chosen to apprentice under Elder Xie without hesitation.
But with the system, things were different.
Moreover, the techniques Li Xun was practicing were no longer Earth-level—they were bona fide Heaven-level!
He doubted that Elder Xie could provide him with any meaningful guidance in cultivation.
Rather than putting himself in a position where his mentor constantly doubted his abilities, Li Xun felt it would be more freeing to cultivate on his own.
"Nephew Li," Elder Xie turned around and gave Li Xun a once-over. He nodded approvingly and said, "In just a few short months, you've risen from an Inner Sect disciple to a Core Disciple."
"Your cultivation speed is unprecedented in the history of the Profound Sun Sect."
"It's all thanks to the sect's nurturing," Li Xun replied softly, temporarily suppressing his doubts.
"Haha."
Elder Xie let out a hearty laugh and shook his head. "I cannot agree with that sentiment. The kind of talent the Profound Sun Sect can cultivate—I know that all too well."
"When you walked in and hesitated for a moment, was it because you thought I was here to take you as my disciple?"
As he spoke, Elder Xie's gaze, tinged with both expectation and resignation, rested on Li Xun.
If Li Xun truly wished to apprentice under him, it would undoubtedly be the greatest honor of his life. After all, a mere few months had been enough for Li Xun to become a Core Disciple.
If he continued at this rate, what heights could he reach in another ten years?
But Elder Xie was aware that, with his own abilities, he might not be able to guide Li Xun adequately.
This knowledge made his feelings complicated. He was both thrilled by Li Xun's extraordinary talent and keenly aware of his limitations.
Upon witnessing a genius he could not guide, Elder Xie felt a pang of helplessness.
"Your insight is unmatched, Elder Xie. Indeed, I did think so earlier," Li Xun admitted with a nod.
"You..." Elder Xie began tentatively, as if probing, but then gave a self-deprecating laugh and waved his hand. "Never mind, I won't humiliate myself. Even the Sect Master said a few days ago that if he took you as his disciple, there wouldn't be much he could teach you. If I were to take you as my disciple, I fear I'd only hinder your future."
"Elder Xie, you're too modest. With your strength, even guiding an upcoming Immortal Emperor would not be out of place," Li Xun said with a calm smile, feeling relieved by the elder's words.
"Haha!" Elder Xie laughed heartily again, clapping Li Xun on the shoulder. "I didn't expect Nephew Li to have such a tactful side. I had thought you were like other prodigies—arrogant and prideful."
Then, his expression turned serious. "Enough idle chatter. I'm here today for two reasons."
With that, he turned his palm, revealing a tray holding a light purple robe and two jade tokens.
Elder Xie handed them to Li Xun and said, "The first matter is to deliver these: your Core Disciple robes, your identity token, and your soul token."
"Thank you, Elder," Li Xun said, cupping his hands.
"The robes and identity token are self-explanatory, much like those of the Inner Sect disciples. However, the soul token requires you to imbue it with a wisp of your spiritual sense," Elder Xie explained, lifting the soul token.
"Every Core Disciple is a vital pillar of the Profound Sun Sect. If anything happens to you, the sect will be alerted immediately through the soul token."
"Understood," Li Xun replied, nodding. He sent a wisp of his spiritual sense into the soul token.
To Li Xun, the token seemed of limited utility. After all, if the token were to shatter, it would mean he had already perished. At that point, all the sect could do was avenge him. For someone who had already passed away, this token offered little comfort—he would have preferred life-saving artifacts instead.
Unaware of Li Xun's thoughts, Elder Xie, upon seeing the spiritual sense imbued into the token, nodded with satisfaction and put it away.
"Now, for the second matter," Elder Xie began after storing the soul token. "The sect needs you to make a trip to Zhen Tian City."
"Zhen Tian City?" Li Xun asked, his surprise evident as he glanced up at Elder Xie, a trace of doubt flickering in his eyes.
His reaction stemmed from the city's other name: The Imperial City of the Great Zhou Empire.
While the Profound Sun Sect governed an area spanning tens of thousands of miles, the Great Zhou Empire ruled over millions. Compared to the dynasty, the sect was minuscule.
Within the Great Zhou's territory, there were over a dozen sects similar to the Profound Sun Sect, and three or four of them were even stronger.
"That's right," Elder Xie said, noting Li Xun's confusion. He explained, "A few days ago, the Emperor of Great Zhou issued a decree inviting all prodigies under the age of twenty-five who have reached the mid-Qi Condensation Realm to participate in a competition at Zhen Tian City."
"The top 300 competitors will gain entry to the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm!"
"If anyone under twenty-five has already surpassed the Profound Elixir Realm..."
At this, Elder Xie's gaze landed on Li Xun, and he continued slowly, "They will be exempt from the competition and directly granted a spot to enter the secret realm."
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