Pride in Achievements
Translator: Cinder Translations
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Three months ago.
The term of the previous sect leader of the Beastmaster Sect ended, and Fang Pengyi successfully ascended to the position of sect leader.
During these nine years, Song Wen had refined eight serpent-like corpses filled with profound energy, earning significant merit for his hard work.
Taking advantage of Fang Pengyi's excitement at just assuming the leadership, Song Wen seized the opportunity to make a request.
He hoped that Fang Pengyi would reward him with four Star Soul Flowers, considering his years of effort in refining the serpent-like corpses.
"Wu Sheng, I owe my ascension to the position of sect leader largely to your contributions. Although the Star Soul Flowers are precious, if you desire them, this sect leader will certainly grant your wish."
"However, the Beastmaster Sect is a major righteous sect with many responsibilities, and since I've just taken office, many matters are yet to be handed over. Once I finish handling the backlog of tasks, I'll decide on this matter."
"In three months, a batch of spiritual materials obtained from the Mixed Yuan Temple will be delivered to the sect, which will include the Star Soul Flowers. Perhaps by then, I can allocate two or three to you as a reward."
This was Fang Pengyi's response at the time.
It had a hint of a "kicking the donkey after it has carried the load" sentiment.
Over the past nine years, the serpent-like corpses filled with profound energy had been gradually refined.
Yet the first supreme elder, Yang Yu, seemed to have forgotten about this matter and had not inquired further.
The successfully refined serpent-like corpses had been kept in the serpent cave, waiting for Yang Yu to take them away in the future.
This led Fang Pengyi to feel that the profound energy might not have met Yang Yu's expectations, and thus Yang Yu no longer needed the serpent-like corpses.
In Fang Pengyi's eyes, Song Wen's importance had sharply diminished.
Since the first supreme elder hadn't spoken up, Fang Pengyi wouldn't throw away the bow after shooting all the birds, and he wouldn't waste a lot of resources on Song Wen either.
The Star Soul Flowers obtained from the Mixed Yuan Temple were scarce, and even the Golden Core cultivators of the Beastmaster Sect didn't have enough to distribute.
Having just taken office, Fang Pengyi needed to secure his position as sect leader, so he naturally had to win over those Golden Core cultivators.
Rare items like the Star Soul Flowers were most effective in capturing people's hearts.
Fang Pengyi naturally didn't want to grant the Star Soul Flowers to Song Wen.
...
On this day.
Song Wen was in the serpent cave, teaching Zhang Bing and Li Shi the methods of corpse refinement.
Since Fang Pengyi no longer valued the serpent-like corpses, Song Wen also didn't plan to spend too much time on this and instead focused his efforts on practicing alchemy.
He intended to teach Zhang Bing and Li Shi and then stop personally refining corpses.
Suddenly.
A fleeting shadow appeared, and a vague figure manifested in the serpent cave.
Upon seeing the blurry figure, Song Wen recognized it was Yang Yu, so he immediately bowed and saluted.
"Disciple Wu Sheng, pays respects to the First supreme elder."
Zhang Bing and Li Shi were flustered; it was their first time meeting Yang Yu, and they hurriedly bowed as well.
Yang Yu's gaze swept over the eight successfully refined serpent-like corpses in the cave.
"It has been ten years since the first serpent-like corpse filled with profound energy was refined, yet you've only managed to produce eight. Have you all been negligent? Or has Fang Pengyi failed to provide sufficient materials for corpse refinement?"
Hearing the dissatisfaction in Yang Yu's tone, Song Wen's expression turned fearful, and he hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Elder, it is our shallow skills in corpse refinement that have let down your trust. Please forgive us, Elder."
Yang Yu's cold gaze, sharp as an arrow, swept across Song Wen.
He didn't genuinely believe that Song Wen and the others were too slow; he simply had a premonition that it wouldn't be long before he would understand the subtle uses of profound energy, so he deliberately reprimanded Song Wen to ensure that they would all work diligently for him.
"I have a clear understanding of your corpse refinement skills. If you serve me wholeheartedly, I will certainly reward you. However, if you slack off and delay my matters, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Disciple would never dare to neglect the Elder's orders; I will do my utmost to serve you."
Yang Yu nodded in satisfaction and continued speaking.
"Next, within a year, can you manage to refine ten serpent-like corpses filled with profound energy?"
"Ten!" Song Wen's expression showed difficulty.
"Hmm?"
Yang Yu's displeased gaze turned back to Song Wen, making him feel as if he was sitting on pins and needles.
"Even if we work day and night without rest, we will certainly fulfill your commands, Elder."
Song Wen's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
"I have some urgent matters to attend to and will be leaving for a while with the fairy Lan Chen from the He Huan Sect. If you encounter any issues while refining the corpses, report them to Fang Pengyi and let him resolve them for you. If anyone within the sect tries to obstruct your progress, once I return, I won't go easy on them."
After finishing, Yang Yu's figure suddenly vanished from the serpent cave, just as he had arrived.
"Thud, thud."
The sounds of two falls echoed.
It was Zhang Bing and Li Shi.
Although Yang Yu hadn't released any aura, his few words of warning still left both of them feeling a tremendous pressure.
In an instant, they could no longer hold themselves up and fell to the ground.
Song Wen was also drenched in cold sweat.
After calming himself for a moment, he said to the two, "You two should comprehend the corpse refining techniques on your own. I'll go find the sect leader."
Song Wen swiftly exited the serpent cave and headed toward the main peak of the Beastmaster Sect, where the sect hall was located.
After having the guards announce him, Song Wen waited outside the hall for half an hour before finally seeing Fang Pengyi.
"Wu Sheng, what brings you to see me?"
Fang Pengyi sat high upon a luxurious chair made from second-tier spiritual materials, looking imposing and majestic.
His expression was serious, and he bore an unhappy look.
Last time, when Song Wen had requested the Star Soul Flowers, it had left him feeling displeased.
He felt that Song Wen was too proud of his achievements and somewhat unaware of his position.
Now, without being summoned, Song Wen had taken the initiative to seek him out, which seemed a blatant disrespect for his authority as sect leader.
"Reporting to the sect leader, the First supreme elder appeared in the serpent cave and expressed great dissatisfaction with the progress of refining the serpent-like corpses. He demands that ten corpses filled with profound energy be produced within a year."
Fang Pengyi's face stiffened, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, though it was quickly concealed.
Immediately, a friendly smile appeared on his face as he stood from his throne and walked toward Song Wen.
"Elder Wu, I need you to put in extra effort on this matter. Please work quickly to refine the corpses for the Elder. I believe that with your refining skills, producing ten serpent-like corpses within a year should not be a problem."
Song Wen's expression turned bitter, looking as though he had encountered a monumental challenge.
"Leader, this…"
Fang Pengyi interrupted, "Elder Wu, the Star Soul Flowers will be delivered to the sect shortly. I'll make sure to grant you four."
Upon hearing this, Song Wen's expression brightened, his hands rubbing together, looking somewhat uneasy.
"Thank you for your generosity, sect leader. I did not come here today just to ask for rewards."
Fang Pengyi responded, "I understand that Elder Wu has a strong sense of duty and is not one to seek accolades. However, coincidentally, this time, the trade with the Mixed Yuan Temple has yielded a bit more Star Soul Flowers, and I can spare four."
Having secured what he wanted, Song Wen shifted to serious matters.
"Leader, we are running low on the spiritual materials needed for corpse refinement. To avoid delaying the process, I kindly ask you to prepare ample materials."
Fang Pengyi replied, "This is a minor matter. Rest assured, within half a month, I will ensure that sufficient spiritual materials for the corpses are delivered to you."
(End of the Chapter)
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