Chapter 270: Chapter 268: Refining Dao Convention, Approaching the Dao Through Skill
The winter snows depart from the plum blossoms; the spring breeze returns to the willows.
Before they knew it, winter had passed and spring had arrived.
The frozen mountain stream began to murmur and flow once more. Along its banks, red flowers bloomed in abundance.
At this moment, Fang Yang and Sen Hui were walking side-by-side, strolling along the edge of the stream.
"Ah Yang, the Refining Dao Convention is about to begin."
Sen Hui’s bright eyes fluttered, her breath sweet and fragrant. "Do you have any plans?"
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting a strand of black hair from beside her ear.
Fang Yang leaned over, took the stray strand, and gently tucked it behind her ear.
The Refining Dao Convention was a grand stage for cultivators who practiced the Hundred Arts to showcase their skills.
After all, the Saint Institute was home to countless students, and it was impossible for everyone to make it onto the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings.
Besides, everyone walked a different path.
Some excelled at combat and magical duels, while others specialized in the Hundred Arts of cultivation—Alchemy, Artifact Refining, array formation, spiritual agriculture, Talisman crafting, and so on.
Focusing one’s entire energy on the Hundred Arts was also a viable path to becoming a Saint.
If that weren’t the case, Huanwu the Great Saint wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths to arrange for Sen Hui to study under Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint.
Most importantly, Fang Yang had a vague sense that there was more to the Refining Dao Convention than met the eye.
He knew that after every convention, the Thunder Saint Academy experienced a surge in the appearance of new Sacred Artifacts.
"My plans?" Fang Yang repeated.
Hearing this, Sen Hui’s breathing quickened slightly. "If you become a Tier Three Pill Master, my master will recommend you. You’d be able to attend the Refining Dao Convention and broaden your horizons."
In truth, there was an unspoken layer to her words: she wanted Fang Yang to go to the Refining Dao Convention with her.
With his current skill as a Pill Master, he wouldn’t be able to fully showcase his talents at the convention, nor would he last very long.
But she was still selfish enough to want him by her side.
Of course, Fang Yang saw through her intentions as clear as day.
He considered it for a moment. Then, a faint smile touched his lips. "Alright. I’ll take the assessment to become a Tier Three Alchemy Master, and then we’ll go to the Refining Dao Convention together."
...
「Three days later.」
At the Medicine Hall headquarters in the Thunder Saint Academy, Fang Yang waved goodbye to Sen Hui and walked inside, ready to begin the first round of the assessment to become a Tier Three Pill Master.
Perhaps because the Refining Dao Convention was approaching, far more people were taking the assessment than usual.
As Fang Yang was already quite famous, his arrival instantly drew the curiosity of the crowd.
"What? Fang Yang? A peerless prodigy like him is taking this assessment?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. I don’t want him to tear me in half."
"I don’t know. Maybe he wants to participate in the Refining Dao Convention, too..."
"That makes no sense. Even as a Tier Three Pill Master, he won’t get far in the convention. Why bother just to be a foil for others...?"
Everyone stared at Fang Yang’s imposing figure with inquisitive eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but when Fang Yang’s gaze swept over them, everyone instantly fell silent, shivering and not daring to utter another word.
Finally, the first stage of the assessment began.
This stage was different from previous assessments, which involved identifying medicinal herbs or measuring ingredients.
This time, the examinees had to use their techniques to control the Earth Flame before them within a set time limit.
"FWOOSH—"
A brilliant blue flame erupted before Fang Yang, burning fiercely. Within it, one could faintly make out the shape of a swallow.
If he wasn’t mistaken, this was a Beast Flame from some kind of Fire Path Fierce Beast.
"Settle," Fang Yang commanded. His hand swept over the blue flame, and he instantly refined it.
He then walked forward calmly, led by the proctor to the next stage.
This scene left the other examinees utterly flabbergasted, their minds reeling in shock.
’Wait, dude, didn’t the assessment just start? How are you already finished?’
"So this is the ’Young Great Saint’..."
No one knew who said it, but the comment immediately drew a chorus of sighs from the room.
The second stage of the assessment.
The third stage.
The fourth stage.
The fifth stage.
Fang Yang passed through each one as if they were nothing, blazing through them with unstoppable momentum.
He only paused for a slightly longer time during the fifth stage, which involved refining Pills.
But in the end, even these daunting assessments, which had stumped countless other Pill Masters, were effortlessly conquered by him.
He officially registered his name in the Medicine Hall, becoming a certified Tier Three Pill Master.
In reality, aside from being a certified Pill Master, he was also a Tier Three Array Master and a Tier Five Talisman Master.
And in the auxiliary profession of Talisman Master, he was at the Tier Five Peak, specializing in both Thunder Dao Talismans and Fire Dao Talismans!
"That’s wonderful, Ah Yang!" Sen Hui was overjoyed.
That very day, Sen Hui led Fang Yang straight to the Bai Zhi Dojo to meet with Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint.
「Night.」
Moonlight, like liquid silver, spilled into the courtyard.
Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint looked at him with admiration. "Fang Yang, I didn’t expect you to be so talented in the arts of an Alchemist Doctor."
She was very pleased with Fang Yang.
It wasn’t just his talent that pleased her, but his attitude as well.
Hearing her master’s praise, Sen Hui couldn’t stop smiling, feeling incredibly proud of Fang Yang.
Fang Yang, on the other hand, merely appeared moved. In reality, his focus was already on the glowing orb of his "Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune" talent.
[The Refining Dao Convention holds a universe of its own. Approach the Dao through skill. Beware of attacking another’s strengths with your weaknesses.]
[High-Tier Fortune: Participate as a Talisman Master. This plays to your strengths. You will obtain a Tier Five opportunity with potential for future development. Auspicious.]
[Mid-Tier Fortune: Participate as a Pill Master. You will be relying on others. The outcome will be unremarkable, with neither gain nor loss. Neutral.]
[Low-Tier Fortune: Participate as an Array Master. Your skill is insufficient. Unexpected complications will arise, planting the seeds of future disaster. Inauspicious.]
The sudden appearance of these fortunes disrupted Fang Yang’s original plan.
Originally, he had only planned to accompany Sen Hui to the Refining Dao Convention, acting as a simple companion.
He had thought of it as a simple outing to relax and earn some goodwill from her.
Now, however, his interest was piqued.
’The Refining Dao Convention holds a universe of its own... approach the Dao through skill... beware of attacking another’s strengths with your weaknesses... This is clearly hinting at my destiny with this convention. And these next three fortunes are quite peculiar. Especially the one about participating as an Array Master, which would actually lead to disaster.’
After weighing his options, Fang Yang naturally decided to choose the High-Tier Fortune.
’I will participate in the Refining Dao Convention as a Talisman Master. A Tier Five opportunity is important, of course, but I’m more curious about this ’potential for future development’!’
His thoughts flashed like lightning, all in the span of a few moments.
At that moment, Fang Yang replied:
"Senior Bai Zhi."
"Alchemy is not my greatest strength. My true specialty is actually talisman crafting."
"I’d like to participate in the Refining Dao Convention as a Talisman Master. That way, I can accompany Xiaohui further into the competition."
As he spoke, Fang Yang waved his sleeve. A Tier Five Fire Dao Talisman, a [Griffin Talisman], materialized in the air, pulsing with fierce, fiery light.
Sen Hui looked up, her expression one of surprise.
Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint arched a delicate eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
In the end, however, she didn’t say much, merely nodding. "Very well."
’After all, her original intention was simply to send Fang Yang to the Refining Dao Convention to gain experience. Whether Fang Yang is a Pill Master or a Talisman Master doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that it makes Sen Hui happy, which will help her perform well. Only then can I properly answer to Huanwu the Great Saint and show that I haven’t just been taking his favor for granted.’
"In that case, perhaps this Talisman Treasure will help you go a little further."
With that, Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint lightly tapped the air.
The next moment, a streak of light flashed and materialized before them.
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