Chapter 157: Chapter 156: Allocation
Deep underground, within a remote mountain in Qingyang County.
In a vast subterranean space, initially hewn by hand and later expanded from a natural cavern, brilliant lights burned as bright as day.
Precious fluorite stones were embedded in the cavern walls, emitting a soft, enduring glow that illuminated every last detail within.
The security here was exceptionally tight. Overt sentries and hidden checkpoints lined every passage leading to this place. Powerful experts with obscure auras lurked in the shadows, their senses weaving an invisible net that covered every inch of space.
This was a place of great importance, jointly managed by the Seven Sects—the repository and distribution site for the Earth Core Stone Milk.
The center of the cavern was not an ordinary stone chamber, but a wide, open area.
The floor was paved with a single, massive slab of Cyan Steel Rock, polished to a mirror-like sheen.
The most striking feature was the natural, milky-white stone platform in the center. It stood about half a person’s height and was shaped like a giant Lingzhi mushroom.
The top of the platform was not flat but concave, forming a natural pool. Its walls were as smooth as jade, and one could faintly see the residual traces of a milky-white Spiritual Liquid, which emitted a faint, unique fragrance that refreshed the mind and spirit.
This was the Spiritual Eye that birthed the Earth Core Stone Milk.
At this moment, however, the pool was dry. This year’s supply of Earth Core Stone Milk had already been collected.
Beside the Spiritual Eye platform sat a simple stone table, around which seven figures were seated.
The auras of these seven individuals were as deep as the abyss and as vast as the sea, even stronger than the Elders of the Seven Sects who had led the disciples to the competition.
They were the Elders from the Seven Sects permanently stationed here, responsible for guarding the Spiritual Eye and presiding over the annual distribution of the stone milk. Their strength was considered top-level even among the Elders of the Seven Sects, and only those with such power were qualified to be its guardians.
At this moment, seven Mutton Fat Jade Bottles, each with a fine texture and an iridescent sheen, were arranged on the stone table.
The Jade Bottles were all the same size, but the numbers inscribed on them were distinctly different, indicating a clear disparity in the amount of Earth Core Stone Milk each contained.
The gazes of all the Elders, whether open or concealed, were fervently fixed on the Jade Bottle marked with the character for "One."
Earth Core Stone Milk—for Yijing Marrow Cleansing and changing one’s Root Bone!
A Heaven and Earth’s Wondrous Treasure like this was of little use to them, the core upper echelons of the Sects who had consumed it many times. However, for the exceptionally talented core disciples within their Sects, or even their own descendants, it was a priceless treasure.
A single extra drop was enough to improve a disciple’s or a descendant’s Talent. And the Jade Bottle marked "One" contained the largest share of Earth Core Stone Milk.
"Heh heh, there’s no need for all of you to keep staring. This Jade Bottle will belong to Tingyu Building again this year."
A soft chuckle shattered the silence in the cavern. The voice, uniquely effeminate and hoarse, belonged to Elder Yin Wuhu of Tingyu Building, a man with a pale, gaunt face, dressed in a brocade robe with a dark pattern.
His narrow eyes swept over the other six, a curve of undisguised confidence playing on his lips as he spoke slowly and deliberately.
The certainty and superiority in his tone caused the faces of the other six Sect Elders to darken instantly.
"Old Ghost Yin, don’t get too cocky. The results aren’t out yet!"
Elder Lei Zhenyue of the Overlord Blade Sect, a burly, red-faced old man with a booming voice, snorted coldly and retorted in a gruff tone.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, even he felt they lacked conviction.
Tingyu Building had dominated the new Entry Level disciple competition for many years; their methods for cultivating disciples were truly unique. It was said that this year they had another disciple named Mo Chen with astonishing Talent.
Though the other six Sects had their own geniuses, shaking Tingyu Building’s position would be difficult!
"Elder Yin, you’re as confident as ever. But nothing is absolute. Don’t celebrate too early."
Elder Ming Gu of the Netherworld Pavilion, clad in a black robe and exuding a cold, sinister aura, offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes on his skeletal face.
Elder Qinglan of the Lingyun Sword Sect was a middle-aged Daoist nun with a cold temperament, an Ancient Sword strapped to her back.
She frowned slightly and said nothing, but a trace of resignation in her eyes betrayed her own judgment.
Master Kuchan of the Vajra Temple lowered his gaze, his hands pressed together, chanting a Buddhist mantra. His face showed neither joy nor sorrow, as if worldly matters did not concern him.
Elder Hua Nongying of Baihua Valley, a graceful and dignified beauty who still possessed great charm, sighed softly, her long fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her robes.
Elder Zhou Bo of the Qingxuan Sect was a refined-looking middle-aged man with gentle eyes.
Hearing Yin Wuhu’s words, he too frowned slightly and sighed inwardly.
’As much as I hate to admit it, Tingyu Building’s new Entry Level disciples have been incredibly strong these past years. They’ve dominated the Seven Sects competition for a long time.’
Just as the atmosphere in the cavern grew somewhat oppressive, and everyone assumed this year’s outcome would be the same, a series of urgent yet steady footsteps approached from a distance, breaking the subterranean silence.
A middle-aged man dressed in the robes of a Qingxuan Sect Steward walked briskly into the cavern and bowed respectfully to the seven Elders.
"Have the rankings been decided?"
Zhou Bo recognized him as the Steward in charge of relaying messages from the outside. His heart stirred as he asked the question.
The gazes of the other Elders instantly focused on the Steward as well.
The Steward took a deep breath, suppressing his inner excitement, and spoke in a clear voice.
"Reporting to the Elders, the Seven Sects’ new Entry Level disciple competition... has concluded. The final rankings are: Qingxuan Sect first, Tingyu Building second..."
"What?!"
Before the Steward could finish, the confident smile on Yin Wuhu’s face froze, replaced by utter shock and disbelief.
He even lost his composure and took a step forward, his narrow eyes fixed on the Steward.
"Say that again! Who’s first?!"
It wasn’t just Yin Wuhu. Lei Zhenyue, Ming Gu, Qinglan, Hua Nongying, and even Master Kuchan, who had been chanting with his eyes closed, all snapped their heads up, their eyes filled with shock and astonishment.
’Qingxuan Sect? The Qingxuan Sect, which has hovered around the middle ranks for years, actually took first place this year?!’
’This is absolutely unbelievable!’
Elder Zhou Bo was shaken to his core, his refined face a mask of astonishment. He even wondered if he had misheard.
’A surprise from the heavens? This is a bolt from the blue, a shocking surprise!’
He had never imagined that the day would come when Qingxuan Sect would actually take first place!
"Is... is the news accurate?"
Zhou Bo’s voice trembled slightly as he sought confirmation.
"Absolutely!" the Steward replied decisively. "I have confirmed it repeatedly. It is indeed our Qingxuan Sect that took first place!"
"Impossible!"
Yin Wuhu’s face was ashen as he stated flatly.
"Mo Chen has already cultivated our Tingyu Building’s Ghostly Shadow Thousand Illusions to the Great Success stage. It’s impossible for anyone from the other Sects to defeat him! Go and confirm the news again!"
He turned to a Steward from his own Sect.
Receiving the order, the Steward quickly left to confirm the news.
The atmosphere in the cavern turned strange, each person lost in their own thoughts.
Lei Zhenyue grinned widely. He wanted to laugh but felt it would be inappropriate, so he just rubbed his large hands together, his gaze toward Zhou Bo filled with envy and a hint of sourness.
The surprise had not yet faded from Daoist Qinglan’s eyes as she glanced thoughtfully at Zhou Bo, who was still in a state of shock.
Hua Nongying’s beautiful eyes darted about as she said softly, "If this is true, Elder Zhou, your Sect has produced a truly remarkable batch of disciples."
Master Kuchan once again pressed his palms together and quietly chanted a Buddhist name, his thoughts unreadable.
Zhou Bo had calmed down slightly from his initial ecstasy, but the excitement in his heart was still difficult to contain.
He forced himself to remain composed and nodded at Hua Nongying, but his eyes couldn’t help but dart to the Jade Bottle marked "One" on the stone table, his heart starting to race.
The wait was not long, but for Yin Wuhu, it was agonizing.
Soon, the Steward returned and reported in a somewhat hoarse voice.
"Elder Yin, the news is correct... Qingxuan Sect did indeed take first place."
"PFFT..."
Lei Zhenyue finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a suppressed chuckle, which he quickly disguised with a cough.
The faces of the other Elders also showed varying degrees of satisfaction.
Tingyu Building had held the top spot for many years, breeding resentment among the other Sects. Seeing them suffer a setback today was naturally gratifying.
"How can this be?"
Yin Wuhu’s face instantly went from ashen to deathly pale, then flushed red. His chest heaved violently, a clear sign of extreme anger.
"Since the results are clear, I will proceed according to the rules."
Seeing this, Zhou Bo’s last trace of doubt vanished, replaced by a feeling of triumphant relief. He could finally hold his head high.
He no longer hesitated. Stepping forward, he cupped his fists in a salute to the other six Elders.
He walked to the stone table and carefully, solemnly, picked up the Jade Bottle containing the largest share.
The Jade Bottle felt warm and smooth in his hands, yet he could feel the immense life energy contained within.
"I will take my leave!"
Zhou Bo cupped his fists again, then, escorted by a group of Qingxuan Sect experts, he swiftly departed from the underground cavern.
His steps seemed steady, but they were much lighter than when he had arrived.
Inside the cavern, the remaining six Elders watched their departing figures with complex expressions, speechless for a long time.
They began to distribute the remaining stone milk on the table according to the new rankings, but the atmosphere was completely different from before.
...
Fang Han and his group stayed in the Commandery City for three days.
During these three days, the five of them enjoyed a rare period of relaxation. They toured the Commandery City, savored local delicacies, and experienced the local culture.
Throughout this time, they naturally overheard countless discussions about the Seven Sects competition, about the Qingxuan Sect, and about themselves, filled with endless gasps of amazement and praise.
However, Fang Han did not let this go to his head or slack off in his Cultivation. On the contrary, he became even more composed.
He hadn’t forgotten that he still had a "great enemy" in Chu Feng, a name on the Celestial Pride List.
「Three days later, in the morning, before Qingxuan Villa.」
Two carriages drawn by Cyan-hoofed Deer were already prepared.
Elder Chen Xuan and three Stewards boarded the front carriage, while Fang Han and the other four boarded the one behind.
The carriage interior was still spacious, with soft and comfortable animal hide cushions.
The carriage set off, proceeding along the wide street, slowly passing through the Commandery City’s majestic gates, and onto the main road back to the Sect.
The atmosphere inside the carriage was completely different from the journey here.
On their way, the five of them had been filled with both anticipation and anxiety.
But now, with the competition over and the burden lifted, the tension that had filled the air had dissipated, even though no one was speaking.
Huang Ling’er curiously watched the scenery speed by outside the window, while Shi Meng leaned against the carriage wall, looking somewhat bored.
Li Feng cradled his long saber, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were either resting his mind or savoring the gains from the competition.
Fang Han and Yun Qianyue sat quietly by themselves.
Fang Han could sense that Yun Qianyue, beside him, had an unstable aura that was stronger than before.
This phenomenon was strikingly similar to what he had recently experienced. His heart stirred, and he began to form a vague guess.
Huang Ling’er noticed it too. She blinked her big eyes, leaned closer to Yun Qianyue, and asked curiously:
"Qianyue, I feel like your aura... is stronger than before? Did you... did you break through to the Late Stage of the Eighth Grade?"
Her clear voice broke the silence in the carriage.
