Chapter 34: The Sect Master Rewards You!
The golden fragment bore no discernible aura, as though it didn’t belong to this world. Even with Yu Hua’s knowledge as a former Great Ascension cultivator, she couldn’t uncover its origins.
Despite never having seen the ancient characters inscribed on the page, their meanings inexplicably surfaced in her mind. The faint trace of Dao rhythm lingering on them confirmed that this fragment was no ordinary item.
Initially, Yu Hua planned to set the fragment aside for detailed study. However, after examining the body she inhabited, she discovered it was a useless vessel incapable of cultivation. Although she had ways to resolve this, the necessary rare resources were far beyond what a mere mortal could acquire.
Left with no alternatives, Yu Hua placed her hopes on the mysterious fragment.
The results were undeniable. By comprehending just a few words from the page, she advanced to the sixth layer of the Qi Refining stage.
Beyond this, Yu Hua realized the fragment could grow. By absorbing life essence, more characters would appear on the page, eventually forming the most perfect cultivation technique.
In her past life, Yu Hua was neither a saint nor a heartless demon who *wantonly slaughtered. While she refused to sacrifice thousands of innocent lives to fuel the fragment, her gaze naturally fell upon the wicked monsters and beasts causing harm.
[*in a deliberate and unprovoked way.]
As soon as her cultivation met the threshold for leaving the sect, she took up missions, targeting such creatures. The wolf demon at her feet, a fifth-layer Qi Refining beast, was one of them.
Ceasing her flow of spiritual energy, the golden glow on the fragment dimmed until it resembled an ordinary, slightly yellowed sheet of parchment.
Previously, when the sect elder Xu Qingyao asked about her cultivation method, Yu Hua showed her the disguised fragment. Its original text was cleverly obscured, and none could discern its true nature.
With a thought, Yu Hua withdrew the fragment into her bound soul sea. The lifeless corpse of the wolf demon was stored in her spatial pouch.
The lifestyle in the sect so far was acceptable. Even as a new disciple, she received a basic storage pouch—an item she would have scorned in her past life. But in this life, as a penniless orphan, she cherished it.
Additionally, the sect missions were abundant, while the workforce was sparse. This allowed her to easily pick suitable tasks.
After completing two missions on this trip, she not only advanced her cultivation but also unlocked more characters on the fragment.
Packing up her belongings, Yu Hua prepared to return.
The upcoming sect-wide tournament was something she had to participate in. Resources were scarce, and even with the fragment’s techniques, she needed more support to ascend further.
What excited her most about the tournament was the potential opportunity to access the sect’s forbidden grounds—the Demon Locking Prison.
The sect master of Qinglian Sect was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the beasts imprisoned within must be extraordinary. Though beyond her current ability, gaining access to the prison would allow her to exploit opportunities and potentially harvest a soul or two, pushing the fragment’s evolution by leaps and bounds.
Determination flashed in her tranquil eyes. No matter what, she would rise back to the summit, even if it meant using any means necessary.
“Xuan Yi Holy Land, Tai Chu Holy Land, Tian Yuan Holy Land…”
Yu Hua softly murmured the names of the sects that once stood as overlords of the cultivation world. Her expression was unreadable.
These were the homes of the Great Ascension cultivators who had hunted her down in her past life. While some of them had died, others had ascended to immortality and were now venerated as ancestors.
While avenging herself directly on these exalted figures was impossible, their legacies were another matter.
Once her cultivation was restored, she vowed to turn these holy lands upside down.
Yu Hua was not one to forgive and forget—especially when it came to grievances of life and death.
Blood debts could always be repaid by the descendants.
“Let those little ones pay for their ancestors’ sins,” she mused, her gaze icy.
For cultivators, maintaining a clear heart and mind was essential. Without closure, how could she tread the path to immortality?
Thus, when the time came, she would ensure the holy lands suffered. Who knew? Perhaps the fragment would advance further through the process—killing two birds with one stone.
For mighty cultivators, months passed like fleeting moments.
However, within Qinglian Sect, the last few months marked a golden era of steady progress.
Disciples broke through realms one after another, missions proceeded smoothly, and the sect’s internal operations, from alchemy to enforcing regulations, ran like clockwork. The vibrant growth filled everyone with hope for the sect’s future.
***
Inside the Sect Master’s Hall:
“I have summoned you all here today to reward your efforts,” Sect Master Liu Ruyan declared, her voice calm yet resonating with authority.
“Over the past six months, you have diligently managed the sect’s affairs. Your contributions have not gone unnoticed.”
“The sect-wide tournament begins tomorrow, and everything has gone without a hitch.”
“When the sect flourishes and we restructure the inner and outer sects, each of you will at least hold the title of outer sect elder.”
Hearing this, the seven female stewards present, all at the Golden Core stage and dressed in elegant robes adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, peach, apricot, and begonia motifs, bowed deeply. Their faces glowed with joy.
“This is all our duty. We are honored by the sect master’s trust and will serve the sect with unwavering loyalty, ready to brave any peril!” they chorused.
During the sect’s earlier reforms, many male and even female disciples had left, doubting the sect’s prospects.
Initially, even these stewards wavered. But they realized that in major sects, opportunities were scarce. At their cultivation level, finding better positions elsewhere was unlikely.
Now, they felt their decision to stay had been a stroke of wisdom.
Seated on the high throne, Liu Ruyan observed their eager expressions. Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest, silencing the room.
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“But the Qinglian Sect’s future will not stop here,” she stated firmly. “Your current cultivation levels are still too low. You must train diligently.”
Her words made the stewards uneasy.
The silence stretched until the steward clad in plum-blossom robes hesitantly stepped forward.
“Sect Master, it is not from lack of effort. Our talents are limited, and we lack proper guidance,” she admitted bitterly.
Liu Ruyan nodded, unsurprised.
“In that case, I shall grant you a chance to advance further,” she declared with calm authority.