Chapter 146: An Eighth-Rank Formation Master! Comparable to the Tribulation Transcendence Stage
“We’re in just like that?” After the First Elder left, the Demoness said in disbelief.
“It’s not that simple.” You shook your head. From the token, you learned the scope of your authority within the sect.
As a new arrival, you could basically only move freely in three places: the Artifact Refining Hall, your cave residence, and the Mission Hall. Wandering freely around the Heavenly Blade Sect was essentially impossible.
“Then what do we do? We can’t really stay here and refine artifacts for the Heavenly Blade Sect for the rest of our lives, can we?” the Demoness complained.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” You were not particularly anxious. Joining the Heavenly Blade Sect was for more than just the treasure map; you had other goals as well.
By now, you had already grasped sixty strands of the power of laws, and had thus fallen into a bottleneck. It seemed that reaching this step was already your limit.
Your cultivation had not improved for a hundred years. This too was the result of your deliberate suppression. But recently, you felt your cultivation stirring restlessly. You were already finding it somewhat difficult to suppress it!
You opened the Elder token and found from within it a Secret Realm that Heavenly Blade Sect disciples went to in order to break through to the Return-to-Void realm.
This Secret Realm was jointly controlled by the major powers of the Purple Firmament Immortal Dynasty, and opened once every hundred years.
And from what you knew, fifty years had passed since it last opened.
Feeling your cultivation growing ever harder to suppress, you inwardly made up your mind. Fifty years from now, you would head to the Secret Realm and break through.
A Secret Realm used by so many major powers of the Purple Firmament Immortal Dynasty must surely help me break through to the Return-to-Void realm!
You settled down in the Heavenly Blade Sect, refining artifacts in the artifact refining room every day, accumulating contribution points, and preparing for the trip to the Secret Realm.
Twenty years passed in a flash. Because of your excellent performance, the First Elder raised your authority level by one grade.
“Elder Ye Fan, you’ve done very well these years. If there’s anything you want, just say it. This Elder will do his best to satisfy you!” The First Elder patted your shoulder, very satisfied.
“Replying to the First Elder, the sect has already given me a place to stay. That is enough. Ye has no other needs for now.” You spoke very modestly.
“Haha, very good!” The First Elder was extremely satisfied, and the smile never left his face.
“By the way, I heard you can also set up formations?”
“This humble one is unworthy, but I can barely set up a Fifth-Rank Formation.”
“Hmm, how about this. Tomorrow, go report to the Formation Hall. Help out those old fellows and learn a thing or two while you’re at it.” The First Elder pondered for a moment and made arrangements for you.
“Those old fellows are all Formation Masters capable of setting up Sixth-Rank, even Seventh-Rank formations!”
“If you can win their favor, your future will be limitless!”
“Then thank you for your nurturing grace, First Elder!” You cupped your hands in gratitude.
The next day, you headed to the Formation Hall and began the daily routine of maintaining the sect’s various grand formations.
“This job isn’t bad at all. I can wander all over the sect now!” the Demoness said beside you.
You focused on maintaining the formation and asked the Demoness without turning your head. “How have your investigations been these days? Have you found anything?”
The Demoness shook her head dejectedly. “I’ve investigated every place we’ve been to. Not a single discovery.”
You glanced at the Demoness suspiciously. “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Sensing the flash of killing intent in your eyes, the Demoness trembled all over and hurried to explain. “This humble woman would not dare deceive Senior. My life is still in Senior’s hands. How would I dare deceive you?”
“Best that it is so. Otherwise, you know my methods.” After warning the Demoness, you continued maintaining the formation.
Living aloof from the world, you passed your days idly in the Heavenly Blade Sect, maintaining formations every day. Whenever there was a chance, you studied the formation-setting methods of the sect’s Formation Masters. Your attainments in formations also continued to improve.
Every year, the First Elder would personally come to see you once, reminiscing about old times and cultivating a relationship.
The First Elder’s enthusiasm reminded you of the rumors circulating within the sect.
The Heavenly Blade Sect Master, a Fusion realm cultivator, was nearing his limit. Within a hundred years, his lifespan would surely be exhausted and he would perish!
Now, the Vice Sect Master and the First Elder were the two people within the sect most hopeful of inheriting the position of Sect Master.
Why is it sect factional infighting again? You inwardly complained. You truly did not want to get involved in matters unrelated to cultivation.
But the First Elder’s attitude toward you over these years clearly showed he was grooming you as one of his own!
You had been forced to take the First Elder’s side!
Twenty years later, just as you were preparing to go maintain the sect’s grand formation as usual, the First Elder came looking for you.
“A year from now, the Eighth-Rank Formation Master, Ancestor Xuanming, will openly recruit disciples.” The First Elder went straight to the point.
“What does the First Elder need me to do?” Though you had some idea, you still asked.
“I want you to take Ancestor Xuanming as your Master!”
“Ah, this…” You hesitated somewhat. An Eighth-Rank Formation Master, that was comparable to a Tribulation Transcendence stage powerhouse!
If you could take such a figure as your Master, your cultivation path would surely be smooth sailing. But!
An Eighth-Rank Formation Master—how could one become their disciple just by asking?
“If you can take Ancestor Xuanming as your Master, then this Elder’s position as Sect Master will be more than half secure!” The First Elder said somewhat excitedly.
“But for such a person to recruit disciples, the requirements must be very strict, right?”
“Naturally. Just the single criterion of reaching Fifth-Rank Formation Master within five hundred years eliminates ninety-nine percent of cultivators!”
“Then what about me…” When you joined the Heavenly Blade Sect, you had concealed your true age. Otherwise, a Spirit Transformation Consummation cultivator under two hundred years old—if word got out, would that not be far too shocking?
“That is the requirement for Core Disciples. The requirement for Recorded Disciples is one thousand years,” the First Elder explained.
“What, you still want to become a Core Disciple?” As if seeing what was on your mind, the First Elder mercilessly shot you down.
“Being able to become a Recorded Disciple is already enough to be proud of!”
“Heh heh.” You smiled and did not refute him.
“All right, make your preparations properly. The sect will not assign you any tasks for the time being.”
“Tomorrow, go find the Seventh-Rank Formation Master, Ancestor Kongling, and study under her for a while.”
“One year’s time, I wonder if it will be enough.” After complaining a bit, the First Elder disappeared.
“Ancestor Kongling, is it? Fine.” You murmured to yourself. The next day, you began following Ancestor Kongling to set up formations, and your attainments in formations improved once again.