Chapter 046: Tempting Rewards

Lefeng’s elegant arrival from the side of the "Heaven and Earth Hall," floating in midair with the aid of a magical artifact, instantly stunned the assembly of outer sect disciples. Even Wan Fushan and his fellow inner sect disciple, Brother Huang, were left aghast. The potential Lefeng displayed far surpassed everyone’s expectations.

According to previous information, Lefeng had only entered the Immortal Sect two and a half years ago, yet had already cultivated to the third level of Immortal Practitioner—a feat impressive in itself. Yet today, he emerged possessed of the formidable strength of a fourth-level Qi Refining Immortal Practitioner. To soar on an artifact through the air, one needed at least the fourth level of Qi Refining, and a suitable flying artifact—both were indispensable.

“Apologies for keeping my fellow brothers waiting. I, Lefeng, am honored to volunteer to lead you in eradicating the bandits—not only to avenge our fallen comrades, but also to rid the people of their tormentors.”

Lefeng spoke with ease, his demeanor gentle and approachable; immediately, he left a favorable impression upon the crowd of outer disciples. He did not look down on others from above. The blue wave of light beneath his feet gradually dimmed, solidifying into a dark blue silk carpet, intricately engraved with concentric arrays. As it descended, it shrank to the size of a handkerchief and landed in his hand.

A verdant light shimmered over Lefeng’s form, slowing his descent so that he drifted gently to the ground, the whole process as smooth and beautiful as flowing clouds and water. Many outer disciples, including Wan Fushan and Brother Huang, watched with admiration.

“According to sect rules, any disciple who has reached the fourth level of Qi Refining is granted a flying artifact by their elders. This exquisite silk carpet under Lefeng’s feet possesses a refined and noble aura—surely the work of Immortal Lady Heyue, renowned as the ‘Lotus Moon Immortal.’” Wan Fushan whispered to Brother Huang, exchanging a look of astonishment.

The Lotus Moon Immortal held a unique status in the sect: a senior elder and also the Dao companion of the sect master. Lefeng’s receipt of her gift upon advancing to the fourth Qi Refining level surely meant he had become her personal disciple…

“This time we face the infamous ‘Blood Spirit Bandits’—vicious, cunning, and elusive. Many Immortal Practitioners have fallen to them. We must not be careless in the slightest.”

The smile faded from Lefeng’s lips, replaced by a grave expression as he walked among the crowd. The outer disciples nodded earnestly—this genial Senior Brother Lefeng, modest and even-tempered, inspired goodwill with his demeanor.

Xu Xuan noticed that beside him, Yang Xiaoqian’s gaze lingered on Lefeng, her bright eyes rippling with admiration, lost for a moment as if gazing into autumn waters.

“Next, I wish to know each disciple joining this expedition. Please introduce yourselves one by one: your name, and your area of expertise,” Lefeng said with a gentle smile, motioning for the disciple at the end to begin.

That disciple, flustered and honored, replied at once, “Senior Brother Lefeng, my name is Wang Xiao. I specialize in cultivating spiritual grains and vegetables.”

At Lefeng’s nod, the second disciple spoke: “My name is Lin Fang. I am skilled in raising spiritual beasts and communicating with them.”

Each disciple in turn reported their name and specialty.

Listening, Xu Xuan was quietly surprised; though these outer disciples lacked remarkable cultivation, their skills were varied and impressive.

Soon it was Yang Xiaoqian’s turn. Her pure, graceful bearing and elegant figure captured everyone’s attention; even Lefeng’s eyes brightened upon seeing her.

“I am Yang Xiaoqian. I have some familiarity with the history and secret traditions of the cultivation world,” she said with poise, bowing gracefully, her bright eyes lowered and cheeks tinged pink.

It was the first time Xu Xuan learned of her area of expertise, and he was quite surprised.

At last, the crowd managed to pull their eyes away from her, and it was Xu Xuan’s turn. Lefeng’s gentle gaze settled on him, with a trace of a smile.

“I am Xu Xuan. Greetings, Senior Brother Lefeng. As for my specialty… it would be close-quarters combat,” Xu Xuan said, somewhat uncertainly.

Close-quarters combat?

Some of the other outer disciples sneered inwardly—wasn’t that just fighting? Did this fellow think too highly of himself?

Lefeng merely glanced at Xu Xuan with interest, then continued to inquire about the others. In a short while, Lefeng had learned and remembered all their names and specialties.

“Very well, let us wait a little longer—one person has yet to arrive,” Lefeng announced with a smile.

One more person?

Wan Fushan and Brother Huang exchanged puzzled glances.

Sure enough, before long, hurried and light footsteps approached from the winding mountain path—a young girl of thirteen or fourteen appeared. Her clear eyes shone like flawless gems, her skin fair and delicate as a baby’s, and her features exquisitely pretty with a hint of shyness. The pink jade robe she wore was of a quality higher than any other disciple present, inner or outer—a garment reserved for personal disciples of the sect, worth over ten thousand spirit coins.

Most eye-catching of all was the little spirit sparrow perched on her shoulder, its beady black eyes blinking as it observed the crowd.

“Yu Qin!”

At her appearance, Xu Xuan, Yang Xiaoqian, and Zhao Linlong exchanged glances and called out in unison.

Yu Qin was truly heaven’s favored child—born with a superior spiritual root, she was accepted as a personal disciple by Elder Lu, a powerful cultivator, on her very first day in the sect. From a mere mortal, she had leapt several ranks to become a personal disciple, enough to inspire envy.

“Junior Sister Yu, you’re here. This mission to hunt bandits and track the Blood Spirit Bandits will rely on Elder Lu’s treasured ‘Three Spirit Sparrows,’” Lefeng said warmly, glancing at the bird on Yu Qin’s shoulder.

The Three Spirit Sparrow’s eyes glinted with pride; it beat its wings and circled through the air, leaving the outer disciples astonished.

“The Three Spirit Sparrow is a rare spiritual bird, much beloved by Elder Lu. Who would have thought it could be put to use now?” The disciples below began to discuss.

Among the elders, Elder Lu was especially fond of raising spiritual beasts and rare birds; the Three Spirit Sparrow was one of his favorites.

“Junior Sister Yu, are you able to communicate with and command the Three Spirit Sparrow now?” Brother Huang asked with a hint of doubt.

“I can give it a try,” Yu Qin replied, blushing and lowering her gaze. She extended a delicate hand, and a ripple of spiritual light flickered in the air as her lips moved, uttering a series of mysterious sounds.

The Three Spirit Sparrow, which had been fluttering in the air, immediately swooped to Yu Qin’s shoulder, then soared again, bowing its wings and little head in a salute to the crowd.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then broke into amazed exclamations.

“Congratulations, Junior Sister Yu! In just half a month since entering the sect, you have advanced to the ranks of the Qi Refining Immortal Practitioners and mastered the basics of ‘Spirit Speech Art!’” Wan Fushan was the first to come forward, masking his astonishment as he offered congratulations.

Qi Refining Immortal Practitioner!

The other outer disciples gasped in disbelief.

Yang Xiaoqian and Zhao Linlong both looked dejected, their faces dim.

To bridge the gap between mortal and immortal in just half a month was enough to arouse both envy and jealousy.

Of all the outer disciples, only Xu Xuan remained calm. With memories of a past life in the Immortal Sect, he knew that with the right resources, a cultivator could raise a promising mortal to the seventh level of Body Refinement in a short time. With a superior spiritual root and expert guidance, reaching the Qi Refining stage would be almost effortless.

“…When Junior Sister Yu entered the mountains, she was only at the fourth level of Body Refinement. To advance so quickly to the seventh and even to Qi Refining, Elder Lu must have given her a precious Marrow Cleansing Pill,” Brother Huang whispered to Wan Fushan. Having spent so long in the sect, they could easily guess the truth.

Xu Xuan also sighed inwardly: “The Marrow Cleansing Pill—even a low-grade one costs over a hundred thousand spirit coins on the market. One with effects this remarkable must be worth four or five hundred thousand…”

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was a legendary elixir, the ultimate desire of any mortal cultivator. It could bring about a significant transformation of the body, and with the aid of immortal arts, greatly enhance constitution in a short time.

Even a subpar Marrow Cleansing Pill could easily raise a mortal’s cultivation to the sixth or nearly the seventh level of Body Refinement. A high-quality pill, combined with protective immortal arts, could swiftly bring someone to the seventh level.

However, such pills were so exorbitantly expensive that even the three great families of Yangmu Village could scarcely afford one.

Of course, once one reached the level of Immortal Practitioner, the allure of such spiritual pills lessened, for a Qi Refining practitioner generally needed to consolidate their body at the seventh level before drawing in spiritual energy and bearing its circulation within.

“Brothers and sisters, I have good news to share,” Lefeng suddenly announced in a clear voice.

“The Sect Master has promised that whoever brings back the head of the Blood Spirit Bandits’ leader, ‘Old Cao,’ will be rewarded with a mid-grade magical artifact and three bottles of Spiritual Essence Pills. Whoever slays the other two leaders, ‘Second Cao’ and ‘Third Cao,’ will receive a lower-grade magical artifact and one bottle of Spiritual Essence Pills. The outer disciple who slays the most bandits will be rewarded with a Marrow Cleansing Pill, a beginner’s manual of immortal arts, and immediate promotion to inner disciple status.”

These words sent the outer disciples into a frenzy; they trembled with excitement, rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Even Wan Fushan and Brother Huang shuddered at the prospect: “A mid-grade magical artifact… Spiritual Essence Pills…”

The outer disciples were beside themselves: “A Marrow Cleansing Pill… inner disciple status… this is incredible!”

Xu Xuan, too, was moved, his eyes flashing with a subtle gleam. Even he found these rewards hard to ignore.

(Two chapters updated… Please click and recommend this Monday! Hoping for another update tonight!)