Chapter 34: Contribution Rankings

Hearing Fang Wang’s words, Fang Hanyu thought for a moment and chose to trust him. The commotion caused by the Extreme Hao Sect was too great; it was better for him to remain ignorant to avoid inviting trouble.

Fang Hanyu drew a deep breath and said, “Fang Wang, you’re already seventeen, aren’t you? If you hadn’t embarked on cultivation, Fifth Uncle would have celebrated your birthday.”

Fang Wang laughed. “We’re all pursuing immortality now—what’s the point of caring about birthdays? In the future, we might live for a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand years. Only such milestone years would be worth celebrating.”

A smile appeared on Fang Hanyu’s face, and he began to reminisce with him about the old days.

Time passed swiftly in the Fang Estate.

Another month went by. Fang Hanyu reached the ninth layer of the Qi-nurturing realm, his progress a testament to the formidable power of the Evil Heart Demon Eye. Because of this, Fang Wang decided it was time to return to the Taiyuan Sect.

Before leaving, Fang Wang reminded Qing Wan’er to stay indoors and wait for Zhou Xue’s return.

The Fang Estate had been beautifully developed; pavilions lined the lakeshore, spiritual herbs and flowers grew before the mountain walls, and the spiritual energy continued to increase.

“Don’t worry, we won’t act recklessly,” Qing Wan’er nodded. After the incident with Li Honggang, she resolved to cultivate diligently, refusing to rely on others for protection.

Without further words, Fang Wang left with Fang Hanyu.

To disguise the Evil Heart Demon Eye, Fang Hanyu donned the white cloth strip once again, covering his eyes. He had already cultivated his divine sense and could perceive the world through it.

Thus, the two left the Fang Estate, riding their swords away.

Along the journey, Fang Wang considered teaching the White Rainbow Escape Technique, so he quickened the pace, and Fang Hanyu did his best to keep up.

From the western borders of the Great Qi Dynasty to the Taiyuan Sect, for cultivators, it was only a matter of days. The deeper they went, the fewer demonic cultivators they encountered. Once they donned the robes of Taiyuan Sect disciples, their journey was untroubled.

Four days later.

Guided by their disciple tokens, they returned to the Taiyuan Sect.

Upon arrival, they did not part ways. Fang Wang took Fang Hanyu directly to the main peak, presenting themselves before the Shiyuan Hall to pay respects to the Sect Master.

“Come in.”

The doors of Shiyuan Hall opened, and Guang Qiuxian’s voice rang out from within.

The two entered immediately. Inside, Guang Qiuxian sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, eyes closed, resembling an immortal from heaven—his demeanor dignified and ethereal.

After paying his respects, Fang Wang recounted Fang Hanyu’s experiences without omission, including Zhou Xue bestowing upon Fang Hanyu the Evil Heart Demon Eye. This was as he and Zhou Xue had discussed; Zhou Xue had instructed him to tell the truth, for she had her own means of dealing with it.

Guang Qiuxian opened his eyes not long after, his brows furrowing and his gaze turning cold.

As Sect Master, hearing that a disciple had suffered such torment, how could he remain unmoved?

When Fang Wang finished, Guang Qiuxian spoke slowly. “The Evil Heart Demon Eye, like the True Skill of the Heavenly Firm Saint Body, are cultivation methods created by the ancients based on primordial physiques, capable of defying fate. Qingchan Valley has possessed the Evil Heart Demon Eye method for a century but has never succeeded. To think you succeeded—Zhou Xue’s benefactor must be extraordinary.”

“In a lifetime of cultivation, aside from the sect, one must have many benefactors. Taiyuan Sect respects the fate of every disciple. Though the Evil Heart Demon Eye is considered a demonic path technique, it does not wholly belong to Qingchan Valley.”

Guang Qiuxian raised his sleeve, a jade slip flew out and landed in Fang Hanyu’s hand. “This is my decree. Go to the Scripture Pavilion and obtain the Clear Heart Technique—it will help suppress your innate murderous intent.”

Fang Hanyu nodded hurriedly. “Thank you, Sect Master.”

“Continue to keep your eyes covered. This is not to prevent ostracism from your peers, but to avoid being discovered by Qingchan Valley. You should understand, in every righteous sect, there are always demonic spies,” Guang Qiuxian cautioned.

Fang Hanyu acknowledged, and seeing Guang Qiuxian wave his hand, took his leave.

Only Fang Wang and Guang Qiuxian remained in the hall.

Guang Qiuxian smiled, his previous air as Sect Master gone. He glared at Fang Wang and snorted, “You rascal—just a year since joining, and you’ve stirred up so much trouble. I sent Lu Yuanjun to fetch you, yet you wouldn’t return?”

Fang Wang replied helplessly, “Sect Master, I had no choice. My clan was in trouble; I couldn’t ignore it.”

“The White-robed Jinghong—such a reputation! More impressive than when Lu Yuanjun’s fame soared. As Sect Master, I am naturally pleased; your renown benefits Taiyuan Sect. But personally, I hope you won’t act rashly. Cultivate well; too many geniuses perish young. Only those who survive become true powers of their generation,” Guang Qiuxian said earnestly.

Fang Wang nodded. “Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master.”

He too planned to spend more time accumulating cultivation.

“Thirty-six Sword Techniques of Jinghong—tsk, tsk. You’ve already surpassed your master, hahaha! When you see your master next, you must curry favor. He’s so petty. When I was chosen as Sect Master, he sulked for a long time—ten years he ignored me…”

Guang Qiuxian began telling tales of himself and Yang Yuanzi, painting Yang Yuanzi as a petty, straightforward junior.

Fang Wang listened intently, while analyzing the true relationship between the two.

A long while passed.

When Guang Qiuxian finally finished, Fang Wang asked, “Sect Master, who is Senior Brother Lu's master? Is it the Peak Lord of his line?”

Guang Qiuxian stroked his beard and laughed, “Lu Yuanjun has two masters. One is the Peak Lord of his line, the other is me. Why do you ask?”

Fang Wang smiled, “After meeting Senior Brother Lu, I found him to be a good person—surely a worthy future Sect Master. But you wish to nurture me as your successor, so I’m at a loss.”

He was probing.

Guang Qiuxian replied with a smile, “To become Sect Master, being good isn’t enough. A true Sect Master must endure fierce competition, be strong enough, and command respect. If you wish to compete, I can privately support you to surpass Lu Yuanjun, but you need prestige—at least enough for the disciples to believe you’re qualified. When the entire Taiyuan Sect sees you as more suitable than Lu Yuanjun, that is when I will step aside for you.”

“You need not worry about your relationship with Lu Yuanjun. A sect cannot rely on just one strong individual. Losing the position of Sect Master doesn’t mean utter estrangement—just as with me and your master, regardless of victory or defeat, you both are the pillars of Taiyuan Sect’s next generation.”

Guang Qiuxian gave much advice, even imparting experience on how to vie for the position of chief disciple.

Half an hour later.

Fang Wang left Shiyuan Hall and flew toward the main city of the sect.

Along the way, he pondered Guang Qiuxian’s words. On the surface, Guang Qiuxian supported him, but in reality, he was instilling a principle: no matter the competition, never harm the harmony. This showed that Lu Yuanjun was highly valued in Guang Qiuxian’s heart. Even with Fang Wang’s destiny as the Primordial Treasure Spirit, Guang Qiuxian was unwilling to abandon Lu Yuanjun.

From a disciple’s perspective, such a Sect Master was admirable. But from Fang Wang’s standpoint, it was a major obstacle—for he and Lu Yuanjun could never coexist peacefully!

If not for Zhou Xue’s reincarnation, he would have died in battle, unable to master the sword technique, and perished on the night of the massacre, with the entire Fang clan lost.

That enmity, if unavenged, would leave a burning resentment in his heart.

Fortunately, Fang Wang had long known that Lu Yuanjun was behind the massacre. Otherwise, he might have suffered from Lu Yuanjun’s warmth.

His pursuit of the chief disciple’s position was not for power, but to overshadow Lu Yuanjun. When he finally drew his sword against Lu Yuanjun, the entire sect would have to acquiesce—or tolerate his actions.

Entering the city, Fang Wang headed toward the Mission Hall.

The Mission Hall was the liveliest place in the city. The pavilion had nine floors, with disciples coming and going in an endless stream.

Fang Wang sheathed his sword and entered the hall, intending to submit the head of Li Hongshuang.

Within Taiyuan Sect, aside from basic disciple privileges, those wishing to upgrade their residence, acquire cultivation techniques, pills, or magical tools had to earn contribution. Contribution was obtained through various missions—from slaying demonic lords to planting medicinal herbs. Each mission’s difficulty determined its contribution value, as recorded in the cultivation guidelines.

No matter how talented, disciples needed to continually take on missions and build their reputation, especially for advancement to higher ranks, where contribution was crucial.

Through this constant mission-taking, disciples’ ties with the sect deepened. Even demonic spies, having killed too many demonic cultivators for the sect, would find it difficult to return to their old ways.

Upon entering the grand hall, a spacious chamber unfolded before his eyes. He immediately saw ten pillars—nine encircling one massive central column. Each pillar displayed glowing names and contribution values, listing disciples’ rankings.

The Contribution Pillars recorded the standings of each line’s disciples, including elders. The encircled giant pillar listed the overall Taiyuan Sect contribution rankings. Those whose names appeared there were the sect’s true powers.

The Contribution Pillars served to enhance disciples’ fame, ensuring those who quietly dedicated themselves were not left unrecognized.