Main District Mission Hall.
"You actually completed this mission?" The Mission Hall administrator stared at Chen Zong in astonishment, his mouth agape in disbelief. Chen Zong had not only completed the Forging Hall Apprentice mission but had also received Elder Lie's highest evaluation.
Anyone familiar with Elder Lie knew him as a notoriously short-tempered man with a sharp tongue and impossibly high standards. Simply completing a mission for him was an achievement in itself, let alone earning his highest evaluation—it seemed like a dream come true.
Whether the administrator believed it or not, the official mission evaluation in his hands couldn't be faked. He quickly registered Chen Zong's reward:
One hundred and fifty Contribution Points!
Yes, the Forging Hall Apprentice mission, which had lasted a full month, ultimately yielded one hundred and fifty Contribution Points. One hundred points represented the maximum base reward for the mission itself, while the remaining fifty were an additional bonus from Elder Lie.
The Clan Hall operated with remarkable efficiency. As soon as Chen Zong's one hundred and fifty Contribution Points were recorded, the information was swiftly transmitted to places like the Martial Repository, where Contribution Points were required for access, and his account was promptly updated.
"One hundred and fifty Contribution Points... that's enough to exchange for fifteen Beast Blood Pills," Chen Zong thought gleefully. Leaving the Mission Hall, he strode purposefully toward the Pill Hall.
The Pill Hall Master oversaw the refinement and exchange of pills like Vitality Pills and Beast Blood Pills.
"For me, the first layer of the Fierce Tiger Art is still incomplete, and the second layer is far beyond my reach. I've only achieved minor mastery of the first layer of the Dividing Light Sword Technique. One hundred and fifty Contribution Points is nowhere near enough to exchange for a mid-grade Human-Rank sword technique. I'd be better off using them to enhance my cultivation base first."
"Elder Lie wants me to stay in the Forging Hall as an apprentice. If I forge ten pieces of Refined Iron each month, I'll earn two hundred Contribution Points. That's a pretty good deal."
Lost in thought, Chen Zong arrived at the Pill Hall and immediately exchanged his one hundred and fifty Contribution Points for fifteen Beast Blood Pills, once again reducing his balance to zero.
Beast Blood Pills could serve both as supplements to enhance Qi Blood cultivation and as restorative agents to replenish Qi Blood Power after exertion.
As he stepped into the Earth Courtyard, he overheard a buzz of conversation.
"That's True Sword Chen Zong? He looks so ordinary."
"What kind of eyes do you have? Chen Zong is one of the Four Young Heroes of Wind Martial now! The other three are all young gang leaders from the Three Great Clans. To stand alongside them, he can't be ordinary. This is called inner restraint—do you even understand?"
Chen Zong couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
News of his exploits at the Soaring Dragon Assembly spread like wildfire throughout Wind Martial City, igniting a fervent storm of discussion. His mastery of three Foundation Establishment Sword Techniques to the Subtlety Realm, his duel with Li Zhenshi that propelled Li's Clear Wind Sword Technique to the same realm, and his ultimate victory over Tang Junluo, the assembly's protagonist—all these tales were repeatedly embellished and circulated, captivating the city.
The aftermath was clear: the Six Little Prodigies of Wind Martial became the Five Young Prodigies, and the Three Young Heroes of Wind Martial transformed into the Four Young Heroes.
Enthusiastic observers even bestowed epithets and ranked the Four Young Heroes:
True Sword Chen Zong!
Dragon Spear Tang Junluo!
Renowned Sword Li Zhenshi!
Cold Blade Zhao King City!
In this generation, only a handful of martial artists were worthy of such titles, and now four more had joined their ranks.
After spending some time at the Clan Hall, Chen Zhigang finally realized his own insignificance here. In contrast, Chen Zong shone like a radiant sun, eclipsing him completely. The resentment Chen Zhigang had harbored toward Chen Zong quietly dissolved.
Chen Yuyao and Chen Yidao could only gaze in awe at Chen Zong's retreating figure.
"Some people may seem insignificant at first, but once they unleash their full potential, they soar to unimaginable heights, leaving us mere mortals to gaze up in awe," Chen Yidao sighed, turning away with a hint of wistfulness in his retreating figure.
Chen Yuyao watched Chen Zong's departing back from a distance, her expression somber. Once childhood playmates, almost childhood sweethearts, they had now grown estranged, a distance she herself had created.
"Clan Brother Chen Zong, the elders have summoned you," Chen Zhong announced as Chen Zong approached his residence, seemingly having waited for some time.
"The elders want to see me?" Chen Zong asked, surprised. Unsure of the reason for the summons, he nevertheless thanked Chen Zhong. "Thank you for going out of your way to inform me, Clan Brother."
"Haha, you're one of the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes now! Of course I want to stay on good terms with you. I'll be asking for your guidance in the future!" Chen Zhong joked, the shock he had felt upon learning of Chen Zong's inclusion in the prestigious group still palpable.
Never in the history of the Chen Clan Hall had anyone achieved such an honor; the highest recognition previously attained was inclusion among the Wind Martial Little Prodigies.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Chen Zhong, Chen Zong left the Earth Courtyard and headed back to the Main District, entering the main hall without hesitation.
Three figures occupied the main hall, three of the five elders. Among them was Elder Xing, whom Chen Zong had seen countless times before.
"Hahaha! Our True Sword Unrivaled has arrived!" Elder Xing chuckled heartily upon seeing Chen Zong.
"Elder, please don't tease me," Chen Zong replied. He felt he deserved the title "True Sword," but "True Sword Unrivaled" seemed beyond his qualifications.
"So you're Chen Zong, from Small Lake Town?" The middle-aged man seated at the head of the hall spoke. His plain face radiated a deep, slumbering authority, like a tiger king roused from his rest.
Though his tone was calm and his voice not particularly loud, it sent a chill down Chen Zong's spine.
"Chen Zong, don't be nervous," Elder Xing interjected. "This is Elder Wei, the Chief Elder of our Clan Hall. You've met Elder Li before."
"Greetings, Elder Wei and Elder Li. I am Chen Zong from Small Lake Town," Chen Zong replied with neither arrogance nor deference.
"What is your relationship to Chen Zhengtang?" Elder Wei's question caught Chen Zong off guard. After a moment's surprise, Chen Zong realized: Elder Wei knew his father.
"My father," Chen Zong replied truthfully, his thoughts racing.
"Your face does indeed bear a striking resemblance to Chen Zhengtang in his youth," Elder Wei nodded, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickering in his eyes. Yet his tone remained impassive, carrying an invisible pressure. "How is your father now? What is his cultivation base?"
"Father has lost all his cultivation and become an ordinary man," Chen Zong answered honestly.
"How did that happen?" Elder Wei seemed genuinely surprised, clearly unaware of this news.
Chen Zong briefly explained the situation.
"Restoring one's Qi Blood cultivation is no easy feat," Elder Wei said gravely. "Even within the Chen Clan, we possess no such treasure."
"As long as it exists, I believe I will personally obtain it someday," Chen Zong replied. Hearing Elder Wei's words, Chen Zong's heart sank slightly. He realized that restoring his father's cultivation might be even more difficult than he had imagined. Still, as long as hope remained, he had a goal, and with a goal came the motivation to achieve it.
"Your talent far surpasses your father's," Elder Wei nodded. "Once your cultivation base and strength have grown, you should visit the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion. They have branches throughout the Eastern Continent, making it easier to acquire treasures that restore Qi Blood and cultivation. But remember, everything comes at a price."
"Cauldron Heaven Pavilion," Chen Zong repeated, committing the name to memory. He then turned to Elder Wei and asked, "May I ask, Elder Wei, is your full name Chen Liwei?"
"You know me?" Elder Wei asked, surprised. "Did your father tell you?"
"When I was practicing the Tiger Force Fist Technique and reached the peak of Great Perfection, my father showed me the Descending Mountain Tiger Scroll to help me break through to the Perfection Realm. The signature on that scroll read 'Chen Liwei'," Chen Zong explained with a smile.
"I knew it! That scroll was stolen by Chen Zhengtang," Elder Wei remarked, his tone surprisingly fond rather than resentful. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at Chen Zong. "It's a pity you're focused on the sword now. Otherwise, I would have taken you as my disciple."
"Swordsmanship is excellent!" Elder Xing interjected with a laugh. "How else could one earn the title of True Sword and join the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes? Chen Zong, well done! Standing shoulder to shoulder with the young leaders of the Three Great Clans as one of the Four Young Heroes brings great honor to the Chen Clan."
"My current achievements are inseparable from the Clan Hall," Chen Zong said humbly.
"Your success stems primarily from your own efforts," Elder Wei countered. "While the Chen Clan Hall undoubtedly provided an environment and some resources, those alone could never have forged the Chen Zong we see today. After all, countless disciples have passed through its halls, yet you are the only one to have earned a place among the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes."
"Since our clan's founding, we have upheld the spirit of the tiger—striving for success through self-reliance and fair competition, a tradition that sets us apart from other clans. However, given your prestigious position among the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes, which has brought great honor to the Chen Clan, the elders have unanimously decided to bestow a special reward upon you. We hope this will inspire you to continue striving for even greater heights." Elder Wei spoke slowly and deliberately. "In truth, this recognition is a testament to your own abilities, earned through fair competition."
"Little rascal, wouldn't you like to know what the clan's reward is?" Elder Xing chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Please enlighten me, Elder," Chen Zong replied, genuinely curious about what the clan might offer.
"You really are a dull one," Elder Xing sighed good-naturedly, adopting the playful demeanor of an old imp.
"Chen Zong, the clan's reward for you is ten Minor Scarlet Blood Pills," Elder Wei said with a smile, explaining, "These pills are different from Beast Blood Pills, but their value far surpasses them. Each Minor Scarlet Blood Pill doubles the effectiveness of your Qi Blood cultivation for ten days."
"Doubled!" Chen Zong exclaimed in astonishment. This meant that cultivating for ten days while taking a Minor Scarlet Blood Pill would be equivalent to twenty days of normal cultivation.
Therefore, ten Minor Scarlet Blood Pills could last a hundred days, effectively doubling his cultivation time to two hundred days. It was truly an excellent reward.
"Here, take these ten Minor Scarlet Blood Pills," Elder Wei said, chuckling at Chen Zong's surprised expression. "Remember, these pills cannot be taken simultaneously with Beast Blood Pills, nor can they be taken consecutively. After consuming one, wait at least three days before taking the next."
"I understand," Chen Zong replied, accepting the porcelain bottle containing the ten Minor Scarlet Blood Pills with both hands.
"Very well, focus on your cultivation," Elder Wei encouraged. "The world of martial artists is vast—Wind Martial City is merely a small corner of it."
"Yes, Elders. Chen Zong takes his leave," he said, bowing respectfully. Clutching the bottle, he left the Main District hall, his heart brimming with excitement.
He couldn't stop smiling.
Having just exchanged for fifteen Beast Blood Pills, and now receiving ten even better Minor Scarlet Blood Pills, Chen Zong knew he wouldn't have to worry about his cultivation resources for quite some time.