Yuan’s Ascension

Although he didn't completely understand, Wu Yuan was not an actual 14-year-old boy. With a little critical thinking, their intentions grew clear.

Gao Yu had spotted his potential. The request for Wu Yuan to join the Finance Hall in the future likely arose from the competition between the five halls of the Cloudstride Sect.

Invitation? It seemed like a choice, but was it really?

Clearly not! Accepting the offer was his best choice!

Refusing Gao Yu's offer would immediately offend him and possibly sour Huan Xinyan's attitude. Even if she didn't intentionally trouble Wu Yuan, it could lead to complications. Plus, the Finance Hall held both wealth and influence; there was little reason to decline. Therefore, he did not hesitate.

"Senior Gao, Instructor Huan." Wu Yuan said seriously, "I trust the sect and Instructor Huan. I am willing to join the Finance Hall after entering the sect."

Since he chose to agree, he would endeavor to leave the best impression possible, possibly reaping more benefits.

"Excellent," Gao Yu smiled satisfactorily, "Wu Yuan, trust me, you won't regret this choice."

Huan Xinyan's expression was even brighter. She and Wu Yuan were not too familiar with each other, just slightly closer than the ordinary teacher-student relationship. Yet, Wu Yuan, her first mentee, held a special place in her heart. Observing his blossoming talent and knowing he would join the sect's Finance Hall made her truly happy.

"Your swift progress in physical strength and martial skills is due to your awakening,” Gao Yu explained, “though this phase will soon end, it'll permanently boost your potential."

"Once you commence training in the Cloud Martial Hall, resources from both the Cloud Martial Hall and my Finance Hall will accelerate your progress several times over. Natural treasures to assist in physical cultivation, top-tier cultivation methods, and specialized training facilities..."

"Strive hard, and by twenty, you may well become a first-rate Adept!" Gao Yu solemnly declared.

"Really?" Wu Yuan's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, but in his heart, he felt indifferent. Drawing cakes [1] was indeed every leader's forte. Leaders who couldn't draw cakes didn’t make good leaders!

Of course, Wu Yuan also understood that even if Gao Yu exaggerated things a little, it should not be too outrageous.

Since I've decided to leave Li City and the Cloudstride Sect offers natural treasures, why not give it a shot? While the Cloudstride Sect might not be the mightiest faction, gaining trust from other organizations is far more challenging.

He didn't care much for secret techniques and specialized training facilities. Only natural treasures truly enticed him.

For Wu Yuan, his top priority was to improve his physical constitution. Martial skills? They would be naturally restored to the level of his previous life in time, and ordinary secret techniques or specialized training environments wouldn't help him improve any further.

There are Savant experts within the Cloudstride Sect, and perhaps even Land Rankers. I'll soon have the chance to witness the true martial arts elites of this world. Wu Yuan was looking forward to it.

In his past life, Wu Yuan had taken part in multiple Human Federation Martial Arts Competitions and engaged in one-on-one duels with numerous martial arts Grandmasters. Deep down, Wu Yuan was eager to exchange blows with experts and face the mightiest among them!

Granted, it was a different setting; the competitions in his previous world posed no threat to his life. In this life? Without ample confidence or benefits, Wu Yuan would not rashly challenge those martial peak powerhouses.

"Senior, the Cloud Martial Hall will only recruit new disciples next year, right?" Wu Yuan asked.

"Haha, that's the standard procedure for ordinary martial artists. But for genuine prodigies, these rules need not apply," Gao Yu chuckled, "I'll promptly report your invitation to the sect, and you'll enroll via the special recruitment channel of my Finance Hall."

"Nonetheless, all new disciples must undergo official verification by the Instruction Hall. When you factor in the substantial distance between Li City and the sect, it will take at least a month, at most two. Afterward, a special envoy will arrive to escort you directly to the Cloud Martial Hall," Gao Yu explained.

One to two months? How slow. Yet, considering the primitive transportation methods of this world, combined with his special recruitment, it was true that a lengthy process was required. In this case, the wait wasn't that long.

"Senior, is there anything else I should be mindful of?" Wu Yuan tactfully inquired.

"Secrecy is paramount," Gao Yu advised seriously, "Once you arrive at the sect headquarters and fall under the sect's protection, you'll be safe. Before that, conceal your talent and strength to minimize the risk of assassination or abduction."

"Assassination?" Wu Yuan seemed quite surprised.

"Indeed!" Gao Yu sighed, "The sects and kingdoms of this world are in perpetual strife. My Cloudstride Sect has many adversaries, the foremost being the Great Jin Empire! They aspire to unify the seven continents of the Central Plains, and their spies are everywhere; it's impossible to apprehend or eliminate them all."

"These spies usually show no interest in ordinary martial artists, but once your exceptional talent comes to light, it's bound to attract their attention. When that happens, the Great Jin Empire may resort to assassinating you."

"Some other powers may not kill you, but some underground organizations, like the Pleiades Guild and the Ninedeaths Circle, may kidnap you for their own purposes," Gao Yu said.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly in understanding. Before the Human Federation unified the planet, the various nations that existed on the Blue Planet were in constant strife. During those tumultuous times, major nations often assassinated the leading scientists of enemy nations.

This world followed the same principles! In the Middle Land, martial arts reigned supreme, and budding martial arts prodigies were naturally highly prized.

As for the Pleiades Guild? Ninedeaths Circle? Wu Yuan had heard a bit about them, they were underground organizations notorious even among the common populace, boasting long histories. Compared to these organizations, the Vicious Tiger Gang was merely a fledgling!

"Furthermore, avoid complacency. Utilize the first two months in the Cloud Martial Hall for rigorous cultivation. You are at the ideal age for training; don't squander it," Gao Yu advised, "Only with utmost effort can you aspire to become a first-rate Adept before your twenties."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," Wu Yuan responded.

"Lastly, since you've pledged to join the Finance Hall in the future, the hall will not disappoint. Before your official entry into the sect, a welcome gift will be prepared for you," Gao Yu confirmed.

"I'm in a bit of a rush today, and I haven't had a chance to prepare. In five days, return to the martial academy to meet me. A special gift will be presented to you, one that I believe will greatly benefit you," Gao Yu said with a slight smile, eyeing Wu Yuan.

"A gift?" Wu Yuan's face glowed with anticipation. Inwardly, Wu Yuan wondered whether the gift from Gao Yu and the Finance Hall could possibly aid him at all.

"Good, return home for now. After today, news of your martial virtuoso strength is likely to spread rapidly, and you'll barely qualify for the special recruitment. You don't need to keep the matter of your special recruitment hidden from your family. Go home and discuss it with them," Gao Yu suggested.

Wu Yuan nodded. With a respectful bow, he exited the grand martial hall.

...

Inside the strength assessment chamber, only Gao Yu and Huan Xinyan remained.

"Senior Brother, can you really make the decision so quickly?" Huan Xinyan inquired hesitantly. "Don't you need to liaise with the sect first?"

"If Master and the hall master knew about this matter, they would agree to it even faster than I can propose," Gao Yu explained, shaking his head. "Junior Sister, you're still young and might not fully grasp the implications of opening the upper dantian lobe."

"Once the news spreads, the other four halls will scramble for him. We must strike first to gain the upper hand!" Gao Yu declared with a grin.

Taken aback, Huan Xinyan furrowed her brows, questioning, "Senior Brother, based on what you said earlier, isn't there no way of determining whether one's upper dantian lobe has been opened? Aren't you afraid you might have made an incorrect judgment?"

"Incorrect judgment?" Gao Yu paused momentarily, before laughing, "Indeed, there is a possibility of error."

"However, if Wu Yuan hasn't opened his upper dantian lobe, yet already managed to gain initial proficiency in Twofold Power Surge in just a few short months, it demonstrates his immense natural talent in martial skills, which makes him far more formidable than we can imagine. In that case, it's all the more reason for us to recruit him," Gao Yu reasoned.

"Regardless of the situation, he has the potential to be a Grandmaster!" Gao Yu said in a hushed tone.

Grandmaster potential? Huan Xinyan could hardly believe her ears.

"In the Battle of Hillstride, our Cloudstride Sect suffered heavy casualties; Senior Uncle Xia Heng fell in battle, leaving only two elderly ancestors to support the Sect. Both of them are nearing a hundred years of age! How much longer can they sustain the Sect?" Gao Yu continued, speaking slowly, "I'm not recruiting Wu Yuan solely for our Finance Hall; it's for the sake of the entire Sect."

"I might reach the Savant level in this lifetime, but Grandmaster? I dare not even dream of it!"

"Yet, whether it be Xu Hui or Wu Yuan, they both have the potential to become Grandmasters." Gao Yu solemnly affirmed, "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we must not give up."

"I understand, everything is for the sect." Huan Xinyan nodded subtly.

Raised within the sect since they were children, they had a strong sense of allegiance to the sect.

"How is Wu Yuan's background?" Gao Yu asked.

"A native of Li City, his clan has been deeply rooted in Southdream for over a century, with many members choosing to join our sect as members," Huan Xinyan responded. "His father was a former member of the Southdream Army, who tragically lost his life in the Battle of Hillstride."

"So, you've conducted a thorough investigation already? You're quite prepared," Gao Yu remarked with a knowing smile.

"His background is exceptionally clean, even more so than Xu Hui. Once the Inspection Hall carries out a more detailed inquiry, there shouldn't be any issues," Gao Yu affirmed.

Huan Xinyan nodded in agreement. Wu Yuan's background and childhood experiences would satisfy any high-ranking member of the sect, proving him worthy of their full support.

"Senior Brother, what gift will you prepare?" Huan Xinyan asked.

"I have an idea in mind." Gao Yu responded with a smile, "The Hall Master is currently inspecting Southdream City. I will journey there to report this to him, and the final decision will be his."

"Travel to Southdream City? That’s more than a thousand li away," Huan Xinyan exclaimed in surprise.

"That's why I advised Wu Yuan to wait for five days," Gao Yu explained, still smiling. "I can undertake the journey alone and make a swift return; five days should suffice for the round trip."

Huan Xinyan nodded. She keenly felt the level of importance her senior brother placed on Wu Yuan.

...

I'm curious, what kind of gift is Gao Yu preparing? Wu Yuan navigated the bustling streets.

My entry into the Cloudstride Sect has been significantly smoother than I anticipated. I've already got my foot in the door. Demonstrating one's talent is truly crucial.

But I have to wait for one or two months? That's okay, the spiritual liquid in that jade vial should sustain me for a month.

Wu Yuan's physical constitution had reached its current limit. From now on, he needed to focus on nourishing his body, and no longer needed as much spiritual liquid.

I need to inform my mother that I've been specially recruited into the Cloud Martial Hall and also relay the news to the chieftain.

Oh, and the clan must have received those ten pigs from the courtyard house.

The city's unrest following the Vicious Tiger Gang's elimination had gradually subsided.

As for those pigs that had consumed the spiritual liquid, Wu Yuan didn't want them to go to waste. Though he didn't make an appearance himself, he arranged for their delivery to the Wu Clan, covering the transport expenses. Judging by the timing, they should have arrived by now.

...

Deep within the county martial academy, in a rather luxuriously decorated hall.

"I hope Wu Yuan and Wu Qiming are willing to reconcile," Headmaster Zhang Da muttered while adjusting his appearance in front of the mirror.

"Xu Shouyi, you've certainly put me in a difficult position," Zhang Da sighed as he picked up a stack of silver notes from the table, a pang of regret in his heart.

Yet he understood that he had no other alternative. If he waited any longer, he would have to make far greater sacrifices.

Reconciling now was his best course of action!

1. A drawing of a cake cannot fill one’s stomach. This means making absurd and unrealistic promises, and then using rhetoric to make people believe and serve them ?