CHAPTER 485: CHAPTER 391: A WORD DECIDES PHOENIX CREEK

Early spring was a time when all things thrived, brimming with vitality and presenting a scene of flourishing growth. Within the Phoenix Creek Sect’s Elixir Refining Hall, a scene of job transition was also taking place. The Elixir Refining Hall of the Phoenix Creek Sect was to select three Elders from among the True Disciples, with the primary criterion being the quality of the medicinal pills they crafted. Among these competing True Disciples was Lin Yiru.

The competition unfolded in the Ground-fire Hall of the Elixir Refining Hall. The intense heat of flames interwove with the herbal fragrance of plants and wood, a sensation felt by all present. Outside the great hall, numerous onlookers had gathered. Hong Yuan—or rather, Water Tao Hong Yuan—was also among them. Water Tao Hong Yuan was dressed in a black Taoist robe, his expression calm. Standing beside him was the ravishingly beautiful Mo Yue’er. Due to the pressure of Hong Yuan’s strength and influence, a space had cleared around him.

"Uncle, Aunt Yiru seems to be in trouble..." Mo Yue’er’s willow-like eyebrows knitted slightly. Her expression was tense, her hands clenched together as she gazed with great worry at Lin Yiru’s figure. Mo Yue’er’s voice was clear and ethereal, quite melodious and pleasing to the ear.

Upon hearing this, Hong Yuan looked down to observe Lin Yiru, who was dressed in a purple alchemist’s robe, and then glanced at the other True Disciples competing with her. From the looks of it, Lin Yiru had indeed found herself in a crisis, as at least five True Disciples possessed alchemy skills far surpassing hers. Yet, there were only three vacancies for the Elder positions.

"It doesn’t matter. With me here, all will be well. She will become an Elder of the Elixir Refining Hall," Hong Yuan said lightly, his tone calm. With the Martial Saint Supreme Elder not involving himself in worldly affairs, Hong Yuan’s position in the Phoenix Creek Sect was nearly unparalleled. He simply didn’t care for power or profit, dedicating himself to quiet cultivation, which was why Long Zhandu and Lin Bu Jing had become so renowned. Moreover, alchemy proficiency was only one part of the strict criteria for becoming an Elder of the Elixir Refining Hall, not the entirety. Lin Yiru’s skills and arts were already sufficient.

「An hour later.」

Lin Yiru, her face somewhat pale, followed Hong Yuan and Mo Yue’er out of the Ground-fire Hall, heading back towards Rainbow Fire Peak. Lin Yiru felt somewhat ashamed, thinking with concern, Even with Yuan’s help, I knew the assessment content in advance and practiced repeatedly, using so many medicinal materials. Everything was fine before, but I got nervous once I was actually there. She looked at Hong Yuan’s tall figure, a pang of sorrow in her heart.

Just then, Hong Yuan turned around, his eyes smiling as he gently stroked her smooth hair. "Yiru, don’t overthink it. You did very well today. Get some good rest tonight."

"Yes, Aunt, you did really well! Super amazing!" Mo Yue’er also chimed in, comforting Lin Yiru.

Sigh... Lin Yiru lamented inwardly, but she quickly composed herself, her face blossoming into a bright smile. "Yes, I know. Oh, by the way, my Green Reed Tree has already grown to the second stage..."

"Wow, Aunt, you’re really amazing!" Mo Yue’er exclaimed in admiration.

Listening to the cheerful, yet extremely delightful chatter of the two women beside him, Hong Yuan’s mouth curved slightly into a smile. Nine Nether, Wushang, and Master, I will take good care of them.

「Ten days later.」

The sun shone brightly high in the sky. Lin Yiru was cultivating her Green Reed Tree in the Spiritual Field on Rainbow Fire Peak, practicing the Wood Tao Art of Longevity. She hoped this would also dispel the gloom from not being selected as an Elder of the Elixir Refining Hall. Indeed, in her view, her performance that day had been extremely poor—nowhere near good enough to make it into the top three. At least five other True Disciples had demonstrated far superior alchemy skills. During this time, she had gradually tried to convince herself to accept the failure. However, whenever she remembered it, she felt she had let down Hong Yuan after all the help he had given her.

Phew, I need to push myself harder. Yuan will definitely become a Martial Saint. I must accompany him further on his journey. Lin Yiru wiped the sweat from her smooth forehead, determination in her eyes. She gently exhaled, closed her eyes once more, and resumed her daily cultivation. Streams of supremely concentrated Essence Qi burst forth in the Spiritual Field, first flowing through the Green Reed Tree before being absorbed by Lin Yiru. Lin Yiru would occasionally take out spiritual materials and various Strange Waters gifted by Hong Yuan, pouring them onto the roots of the Green Reed Tree in sequence. She would carry out this practice for two hours every day.

Just as she was engrossed in her cultivation, a clear and ethereal voice sounded from behind her. It was Mo Yue’er, running over in high spirits, her delicate hand waving. "Aunt Yiru, you’ve been selected! You’ve been selected! You are now an Elder of the Elixir Refining Hall!"

CLANG!

Lin Yiru abruptly opened her eyes. A flash of divine light within them revealed both surprise and doubt... She had a thousand words in her heart, but ultimately, the image of Hong Yuan occupied her mind. A blissful smile appeared on her face as she whispered, "Yuan, thank you..."

Hong Yuan had also intended to bring Lin Yiru the good news, but a sudden conscription order prevented him from appearing in person. The conflict between the Daxuan Dynasty and the Yue Mountain Sect had spread across the entire Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent, affecting the Phoenix Creek Sect. To curb the might of the Daxuan Dynasty, the Phoenix Creek Sect decided to dispatch troops, joining forces with the Qinglu Taoist Temple and other sects to march against the Daxuan Dynasty.

At this moment, the nine Phoenix Creek Tutelages were all gathered in the Sect’s Grand Hall, vying for the leadership position.

"Surely, you all understand the benefits of commanding a sect’s troops," the Sect Master of the Phoenix Creek Sect began, explaining the reasons for dispatching troops and the benefits involved. "Not to mention anything else, the mere ability to accumulate great fortune and aid your breakthrough to the Saint Realm is something I shouldn’t need to reiterate. You nine are the Heavenly Talents among Heavenly Talents within our Phoenix Creek Sect, each a dragon among mortals. If it were possible, I would let you take turns leading, but that would not allow for the accumulation of great fortune..."

He too was a fifth-stage peak cultivator and would have liked to lead the troops against the Daxuan Dynasty if he could. Unfortunately, he could not; he was too old and not favored by the sect’s Supreme Elders.

Bu Jing, you must seize this leadership position! In Lin Bu Jing’s sea of consciousness, Elder Dan sounded quite agitated, his voice trembling. I have a secret technique that can help you temporarily gather the might of thousands of troops upon yourself. If you break through to the Martial Saint Stage using this method, you will certainly be able to establish a top-grade blessed land for the Fire Tao Sect! Not only could you catch up with Hong Yuan, but you might even surpass him in one fell swoop!

Hong Yuan... Lin Bu Jing’s gaze seemed to casually flicker towards the southeast, towards that composed figure in the black Taoist robe who appeared utterly unconcerned. It was at this very moment that Lin Bu Jing suddenly noticed Long Zhandu and the others also casting nervous sidelong glances at Hong Yuan, afraid he might intend to contend for command of the Phoenix Creek Sect Troops.

This imposing aura, like a towering mountain range, is truly befitting of the ’Bee Taoist,’ who is tacitly acknowledged as the foremost True Disciple. Hmph, I will definitely surpass you! Absolutely! I must! Lin Bu Jing inwardly declared, her eyes shining with a fierce, divine light.

Elsewhere, Long Zhandu also held Hong Yuan’s calm and composed demeanor in high regard: The Dragon Sun Emperor once said: ’To remain unchanged when Burial Soul Mountain collapses before you, to not even blink when an Immortal Phoenix rises to your left—only then can one control great risks and be ready to face the enemy.’ Hong Yuan has actually achieved this state now. It’s truly unbelievable.

Everyone present was, in their own way, affected by Hong Yuan’s presence, each according him high praise internally.

As for Hong Yuan... part of his attention was occupied by his Original Body refining the Dream Worm Holy Artifact, so he wasn’t particularly inclined to speak.

With Hong Yuan remaining silent, the Sect’s Grand Hall, where the nine Phoenix Creek Tutelages and the Sect Master of the Phoenix Creek Sect were gathered, fell into a mysterious quietude. It seemed as if everyone was competing to see whose composure was stronger...