Cang City, Black Tower Martial Arts School.
Jiang Hao had Du Juan find a doctor to treat Big Tiger's injuries.
Big Tiger had not suffered any serious harm, but he was still injured and needed treatment.
Jiang Hao then went with Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang to see their master.
Second Senior Sister recounted everything that had happened in the mountain forest, placing special emphasis on the Xia Family Token.
Zhao Heita's expression remained calm upon hearing this. He said evenly, "Wen Xiang, you may leave first. Remember, do not mention this matter to anyone!"
"Yes, Master."
With a grave expression, Wen Xiang nodded, then turned and left.
Their master's gaze fell upon Jiang Hao.
"Jiang Hao, was there anything inaccurate in what Wen Xiang just said?"
"No. Second Senior Sister explained everything in great detail."
"Master, this is the token Xia Hong gave me."
As he spoke, Jiang Hao took out the token and handed it to his master.
He knew this token was precious—so precious that even Second Senior Sister had been tempted by it.
But Zhao Heita was different.
Zhao Heita himself possessed a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot, so he would not covet this token.
Zhao Heita accepted the Xia Family Token and said with a smile, "The Qingyang Xia Family truly acts with great boldness. A Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot, and they simply gave it away."
"With just this one token, countless people in Cang City would be stirred to desire, even fight like mad to seize it."
"Jiang Hao, if you hold this token, you can enter Huangtian Sect right now."
Jiang Hao's eyes lit up.
That Xia Hong had not deceived him.
This token truly was anything but ordinary.
Zhao Heita remained silent for a long while, and Jiang Hao did not ask any questions.
For a time, the room fell quiet.
"Jiang Hao, when you first became my disciple, one of your requests was to obtain a recommendation slot and enter Huangtian Sect. Now that you have this token, I can tell you clearly that it can allow you to join Huangtian Sect immediately. Do you wish to go?"
Zhao Heita's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao fell silent at those words.
To say he was not tempted would have been a lie.
His goal had never changed: he wanted to enter Huangtian Sect.
But he could also see his master's expectations for him.
Only after a long time did Jiang Hao say, "Master, this disciple wishes to enter Huangtian Sect. But Master will forever be this disciple's master!"
As soon as the words fell, Zhao Heita let out a long sigh. "So be it. It seems I truly cannot keep you. Even a junior of the Xia Family could see your talent, and they did not hesitate to give you such a token..."
"Gold shines wherever it is. With talent like yours, this was bound to happen sooner or later."
"This Xia Family Token can indeed allow you to enter Huangtian Sect, but it is only an Outer Gate recommendation slot. If you enter Huangtian Sect holding this token, you will become an Outer Gate Disciple directly. But it is not so easy for Outer Gate Disciples to obtain Huangtian Sect's techniques. You must complete a great many tasks, earn a great deal of contribution, and run yourself ragged before you can exchange them for a few techniques."
"Moreover, obtaining guidance in cultivation is also very difficult. In short, in Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate, you have to fight for everything yourself. That is why I have always stressed that only Inner Disciples count as Huangtian Sect's true disciples."
"A Xia Family junior may give you an Outer Gate recommendation slot for Huangtian Sect, but they absolutely cannot give you an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot. Only the Xia Family's direct line can grant Inner Gate Recommendation Slots."
Jiang Hao listened carefully to his master's explanation.
So Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slots were also divided into different types.
One kind was an Outer Gate recommendation slot, and this kind was the most common.
The other kind was an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot.
An Outer Gate recommendation slot allowed one to enter the Outer Gate directly.
But an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot was far more prestigious. If someone under thirty had reached Transforming Force and possessed an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot, they could become an Inner Disciple directly.
If they had not yet cultivated to Transforming Force, they would need to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower.
Only by clearing the Desolate Heaven Tower could they become an Inner Disciple.
Without a doubt, an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot was immensely precious.
Without such a recommendation slot, one could only advance to the Inner Gate after cultivating to Transforming Force in the Outer Gate.
But with an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot, one had the chance to become an Inner Disciple directly while at Ming Jin or Hidden Force.
"I possess an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot, and I can give this recommendation slot to you."
"Jiang Hao, are you willing to go to Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate now, or wait a little longer and take a chance at becoming an Inner Disciple directly?"
Zhao Heita asked.
Jiang Hao had to make this choice himself.
Jiang Hao scarcely hesitated before answering straightforwardly, "Master, this disciple will follow Master's arrangements. I am willing to wait and seek the chance to become an Inner Disciple directly."
Jiang Hao actually understood very clearly.
If he entered the Outer Gate directly, it would likely take him a great deal of time to progress from Ming Jin to Transforming Force.
Furthermore, he was so young. In the Outer Gate, he would have to endure all kinds of competition and mutual scheming; anything could happen.
Would it not be better to remain safely at Black Tower Martial Arts School, with a Transforming Force martial artist like Zhao Heita personally teaching him, than to be in Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate?
What was more, he also had an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot and the hope of rising directly into the Inner Gate.
"Very good. Rising directly into the Inner Gate is the best choice for you."
"But you are still lacking a little. Your strength is not yet enough to pass the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower."
"This Flying Snow Force is the third top-tier Ming Jin Technique I found for you. Practice it first. But even with the support of three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques, along with the force you originally cultivated, it is not completely safe. It cannot guarantee that you will pass the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower."
"An Inner Gate Recommendation Slot is extremely precious. Do not use it unless you are absolutely certain. Once it is used, it will be gone."
"However, an opportunity has now arrived. The Xia Family Token is extremely precious, and its influence is greater than you imagine. For this token, for a Huangtian Sect Outer Gate recommendation slot, countless martial artists would spare no cost."
"With your token, I can exchange it for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques. Once you master them, challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower should be as sure as ten out of ten!"
"However, once you use this token to exchange for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques, it will be equivalent to using the token itself. You will owe the Qingyang Xia Family an enormous debt of gratitude. Since ancient times, favors have been the hardest debts to repay. Think carefully about whether you truly wish to use this token to exchange for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques."
After Zhao Heita finished speaking, he said no more.
Jiang Hao had to weigh this matter for himself.
Nor did Jiang Hao answer immediately. He truly was weighing it in his heart.
Many thoughts flashed through his mind.
Xia Hong had given him this token because she had surely seen Jiang Hao's potential and wanted to use the token to draw him in.
Once he used it, the favor he owed would be immeasurably great.
It would be equivalent to the grace of being recognized and appreciated.
If Xia Hong made any demands of him in the future, Jiang Hao would be unable to refuse.
But if he did not use this token and did not exchange it for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques, then rashly challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower might succeed, but it might also fail.
He would have to gamble on his luck.
According to what his master had said, Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate and Outer Gate were as far apart as heaven and earth.
He had to be one hundred percent certain he could enter the Inner Gate before challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower.
Otherwise, he would simply be wasting the Inner Gate Recommendation Slot.
There was actually another method: continue practicing martial arts and wait slowly in Cang City until he cultivated to Transforming Force.
At that time, he could enter Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate directly.
But how much time would that squander?
Besides, he had refined his Blood Qi to ten percent and could practice ten top-tier Ming Jin Techniques.
Where in Cang City could he find ten top-tier Ming Jin Techniques?
"Master, this disciple has decided. I will use this token to exchange for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques!"
After a long time, Jiang Hao raised his head, looked at his master, and made his decision.
"Hmm?"
"Tell me your reasoning."
A trace of surprise flashed through Zhao Heita's eyes.
Although Jiang Hao was only eight years old.
Zhao Heita had never dared to treat Jiang Hao as a child.
"Master, it is a good thing that the Xia Family values this disciple. As for owing them a favor, once this disciple becomes a Huangtian Sect Inner Disciple, will it be difficult to repay the Xia Family's favor?"
"Being too afraid of owing a favor to use the Xia Family Token—that is the foolish thing."
"For this disciple now, improving my strength, passing the Desolate Heaven Tower, and becoming a Huangtian Sect Inner Disciple are the foremost priorities!"
Jiang Hao's words greatly satisfied Zhao Heita.
It seemed Jiang Hao had already seen things clearly.
Favors?
Those without ability could not even owe favors.
Those with ability had others rushing to offer them favors.
Back when Jiang Hao had wanted a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot, even an Outer Gate recommendation slot had been as difficult as ascending to heaven.
But as Jiang Hao practiced martial arts and gradually grew stronger, Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slots came to him uninvited.
Someone had rushed to give him a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot.
Therefore, improving one's strength was what mattered most!
Exchanging one Xia Family Token for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques was an excellent bargain for Jiang Hao, who urgently needed to improve his strength!
"Jiang Hao, it is enough that you have thought it through yourself."
"Then I will take this token. Practice Flying Snow Force first. Within one month, I will exchange it for three top-tier Ming Jin Techniques for you."
"Sorry for the trouble, Master."
Jiang Hao tucked the Flying Snow Force manual into his robes, then took his leave.
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