Token and Choice

In Cang City, at the Black Tower Martial Arts School.

Jiang Hao asked Du Juan to find a doctor to treat Big Tiger's injuries.

Although Big Tiger wasn't seriously injured, he was still hurt and needed medical attention.

Jiang Hao, along with his second Senior Sister Wen Xiang, went to see their Master.

The second Senior Sister recounted everything that happened in the forest, emphasizing the matter of the "Xia Family Token."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heita's expression remained calm as he said, "Wen Xiang, you may go. Remember, do not mention this to anyone!"

"Yes, Master."

Wen Xiang nodded with a solemn expression and then turned to leave.

The Master's gaze fell upon Jiang Hao.

"Jiang Hao, was there any discrepancy in what Wen Xiang just said?"

"No, my second Senior Sister was very detailed."

"Master, this is the token Xia Hong gave me."

With that, Jiang Hao produced the token and handed it to his Master.

He knew this token was very valuable, so much so that it had made his second Senior Sister's heart flutter.

But Zhao Heita was different.

Zhao Heita already had a recommendation spot for the Huangtian Sect, so he wouldn't covet this token.

Zhao Heita accepted the Xia family token and said with a smile, "The Qingyang Xia family truly has great courage. They just gave away a recommendation spot for the Huangtian Sect so readily."

"With just this one token, it's enough to make countless people in Cang City yearn for it, even fight over it madly."

"Jiang Hao, with this token, you can enter the Huangtian Sect right now."

Jiang Hao's eyes lit up.

Xia Hong hadn't lied to him.

It seemed this token was indeed extraordinary.

Zhao Heita remained silent for a long time, and Jiang Hao did not ask any questions.

The room fell quiet for a moment.

"Jiang Hao, one of the conditions when you became my disciple was that you wanted a recommendation spot to enter the Huangtian Sect. Now that you have the token, I can tell you clearly that this token will allow you to join the Huangtian Sect immediately. Do you want to go?"

Zhao Heita's gaze was fixed intently on Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao fell silent upon hearing this.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't tempted.

His objective had never changed; he wanted to enter the Huangtian Sect.

However, he could also sense his Master's expectations of him.

After a long pause, Jiang Hao finally spoke, "Master, this disciple wishes to enter the Huangtian Sect. However, Master will always be this disciple's Master!"

As his words fell, Zhao Heita let out a long sigh. "Alas, it seems I truly cannot keep you. Your talent is so apparent that even a junior from the Xia family could see it, even going so far as to give you such a token..."

"Gold shines wherever it is. With your talent, such things were bound to happen sooner or later."

"This Xia family token can indeed allow you to enter the Huangtian Sect, but this token is merely a recommendation spot for the Outer Gate. If you enter the Huangtian Sect with this token, you will directly become an Outer Disciple. Outer Disciples do not easily obtain the Huangtian Sect's cultivation techniques; they need to complete numerous tasks, earn a lot of contribution points, and constantly strive to exchange for some techniques."

"Furthermore, receiving guidance for cultivation is also very difficult. In short, in the Outer Gate of the Huangtian Sect, you have to rely entirely on yourself. That's why I've always emphasized that Inner Disciples of the Huangtian Sect are the true disciples of the Huangtian Sect."

"A junior from the Xia family can give you a recommendation spot for the Outer Gate of the Huangtian Sect, but they absolutely cannot give you a recommendation spot for the Inner Gate. Only direct descendants of the Xia family would be given Inner Gate recommendation spots."

Jiang Hao listened carefully to his Master's explanation.

So, there were different types of recommendation spots for the Huangtian Sect.

One was the Outer Gate recommendation spot, and these were the most numerous.

The other was the Inner Gate recommendation spot.

An Outer Gate recommendation spot allowed direct entry into the Outer Gate.

However, an Inner Gate recommendation spot was much more valuable. If one had reached Transforming Force before the age of thirty and possessed an Inner Gate recommendation spot, they could directly become an Inner Disciple.

If they hadn't 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.

Undoubtedly, Inner Gate recommendation spots were extremely precious.

Without this recommendation spot, one could only advance to the Inner Gate after cultivating to Transforming Force in the Outer Gate.

But with an Inner Gate recommendation spot, one had the chance to become an Inner Disciple while still at Manifest Force or Hidden Force.

"I myself have an Inner Gate recommendation spot, and I can give this recommendation spot to you."

"Jiang Hao, would you prefer to go to the Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate now, or wait a bit longer for a chance to become an Inner Disciple?"

Zhao Heita asked.

This was a choice Jiang Hao had to make himself.

Jiang Hao responded without the slightest hesitation, directly stating, "Master, your disciple will follow your arrangements and wait to become an Inner Disciple directly."

Jiang Hao was actually very clear about this.

If he joined the Outer Gate directly, it would likely take him a considerable amount of time to progress from Manifest Force to Transforming Force.

Moreover, being so young, he would have to endure all sorts of competition and deception in the Outer Gate, where anything could happen.

Wasn't it better to stay steadily at the Black Tower Martial Arts School, receiving direct guidance from a Transforming Force martial artist like Zhao Heita, than to be in the Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate?

Not to mention, he still had an Inner Gate recommendation spot, giving him a chance for a direct promotion to the Inner Gate.

"Very good, a direct promotion to the Inner Gate is indeed the best choice for you."

"However, you are still a bit short right now. To pass the ninth level of the Desolate Heaven Tower, your strength is not yet sufficient."

"This Flying Snow Force is the third top-tier Manifest Force technique I've found for you. Practice it first. But even with the boost from three top-tier Manifest Force techniques, plus the force you've already generated, it's not a guarantee. It doesn't necessarily ensure you'll pass the ninth level of the Desolate Heaven Tower."

"Inner Gate recommendation spots are extremely precious. If you don't have absolute certainty, then don't use it. Once it's used, it's gone."

"However, an opportunity has now presented itself. The Xia Family Token is very valuable, its influence is far greater than you imagine. For this token, and for an Outer Gate recommendation spot to the Huangtian Sect, countless martial artists would spare no expense."

"I can exchange this token of yours for three top-tier Manifest Force techniques. After you've mastered them, and then attempt the Desolate Heaven Tower, you should have a near-certain chance of success!"

"However, once you use this token to exchange for three top-tier Manifest Force techniques, it's equivalent to using the token. You will owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Qingyang Xia family. Debts of gratitude have always been the hardest to repay. You need to think carefully whether or not to use this token to exchange for three top-tier Manifest Force techniques?"

After Zhao Heita finished speaking, he remained silent.

This was something Jiang Hao had to weigh for himself.

Jiang Hao didn't answer immediately; he was indeed weighing it in his mind.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind.

Xia Hong giving him this token must have been because she saw Jiang Hao's potential, and was using the token to win him over.

Once he used it, the debt of gratitude would be immense.

It would be equivalent to an "obligation of recognition."

In the future, if Xia Hong had any requests, Jiang Hao wouldn't be able to refuse.

But if he didn't use this token and didn't exchange it for three top-tier Manifest Force techniques, Jiang Hao would be rashly attempting the Desolate Heaven Tower. He might succeed, but he might also fail.

It would be a gamble.

According to his Master, the difference between the Huangtian Sect's Inner and Outer Gates was like heaven and earth.

He absolutely needed a hundred percent certainty of entering the Inner Gate before attempting the Desolate Heaven Tower.

Otherwise, it would be a waste of the Inner Gate recommendation spot.

There was actually another way: continue practicing martial arts and slowly wait in Cang City until he achieved Transforming Force.

At that point, he could directly enter the Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate.

But how much time would that cost?

Furthermore, with his purified ten-tenths vitality and blood, he could practice ten top-tier Manifest Force techniques.

Where in Cang City could he find ten top-tier Manifest Force techniques?

"Master, your disciple has decided. I will exchange this token for three top-tier Manifest Force techniques!"

After a long pause, Jiang Hao looked up at his Master and made his decision.

"Oh?"

"Tell me your thoughts."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhao Heita's eyes.

Although Jiang Hao was only eight years old, Zhao Heita never dared to treat him like a child.

"Master, the Xia family valuing me is a good thing. As for owing a debt of gratitude, once your disciple becomes an Inner Disciple of the Huangtian Sect, won't it be easy to repay the Xia family?"

"Being afraid to use the Xia Family Token because of the debt of gratitude is the truly foolish thing to do."

"Right now, for your disciple, improving my strength, passing the Desolate Heaven Tower, and becoming an Inner Disciple of the Huangtian Sect is the top priority!"

Jiang Hao's words greatly pleased Zhao Heita.

It seemed Jiang Hao had thought it through very clearly.

Debts of gratitude?

Incapable people couldn't even incur debts of gratitude.

Capable people had others eagerly offering them favors.

Back then, when Jiang Hao wanted a Huangtian Sect recommendation spot, even an Outer Gate spot was incredibly difficult to obtain.

But as Jiang Hao practiced martial arts and his strength gradually grew, Huangtian Sect recommendation spots came to him uninvited.

People were eager to deliver Huangtian Sect recommendation spots to him.

Therefore, improving his strength is the most important thing!

Exchanging a Xia Family Token for three top-tier Manifest Force martial arts techniques was a very worthwhile deal for Jiang Hao, who urgently needed to improve his strength.

"Jiang Hao, it's good that you can think things through for yourself."

"Then I'll take this token. You can start by practicing Flying Snow Force. Within a month, I'll exchange it for three top-tier Manifest Force martial arts techniques for you."

"Thank you, Master."

Jiang Hao tucked the Flying Snow Force manual into his embrace, then took his leave.