Grandmaster Token

Chapter 40: Grandmaster Token

Ning Ri bowed respectfully without a second thought, his expression serious. "Disciple Ning Ri greets the Elder!"

As for the "Grandmaster Ning" just now, he decided to pretend he hadn't heard it.

He guessed the other party might be messing around.

This elder had probably cultivated some kind of [Heaven-Defying Path of Seniority], where his daily practice involved confusing everyone's seniority. For example, calling an Outer Sect disciple "Grandmaster"... Over time, everyone's seniority would be in chaos, and then he could even mess with the Heavenly Dao's seniority.

At that point, the elder could swap seniority with the Heavenly Dao, making it his grandson, and thereby achieve his heaven-defying goal of reversing the order of things.

After all, this was the Heaven Defying Sect...

Everything here was about rising, falling, and defying.

Those who know, know!

And this elder clearly saw that Ning Ri didn't recognize him, so he simply stated his name. "Grandmaster Ning, there's no need to be so formal. My name is Cheng Zhushan. You can just call me Old Cheng."

Ning Ri could no longer pretend he hadn't heard: "..."

He's really calling me Grandmaster?!

He let out an awkward laugh. "Elder Cheng, why are you calling me Grandmaster? Is there some hidden meaning behind it?"

Hearing the word "hidden meaning," Cheng Zhushan clearly realized Ning Ri might have mistaken the title for his Heaven-Defying Path. He waved his hand. "No, no, you're mistaken. There's no hidden meaning. This title of 'Grandmaster' has nothing to do with my Heaven-Defying Path."

"According to sect rules, you are indeed the Grandmaster of the Heaven Defying Sect now!"

Ning Ri stared blankly, pointing at himself. "Me?"

"Really?"

I'm the Grandmaster?

Did I join the right sect?

Is this the Heaven Defying Sect?

But Cheng Zhushan nodded. "Yes! You are now the genuine Grandmaster of the Heaven Defying Sect."

Ning Ri: "..."

Is this title of Grandmaster in the Heaven Defying Sect really so casual?

This is too heaven-defying.

Just then.

The noisy Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion suddenly fell silent.

Immediately after.

A large group of elders walked out of the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion.

They had clearly sensed Ning Ri's arrival.

Among the elders, Zhou Hai was walking at the very front. Seeing Ning Ri, he burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Grandmaster Ning, it seems your trip to Luoxia City was quite fruitful!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted behind him, with shouts of "Grandmaster," "Artifact Refining," and "Unparalleled Talent" filling the air in front of the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion. The air in front of the pavilion was thick with defiance.

Ning Ri's head started to ache. "Greetings, all Elders!"

"Could you tell this disciple what exactly happened?"

At this moment, Mo Cuidao stepped past Zhou Hai and looked at Ning Ri. Although his expression was stern, his eyes were filled with satisfaction.

He was pleased with both Ning Ri's cultivation and his artifact refining skills.

He was especially satisfied with what had left Chen Xingfeng dumbfounded!

At this moment, Mo Cuidao said to Ning Ri in a deep voice, "Don't worry, my disciple. I will explain it to you."

Ning Ri: "Huh?"

My disciple?!

When did I become his disciple?

"He just accidentally learned a bit of your artifact refining techniques, and now he's your disciple? Stop blabbering." Zhou Hai snorted coldly, then blocked Mo Cuidao behind him and said to Ning Ri:

"Here's what happened."

"Chen Xingfeng has already sent back the news!"

"He said you comprehended the Heaven-Defying Path in Luoxia City, treating artifact refining as equivalent to Qi Refining, cleverly combining the two to enhance your cultivation..."

"It's incredibly powerful!"

"And now, I see it too! You were only at Third Stage Qi Refining when you left the sect, and in just two days, you've reached the peak of Qi Refining. This shows you've preliminarily grasped your own Heaven-Defying Path."

"Of course, you might be confused. Grandmasters in the outside world are distinguished by their cultivation; only the powerful can become Grandmasters. How did it change in the Heaven Defying Sect?"

"But in reality, our sect's rules are no different from external sects in essence."

"Outside, only those with powerful cultivation can become Grandmasters. Within the Heaven Defying Sect, according to sect rules, anyone who comprehends the Heaven-Defying Path is considered powerful in cultivation."

"The accomplished lead the way. Since you've already made achievements on the Heaven-Defying Path, you naturally must be respectfully addressed as Grandmaster."

"And this is also a manifestation of powerful cultivation, so..."

With that, Zhou Hai patted Ning Ri's shoulder with approval. "You truly are the Grandmaster of the Heaven Defying Sect now!"

"And we have gathered here to celebrate the appearance of the Heaven Defying Sect's new Grandmaster!"

"Please accept our congratulations, Ning Ri!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

The elders behind Zhou Hai chimed in with congratulations. "Congratulations, Grandmaster Ning!"

Ning Ri: "..."

After the congratulations, Zhou Hai took out a palm-sized jade token. It was azure blue, as clear as a cloudless sky. The word "Grandmaster" was written at the top, and in the middle were two characters—

"Ning Ri."

Seeing that even his ID was ready, the newly appointed Grandmaster Ning couldn't help but purse his lips...

Zhou Hai said, "This is the Grandmaster Token. Take it for now."

Ning Ri dazedly accepted it. "Thank you, Elder Zhou."

Zhou Hai said gravely, "The Grandmaster Token is not a magic treasure for cultivation or combat. However, it will be of great help to your comprehension of the Heavenly Dao. When you return, you can have this token recognize you as its master. Like the Disciple Token, it also has an Artifact Spirit."

Hearing the last sentence, Ning Ri thought that the token probably wasn't very useful.

He had already turned the Artifact Spirit of his Disciple Token into a taciturn sworn enemy.

This Grandmaster Token was likely no better.

But what Ning Ri didn't expect was that when he held the token, it suddenly trembled, making Ning Ri's heart skip a beat.

Immediately after.

"Ding—"

"Ding—"

"Ding—"

A series of "ding ding ding" sounds rang out in his mind, clear and loud, and continuous—

He couldn't help but freeze...

What was going on?!

Seeing Ning Ri's drastically changed expression, the elders fell silent. Zhou Hai also quieted down...

They were waiting for Ning Ri's reaction!

The purpose of the Grandmaster Token was to help each Grandmaster deepen their Heavenly Dao. It was said that other Grandmasters had gained insights upon receiving the Grandmaster Token...

At the same time, their expressions became even more satisfied, with some even showing a hint of envy...

Ning Ri's expression while holding the Grandmaster Token must mean he had undergone a change. This also indirectly proved that Ning Ri indeed possessed his own [Heavenly Dao].

Only those who possessed a Heavenly Dao would experience a change when holding the token.

Although this group of elders had all attempted the Heaven Defying cultivation method, they had failed and ultimately had to follow the path of traditional cultivation.

And without a Heavenly Dao, this group of people would find the Grandmaster Token useless.

Because of this, how could they not envy Ning Ri?

Xun Zang and Zhou Hai, who had recruited Ning Ri into the sect, showed expressions of satisfaction and emotion—

They knew their judgment was sound.

After Ning Ri endured the continuous "ding—" sounds in his mind for a long time.

He suddenly noticed that the panel had changed.

Ning Ri's pupils contracted instantly...

On the panel, the first entry was originally [Mortal Blade Technique].

But now, [Mortal Blade Technique] had suddenly become the second entry.

And in the first position, two symbols, "[", "]", slowly appeared.

1,[]:0

When they appeared, Ning Ri's expression shook—

A new skill?

What was it?!