Second-Class Merit

An incense stick later, Fang Chen and the others boarded the Spirit Boat. Those who boarded with Fang Chen were Outer Sect Disciples who were either uninjured or only slightly injured. Many of the severely injured Outer Sect Disciples had already been transported back by shuttle last night, while the rest were carried onto another Spirit Boat.

The Spirit Boat slowly ascended, carrying Fang Chen and the others away from Spirit Flame Valley.

"Junior Brother Fang Chen, you were amazing last night!"

"Yeah, Junior Brother Fang Chen, I never expected your swordsmanship to be so formidable!"

Inside the Spirit Boat, the surviving Outer Sect Disciples were full of admiration for Fang Chen. Most of these survivors had a cultivation base at the third level of Qi Refining, with only a few at the second level.

Fang Chen's performance last night had earned him their deep respect. They were all at the third level of Qi Refining, yet their actual combat power was vastly inferior to his.

Fang Chen had always been bullied, and now seeing so many people admire him filled him with joy. This feeling of being respected was truly wonderful.

Facing everyone's praise, Fang Chen appeared very humble, which further increased their good impression of him.

The atmosphere on the Spirit Boat was quite lively. After all, everyone had just experienced a life-and-death battle last night, and those who survived would receive rewards from the Sect upon their return.

An hour later, the shuttle first arrived at Crimson Rainbow Peak, as it was the closest to Spirit Flame Valley.

Wang Zheng stood up. As a disciple of Crimson Rainbow Peak, he said to Fang Chen, "Fang Chen, I'm leaving now. If you need anything in the future, remember to find me!"

"Alright!"

Fang Chen nodded slightly at Wang Zheng.

The cabin door opened, and Wang Zheng and the survivors from Crimson Rainbow Peak disembarked from the Spirit Boat.

Half an hour later, the Spirit Boat arrived at Azure Cloud Peak. As this was the last stop, the Spirit Boat landed directly on the plaza, and Fang Chen disembarked alone.

Although Azure Cloud Peak had decent overall strength, and there were many Outer Sect Disciples on missions in Spirit Flame Valley, all of them except Fang Chen had died.

As soon as Fang Chen stepped off the Spirit Boat, a guard from the Enforcement Hall approached him with a smile. "Junior Brother Fang Chen, I am Liu Yu, a disciple of the Enforcement Hall. Congratulations on your great contribution last night in Spirit Flame Valley. Please follow me to the Merit Hall to receive your reward!"

"A reward? So soon?"

Fang Chen was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Merit Hall to be so efficient.

"Yes, please follow me!"

The disciple from the Enforcement Hall nodded slightly, his attitude very pleasant.

"Okay!"

Fang Chen nodded and then followed the Enforcement Hall disciple towards the Merit Hall.

Upon entering the Merit Hall, Fang Chen was led into a spacious hall. An elder in a light blue robe sat in the center of the hall. He had a thin face, white hair, and long eyebrows that drooped to his temples, merging with his beard. His gaze was sharp, and his cuffs and collar were embroidered with silver cloud patterns.

Liu Yu spoke to Fang Chen, "Junior Brother Fang Chen, this is Elder Liu Hongyi, the Hall Master of the Merit Hall for Outer Sect Disciples of Azure Cloud Peak!"

The Liu Hongyi before him possessed a second-grade Water Spiritual Root and had now reached the sixth transformation of the Nascent Soul realm. His Daoist title was Li Shui.

"Disciple Fang Chen greets Elder Li Shui!"

Fang Chen immediately bowed slightly to the elder before him.

Elder Li Shui's gaze fell upon Fang Chen, a faint smile on his face. He spoke, "Fang Chen, well done. You've brought great honor to our Azure Cloud Peak this time!"

The guards at Spirit Flame Valley had already informed Elder Li Shui of everything that had happened last night. Elder Li Shui knew that Fang Chen had performed exceptionally well and had even broken through to the third level of Qi Refining during the battle.

Because of this, Elder Li Shui had specifically investigated Fang Chen's background. When he learned that Fang Chen had no Spiritual Root and had only recently broken through to the Qi Refining realm a few days ago, he was extremely surprised. He was very curious about Fang Chen, so he immediately had Fang Chen brought before him upon his return.

"Elder praises me too highly. As a disciple of the Glazed Sword Sect, these are things I should do!"

Fang Chen bowed slightly to Elder Li Shui, appearing very humble.

Elder Li Shui smiled and asked, "Fang Chen, I heard you have no Spiritual Root. Is this true?"

"This matter is absolutely true. When I first joined the Sect, and again when I was promoted to Outer Sect Disciple a few days ago, I underwent testing, and both results indicated I have no Spiritual Root!"

Fang Chen knew that his rapid cultivation progress would attract attention, and these people would definitely question him. He had mentally prepared himself for this on his way back.

Initially, Fang Chen had wanted to keep a low profile, but circumstances didn't allow it. Since he had offended Zhang Tielin, Fang Chen dreamed of increasing his strength as quickly as possible.

The situation last night was a rare opportunity, and he couldn't just stand by and watch so many Bloodthirsty Evil Crows jump around in front of him without killing them. After all, killing those Bloodthirsty Evil Crows could rapidly increase his cultivation.

His cultivation was obtained through his own honest efforts, and he wasn't practicing any heinous demonic arts. He wasn't afraid of them questioning or inspecting him; it would just be a bit troublesome.

Elder Li Shui nodded slightly and asked, "May I examine you?"

"Of course!"

Fang Chen nodded at Elder Li Shui.

Elder Li Shui stood up from his chair and walked to Fang Chen, placing his hand on Fang Chen's Baihui acupoint. He then extended his Spiritual Sense into Fang Chen's Dantian.

The next moment, Fang Chen felt a cool stream of energy flow into his body from his Baihui acupoint.

Upon seeing the situation within Fang Chen's Dantian, Elder Li Shui's eyes narrowed slightly. He then withdrew his hand and looked at Fang Chen, a look of puzzlement on his face. "He truly has no Spiritual Root. I am very curious, how did you manage to raise your cultivation to the third level of Qi Refining in such a short time without a Spiritual Root?"

In response to Elder Li Shui's question, Fang Chen recited the excuse he had prepared in his mind: "I'm not entirely sure myself. A few days ago, I was being chased by two Handymen in Thousand Bamboo Ridge, and in a moment of life or death, I broke through to the Qi Refining realm. Last night, the Spirit Flame Valley outpost was attacked by Bloodthirsty Evil Crows. The situation was critical, and under immense pressure, my speed of absorbing spiritual energy from the outside world surged, and my cultivation broke through like this!"

Although this explanation was somewhat ordinary, Fang Chen was not afraid of them verifying it.

After all, in such life-or-death situations, the human body can unleash immense potential. From this perspective, his story was plausible.

Elder Li Shui looked at Fang Chen and nodded slightly. "Good, well done. Even though you have no Spiritual Root, your cultivation has progressed rapidly. Cultivate diligently, and I hope your cultivation can reach even higher realms. Take this Spirit Jade. You are always welcome to come to my dojo to listen to my teachings!"

"Thank you, Elder!"

Fang Chen immediately reached out and caught the Spirit Jade that Elder Li Shui handed him.