Grandmaster

Zhao Yuan, Qi Dongyuan, and several distinguished guests from the Five Elements Sect in political and business circles were at the entrance to receive visitors.

Though not as spacious and bright as the main entrance, this equally luxurious entryway saw a continuous stream of luxury cars arriving.

From these cars stepped out men and women adorned in glittering jewels and finery.

Business guests were received by members of the Five Elements Sect involved in commerce.

Political guests were guided by disciples of the Five Elements Sect engaged in politics.

Upon disembarking, each guest was naturally met with a round of pleasantries.

"Compared to the Five Elements Sect, our Changfeng Martial Hall still has a long way to go."

Fang Lingjue said with some emotion, and even more so with envy.

After speaking, he glanced at Li Pin, "When you eventually take over the mantle of the Five Elements Sect, this prestige will also fall upon you. As the foremost sect in Canglong City for decades, the Five Elements Sect has connections in the council, government, martial arts world, judiciary, and business circles. I heard that two local council members from Canglong City are among the guests today."

"Council members? Nobles or Star Refiners?"

Li Pin inquired.

The Taibai Kingdom operated under a separation of powers, with its structure composed of the council, government, and judiciary.

Among these, the council held a supreme position, wielding the powers of legislation, finance, personnel, and oversight. It could impeach the president and order government restructuring when necessary.

Only ancient noble families and the emerging ruling class of Star Refiners were eligible to join the council.

Figures like major entrepreneurs and Martial Arts Grandmasters were a step below.

Of course, truly top-tier entrepreneurs and renowned Grandmasters would first be bestowed noble titles by the Taibai royal family, making them nobles. At that point, they would naturally qualify to enter the council, shape national policy, and offer advice for the future development of the Taibai Kingdom.

"One is a Star Refiner, and the other is a Kingdom Baron."

Fang Lingjue replied, "That Star Refiner once cultivated Dan Jin under Cao Tianyou, making him a half-disciple. As for the Kingdom Baron, he is Cao Tianyou's son-in-law by seniority."

He added, "These two are also the biggest backers of the Five Elements Sect."

Li Pin nodded.

At this moment, Fang Lingjue had finished parking his car and got out with Li Pin.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuan and Qi Dongyuan immediately stepped forward to greet them.

A disciple of the Five Elements Sect quickly came forward to take the car keys and assist with parking.

"Curator Fang, Martial Artist Li, we've finally been waiting for you two. Please come inside."

Zhao Yuan said with a smile, and then added to Li Pin, "Master has been mentioning you for a long time."

"I've been busy with my cultivation during this period, which is why I haven't had the time to visit Grandmaster Cao."

Li Pin replied.

"We understand, we understand."

Zhao Yuan nodded.

Li Pin had just obtained the Five Elements Body Refining Technique and the Five Qi Towards Origin Method, so he would naturally have been studying them like treasures. It was uncertain if he had fully grasped the Five Elements Body Refining Technique in half a month...

"Hmm!?"

As Zhao Yuan's thoughts were racing, he suddenly paused. His gaze then sharply fell upon Li Pin.

Ordinary Force-level Martial Artists couldn't perceive the anomaly in Li Pin, but Zhao Yuan himself was an expert at Embrace Qi into Dan.

As the two came into close proximity, he immediately sensed the change that had occurred within him.

That feeling from him...

"Martial Artist Li, you... you've embraced Dan!?"

Zhao Yuan exclaimed in disbelief.

Qi Dongyuan also abruptly stopped in his tracks, scrutinizing Li Pin with eyes filled with incredulity.

Seeing this, Fang Lingjue no longer felt the urgency to leave and watched their dramatic facial changes with great interest.

"I told you, I've been busy with my cultivation during this period, spending half a month in secluded training. Naturally, there should be some gains. The results, as Martial Artist Zhao can see, are that I have successfully embraced Dan."

Li Pin responded with a smile.

"This... you've embraced Dan already!?"

Zhao Yuan stared at Li Pin, his emotions churning.

After the Wang Daoyi incident, they had thoroughly investigated Li Pin.

Li Pin's serious martial arts training seemed to have begun around the age of fourteen or fifteen, according to their inquiries in Sanshun Town.

During university, his martial arts had been neglected due to his studies. The fact that his classmates rarely saw him practice martial arts was the best proof.

It was only six months ago that he picked up his martial arts again.

Upon arriving at Changfeng Martial Hall, he had already displayed the foundation of Force transitioning from external to internal. Then, in less than half a year, he fought a Cat Demon to the death, forging Dan Jin. In his battle with Wang Daoyi, his Dan Jin was already skillfully applied.

And now...

He had completed Embrace Dan, truly stepping into the realm of Dan Jin!?

How long did this all take!?

Including my three years of university, it's only been seven or eight years at most.

This kind of talent…

Given time, he'll definitely become a Gang Refining Grandmaster!

For a moment, Zhao Yuan and Qi Dongyuan looked at Li Pin with renewed fervor.

"Martial Master Li has truly given us a tremendous surprise," Zhao Yuan said.

Originally, they were worried that Li Pin was too young. Even with his record of killing a Cat Demon and Wang Daoyi, he might not be able to stabilize the situation in Canglong City, but now…

Embrace Dan!

And he's so young, with limitless potential!

That's more than enough!

Cao Tianyou is still alive, and he can provide support from Jiangzhou City at any time. Who in Canglong City would dare not give the Five Elements Sect some face?

"I always thought Martial Master Li would probably only Embrace Dan in the last few years. I never expected this day to come so quickly. Haha, with this, I can completely put my mind at ease regarding Canglong City and focus on assisting Martial Master Li," Qi Dongyuan also said with a smile.

"The Five Elements Sect's affairs will still depend on Martial Master Qi to manage. At best, I can only offer some support to the Five Elements Sect with my reputation," Li Pin replied.

"Martial Master Li's reputation is enough. Our Canglong City isn't a major economic hub, nor is it backed by any dangerous territories. The martial arts world here is relatively stable, so there aren't that many life-and-death struggles," Qi Dongyuan said, then quickly gestured with his hand, "Master will surely be very happy to know you've Embraced Dan."

Under his lead, the two quickly headed towards the Star Shine International Center.

The entire second floor of the Star Shine International Center had been booked by the Five Elements Sect.

Following the stairs, the group soon arrived at an exquisitely decorated hall.

The hall was carpeted, and the space was very wide, with a height of nearly ten meters.

Murals were painted on the ceiling, and dazzling crystal chandeliers hung down.

Each lamp was extremely ornate, exuding an aura of luxury.

Inside the hall, two rows of six long tables and two round tables were arranged, along with a stage. Currently, videos promoting the glory of the Five Elements Sect were playing on the stage.

As the banquet had not yet begun, men and women dressed in opulent attire gathered in groups of three to five in the hall, chatting and conversing.

Everyone seemed to have dressed up meticulously. The men wore suits and ties, appearing like social elites.

The women were mostly in evening gowns, revealing their fair and sexy collarbones, showcasing their slender and tall figures.

Led by Qi Dongyuan, Fang Lingjue sat at a long table in the second row.

Li Pin, however, went directly to one of the round tables with Zhao Yuan.

Here, Cao Tianyou, the guest of honor, had already arrived and was smiling and chatting with a few people nearby, the atmosphere very harmonious.

Upon seeing Zhao Yuan bring Li Pin, he also shifted his gaze over.

And this was the first time in both his past and present lives that Li Pin was seeing a living Gang Refining Grandmaster.