Master

Zhao Yuan, Qi Dongyuan, and several highly respected Five Elements Sect members from the political and business worlds stood at the entrance welcoming guests.

At this entrance, which was not as broad and bright as the main gate but was no less lavish, luxury cars arrived one after another.

Bejeweled men and women stepped out of them.

Guests from the business world were received by Five Elements Sect members engaged in commerce.

Guests from the political world were guided by Five Elements Sect disciples involved in politics.

Whenever someone got out of a car, a round of pleasantries was naturally unavoidable.

"Compared with the Five Elements Sect, our Changfeng Martial Hall still has a long road ahead."

Fang Lingjue spoke with some emotion, his words carrying even more envy.

After saying that, he glanced at Li Pin. "Once you take up the burden of the Five Elements Sect in the future, this splendor will also be heaped upon you. As Canglong City's foremost sect, developed over decades, the Five Elements Sect has connections in the council, political circles, the Martial World, the judiciary, and business circles. I heard that two members of Canglong City's local council are attending this time."

"Council members? Nobles or Star Refiners?"

Li Pin asked.

The Taibai Kingdom operated under a separation of three powers. Its structure consisted of the council, the government, and the judiciary.

Among them, the council stood high above all else, holding the powers of legislation, finance, personnel, and oversight. When necessary, it could impeach the president and order the government to reorganize.

Those who could join the council were limited to nobles whose bloodlines had been passed down since ancient times, as well as the newly emerged ruling class, the Star Refiners.

Major entrepreneurs and Martial Arts Grandmasters alike still fell half a notch short.

Of course, for those truly top-tier magnates and famous Grandmasters, the Taibai royal family would first bestow noble titles upon them, making them nobles. At that point, they would naturally qualify to enter the council, point out the mountains and rivers, and offer plans for the Taibai Kingdom's future development.

"One is a Star Refiner, and the other is a kingdom baron," Fang Lingjue said. "That Star Refiner once trained in Dan Jin under Cao Tianyou, so he counts as half his disciple. As for the kingdom baron, by seniority, he is Cao Tianyou's son-in-law."

He added, "Those two are also the Five Elements Sect's greatest pillars."

Li Pin nodded.

By then, Fang Lingjue had already parked the car and gotten out with Li Pin.

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

A Five Elements Sect disciple quickly stepped forward to take the car keys and park the vehicle.

"Hall Master Fang, Martial Master Li, we've finally been waiting for the two of you. Please come in."

Zhao Yuan said with a smile, then added to Li Pin, "Master has been talking about you for quite some time."

"I've been busy cultivating lately, so I haven't had time to visit Grandmaster Cao."

Li Pin said.

"Understandable, understandable."

Zhao Yuan nodded.

Li Pin had just obtained the Five Elements Body Refining Technique and the Five Qi Towards Origin Method. Naturally, he would treasure them as if they were priceless gems and study them thoroughly. In half a month, he might not even have fully grasped the Five Elements Body Refining Technique...

"Hmm!?"

Yet Zhao Yuan's thoughts suddenly froze. His gaze immediately snapped onto Li Pin.

Ordinary Trained Strength Martial Artists could not see anything unusual about Li Pin, but Zhao Yuan himself was an expert who had Embraced Qi into Dan.

The moment the two came into close contact, he noticed the changes that had taken place in him.

That feeling emanating from him...

"Martial Master Li, you... you've Embraced Qi into Dan!?"

Zhao Yuan cried out in shock.

Qi Dongyuan abruptly stopped as well, staring Li Pin up and down, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Seeing this, Fang Lingjue was in no hurry to leave. He watched the two men's drastically changing expressions with keen interest.

"I told you, I've been busy cultivating lately. After half a month of secluded, bitter training, I naturally gained something. As for the result, just as Martial Master Zhao can see, I successfully Embraced Qi into Dan."

Li Pin replied with a smile.

"Y-you've already Embraced Dan!?"

Zhao Yuan stared at Li Pin, his emotions churning like stormy seas.

After the Wang Daoyi incident, they had conducted a detailed investigation into Li Pin.

It seemed that Li Pin had truly begun practicing martial arts at the age of fourteen or fifteen. This was what they had learned in Sanshun Town.

When he entered university, his martial training had fallen by the wayside because of his studies. The fact that his classmates had barely ever seen him practice martial arts was the best proof.

It was only half a year ago that he had taken up martial arts again.

The moment he arrived at Changfeng Martial Hall, he displayed a foundation of strength that had progressed from overt to hidden. Then, in less than half a year, he fought the Cat Demon to the death, cultivated Dan Jin, and in his battle against Wang Daoyi, his use of Dan Jin had become thoroughly refined.

And now...

He had even completed Embrace Dan, truly stepping into Dan Jin!?

How long had all this taken!?

Even counting his three years at university, it had only been seven or eight years.

Such talent...

Given time, he would surely become a Gang Refining Grandmaster!

For a moment, the looks Zhao Yuan and Qi Dongyuan gave Li Pin became fervent.

"Martial Master Li has truly given us an earth-shattering surprise."

Zhao Yuan said.

They had originally worried that Li Pin was too young. Even with the achievements of killing the Cat Demon and Wang Daoyi, he might not be able to hold down the situation in Canglong City. But now...

Embrace Dan!

And such a young practitioner of Embrace Dan, one with boundless potential!

It was enough!

Cao Tianyou was not dead, and he could rush over from Jiangzhou City at any time to lend aid. Who in Canglong City would dare refuse the Five Elements Sect some face?

"I always thought Martial Master Li would truly Embrace Dan within the next few years. I never expected that day to come so quickly. Hahaha, with this, I can finally set my mind completely at ease about Canglong City and focus on assisting Martial Master Li."

Qi Dongyuan said with a laugh.

"The Five Elements Sect's affairs will still have to rely more on Martial Master Qi. At most, I can lend the Five Elements Sect some support through my reputation."

Li Pin said.

"Martial Master Li's reputation is enough. Canglong City is neither an economic hub nor backed against any perilous land. The Martial World here is relatively stable. Where would there be so much fighting to the death?"

As Qi Dongyuan spoke, he quickly gestured them onward. "When Master learns that you have already Embraced Dan, he will surely be delighted."

With that, under his lead, the two of them swiftly headed toward Xingyao International Center.

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

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

The hall was carpeted, exceptionally spacious, and nearly ten meters high.

Murals covered the ceiling, from which crystal chandeliers glittered brilliantly.

Every chandelier was extraordinarily elaborate, displaying luxury to its fullest extent.

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

Since the banquet had not yet begun, finely dressed men and women gathered in groups of three or five throughout the hall, chatting leisurely.

Everyone seemed to have dressed with great care. The men wore suits and ties, every bit the social elite.

The women mostly wore evening gowns, revealing fair, sensual collarbones and showing off slender, graceful figures.

Under Qi Dongyuan's guidance, Fang Lingjue took a seat at a long table in the second row.

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

Here, Cao Tianyou, the birthday elder, had already arrived ahead of time. He was smiling as he conversed with several people beside him, and the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.

When he saw Zhao Yuan bring Li Pin over, he turned his gaze toward them as well.

And this was the first living Gang Refining Grandmaster Li Pin had seen in both his past and present lives.