Xu Yang changed out of his training clothes and into formal attire, then soon arrived at Elder Firecloud's Hall.
"Your disciple Xu Yang requests an audience, Master!" He cupped his hands outside the hall.
"Come in." Elder Firecloud's gentle voice sounded from within.
Xu Yang remembered how indescribably imposing Elder Firecloud had seemed when they first met. Now, he had become kindly as well.
"Yes!"
Straightening his clothes, Xu Yang stepped into the hall.
The layout and sandalwood fragrance were as familiar as ever. Elder Firecloud sat in his gilded chair, his face wreathed in smiles.
"Greetings, Master!" Xu Yang stepped forward and cupped his hands.
Elder Firecloud nodded and smiled. "You did very well. You brought me great honor, and yesterday you even turned back the raging tide, preserving our Violet Sun Gate's reputation." "It was merely my duty as your disciple. I dare not claim credit," Xu Yang said solemnly.
The corner of Elder Firecloud's mouth twitched. What duty? If Lin Jingyu hadn't specifically challenged him yesterday, Xu Yang wouldn't have stepped forward even if the Violet Sun Gate had been utterly crushed.
He had clearly been forced into it, yet now he was calling it his duty.
"For defeating Lin Jingyu yesterday, the Sect Master has sent word that you are to receive five hundred contribution points. Go collect them from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall later," Elder Firecloud said. "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Sect Master." Xu Yang was delighted. He hadn't expected defeating Lin Jingyu to bring this kind of benefit.
Elder Firecloud waved a hand. "During yesterday's battle, I noticed that you lacked superior martial techniques. I intended to teach you our Blazing Fire Peak's Hell-Prison Heaven-Slaying Art, but the Sect Master disagreed and asked me to teach you the Eight Fiends Subduing Dragon Force