Chapter 152: Before the Wind Rises

"Master!"

Yang Xing executed a deep and respectful bow.

Huang Zhen slowly opened his eyes and said, "In a short while, the sect will recruit disciples on a large scale, and the outer courtyard will also be expanded. Therefore, the quota for our Xuanwu Branch will increase. You must select candidates carefully when the time comes."

Yang Xing cupped his fists and said, "This disciple understands."

With the destruction of the Tianhe Sect, the Four Absolute Sects stood supreme within a three-hundred-li radius of the prefectural city. The previous shortage of medicinal pills caused by Floating Cloud Mountain was naturally no longer an issue.

The immediate tasks for the Four Absolute Sects were to expand their influence, recruit disciples, and enhance their prestige.

Huang Zhen continued, "For those disciples with slightly inferior innate constitution and comprehension, but good foundational backgrounds, do not harbor any prejudices. Give them a chance."

Yang Xing nodded and said, "Understood!"

Naturally, he understood the underlying meaning in Huang Zhen's words. As long as a candidate's strength was at the Transformation Realm, they could afford the tuition, and the Xuanwu Branch still had available quotas, they could be admitted into the Xuanwu Branch.

Next, Huang Zhen gave Yang Xing a few more instructions regarding precautions, then waved his hand and said, "You may withdraw."

Yang Xing spoke in a low voice, "Master, about the sect assembly..."

"Ah, tomorrow's sect assembly."

As if recalling something, Huang Zhen said indifferently, "The allocation of resources among the four branches has long been decided in advance. You have just taken on heavy responsibilities; even if you cannot contend with the chief disciples of the other branches, as your master, I will not blame you."

"If there is nothing else, you may withdraw."

With that, Huang Zhen waved his hand.

The two supreme medicinal herbs from the Tianhe Sect's treasury had already been secured. As for other "wealth and treasures," he did not care much about them.

Having them was certainly good, but not having them would not make much of an impact.

Yang Xing finally understood that Huang Zhen had never cared about this sect assembly from the very beginning, or rather, he held no hopes for it whatsoever.

After all, his mind was solely focused on alchemy, and the Xuanwu Branch had been weak and declining for decades; he had long since grown accustomed to everything as it was.

If they were to suddenly rise and burst forth with power, that would be truly strange.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Yang Xing cupped his fists, turned around, and walked out of the room.

The room fell silent once more, save for the curling tendrils of sandalwood smoke rising steadily.

Huang Zhen closed his eyes slightly, resembling a dry-seated ascetic monk. The aura throughout his body was restrained to the absolute limit without the slightest leakage, much like an aged monk entering parinirvana.

...

Azure Dragon Branch, Martial Practice Room.

All kinds of weapons were displayed around the perimeter of the room, such as sabers, spears, swords, and halberds. These weapons were meticulously polished to a dazzling shine, reflecting a chilling glint.

Hanging on the surrounding walls were martial arts charts, diagrams, and calligraphy scrolls. These were precious legacies left behind by successive masters of the Azure Dragon Branch, serving as vital reference materials for its disciples to study and emulate.

At this moment, Lin Haitang, the master of the Azure Dragon Branch, was dressed in black martial attire, while Ding Jianyong stood opposite him with a trace of solemnity in his expression.

Lin Haitang flicked his sleeve and said, "Come, let me see your strength."

"Master, be careful."

Ding Jianyong took a deep breath, and instantly, internal vital energy surged furiously within his body.

Six Meridian Channels!

Having already unblocked half of the twelve main meridians, his internal energy could be considered enduring and continuous.

Boom!

Ding Jianyong struck out with an Azure Dragon Seal, his vital energy roaring and surging forward.

Lin Haitang twisted his wrist, executing an Azure Dragon Seal in response. His arm looked strikingly like a low-growling azure dragon.

Bang!

Ding Jianyong's palm technique was shattered instantly, his vital energy turning into nothingness and dissipating into the air.

In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged dozens of blows within the martial practice room.

Internal energy blasted outward, causing the weapon racks to tremble slightly.

Lin Haitang struck gently forward, and with a muffled "boom," the air ahead suddenly ruptured. Ding Jianyong met the blow with a palm strike of his own.

Bang!

The moment their palms collided, internal energy rippled outward, sending waves radiating from the two as the center.

Ding Jianyong felt his Qi sea churning violently, his footsteps stumbling back repeatedly.

Lin Haitang maintained a calm and serene expression as the backlash of internal energy was instantly dispersed by him.

Regaining his footing, Ding Jianyong cupped his fists and said, "Master's internal energy is vast and profound; this disciple has lost."

"To have unblocked six meridian channels is already considered quite remarkable among the younger generation in Hezhong."

Lin Haitang nodded slightly. "With your aptitude, if you progress steadily and solidly, reaching the Upper Dan Realm is just around the corner."

Ding Jianyong was his most prized disciple.

Not only was he steady and composed in character, but his innate constitution was also exceptional, making him a rare martial arts prodigy among ten thousand.

Although he was not ranked among the Four Prodigies and Three Heroes, the actual gap between him and them was not significant.

The Middle Dan Realm was already sufficient to hold one's own independently, while reaching the Upper Dan Realm meant stepping firmly into the upper echelons of the Hezhong Prefecture martial world, granting one immense sway even within the Four Absolute Sects.

Ding Jianyong hurriedly said, "This disciple is foolish; everything is due to Master's teachings."

Hearing this, Lin Haitang looked very satisfied. "Our Four Absolute Sects have not held a sect assembly for many years. Now that the Sect Master has called for this assembly, the first purpose is to distribute the resources obtained from the Tianhe Sect, and the second is to use this opportunity to test the strength of the disciples across the four branches."

Ding Jianyong said in a deep voice, "Master, rest assured, this disciple will never disgrace the reputation of the Azure Dragon Branch."

Lin Haitang stroked his beard and smiled, "With you here, I am at ease."

...

Vermilion Bird Branch, Master's Chamber.

Kong Sijia sat cross-legged on a rush mat, her expression somewhat aloof and cold.

Having been in closed-door seclusion for many days, aside from being summoned by the Sect Master a few days prior, she had spent her time entirely in the quiet chamber consolidating her cultivation base.

Gu Xuan raised her head and could not help asking, "Master, has your cultivation realm advanced once more?"

Kong Sijia nodded slightly and said, "I am only a step away from the perfection of the Upper Dan Realm."

Gu Xuan's heart trembled inwardly. If she reached the perfection of the Upper Dan Realm, she would have the opportunity to make a breakthrough toward the Innate Stellar Energy. Given her master's current age, the chances were still quite high.

With her master's profound cultivation, the disciples would naturally share in the glory.

Gu Xuan smiled and said, "Congratulations, Master!"

"There is no need for such conventional pleasantries."

Kong Sijia waved her hand and said, "The Sect Master has not held a sect assembly in many years. For you, this is a crucial opportunity."

Gu Xuan asked with a puzzled look, "A crucial opportunity?"

Kong Sijia slowly explained, "In the eyes of the sect's higher-ups, what is truly scarce are talented disciples. Only truly gifted disciples are worth nurturing. Therefore, the more brilliantly you perform, the more resources you will be able to obtain."

"Just like those thirty-some disciples of the Xuanwu Branch combined, they are not as important as a single you."

Gu Xuan nodded heavily.

Kong Sijia continued, "Now that the Tianhe Sect has been destroyed, only our Four Absolute Sects and the Tower Beyond the Tower remain to contend for supremacy in Hezhong Prefecture. If a leading figure of the younger generation emerges at this time, it will inevitably tilt the balanced situation. Therefore, as long as you can display extraordinary strength, the Sect Master will spare no effort in nurturing you."

Although Hezhong Prefecture boasted numerous proud prodigies among the Four Prodigies and Three Heroes, a definitive, towering figure had yet to appear.

Should such a figure emerge, it would undoubtedly greatly shake and elevate the prestige of the sect.

In this martial world, reputation often proved to be immensely useful.

Gu Xuan took a deep breath, a bright gleam flashing in her eyes. "This disciple understands."

...

As the sect assembly drew closer, the atmosphere within the Four Absolute Sects grew increasingly tense.

After all, the Four Absolute Sects had not convened such a sect assembly in many years. Coupled with the fact that the Four Absolute Sects were currently the undisputed number one sect within a three-hundred-li radius of the prefectural city—their prestige soaring and peerless for a time—this sect assembly seemed to carry an extraordinary significance, drawing immense attention and anticipation.