Chapter 237: Officially Free

“Junior Brother,” Senior Brother Fan Xiao called out next to him. “I still would not teach you alchemy, even if you learn these techniques, not until you have started on a combat technique."

Yang’s eyes widened in dismay. “Senior Brother,” he practically whined. “I need to first refine an elemental qi to be able to cultivate the Manifold Spirit Concealment Art. It's simply not possible in the short term.”

“That is hardly a combat technique, even though it would help you survive.” Senior Brother Qing An chuckled and gave his two cents.

“I don't remember anyone specifying a combat technique," Yang protested the new limitation.

“I am specifying it now. An offensive technique.” Senior Brother Fan Xiao said flatly as Yang sputtered, unable to retort.

Is this the price for the cheating comment?

“Junior Brother, you need to have the strength to play at being self-righteousness.” Senior Brother Zhen Hao snickered.

Senior Brother Fan Xiao turned his glare towards Senior Brother Zhen Hao, who immediately clamped his mouth shut and sat straight, before shifting his attention back to Yang.

“This is not a punishment, Chen Yang. I would never punish any of you merely for sharing how you feel.”

Disappointment seeped into Senior Brother Fan Xiao’s gaze. “You went through all the Purging Techniques and the flame techniques, but in all that time, did you ever give a single thought to what technique you could learn since the Manifold Spirit Concealment Art is beyond your current capabilities?”

Yang went silent. He didn’t have anything to say because it was the undeniable truth. He had planned on only relying on the Manifold Spirit Concealment Art.

That he would only need to concentrate on alchemy in the meantime was a plus in his mind.

“Junior Brother Yang,” Senior Brother Lu Feng said with a smirk. “You better master as many techniques as you can because, as your Senior Brother, the day you establish your Foundation is the day I am tossing you out of the White Cloud Sect alone to fend for yourself, so prepare yourself.”

Yang stared in shock at Senior Brother Lu Feng and the others, who all had matching smiles on their faces.

“Don’t look at me,” Senior Brother Qing An said defensively, raising his hands. “It is tradition for disciples to roam outside the sect when they first establish their foundation. I just fear you will need a literal kick in the backside to do so.”

Yang scowled. It wasn’t as if he was intentionally avoiding learning techniques. He just had trouble keeping his attention off the cultivation arts.

In the end, he caved and simply nodded.

“I don’t have access to any combat techniques,” Yang acquiesced. “It will have to be after we go back to the sect.” It really stabbed his heart to know that he would have to wait months to begin alchemy lessons.

“Do not despair, Yang,” Senior Brother Qing An consoled him with a smile. “I am certain we can find something suitable for you amongst our own personal collections.”

Yang perked up. “Not a weapon technique though," he said with narrowed eyes.

“No one will hand you a weapon technique even if you ask,” Senior Brother Yuan Shen muttered with a roll of his eyes. “With how much you disdain it, you would fail even if you had some talent for it.”

“Some kind of elemental technique would be best considering he had been stacking strength on that side,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao mused.

“It is preferable to diversify skills,” Senior Brother Lu Feng disagreed, shaking his head. “Relying too heavily on basic elemental techniques isn't the smartest choice.”

“The Thousand Element Technique isn’t solely bound to the traditional elements,” Senior Brother Qing An countered. “Considering he was able to suck dry that statue in Qiarnan, more esoteric energies are something he will inevitably master, and those are the most difficult to defend against.”

“Chen Yang’s future potential isn’t in question,” Senior Brother Fan Xiao interjected. “No one doubts that the path he is on will lead him to be a powerful cultivator, but that is only dependent on whether he survives long enough to see it to fruition.” Senior Brother Fan Xiao shook his head. “We will naturally always protect him, even with our lives if it comes to that, but he needs to be able to defend himself as well. All his techniques are something that will pay off later rather than now.”

“Why are we giving our lives for Junior Brother Yang?” came a relaxed voice from the doorway.

Yang turned to find Senior Brother Weilong standing there.

He stepped inside and took a seat. “My apologies. I was at a delicate point in my cultivation.”

“We were just discussing an offensive technique for Chen Yang,” Senior Brother Yuan Shen explained. “Senior Brother Fan Xiao wants him to start learning as soon as possible, so we are constrained by what we already have on us, with the added limitation of it not being based on one of the basic elements since Senior Brother Lu Feng insists Chen Yang needs to broaden his skill set.”

Senior Brother Weilong raised an eyebrow. “That's a difficult task, especially outside the sect. The vast majority of beginner techniques are either weapon-based or based on the common elements.”

“I am well aware of that,” Senior Brother Lu Feng gave an unimpressed look. “But since Chen Yang is already able to craft talismans, he would be able to at least create the basic fire, water, air, and earth defences and offences with a talisman. I want him to have something as a reliable backup when everything else fails.”

“How about a sound technique?” Senior Brother Weilong casually threw out.

“A sound technique?” Senior Brother Qing An raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“I acquired one a few centuries back,” Senior Brother Weilong said, shrugging.

“Why haven’t I seen you use it yet?” Senior Brother Lu Feng asked curiously.

“Too undignified for my taste,” Senior Brother Weilong said, grinning.

“Really? What does it do?” Senior Brother Zhen Hao got a wide smile on his face. “Now I am really curious.”

Senior Brother Weilong summoned a jade slip and passed it on to Senior Brother Zhen Hao, who, after going through it, let out a laugh. “I can see why you wouldn't want to cultivate it.”

The jade slip got passed along a few times, causing laughter and smiles before Senior Brother Fan Xiao handed it to Yang. “It's not the most impressive technique, but it will help you get away from most adversaries around your realm since it's not common to have defence against sound for the young cultivators.”

Yang accepted the jade slip and felt the frown on his face deepen as he went through the technique.

All he could do was let out a weary sigh. “I’ll practice it.”

“Now that we have foisted an offensive technique on Chen Yang, let's get to the reason you were all summoned,” Senior Brother Lu Feng called, drawing everyone's attention.

“We have received a response from the Sect. First, the Sect has agreed to destroy the rift connecting to Qiarnan. After finding out that it was the remnant of a higher world and a remnant that was also connected to various other worlds, there was no question of any further explorations there, especially after finding out it had many off-world cultivators traversing through it.”

He paused for a second before moving on to the next point. “Second, the Vermillion Cloud Realm had proven too profitable just by the mere existence of the mine itself, so closing it off completely is impossible. However, it would no longer be explored by the younger disciples. All the disciples under the Golden Core realm are being recalled back to the sect. Only Golden Core and above cultivators will remain and sweep through the doorways to see if there are any more surprises, detaching and closing areas as they see fit.”

“The mine would be the priority and the only active area for now, and if nothing further of interest has been found by the time we have extracted all its resources, the whole Secret Realm would be decommissioned. Apparently, the Sect Elders have doubts about the mental capacity of the Senior who thought it wise to attach his secret realm to a place like Qiarnan.”

Senior Brother swept his gaze over all of them. “Any questions?”

“Does that mean we are free to leave?” Senior Brother Qing An asked with a smile.

“Eager to get away from me?” Senior Brother Lu Feng asked, smirking.

Senior Brother Qing An placed a hand to his chest and, and with a mock expression of grievance, asked, “How could you doubt my love for you, Senior Brother?”

Senior Brother Lu Feng just gave a slight shake of his head and chuckled. “Yes, you are officially free to leave now.”

“Why don’t you come with us?” Senior Brother Fan Xiao asked.

“Yes, Senior Brother,” Senior Brother Qing An said eagerly. “We are heading to an ancient tomb in the Starry Sea. With you there with us, we will no doubt be raking in treasures.”

“Like we were in the Vermillion Cloud Realm,” Senior Brother Yuan Shen muttered under his breath.

“I, unfortunately, am unable to be a part of your expedition. I have been assigned some duties to do with the subordinate sects while I am out.” Senior Brother Lu Feng just smiled. “However, if you can wait a couple more days, I can accompany you for part of the way, as I need to make a stop at the Winding City.”

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