113: Chapter 113 Clues to Flying on a Sword

"Senior Brother Hu! It really is you!"

"Senior Brother Hu, you finally arrived!"

"Senior Brother Hu, I haven't seen you for a year, your cultivation has improved so much!"

When everyone saw Hu Nan walk in, they stood up one after another, greeting him warmly.

These people felt both envy and jealousy toward Hu Nan.

After all, Hu Nan had the highest cultivation among them.

He was also the only one to win the Sect Competition.

Moreover, he was the powerhouse most likely to reach Foundation Establishment.

Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, raised his hand and returned the salute to everyone: "You are all too kind, fellow countrymen. For the past year or so, I have just been finding a quiet place to Cultivate deeply. I haven't been moving around much, so I have neglected you all."

While speaking, the group crowded around Hu Nan, leading him to an empty seat near the main position. Zhao Lei hurriedly poured him a cup of Spiritual Tea.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly livened up. Everyone sat around, chatting back and forth, their tones filled with envy as they praised Hu Nan's Aptitude and perseverance.

"Senior Brother Hu is truly amazing. I haven't seen you in over a year, and your aura has become so much more profound. Surely it won't be long before you reach Foundation Establishment, right?"

"Indeed! We have all been marking time for over a year, at most improving by a level or two. Looking at Senior Brother Hu, who has been steadily improving, you are truly a role model for us!"

"That's right. We come from ordinary backgrounds, without powerful support or sufficient resources. Being able to improve steadily like Senior Brother Hu is already a great accomplishment. It would be a lie to say we aren't envious!"

The group's tone was full of sighs and admiration.

Most of these fellow countrymen had mediocre Aptitude, trapped in the Outer Sect with scarce resources, their cultivation stagnant for over a year. Yet, Hu Nan could improve steadily. In their eyes, this was already a very high achievement, enough to be looked up to.

With Hu Nan's arrival, the gathering of fellow countrymen officially began.

Everyone first discussed some issues regarding cultivation.

Immediately after, they spoke about major events within the Sect.

Over the past year, the number of Yao Beasts near the Sect had increased.

A few Yao Beasts had even attacked the gates of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

However, those few Yao Beasts were quickly killed by the Sect Elders.

Just then, Zhao Lei, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. His tone was full of shock and emotion, his voice slightly raised: "If we are talking about the biggest event in the Sect this year, it isn't the flood of Yao Beasts, but rather Lin Hao—he, he has successfully reached Foundation Establishment!"

"What?! Lin Hao has successfully reached Foundation Establishment?!"

"Lin Hao's cultivation Speed is truly too fast!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the private room was in an uproar. Expressions of disbelief appeared on everyone's faces, their tones filled with shock and surprise.

Hearing Zhao Lei's words, Qin Changsheng was not very surprised.

After all, Lin Hao's father was Lin Zhentian.

With Lin Zhentian's Golden Core strength, he could definitely easily obtain many treasures.

If it weren't for the fact that Qin Changsheng had robbed Lin Hao several times.

He guessed that Lin Hao would have already reached Foundation Establishment long ago.

Just then, Zhang Han, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke: "Everyone, besides the flood of Yao Beasts and Lin Hao reaching Foundation Establishment, there is another major event in the Sect recently that most of you probably don't know about."

Zhang Han's words instantly attracted everyone's attention. They all turned to look at him, their faces showing curiosity.

Zhao Lei was the first to ask, his tone urgent: "Zhang Han, what major event? Tell us quickly. We are usually busy dealing with tasks and burying ourselves in cultivation, so we haven't been able to learn about many of the Sect's news in time."

The other fellow countrymen also nodded, their eyes locked on Zhang Han, full of curiosity.

Zhang Han then said: "I also heard it from a Senior Brother at the General Affairs Hall yesterday. The Sect will be holding a grand Foundation Establishment Ceremony for the Disciples who have successfully reached Foundation Establishment in the past few years. Firstly, it is to celebrate these Disciples for breaking through to Foundation Establishment and becoming the backbone of the Sect; secondly, it is to boost morale and alleviate the panic caused by the flood of Yao Beasts."

"A Foundation Establishment Ceremony?!" Expressions of disbelief appeared on everyone's faces, their tones full of shock and envy, "Is this for real? The Sect is actually holding a ceremony specifically for Foundation Establishment Disciples? This is a tremendous honor!"

"It is absolutely true," Zhang Han nodded heavily, his tone certain, "The Senior Brother at the General Affairs Hall said it himself. The ceremony is set for a month from now. All Disciples who have reached Foundation Establishment in these few years will attend, and even the Sect Head, Immortal Master Xuanyangzi, will personally attend to preside over the ceremony."

As soon as this was said, the private room instantly exploded. The wariness and helplessness on everyone's faces were instantly replaced by shock and envy. They began to discuss it, their tones full of longing.

"My God, the Sect Head will personally preside over it? This treatment is too good!"

"Indeed! Foundation Establishment is a major event on the path of immortality, and the Sect is holding a special ceremony for it. For those Foundation Establishment Disciples, this is simply a supreme honor!"

"Sigh, it's just a pity that we have mediocre Aptitude and our cultivation is stagnant. I'm afraid we'll never have the chance to attend such a ceremony in this lifetime, and can only envy them from afar."

"If it weren't for Senior Brother Wu Yong, Jiang Lijuan, and Lin Hao successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, there wouldn't be this Foundation Establishment Ceremony!"

Everyone chatted back and forth, their tones filled with sighs and longing.

Zhang Han looked at the envious crowd and added slowly: "It's not just honor; there are also tangible rewards. I heard that at the Foundation Establishment Ceremony, the Sect Head, Immortal Master Xuanyangzi, will personally reward each person with a copy of the Sword Flight Technique."

"What? A copy of the Sword Flight Technique for each person?"

"I am so envious of those who reached Foundation Establishment!"

"If I could use the Sword Flight Technique, I wouldn't be afraid of those Yao Beasts!"

The group's tone was full of unbelievable ecstasy and longing.

The Sword Flight Technique was a capability all Cultivators dreamed of.

Mastering the Sword Flight Technique could not only significantly increase movement Speed and save travel time, but it was also a symbol of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's status. Usually, wanting to obtain a copy of the Sword Flight Technique was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Hearing the discussion, a trace of joy flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

For the past year, Qin Changsheng had been searching for the Sword Flight Technique.

However, he hadn't found it in the Scripture Pavilion.

He hadn't even found the Sword Flight Technique in the black market.

Now that the Sect Head, Immortal Master Xuanyangzi, was rewarding the Sword Flight Technique, it just happened to save him the time of searching hard for it.

As for how to participate in the competition for the Foundation Establishment Ceremony's reward with a reasonable identity, Qin Changsheng already had a preliminary idea in his mind.

That was to have Hu Nan register as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Even if he were suspected and targeted in the future, Qin Changsheng would only need to discard Hu Nan's identity.

And Qin Changsheng could still easily stay hidden in the Outer Sect, carefully cultivating.

...

The General Affairs Hall was located in the central part of the Sect. It was the place for handling the Sect's daily affairs, registering Disciple information, and processing various procedures. Disciples came and went in a constant stream, and it was bustling with activity.

At this moment, it was still early, but many Deacons and Disciples were already busy in the General Affairs Hall. Some were organizing files, some were registering tasks, and some were answering Disciples' questions. It was a scene of order.

Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, walked straight into the General Affairs Hall. His gaze quickly swept across the hall and finally landed on a counter in front where Disciple cultivation registration was handled.

Behind the counter, a middle-aged Cultivator wearing a grey deacon's uniform was looking down and organizing the files in his hand. His expression was lazy, and he yawned from time to time. The spiritual power fluctuation of the Qi Refinement Great Perfection stage surrounded his body.

This person was Deacon Li of the General Affairs Hall, who was responsible for Disciple cultivation registration and identity updates.

Hu Nan walked up slowly and spoke softly: "Deacon Li, I am here to process my cultivation registration."

Deacon Li heard this but did not look up, just assuming he was an Outer Sect Disciple coming to register for a Qi Refinement Stage advancement.

There was no ripple on his face, and he even carried a bit of impatience: "Oh, registering cultivation? Name, cultivation level, report them, and I will register it."