295: Chapter 295 Golden Core Benefits

"Martial Uncle Hu is truly benevolent and righteous. We are endlessly grateful!"

For a moment, voices of gratitude resounded throughout the area once more. The gazes directed at Hu Nan were now filled with a bit more gratitude, in addition to the awe and envy already present.

Hu Nan nodded slightly, his expression remaining indifferent. He gestured for everyone to dispense with the formalities and signaled for them to return.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, everyone—though reluctant to leave—knew that Hu Nan had just achieved a Golden Core Breakthrough and needed to rest. They bowed and took their leave, casting lingering glances back as they departed from the front of the Immortal Cave.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, the noise in front of the Immortal Cave subsided, leaving only Hu Nan standing there alone.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and Jiang Hui ran over in a rush.

Jiang Hui stopped before Hu Nan, panting heavily. He stared intently at Hu Nan, his eyes filled with undisguised envy and surprise.

He had known Hu Nan for many years, and all along, he had felt that his own talent was on par with Hu Nan's, sometimes even thinking he was slightly superior.

He had never imagined that Hu Nan would be the one to achieve a Golden Core Breakthrough before him, becoming a high-and-mighty Golden Core Cultivator.

Once standing side by side, they were now separated by a vast chasm. Jiang Hui felt both envy and a trace of unwillingness, along with an indescribable sense of surprise.

That fellow Disciple who was once his equal had now far outpaced him, becoming someone he had to look up to.

After catching his breath, Jiang Hui quickly bowed and cupped his hands toward Hu Nan, his tone respectful and sincere: "Martial Uncle Hu, congratulations on your Golden Core Breakthrough and joining the ranks of Golden Core Cultivators!"

Hu Nan nodded slightly, his tone calm: "You are too polite, Jiang Hui."

Jiang Hui straightened up, the envy on his face still unabated, and quickly said: "Martial Uncle Hu, the Sect Head is very pleased to hear that you have successfully achieved a Golden Core Breakthrough. He has specifically sent me to relay a message, asking you to go to the Sect Main Hall immediately."

Qin Changsheng was not surprised.

After all, achieving a Golden Core Breakthrough in the Southern Region Cultivation World was a major event.

With Hu Nan becoming a Golden Core Cultivator, the Sect Head would naturally summon him.

"Sorry to trouble you, Jiang Hui, please lead the way," said Hu Nan.

Jiang Hui quickly replied: "It is no trouble at all. Please follow me, Martial Uncle Hu."

With that, he stepped aside to lead the way, his gaze continuing to drift toward Hu Nan from time to time, filled with envy and awe.

Along the way, Hu Nan encountered many Sect Disciples.

Upon seeing Hu Nan, those Disciples bowed and greeted him one after another.

On the way, Hu Nan also met Zhao Lei and others from his hometown in Beihai Prefecture.

Their mouths were wide open, and their eyes nearly popped out.

Clearly, they had not expected that Hu Nan, who had come to the Heavenly Sword Sect with them to apprentice all those years ago, would become a Golden Core Cultivator.

"Martial Uncle Hu... is a Golden Core Cultivator now?" "How is his talent so good?" "He reached the Golden Core stage in just over thirty years?" "I am still only at the fifth level of Qi Refining!" "If I had known Martial Uncle Hu was so talented, I should have buttered him up back then!" "Martial Uncle Hu is truly the pride of our Beihai Prefecture!" "I never thought that someone from our Beihai Prefecture would actually succeed in Core Formation!"

Seeing Hu Nan walk away, many of his fellow townsmen from Beihai Prefecture exclaimed in shock.

Originally, they had thought Hu Nan's Foundation Establishment was already a huge surprise. They never expected that he would now successfully achieve Core Formation, becoming the first person from Beihai Prefecture in thousands of years to do so.

Ten minutes later, Qin Changsheng arrived at the Main Sect Hall.

At this moment, Sect Head Xuanyangzi was sitting upright on a prayer mat. He was dressed in a bright yellow Daoist robe, and the aura of the Late Stage Golden Core realm around him was steady and heavy, naturally commanding awe without needing to show anger.

Hu Nan stopped and bowed with cupped hands toward Xuanyangzi: "Greetings, Sect Head."

Xuanyangzi looked at Hu Nan below, a flash of complexity and approval in his eyes. He slowly raised his hand with a hint of gratification: "No need for formalities. Please rise."

After Hu Nan straightened up, Xuanyangzi waved his hand again. "Now that you have achieved a Golden Core Breakthrough, you are a Golden Core Cultivator like me, both of us being the backbone of the Sect. There is no need to be so polite. In the future, in private, you may simply call me Senior Brother Sect Head."

Hu Nan understood, knowing this was Xuanyangzi's recognition and regard for him, as well as the courtesy due to a Golden Core Cultivator.

He bowed slightly again: "Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Head."

Hearing this "Senior Brother Sect Head," the smile on Xuanyangzi's face deepened, and he nodded slowly: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Hu, on your successful Core Formation!"

Hu Nan's expression remained calm, and he nodded slightly in response: "Many thanks for the praise, Senior Brother Sect Head. That I have reached this day is inseparable from the nourishment of the Sect and your secret protection, Senior Brother Sect Head."

He did not boast excessively, nor did he mention the assistance of the Heavenly Dao Trait, maintaining a low-key and composed demeanor throughout.

Xuanyangzi nodded with satisfaction, the approval in his eyes growing stronger. He then changed the subject, speaking in a solemn tone: "You are now a Golden Core Cultivator. Your status and position are different, so you will naturally be able to enjoy the exclusive benefits prepared by our Heavenly Sword Sect for Golden Core Cultivators."

Hu Nan raised an eyebrow slightly, taking note of this, but his face remained calm as he waited for Xuanyangzi to continue.

Xuanyangzi spoke slowly, counting the benefits one by one in a clear and solemn tone: "First, regarding your stipend: starting from today, you may go to the General Affairs Hall annually to collect a stipend of 20,000 Spirit Stones for free. Second, regarding Scripture Pavilion access: you may enter the Scripture Pavilion ten times a year for free to select Secret Manuals, with no floor restrictions. Whether it is the basic Cultivation Technique on the bottom floor or the high-level Secret Manuals on the top floor, you may freely select and study them. Third, regarding Treasury access: annually, you may use your own contributions to go to the Sect Treasury to exchange for one item, whether it be a Magical Artifact, Medicinal Pill, or spirit materials to assist in cultivation; you may choose according to your needs. Fourth, you may go to the back of the Sect to select an ownerless mountain peak as your own Immortal Cave!"

Hearing Xuanyangzi's words, a flash of joy crossed Qin Changsheng's eyes.

These four benefits were each extremely generous. Although Qin Changsheng no longer cared for 20,000 Spirit Stones, these were amounts that an Outer Sect Disciple could not earn in a lifetime.

The access to any floor of the Scripture Pavilion would allow him to come into contact with more high-level Secret Manuals and perfect his own Cultivation Technique; and the opportunity to exchange for treasures from the Treasury was even rarer. If the Sect were to obtain a heavenly dao fragment in the future, Qin Changsheng would only need to rely on his contributions to exchange for it. And the ownerless mountain peak was even harder to come by. Qin Changsheng had many secrets, and if he obtained an ownerless mountain peak as his Immortal Cave, his secrets would not be exposed.

Hu Nan bowed and cupped his hands again, his tone respectful and grateful: "Many thanks, Senior Brother Sect Head."

Xuanyangzi nodded slightly, his expression becoming solemn again, and his tone deepened: "It is good that you have this heart. Currently, the Yao Race in the Southern Region is showing signs of unrest, and danger lurks everywhere. You have just achieved a Golden Core Breakthrough, and your strength has greatly increased. In the future, the Sect will surely have important tasks for you."

"This Junior Brother will keep your teachings in mind, Senior Brother Sect Head!" Hu Nan said quickly.

Xuanyangzi nodded slightly and said: "Junior Brother Hu, you have just achieved a Golden Core Breakthrough, which is a great joyous event for our Heavenly Sword Sect. I wonder when you plan to hold the Golden Core Ceremony?"

Hearing the words "Golden Core Ceremony," a clear look of confusion flashed across Hu Nan's face. He frowned slightly, his eyes full of bewilderment.

Seeing the confusion on Hu Nan's face, Xuanyangzi suddenly realized. Remembering that Hu Nan came from an ordinary background and had often been looked down upon in the Sect, never having been exposed to these Sect rituals and rules, he softened his tone and patiently explained: "It was my oversight; I should have informed you earlier. In our Heavenly Sword Sect, and indeed throughout the entire Southern Region Cultivation World, every Cultivator who successfully achieves Core Formation must hold a Golden Core Ceremony!"

"Firstly, it is to demonstrate your own strength and the glory of your Breakthrough; secondly, it is to showcase the heritage and strength of our Heavenly Sword Sect, letting neighboring Sects know that our Heavenly Sword Sect has added another Golden Core Cultivator, deterring those with ill intentions, and also providing a role model for the Sect Disciples to inspire their desire to Cultivate."

Upon hearing this, Hu Nan understood immediately. So the Golden Core Ceremony had such profound meaning; it was both an expression of personal glory and a display of the Sect's strength.

He did not dare to be the least bit negligent and bowed again with cupped hands: "This matter is entirely up to you, Senior Brother Sect Head. I will follow your arrangements in everything."

Seeing Hu Nan so humble and sensible, the approval in Xuanyangzi's eyes grew even stronger. He nodded and then fell into deep thought.

Holding a Golden Core Ceremony requires preparing many matters; one must invite guests from neighboring Sects and also arrange relevant matters within the Sect. It cannot be too rushed, nor can it be delayed for too long.

After a moment, he looked up at Hu Nan and asked for his opinion: "I have given it some thought; why don't we schedule the Golden Core Ceremony for one year from now? This will allow sufficient time for preparations and also give you enough time to familiarize yourself with the power of the Golden Core. What do you think?"