262: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (Fifty-Four)

As Profound Subtlety Master's voice announcing the Champion fell, a brief silence descended upon the Derivation Platform.

There was no expected uproar or commotion. Among the thirty-three Dao Seeds below the platform, whether they were as arrogant as Wang Yi or as calculating as others, most were currently mired in a complex silence.

They looked with complicated gazes at the youth in green, who had been personally named the Champion by a Fruit Position True Person. What echoed in their minds, however, was the scene in the Water Mirror—the "yellow turbans" spreading like a prairie fire, unceasing and vibrant—and the tenacious vitality displayed by an order that transcended the individual and was based on consensus.

This silence carried more weight than any questioning or clamor.

It meant that the "Dao" practiced by Xu Yuan, with the startling resilience and potential it showed in the Small World, had truly shaken the hearts of these favored children of heaven. It forced them to move beyond shock and resentment and begin a deeper level of reflection.

“Junior Brother Su, congratulations!”

“Congratulations to Senior Brother Su for winning the championship!”

“Taking the top spot in your first Minor Derivation Dharma Assembly, Junior Brother Su is truly the light of our Zhenyan Lineage!”

Several True Disciples of the Zhenyan Lineage—Ninth Senior Brother Zhao Qian, Tenth Senior Sister Liu Jiu, Chen Feng, Li Mubai, and others—quickly gathered around, their faces brimming with heartfelt joy and pride.

They were the ones who knew Xu Yuan's experiences during this assembly best, and their initial worry had now turned into admiration.

Xu Yuan's success undoubtedly greatly enhanced the prestige of the Zhenyan Lineage within the entire Kunlun and I Ching Dao.

Xu Yuan remained calm, returning the greetings one by one with a gentle tone: “Thank you, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. It was merely a stroke of Luck.”

His gaze was clear, showing no signs of wild ecstasy, as if the enviable title of Champion was but a trivial matter.

Only those familiar with him could see a faint glimmer deep in his eyes that was closer to "satisfaction" than "ecstasy."

In his heart, Xu Yuan truly didn't mind.

The hollow title of Champion and the Sect's rewards were certainly good, but for him, how could the greatest harvest from this Minor Derivation Dharma Assembly be compared to such external things?

Practicing the "Human Dao" personally in a Spiritless World, gathering the hearts of the people from nothing, slaying the Dragon Vein, and even sensing that mysterious "Karmic Web" at the final moment to glimpse the secrets of order-building and the rise and fall of Luck... All these insights and gains were already deeply imprinted in his Dao Foundation, far beyond what the title of "Champion" could measure.

If not for the fact that the seven Fruit Position True Persons were still on the cloud platform and the ceremony had not fully concluded, he would have already wished to return to his Immortal Cave immediately to enter seclusion and digest this unimaginably massive harvest.

He felt the newly born "Human Dao" seed within him leaping with joy, full of desire for subsequent derivation and growth.

Just then, his Revered Master, Jiang Tingyun, stepped forward, and the Disciples made way for him one after another.

Jiang Tingyun looked at Xu Yuan with admiration and a deep sense of expectation in his gaze.

He didn't say much, but with a flick of his sleeve, a gentle yet extremely pure spiritual light entered Xu Yuan's body. Simultaneously, a token that was neither metal nor jade, carved with complex cloud patterns, and a jade bottle shimmering with purple mist floated before Xu Yuan.

“Yuan'er, this time you have brought prestige to our Zhenyan Lineage. These are three 'spirit nurturing pills' I bestow upon you to help consolidate your Divine Soul and heal the exhaustion from this ordeal. This 'qiankun token' allows you to enter the core Secret Realm of Zhen Yan Peak, the 'myriad formations diagram,' for three days of meditation. I hope you use it well to consolidate your gains and do not squander this Opportunity.”

As Jiang Tingyun finished speaking, the faces of Zhao Qian, Liu Jiu, and the others gathered nearby immediately showed uncontrollable shock.

“spirit nurturing pills?!” Chen Feng couldn't help but whisper, his eyes full of envy. “It's said these pills can nourish the Divine Soul's Origin and help one enter a state of deep Dao-comprehension. They are supreme treasures for assisting in Breakthroughs and meditating on the Great Dao! Even in the entire Shangqing Dao Lineage, the stock is extremely low, and they aren't bestowed without great merit! Revered Master is really...”

Li Mubai also clicked his tongue: “And that 'qiankun token'! The myriad formations diagram Secret Realm! That is a Holy Land where the Formation insights and Legacy imprints of our Zhenyan Lineage's past sages are gathered! It's said that meditating there for one day is comparable to ten years of hard cultivation in the outside world! Usually, even if a Disciple performs great merit, they can only exchange it for an hour or two of meditation time. Revered Master actually bestowed three days!”

Even someone as steady as Zhao Qian had a flash of surprise in his eyes, and his gaze toward Xu Yuan became even gentler.

Tenth Senior Sister Liu Jiu's cold eyes also flickered slightly; she was clearly shaken by such a generous gift.

They instantly understood that this was not just a reward, but a statement from Revered Master Jiang Tingyun—he placed extraordinary expectations on this Disciple, Xu Yuan, and the Dao he walked!

This tilt of resources had already exceeded the normal reward range for a Champion.

Xu Yuan felt the surprised and envious gazes of his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, and his heart also stirred.

He naturally knew the preciousness of these two rewards, especially the "myriad formations diagram." It would undoubtedly be of incalculable help for his further derivation of the connection between the "Human Dao," Formations, and order.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the waves in his heart, and bowed solemnly once more, his voice sincere: “Disciple thanks Revered Master for the generous gift! I will keep this kindness in my heart and will not fail Revered Master's expectations. I will cultivate diligently and meditate on the Great Dao!”

Jiang Tingyun nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Xu Yuan's composure in the face of both honor and disgrace. He said warmly: “Mm, go then. Digest your gains well. On the path of the Great Dao, the key lies in perseverance.”

“Yes, Revered Master!”

Xu Yuan replied.

At this time, the radiance atop the cloud platform had completely faded, and the auras of the seven Fruit Position True Persons had vanished entirely, marking the official end of the Minor Derivation Dharma Assembly.

The people below the platform also began to disperse as streaks of light under the guidance of their elders or fellow Disciples. However, as they left, many still cast complicated gazes toward Xu Yuan, who was surrounded by the people of the Zhenyan Lineage.

Before leaving, Wang Yi gave Xu Yuan one last cold glance. His gaze was like ice and swords, containing intense resentment and Battle Intent. Then, with a cold snort, he turned into a sharp sword light and streaked away through the air.

Xu Yuan seemed oblivious to that hostile gaze; his mind had already flown back to his Immortal Cave.

After a brief farewell to Zhao Qian, Liu Jiu, and the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, and thanking them for their congratulations, he delayed no further.

“Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, I have had a sudden realization and urgently need to go into seclusion. I shall take my leave first.”

Xu Yuan cupped his hands.

“Go on, Junior Brother Su. Consolidating your cultivation is what's important!”

Zhao Qian patted his shoulder.

Liu Jiu also nodded slightly: “If you need any help, you can send a message to me.”

Xu Yuan gave everyone a grateful look and said no more. With a flash, he turned into a swift yet steady green light, heading straight for his Immortal Cave on Zhen Yan Peak. His speed showed the urgency in his heart for seclusion.

Watching Xu Yuan's departing light, Chen Feng couldn't help but sigh:

“Junior Brother Su's Heart-Nature is truly remarkable!”

“The praise of the Fruit Positions, the title of Champion, and Revered Master's generous gifts... anyone else would have been wild with joy, yet he can remain so calm, focused only on meditating and cultivation.”

“Indeed. Perhaps it is precisely this focus and indifference that offers a glimmer of hope for pioneering a new Dao.”