C5 I Was a Guest Elder

Upon seeing Ye Qinghui's frank admission, the man cast a puzzled glance at Zhang Yue.

After a brief silence, the man gestured for Zhang Yue to lead everyone away, including Zhang Han, and muttered a rebuke, "Useless fool, always stirring up trouble!"

Once they were alone, the man addressed Ye Qinghui in a hushed tone, "Young Master Ye, would you be interested in becoming a guest elder for my Zhang Family?"

"Why should I?"

Ye Qinghui was taken aback, not expecting the man to overlook the incident with Zhang Han.

"I oversee one-third of the medicinal fields in Chu. Should Young Master Ye require it, I can supply you with as many pills as you desire!"

"What are your terms?"

"I need Young Master Ye to represent my family in the Hundred Clans Competition next month and bring fame to the Zhang Family."

"Agreed!"

Ye Qinghui accepted the terms without hesitation.

Such competitions were common, typically organized by large sects to scout promising talents. They aimed to select disciples, but many families misunderstood, thinking the sects were simply ranking them and choosing powerful guest elders to compete fiercely.

Unbeknownst to them, the sects were only interested in the direct descendants of the families, seeking to infuse new blood.

"Very well, then please, Young Master Ye, allow me to escort you to your new residence!"

Zhang Longhai, believing he had struck a favorable deal with Ye Qinghui's prompt agreement, laughed heartily and gestured for Ye Qinghui to follow him. They proceeded to the Elder's Residence together.

The Elder's Residence housed roughly five elders, all serving as guest elders, primarily in preparation for the upcoming competition in a month. They were all diligently cultivating, aiming for a high ranking to earn favor with Zhang Longhai.

"Another one! Hmph!"

Upon spotting Ye Qinghui, an elder dressed in a long robe stopped his cultivation and looked at him with a mix of disdain and curiosity.

"Those who are unaware can't be faulted. Let's inform him, lest he meets his end without understanding why."

The elder's words had barely ceased when a middle-aged woman paused her cultivation and spoke with a hint of resentment.

"You needn't concern yourselves with me."

Ye Qinghui offered them a light chuckle and a few words before he turned and retreated to his room.

Unable to wait any longer, Ye Qinghui was eager to begin his cultivation, having sensed the verge of a breakthrough to the first stage of the Body Tempering Realm during his last battle.

With the servants dismissed, Ye Qinghui sat at the edge of his bed and began to channel his Spiritual Qi in secret.

The Three Thousand Hellfire responded to Ye Qinghui's summons, swirling into action rapidly.

Spiritual Qi from the surroundings surged into Ye Qinghui's body.

Soon, Ye Qinghui's complexion flushed, his dantian brimming with tangible Spiritual Qi, which started to seep out from his body.

Body tempering involved using Spiritual Qi to fortify the body. Fortunately, the Three Thousand Lifeless Technique that Ye Qinghui had been practicing also enhanced his body's resilience, making this step much easier.

But there was a significant difference between body tempering and cultivation. Body tempering required unlocking all acupoints in the body to allow for swift circulation of Spiritual Qi.

In contrast, body refining focused on strengthening the muscles and bones for increased durability.

As time ticked by, streams of Spiritual Qi gathered at the acupoints across Ye Qinghui's body.

If Ye Qinghui could shatter all the acupoints at once, he would ascend to the first stage of Body Tempering. Failure to do so meant starting from scratch.

"Break!"

Moments after an incense stick could burn down, Ye Qinghui gathered his Spiritual Qi to its peak and let out a forceful cry.

Puff!

A cloud of blood mist burst forth from Ye Qinghui's body, speckled with numerous dark spots.

"Have I reached the first level of body tempering?"

Ye Qinghui took several deep breaths to steady his spirit. With fists clenched, he whispered a soft exclamation of wonder. He had been on the verge of reaching the first level of Body Tempering in his previous cultivation but had lacked the opportunity to make the breakthrough. Surprisingly, it had happened with ease this time.

"The spiritual energy is flowing so much faster! This means my cultivation speed will increase significantly!"

As Ye Qinghui attuned himself to the internal changes, he swung his fists, eager to adjust to his new condition. Eventually, weariness crept in, and he noticed it was deep into the night.

After a quick wash, Ye Qinghui chose not to rest and instead resumed his cultivation. Before he knew it, dawn had arrived.

Rising from his bed, he stretched and pushed the door open, only to find that the elders had already departed.

"Where have they gone?"

Grabbing a passing servant, Ye Qinghui inquired quietly.

"The elders have gone to the Scripture Library. They enjoy selecting new cultivation techniques and martial skills there. Young Master Ye, you might want to visit as well—it's right ahead," the servant explained, pointing to a pavilion across the way.

With no pressing matters for the day, Ye Qinghui headed straight for the Scripture Library. He was in need of new martial skills, as those he had used in the Splitforce were no longer suitable here in the Firestriders' domain.

"Hey, little brother, you've come too. Would you like me to show you around?" The middle-aged woman who had mocked him the day before approached him, her eyes brimming with seduction.

"Ah... little brother, don't say I didn't offer to help!"

When Ye Qinghui showed no interest, the woman stopped bothering him. Though puzzled, he didn't dwell on it and began his search for martial skills that would suit him.

"White Cloud Heart Sutra? It can enhance the physical body?"

Ye Qinghui had just spotted a secret manual when suddenly, a large hand snatched it away. Turning, he saw the middle-aged man from the previous day, the silent elder, watching him.

"I apologize, but I'll be taking this secret manual!"

The man laughed softly as he tucked the manual into his chest.

"No worries!"

Ye Qinghui chuckled and turned to browse through other martial arts techniques.

Shortly after, Ye Qinghui spotted another technique focusing on hand-to-hand combat. As he reached for it, the same man reappeared and secured the technique for himself.

"Do you have an issue with me?"

Ye Qinghui halted, his gaze icy as he stared at the man, his voice cold.

"Heh, no issue at all. It's just that Young Master Ye has offended the third young master, and this has deeply upset the lady of the house!"

The man spoke with a sneer, hands clasped behind his back, his eyes filled with scorn as if he could easily dispatch Ye Qinghui.

But this time, Ye Qinghui didn't rise to the bait. He simply smiled and walked away.

Such tactics were ineffective against Ye Qinghui. The man was clearly trying to provoke him into acting first, using it as a pretext to strip him of his status as an Honorary Elder and then strike against him. Ye Qinghui was far from foolish enough to fall for such an obvious ploy.