I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 50

The Seventh Elder gave Shen Lian a knowing look, signaling him to remain silent. He then used a guiding tone through voice transmission, saying, “Among the core disciples, it’s not just about comparing strength; they also need to expand their networks to lay the groundwork for future competition for the Sect Master’s position.”

“Su Luo is hosting this event to subtly showcase his influence, and he won’t say it outright. After all, only what you discover on your own will you truly believe.”

“Currently, the core disciples are split into two major factions: one led by Senior Brother Fang Nan and the other centered around Su Luo’s small group. These two factions compete openly and covertly, using various means behind the scenes.”

“The sect’s high-level elders are aware of their rivalry. As long as things don’t get too extreme, they won’t intervene, because they believe only the victor is qualified to contend for the Sect Master’s seat.”

“You’re new to this, having just been promoted to core disciple, and you haven’t aligned with any faction yet. That’s why both Fang Nan and Su Luo are eager to recruit you into their ranks. Do you understand?”

Shen Lian nodded, though his thoughts drifted back to the attitude Chu Mingxu had shown him a few days prior. It didn’t feel like they were trying to recruit him—it was more like subjugation. However, he didn’t voice this question.

The Seventh Elder, unaware of the incident with Chu Mingxu, didn’t address it and simply said to Shen Lian, “My presence here today doesn’t indicate my leanings. Whatever choice you make, I will firmly support you, so you need not worry about the influence of other high-ranking elders.”

“Yes, Master. I understand,” Shen Lian nodded earnestly.

The Seventh Elder’s eyes shone with satisfaction.

At that moment, Su Luo finished greeting his last guest and entered the banquet hall, where everyone engaged in lively conversation. The waitstaff of the restaurant gradually served various delicacies and fine dishes.

Guided by the Seventh Elder’s reminder, Shen Lian keenly observed that while Su Luo seemed to be mingling and catching up with everyone, his gaze often drifted towards Shen Lian. Whenever the opportunity arose, Su Luo would be especially warm and friendly towards him, behaving like a long-lost friend, evoking a sense of camaraderie.

With Su Luo at the center of it all, the banquet atmosphere was lively and harmonious.

…

Meanwhile, in a luxurious mansion in the capital of the Yan Kingdom, a young man dressed in white robes with an elegant demeanor sat quietly, listening to a report from the person beside him. The one reporting was none other than Chu Mingxu, whom Shen Lian had met just days ago.

“He didn’t agree?” The young man, Fang Nan, the top-ranked core disciple of Azure Cloud Sect, frowned after Chu Mingxu finished speaking. “What did you say? You didn’t put on airs again, did you?”

“Senior Brother, this time, it’s really not my fault,” Chu Mingxu shook his head. “I was just a little late, and guess what? The kid was about to leave.”

“He didn’t give you any face at all, so I couldn’t help but say a few things to him. But he got worked up, saying stuff like he’s not qualified to serve us. What nonsense.”

“He’s just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet he thinks he’s somebody special.” Chu Mingxu’s face was full of disdain when he mentioned Shen Lian’s cultivation level.

Fang Nan sighed helplessly upon hearing Chu Mingxu’s attitude. “How should I even begin with you? Don’t you ever use your head? I specifically told you to treat him with respect, yet you still messed it up.”

“Think about it—a disciple who just reached Foundation Establishment, why would the Sect Master suddenly promote him to a core disciple?”

“While the sect rules state that Foundation Establishment cultivators qualify for core disciple status, among our eleven core disciples, who else advanced from Foundation Establishment? Even the weakest among us reached the second level of the Golden Core before being promoted.”

“This…” Chu Mingxu began to realize the situation, scratching his head as he contemplated. A thought occurred, and he leaned in closer, lowering his voice, “I did find it odd that someone who just entered Foundation Establishment would suddenly become a core disciple. Now that I think about it, could he be the Sect Master’s illegitimate son?”

“You…” Fang Nan nearly lost his temper at Chu Mingxu’s ridiculous speculation. “Nonsense! Stop making baseless guesses.”

“Then what else could it be?” Chu Mingxu asked, perplexed.

Too exhausted to continue explaining to this hothead, Fang Nan simply waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it. Just pay attention to Shen Lian in the future and avoid direct conflict whenever possible.”

“Fine, whatever you say,” Chu Mingxu nodded and left the room, leaving Fang Nan alone in contemplation.

…

Back at Hongyun Tower, the banquet, comparable to a high-level inner sect gathering, lasted over two hours before it finally began to wind down. With Su Luo adeptly engaging everyone, the banquet was a great success, and the guests left satisfied.

Watching his Fourth Senior Brother converse effortlessly with everyone, Shen Lian couldn’t help but feel a strange impression. Su Luo didn’t seem like a typical cultivator but more like a worldly businessman, skilled in navigating social dynamics and forging connections with just a few words.

Su Luo enthusiastically bid farewell to each guest, including Shen Lian. Throughout the entire banquet, he never once pressured Shen Lian with any requests, maintaining the appearance of an ordinary gathering among sect members.

…

After leaving Hongyun Tower, Shen Lian didn’t return to the sect with the main group. Instead, he went to Spirit Treasure Pavilion to inquire about purchasing the True Condensation Pill. However, the pavilion informed him that such high-level pills were rare, rarely appearing even at smaller auctions.

They were typically only found at large-scale auctions hosted by several trading firms in conjunction. Coincidentally, the Spirit Treasure Pavilion’s headquarters in the capital of the Yan Kingdom was set to host a major auction in four months, where the True Condensation Pill would be available.

Shen Lian silently noted this information, planning to visit the capital when the time came. After wandering around the market a bit longer, he sought any useful techniques but found none. The Azure Cloud Sect’s Scripture Pavilion had an extensive collection, and Shen Lian had already mastered almost all of the Yellow-grade techniques.

After a thorough search, he eventually found an upper Profound rank body refinement technique that he hadn’t studied before. Rather than purchasing it outright, Shen Lian negotiated to borrow it for two hours for ten low-grade spirit stones. He memorized the content, practiced it to perfection, and gained the corresponding skill points. He then upgraded it to the perfect level, only to find that his physical strength hadn’t improved further, seemingly reaching a bottleneck. The Profound rank techniques no longer enhanced his strength.

Realizing that unlocking the Seventy-Two Earth Fiend Transformations remained impossible for now, Shen Lian reluctantly left and returned to his courtyard at Luoxia Peak.

The next morning, Shen Lian headed to the Tool Refinement Pavilion once again. According to their agreement, his scabbard should be ready.