Chapter 50 - The Eldest Apprentice Brother

Chapter 50: Chapter 48: The Eldest Apprentice BrotherYe Qiu, along with Shun Hua and Shun Ying, shopped for quite some time, buying everything that caught his eye, no matter the price, while the Spirit Stones in the storage ring given to him by the Great Elder were used up by almost half.

The three couldn’t help but sigh in admiration that Pill Refiners and Artifact Refiners truly are the wealthiest among cultivators in the Cultivation World, capable of emptying one’s pockets in mere minutes.

In two days, it will be the celebration ceremony for the Medicine Pavilion’s Great Elder’s promotion to the Mahayana Realm. To liven up the atmosphere, the wealthy Medicine Pavilion organized a martial competition for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Stage disciples from the various major sects, with the top three winners receiving Elixirs and medicinal materials provided by them.

Ye Qiu had no interest in participating, but the Third Elder forcefully registered him in the competition, believing that as a junior disciple, he ought to gain more experience, while Shun Hua and Shun Ying also signed up for the Golden Core Stage competition.

Ye Qiu had not yet refined his Lifebound Magical Treasure. The long sword in his hand was a congratulatory gift from the Sect Leader when he initially achieved Foundation Establishment. Although not high-ranked, it was perfectly suited to his height and cultivation level.

Because the competition was only open to disciples of a few major sects and aristocratic families, the number of participants was not large. Ye Qiu’s first opponent happened to be Feng Bianyi, a disciple from the northern Feng Family.

Feng Bianyi, only twelve years old, had already reached the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Ye Qiu did not have the advantage.

"Please!" Feng Bianyi’s eyes were bright and eager as he looked at Ye Qiu, itching to start. He did not underestimate Ye Qiu because of his young age, a reflection of the good education in a major family.

"My apologies." Ye Qiu swept out a sword flourish and took the initiative to attack, the sword’s edge chilly and sharp.

Feng Bianyi practiced the top-level Cultivation Technique of the Feng Family, erratic as the wind just like their family name, at times fierce and at times surging. It was said that when practiced to the utmost extent, the ancestors of the Feng Family could even slash through space and shatter the void.

The scene was filled with flashing lightning and howling winds, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"This youth is extraordinary."

"Another genius has emerged from the Sword Pavilion, truly enviable."

"The old man of the Feng Family has fathered a fine son, much stronger than himself at that age."

On the other side, a youth preparing for the Golden Core Stage competition took notice of Ye Qiu, recalling the shopkeeper’s story about the eight-year-old Foundation Establishment child who bought the Silver Snake Spirit Vine, it must be him!

This could be problematic; the other party is a member of the Sword Pavilion and might not give them face.

"Eh? It’s been half an hour already, and the Sword Pavilion disciple, a whole cultivation level lower, hasn’t been defeated yet?"

"Elder Shuanghua, this disciple seems to have a Thunder Spirit Root?"

The Third Elder nodded, "Indeed, and he is also the Great Elder’s Direct Disciple."

The Artifact Sect Elder who asked the question gasped upon hearing this. Could it be that the old monster was going to train another little monster? They had already been overwhelmed by Lei Ming in the past, were their descendants going to follow the same path? Upon this realization, the faces of the elders from the various major sects and families darkened in unison.

The Feng Family elders leading the team, on the other hand, looked somewhat pleased. Since it was that old monster’s disciple, their Young Clan Leader, even if defeated, would not be embarrassed.

As the battle went on longer and longer, Feng Bianyi’s face grew more and more unsightly. Was this kid a monster? How could his Spiritual Energy not be exhausted after such a long time?

Little did he know, Ye Qiu practiced body strengthening daily, and under the Great Elder’s strict orders, swung his sword thousands of times per day. His meridians and physique were much stronger than those of ordinary cultivators. Additionally, his Spiritual Energy was not wasted in the slightest due to his powerful spiritual power, making the competition naturally much easier.

"My name is Silent Annihilation." Ye Qiu stood firm, gathering all his Spiritual Power in his Spirit Sword, his usually calm eyes now gleaming with madness.

"Sword Intent!" The Feng Family elder startled and stood up.

Other elders looked towards the Third Elder, who sat unmoved, their eyes flashing with envy and jealousy...

This is incredible. A Sword Pavilion disciple of only eight years old has already grasped the threshold of Sword Intent. If he continues to grow, who could stop him?

"I’m out of here..." Feng Bianyi, upon seeing the gigantic long sword surging towards him, could not help but curse under his breath, feeling an instinctive fear. He dared not stand his ground and quickly fled the platform with his family’s unique footwork.

The sword intent, carrying destruction, slammed towards the spectator stands. Thankfully, due to the defensive Array, the audience was not affected.

As the sword intent from that strike dissipated, the Spirit Sword in Ye Qiu’s hand shattered in response, and Ye Qiu himself, drained by the attack, collapsed weakly on the platform.

However, since Feng Bianyi had already flown off the platform, Ye Qiu won this round.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I shall take my leave." With those words, Third Elder Shuanghua carried Ye Qiu away from the scene.

Then, a wave of noisy discussions spread through the stands, as with this event, Ye Qiu had thoroughly made a name for himself in the Cultivation World.

Since Ye Qiu’s Spirit Sword was destroyed and his Spiritual Power completely drained, he did not participate in the subsequent competitions. Ultimately, the title of first place in the Foundation Establishment Stage went to a Disciple from the Artifact Sect. However, everyone present understood that if Ye Qiu from the Sword Pavilion had competed, the outcome might have been different.

But the Sword Pavilion didn’t go home empty-handed either. The first places in the Golden Core Stage were taken by both Shun Ying and Shun Hua, with the prizes being a two-thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit and a Nascent Soul Pill.

Shun Ying, with her Single Spirit Root of the Fire Element and exceptional talent, not surprisingly took first place, especially after subduing Strange Fire with the Sect Leader’s help two years ago. However, what truly caught Ye Qiu’s attention was Brother Shun Hua, typically known as the weakest in combat among those with a Wood Spirit Root, managing to secure third place.

"Hello, Ye Qiu, we are Disciples from the Spirit Beast Sect and we seek your assistance," said someone in the evening, blocking Ye Qiu’s path as he browsed the Medicine Pavilion.

"What’s the matter?" asked Ye Qiu in confusion.

"Did you purchase a Silver Snake Spirit Vine five days ago?"

"Correct, you want it?" Ye Qiu remembered then. The old shopkeeper had said that the Spirit Plant could enable a Spiritual Snake to transform into a Jiao. Was this why they had come?

The young man and maiden brightened up at his answer: "Yes, that Spirit Plant is very important to us. Could you possibly transfer it to us?"

"No," Ye Qiu coldly refused, snorting inwardly. Spirit Beast Sect? In his past life, they had colluded with the Demon World to attack human Cultivators for their own benefit. Why would he do them any favors now?

The young man and maiden obviously didn’t expect Ye Qiu to be so cold, and they couldn’t help feeling irritated. Even if he was a once-in-a-millennium genius, was there any need for such arrogance and callousness?

In her heart, the maiden maliciously speculated whether he would even live to become an adult and wondered why he was putting on airs.

However, after all, Ye Qiu was a member of the Sword Pavilion, and this place belonged to the Medicine Pavilion; they didn’t dare to cause a scene.

"We can offer more. Would one thousand five hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones be acceptable?" the young man suggested through gritted teeth.

"As I said, I’m not selling," Ye Qiu replied and glanced at them, prepared to walk away.

"Don’t be unreasonable. Two thousand top-grade Spirit Stones is the limit, no more!" The maiden’s face turned red with anger, glaring furiously at Ye Qiu.

"For the last time, I’m not selling the Silver Snake Spirit Vine," said Ye Qiu.

"You..." The maiden pointed at Ye Qiu, almost speechless with anger.

The young man looked on quietly, as if he already knew Ye Qiu was resolute. He frowned at the Medicine Pavilion guards who were starting to take notice of the commotion, holding back his anger as he pulled his Junior Sister away.

At the same time, his favorable impression of the Sword Pavilion dropped significantly. So much for the First Sect and its number one talent—how unimpressive!

"Been watching for so long, not coming out yet?" Ye Qiu stared at a patch of flowers not far away and snorted coldly.

Then he saw a little kid dressed in a green robe scurrying out, large shining eyes full of admiration looking up at him, just like his silly and timid Little Wood Spirit back home.