Chapter 68 - 68

His early days at the Immortal Sect had been tough, rising step by step from an Outer Sect disciple to a direct disciple.

It wasn’t just his own efforts; it was also the inheritance of his family and, of course, some luck.

Some people work hard but lack resources, such as secret manuals, pills, and even magical treasures.

Luo Yaxuan laid down his chopsticks and, with a smile in his handsome eyes, pulled out a small booklet from his storage bag and said,

“I’m giving you this booklet, which I got as a mission reward when I joined the sect and became an Outer Sect disciple.

Now I’m giving it to you, in the hopes that you will study it well.

Don’t envy others, because you can also…”

The encouraging words deeply moved the servant disciple, who looked joyfully and incredulously at the secret manual, wanting to receive it but not daring to.

Then he knelt down, gave Luo Yaxuan a kowtow, and gratefully accepted the manual, carefully putting it into his storage bag.

The size of the storage bags distributed by the sect depended on the missions you completed; the more contributions you made, the bigger the storage bag you could claim.

“Thank you, Brother Luo.

I will definitely remember your teachings and work hard in my cultivation…”

“Hmm,” Luo Yaxuan smiled again, then resumed eating.

He felt very good about himself; helping others brought such a joyful feeling.

The servant disciple stood aside, waiting for his senior brother to finish eating so he could clean up the place.

As Luo Yaxuan was immersed in his cultivation, a day swiftly passed by.

Today was the competition day for the Outer Sect disciples, and as a senior brother, he still went to watch and encourage them.

The competition venue was the same as the day before since there was only one designated area for them; it just hosted different competitors each day.

The same elders were sitting on the high platform, and the disciples were in the same seats as before.

Luo Yaxuan took his place early, and the seats around him were still empty.

No sooner had he thought this than a bunch of people came running over, quickly filling up the seats around him.

Luo Yaxuan glanced at the group; weren’t they the same people who sat by him the day before?

They arrived so punctually, they must have set it up, right?

Only if it was prearranged would they come together like this, for they were direct disciples of elders or peak masters from different peaks.

“Good morning, Yaxuan,” Fan Dingding greeted Luo Yaxuan enthusiastically with a full smile.

“Good morning, Brother Fan.”

“What, just got here a step before us?” Bi Renchuan rolled his eyes.

“Good morning, Brother Bi, good morning to all the senior brothers.”

Luo Yaxuan had grown accustomed to Bi Renchuan’s tone of speech and let it float away like air.

Why get angry so early in the morning?

It could only harm your liver and lungs.

The Outer Sect disciples hadn’t started drawing lots yet, but some of them were getting excited because they saw their idol Luo Yaxuan.

After the episode with the servant disciple the day before, and the encouragement they received from this senior brother, the Outer Sect disciples also craved a word of encouragement as they too needed it.

“Brother Luo, I have my competition today,” one of the Outer Sect disciples said, his eyes filled with hope and excitement.

“Go for it,” Luo Yaxuan faced a big group of Outer Sect disciples standing in front of him, coping with the enthusiastic atmosphere as best as he could, almost overwhelmed.

“Thank you, Brother Luo.”

“Brother Luo, I’m a bit scared about my match today.

What if I lose?”

“Junior brother, it’s just a competition; don’t be afraid.

As long as you give your all, go for it.

You can do it,” Luo Yaxuan encouraged one Outer Sect disciple after another.

Soon after, the elders on the platform started ringing the bell for the Outer Sect disciples to draw lots and begin their matches.

“Luo Yaxuan, I didn’t expect you to be so popular,” said Fan Dingding, and a group of direct disciples looked at Luo Yaxuan with envious eyes.

Why wasn’t anyone cheering for them?

“Hmph, just showing off,” Bi Renchuan felt dissatisfied inside.

He didn’t consider himself any less capable, so why didn’t anyone ask him for encouragement?

Luo Yaxuan…

what could he say?

Fame brings trouble, just like fat pigs attract butchers.

It invites envy, and he preferred to keep a low profile, but staying under the radar was proving impossible.

The Inner Sect disciples sitting behind the direct disciples also started having their own thoughts.

After a while, the Outer Sect disciples began their matches on four different stages.

Luo Yaxuan watched the Outer Sect disciples’ competition.

Their matches were very exciting, and he remembered when he was one himself.

Seeing them compete stirred feelings within him; everyone aims for higher places, everyone strives hard.

The Outer Sect disciples had higher cultivation levels than the servant disciples, and they had earned more pills and secret manuals from their missions, which meant their spells and cultivation techniques weren’t as monotonous, making their competitions much more complex and thrilling.

Luo Yaxuan saw the competitors on the stage using a variety of magical treasures – knives, swords, spears, iron fans, and even hammers.

Their magical treasures were relatively low-level, making their attacks less lethal, and with the protection of formations, the fierce battles were safe from life-threatening injuries.

Some used talismans and other external aids to bolster their strength, with wealthier disciples gaining an advantage and pushing their opponents back.

At this time, the very poor Outer Sect disciples felt even more acutely the disadvantage of scarce resources.

However, there were also those who fought tirelessly, regardless of the powerful Magical Treasures their opponents might possess.

They refused to admit defeat.

This style of fighting was frenzied and dangerous, but it also made the opponents see them as crazed, hesitating before their frenzy, and thus retreating a bit.

It was just a moment, but it could give the opponent an excellent opportunity.

Victory or defeat was often decided in an instant.

By noon, Luo Yaxuan still hadn’t returned.

There was only one day for the competition, and with so many disciples competing, they didn’t even have time for a lunch break or rest.

However, they could still take care of their physiological needs.

Like eating, for instance.

Luo Yaxuan hadn’t prepared any dry food yesterday, but today he had brought some, along with dried Demonic Beast meat.

But before he could take it out, a group of Outer Sect disciples and Servant disciples brought him some food.

Luo Yaxuan sat in his spot, surrounded by a variety of items, not having had a chance to thank anyone yet.

The people who had brought the items had already run off.

Then the pile of items around him was divided up by the Direct Disciples beside him.

“Hey, save some for me.”

Luo Yaxuan grabbed a pack of beast jerky and started munching away.

“Mmm, this tastes good.”

The Direct Disciples munched away, their mouths greasy, as a lot of the generous offerings from the disciples today were various kinds of meat.

“If there were competitions every day, just look, such delicious meat would be great.”

Others also sighed, feeling that one pack was not enough, and even two packs wouldn’t satisfy their cravings after being full.

Luo Yaxuan was stunned, wondering if these people were refugees or something?

Did they seem like Direct Disciples?

With their lifestyle and treatment, would they lack food to eat?

“Haha, we’re riding on Luo Yaxuan’s coattails,”

Fan Dingding said while eating and laughing.

Having this person around, he hadn’t brought any food today and was here to freeload.

Luo Yaxuan shook his head helplessly.

What was this all about?

“Hehe, ‘Loose Screw,’ what a poetic name.

Now it’s not just me who’s been given a nickname.”

Bi Renchuan thought of an interesting phrase.

Luo Yaxuan…

Loose Screw…

Senior Brother Luo…

It couldn’t be Junior Brother Luo…

the screw’s…

The Outer Sect disciple competition concluded for the day, and the Elder presented awards to the Outer Sect disciples, just like the day before.

Like yesterday, today’s Outer Sect disciples were also enthusiastic.

Those who received awards ran over to thank Luo Yaxuan, while the losers hung their heads near by, looking like children waiting for punishment.

Luo Yaxuan faced the excited disciples and the ones hanging their heads and feeling gloomy, once again uttering words of encouragement.

“Junior Brothers, winning the competition is naturally a good thing.

Continue to work hard.

And those who lost should not lose heart.

You’ll face many competitions in life.

Losing once doesn’t mean you’ll lose every time.

Keep going, and as long as you make an effort, victory will come one day.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Upon hearing Luo Yaxuan’s encouraging words, the joyful disciples put away their prideful expressions and thanked him earnestly.

The Outer Sect disciples, who had been feeling down, regained their confidence after hearing their Senior Brother’s encouragement.

He was right; their lives were long, with many more competitions and victories or defeats yet to come.

As long as they worked hard, victory would be theirs one day.

Keep going.

Luo Yaxuan waved to his junior brothers and left the competition area.

“Luo Yaxuan, you’re really something!

Every word you utter as ‘Loose Screw’ thrills people.

How come you’re so popular?

Could you share some of that popularity with us less charismatic Senior Brothers?”

Bi Renchuan kept talking as they walked.

The others just laughed.

Perhaps it was a personal issue.

Some people just had a natural charisma; they shone without even trying, something many strive for but can’t achieve.

Perhaps this was Luo Yaxuan’s strength, possessing a kind of leader’s charm.

Such people generally aren’t weak, and it’s good to make friends with them.

Luo Yaxuan said goodbye to his fellow disciples with a smile and returned to his cave dwelling, waiting for the next day’s Inner Sect disciple competition.

As soon as Luo Yaxuan got back to his cave, he used Purification Magic, and not long after, someone who had brought him food entered.

“Senior Brother, today we have duck meat, Spirit Melon braised duck, and duck egg soup.”

“Oh, the duck isn’t a rank one Demonic Beast, is it?”

“No, Senior Brother, that’s not it.

What’s special about the duck is that it was raised on Spirit Water and fed on Spiritual Weeds.

Although it doesn’t have as high a concentration of Spiritual Energy as a Demonic Beast would, the duck meat is tender and fragrant, and it does contain some Spiritual Energy.”

Luo Yaxuan nodded after the explanation and sat down on the stool.

Then, picking up his chopsticks, he took a bite of duck meat from the meal and dishes placed in front of him on the table by his Junior Brother and praised:

“Mmm, not bad.

It’s tender and fragrant.

The chef’s culinary skills are admirable.”

“Senior Brother, I’m the one who cooked today’s meal.

In fact, all the meals you’ve had before were made by me.”

“Oh…

your cooking skills are quite good.

Have you studied culinary arts?”

“Yes, my family has a heritage of Imperial Chefs.

By the time it was my generation, we discovered that I had a Spiritual Root, so I was trained in cultivation.

But I still managed to learn a bit of the family’s cooking skills.”

The Junior Brother explained happily.