Though the weapons successively appearing in the Divine Armament Pavilion were diverse and peculiar, they were at least within understandable parameters. But that last one, Pointing at Rivers and Mountains, was absolutely absurd!
“Ai.”
Jun Changxiao shook his head. “Getting less and less serious.”
The system said, “The host infected it.”
What does this have to do with me!
Jun Changxiao rolled his eyes and casually clicked on the bizarre weapon, displaying its detailed description—
Divine Armament: Pointing at Rivers and Mountains
Level: Above Divine Grade
Requirement: Sect Master Exclusive
Price: 20,000 contribution points
Seeing ‘Above Divine Grade,’ Jun Changxiao’s eyes widened.
Among so many weapons, the highest was only Divine Grade. The last weapon that appeared actually exceeded Divine Grade—no wonder it was shrouded in rainbow light!
Wait!
Sect Master Exclusive?
Seeing this requirement, Jun Changxiao, lacking culture, blurted out, “Holy crap!”
First there were weapons exclusive to Hall of Luminous Smoke disciples, then exclusive weapons for elders and hall masters, and finally one exclusive to him!
He’d been complaining earlier, but now he couldn’t feel happy, because looking at that unique shape again, he was utterly frantic. “If I pull out this weapon in front of people, I’ll definitely be ridiculed!”
Most unacceptable to Jun Changxiao was that weapons in the Divine Armament Pavilion cost at most 10,000 contribution points. Why did his exclusive weapon cost 20,000!
This level of bullying was too much!
The system said, “Having one at all is good enough. The host is still picky?”
“If the weapon shape were normal, being expensive wouldn’t matter.” Jun Changxiao roared. “But this kind of exclusive weapon—am I supposed to use it to stab people’s butts!”
The system said again, “As the sect master, doing so would be undignified.”
“Right!” Jun Changxiao said.
Even if they switched the exclusive weapon to a blade or sword, or at worst a dagger, it would work. But this kind of weapon resembling a thousand-year-kill…
The system continued, “However, that’s for others. For the shameless host, I think it’s a perfect match!”
“Perfect match, my ass!”
—
The newly appeared Divine Armament Pavilion was indeed excellent in quality and level, exceeding even opportunities in the Planar Battlefield.
However, the setting requiring contribution points left Jun Changxiao quite troubled. After all, equipping every core disciple would be unaffordable.
And there was the Hall of Luminous Smoke restriction.
Currently, only Li Qingyang and Liu Wanshi met the requirements.
“Swish!”
Jun Changxiao opened the Hall of Luminous Smoke. “Zuiji and the others should qualify now, right?”
Indeed!
Xiao Zuiji, who originally had only about 30 achievement points, had now risen to 100 points, meeting induction requirements.
“Pretty fast.” Jun Changxiao said.
The system said, “You never check normally. Maybe disciples met requirements long ago and you’ve been neglecting it.”
“Shut up!”
Jun Changxiao clicked the confirm button.
The Hall of Luminous Smoke trembled slightly as the original text began dividing, coalescing into a lifelike portrait.
Li Qingyang’s portrait showed him bent over design drafts. Liu Wanshi’s showed her busy cooking in the kitchen. Xiao Zuiji’s showed him standing in horse stance with a shield before him, looking quite imposing.
Disciple Xiao Zuiji successfully inducted into Hall of Luminous Smoke, becoming one of the twenty-four meritorious officials. He can share system sect functions with the host. Please select from the following.
[Alchemy Pavilion operation rights]
[Forging Pavilion operation rights]
[Talisman Pavilion operation rights]
…
After brief consideration, Jun Changxiao said, “Let Zuiji manage the Forging Pavilion.”
Confirm.
Alchemy operation rights.
“Ding! Disciple Xiao Zuiji has obtained Forging Pavilion operation rights, able to automatically match ores and equipment forging quantities.”
Xiao Zuiji, busy at the stronghold, froze as his soul instantly merged into void space.
“What… is this place?”
“Zuiji, you’ve worked tirelessly for the sect. This master is greatly pleased. Today, using supreme divine ability, I shall transmit this forging power to you!”
Sect Master Jun started fooling people again.
Xiao Zuiji understood everything and said solemnly, “This disciple understands and will certainly not disappoint Sect Master!”
After the Alchemy Pavilion, Jun Changxiao assigned Forging Pavilion operation rights, taking another step toward being a hands-off leader.
“Buzz!”
After Xiao Zuiji emerged from the Forging Pavilion, spiritual energy, muscles, bones, and blood in his body began transforming. His physical strength also gradually increased!
“Whoosh whoosh!”
Advancement momentum erupted!
Li Fei, Tian Qi and others looked over in astonishment.
Junior Brother Xiao, who’d been moving bricks, suddenly broke through!
The advancement momentum lasted briefly as Xiao Zuiji advanced from First Grade to Second Grade Martial Emperor. Though realm improvement was only one level, comprehensive physical evolution was most important!
He clenched his fist, feeling the internal physical changes, eyes burning as he said, “Defense is even stronger than before!”
How much stronger would require actual combat to confirm.
“Hm?”
Suddenly, Xiao Zuiji noticed lines appearing on the back of his right hand, ultimately forming the character ‘Shield.’ He wondered, “What does this mean?”
“Shield character?”
Jun Changxiao looked at Xiao Zuiji’s portrait in the Hall of Luminous Smoke, now stamped with the ‘Shield’ character seal, and stroked his chin. “Shield represents defense, not much different from the guard I thought of earlier.”
“Are there other disciples who qualify?”
He first selected Lu Qianqian—60 achievement points—then Ye Xingchen—53 achievement points.
Though both were somewhat far from the maximum, Jun Changxiao was quite satisfied. After all, they’d started with only 10 and 7 points respectively. Such significant increases showed they’d contributed much to the sect.
Hall of Luminous Smoke achievement points could determine disciple induction while also reflecting how much disciples contributed to the sect.
Jun Changxiao successively checked Li Fei, Tian Qi and others. Though they hadn’t met requirements, most were around 80-90 points, close to induction conditions.
“Right.”
“Check Xinyao’s!”
This girl previously had 60 achievement points, then comprehended formations and helped him considerably. She might already qualify.
Indeed!
When blank paper displayed ‘Shangguan Xinyao’s’ name, the shown achievement points were 100!
“Though Xinyao’s martial arts aren’t outstanding, she has the strongest brain. The Hall of Luminous Smoke must have a place for her.”
After brief thought, Jun Changxiao ultimately clicked confirm.
Since the Hall of Luminous Smoke’s function wasn’t determined by martial cultivation, he wouldn’t insist only high-realm disciples could enter. Liu Wanshi, who managed the kitchen, could enter. Shangguan Xinyao, who created martial arts, could equally enter.
“Buzz!”
A slight tremor came as paper with the name gradually displayed a portrait.
The portrait showed Shangguan Xinyao sitting at a desk surrounded by thick books, with paper beneath her hand containing not only formula-like text but also formation diagrams.
“Xinyao spends every day researching martial arts manuals and must also study formations. I won’t give her operation rights.” Jun Changxiao said.
The system said, “The host is very biased toward female disciples.”
If Li Qingyang and Xiao Zuiji heard this, they would deeply agree.
—
Shangguan Xinyao, currently researching manuals at Eternal Ancient Sect, sat dazed in place after induction into the Hall of Luminous Smoke as much previously unknown martial arts knowledge appeared in her consciousness.
“I understand now…”
Regaining awareness, looking again at the martial arts concepts she’d recorded, she gained deeper understanding and began making major revisions.
“Eh?”
Suddenly looking down at her right hand, a character ‘Wisdom’ shimmering with flowing light gradually appeared.
“Whether creating martial arts or modifying formations requires wisdom. Obtaining the Wisdom character seal is well-deserved.” Jun Changxiao said.
Currently, the Hall of Luminous Smoke displayed four disciple portraits: Li Qingyang, Liu Wanshi, Xiao Zuiji, and Shangguan Xinyao. Their character seals were respectively: Steady, Stove, Shield, Wisdom.
—