Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar

Phoenix Creek Sect was an enormous sect occupying an extremely vast area. It was fully equipped with all kinds of organizations, resembling a city built entirely for cultivators. Within the sect, Paulownia Peak was a place akin to a public hospital, serving a similar function.

They were on Paulownia Peak, in the Dragon Sun Ward, Room A05 of the Medicine Hall's Main Clinic.

Le Congsheng, swathed in white bandages, lay on the sickbed. Tang Bai Wei kept silent vigil by his side, while Hong Yuan bustled about, tending to Le Congsheng. He had spent a huge amount of Energy Stones and exerted great effort to help with Le Congsheng's follow-up care.

Tang Bai Wei, sitting silently in the sickroom, observed all of Hong Yuan's efforts, and at this moment, she felt extremely grateful for his contributions.

If not for Senior Brother Hong Yuan, Sheng would probably have to stay in a C-rank convalescent room with other injured people. He also wouldn't have been able to afford a renowned physician from the Medicine Hall, one holding the title of 'Five Benevolence.'

"Water, water..."

A raspy, weak voice was heard. Le Congsheng feebly lifted his right hand. Hearing this, Tang Bai Wei hurriedly uncapped her waterskin filled with warm water and patiently, carefully helped Le Congsheng drink.

Le Congsheng sipped the warm water, and only then did he feel as if he were coming back to life. Slowly, he opened his bloodshot eyes, looked at the ceiling, and then observed the room's scenery.

When he saw Tang Bai Wei, a gentle smile spread across Le Congsheng's face. His rough hand reached out to stroke her delicate cheeks, but his movements were labored and shaky due to his physical condition.

Tang Bai Wei leaned in proactively, pressing her cheek against Le Congsheng's rough hand, feeling its warmth.

Joyful smiles blossomed on the faces of the young couple.

After a tender moment, Le Congsheng lay quietly on the sickbed, listening as Tang Bai Wei poured out her feelings...

Just then, a knock on the door was heard.

"Brother Cong Sheng, Bai Wei!" Hong Yuan called from outside the door, giving Le Congsheng and Tang Bai Wei time to conclude their intimate conversation.

Hong Yuan entered with Gao Gou, who was also a cultivator disciple.

Gao Gou, a disciple of the Enforcement Hall, studied under its First Elder, Niu Juhe. He had formed a good relationship with Hong Yuan through several previous encounters.

"Senior Brother Hong Yuan, you may come in!" Tang Bai Wei responded.

When Hong Yuan entered with Gao Gou, the young couple was clearly hesitant and confused.

Especially Le Congsheng; he was very aware of Gao Gou's authority within the Enforcement Hall—an important figure far beyond his reach!

Hong Yuan said, "Brother Cong Sheng, this is Senior Brother Gao Gou. Elder Niu thinks highly of you, and Senior Brother Gao is here to discuss matters with you."

"..."

Le Congsheng said excitedly, "Do not worry, Senior Brother Gao! As soon as my injuries heal, I will pay you a visit immediately."

Gao Gou smiled warmly and said, "It's time to change how you address me. Just call me Fifth Senior Brother."

Gao Gou left, and Hong Yuan saw him off on Le Congsheng's behalf.

Le Congsheng, lying on the sickbed, was overjoyed, and Tang Bai Wei, beside him, was also happy for him.

Being accepted by an Elder, especially a powerful Elder, meant their lives would improve significantly. They might not catch up to Hong Yuan, but at least their circumstances would no longer be as vastly different as before.

Yuan, I truly made no mistake in befriending you, Le Congsheng thought. Without Hong Yuan, I simply couldn't have made it this far.

Remembering the help Hong Yuan had given him before and after the competition, Le Congsheng valued his friendship with Hong Yuan even more.

「...」

「On Phoenix Imperial Peak, in the core area.」

In a certain bamboo house.

Outside, Xu Haisheng was bare-chested, kneeling on the ground. He didn't dare to use his True Essence, enduring the assault of the wind and frost with only his physical body.

Within the bamboo house, Long Zhandu was using the playback feature of a retrospective stone to watch the fight between Xiao Youjun and Le Congsheng.

Long Zhandu was one of the nine True Disciples of Phoenix Creek, the master of Black Wolf Blessed Land, and the foremost disciple of the Spirit Beast Hall. At the same time—he was also the Senior Brother of Xu Haisheng and Xiao Youjun.

While his master was in seclusion attempting to break through to the Martial Saint Realm, he served as a half-mentor to Xiao Youjun and Xu Haisheng.

A quarter of an hour later, Long Zhandu, his face expressionless, crushed the retrospective stone.

After a long silence, a stern, cold voice rang out, "Xiao Youjun's actual strength is clearly far superior to Le Congsheng's; she could have defeated him easily on multiple occasions. For an Official Disciple to defeat a Cultivating Disciple in such a way that it's considered 'crossing ranks' is a poor showing... Hong Yuan and Le Congsheng are not True Disciples, so this matter can be temporarily closed. Now, however, it's time to address your inept instruction!"

Long Zhandu turned, his gaze icily fixed on Xu Haisheng. A formidable aura of oppression suddenly materialized, pressing down on Xu Haisheng so forcefully that he immediately fell prostrate in the snow, his body curling up.

PFFT! Xu Haisheng spat out a mouthful of congealed blood.

This was the punishment from his Senior Brother for his own excessive doting on his Little Junior Sister, and for failing to educate her properly.

「...」

「At Phoenix Fire Peak, inside the White Frost Stone House.」

Lin Daoyan, Hong Yuan's master, was listening to Zhu Wushang report on the Sect's grand competition, wanting to understand how far his beloved daughter had progressed.

By this time, the first round of battles in Groups A03 and A05 had concluded.

Lin Yiru successfully defended her stage, entering the top thirty of the Sect's new disciples. Yang Sen, however, lost to a powerful opponent, while Zhao Gonghe barely scraped a win, struggling into the top thirty among the Sect's new disciples.

Apart from keeping an eye on Lin Yiru, Lin Daoyan was indifferent to the actions of his disciple Zhao Gonghe.

Moreover, Lin Daoyan harbored a subtle displeasure towards Zhao Gonghe.

He originally hadn't wanted Lin Yiru to participate in any Sect grand competition or strive for glory. Yet, Zhao Gonghe had actually helped Yiru advance successfully, making Yiru even more fond of fighting.

What Lin Daoyan hoped for most was that Lin Yiru could be like Hong Yuan: calm her heart and cultivate steadily.

Thinking of Hong Yuan, his junior disciple, Lin Daoyan suddenly became interested.

"How has Yuan been doing recently?"

"Lately, Yuan has been either diligently cultivating or helping his friend Le Congsheng with his convalescence," Zhu Wushang replied.

"Oh? Tell me more—"

Zhu Wushang reported all of Hong Yuan's recent actions to his master, Lin Daoyan, without adding any personal bias.

Upon learning of Hong Yuan's righteous actions towards Le Congsheng, Lin Daoyan nodded in satisfaction.

Righteous selections usually categorize talents into four ranks.

The first rank is for those with both talent and virtue. Possessing both intellect and moral integrity, they are of the highest order and can stand on their own.

The second rank is for those with virtue but no talent. Although lacking talent, they possess moral character. With filial piety, they will heed their parents' words. With loyalty, they will follow their leader's directives. With integrity, they will not break their promises. Employing them brings peace of mind, as they are unlikely to make serious errors.

The third rank is for those with talent but no virtue. Although they have talent, they lack moral character. They have the ability to fulfill a role, but their superiors use them with trepidation, fearing betrayal someday.

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The fourth rank consists of those with neither talent nor virtue. Lacking both, they offer little value if employed and cannot be relied upon.

The Demon Tao, however, is vastly different—

"Having both talent and virtue... truly befitting a disciple of mine, Lin Daoyan," Lin Daoyan sighed with emotion.

Comparing Hong Yuan with Zhao Gonghe, Lin Daoyan felt Hong Yuan was more obedient.

After some thought, Lin Daoyan decided against preparing the last share of the A06 workshop space for Zhao Gonghe. Instead, he would find an opportunity to give it to Hong Yuan, this talented, virtuous, and top-ranked excellent disciple.

「...」

Hong Yuan was unaware of the good fortune about to befall him.

At this moment, he was listening to Tang Bai Wei, an Official Disciple from the Talisman Array Hall, explain her insights into Talisman Array. He learned several small yet significant tricks unknown to outsiders and noted down the books Tang Bai Wei recommended as easy for beginners.

"If Senior Brother Hong Yuan wishes to purchase classic texts on Formations and Talismans," Tang Bai Wei began, "you may start with 'Illusory Master's Discussion on Array' and 'Heaven Heart Talisman Scripts.' 'Illusory Master's Discussion on Array' is divided into upper, middle, and lower volumes. The upper volume explains the basics of formations and includes three basic formation examples. Although it's pricey, it is the most cost-effective overall. 'Heaven Heart Talisman Scripts,' while seemingly ordinary, excels because it allows one to transition to other, higher talismanic methods, laying an extremely solid foundation for cultivators."

In studying Formations and Talismans, it is crucial to avoid unsystematic approaches. For example, while some use an arrangement of the Three Powers as their foundational basis for formations, others might use Four Images arrangements, Five Elements arrangements, and so on.

Starting this step correctly is particularly important!

"Moreover," Tang Bai Wei continued, "many Sect Elders from our Array Talisman Hall who are stationed externally have also studied these two books extensively. Once Senior Brother Hong Yuan is stationed externally, it will be much easier for you to consult with these Sect Elders and learn from them."