Chapter 85: Chapter 79: Treasure Trove Harvest
"Nocturnal Blade Sect presents three Bright Fruits to celebrate True Man’s ascension to the Celestial Being Realm!"
...
Exclamations erupted below once again.
From the murmured discussions, Ning Qi discerned the origin of the Bright Fruits. The founding site of the Nocturnal Blade Sect housed a Spirit Tree known as the Bright Tree, which radiated light day and night, turning the area into a place that never slept, hence the name, Nocturnal Blade Sect.
This Bright Tree bore fruit only once every ten years. The Bright Fruit had the effect of purifying the body, sharpening hearing and sight, and even slightly enhancing the consumer’s perception. It was undoubtedly a top-grade Spirit Fruit.
Ning Qi’s eyes sparkled.
"Perhaps I could take a Bright Fruit to study. If I could deduce the cultivation method, it might be applicable to the True Martial Peach Tree."
He was quite eager.
Today’s gathering of heroes presenting gifts was truly a bountiful harvest.
It surpassed his expectations.
Although the offerings were meant for Taoist Longshan, most would end up in the True Martial Treasure Vault. As a Path Guardian of the True Martial Sect, Ning Qi could naturally make use of them at will. In a way, these treasures might as well have been gifts to him.
He even thought about suggesting to his master to hold such Celestial Being Grand Ceremonies more frequently.
Of course, Ning Qi wasn’t a selfish person. The treasures he obtained would ultimately benefit the entire True Martial Sect.
...
"Mist Rain Pavilion of Cang State presents an Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor..."
...
"Ascetic Sect of Yun State presents a Relic Pill..."
...
"Divine Sword Sect presents a pair of famous swords..."
...
Exclamations continued to ring out.
Taoist Longshan was in high spirits.
Perhaps it was due to the recent battle where Taoist Longshan defeated Ancestor Wang, forcing the Wang Clan to lower their heads. Many factions had meticulously prepared congratulatory gifts, exceeding the usual standards for a Celestial Being Grand Ceremony.
This was only natural.
People always serve those who seem worthy.
Taoist Longshan showcased talents far surpassing an average Celestial Human Realm. Naturally, many wanted to hear him speak of the Tao and were willing to form such a connection.
Even the Cyan Bull Blade Master came to present a gift today, proving their perception was correct.
As the last person presented their gift,
silence enveloped the Tao Field.
Yet, the gazes weren’t focused on Taoist Longshan but instead on the other four Celestial Beings.
Only the gifts from these four remained.
True Man Baihe, feeling the weight of many gazes, smiled warmly.
He respectfully addressed those present:
"Might I be the first to offer my humble gift?"
"Please, True Man!"
True Man Baihe smiled serenely:
"Both the True Profound Sect and the True Martial Sect belong to Taoism. Today, the True Profound Sect offers twelve hundred volumes of Taoist Scripture as a gift. I hope True Man Longshan will accept them graciously."
Taoist Longshan waved his hands repeatedly.
"True Man Baihe, your gift leaves me eternally grateful!"
Joy shone in his eyes, as the gift resonated deeply with him.
While he had inherited the True Martial legacy, it was mostly martial arts-focused; his foundation in Taoist Scripture wasn’t as profound. Today’s gift from the True Profound Sect, with its twelve hundred volumes, significantly boosted his foundation.
True Profound Sect wouldn’t present anything casually, ensuring many rare and unique texts among the gift.
More crucially, this represented the support of the True Profound Sect. In the future, the True Martial Sect would not stand alone among Taoism.
Ning Qi’s eyes also brightened.
He had already perused all the classics within the Scripture Pavilion. This additional twelve hundred volumes of Taoist Scripture would greatly enhance his foundation. Compared to martial arts classics, Ning Qi preferred reading Taoist Scripture as they elucidated many profound truths, offering nourishment at critical moments.
These were the sources and sustenance for his enlightenment and creation techniques.
However, both master and disciple were unaware that the original gift from the True Profound Sect was only eight hundred volumes. Upon seeing the Cyan Bull Blade Master and witnessing the revealed foundations of the True Martial Sect, True Man Baihe discreetly added four hundred more volumes. Further volumes were already on their way, unknown to anyone, to be expedited at a later date.
This unpretentious gift was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
Carefree Monarch laughed heartily:
"With True Man Baihe’s gem before me, my gift seems rather inadequate."
Everyone smiled.
Carefree Monarch took out a jade box from his bosom, opening it to reveal a fiery red Crystal Stone.
"This is the Thousand-Year Flame Sun Jade, known for nurturing the body and enhancing Essence Yuan. I’ve heard that Brother Longshan wishes to cultivate the Celestial Being Three Realms. I offer this gift to wish him smooth sailing ahead!"
Taoist Longshan was visibly moved.
The gift was significant, but the sentiment was even greater.
Carefree Monarch was known for his carefree nature. If he acknowledged you, even a roadside beggar could be his brother. Taoist Longshan had met him during a past adventure, leading to today’s friendship.
The role of the Thousand-Year Flame Sun Jade wasn’t just as Carefree Monarch had lightly described.
For those cultivating the Flower of Essence at the Celestial Human Realm, it offered substantial enhancement and was undoubtedly a Supreme Treasure.
The envy in Ancestor Wang’s eyes was subtly apparent.
"Carefree Brother’s sentiment is deeply appreciated!"
Taoist Longshan’s expression was extremely serious.
Carefree Monarch merely laughed and waved it off.
Ancestor Wang withdrew his envious gaze and seamlessly continued the conversation.
"The gifts from True Man Baihe and Carefree Monarch leave this old man feeling inferior. For True Man Longshan’s Celestial Being celebration, I’ve prepared a seed of an Enlightenment Tea Tree. I hope True Man does not find it lacking."
There was an almost imperceptible hint of embarrassment on Ancestor Wang’s face.
Indeed, with such distinguished gifts preceding his, his own seemed rather insignificant.
An Enlightenment Tea Tree was indeed extraordinary, an exquisite Spirit Tree whose leaves could assist in enlightenment. In rare cases, the most refined leaves could bring one into a state of Enlightenment!
If Ancestor Wang had presented a fully-grown Enlightenment Tea Tree today, he would undoubtedly be the star of the event.
Alas.
It was merely a seed of the Enlightenment Tea Tree.
To plant and cultivate such a seed into a full tree would be exceedingly challenging, requiring unknown amounts of time and effort, with no guarantee of success.
In reality.
After acquiring this Enlightenment Tea Tree seed, the Wang Clan had attempted to cultivate it for a long time, even damaging its viability somewhat, with no success, hence why it was being given as a gift. Otherwise, Ancestor Wang would have been reluctant to part with it.
This gift resembled a grand promise; it sounded impressive but was superficial, easily seen through by those knowledgeable.
But how could these Celestial Beings not be knowledgeable?
Even some Primordial Core Realm martial artists bore peculiar expressions and quickly lowered their heads, pretending to drink to hide their reactions, lest Ancestor Wang noticed.
Ancestor Wang felt a twinge of frustration. He had expected at most one average Celestial Human Realm at the ceremony. In such a case, the Enlightenment Tea Tree seed might have sufficed to save face. Who could have foreseen the presence of three Celestial Beings, including a powerhouse from the Celestial Being List?
This was beyond his expectations, leaving him between a rock and a hard place.
Taoist Longshan simply smiled gratefully:
"Thank you, Ancestor Wang."
He hadn’t anticipated anything overly precious from Ancestor Wang since he hadn’t expected Ancestor Wang to attend in person at all.
Presenting an Enlightenment Tea Tree seed was already satisfactory.