C69 Star Treatment
After stepping out of the small courtyard, Lin Xuan made a beeline for the Golden Origin Hall.
Earlier that day, the deacon responsible for guiding newcomers had given him a brief tour, providing him with a lay of the land.
As he walked, Lin Xuan couldn't help but notice the extra attention he received; people everywhere seemed to be watching him, whispering amongst themselves.
He simply smiled to himself. The speed at which news of his performance in the Outer Sect Competition had spread caught him by surprise. It seemed like common knowledge now.
But this was to his advantage; the notoriety was earning him more energy points without any effort. He had no objections—as long as no one stepped out of line and tried to cause him trouble.
Ignoring the murmurs, Lin Xuan pressed on towards the Golden Origin Hall and soon reached his destination.
The hall, while seemingly modest from the outside, opened up into a vast space within. Shelves upon shelves were laden with various treasures, each neatly categorized and priced, ready for selection. The setup had a striking resemblance to a supermarket.
As the sole provider of cultivation resources for the Outer Sect, the Golden Origin Hall was a hub of activity, teeming with disciples.
Taking in his surroundings, Lin Xuan strode confidently inside.
He had barely entered when a nearby deacon caught sight of him. The deacon's face lit up with recognition and he approached Lin Xuan, beaming.
"Nephew Lin, your presence graces the Golden Origin Hall. I'm Lee Hang, the deacon on duty here. You can simply call me Deacon Lee.
Have you come to purchase cultivation resources? My own abilities may be modest, but I've spent several years here and know the hall inside out.
If you need anything, feel free to ask. I can help you find the treasures best suited to your needs."
His tone was ingratiating, and he had a lot to say before Lin Xuan could even get a word in.
Lin Xuan was momentarily at a loss for words.
Deacon Lee's voice carried, and his announcement rippled through the hall, sparking a buzz of excitement.
"Did Deacon Lee just say that's Lin Xuan, Senior Brother Lin?"
"Yes, that's him! Lin Xuan, the top figure of the Outer Sect. I was at the competition too—I recognize him."
"Besides being somewhat handsome, he doesn't seem to have any remarkable presence. How is he so formidable?"
"Indeed, I had no idea that Senior Brother Lin Xuan had reached the Qi Gathering Stage just one month after starting as a beginner."
"Moreover, he's been on a winning streak in the competition. Even Senior Brother Chen, who had advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage and begun to grasp the essence of sword intent, couldn't stand up to Senior Brother Lin. Senior Brother Lin dominated and secured first place!"
"He's incredibly strong!"
...
In the great hall, nearly all eyes were on Lin Xuan, their owners abuzz with conversation and profoundly astonished by his combat achievements.
Lin Xuan's performance in the Outer Sect Competition was staggeringly impressive.
It likely set a record unseen in the Drifting Cloud Sect for decades, perhaps even centuries.
So, even though it had been several hours since the competition ended...
The excitement had not waned; in fact, it was growing.
Lin Xuan had captured everyone's attention.
At the same time, there was a collective sense of disbelief regarding Deacon Lee Hang's behavior.
Deacon Lee Hang, whose uncle was an Outer Sect elder, had landed his job at the Golden Origin Hall through this connection.
Yet, he typically approached his work with a lackadaisical attitude, never truly committing to it.
He was known for his arrogance, often disregarding those around him.
Today, however, upon Lin Xuan's arrival, he acted out of character, clinging to Lin Xuan and fawning over him as if Lin Xuan were a revered elder, not just another Outer Sect disciple.
This spectacle left onlookers struggling to stifle their laughter.
Of course, they could understand Lee Hang's motives.
The talent Lin Xuan had demonstrated was nothing short of astonishing.
Within the entire Drifting Cloud Sect, including the Sect Seniors and Core Disciples, Lin Xuan was estimated to rank among the very top.
Such a prodigy, barring any unforeseen calamities, was bound to achieve great things.
Becoming a Core Disciple and ascending to the Sect Seniors was all but expected.
He was poised to become one of the sect's future elite.
Lee Hang was now ingratiating himself with Lin Xuan, hoping that when Lin Xuan rose to power, even the smallest favor would ensure that Lee Hang wouldn't have to worry about his livelihood ever again.
Lee Hang's behavior was hardly surprising.
After all, who could blame him when Lin Xuan's talent was so extraordinary?
Indeed, there were those among the crowd who even envied Lee Hang.
Thick-skinned as he was, Lee Hang didn't take offense to the snide remarks and was quick to ingratiate himself with Lin Xuan.
Many others wanted to do the same.
But for them, publicly stooping to flatter a newcomer was a bitter pill to swallow.
They wavered for a moment.
But Lee Hang seized the initiative and made the first move.
The rest could only stand by, filled with silent regret.
At the center of the crowd, Lin Xuan offered a serene smile amidst the converging stares and murmurs.
He hadn't anticipated enjoying this level of adulation, akin to a celebrity from his past life, so soon in this one.
Yet, he was aware that it was his potential and talent that drew their attention, not his actual strength.
Should his progress halt or even slow, he'd be met with a starkly different reality.
He might find himself the target of universal censure.
After all, the higher one stands, the more painful the fall.
So slacking off was not an option for him.
He was determined to transform his potential into tangible strength quickly, to stand firm against any challenge.
In the Martial Arts World, true strength was paramount.
Without further ado, Lin Xuan addressed Deacon Lee:
"Deacon Lee, I'd appreciate your recommendations for some high-quality Qi Gathering Stage medicinal pills and spiritual herbs for my cultivation.
I'm looking for the most potent options available; cost is not an issue."
"Certainly! Martial Nephew Lin, please come with me," Lee Hang responded gravely.
Understanding that a prodigy like Lin Xuan disliked complications and preferred directness, Lee Hang was eager to accommodate.
He guided Lin Xuan to the eastern section of the Golden Origin Hall, to the pill area, and stopped at the furthest shelf.
He handed Lin Xuan a small vial.
"Here we have the Qi Condensation Pill, a top-grade, Rank 3 medicinal pill. It's among the best for those at the Qi Gathering Stage—three pills per bottle, priced at three contribution points each."
Lee Hang spoke as he reached for a large jar nearby:
"This contains the Water Essence Fruit, a Top Grade Rank 3 spirit medicine. It's excellent for nourishing the body, boosting strength, and it can even purge toxins like pill poison from your system.
With the Water Essence Fruit, you can take medicinal pills for your cultivation in succession without worrying about pill poison building up and damaging your body's foundation.
They're priced at five contribution points each."
"And then there's this."
Lee Hang went on to present eight different kinds of pills and spirit herbs to Lin Xuan, each one a Top Grade Rank 3—among the most treasured resources in the Golden Origin Hall.
Their worth was considerable, with even the least expensive costing several contribution points.
Lee Hang was aware that Lin Xuan had earned an extra reward from the Head Elder after the Outer Sect Competition, amassing a grand total of 5,000 contribution points. That's why he felt confident recommending such high-grade pills and spirit herbs.
Otherwise, even someone like Chen Yuze might find the cost of these valuable resources prohibitive, let alone the other Outer Sect disciples.
