Chapter 698: Awards and Merits

Chapter 698: Chapter 430: Awards and Merits

Zhu He glanced at the kneeling Fan Hongjiao and said, “Duan Rong is dedicated to his cultivation. In terms of resources, both you and Shidao must ensure his supply.”

“Understood, Hongjiao!”

Zhu He nodded, “As long as you understand.”

With that voice gradually fading away, he turned into a streak of black light and disappeared from the room.

Duan Rong and Fan Hongjiao remained kneeling, while Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue sat in their seats, dazed.

Fan Hongjiao was already used to Zhu He’s abrupt comings and goings. She stood up from the ground, and seeing her rise, Duan Rong also slowly stood up and stood silently.

Fan Hongjiao picked up the two bottles of Primordial Beast Bone Marrow on the table and walked over to tuck them into Duan Rong’s hands, saying, “Junior Brother, these two bottles of Primordial Beast Bone Marrow are for you. Whoever Master gives them to, that’s who they’re for.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.” Duan Rong respectfully accepted the two bottles of Primordial Beast Bone Marrow.

Zhu He had already left, and the discussion for the day had concluded, so the few of them exited the room.

Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue walked along, still digesting the shock of Duan Rong reaching the Third Level of the Primordial Qi Realm in half a year.

The group walked to the corner of the corridor, where they saw two Attendants waiting.

As the Attendants saw them approach, they immediately bowed and said, “Lords, the banquet is ready. Please take your seats.”

The rest of the group looked calm, but Duan Rong appeared somewhat puzzled, looking at the two Attendants.

Fan Hongjiao glanced at Duan Rong and explained, “Whenever Master finishes an evaluation, he always hosts a banquet, although he seldom attends himself—it’s just the brothers eating together. Unless he’s not busy, he might join for a few drinks.”

Duan Rong nodded with understanding, “I see.”

Each person took their seat at the table, but Wu Shidao and the others still occasionally glanced at Duan Rong.

When the dishes were served, Wu Shidao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lu Geng and asked, “Junior Brother Lu, weren’t you the one who accompanied Junior Brother to the Scripture Repository to select a Cultivation Technique?”

Lu Geng was slightly taken aback, not knowing why Wu Shidao suddenly asked about this. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Wu Shidao replied as he ate, “It’s just that Junior Brother is clearly cultivating the Wandering Dragon Clear Melody Saber, so why does the Internal History Department’s record state that he’s using the Six Harmonies Saber?”

It was an open secret that Wu Shidao would report the status of their group to Zhu He, and Wu Shidao himself never hid it. So when he had questions, he asked directly.

Lu Geng immediately understood Wu Shidao’s meaning. However, what did this have to do with him? It was Junior Brother’s own decision to make two selections.

Lu Geng said, “Junior Brother first selected the Six Harmonies Saber. After two or three days, he felt it wasn’t suitable and begged me to let him select again. You know, as a senior brother, I couldn’t refuse.”

Fan Hongjiao was gnawing on a chicken leg and upon hearing this, gave Duan Rong a glance, “Did you select the Wandering Dragon Clear Melody Saber the second time?”

Duan Rong replied, “Yes. I selected it twice; did I cause trouble for Senior Brother Wu?”

Wu Shidao was about to say something when Fan Hongjiao interjected, “What trouble?! He has enough troubles; yours is hardly a bother.”

As she spoke, Fan Hongjiao suddenly remembered something; she set down the chicken leg she was eating halfway through and looked at Duan Rong, “Junior Brother, having achieved the Third Level, I suppose the Primordial Beast Flesh you were allocated last time isn’t enough?”

With this question, everyone else also looked at Duan Rong. Indeed, reaching the Third Level of the Primordial Qi Realm in just half a year—how could that small amount of Primordial Beast Flesh suffice?

Surely he didn’t just refine Primordial Qi from the air without relying on Primordial Beast Flesh. That would be like having a well in front of you but relying on dew for sustenance.

Duan Rong said, “That Primordial Beast Flesh was used up in just one month!”

“Used up in a month?” Fan Hongjiao asked, “Then how did you continue your cultivation?”

Duan Rong hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest, “Each month I would go to the Dark Forest once. At the periphery, I would hunt some Primordial Beasts and bring them back.”

“You went alone?” Fan Hongjiao’s voice suddenly rose sharply.

Duan Rong nodded.

Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao exchanged looks, both showing a flash of astonishment and fear in their eyes.

If Duan Rong had really died in the Dark Forest, Zhu He would probably flay the two of them.

Wu Shidao’s eyes flickered, and he looked at Duan Rong, “Junior Brother, over the past six months, you’ve left the Cultivation Chamber once or twice a month just to hunt Primordial Beasts in the Dark Forest?”

Duan Rong replied, “Yes, Senior Brother Wu.”

The people at the banquet fell silent.

Previously, Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao thought Duan Rong understood the balance of work and rest, but now it seemed that he stopped to hunt Primordial Beasts.

What a cultivation fanatic!? And so daring, venturing into the Dark Forest as soon as he advanced to the Primordial Qi Realm.

Suddenly, Fan Hongjiao turned to look at Wang Yue.

Wang Yue, puzzled, said, “Senior Sister, why are you looking at me?”

Fan Hongjiao said, “Are you a coward? Duan Rong dared to hunt Primordial Beasts alone as soon as he reached the Primordial Qi Realm, and just look at you.”

“I…” Wang Yue’s face instantly turned red. But he couldn’t argue; Duan Rong was indeed impressive. To venture out and hunt Primordial Beasts immediately upon reaching the Primordial Qi Realm, compared to him, he could only admit he was a coward.

Wu Shidao suddenly looked at Fan Hongjiao, “Next time we catch Primordial Beasts, we must allocate more to Junior Brother.”

Fan Hongjiao nodded, “Let’s do this. From now on, allocate Duan Rong’s share based on yours.”