Chapter 37: Grandmaster
Zhao Yuan, Qi Dongyuan, as well as a few other Five Elements Sect members who were reputable in the political and business world, were welcoming guests at the door.
Although the entrance wasn't wide and bright, it was still very luxurious. Many cars came in one after the other. The people alighting from the vehicles were all extravagantly dressed.
Naturally, the guests who were involved in the world of business were received by the Five Elements Sect members who were similarly versed in business. Similarly, the guests from the political world were likewise received by the members who were in politics as well.
There were inevitably many greetings each time someone alighted from the car.
"Compared to the Five Elements Sect, our Changfeng Martial Hall still has a long way to go," Fang Lingjue said as he sighed slightly, feeling very envious.
After saying that, he glanced at Li Pin. "After you take on responsibility in the Five Elements Sect, you'll also bask in the same glory. As the number one sect in Zanglong City, a sect that has been around for several decades, the Five Elements Sect has connections in parliament, politics, martial arts, judiciary, and business. I heard that two of the Zanglong City's local council members are here too."
"Council members? Are they aristocrats or Astral Cultivators?" Li Pin asked.
Taibai Kingdom was segregated into three groups of authority—parliament, government, and judiciary.
Out of the three, the parliament held the greatest weight. They were responsible for establishing legislation, public finance, human resources, and supervision. They could impeach the president and order to replace the government if deemed necessary.
Only aristocrats who had inherited the family titles since ancient times or Astral Cultivators, who were considered the emerging ruling class, could join the parliament. Even martial arts grandmasters and great entrepreneurs couldn't make it into the parliament.
Of course, the Taibai Kingdom would bestow renowned grandmasters and great entrepreneurs, who were really at the pinnacle, with aristocratic status. With that, they'd naturally have the right to join the parliament to have a say in the important decisions, helping pave Taibai Kingdom's future development.
"One is an Astral Cultivator, the other is a baron," Fang Lingjue said. "The Astral Cultivator had studied Core Force under Cao Tianyou and is considered half a disciple of his. That baron, on the other hand, can be considered Cao Tianyou's son-in-law."
He added, "Both of them are the Five Elements Sect's greatest backing."
Li Pin nodded.
Fang Lingjue rolled the car to a stop before he and Li Pin alighted.
Zhao Yuan and Qi Dongyuan immediately went up to receive them.
A Five Elements Sect's disciple also quickly went up to get the car key from Fang Lingjue to help him park the car.
Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "Hall Master Fang, Master Li, both of you are finally here. Please come in."
Zhao Yuan then turned his attention to Li Pin specifically and said, "Master has been talking about you for a long time."
"I've been busy with my cultivation recently and haven't had the time to pay Grandmaster Cao a visit," replied Li Pin.
Zhao Yuan nodded. "I understand, I understand."
Li Pin had just obtained the Five Elements Body-Refining Art and the Five Qis to Primordiality Art. He'd naturally study them seriously as if he had obtained a great treasure. It had only been half a month, so it was still uncertain whether he had managed to fully comprehend the Five Elements Body-Refining Art or not.
"Hmm?"
Zhao Yuan's thoughts suddenly paused, and his gaze quickly darted onto Li Pin.
Ordinary Force Cultivation martial artists may not be able to see the abnormality with Li Pin, but Zhao Yuan was a Core Formation expert himself. When he came in close proximity with Li Pin, Zhao Yuan quickly noticed the changes in Li Pin.
The feeling that Li Pin was giving off….
"Master Li, y-you've succeeded in consolidating your qi to form a Core!?" Zhao Yuan cried out in surprise.
Qi Dongyuan also abruptly stopped his footsteps. He stared at Li Pin and sized him up with eyes that were filled with disbelief.
When Fang Lingjue saw their reactions, he suddenly felt that he was in no hurry to leave. He observed the duo's extreme surprise with interest.
Li Pin smiled and replied, "I told you, I've been busy cultivating recently. I've been in seclusion for half a month, so I've naturally made some progress. As for the results, it's as you see, Master Zhao: I've successfully consolidated my qi to form a Core."
Zhao Yuan stared at Li Pin, his emotions fluctuating. "You... you succeeded in forming your Core just like that!?"
After Wang Daoyi was killed, they thoroughly investigated Li Pin, and they learned that Li Pin had formally started practicing martial arts when he was around fourteen or fifteen. This was what they had found out from Sanshun Town.
They also learned that after Li Pin enrolled in university, he had neglected his training because of his studies. The best evidence for this was his fellow student's words. They claimed that they had never seen him do any martial arts training. It was only six months ago that he had picked up martial arts training once again.
After joining Changfeng Martial Hall, he immediately showed that his Force had changed from Overt to Covert, and, after that, in less than half a year, he had a life-or-death battle with a demonic cat, after which he attained Core Force. He had also shown that he could masterfully use Core Force in his fight with Wang Daoyi.
Now, he had even completed Core Formation and truly attained Core Force?
How long had this taken him?
Even if they included his three years in university, he would only have still trained for a little less than eight years. This sort of aptitude….
Given time, he'd definitely achieve Aura Force!
The gazes Zhao Yuan and Qi Dongyuan directed at Li Pin turned fiery.
They were initially worried that Li Pin was too young. Even if he had the battle achievements of killing a demonic cat and Wang Daoyi, he might not necessarily be able to hold his ground in Zanglong City. However, now… it was different!
Core Formation!
Moreover, he was such a young Core Formation expert, with limitless potential!
That was enough!
Cao Tianyou hadn't yet died and could rush to the rescue from Jiang Province City at any moment. Who in Zanglong City would dare not to show respect to the Five Elements Sect?
Qi Dongyuan smiled and said, "I've always thought that you'll be able to attain Core Formation in a few years, Master Li. I didn't expect that the day would come so quickly. Haha! With this, I can be completely at ease with things in Zanglong City. I'll just need to focus on supporting you, Master Li."
"You will still need to help take care of the matters concerning the Five Elements Sect, Master Qi. I will at most be able to help boost the reputation of the Five Elements Sect a little," replied Li Pin.
"Merely your reputation will suffice, Master Li. Zanglong City is neither an economic powerhouse nor is it close to any dangerous regions. The martial arts circle here is relatively stable, so there aren't that many life-and-death battles."
As Qi Dongyuan spoke, he quickly put out his hand to show Li Pin the way. "Master will definitely be very happy if he hears that you've already achieved Core Formation."
Under Qi Dongyuan's lead, both Fang Lingjue and Li Pin quickly headed for Star Brilliance International Center. The Five Elements Sect had reserved the entire second floor of the Star Brilliance International Center for the occasion.
The group quickly went up the stairs and arrived at an exquisitely-decorated hall. A carpet had been laid on the floor, and the area was very spacious. The hall had a ceiling height of ten meters. There were murals drawn on the ceilings and dazzling crystal lamps hanging from it. Each lamp was very intricate, giving off an extremely luxurious vibe.
Two rows of six long tables and two round tables lined the hall. A stage had even been set up. On the stage, there were even a few videos being played that promoted the glory of the Five Elements Sect.
Since the banquet had yet to start, the extravagantly dressed men and ladies in the hall formed small groups and chatted leisurely amongst themselves.
Everyone had put in a lot of effort at dressing up today. The men were sharply dressed in suits and ties, looking like elites. The ladies on the other hand were mostly wearing evening gowns, revealing their fair and sexy collarbones and displaying their long and slender figures.
Under Qi Dongyuan's lead, Fang Lingjue sat at a long table on the second row. Li Pin followed Zhao Yuan to one of the round tables.
Cao Tianyou, who was the star of the birthday banquet, was seated at this table. He was chatting happily with a few people seated next to him. The atmosphere was very amicable.
When Cao Tianyou saw that Zhao Yuan had brought Li Pin over, his eyes turned to look at Li Pin.
This was the first time, both in this life and the previous one, that Li Pin saw a living, breathing Aura Force Grandmaster.
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