Chapter 14: The Value of a 20-Point Family Background Continues to Rise

At this moment, both of these precious items were bestowed upon Lin Heng. This was not only out of respect from the two major orthodox martial arts sanctuaries to the Cloud Sword Palace but also because they recognized Lin Heng’s promising future and wished to establish a favorable connection with him in advance.

“Thank you very much,” Lin Heng expressed his sincere gratitude. These items were exactly what he lacked and would greatly benefit his cultivation.

One could only say that the value of a 20-point family background truly held immense weight, continually proving its worth. If not for his current status, how could he have had the opportunity to receive such treasures?

After the representatives of the two martial arts sanctuaries finished presenting their gifts, the grand apprenticeship ceremony drew to a close.

Next came the banquet prepared by the Cloud Sword Palace to entertain the various guests.

Many disciples of the Cloud Sword Palace from different regions took this opportunity to strengthen bonds and seek development prospects, while numerous experts engaged in friendly exchanges and sparred to refine their martial arts.

Many also came over to greet Lin Heng and curry favor with him.

Lin Heng met everyone with a warm smile, showing no trace of arrogance, demonstrating excellent upbringing.

Moreover, with his remarkable 20-point charm, everyone who interacted with Lin Heng felt as if they were basking in the gentle breeze of spring, developing a genuine fondness for him.

Being the center of admiration was a comfortable feeling, making Lin Heng feel that his arduous cultivation over the past year had been worthwhile.

If it weren’t for his innate triple-tiered foundation at seven years old, even the young master of a martial arts sanctuary would not enjoy such treatment.

Nearby, Xiao Rang, who was overseeing Lin Heng, was also very pleased. Having a disciple with such impeccable manners and extraordinary talent in cultivation was truly a source of pride.

The next day, the guests gradually departed one after another.

As they dispersed, news of Lin Heng spread throughout the martial world of Lanshou.

Powerful families and great forces across the land all came to know his name. Everyone learned that the Cloud Sword Palace now had a young master as strikingly beautiful as a celestial exile and with an exceptionally outstanding cultivation talent.

Being seven years old and already at the innate realm was an unprecedented achievement.

Because everyone praised Lin Heng endlessly, the reputation of the Cloud Sword Palace also rose significantly by association.

Of course, as Lin Heng’s fame spread, there were inevitably some envious voices muttering in secret, “A prodigy in youth doesn’t necessarily guarantee greatness in adulthood.”

Furthermore, dark and demonic forces like the Resentment Pavilion, mortal enemies of the orthodox sects, gritted their teeth in hatred, cursing Lin Heng to be nothing more than a fleeting blossom and scheming to extinguish him in the cradle.

However, none of this concerned Lin Heng.

***

After the grand apprenticeship ceremony, his life returned to tranquility.

Of course, Lin Heng yearned for the dazzling life of being adored by many; if possible, he wished to enjoy such a vibrant existence every day. Yet, he deeply understood the origins of all this.

He maintained a calm heart, refusing to become restless from the acclaim he received during the ceremony, and continued his dedicated cultivation.

The innate realm was only the beginning. Becoming a Grandmaster was not his ultimate goal. The legendary realm beyond the heavenly and human realms was what Lin Heng truly aspired to.

***

On the third day after the apprenticeship ceremony, the items beneficial to cultivation among the gifts from various families were carefully inspected for poisons or defects and then presented to Lin Heng.

“Disciple, the sect will manage and handle the other wealth and properties for you. As for the items from the two martial arts sanctuaries, they are ready for immediate use,” Xiao Rang said.

“However, since you are still growing, using this Star Sand Brocade as clothing seems somewhat wasteful. Use it first as a meditation cushion.”

“The Ice Cold Dew can also be used right away.”

Inside the room, Xiao Rang handed Lin Heng the welcome gifts from the two major martial arts sanctuaries and explained how the other assets and silver would be dealt with.

Lin Heng had no objections. Over the past year, he had eaten and drunk at the sect’s expense, spending tens of thousands of taels of silver on cultivation.

For the next ten or twenty years—or even until his death—he would continue to rely on the sect.

Even if all the gifts and money received at the ceremony were confiscated into the sect’s treasury, it would be a huge loss for the sect.

Therefore, Lin Heng paid no mind to these external matters. After nodding in agreement with Xiao Rang’s arrangements, he put on the two cultivation-enhancing accessories—the “Bright Moon Pendant” and the “Blood Jade Ring”—given by the Transmission and Law Elders yesterday.

Then, he placed the Star Sand Brocade beneath him and began to meditate and regulate his breath, testing its effects.

Soon, Lin Heng noticed a difference.

With the blessing of these treasures, his internal energy circulation became more agile and lively. When the Great Cycle operated, the natural energy gathered from the surrounding heaven and earth increased, nourished further by the essence of the sun and moon.

Overall, this improved Lin Heng’s cultivation speed in the innate realm by approximately thirty percent.

Upon reaching the Grandmaster realm, since improving cultivation required accumulating more vital energy, the speed increase might not be as significant as thirty percent, but the enhancement would always be present; these were truly useful treasures.

Lin Heng was very satisfied with this effect.

After experiencing it, under Xiao Rang’s watchful gaze, he opened the cold jade bottle containing the Ice Cold Dew and drank the icy blue, jade-like liquid in one gulp.

***

Not long after, the foundation-building elixir began to take effect.

Lin Heng felt a refreshing coldness circulate from his stomach throughout his entire body. Every part of his flesh, bones, organs, meridians, and acupoints was being tempered.

Following the refreshing sensation came an intense cold that required Lin Heng to exert full internal energy to resist and maintain his safety.

He could clearly feel his pores opening as subtle impurities transformed into black smoke that was expelled from his body, dissipating into the world.

During his internal energy’s battle against the icy chill, it was refined and became purer and more condensed, with each thread of internal power gaining greater strength.

After some time, the ice-cold sensation returned to refreshing coolness and then gradually faded away.

Lin Heng could sense his blood flowing more vividly red, and his organs and bones radiating vigorous vitality, giving him a feeling as if all shackles had been broken.

“The vital essence and potential lost from the Blood Pool of the Resentment Pavilion have now been completely restored,” Lin Heng said to Xiao Rang after finishing his cultivation.

Although Lin Heng had once taken the Dragon-Tiger Golden Pill, which helped him overcome bodily deficiencies and lack of vital energy that hindered cultivation, it could not recover lost potential or lifespan.

But now, the Ice Cold Dew had eliminated the negative effects of the “Premature Death” condition.

The lost thirty-five years of lifespan were restored, and with the longevity benefits brought by cultivation, Lin Heng estimated he could now live to a ripe old age.

Truly, the value of a 20-point family background continued to rise.

“Disciple, you have accepted a favor from Frost City this time,” Xiao Rang remarked.

Lin Heng nodded in acknowledgment.

Indeed, it was a favor. The other party likely knew of his enmity with the Resentment Pavilion and had deliberately sent this foundation-building elixir.

However, such matters were best kept in mind quietly.

Favors frequently mentioned lose their worth.