Cultivation System: Stronger with Age
Chapter 31 - 28 The Big Shot of Forty-Two Lanes, The Remarkable Effects of Turtle Jelly (Please Follow)

Chapter 31: Chapter 28 The Big Shot of Forty-Two Lanes, The Remarkable Effects of Turtle Jelly (Please Follow)

Lin Xuankong was deep in thought when footsteps were heard outside. It was Steward Gu Beicheng leading the Martial Cultivators who had passed the test into the Martial Arts Hall.

After everyone entered, they stood near the Martial Arts Arena. Some had nervous expressions as they looked at the bloodstains on the arena, while most wore complex expressions directed at Lin Xuankong. _{freew\e bnovel.com}

Clearly, everyone had guessed something since Lin Xuankong was summoned to the Martial Arts Hall alone!

Gu Beicheng, having heard about Lin Xuankong from Steward Ma, adjusted his robe and cupped his hands towards Lin Xuankong, saying, "Congratulations to Senior Brother Lin on being personally appointed as Chief Steward by Chief Steward Jiang. I was previously disrespectful at the branch’s announcement area. I hope Senior Brother can forgive me!"

Lin Xuankong, seeing his politeness, couldn’t help but cup his hands in return. "Although I have been appointed as a Steward, I am not very familiar with the duties required. I will inevitably need to consult you in the future and may even have to trouble you!"

"No problem, no problem!" Gu Beicheng laughed. "Once things settle down in a couple of days, I will definitely treat Steward Lin to a fine meal by way of apology!"

The Martial Cultivators surrounding the Martial Arts Arena were all astonished upon hearing their conversation.

"A Chief Steward... He’s actually been appointed Chief Steward?"

"Not a Deputy Steward, but a Chief Steward! And personally appointed by Grand Steward Jiang at that!"

"Alas, the disparity between one person and another is truly greater than that between a human and a dog!"

Many people began to whisper among themselves. The man who had been appointed Deputy Steward, Li Er, touched his bald head and chuckled, "The Great Thousand Worlds are truly full of wonders! This time, I, Li Er, am utterly astounded!"

Luu Guanqi, his long face pale, glanced around. He noticed that many Martial Cultivators seemed to recall how he had previously mocked Lin Xuankong. They all wore expressions of schadenfreude as they looked at him, causing Luu Guanqi’s face to become extremely unsightly. He gritted his teeth, frowned in thought for a moment, then unexpectedly addressed Gu Beicheng, "I apologize, but I will no longer participate in the martial competition." With that, he left the Martial Arts Hall, his expression desolate.

The crowd of Martial Cultivators watched Luu Guanqi’s solitary figure exit the Martial Arts Hall. They couldn’t help but recall how, just over two hours ago, Lin Xuankong had been the one standing alone, subjected to their discussions and Luu Guanqi’s ridicule. They couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, marveling at how worldly affairs were so fickle and unpredictable. In the blink of an eye, fortunes could be reversed—some rising to prominence while others met their downfall.

Luu Guanqi walked out of the Martial Arts Hall and stood alone on the Martial Arts Arena. He looked back at Lin Xuankong, who was now the subject of everyone’s envy. Luu Guanqi’s eyes were filled with resentment, yet his heart churned with utter helplessness.

How could I have guessed that this damned old man could actually light up four marks? And then be appointed Chief Steward by a high-ranking Grand Steward of the Yin Talisman Sect... If I had known, only a fool would have mocked him! Now that he’s a Chief Steward, how can I, as a disciple in the Yin Talisman Sect, expect to have a good time...

「Inside the Martial Arts Hall,」

Under Steward Gu Beicheng’s organization, the Martial Cultivators who had passed the first round of testing soon began the martial competition.

The participants, vying for a prestigious Steward position, held nothing back, leading to extremely fierce bouts. Even with Steward Ma observing from the side, ready to intervene at any moment, most Martial Cultivators ended up seriously injured after dozens of matches.

During the competition, a Martial Cultivator named Guo Yun wielded a pair of Short Halberds with great skill. However, in his eagerness to strike his enemy, he made a careless mistake and was hit in the abdomen by a hammer, nearly dying on the spot. Yang Mountain was also unfortunately defeated. The Spear Technique he executed with his Red Tassel Spear carried the imposing might of a Battle Array formation. Unfortunately, the opponent he faced was at the Early Stage of the Second Layer Realm.

After several rounds of competition, even the four Martial Cultivators who ultimately emerged victorious were all severely injured. One had a broken arm; another’s clothes were torn, their thigh dripping with blood. Yet, these four had, in the end, fought their way to a Deputy Steward position.

The other Martial Cultivators, also injured, could only begin as ordinary disciples and slowly work their way up.

In contrast, Lin Xuankong, the one everyone had initially mocked, became the only person more at ease than Steward Gu Beicheng. Furthermore, everyone else had fought desperately in the competition, vying for positions that were merely Deputy Steward roles. Yet Lin Xuankong, who had simply sat to one side drinking tea and clapping, had obtained the esteemed position of Chief Steward!

Next came the inauguration ceremony for the six new Stewards and Deputy Stewards, organized by Steward Ma. Over a thousand disciples from the Mule Street Branch of the Yin Talisman Sect, along with various Stewards, welcomed and congratulated these individuals.

Once the ceremony concluded, Steward Ma meticulously explained the regulations they needed to be aware of and the affairs they would be responsible for managing, making all necessary arrangements. Lin Xuankong, as a newly appointed Chief Steward, could not formally begin Cultivation of the Yin Talisman Technique until he completed three tasks specific to his role. Nevertheless, he was entitled to all the perquisites of a Chief Steward without exception.

These primarily included: a Steward Daoist Robe; a Steward Token crafted from sandalwood; a monthly salary in silver taels; ingredients for the Nine Revolutions Qi Replenishing Soup; and a Chief Steward’s residence.

For Lin Xuankong, the other benefits were of little concern; he cared most about the medicinal ingredients!

In terms of subordinates, due to the Yin Talisman Sect’s frequent clashes with the Demon People Race and the recent major battle against the Black Tiger Gang, Lin Xuankong was assigned only forty-eight disciples.

This was a Chief Steward, a position equivalent in status to a Deputy Steward of the Black Tiger Gang, yet he had so few men... Fewer than even a common Leader in the Black Tiger Gang. The Yin Talisman Sect had indeed declined in power!

However, Lin Xuankong was quite satisfied that the newly initiated Yang Mountain, Guo Yun, and about six or seven others, including Bald Li Er, were all assigned under him. These individuals possessed excellent Martial Skills and could all be considered elites.