Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar
Chapter 56 - 55: I Just Want to Quietly Become a Martial Saint (Seeking Investment and Follow-up Reads)

Chapter 56: Chapter 55: I Just Want to Quietly Become a Martial Saint (Seeking Investment and Follow-up Reads)

At dawn the next day, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Hong Yuan had already tidied his appearance and changed into a brand-new blue robe.

He then arrived at the location agreed upon with Zhu and followed him to the White Frost Stone House.

The early bird catches the worm, but the early worm gets eaten by the bird.

Without a doubt, Hong Yuan was that early bird at this moment!

Thinking about the reward he could receive from his generous Master, Hong Yuan couldn’t help but feel a surge of strong anticipation.

What could it be? A weapon, a Cultivation Technique, or perhaps a precious pill?

Even while walking on the frosty green stone steps, Hong Yuan felt only that his steps were steady and his agility exceptional.

Passing through the winding path and crossing the bamboo forest dusted with snow, Hong Yuan and Zhu Wushang arrived at the White Frost Stone House with practiced ease.

A delicate beauty stood poised before the entrance of the White Frost Stone House.

She was dressed in a powder-pink snow fox cotton coat and a hibiscus auspicious cloud fold skirt. A pale orchid plum blossom robe was draped over her shoulders. Standing amidst the vast snowflakes, she seemed to merge with the plum blossoms.

Her eyebrows, like wisps of smoke, neither frowned nor relaxed. Her eyes, glistening as if holding back unshed tears, radiated a charm that could stir compassion in any beholder.

Lin Yiru? Hong Yuan muttered to himself.

His heart inexplicably sank as he saw Lin Yiru warmly greeting them up ahead. Just as he’d thought, when he and Zhu approached, Lin Yiru cheerfully greeted Brother Wushang.

"Good morning, Brother Wushang, Yuan."

"Yiru, why are you..." Zhu Wushang was taken aback.

How is this little princess up so early, contrary to her usual habits!? Didn’t she say that true beauties need ample sleep, and only ugly witches need to rise early for heavy makeup? Zhu Wushang’s mind filled with doubts.

"Good morning, Sister," Hong Yuan said, feigning docility.

When it came to Lin Yiru, Hong Yuan’s attitude was to avoid her as much as possible. He couldn’t strike her, scold her, or deceive her... If he had to work with Lin Yiru, everything would have to revolve around her. If she became even slightly moody, he would have to drop whatever he was doing to coax her back into a good mood. Hong Yuan found this intolerable.

There was no choice; after all, she was the Master’s daughter. As his Disciple, he could only maintain a low profile and defer to her.

"Hee hee, I made shrimp noodle soup. You should try some in a bit," Lin Yiru said, her eyes narrowing with a smile.

However, her exceedingly kind gaze was fixed solely on Hong Yuan, which was very strange.

"Oh?!" Zhu Wushang paused, also sensing something was amiss. He realized Xiaoru had a request for someone, and that person was Yuan.

Hong Yuan also felt that Lin Yiru was being overly kind to him. Subconsciously, his mind raced, thoughts flashing like lightning.

Why is Lin Yiru suddenly so kind to me? Does she want something from me? But what do I have that she would need? Alchemy? Surely not, she’s only a first-rank alchemist herself. If she still needs my help, then she must value my cultivation and martial prowess! The Sect Competition? It must be the Sect Competition!

Hong Yuan quickly understood Lin Yiru’s intentions.

As he followed Zhu Wushang toward the study, he caught a glimpse of Lin Yiru playfully, subtly blinking at him—coquettishly charming to the extreme.

In that moment, Hong Yuan admitted to being moved, but this only solidified his resolve.

Good grief, once I’ve collected my reward, I’m out of here. I absolutely must not give Lin Yiru a chance to speak, Hong Yuan thought.

The Sect Competition would last a month. The rewards were quite ordinary; the top fifty only received items worth, at most, two hundred to five hundred Energy Stones. Unless he placed in the top three among cultivation Disciples, the ranking meant nothing to Hong Yuan. But Hong Yuan felt it wasn’t worth fighting the prodigies from each hall and palace for a spot in the top three.

Becoming famous would attract attention. Attracting attention would mean being assigned missions by the Sect under the guise of "tempering," forcing him into deeper levels of life-and-death struggle.

Competing with the Heavenly Talents within the Sect... Battling the Heavenly Talents from the various Overlord Sects... This cycle would repeat until he achieved Phoenix Creek Tutelage and ascended to Martial Saint.

This path of blood and slaughter was not one Hong Yuan wanted to tread. He only wished to quietly become a Martial Saint and calmly reach immortality.

Hong Yuan’s previous battles had only occurred because his progress with the Mysterious Water Snake had stagnated, forcing him to scramble for resources. However, Hong Yuan’s resources were now largely sufficient. After absorbing the resources he currently possessed, the Mysterious Water Snake would be able to evolve into an Ice Armor Python. Then, he could enter another phase of rapid power increase.

His eagerness to become a Martial Saint quickly was mostly to repay Zhu Wushang and fulfill his Senior Brother’s dream of reaching Martial Saint status. He wanted Zhu Wushang to see that the Disciple he favored was capable! Otherwise, Hong Yuan would definitely be cultivating at his own unhurried pace. He wouldn’t have ventured into the Ten Thousand Beast Cave Heaven or refined any Sting Bee Worms.

Anyway, the Sect Competition poses no real danger. At most, I’ll help gather intelligence on opponents when the time comes, as a way of serving my Master and Zhu. No matter if Lin Yiru wants me to team up with her for the Sect Competition, I’m bolting as soon as I get my reward! Otherwise, if Lin Yiru actually asks, I won’t be able to refuse her, Hong Yuan thought.

A great beauty... the Sect Competition... teaming up... Hong Yuan mused. This scenario too easily brought to mind the trope of capturing a beauty’s heart and gaining fame within the Sect.

But he just wanted to quietly become a Martial Saint, to become an immortal—a being this world had never seen!

Hong Yuan followed Zhu Wushang into the corridor, his figure disappearing from Lin Yiru’s sight.

Lin Yiru chuckled to herself. That stinker Hong Yuan is definitely not just at the early Second Order; he might even be at mid-Second Order cultivation! With this stinker on my team, I’ll be able to crush everyone! I could even compete with those monsters!

Perhaps imagining herself glorious and triumphant under the watchful eyes of the masses, achieving fame in a single battle, Lin Yiru giggled foolishly, lightly dabbing the corner of her lips with her hand.

...

In the study, Hong Yuan’s eyes widened, clearly shocked to the core.

At Hong Yuan’s reaction, Lin Daoyan, seated in the mahogany armchair, was quite pleased, taking a contented sip of his Azure Lotus tea. It seemed the reward he offered was quite good; otherwise, Hong Yuan wouldn’t be so conflicted. He just wondered which of the three rewards Hong Yuan would choose.

Zhu Wushang was also somewhat surprised, both by his master’s generosity toward Hong Yuan and by his master’s swift and decisive style. There were no solicitous inquiries, no subtle tests. Master Lin Daoyan directly expressed his satisfaction with Hong Yuan and allowed him to pick his desired reward.

Hong Yuan’s mind spun rapidly. The options were:

Help me set up a Grade B Craft Workshop...

Give me a twenty percent share of Workshop House A06...

Grant me a small smithy in the marketplace...

He knew that "those with permanent assets possess a steadfast heart." These three items were all means of production—exceptionally important means of production. This was especially true for a Martial Artist like Hong Yuan, who followed the path of Longevity Martial Arts; for him, means of production were incredibly valuable. Master Lin Daoyan was treating him with considerable generosity—so generously that Hong Yuan felt ashamed. He was almost tempted to change his mind, to stay and see what tricks Lin Yiru was planning.