Chapter 552

Chapter 552: On Merit

In Wei Fa City, a festive atmosphere filled the air.

Master Bai Jun led five flying ships and the Demon-Slaying Army, swiftly bringing back the news of breaking the Evil Nests, causing the ominous clouds that hung over the people to vanish completely.

The people, who had been living in fear day and night, stepped out of their homes and filled the streets and alleys to celebrate their victory.

Fireworks, which were usually only popular during festivals, sold out in the shops. Many cultivators took to the skies to unleash powerful spells that created dazzling displays, expressing their joy in the new moon!

This fortress had never been as lively as it was today.

The celebratory atmosphere reached its peak when the Demon-Slaying Army returned.

Countless people gathered along the streets, giving warm cheers to the returning cultivators.

However, of the eight hundred Purple Palace cultivators who set out, only a little over six hundred returned.

Nearly two hundred cultivators sacrificed their lives within the giant cocoon Evil Nest.

Among them was the sect’s General who commanded the Demon-Slaying Army, a high-level Purple Palace cultivator who fought until the last moment but fell to the frenzied attacks of countless giants before Wang Chen destroyed the core of the Evil Nest.

This loss was indeed significant.

When Master Bai Jun returned to the sect’s law hall and reviewed the report on the battle at the Evil Nest, he remained silent for a long time.

Finally, his gaze landed on one name.

Wang Chen.

Previously, Master Bai Jun had no impression of Wang Chen and was entirely unaware of such a pioneering cultivator.

He had someone fetch Wang Chen’s information to review it carefully.

“Come here.”

After reading it, the Golden Core true master instructed his attendant, “Invite Wang Chen from Wu Jiu Wu to come here.”

The attendant was startled, “As you command.”

A high-level Golden Core master actually used the word “invite” to summon a Purple Palace cultivator; that was quite remarkable!

When Wang Chen received the Golden Core summons, he did not dare to delay and quickly arrived at the sect’s law hall to meet Master Bai Jun.

He respectfully bowed, “Disciple Wang Chen pays respect to the master!”

“No need for such formalities.”

Master Bai Jun waved his hand, signaling Wang Chen to sit down opposite him, and instructed the attendant to serve Upper Spirits tea.

To be honest, Wang Chen felt a bit overwhelmed by the honor.

Master Bai Jun was not an ordinary Golden Core; he could command a small world, and his cultivation level was undoubtedly formidable.

After Wang Chen tasted the spiritual tea, Master Bai Jun got straight to the point: “Wang Chen, I just reviewed the battle report. You played a significant role in breaking the Evil Nests and freeing Wei Fa City from disaster!”

Wang Chen humbly replied, “Master is too kind; I only did my part.”

Master Bai Jun smiled slightly, “A merit is a merit. There’s no need for excessive modesty. Although you come from the ranks of loose cultivators and have not been in the sect for long, your accomplishments today fully qualify you to enter the Hundred Heroes Record.”

Wang Chen remained silent.

The Hundred Heroes Record refers to a roster of the hundred outstanding disciples, serving as a ranking of elite disciples within the West Sea Sect. It was proposed by a Nascent Soul true immortal from the sect a thousand years ago and then compiled into this list.

Being listed in the Hundred Heroes Record means that a disciple officially enters the attention of the upper echelons of the West Sea Sect. It signifies that they are not only a focus of the sect but also receive substantial advantages in cultivation resources and opportunities for growth.

They are considered the core of the next generation.

Every Grandmaster of the West Sea Sect and many elders have been members of the Hundred Heroes Record!

Though Wang Chen had not joined the sect for long, he was aware of the Hundred Heroes Record.

However, the conditions for entering the Hundred Heroes Record are stringent; besides cultivation level, root bone talent, family background, and contribution points are all significant criteria for inclusion.

Wang Chen had never imagined that he could one day enter the Hundred Heroes Record.

It’s important to note that there are hundreds of thousands of disciples in the West Sea Sect, making the Hundred Heroes Record genuinely a case of one in ten thousand.

As a mere loose cultivator from another realm, what right did he have to be listed among them?

Now that Master Bai Jun said he was qualified to enter the Hundred Heroes Record, Wang Chen’s first reaction was not one of overwhelming joy but rather a heavy sense of pressure.

Once he entered the Record, he would inevitably be under the spotlight, which could complicate his endeavors!

Wang Chen joined the West Sea Sect not to climb to a high position in the leading immortal sect of the Mountain-Sea Realm.

He listened as Master Bai Jun continued, “However, your qualifications are too shallow. Hurrying to place you in the Hundred Heroes Record would not benefit your future growth, so I have decided to record your contributions and reward you later.”

Wang Chen sighed in relief and replied, “Master is wise; I respect your decision!”

Master Bai Jun looked at Wang Chen with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

Among countless sect disciples and many talented individuals, few can resist the temptation of entering the Hundred Heroes Record.

Remaining calm in the face of such great fame and fortune!

He could see that Wang Chen’s words came from the heart and were not pretentious.

It was genuine understanding.

“Very good.”

Master Bai Jun then asked, “Do you have the Nest Stone in your possession?”

Wang Chen immediately retrieved the Nest Stone from his Xumi Ring and respectfully offered it with both hands.

He did not worry that Master Bai Jun would covet his spoils.

A high-level Golden Core true master would not be so petty.

Master Bai Jun took the Nest Stone, held it in his right hand, and closed his eyes to sense it for a moment. Then he opened his eyes, “As expected.”

What he expected, he did not explain, only storing the Nest Stone in his own Xumi Ring.

Master Bai Jun also had a Xumi Ring.

“With this as proof, your achievements cannot be erased by anyone!”

The Golden Core true master said, “Now you have two choices: One is to stay in the Underworld Realm until your training period ends and then return to the sect to enter the veins before being included in the Hundred Heroes Record.”

“The second choice is to end your training now, and I will guarantee you a spot to enter the veins and recommend you to become a disciple under a Golden Core master!”

Wang Chen answered without hesitation, “I would like to return now.”

He came to the Underworld Realm to earn merits for entering the veins, and now that he had gathered enough merit, why bother prolonging his qualifications for the Hundred Heroes Record?

“Good.”

Master Bai Jun nodded, “Which true immortal’s faction would you like to join? I can write you a letter of recommendation.”

The Golden Core true master genuinely appreciated Wang Chen. If not for his responsibilities in the Underworld Realm, he would certainly take Wang Chen in and cultivate him well.

He understood that Wang Chen possessed great opportunities.

After all, how could a mere fourth-realm Purple Palace cultivator destroy the heart of the Evil Nest, bolstered by the world’s consciousness?

Master Bai Jun was not inclined to delve into Wang Chen’s secrets but did not mind forging a connection with him.

As a high-level Golden Core true master, sitting in the Underworld Realm was not a punishment but rather a means of refining his heart of the path.

He was preparing for the breakthrough to a Yuan Ying.

With his reputation in the West Sea Sect, no Golden Core master could ignore his recommendation.

They would inevitably show him respect.

Wang Chen hesitated for a moment before replying, “I came to the Underworld Realm at the request of Changhe Zhenren.”

“Changhe Zhenren?”

Master Bai Jun suddenly understood, “So you already have a choice, which saves me the trouble.”