Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Honored Guest Elder, Cultivating the Star Battle Body
"I confirm."
Ji Haoyuan answered affirmatively.
"I hope True Man will grant my wish."
"Very well."
Upon hearing this, Master Binghuo said no more.
With a lift of her jade hand,
a jade slip shimmering with a faint starlight landed in Ji Haoyuan’s hand.
After some thought, Master Binghuo lifted her hand again.
A Storage Bag also fell into Ji Haoyuan’s hand.
"This is the Star Dust Sand needed to cultivate the Star Battle Body. Consider it an additional compensation from me. It should be enough for you to use for a while."
Ji Haoyuan’s face immediately showed a timely hint of gratitude.
"Thank you, True Man, for the additional gift."
At this point, Ji Haoyuan knew it was about time for him to leave.
However, before he could bid farewell, Master Binghuo unexpectedly tossed him another token.
"This is the Token of an Honored Guest Elder of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Take it.
With this status, you will not only receive an annual salary from my Crimson Sunset Sect but also have more convenience in exchanging for things within my sect."
One could see that this was also an additional compensation specifically gifted to him by Master Binghuo.
Though slightly surprised, Ji Haoyuan quickly responded, continuing from Master Binghuo’s words:
"Yes, thank you for your favor, True Man.
If True Man ever needs anything in the future, do not hesitate to inform this junior. No matter what, I will do my utmost!"
He knew that from this moment on, he had forged a certain relationship with the Golden Core True Man in front of him.
Although this relationship was still weak, Ji Haoyuan believed that with his ability, deepening it was just a matter of time.
Moreover, he clearly understood that being an Honored Guest Elder essentially meant a nominal cooperative relationship.
The Crimson Sunset Sect would provide him with a salary, and he would selectively assist them with tasks based on the situation.
Essentially, he was neither a member of the Crimson Sunset Sect nor a disciple.
But in some sense, he could be considered part of the sect.
Because sometimes, he could operate under the banner of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
In short, this was a relatively equal relationship without too many deep ties.
If there was any inherent connection, it was solely between him and Master Binghuo.
After all, it was Master Binghuo who directly appointed him as an Honored Guest Elder of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
In another regard, he was effectively Master Binghuo’s person.
When Master Binghuo’s orders conflicted with the Crimson Sunset Sect’s orders, he would unconditionally follow Master Binghuo’s orders.
"Hmm, go ahead."
Master Binghuo said nothing further and slowly closed her eyes.
Seeing this, Ji Haoyuan respectfully bowed again and then slowly retreated.
It must be said that the gains from this trip had somewhat exceeded his expectations.
Not only did he receive a very promising Body Refining Technique from Master Binghuo, but he also established a certain level of relationship with her and gained an "official" status with the Crimson Sunset Sect.
From now on,
people like Yuan Shanglong would no longer be able to suppress him using the sect’s name.
He intended to return directly to his cave abode to study and attempt cultivating the Star Battle Body.
But after a brief thought, he finally sent a message to Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan.
Shortly after,
the group met again.
Neither Liu Hongyu nor Feng Wanqing asked about Ji Haoyuan’s meeting with Master Binghuo, tacitly understanding not to inquire.
Ji Haoyuan did not bring it up either, instead directly discussing the distribution of the bounty from the medicinal garden.
The process had no major obstacles.
The only notable issue was the handling of the two Profound Sun Fruits.
Ji Haoyuan decided.
When the time was right, he would personally refine two furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills.
Although he currently had no experience in refining Foundation Establishment Pills,
and didn’t even possess the necessary Pill Formula,
these matters weren’t major hurdles for Ji Haoyuan.
Firstly, while the Pill Formula for Foundation Establishment Pills was precious, in his current situation, obtaining it wasn’t out of the question.
And once he had the Pill Formula, with his full comprehension ability, attempting to refine Foundation Establishment Pills wouldn’t be too challenging.
If he could attain footage of other Alchemy Masters refining Foundation Establishment Pills, even fragmented, it would allow him to grasp their essence and greatly enhance the success rate of alchemy.
Nonetheless, Ji Haoyuan did not disclose these plans to Liu Hongyu and the others.
He simply informed them that if he successfully refined Foundation Establishment Pills using the Profound Sun Fruit,
he would distribute any surplus to each of the three.
Once everything was settled, Ji Haoyuan did not linger and returned directly to his cave abode in Yuan Guang City.
He took out the jade slip from Master Binghuo containing the Star Battle Body.
Pressing it to his forehead, Ji Haoyuan began to study it attentively.
In an instant, profound insights surged unto him like tides, flooding his mind wave after wave.
[You comprehend the Body Refining Technique: Star Battle Body, and gain insight.]
[You comprehend the Body Refining Technique: Star Battle Body, and gain insight.]
[You comprehend the Body Refining Technique: Star Battle Body, and further realize its crucial cultivation points, attempting to deduce the continuation of the cultivation technique.]
[Congratulations, you have successfully deduced the subsequent content of the Star Battle Body, acquiring the Golden Core Realm cultivation method of the technique.]
[This technique allows you to cultivate all the way to the late Golden Core stage.]
...
Half a month later.
Within Ji Haoyuan’s cave abode,
a stream of starlight was drawn down from the high heavens, merging into his body and spreading throughout his limbs and bones in an instant.
In a trance-like state, Ji Haoyuan seemed to be one with the starlight.
Elusive, unfathomable.
The only thing visible was an endless expanse of light.
Clatter—
At that moment, streams of starlight began to converge and rapidly collapse towards a single point in the center.
The surrounding light was swiftly drained away.
For a moment, the surrounding void seemed shrouded in a lightless world.
Until a figure slowly emerged.
The surrounding light then gradually returned to normal.
Ji Haoyuan stood up slowly.
With a single thought,
the starlight that had previously merged with his body emerged once more.
This time, it shone brighter and more brilliantly than before.
Even his eyes appeared to be studded with shimmering stars.
An incomparably vast and mighty power suddenly surged forth from his body.
Ding!
Ding ding ding!
Suddenly,
several Spiritual Flying Swords struck his body.
However, they could not penetrate his defense, merely sending sparks flying across the surface.
Not even a faint white mark was left behind.