The award ceremony progressed systematically.
Every sacred ground, grotto-heaven, and blessed-land took out their precious treasures.
There were a total of 20 prodigies, and every one of them received valuable rewards. They were all grinning from ear to ear.
Of course, a certain youth from the Country of Fire had been overlooked. He appeared bewildered and felt like weeping.
“Thirteenth Brother, do you think I can come with you to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground to train for a period?”
Shen Ao appeared to be rather conflicted, and his face was an array of changing expressions.
No choice. It was humiliating to beg his own little brother for the chance to tag along with him, but the benefits were just too great! He could follow his thirteenth brother and reap the benefits of his fortuitous opportunities, enjoying a smooth-sailing life.
He was no fool. Why should he go back to train under Sword Venerable Long River?
He was not a masochist! Shen Tian was taken aback by the pitiful-looking Shen Ao.
He had never trained under Sword Venerable Long River before and didn’t hang out with Li Yunfeng and the rest. Thus, he was unfamiliar with gossip in the Eastern Wilderness.
As a result, he didn’t know about the rumors surrounding Sword Venerable Long River.
But when he first saw Sword Venerable Long River at the Weiyang Palace in the Country of Fire, he was already at the Soul Formation stage.
Sword Venerable Long River’s cultivation had already reached formidable levels.
If not for Li Lian’er, Shen Tian also wanted to learn swordplay from Sword Venerable Long River.
After all, Sword Venerable Long River’s reputation of being the Eastern Wilderness’ number one practitioner in swordplay over the past 3,000 years was universal and widely-acknowledged.
Although the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader, Zhang Longyuan, was also very adept at swordplay and was at an even higher cultivation level than Sword Venerable Long River-his forte was in the lightning arts. If based on just swordplay alone, Sword Venerable Long River, Li Canglan, was still the best in Eastern Wilderness!
Shen Tian had the Divine Sword Constitution and was very curious about his swordplay skills.
“If you wish to, I am more than happy to welcome you to visit the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground. But you have received the reward of three months of personal training under Sword Venerable Long River. This is a great fortuitous opportunity.”
Shen Tian took a Sword Heart Fruit out of his Archeon Sea Ring. “You have already consumed one of these before. This greatly enhances your swordplay talents.
“But it has been so many days since you last consumed one that most of its essence should have already been absorbed. You can take another one of these and further enhance your talents.
“With two Sword Heart Fruits, I believe you should be able to gain Sword Venerable Long River’s recognition and become an exceptional prodigy swordsman! “Why don’t you finish your three-month sword training first before coming to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground?”
Shen Ao’s expression turned rather strange as if he was feeling anxious about something.
Shen Tian shoved the Sword Heart Fruit into Shen Ao’s hands. He said encouragingly, “Sixth Brother, believe in yourself! After all, back in the Country of Fire, you used to be the most powerful prodigy in the Shen Family!”
With that, Shen Tian gave a thumbs-up sign and beamed.
Most powerful prodigy? Shen Ao was taken aback as he stared at Shen Tian.
Over the past few months, he had been living under Shen Tian’s shadow.
“Used to be the most powerful prodigy” felt like subtle mockery.
After all, compared to Shen Tian, how could his earlier performance be considered extraordinary? In the great cultivation world, he was mediocre at most. Shen Ao looked at Shen Tian. He thought his thirteenth brother must have been mocking him, but he noticed that his expression was extremely sincere.
It was like in his thirteenth brother’s eyes, he would forever be his elder brother.
For a moment there, Shen Ao felt a warm feeling gushing over his heart.
He couldn’t help scolding himself inwardly.
Stop acting so emotional and dramatic! No one likes to watch some weepy forced theatrics!
Even if the Zenith Heaven Deity himself came, he must try his best to wriggle out of that three-month special training. “Thirteenth Brother, I don’t want to go for the special training. Sword Venerable Long River’s training is completely useless. It is also boring and arduous!”
Shen Ao gazed at Shen Tian with a woeful expression. He pouted as he pleaded in a small voice. “You are now the Divine Firmament Saint. Can you think of some way to let me… go to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and avoid this three-month training?”
Huh? Was it like that?
Shen Tian thought about it. “Let me try.”
Shen Tian approached Supremacy Zi Yang and bowed. “My humble greetings, Uncle-Master Zi Yang.”
Supremacy Zi Yang was quietly amazed by the intense and suppressive aura radiating from Shen Tian’s body.
Just two months ago, in the Weiyang Palace in the Country of Fire, this young man was just a little weakling. How did he manage to become such a powerful Golden Body practitioner in just two months’
time?
Supremacy Zi Yang’s was truly shocked by the aura he emitted.
It was clear that Shen Tian’s battle prowess was now high enough to pose a slight threat to Supremacy Zi Yang.
Is this how a true prodigy is? So disheartening!
Supremacy Zi Yang didn’t dare to behave arrogantly. He quickly returned the bow. “You are too kind. Just call me Zi Yang.”
Shen Tian addressed Supremacy Zi Yang as Uncle-Master as he was from the same generation as Zhang Longyuan. But power trumped all in the cultivation world. Most cultivators did not particularly respect seniority and age. With Shen Tian’s status as the Divine Firmament Saint, calling Supremacy Zi Yang Uncle-Master was considered an extremely polite gesture. He felt rather shocked and pleased.
He could see why so many people praised the Divine Firmament Saint.
He was such a talented prodigy but still behaved so courteously. He was also extremely handsome. Who wouldn’t like him?
Shen Tian smiled. “To be honest, I am bothering you now because I need a favor.”
With that, Shen Tian discreetly shoved a stalk of well-aged Dragon Blood Grass into Supremacy Zi Yang’s hands.
Supremacy Zi Yang’s eyes sparkled when he felt the pure energy exuded by the stalk of Dragon Blood Grass.
He cleared his throat and quietly kept the stalk of Dragon Blood Grass. He smiled. “No need to be so formal. The Grand White Grotto-Heaven has always been on very good terms with your sacred ground. Feel free to just ask whenever you need anything.”
Shen Tian looked toward Shen Ao. “My sixth brother and I are very close. We have been close like brothers since a young age.” Close like brothers? Aren’t you biological brothers in the first place? Never mind, this isn’t important now.
Supremacy Zi Yang nodded. “I understand completely. If this was not the case, you would not have changed your name to Shen Aotian at the Myriad Spirit Garden. Your close relationship with your brother is very touching.”
Shen Ao, “…” Shen Tian, “…” Cough, cough!
Shen Tian coughed lightly. “So I hope that I can invite my sixth brother to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground as a guest for some time. Can Uncle-Master Zi Yang help out with this?”
Guest for some time?
Supremacy Zi Yang furrowed his brows slightly. “But if we went by the book, Ao’er is supposed to train under Senior Brother Long River for three months after he returns. This is a rare opportunity to learn swordplay from Senior Brother. If Ao’er doesn’t return, Senior Brother Long River might be displeased. He might never offer to train Ao’er again.”
Never offer to train me again?
Shen Ao’s eyes immediately lit up. He sighed. “It’s a rare opportunity to train under Martial Uncle. But even so, I hold brotherly ties in higher regard. Do let me go to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground to spend time with my thirteenth brother!”
Supremacy Zi Yang glanced at Shen Ao.
Stop trying to put up an act in front of me!
Do you think I don’t know what you are truly thinking? I have also trained under Senior Brother Long River before!
What will happen to me if Senior Brother becomes angered by your no-show and takes it out on me!?
Supremacy Zi Yang said in exasperation. “Saint, if it was anything else, I would gladly oblige you. But as this concerns Senior Brother Long River’s reward, I am afraid my hands are tied.”
With that, Supremacy Zi Yang reluctantly took out the stalk of Dragon Blood Grass. “This Dragon Blood Grass—”
Before Supremacy Zi Yang could finish his sentence, a cute little sprite bounced over.
Who else could it be but Li Lian’er?
The calabash growing in the flowerpot on Li Lian’er’s head was looking very strong and healthy after absorbing the Nirvana Holy Liquid.
Two green vines hung down from the pot, making it look as if Li Lian’er had two green pigtails.
Li Lian’er took out a letter and handed it to Supremacy Zi Yang. “Uncle-Master Zi Yang, you don’t need to worry about Father being unhappy.
“Junior Brother Shen Ao is not the only one who wants to visit the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground. I am also going to Second Uncle’s place to hang out with my cousin.
“You can tell him that Junior Brother Shen Ao is going to accompany me! “This letter already explains everything. Father wouldn’t be upset.”
Supremacy Zi Yang felt dazed as he looked at the beaming Li Lian’er.
Going to Second Uncle’s place to hang out with your cousin Li Yunfeng? Do you think Senior Brother will believe such a silly excuse?
There was no need for Supremacy Zi Yang to read what Li Lian’er had written. He knew that if he let Li Lian’er go, he would definitely be in deep trouble with her father.
After all, Sword Venerable Long River was the strictest father in the entire Eastern Wilderness!
Supremacy Zi Yang quietly kept the stalk of Dragon Blood Grass again. It was no longer important whether Shen Ao went.
It would already be a blessing if he could convince Li Lian’er not to leave. He might even be able to curry favor with Sword Venerable Long River by claiming that he used Shen Ao to exchange for Li Lian’er. Sword Venerable Long River wouldn’t be angry then.
But if he failed to convince Li Lian’er to return… Supremacy Zi Yang felt that…
He would probably have to live full-time at the back of the mountains over the next few years.
Just the thought of it terrified him!
Supremacy Zi Yang quietly picked Li Lian’er up. “Saint, go ahead and bring Ao’er away with you then! I will explain to Senior Brother on your behalf.”
With that, he flew off with Li Lian’er in his arms.
Li Lian’er struggled. “Uncle-Master, let go of me. Otherwise… Otherwise, I will run away from home the moment we arrive!
“I want to go to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground to hang out with my cousin. Why are you stopping me?
“You are so unreasonable!”
