At the Void Immortal Sword Sect, Sect Master’s Hall.

“Esteemed elders, I have brought the person as requested. I hope I have lived up to your expectations,” Bai Qingming cupped his fist and smiled.

The elders nodded lightly, their gazes all landing on Fang Chen.

Langya Wenqiu’s face was filled with joy as she looked at Fang Chen, while Jing Yuehan couldn’t help but show a hint of regret in her eyes.

Years ago, Fang Chen had been just a small cultivator from a low-ranked ninth-tier empire. Yet now, he stood there, having become the Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. His cultivation and methods had far surpassed her own.

The Sect Master, still only revealing his profile, spoke. “Fang Chen, have you become an Immortal Seedling?”

Everyone stared intently at Fang Chen. After all, he had been inside the Ancient Immortal Road for several years, whereas historical records showed that no one had lasted more than a year inside. Those who did exceed that time never returned.

They were all curious as to how Fang Chen managed to emerge after several years and what might have happened during that time.

Fang Chen pondered for a moment before delivering the explanation he had prepared long in advance. “I left the Ancient Immortal Road after only a few days and spent the following years traveling to various places.”

The crowd was momentarily stunned. He left after only a few days?

They recalled that Fang Chen’s core was a White Core, and the Ancient Immortal Road was known for testing talent. Some with poor aptitude weren’t even qualified to be tested.

Could it be that he left the Ancient Demon Wasteland in silence, embarrassed by his lack of progress, and didn’t inform his fellow disciples?

Zhang Ling and several others exchanged glances, their expressions turning somewhat peculiar.

After all, it wasn’t surprising… sword cultivators were known for their pride.

“Not becoming an Immortal Seedling is no matter. We sword cultivators have always been looked down upon by various sects. Not recognizing you as an Immortal Seedling simply shows their lack of vision,” said the Sect Master.

He coughed lightly, steering the conversation away. “You should know that before your return, we already established you as the Sword Leader. The official decree from the capital has been issued, and all parties are aware of it.”

Fang Chen nodded, “What benefits come with being the Sword Leader?”

“…”

Zhang Ling frowned. “Shouldn’t you first ask about the downsides?”

“The Sword Sect wouldn’t harm its disciples; I trust the elders on this,” Fang Chen replied confidently.

The bearded sword cultivator laughed heartily. “Good! You’re truly a disciple of our Sword Sect. There are certainly benefits to becoming the Sword Leader. You’ll receive 100 mid-grade spirit stones every year!”

At first glance, 100 mid-grade spirit stones didn’t seem like much. However, considering that cultivators often lived for hundreds of years, it turned out that the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s support for the Sword Leader was quite generous.

Fang Chen cupped his fist and bowed respectfully. “May I request an advance of 100 years' worth of mid-grade spirit stones?”

“…”

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became awkward. The elders exchanged glances.

He was requesting an advance on 100 years’ worth of spirit stones? That was a total of 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones!

The Sect Master cleared his throat several times and then said lightly, “Mid-grade spirit stones are in high demand, and our current reserves are not abundant. It might be a bit difficult for you to request an advance for 100 years. Besides, given your cultivation level, even 100 mid-grade spirit stones should be more than enough for your expenses.”

“That’s right. Even if we gave you 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones, you’d just store them in your storage ring to admire. What good would that do?” the bearded sword cultivator added.

Fang Chen couldn’t possibly explain that he had Three Thousand Dao Realm and that mid-grade spirit stones held significant value for him. He thought for a moment and then said, “Can I request an advance on 80 years' worth of mid-grade spirit stones?”

The Sect Master of the Void Immortal Sword Sect fell silent.

Fang Chen tested the waters further. “What about 60 years?”

The disciples from various peaks looked on with curiosity. Why would someone at the Golden Core Realm need so many mid-grade spirit stones?

Seeing that the Sect Master still wasn’t responding, Fang Chen continued, “Then how about 40 years?”

The Sect Master let out a gentle sigh. “Don’t you understand? Our sect simply cannot produce that many mid-grade spirit stones. Even giving you 100 each year would be deducted from our annual share.”

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

One of the peak masters quietly explained, “Fang Chen, you might not know this, but there are very few mines in the world that can produce mid-grade spirit stones, which is why their supply is so limited. We have seven Immortal Ruins in the Immortal Demonic Sea. Because we have so few Immortal Seedlings, we allow some to enter by purchasing tickets with mid-grade spirit stones.

"This revenue is the main source of income for the sect. With the mid-grade spirit stones, we prioritize the cultivation of our disciples, and after that, the remaining amount is quite scarce.”

The Sect Master contemplated for a moment, then said, “Here’s what we can do. As the Sword Leader, you will indeed bear responsibilities that far exceed ours. I can advance you… 10 years' worth of mid-grade spirit stones, but that’s all I can offer.”

Fang Chen’s face broke into a smile as he cupped his fist in gratitude. “Thank you, Sect Master.”

He was thinking that ten years was just about right. With 1000 mid-grade spirit stones, he could enter the Three Thousand Dao Realm twice. He could begin to refine his Nascent Soul.

The Sect Master waved his hand. “Dismissed. I’ll have someone send the mid-grade spirit stones to you shortly.”

Fang Chen nodded and turned to exit the hall. “Then I’ll take my leave first.”

The disciples from various peaks also began to leave, with Langya Wenqiu and the others quickly following after Fang Chen. They were curious if he really hadn’t spent these years in the Ancient Immortal Road.

Once everyone had departed, only the peak masters and the elders were left in the hall. Most of them were in the Middle Three Realms or Upper Realms.

The Sect Master of the Void Immortal Sword Sect spread his hands and said, “Everyone, let’s pool our resources. I can only come up with 80 mid-grade spirit stones.”

The bearded sword cultivator’s eyes flashed with anger. “Sect Master, have you consumed all the mid-grade spirit stones over the years? You can only produce 80? Isn’t that a bit hard to believe?”

“Truth is truth, and falsehood is falsehood. Do you think the old Sword Immortal doesn’t need healing medicine after being injured? A few years ago, a batch of mid-grade spirit stones was used to purchase high-grade spirit medicine,” the Sect Master of the Void Immortal Sword Sect said with a cold smile.

The others realized this, and then they exchanged glances. Each contributed several dozen mid-grade spirit stones, and it was quite difficult to gather a total of 1000 mid-grade spirit stones.

One peak master whispered, “Why don’t we try persuading Fang Chen again? I really can’t think of what he would need 1000 mid-grade spirit stones for.”

Someone nodded in agreement. “Weaker cultivators can get by with just low-grade spirit stones. Even if they’re breaking through, they wouldn’t need this many mid-grade spirit stones.”

They were worried not about their own resources but about the possibility of Fang Chen wasting these spirit stones. It was like a senior family member suddenly giving a large sum of money to a younger relative, fearing it might be squandered.

“Forget it, this kid Fang Chen has his own ideas. Perhaps he really has a use for 1000 mid-grade spirit stones; otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked us for them. As elders, we should support him; after all, these spirit stones are rightfully his,” said the Sect Master, sighing.

He then glanced at Bai Qingming, who was squatting in the corner. “You, take these spirit stones to Fang Chen. You’ve been hiding at the side since we started to talk about splitting the spirit stones… Are you really that poor?!”

Bai Qingming grinned, accepted the spirit stones, and swiftly exited the hall.