Chapter 87: Is He Qu Yi?

Tongzhou Hall won the bet, and the news spread rapidly across the entire EarthlyStar Star. Naturally, Tongzhou Hall’s reputation quickly spread throughout the Immortal Realm, becoming an instant legend.

When Yun Zhouzi, Zhen Nantian, and Hua Hai returned to Tongzhou Hall from the Refinement Institute’s headquarters, just emerging from the teleportation hall, they were immediately surrounded by the gathered disciples.

“Hall Master, we won, right?”
“Hall Master, we’ve heard the news—we won the bet! We’ve earned 100 billion Origin Stones!”
“Hall Master, Tongzhou Hall is now the top branch in the entire Refinement Institute, right?”
“Hall Master, we’ve gotten a lot of mission points this time. Can we share them among all the disciples so we can train at the Skill Transmission Hall?”
……

Countless voices of joy shouted loudly, filling the air of Tongzhou Hall. Yun Zhouzi, Zhen Nantian, and Hua Hai enjoyed this atmosphere of adoration, laughing nonstop, almost losing themselves in pride.

At that moment, Yun Zhouzi raised his hand to calm the crowd.

“Disciples of Tongzhou Hall, since we won the bet this time, everyone will receive rewards. Now, return to your respective peaks and wait for good news,” Yun Zhouzi shouted loudly, his voice echoing everywhere.

“Thank you, Hall Master!” tens of thousands of disciples replied in joy.

Immediately afterward, Yun Zhouzi, Zhen Nantian, and Hua Hai flew away swiftly.

Inside Tongzhou Hall’s Hall Master’s Hall, Zhen Nantian and Hua Hai didn’t talk with Yun Zhouzi for long before leaving. As soon as they left the hall, they flew straight to Fire Venerable’s cultivation cave.

“Fire Venerable, we’re here,” Zhen Nantian called out as soon as he landed.

Immediately, Fire Venerable removed the array guarding his cultivation cave and opened its entrance. Zhen Nantian and Hua Hai stepped inside and sat down in front of Fire Venerable.

“Fire Venerable, Tongzhou Hall has won the bet, and we’ve obtained 100 billion Origin Stones! I’m so happy,” Zhen Nantian announced cheerfully after sitting down.

Hua Hai nodded in agreement.

Fire Venerable glanced at them and then smiled. “Both of you, since the bet is over, let’s not bring it up anymore. Now, Tongzhou Hall’s strength must have been recognized by the Refinement Institute. Well then, Hua Hai, go to the Artifact Hall right now and take on another four-star Human Soul Immortal-level refinement task for me.”

Zhen Nantian and Hua Hai, who had been beaming with joy moments ago, were now stunned.

Hua Hai glanced again at Fire Lord’s expression and seeing that he wasn’t joking, he didn’t ask for reasons and immediately replied, “Okay, I’ll take on all the crafting tasks at the four-star Human Soul Immortal level.” With the confidence gained from this gambling victory, Tongzhou Hall, having taken on all the crafting tasks, dared not be obstructed by other crafting factions anymore. Fire Lord then turned his gaze to Zhen Nantian and said with a smile, “Fat guy, to what level have you progressed in practicing your formations?” Fire Lord had already handed over Emperor Hao’s formations to Zhen Nantian, who had been in seclusion practicing. Hearing this, Zhen Nantian laughed heartily and said, “Fire Lord, to be honest, I’ve already mastered formations at the Human Soul Immortal and Human Spirit Immortal levels.” Seeing Zhen Nantian’s proud demeanor, Fire Lord chose not to discourage him, so as not to dampen his confidence or enthusiasm. Soon, Fire Lord took out two bottles of spirit pills. “Fat guy, since you’ve been focusing on practicing formations, you haven’t had time to delve into the mysteries of speed. Here’s a Fire-type Spirit Pill that can help you master another form of fire-based speed, allowing you to break through to two-star Earth Soul Immortal. Hua Hai, since you’ve also helped Tongzhou Hall, here’s a spirit pill for you as well, to help you reach four-star Earth Soul Immortal,” Fire Lord said with a faint smile. Zhen Nantian practiced fire-based techniques, while Hua Hai practiced water-based techniques—so the two bottles were one fire-type and one water-type spirit pill. “Ah, Fire Lord, you actually have spirit pills at the Earth Soul Immortal level!” Overjoyed, Zhen Nantian and Hua Hai quickly reached out to snatch the pills. Naturally, they were very eager for them, and fearing Fire Lord might change his mind, they grabbed them first. Fire Lord smiled faintly and then said, “Alright, now you two go and get to work. I still need to continue practicing.” Zhen Nantian and Hua Hai nodded happily, quickly got up, and flew away from Fire Lord’s cave. After they left, Fire Lord murmured, “I’m still refining my physique in the Origin Spirit Vein Cave. It shouldn’t be long before I can raise my physical strength to the limit of an upper-tier Human Spirit Immortal. I must also work hard to break through to one-star Earth Soul Immortal as soon as possible so I can truly show my strength.” With that, Fire Lord closed his eyes to continue practicing. ※※※ Hua Hai returned to the main hall of the Crafting Academy, went straight to the fourth floor, and took on all the crafting tasks at the four-star Human Soul Immortal level. This news spread rapidly once again.

The other branches of artifact crafting, having lost their bet, lacked the face to trouble Tongzhou Hall this time and allowed them to take on all the tasks. Yet news of Tongzhou Hall taking on all the tasks once again spread among the six academies of Youhan Sect. All the high-ranking members of Youhan Sect began to pay attention to Tongzhou Hall, and naturally, various reports reached the sect master, Luo Youtian.

Shi Huan Mountain, where Luo Youtian practiced and where major matters of Youhan Sect were discussed, was the location. At that moment, Luo Youtian was in the Lingkong Hall, meeting with ten high-ranking members of the Sect Affairs Council.

Sitting on the Red Jade Xuanlong Throne, Luo Youtian glanced around and said with a faint smile, “Elders, have there been any major events in the sect recently?”

Long Qingxin, the chief elder sitting on the left, looked at Luo Youtian and smiled, “Sect master, there are no major events in the sect, but there is one interesting matter. As mentioned before, it’s the internal strife within the artifact crafting branch of the Artifact Crafting Academy.”

Luo Youtian nodded slightly and raised his right hand to signal them to continue.

Long Qingxin continued, “Sect master, the outcome of the internal strife is out. Tongzhou Hall has defeated the other artifact crafting branches. In just three years, they have produced 300 million immortal artifacts at the three-star Human Soul Immortal level.”

Upon hearing this, although the elders had already heard about it, they were still moved and surprised by Tongzhou Hall’s efficiency in crafting artifacts.

Luo Youtian merely smiled faintly before asking, “Everyone must have investigated Tongzhou Hall. Please share what you’ve learned.”

“Sect master, Tongzhou Hall was discovered by Yu Wei, a disciple from the Artifact Crafting Academy, on a small planet called Zhu Yan Star.”

“That Tongzhou Hall possesses an extremely efficient crafting method that allows for rapid large-scale production of artifacts.”

“After joining the Artifact Crafting Academy, the first time they took on a task to craft one-star Human Soul Immortal artifacts, they immediately went to the Skill Transmission Academy to recruit 100,000 new disciples.”

“Sect master, within Tongzhou Hall, there is a disciple named Huo Zun. His status is very special; it seems that all the disciples of Tongzhou Hall revere and respect him greatly.”

“Sect master, I suggest inviting Huo Zun here to ask him about Tongzhou Hall.”

……

The ten elders spoke one after another, sharing what they had learned.

Luo Youtian listened smilingly until all ten had finished speaking.

“Elders, I am already aware of the situation regarding Tongzhou Hall. Well then, there’s no need for you to investigate further. I will send people to investigate it myself,” Luo Youtian said calmly.

The ten elders of the Sect Affairs Council were puzzled by Luo Youtian’s words and did not understand his thoughts.

“Yes, Sect master,” the ten elders replied calmly.

Luo Youtian then said, “Elders, if there are no other important matters, please return to the Sect Affairs Office.” The ten elders didn’t know why Luo Youtian didn’t want to discuss the Tongzhou Hall matter and dared not ask. Hearing that he wanted them to leave, they didn’t dare stay any longer and immediately got up to leave. After seeing the ten people leave, Luo Youtian lazily leaned back in his chair and said softly, “Luo Yi, come out.” It turned out that Luo Yi had just returned to Shihuan Mountain, which was why Luo Youtian interrupted the ten elders. Luo Yi was the one sent to investigate Tongzhou Hall, and Luo Youtian had no interest in hearing their superficial understanding, so he sent them away. Soon, a young man dressed in tight black clothes appeared in the previously empty hall. He had a handsome yet cold face, his eyes cold and calm as he stood quietly. “Luo Yi, explain the situation of Tongzhou Hall,” Luo Youtian said indifferently. “Yes, Sect Master,” Luo Yi nodded and then calmly recounted, “The current key figure in Tongzhou Hall is that Supreme Soul Immortal Fire Lord. Fire Lord’s origins are unknown; it’s most likely that he ascended from the lower realms. He entered Tongzhou Hall with the cultivation level of a One-Star Soul Immortal. Within ten days of joining, he entered the cultivation space and reached the level of a Four-Star Soul Immortal in just one year. Another five years later, he reached the level of a Six-Star Soul Immortal. In less than ten years, he advanced once more to the level of a Lower Soul Immortal. After ten years of traveling through the stars, he entered Youhan Sect and quickly reached the level of a Middle Soul Immortal. Another twenty years later, he has now reached the level of a Supreme Soul Immortal.” Luo Youtian’s eyes lit up as he was deeply impressed by Fire Lord’s rapid cultivation speed. “Is there anything else?” Luo Youtian quickly regained his composure and asked indifferently. Luo Yi nodded and said calmly, “The most mysterious aspect of Fire Lord is his expertise in formations. Back on Zhuyan Star, he invented the method of pre-setting formations, though he didn’t get involved in crafting weapons. After arriving at Youhan Sect, it seemed as though he mastered all formations. In the three times Tongzhou Hall took on weapon-crafting tasks, most of the formation-related difficulties were solved by Fire Lord.” After hearing this, Luo Youtian closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a glint in them, and smiled at Luo Yi, saying, “Luo Yi, you say this Fire Lord comes from the lower realms. Could he be from the cultivation world? Could he be Qu Yi, the one whose whereabouts the Firecloud Star is asking us to investigate?” Luo Yi was momentarily stunned before nodding, “It’s possible.” Luo Youtian trusted Luo Yi greatly; he would even tell him some extremely secret matters of the immortal realm, such as the secret orders given by Huang Xu of Firecloud Star.

Hearing Luo Yi’s words, a smile appeared on Luo Youtian’s lips.