340 Retaliation (1/2)

”Fang Yuan...you...mm?”

In the Dream Realm, Feng Xinzi stared at Fang Yuan and the sword essence that surrounded his hands. His eyes suddenly widened.

”You...you have ascended to The 4th Tier?”

Fang Yuan was toying with a ray of sword radiance, which swam in the air like a little snake. It seemed as though it was alive.

To be able to exert such a degree of control over sword essence was incredible. Feng Xinzi was entirely aware that this was the cultivation of the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage, a state where one's spirituality would be triggered.

”That's right!”

Fang Yuan acknowledged with a smile.

In truth, this was impossible to hide. Although there was an increase in strength, but the increase in rank had not yet arrived. To face off with an enemy was unwise, and there was a need for Fang Yuan to search for a backer and prove his worth.

”Congratulations...I am being honest!”

Feng Xinzi was experiencing a flood of emotions. He remembered how he had been painfully stuck at the 4th Tier for years, and how he had only managed to achieve a breakthrough recently. He had sacrificed so much in the process. Now looking at Fang Yuan, he had this intense feeling of having led a wasted life.

Unknowingly, a sliver of jealousy and depression had been born.

Of course, the dream master of the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage was undoubtedly powerful. Feng Xinzi maintained his smile anyway.

”I'll help you to inform the Elder Smelter! Our line has gained another talent. The Elder will be pleased!”

Feng Xinzi left immediately after speaking.

Fang Yuan looked on silently.

Even though Feng Xinzi had not given away anything, all the more it betrayed his true feelings! Anyone would have felt envy upon seeing his achievements. Suppressing it to such an extent could only mean that he was a dangerous person.

Fang Yuan's endless strings of breakthroughs had ultimately led to cracks in his friendship with Feng Xinzi!

...

In the hall.

”What? That Fang fellow has already reached the 4th Tier?”

The Elder Smelter appeared at the master seat in the form of a fire dragon. He was alarmed.

”Such a qualification would at least bring him into the top 10 list of pugilists in the Alliance...no, for a dream master to rank up, there are considerations other than qualifications. Resources matter as well. Either he has inherited the generous legacy of the forebears, or dream-traversing the different worlds has done him much good!”

”This person has immense talent. I cannot compare to him!”

Feng Xinzi was hunched as he spoke.

”Also...it seems like he carries a secret, and his inheritance is an uncommon one. Elder, you must decide what to do with him!”

”But to be fair, has there been anyone who reached the illusionary divine stage without possessing secrets of their own?”

The Elder Smelter was not overly concerned. He was a dream master of the 7th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage, more powerful than True Divine martial artists and True Elemental spiritual knights. He was a man of great ability and did not lack for opportunities.

He was at an elevated position and was not particularly impressed by a legacy of the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage.

However, Feng Xinzi's words had attracted his attention, and he stared at Feng Xinzi.

”So...what do you think should be done?”

Feng Xinzi felt his blood ran cold. He knew that the Elder Smelter had already picked out the jealousy in his voice, and he fell to his knees immediately.

”Hear me out Elder. Our line has produced yet another talent, and I am elated. Even if I might not be entirely reconciled to this fact, I will not allow these feelings to get in the way!”

The Elder Smelter was approving of Feng Xinzi's frankness and nodded.

”You may continue!”

Feng Xinzi heaved a mental sigh. He knew that he had the Elder's trust.

”Now that Fang Yuan is at the 4th Tier, his abilities would be recognised by the Alliance sooner or later and they would give him a higher level of rights. To mend whatever hard feelings there might be between you and him, why not give it to him right now?”

”This person must have been carrying some secrets to be able to rank up this quickly. But our line has a strong foundation and we can offer him so much more. As long as we continue with our subtle recruitment efforts, he will join us one day. Aggressive behaviour might turn him away instead. But it's a good thing that you have grasped the big picture!”

The Elder continued.

”A dream master at the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage can at least gain the level of rights as a 4th Leaf Cultivator. We should give it to him ourselves or he'll owe the favour to someone else. But he is not a core member after all and we will have to place him under probation! Tell him to come in and I'll see him personally, and give him a higher level of rights!”

”Yes sir!”

Feng Xinzi bowed. He was filled with a sort of anticipation.

The Elder had given him an assurance. Yes, although Fang Yuan and he were both of the illusionary divine stage 4, but he himself was around from the start and was a core member while Fang Yuan was only joining in halfway.

Fang Yuan had to undergo a series of tests and training before he could be useful to the organisation.

'Breaking through stage 4 would exhaust all of one's foundational strength, which would have to be accumulated again...we will now start from the same point. I have an advantage because I am a core member. He won't overtake me.”

Feng Xinzi's thoughts had given him more confidence and he swaggered off.

Behind him, the Elder Smelter smiled quietly.

Having gained two dream masters the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage under his wing would give him more authority in the Realm Alliance. This was especially important given that there was impending war.

...

Not long after. The Realm Alliance Mountain.

The residential hall of the Cloud Region's Treasurer.

The Treasurer had a scholarly air about him and was listening to Zhou Hun's reports gloomily.

”My lord…”

Zhou Hun was on his knees. His face was streaked with tears and he had a palm print on his cheek that he had put on deliberately.

”That Guardian is an arrogant prick. He humiliated me, which is akin to not giving you respect!”

”Jerk!”

The Treasurer had a dangerous glint in his eye.

”I already knew that this person was excessively proud, but I had no idea that he was violent and temperamental as well... he hasn't stepped out of line yet though. I cannot deal with him.”