Chapter 1170: The Path Of Light

Zhao Fuquan quickly returned to the outskirts of the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect but did not make a public appearance. Instead, he secretly contacted the Grand Elder, waiting in a dark alley for a long time, clenching his fists and keeping a watchful eye. When the Grand Elder finally arrived, Zhao hurriedly erected a barrier and excitedly whispered to him.

"Brother Song, I've discovered an incredible opportunity!" Zhao blurted out before the Grand Elder could speak.

The Grand Elder looked surprised and frowned. "An opportunity?"

Zhao Fuquan quickly bowed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "To be honest, Grand Elder, I have already joined the Zhiyang Heavenly Sect. At the same time, I accidentally discovered that Sect Master Luo consumed a piece of the Dao-Transforming Sturgeon Tail and immediately broke through to the fourth rank of the Heavenly Tier! If I'm not mistaken, that Dao-Transforming Sturgeon Tail must have been bestowed by Mr. Yi. To casually create a fourth-rank expert and effortlessly obtain the Dao-Transforming Sturgeon—his methods are nothing short of miraculous. I came here to ask you to join me. If you, Brother Song, were to turn to the light, with your talent and wisdom, you would undoubtedly gain recognition and secure a great opportunity in the future! This is a hundred times better than staying in the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect and enduring their disdain! Our friendship runs deep, and I speak from the heart. Please consider this carefully, Brother Song!"

Despite Zhao's impassioned plea, the Grand Elder remained expressionless. He glanced at Zhao with a serious face and said, "Brother Zhao, since you have already joined the Zhiyang Heavenly Sect, and we now serve different masters, it is inappropriate for us to meet privately. Let us part ways here."

Zhao Fuquan was stunned and quickly bowed again. "Brother Song, I witnessed this with my own eyes—there is no falsehood in it! If you come with me, with just a little achievement, you might even receive a piece of the Dao-Transforming Sturgeon Bone!"

The Grand Elder merely shook his head. "Whether it's true or not, it has nothing to do with me. As the saying goes, each to their own. I will not go. You may proceed."

Seeing the profound look in the Grand Elder's eyes, Zhao had no choice but to drop the matter. With a regretful expression, he sincerely clasped his fists. "Ah... Brother Song, take care!"

As he watched his former friend turn and leave, the Grand Elder's expression remained unchanged. He steadily walked back toward the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect without the slightest hesitation.

Less than half an hour later, the sect's regular meeting began. All the elders gathered in the main hall, but the seat of the sixth elder, Zhao Fuquan, remained conspicuously empty.

...

By the snowy lake, the two sect masters, their cultivation having greatly advanced, were in high spirits. Feeling particularly good and having heard Mr. Yi's insights on the art of fishing, they decided to try their luck again, sitting quietly by the lake with their fishing rods.

After a long wait with no success, Luo Pengfei remained unperturbed, keeping the word "patience" firmly in mind.

Suddenly, a figure approached from behind and respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Sect Master!"

Luo Pengfei glanced over and nodded with a smile. "Elder Zhao, what brings you here?"

Although Zhao was a newly recruited elder and not yet fully trusted, Luo was in a good mood and, seeing Zhao's respectful demeanor, naturally did not put on airs. This amiable attitude immediately moved Zhao Fuquan.

Having served the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect for a thousand years, Zhao had mostly received scoldings and disdain. Now, having just joined the Zhiyang Heavenly Sect, he was treated with such courtesy. The contrast was like night and day!

Zhao gritted his teeth and pulled out a scroll from his sleeve. "Reporting to the Sect Master, I have just joined the sect and have no achievements or exceptional talents to offer. I can only present this scroll of sword techniques as a token of my loyalty."

The Kuangdao Heavenly Sect was renowned for its sword techniques. As a former elder of the sect, Zhao's offering was unlikely to be ordinary.

Luo Pengfei turned with mild interest. Seeing the scroll, which appeared to be only a few dozen pages long and seemingly incomplete, he frowned slightly. "Elder Zhao, what is this sword technique?"

Zhao quickly replied, "Reporting to the Sect Master, this is the 'Six Forms of the Ultimate Sword.' Unfortunately, I only have the first three forms. I hope the Sect Master will forgive its incompleteness."

As soon as he finished speaking, even the usually calm Elder Xu, sitting nearby, turned in surprise!

The Six Forms of the Ultimate Sword was a secret technique of the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect, never revealed to outsiders for ten thousand years. It was said to contain only six forms, but each was incredibly fierce, embodying profound truths of sword techniques. It was the foundation of the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect's existence! Even half of it was a treasure that any heavenly sect would covet.

Seeing the glint in Elder Xu's eyes, Luo Pengfei felt even more pleased. He accepted the scroll with a smile. "Since Elder Zhao has shown such sincerity, I cannot refuse."

As they exchanged the scroll, both wore warm smiles. Looking at the sensible and loyal Zhao Fuquan, Luo Pengfei found him increasingly agreeable. This elder had decisively joined the Zhiyang Heavenly Sect, showing exceptional judgment, and now had presented such a precious manual. His loyalty was evident!

With his cultivation greatly advanced and such a valuable subordinate, Luo Pengfei felt doubly blessed. Noticing the envious look in Elder Xu's eyes, he felt even more gratified.

This old man had sneakily eaten the Dao-Transforming Sturgeon and gained insights into sword techniques, but now he could only envy the Six Forms of the Ultimate Sword. Served him right!

Overwhelmed by joy, Luo Pengfei waved his hand, and a fish bone floated out from his ring. "Elder Zhao, as the saying goes, 'Courtesy demands reciprocity.' Since you have loyally presented the sword manual, I am not a stingy person. This is a piece of the Dao-Transforming Sturgeon Bone, containing profound truths of the Dao. I hope you will savor it well."

Zhao Fuquan was overjoyed. Seeing the radiant white fish bone floating toward him, his face flushed with excitement. Although he knew the two sect masters had many such bones, witnessing such a treasure being bestowed so casually was still a tremendous shock!

Carefully accepting the bone with both hands, Zhao repeatedly expressed his gratitude. After a long moment of thanks, he dared to examine the bone closely, his throat dry and his heart pounding.

With great anticipation, he nervously licked the bone. Instantly, a terrifying surge of Dao comprehension flooded his mind, followed by a profound increase in cultivation that would normally take thousands of years to accumulate!

In the blink of an eye, his body was filled with a terrifying power of the Dao, interwoven like brocade. Celestial phenomena erupted around him, and before he could react, he had smoothly broken through to the third rank of the Heavenly Tier!

Even though he had anticipated this, he still found it hard to remain calm. His heart was in turmoil.

As he was overwhelmed with excitement, Luo Pengfei placed a hand on his shoulder and gently patted him. "You're handling this well. Keep it up. Suppress any excitement and keep this absolutely confidential."

"Yes, yes, yes," Zhao nodded like a chick pecking at grain, fully aware that such matters must not be spoken of lightly. He was immensely grateful.

Reflecting on the frustrations of the past, the contrast with the present was stark. Serving Lu Renkuang had never brought such rewards—such treasures were unthinkable. Thousands of years of loyalty had been wasted!

In comparison, Luo Pengfei's generosity and respect for talent were incomparable. Zhao immediately decided to bring his old friends over, to abandon the darkness and embrace the light together.

As he was overwhelmed with excitement, the Kuangdao Heavenly Sect's meeting had descended into an awkward atmosphere.

Lu Renkuang's face was dark with anger. "Why has the sixth elder not arrived yet?!"