Chapter 40 Warning

After cutting out the God-Trace Purple Gold, Li Yao’s prominence reached an unmatched peak, instantly becoming the absolute center of attention at the stone-gambling pavilion.

Never underestimate the status of a Source Grandmaster; within any major holy land, such individuals are always treated as honored guests of the highest order.

Li Yao could not yet be considered a Source Grandmaster. His current track record was still too sparse, lacking the weight of widespread persuasion.

Yet, he possessed an advantage that no other Source Grandmaster could claim: his age.

A young Source Grandmaster—no, a prodigy in the art of the Source at merely eleven years of age—would undoubtedly rise to become a grandmaster of his generation in the future.

Nearby, many elderly figures wasted no time in extending olive branches to Li Yao. To be on good terms with a Source prodigy would inevitably yield immense benefits in the days to come.

However, these gestures had barely been extended before Zhang Chong swept in to sever them all, and without another word, whisked Li Yao away from the stone-gambling pavilion.

...

In the courtyard of the Waning Light Pavilion.

"I believe the most important matter for you right now is to cultivate diligently. To associate too early with those high and mighty figures might elevate your status significantly in the short term, making you a renowned figure across the Eastern Wilderness. But as dazzling blossoms gradually blur one's vision, speaking as someone who has walked this path before, I do not consider that a good thing."

Choosing his words carefully, Zhang Chong explained his actions to the youth following closely behind.

Had other disciples witnessed this scene, they would likely have been stunned into sleeplessness. An Elder Supreme was actually explaining his rationale to a disciple in the Wheel and Sea realm with such earnestness, speaking in a gentle, serious tone without a shred of condescension, as if no gap in status existed between them at all.

It seemed incredible, yet as Li Yao continuously displayed his heaven-defying talent, Zhang Chong willingly lowered his own posture.

"I understand," Li Yao said with a serious expression. "I had no intention of fraternizing with those people. All of that is merely external force—an illusory bloom of splendor. Whether one is esteemed or not depends entirely on the attitude of others. I have always understood that true, formidable strength is the foundation of everything."

Zhang Chong smiled with gratification. Li Yao’s maturity made him feel that this child's future achievements would be truly boundless. Unlike some youths who, upon achieving a modicum of success, completely lost themselves at the slightest hint of flattery.

While the story of Zhongyong did not exist in the Big Dipper Star Region, countless similar tales unfolded across it. Countless geniuses who clearly possessed the potential to walk far ultimately ended up with mediocre cultivations.

How a person's future achievements would unfold was, in truth, not entirely determined by their physique.

Li Yao’s innate physique could not be considered top-tier—at least, it lagged far behind those of the Innate Daoist Physique, the Yin Physique, or the Yang Physique, and was even slightly inferior to the Divine Physiques and Royal Physiques.

Yet Zhang Chong felt immense confidence at this moment, convinced that Li Yao's future accomplishments would soar to great heights. A mature mindset, an unwavering resolve in the pursuit of the Dao, coupled with transcendent comprehension—none of these could be bestowed by a special physique alone.

Especially regarding comprehension. Minor factions or the ignorant might believe that comprehension and innate talent were of secondary importance.

However, as an Elder Supreme of the Waning Light Holy Land, Zhang Chong knew all too well how crucial it was when a person's comprehension approached the realm of immortals along the path of cultivation.

Throughout the history of the Waning Light Holy Land, many ancient sages possessed no special physiques, yet their final achievements vastly surpassed those born with Divine or Royal Physiques.

In Zhang Chong's eyes, Li Yao's comprehension was entirely second to none in the entire history of the Holy Land.

In half a year, many were still grappling with the basics of cultivation and trying to comprehend the profound meanings of scriptures. But what about Li Yao? He had mastered the Waning Light Scripture to the point of absolute perfection; otherwise, even with abundant resources, it would have been impossible for him to break through to the Divine Bridge realm within six months.

This alone had already deeply shocked Zhang Chong, but that was not all. Without any guidance, Li Yao had self-taught an extraordinary mastery of the Source art.

Comparing it to his own past, Zhang Chong arrived at a rather wounding reality: it had taken him three months after joining the Waning Light Holy Land to master the basics of immortality, and two months to comprehend the profound mysteries of the Waning Light Scripture, before he could officially step onto the path of cultivation.

In horizontal comparison, at this exact same juncture, Li Yao's cultivation had already reached the peak of the Life Spring realm, and was now rapidly breaking through to the Divine Bridge realm.

At this thought, Zhang Chong could not help but sigh inwardly. The gap between people was sometimes truly greater than the gap between a person and a hound.

"Elder Zhang, this disciple will return to cultivate now." The two had reached a fork in the path. Li Yao bowed in farewell and prepared to turn away.

"Wait a moment." Zhang Chong called out, retrieving a jade bottle. He handed it to Li Yao and said, "These are your cultivation resources for the next three months: six thousand catties of pure Source in total."

"Six thousand catties?" Li Yao looked somewhat surprised.

He was currently in the Divine Bridge realm, and according to their initial agreement, his monthly allocation should have been one thousand catties.

"Cultivate diligently. The Rising Sun Divine Island is in great need of a true prodigy. The more astonishing you are, the greater the resources tilted in your favor."

"Take this instance, for example. You broke through to the Divine Bridge realm and defeated the moderately renowned Han Lin, proving your talent. To demonstrate how much they value you, the higher-ups of the Rising Sun Divine Island have increased your monthly resources from one thousand catties to two thousand catties," Zhang Chong explained.

Pausing briefly, he continued, "This is not the limit. As you display ever more astonishing feats, the investments poured into you by the Rising Sun Divine Island will become even more extravagant."

Li Yao said with pleasant surprise, "Thank many thanks to the seniors for their cultivation."

It was not that he coveted these two thousand catties of Source per month; in fact, having moved past the initial financial constraints of lacking starting capital, acquiring Source was no longer a difficult task for him.

What delighted Li Yao was the high regard shown by the Rising Sun Divine Island. Before he fully matured, he needed someone to help shield him from the winds and rains as much as possible.

The more the Rising Sun Divine Island invested in him and the greater their stake, the more they would value him and ensure he was not nipped in the bud. Otherwise, their losses would simply be too catastrophic.

"Do not be easily satisfied. While the privileges enjoyed by a Holy Son on the surface are limited to this, with your intelligence, you should be able to guess that these are merely the basics. Truly remarkable treasures are far more than just allotments of Source." Leaving behind these words, Zhang Chong turned and departed without waiting for a reply.

Li Yao stood in place, pondering Zhang Chong's words. Of course he understood that the treasures enjoyed by a dignified Holy Son of the Waning Light definitely extended far beyond what was visible on the surface.

"It seems I must still strive harder. For a holy land that has endured for hundreds of thousands of years, their accumulated wealth is terrifyingly vast. If they were to pour all their efforts into cultivating a single disciple, the priceless treasures they would expend are things wandering cultivators wouldn't even dare to imagine."

"Right, use that piece of God-Trace Purple Gold as soon as possible. The factions of the Holy Lord and the Supreme Saint hold a power that even Elder Xun must yield to."

Just as Li Yao was lost in thought, Zhang Chong's voice drifted from afar, resembling a wisp of blue smoke. Aside from him, the nearby disciples of the Waning Light Holy Land walking past remained completely oblivious.