Chapter 73 The Promotion Trial Started
After his return to Sun Sect, Austin lost himself in cultivation for several days.
He had progressed in his refinement to the third stage of the Wind-commanding Skill.
The first stage of this skill was called Feeling the Wind, while the second stage was called Knowing the Wind. These two steps
were the fundamentals for later stages of this cultivation.
Austin understood that to acquire a good command of these necessary skills, he would have to cultivate for an extended period
persistently.
Although he had started his cultivation at the third stage with the aid of the wind, it didn't mean that he could stop his refinement
for Feeling the Wind and Knowing the Wind.
Instead, he had to make time to advance the cultivation of these two basic skills, because the extent to which he would be able
to master the Wind-commanding Skill depended on how deeply he could comprehend wind, a unique form of energy in the
universe.
Having taken advantage of the mighty power of his spiritual soul, Austin had cultivated the essential skills of Feeling the Wind
and Knowing the Wind very well.
Hence, his cultivation progressed quickly when he started the third stage cultivation for Using the Wind.
Since he had practiced and pondered over this cultivation process for some days, Austin had vaguely understood certain knacks
for Using the Wind.
In practicing this skill, he could move swiftly, like a ghost. Compared with his abilities before the practice, he now moved faster
and far more flexibly.
Apart from the cultivation of the Wind-commanding Skill for Using the Wind, Austin had spent part of his time in cultivating the
Golden Sun Scripture, because a cultivator's underlying strengths were reflected from his or her improvements in cultivation
base of vital energy.
During his cultivation of the Golden Sun Scripture, Austin discovered another phenomenon.
He could absorb a great deal of vital energy from his surroundings every time he cultivated the Golden Sun Scripture.
The amount of vital energy that he acquired during this cultivation was much higher than what he could during his cultivation of
the Purple Yang Formula.
Austin would have reached a far higher realm had he absorbed such an enormous amount of vital energy while cultivating the
Purple Yang Formula.
Recently, the little spot near his belly had increased in size during his cultivation. In the meantime, he had accumulated a
growing amount of vital energy. In spite of this, no sign showed that his vital energy was reaching a higher level. Now, his vital
energy was still at the sixth-level of the Energy Gathering Realm.
Austin never expected that such a tremendous amount of vital energy was necessary to reach a higher realm when cultivating
the Golden Sun Scripture.
He thought that he could have reached the seventh-level of the Energy Gathering Realm had he kept on practicing the Purple
Yang Formula.
At this thought, he felt a little regretful.
However, Austin felt joyous that the life energy inside his body was growing stronger, although he had failed to reach a higher
level in terms of vital energy.
He estimated that based on the growing energy inside his body, he would be able to confront opponents who had reached the
seventh or perhaps even the eighth level of the Energy Gathering Realm.
One day, while Austin was reflecting on some obstacles that he had encountered in his cultivation process inside his little hut, he
heard Evan's impatient call.
"Tin? Tin, are you here?"
Austin let him in without being offended as he could hear that Evan was impatient.
"Tin, I have reached the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm after consuming your earth spirit fruits."
As Evan blurted out these words, he appeared to be filled with great joy. Before he reached the third level, he had remained at
the first-level of the Energy Gathering Realm for quite a long period. Now, after obtaining Austin's cultivation resources, he had
immediately reached the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm.
It was really amazing to have crossed two levels over a month. However, this didn't show that Evan was gifted.
In actuality, Evan should have reached the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm in the past three or four years.
He had remained at the first-level of the Energy Gathering Realm without making any breakthrough because he lacked access to
resources for his cultivation. Nevertheless, Evan spared much time and energy for refinement in spite of great hardships. Over
the past three or four years, he had worked very hard on his cultivation.
Thus, he had laid a solid foundation for his cultivation. This time, he was lucky to have gotten some superior cultivation
resources such as the Energy-boosting Elixir and the earth spirit fruits. As soon as he took advantage of these resources, the
outcomes he had achieved through his persistent cultivation over the past years were suddenly brought into play. At last, he
reached the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm.
Austin was glad to see that Evan had advanced in his cultivation. After all, Evan was his best friend.
"Well, since you have reached the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm, you can begin practicing the Raging Dragon Fist."
"Ah... I will think about that," Evan stammered as he felt hesitant.
After some contemplation, Austin understood why Evan had hesitated to cultivate that skill right away.
He realized that to practice the Raging Dragon Fist, it was necessary to buy a lot of magical medicines. And this skill couldn't be
practiced without consuming these medicines.
However, Evan was only a grunt disciple. Every month, he only got a few vital energy crystals, which were just enough to support
his daily life.
Hence, the magical medicines would be rather expensive for Evan, and he wouldn't be able to afford them.
Austin reached into his space ring and grabbed a thousand vital energy crystals. Then, he tossed them on the table. The shabby
cottage was filled with clattering sounds as the vital energy crystals rolled on the table and crashed into each other.
"Buy some magical medicines with these vital energy crystals. Ask me for more if they are not enough. You don't have to be
frugal when using materials for your cultivation. Use them as long as they are necessary," Austin spoke to Evan firmly.
Evan was stunned when he saw the big stack of glittering vital energy crystals on the table.
"Tin, have you made a great fortune?"
Evan whispered as he walked closer to Austin. He was surprised and bewildered to see the enormous number of vital energy
crystals.
Previously, before Austin regained his consciousness, he and Evan had lived on Evan's salary, which only amounted to three
vital energy crystals every month. As a result, they had been poor for a long time and had learned to be frugal.
However, since Austin's recovery, Evan saw Austin spending vital energy crystals lavishly without batting an eye.
Now, he could afford to gift Evan a thousand vital energy crystals. This really confused and shocked Evan. How could Austin
have earned such a considerable amount of vital energy crystals? Baffled by this question, Evan couldn't help asking," Tin, did
you discover a treasure by accident? The next time you are so lucky, do remember to take me along."
"Okay, I will ask you for help next time!"
Austin replied. The corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched, as he saw Evan's befuddled expression.
"Really?"
Evan questioned. Austin had not corrected Evan's assumption that he had accidentally discovered a treasure.
"Yes. But you need to cultivate the Raging Dragon Fist first. The promotion exercise is scheduled to be organized very soon.
Now, you are at the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm. Once you have a good command of the Raging Dragon Fist, the
likelihood of you receiving a promotion will increase."
"I am likely to be promoted to an outer disciple?"
Since he joined Sun Sect, Evan had dreamed of becoming an outer disciple.
Once he was promoted to an outer disciple, his pay and status would be much higher than that of a grunt disciple.
"In that case, I am going to practice the Raging Dragon Fist."
Evan was impetuous and prompt. He always acted on his thoughts.
After Austin's returning to Sun Sect for ten days, Violet had also come out of the Illusion Bead.
Judging from her complexion, Austin estimated that Violet's wound had mostly healed, and he believed that she would recover
fully after a certain period.
To avoid being noticed, Austin had asked Violet to continue hiding inside the Illusion Bead.
Human beings and demons had fought each other since ancient times.
Sun Sect had always been proud of its heritage as an orthodox school. There would be unpleasant consequences if the
stewards or elders of the sect discovered Violet.
Although Violet was a demonic beast at the third level, most elders of Sun Sect had made significant achievements in the middle
and later stages at the Earth Realm of vital energy. Theon, as head of the sect, had yielded substantive results in the Mysterious
Realm of vital energy.
Violet estimated that her strength was as mighty as human beings' at the early stage of the Earth Realm.
When the first rays of the sunlight pushed past the clouds and shone upon the land, the Martial Arts Performing Field at Sun
Sect had been filled with shouts and screams. All of a sudden, the entire field had a lively atmosphere.
When Austin and Evan arrived at the field, they found it was rather noisy. Looking ahead, they found it was swarming with
people.
Almost all grunt disciples had reported for the promotion exercise. What's more, everyone present was in high spirits.
If they were selected today, they would be promoted from their inferior status as grunt disciples.
Evan was a little nervous about participating in the promotion exercise. He rubbed his fists and wiped his palms many times. It
was natural for him to feel antsy, restless, and anxious.
Recently, he had concentrated on practicing the Raging Dragon Fist day and night so wholeheartedly and attentively that he had
forgotten to eat and sleep. Up till now, he had mastered the basic skills of Raging Dragon Fist, but he still lacked confidence.
As Austin saw this part of Evan, he patted him on his shoulder and encouraged him not to be so nervous. Austin took him to an
area near the Martial Arts Performing Field and found a place for them to sit and wait for the selection.
At this time, many people had found seats at the auditorium. As they waited, they spoke to each other casually.
The people present comprised of intermediate managerial staff of the sect who were in charge of this promotion, most of them
stewards.
Nevertheless, Austin didn't see Murray or Johnson. It seemed that they hadn't been dispatched to take charge of this promotion
exercise for grunt disciples.
"Austin, have you enlisted for this promotion exercise?"
Suddenly, a slender and beautiful person asked as she approached Austin. It was Denali.