Chapter 344: Divine Martial Spirit
"A T-Trash Martial Spirit?" Ranze stammered in shock, "But how? It emanated such a mysterious aura there that I thought it would be a Heaven Spirit at the very least."
"Ranze is still the strongest," Xuer said, not showing even the slightest amount of disappointment in him, unwavering in her conviction.
"Xuer really has the utmost confidence in me, haha." Ranze laughed as he patted her head, saying, "Even if it's a Trash Martial Spirit, I won't give up."
The Giant Whale Sect Master frowned, observing the relationship between the two, 'Xuer has limitless potential. And in the future, she'll easily become the Sect Master. I have to make sure she marries into my Clan to ensure the power and authority we maintained for a century doesn't falter.'
'And, this Ranze without any potential is a hindrance.' He thought, having already decided to eliminate Ranze.
He then looked around at the powerhouses that had arrived, cupping his fists to speak aloud, "Today is such a joyous occasion for my Giant Whale Sect. Why don't everyone stay behind for the feast I'll host now?"
"That's a great offer, Sect Master." One of the guests cupped his fists to say in response.
"Then, we'll take up on the Sect Master's charity." Another guest said, internally burying the hatred he had for the Giant Whale Sect. He was from an opposing Sect, having arrived here to probe the Giant Whale Sect's foundation.
Similarly, the powerhouses each had arrived with their respective agenda, sporting amicable smiles on the exterior as they stayed behind for a feast and to socialise using this occasion as a chance.
"Xuer, it's unfortunate, but I'll only be able to take on one disciple." The Sect Master put on a solemn tone, "If I take a second one, then it'll fracture my relationship with the Elders as that would seem like I'm hoarding all the talents."
"But, Ranze is more talented than me," Xuer said.
"Yes, that's why I'll make him a disciple of my most trusted Elder." The Sect Master said as the respective Elder landed before Ranze.
Staring at Ranze, he smiled, "Thankfully, you've awakened a brick and not some other Trash Martial Spirit. As long as you heed my guidance, you'll still become a powerhouse in the future."
"This, I, Galda can promise you." The Elder said with confidence.
"Disciple greets master." Ranze was overwhelmed with joy that he bowed immediately. He would be lying if he said his confidence hadn't taken a blow after awakening a Trash Martial Spirit. But now that he obtained the promise from an Elder, he was glad.
'I promise I'll catch up to you soon, Xuer.' Ranze thought, clenching his hand into a fist.
Compass Carburettor had been listening to their conversation from afar as they weren't exactly being discrete about it.
'Is he a System Host or just a protagonist of a cultivation world with tremendous luck? Or, is he a transmigrator?' Compass Carburettor frowned in thought, unable to decide what Ranze's true identity was.
'But, it doesn't matter. If he has that capability, I'll use him for my purposes.' He decided, 'Though, I have to judge his character first. If he's too volatile in character, it'll be for my best to never make contact with him.'
"Lord Gahrat, let's head inside." Old Zen said, pointing at a large hall where they were being shown towards by the Sect members of the Giant Whale Sect, whispering, "Since everyone's here, I won't have to waste much advertising money and convey it to them directly."
…
"Ranze, you should know the truth of the matter by now, right?" Elder Galda said, having brought Ranze to his private residence, "The only reason I've accepted you as my disciple is due to Xuer."
"Is that so…" Ranze became a bit sullen, "Then, about me becoming a powerhouse…"
"There's still a possibility for that. But," Elder Galda shook his head, "It'll be precarious to achieve it. Currently, the moment I promised to make you a powerhouse, I've already received the ire of every Elder."
He sighed, saying, "You should know that to turn a Trash Martial Spirit cultivator into a powerhouse, the required resources are way too much. It's on the level allocated to those with an Earth Martial Spirit. There's no way in hell the Elders would allow that, even if the Sect Master wishes to do it."
"Then, what should I do, master?" Ranze asked.
"Make them accept you." Elder Galda said solemnly, "That you are worth the resources. Show them that and leave the rest to me."
"Yes, I'll do it. I'm confident of achieving that." Ranze's eyes turned sharp, showing his indomitable spirit.
"Alright, then complete this mission for me." Elder Galda patted his shoulder, "At break tomorrow, head towards the Misty Gorge Ruins and find the Ancient Adhesive. I will help strengthen your Martial Spirit using it. But, you shouldn't have any cultivation to enter the core of the Ruins there."
Elder Galda said, "So, don't cultivate tonight. Your current state is the perfect fit for this mission."
He then took out an ancient scroll from a pouch hung on his hip and gave it to Ranze, "This is the map to it. I had obtained it during my younger days. Unfortunately, I had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Origin Refinement Stage by then."
"I'll leave this to you. All the best! Prepare well tonight!" Elder Galda said before vanishing.
Ranze clenched the ancient scroll, "Ancient Adhesive…! I'll find it and grow stronger."
He then returned to the house he was allotted in the Giant Whale Sect. As he was the Elder's disciple, it was pretty luxurious.
"Trash Martial Spirit…" He muttered after entering his house, summoning the brick as he sighed, seeing that there was nothing special about it. His Martial Spirit was even more lacklustre as compared to the lone brick used as a support for a plant in the garden.
"I hope I'll be able to reach the ruins safely…" He muttered, opening the scroll to look at the contents.
Suddenly, a mysterious light flashed from the brick that fell on the scroll, causing it to burn, "Sh*t! What's happening? Stop…stop, stop!"
He flailed his hands and stomped on the scroll in an effort to snuff the fire but to no avail. Once it finished burning, there weren't even any ashes left.
"Damn you!" He cursed in response, intending to throw his Brick in anger when he was shocked, noticing mysterious lines forming on the brick, "Wait…isn't this the map on the scroll?"
"No wait, it's more detailed here." Ranze was shocked before laughing in response, "As I suspected. This isn't a Trash Martial Spirit."
"Who's a Trash Martial Spirit? Your mother is a Trash Martial Spirit!" Suddenly, the brick flew out of his grasp before slamming into his face, "Your whole family is a Trash Martial Spirit!"
"You can talk? How?" Ranze was shocked.
"Of course," The brick hummed in the air, saying, "That's because I'm a Divine Martial Spirit!"
