What the elders offered to Aldred was shocking to everyone. They literally said that the elders and even the sect master were at his beck and call. This also meant that all the resources the sect have would be available for his use.
Even a core disciple did not enjoy such privilege!!!
Wen Shuren of course could not believe what just happened. Aldred was obviously cheating. How else could he reach the 100th stair?
But the way the elders treated Aldred made him question his own logic. Could he really not cheating? Did he really finished all the 100th stair?
If that was the case, then that meant Aldred was far more talented than he is.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean I can call the elders and the sect whenever I want?"
"It means that you can summon us anytime you want while you are in the sect."
"Is the next test also in the sect?" Aldred asked.
"There is no need for more test. You can be the disciple of our Dragon Art Sect immediately."
"Disciple? Wait, are you saying that the test is to join the sect?"
"Yes…"
"Ahh fuck! No wonder it was so easy."
The other participants trembled when they heard the word 'easy'.
Easy for you motherfucker! We barely able to reach the 40th step! Some of us didn't even get the chance because you destroyed the tower!
"Are you not participating to join our sect?" an elder asked.
"No. I am here for the treasure hunt."
"Treasure hunt? Oh, so you are a treasure hunter. What phase are you right now?"
"I am now at the third phase."
"Ah, no wonder. That explains it."
The participants whispered among each other.
"What treasure hunter?"
"What treasure are they hunting?"
"The elders seem to know about it."
"Elders." Shi Xiulan approached. "Who are they? And why do you call them treasure hunters?"
"They are treasure hunters from another realm," the elder said.
"Another realm?!"
The elder nodded. "Every 100 year or so, some treasure hunters would appear here to pass a test. Each test is more difficult than others. Some test even has a low chance of less than 1% to survive."
Less than 1%? What kind of test was that?
Shi Xiulan could not believe that the man she bumped against was a treasure hunter who survived such test.
"So what now, elder? Are you still letting him to enter the sect?"
The elder shook his head. "It is impossible. Once the treasure hunt is over, they will be teleported back to their realm. And no one can force them to stay either because they are protected by a curse. This curse will kill anyone even a Supreme Dao Cultivator if they tried to wronged a treasure hunter."
The participants whispered among each other again. A curse that could even kill a Supreme Dao which was the highest stage of cultivation said to lose the ability to die. Yet this curse could kill them?
Shi Xiulan was intrigued about Aldred's existence even more. Who is this man from another realm so great and powerful he could passed two phase of such ridiculous test.
"But since you have passed the test with the highest mark, it is our obligation to give you a reward."
"I won't reject free stuff," Aldred said.
The elder was about to take something out until a blazing rift appeared in the air. The rift widened and a man stepped out.
"Sect master." They all bowed.
"I have heard that not one but 78 people manage to reach the 100th stair."
"Actually, it's just me. My friends didn't have the chance to climb the last stair because the tower is broken before they could do that."
The sect master smiled. "So you are a treasure hunter. That's too bad."
"Oh, you can tell at first glance?"
"I have seen so many treasure hunters over my lifetime. I can smell them when I near one."
"Okay… kinda weird, but okay."
The sect master laughed. "The elders won't have something worthy to give you. But I have something that you might like."
The sect master ripped the space beside him, creating another fiery rift. He put his hand inside and pulled out an item.
It was a beating heart. But it wasn't an ordinary heart because it was covered in flame.
"The fire heart. I was planning to give this to Wen Shuren, but he isn't worthy of it."
Wen Shuren flinched.
Meanwhile, Shi Xiulan looked at the heart with light in her eyes. Her cold icy heart beat faster than normal. And for some reason, she felt slightly warm inside.
The heart floated and entered Aldred's body. His body heat up and Aldred began to feel pain. "Shit! It burns me from the inside."
"Control it! I know you can."
Aldred gritted his teeth and used his limitless energy to surround the fire heart. The flame threatened to wreck havoc on his body, but the mana swept in and killed the flame. Even so, the clash between energies made him spat out blood.
Aldred summoned his Phantom Doomblade and stabbed his own heart. "Fire Manipulation!"
Because his control over fire increased by 500% when wielding the blade, he managed to control the fire heart and a few minutes later, it settled as his new heart.
Hot air began to ooze out of him. Aldred let out a breath, and thick steam came out.
Seconds after, everything turned normal.
[You have received the 'Fire Heart']
[Your control over fire increase by 1000%]
[Your fire resistance increase by 1000%]
[Your fire damage increase by 1000%]
Aldred looked at the sect master. "Thank you. This gift. I cannot accept it without giving something back."
Aldred raised his blade and then slashed the air. A trail of fire appeared and then it moved around before condensing into an orb. He grabbed it and presented it to the sect master.
"This orb contains unlimited energy that will never run out. You can absorb its power with a mana crystal or something else."
The sect master was impressed. "I did not expect you have something like this."
Shi Xiulan approached. "Sect master. Can I borrow the orb?"
"Sure, young one."
Shi Xiulan grabbed the orb, and the cold sensation in her heart lessened. She could finally feel. When she looked at the sect master's graceful appearance, she felt respect and awe. And also a little shy and timid.
Her head turned to the side and looked at Aldred. Suddenly, his figure seemed to jolt out. He looked so dazzling, handsome, and perfect in every way. Her heart throbbed, and she did not realize her cheeks were blushing while her pupil enlarge.
"Shi Xiulan, are you okay?" the sect master asked.
"I…I…" She stepped back, closed her eyes, and ran away.
"Shi Xiulan, wait for us!" Her friends scurried after her.
"Shi Xiulan wait—Haish." The sect master shook his head.
Aldred laughed. "Don't worry sect master I can give you another one."
The fire orb was created out of his own power, so it cost him nothing to create.
A few seconds later, Aldred made another orb for the sect master.
"How many of these do you have?"
"I have a few," Aldred lied. If he said that he could made unlimited number of this, the sect master would tell him to stay for a while.
After a little chit chat, Aldred said goodbye to the sect master and the elders before leaving the sect.
Aldred stepped out of the gate and looked back. Shi Xiulan peeked from the corner, and when she realized Aldred was looking at her, she hid.
She then looked at the fire orb in her hand and blushed.
"That fire was from my heart. Keep it," Aldred's voice whispered in her head.
Shi Xiulan came out of hiding and looked at Aldred who was smiling at her from the distance before he turned around and walked away.
