Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

"Vice Hall Master!?"

Alkaid paused slightly.

The Vice Hall Master that Xu Quexing spoke of was definitely referring to the Main Sect, not a Vice Hall Master of a Sub-sect Refining Institute or the Mystic Formation Hall.

The status of a Vice Hall Master in the Main Sect...

Even if compared to a Domain Master, it wasn't much less in esteem.

Especially for someone like him who held positions in both halls.

If his status were truly elevated, the labor cost would likely rise again.

Right then, he waved his hand, "No need for such, what I have done is merely what I, as a member of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, should do. Besides, I have said, by improving the formations, I have already taken thirty percent of the profits. With this thirty percent, I am already quite content. Accepting other appointments or rewards from the sect would simply be too greedy. Greed never ends, so please, Hall Master Xu and Hall Master Gao, retract your order."

Having said that, he immediately turned to Tang Fenghua beside him and spoke, "Please tell the Sect Master, everything I have done wasn't for promotion or rewards. If everyone were like me, thinking of climbing to high positions the moment they achieve something, could the Nine Cauldrons Sect still have people dedicated to technological research?"

Upon these words, not only Xu Quexing, but also Gao Shenghan's expression became solemn.

They never expected that Alkaid would possess such elevated ideological awareness.

The position of Vice Hall Master was before him, yet he was entirely unmoved by it.

This nobility of character...

Moved them profoundly.

The Nine Cauldrons Sect...

Indeed, it was because it nourished numerous people like Chief Alkaid that within merely eighty-some years, it was able to lift the nearly completely obliterated Artifact Sect from oblivion and develop it into the formidable Nine Cauldrons Sect of today.

In him...

The two even saw the shadows of Supreme Elder Li Hanqiu.

They were alike, quietly making contributions to the sect without seeking fame.

The only difference was, Li Hanqiu provided security through martial power for the Nine Cauldrons Sect, while Alkaid...

Was leading the sect in production and economic aspects, pushing it to overtake others rapidly.

This kind of heroic figure, forging weapons for the sect, was someone the Nine Cauldrons Sect could not afford to dishearten.

Thereupon, Xu Quexing spoke gravely, "Chief Alkaid, we clearly understand that what you desire is not merely the position of a Hall Master, and likewise, you do not care for these superficial honors. However, anyone who contributes within the sect should be acknowledged by the sect. Clear rewards and punishments, open channels for promotion—these are the foundations on which a sect develops and prospers. If contributions are not rewarded, how can the Nine Cauldrons Sect establish trust among all its members, ensuring they continue their duties wholeheartedly?"

Alkaid understood Xu Quexing's point.

Zigong redeemed people.

By refusing awards to preserve his virtuous character, what about others in the future?

Would they too need to follow suit?

Otherwise, wouldn't they be labeled as fame-seekers?

Yet...

Alkaid's refusal to accept the appointment was not out of high-minded nobility.

It took him a while before he said, "My current situation still requires me to keep a low profile..."
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"We have already been very discreet in handling this matter. Otherwise, with your major contribution in improving the Spirit Gathering Array, one of our present Hall Masters might have had to step down in your favor,"

added Liang Qiu with a smile.

Hearing this, Alkaid felt somewhat sentimental.

When he first learned about the Nine Cauldrons Sect from Zong Yan, he was told that positions of power were held by those capable within the sect.

Originally, he thought it was just propaganda, but it turned out...

The Nine Cauldrons Sect was serious.

It actually implemented this system completely.

Currently he was still improving the Fifth Level Spirit Gathering Array and had demonstrated the ability to enhance a Sixth Level one. If he continued, would he soon rise to a Hall Master and concurrently a Deputy Sect Master upon improving the Seventh Level?

If he could also set up the Eighth and even the Ninth Level Formations, would Li Qingshan have to step down in his favor, letting him take over as the Sect Master of the Nine Cauldrons Sect?

Of course, as the founder of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, Li Qingshan's reputation and status were far beyond any Hall Master or Deputy Sect Master.

If he truly intended to replace him and ascend to the position of Sect Master with everyone's support, perhaps even a Ninth Level Array Master wouldn'Tscore."

But...

Judging from their attitude in handling these matters...

The Nine Cauldrons Sect seemed quite promising to him.

Besides, fame and position aren't things you lose just because you don't accept them.

The moment the Nine Cauldrons Sect offered him such a status, it proved that his standing had indeed risen.

In the end, Alkaid nodded, "Then I will reluctantly accept."

"Good."

Xu Quexing, Liang Qiu, Gao Shenghan, Zhao Siliang, and other smiled simultaneously.

Thereupon, the two presided over a promotion ceremony for Alkaid.

His title changed from Chief of the Purple Cloud Courtyard and Sea Fortification Courtyard to Vice Hall Master of the Artifact Refining Hall and the Mystic Formation Hall.

"Congratulations, Chief Alkaid."

"Such rapid advancement—from initially being promoted from Sub-sect Level Chief of the Refining Institute to Chief of the Main Sect Refining Institute, to now holding positions as chief of two major institutes, and even rising to Vice Hall Master of the Main Sect Refining Hall and Mystic Formation Hall—this rate of promotion is indeed unprecedented."

"But this is all deserved by Chief Alkaid. The faster the promotion, the more it proves Chief Alkaid's excellence."}

The crowd responded one after another.

Alkaid also modestly replied.

Once the crowd had more or less finished their procedures, Liang Qiu stepped forward, taking out two items.

One was a calligraphy and painting written by Sect Master Li Qingshan.

The other...

Controlled by an Array Plate, it was only the size of a palm.

But within the palm-sized Array Plate contained a star that had been shrunk countless times, only the size of a pigeon's egg.

Seeing this treasure, Zhao Siliang by the side thought of something and suddenly exclaimed, "Is this... the Soul of the Stars!?"

"Indeed, this is a Spiritual Treasure, the Soul of the Stars."

Liang Qiu said with a smile.

"Spiritual Treasure!"

Alkaid didn't know much about the Soul of the Stars, but the words "Spiritual Treasure" alone were enough to understand the preciousness of this item.

Three hundred years ago, every Spiritual Treasure was considered a Sect Level existence.

It was the most important component to enrich the foundation of a sect.

The value of each Spiritual Treasure usually started from ten million Spirit Stones; some powerful Spiritual Treasures even reached hundreds of millions.

It's worth noting that in those years, before the Spirit Gathering Array was modified, the average yearly Spirit Stone output of the ten major Immortal Sects was only about 150 million. After deducting cultivation and daily expenses, a sect only had about thirty to fifty million Spirit Stones at their disposal, which shows the significance of a Spiritual Treasure.

Now, as Spiritual Treasures were all of the First Generation Level, their prices and values had declined under the impact of Fourth Generation Superior Grade treasures, but they were still worth tens of millions.

Now, Liang Qiu presented such a treasure...

"The main functions of the Soul of the Stars are twofold: one, Body Cultivators can refine it into their bodies to greatly enhance the consolidation progress of the Demonic God Physique; the other..."

Liang Qiu paused, "The strength of Body Cultivators comes from their alignment with the Stellar Power Field, and this process requires time. The longer the time, the higher the alignment of a Body Cultivator with the local Stellar Power Field. Some Body Cultivators stay in one place for years, mastering the Stellar Power Field around them; eventually, even Sword Cultivators of the same realm, when they give it their all, cannot match half the strength of his Stellar Power Field."

He looked at the Soul of the Stars in his hand, "The second function of this Spiritual Treasure is to rapidly help Body Cultivators reach this state of alignment."

"Rapidly enter the Stellar Power Field state?"

Alkaid's eyes lit up.

This ability could greatly enhance the safety of any Star Master.

"Merely being promoted to Vice Hall Master of the Artifact Refining Hall and the Formation Hall is not enough to reward you for your contributions to the sect; thus, the sect has decided to give this Spiritual Treasure to you, hoping you will like it."

Liang Qiu said.

This time, Alkaid didn't refuse at all.

He accepted the Spiritual Treasure with a beaming smile, "Like it, I like it very much."

Considering that his own progress in Artifact Refining had already surpassed 80%, he estimated that it wouldn't be long before he could refine Spiritual Treasures of this level. Presently, he used this Spiritual Treasure as a pretext, "I have been trying to break through in Artifact Refining recently, needing to study very high-level treasures. Although this Spiritual Treasure is not a Flying Sword, the path of Artifact Refining involves endless variations, and this Spiritual Treasure came just at the right time."

Xu Quexing, Gao Shenghan, and others seeing this scene couldn't help but exchange glances, inwardly moved.

Alkaid was reluctant to be promoted to hall master, treating power and status as worthless, but he was overjoyed about this Spiritual Treasure that could notably advance his Artifact Refining techniques.

This passion for Artifact Refining...

No wonder he had achieved such remarkable skills at such a young age.

"Hall Master Alkaid, in the coming period, I will bring my people to learn from you the improved version of the Fifth Level Spirit Gathering Array, and also, I and the few people I brought have some expertise in the Sixth Level Spirit Gathering Array, and I hope that we can have a good exchange with Hall Master Alkaid then," Gao Shenghan stepped forward and said.

"Of course,"

Alkaid glanced at him.

The arrival of this Hall Master of the Mystic Formation Hall was quite timely.

He could take this opportunity to release the Sixth Level Spirit Gathering Array for everyone to learn.

As for the Seventh Level Spirit Gathering Array in the future...

It would have to wait for a while.

Within the Nine Cauldrons Sect, no Array Master had the capability to set up a Seventh Level Spirit Gathering Array; even if he introduced the Seventh Level, he would have to set it up personally.

Setting up an array was different from Refining Artifacts, often involving an extremely large and complicated project, not to mention a Seventh Level Formation.

By himself, meticulously setting up a Seventh Level Spirit Gathering Array would probably take three to five years.

It was better to wait until these people were proficient in setting up the improved version of the Sixth Level Spirit Gathering Array, and then guide them to breakthrough.

Once their skill level improved, it wouldn't be late to introduce the Seventh Level Spirit Gathering Array.

Next, hosted by You Qianshan, he invited Alkaid and several Hall Masters to have a good meal and drink together.

In the evening, Alkaid returned to his residence.

He didn't even study the Soul of the Stars immediately, but turned his attention first to the ancient tree in his spiritual world.

"Very good."

Seeing the massive amount of experience accumulated on the "Businessman" branches, he smiled.

"The cost of manpower has increased, but fortunately, as the Vice Hall Master, the increase is not exaggerated; the boost brought by a Spiritual Treasure..."

His gaze swept over the four branches, "Formation," "Artifact Refining," "Martial Path," and "Divine Path."

It was time to turn the tables.