40 Gratitude (Part 1)

"You intend to dump him in that acid when his arm is like this? Sect leader, do you have some kind of sadistic fetishism?"

"Xingjian, I'm not like those people okay, I only brought it up because I thought this would be the best opportunity."

"And why do you think it is the best opportunity to bathe my son in the Holy Dragon's lake, sect leader? Didn't we agree that we all should wait until he's... Grateful enough?"

It was only when Wang Liu mentioned such a Freemont that sect leader fell silent. Though, his uncanny smile didn't disappear from his face. In fact, it seems to grow even wider.

The Holy Dragon's lake was sacred ground blessed by the Helios Dragon shrine that was imbued with the Draconic refined Yang energy of the progenitor of the Helios Dragon Tribe.

It was a lake the size of a huge pond with a shrine inside a cave located nearby the Dragon Vein Intersection point that blessed the sect as a holy ground for cultivation.

When bathed in the waters consecrated with refined energy, the person will experience a massive boost in cultivation rate. Energy tyrannical as a mighty dragon will conquer every in of your body, sweeping away every impurity and Cleanse the Yin and Yang within.

Not only that, if conditions are met, then the person will be able to harness Draconic Energy. A type of energy needed to unleash Draconic Spell Arts!

The Helios Dragon sect had many talents, all of which blessed with richness of Yin and Yang. However, out of all those talents, there was no doubt that Wang Xie topped them all in terms of potential.

Possessing Heaven-defying talent for cultivation and a high-class Unique Body Constitution, Wang Xie could easily make a name for himself wherever he goes. If he utilized his maximum potential and convert it into his own powers, then he'll be able to do anything he wants in all 8 directions!

With such an outstanding young man destined to become a flawless being, the sect had desires to invest a lot of resources to groom him.

Not because they were ordered to by their superiors at the Cosmic Dragon Sect, it was because they had their own plans with him too.

However, there was one problem...

Wang Xie's rotten character.

It wasn't unknown why but Wang Xie became this reckless genius who cripples anyone he dislikes, destroy anything he dislikes and does anything anyone dislikes.

And so, it seems that Wang Xie doesn't have the slightest bit of gratefulness to those who showed their goodwill to him.

He would say Excuses like "I never asked for your help!" or something like "I can do whatever you can't do and if you can I can do it better!"

People would say, "He's in his rebellious phase" and let him be. But you know, would someone in his rebellious phase would go dump a migraine to so many experts in the sect?

It was sad. With all the gifts given to him, with all the privileges given to him, with all the respect given to him, anyone would have killed to take his place, but him, he just doesn't give a damn!

But it wasn't like he was a hopeless case though. He was young and has time to grow. So long as he matures and repents, then the sect would be willing to forgive any sin he had committed with motherly arms embracing.

Now, Wang Liu and Xingjian were confused by sect leader's proposal.

Generally, they had all agreed that if they deemed Wang Xie worthy then they'll be willing to groom him into a dragon reborn!

Soaring through the skies like an indomitable sovereign. An unprecedented hero of all history!

They were going to bathe him in the Holy Dragon's lake and make him transform!

But why does the sect leader, who desires Wang Xie's gratefulness the most, want to gift him the blessed waters?

Because if he were to do so then what does he expect in return?

Surely, he must know considering Wang Xie's attitude that he will never be grateful for it, right?

"I know you guys have some doubts but I propose this not because I expect his gratitude, in fact, I should be the one to be grateful instead."

Sensing both their doubts, sect leader chuckled and pulled out a document from his void space then passed it to the both of them.

"Have a look."

Opening the document, Wang Liu and Xingjian read the contents and before a second could pass, their eyes widen in shock.

"... My son... Saved a village?"

"Not exactly, but he did release the damned souls in salvation, re-consecrated back the village's Dragon Vein, cleanse every impurity that had corrupted the area and thoroughly investigate the main suspect responsible if the massacre of the village. Perhaps to others, it may not be a remarkable achievement, but as the sect leader of the sect who rules that territory, I cannot overlook his honorable deeds to which I failed my duties. As the current lord, I must reward him whatever he deserves. And considering his situation, he needs to bathe in the Holy Dragon's lake more than ever!"

"This..." Wang Liu and Xingjian exchanged glances and looked at the contents of the documents once again.

What was written there were paragraphs that were neither too long or too short. It interpreted the topics correctly and were easy to find from the contents. Not only that, it was even written with fine literature skills and format that was much easier to read compared to any kind of format they've ever read.

Wang Liu was deeply impressed with it and couldn't help but ask. "Who wrote this document? It's format and literacy are remarkably done. Whoever the person is, I would like to have him work for me in the office no matter how absurd of a salary his asking?"

"Who wrote it?" sect leader then pointed at the young man suffering on the sick bed, "He did it."

"Him?" only did Wang Li's smile stiffened as the shock he received overwhelmed him.

His son... Was actually good at office work?

No way, no way. This is his son he was talking about. Surely his scholarly genes couldn't dominate the unreasonableness of the Wang Maiden, right?

... Right?

"Okay, enough with that. I called the other elders and they should be waiting for us in the Elder Hall. We'll talk about how we should proceed from now on.

"But first, I should alleviate young Wang's suffering for a bit."

After saying so, sect leader came forward and conjured a seal with his right hand.

Spiritual Energy around the area began to converge and condense above the seal and a tiny sun with a radiating halo emerged.

Under sect leader's will, the sun descended down and burrowed into Wang Xie's right shoulder. Shrouding it with intense light before dissipating into a halo that rotated around his arm. And to its effect, the Demonic energy stopped its encroaching. It became wary of the radiance giving off by the spell.

"This Seal should hold for long but it isn't an absolute solution. Let's hurry and convince those other idiots and dump young Wang into the lake."

With a wave of a hand, the space around them jerk and the three elders were teleported from the infirmary room in to a dark hall illuminated by a thousand tiny suns.

"Let's go."

Sect leader flung his sleeves and beckon the two to follow. Heading down the hall where the meeting will take place.

"Sect leader!"

Sect leader turned around and saw Wang Liu had lowered his head in front of him and then he said with a solemn voice.

"Thank you."

Sect leader was speechless for a while and glanced at Xingjian who just stood seriously from the side without disturbing. Then he looked back at Wang Liu and said with a smile.

"It's no big deal, Wang Liu. After all, I'm only doing this because young Wang has the ability to bring the Helios Dragon Sect to further heights! I believe that I'll see a day that my beloved sect will rise above the others and stand dominant in history, rooted eternally for all time.

"That is why, I'm pinning my hopes on the younger generation. I'm pinning my hopes on Wang Xie and believe that he will bring this sect up with glory!

"Do you understand?"

"Yes! I completely understand! I'll make sure of it myself that my son will not let you down!"