Chapter 28 Announcement: Revitalizing the Cultivation World - 28% Progress

Jun Feibai casually raised his eyes and said to Jun Huilian, "The secret realm of Daoist Guixu is quite something. It can even suppress spiritual energy. Super-grade spiritual artifacts cannot be used in the secret realm, and the spiritual energy is only enough to draw high-grade spiritual talismans, strictly controlling the strength of cultivators and the ghosts and monsters inside to the same level."

Jun Huilian revised it for him: "He probably never imagined that the cultivation world would fall into this state, and he set the upper limit of the strength of ghosts and monsters based on the level of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators ten thousand years ago."

Xu Buhui created the secret realm according to the abilities of cultivators of her era. This giant ghost has devoured countless people and has no reason. It is about to break through its shackles under the nourishment of the spiritual energy of the cultivators who died in the secret realm. If another giant ghost is triggered, the mission takers will definitely not be able to leave. Therefore, she went with the flow and wanted to solve the uncontrollable factors and restore the balance of the secret realm.

The only thing she hadn't expected was that these three people who were just temporary companions for a few days of eating, drinking, and having fun would actually follow her despite the dangers. The situation was slightly out of control, leaving her both amused and exasperated.

Given the current situation, there are reasonable solutions.

When Xiao Tingyuan heard Xu Buhui's name, he had a sudden realization. He said that he felt the City of the Wrongfully Dead was familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It turned out that he had read this description in a book.

Thinking of this, he immediately took out the dusty "Ghost Stories Collection (Unsigned Edition)" that had been sitting in the corner of his storage space. As soon as he got his hands on it, he vaguely felt a pulling force that dragged him two steps deeper into the well.

After obtaining the book, a close connection was established between the book itself and the secret realm. As the holder, a vast map appeared in his mind, revealing the underground network of the Ghost Immortal Mansion. The marks highlighted on the map were precisely the true treasure trove of the Ghost Immortal Mansion! The mansion was merely a smokescreen; the real treasures lay underground!

Xiao Tingyuan's eyes widened.

If he hadn't happened to pull out Guixu Daojun's work, he would never have known the secret of the secret realm.

His expressions were quite varied.

The chef, whose strength had not yet recovered and who occasionally fell into a deep sleep, happened to be awake. Upon seeing this, he shouted loudly, "I told you, Tingyuan, your luck is absolutely amazing! Look at you, you're just having a bit of bad luck, nothing to brag about."

It's nothing to brag about, but Xiao Tingyuan wanted to comfort himself by saying he was lucky. However, when he thought of his glorious past when he couldn't help but try the lottery again a few days ago and finally won the grand prize, he felt a surge of pride mixed with frustration.

You have returned and attained enlightenment.

Xu Buhui was annoyed that no one read his book, so he incorporated the treasure map of his secret realm into the text. When a discerning person brought a book containing the contents of his work into the secret realm, he offered up the location of the treasure without hesitation.

When he combined the two, he probably thought to himself, "Who told you not to know its value? You deserve not to get the treasure I hid in the secret realm," which is quite in line with his petty personality.

Before facing the unexpected joy, Xiao Tingyuan cautiously looked at Jun Huilian. He was not used to pretending and was conflicted about his performance.

Although he was a good friend he had spent several days with, the sudden difference in their social standing felt like a class divide between them, making even someone as sociable as him feel uncomfortable.

Those are people who can draw top-grade spirit talismans as easily as drinking water! They might not even be the same age as them, as they appear.

The thought that the three of them had been seen together with such an important person for so many days, calling each other brothers and sisters, made them feel a little dazed.

After listening to Jun Huilian's discussion, Su Xiaoyao realized that her newly acquainted partner was no ordinary person and did not need their help. She scratched her head, unsure of what to say.

"Thank you." Jiang Yun broke the silence first. He had witnessed the power of the "Ghost Immortal" in the well, which was even stronger than the White Face. He was saved by Jun Huilian and the other person at the critical moment.

"You're welcome. We should look after each other since we're traveling together." Jun Huilian's smile was much more genuine than before.

"Xiao Ye, where are you from?" Su Xiaoyao lowered her voice a little.

Jun Huilian and Jun Feibai exchanged a glance and said, "We come from the central sea area of ​​the four continents."

Su Xiaoyao and Jiang Yun, who were new to the cultivation world, were unfamiliar with its map. Only Xiao Tingyuan sensed something was wrong. He frowned slightly and asked, "The sea in the center of the four continents is extremely dangerous. How can people live there?"

“Our academy is built on the very center of the island,” Jun Huilian said.

Xiao Tingyuan's brow furrowed even deeper: "The very center of the four continents is the only gap between the cultivation world and the immortal world, where storms rage year-round..."

He paused, stunned.

He didn't question the veracity of Jun Huilian's words; he was simply shocked by what he thought about them more deeply.

Jun Huilian brought out the prepared explanation and said earnestly, "Our academy is built in a crevice, where students are often tempered by storms."

The statement was half true and half false; so far, she is the only student who has frequently undergone rigorous training.

Xiao Tingyuan was speechless; even he, slow to react, sensed that something was wrong.

Su Xiaoyao, being rather oblivious, raised her hand and asked, "Since coming to the cultivation world, I've heard of many major sects, such as the Xuantian Sword Sect, the Hehuan Sect, and the Beast Taming City. What's the difference between academies and these sects? Are they like schools in the mortal world?"

Xiao Tingyuan explained: "There are many sects and factions in the cultivation world, and they are not very willing to set up academies. This is because once you join a sect, especially as an inner disciple, you cannot easily leave. Otherwise, it will be regarded as treason and be despised. However, academies do not have so many taboos. You can study at one school and then go to another. After graduation, students will sever ties with the academy, so the bond is not strong."

"I understand, there's no benefit in it." Su Xiaoyao said succinctly.

“Uh.” Xiao Tingyuan didn’t expect her to be so straightforward. “That’s true. Ten thousand years ago, academies were very popular for a while, but later the cultivation families did not allow their unique skills to be leaked. Over time, no one was willing to share their cultivation methods for free. In addition, the cultivation world has declined in the last two thousand years, and there are very few powerful people qualified to open academies and teach.”

"I know that. Since I came to the cultivation world, I haven't learned anything else, but I've heard a lot about the story of the flourishing of a hundred flowers ten thousand years ago." Su Xiaoyao nodded as if she understood.

Her family member, who works 996, seems to be a fan of the era from ten thousand years ago. They have a great fondness for the era when cultivation was most prevalent and intense, and often use examples from ten thousand years ago to help her learn about the cultivation world.

She was far more interested in places like schools than in those scheming sects, and she immediately asked, "Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye, does your academy still accept students? Can I take the exam?"

Xiao Tingyuan's ears twitched.

He had never heard of islands above the treacherous waters of the Four Continents. His new friend didn't seem like someone who spoke carelessly; there might really be a secluded place there.

Tempered in the storm? That sounds incredibly inspiring.

So he said, "I'm also a little curious. To be honest, I left my family this time to pursue my studies, hoping to achieve something and return home in glory."

With the Holy Prayer Palace, which aided and abetted evil, preceding him, his yearning for a major sect was greatly diminished. A secluded academy that could teach the art of drawing high-grade spirit talismans couldn't possibly be too bad.

He was somewhat expectant.

Jiang Yun, who was usually silent, also raised his head upon hearing this.

Jun Huilian's smile remained unchanged: "What a coincidence! Our academy has been in seclusion for many years. All the previous students have graduated and gone out to make their way in the world. We are planning to open our gates to recruit students in three years. Anyone above the Foundation Establishment stage and under the age of thirty can apply for the entrance examination. If you want to come, I will give you an examination certificate. When you arrive at the coast, there will be someone to meet you. You don't have to worry about getting lost at sea. It's like a back door."

She said it half-jokingly.

"That's great! I love using connections!" Su Xiaoyao grinned, not holding back. "I'll definitely train hard for the next three years and not let my senior sister down in the assessment!"

They even started calling her "senior sister".

Jun Huilian gave the three of them a jade pendant carved with a Pixiu and told them how to use it.

"Wow, it even has built-in navigation! That's amazing! I'm starting to look forward to my campus life!" Su Xiaoyao's eyes lit up.

Calculating her age, she would be nineteen in three years, the perfect age to go to university. A tingling, exhilarating feeling suddenly welled up inside her—she could continue enjoying university life in the cultivation world!

Jiang Yun held the lustrous jade pendant, feeling a sense of unreality.

His seemingly hopeless and helpless journey suddenly became clear.

Jun Huilian said casually, "Once we get what we need, Xiao Hei and I will go back to the academy to cultivate in seclusion. Speaking of which, it seems that none of the three of you have a clear destination next. You are all future classmates, so why don't you travel together?"

She believed that it was impossible for the three task participants to fail the entrance examination, thus assuming they would be future classmates.

"That's a great suggestion. Are you busy with anything else?" Su Xiaoyao's eyes lit up.

She doesn't like rolling, but the system releases a lot of tasks, and having two partners to work together would greatly improve efficiency.

Furthermore, with the system providing countless opportunities, and these two partners being of good character and working well together, traveling together can save them from many detours.

As a modern person, she doesn't subscribe to the old-fashioned ideas that "suffering a loss is a blessing" or "taking a detour is a good thing."

Little did she know that the other two people shared the same thoughts as her.

With 444/1314 around, friends can find many opportunities and the dangers are greatly reduced. Why not help each other?

So the two of them immediately agreed.

Once the matter was explained, the group followed the secret realm's master's writings, which Xiao Tingyuan had contributed, to the end of the underground labyrinth.

The treasure vault of the secret realm was filled with rare and precious treasures, but Jun Huilian didn't even glance at them and went straight to the ice platform in the center.

She saw a familiar mirror.

She exclaimed in surprise, "The entire illusion is supported by this mirror; it feels so familiar."

"How could I not be familiar with it?" Jun Feibai touched the Pixiu pattern on the back of the mirror, laughing and crying at the same time. "This is what you made. Xu Buhui spent a lot of money to have you make this mirror. It took you five years to finish it."

Jun Huilian suddenly realized: "I was wondering why this secret realm was so meticulously constructed, lasting for ten thousand years and constantly nourishing the ghosts within. It turns out I was the one who crafted it. No wonder then."

She created so many things that I can't remember them all.

After going through many twists and turns, this thing ended up in her hands again.

Jun Feibai: "With this, the game section can be updated."

The secret realm will collapse once the mirror is removed. Jun Huilian took the items and bid farewell to the other three, then let them take the other treasures.

"Don't you want anything else?" Su Xiaoyao was clearly in a position to eat and take. When the system's storage space was full, she temporarily used her points to exchange for a Qiankun bag and continued to fill it.

She had never seen so many good things before. The three of them agreed to move the things away first and then "divide the spoils" as needed!

"No need." Jun Huilian wasn't interested in anything else. Jun Feibai glanced around and, apart from a round and beautiful pearl, didn't care about anything else the ghost cultivator had.

Did you see the flag behind the top seat? Take it.

444 urged Jiang Yun.

Following its command, Jiang Yun headed straight for the eerie black flag. As soon as he picked it up, he felt a suction force, and most of his spiritual energy was instantly absorbed.

Upon seeing this, Jun Huilian prompted: "Mobilize spiritual energy to block it."

He did as instructed.

Looking at the canopy, and seeing no prompt from 444, he habitually cast an appraisal spell.

Jiang Yun's breath hitched.

“Soul-summoning banner…” He stared intently at the words on the system panel, his usually aloof face suddenly becoming anxious.

444 proud.

I told you to come here, didn't I? Keep it up! Right now, using the Soul-Summoning Banner will drain all your spiritual energy, but that won't happen once you reach the Golden Core stage.

Jiang Yun felt a warmth in his heart; he didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment.

"good."

On the other side, Xiao Tingyuan found a secret manual.

[This is the most important purpose of this trip, my dear. Ghost cultivators cultivate in a different way than ordinary people. Their spiritual energy does not circulate through meridians. This method is also applicable to you, and the self-created cultivation method of the Ghostly Void Daoist is the most effective among them.]

Xiao Tingyuan felt a surge of emotion.

He actually managed to get back up step by step after being completely ruined.

Seeing that the three of them had packed up their things, Jun Huilian took the mirror away.

"Goodbye, everyone." Jun Feibai was quite satisfied with the three taskers who worked hard to earn points during this trip.

"Goodbye!" Su Xiaoyao said reluctantly. "By the way, what's our university called, Tsinghua or Peking University?"

Jun Huilian smiled slightly: "See you at Tianyan Academy in three years."

All three taskers were taken aback.

Even if they knew nothing about the cultivation world, they had heard of that unique Daoist title.

【drop】

Just as Jun Huilian and Jun Feibai disappeared, a red light suddenly flashed on the system panel.

At the same moment, all the mission participants, regardless of what they were doing at that moment, were forced to wake up. They heard a system notification that went deep into their brains and seemed to be etched into their bones.

[System Announcement: Congratulations to players 444,996, and 1314 for unlocking the ultimate main quest. The main quest icon is now available to all players.]

The three taskers looked at each other in shock. The timing was perfect. They couldn't say anything about the system, so they could only blink frantically at the other two.

Looking down again, I saw that the last icon in the main storyline section of their system panel, which was almost entirely locked, was lit up.

The three of them simultaneously raised their hands and tapped the screen.

Main Quest (Final): The Purpose of Living is to Learn

Task: Obtain a graduation certificate from Tianyan Academy.

Task Rewards: Experience × ?, Points × ?, Graduation Certificate personally awarded by the Heavenly Dao Ancestor × 1, Special Rewards for the Top Three (Secret)

The moment the announcement was made, the system hosts scattered across the four continents all stirred up agitation.

All of this was no longer related to Jun Huilian. She went out to get what she wanted, handed the system over to her clone and Jun Feibai to manage, and then entered the Mustard Seed Space for a three-year seclusion.

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Author's Note: Ah Lian went out to buy goods, and when he got home, he saw...

Made in China.