Chapter 103 Hall of Transmission
As soon as I stepped out of the Soul Palace, the faint, chilling aura vanished from my divine sense.
Ji An couldn't help but turn around, raise his gaze, and glance at the plaque in the main hall again.
"Did you feel a little uncomfortable just now?"
Ye Changqing noticed his movement and stopped walking.
"I always feel there's a chilling aura about it."
"The few strands of energy that are extracted from our bodies contain a trace of soul essence. The soul essence is yin. One or two soul lamps are nothing, but the sect has nearly a thousand Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. So many soul lamps gathered in the main hall can form a special domain."
The human body belongs to Yang, so one can naturally perceive the opposing forces of energy within it.
Ye Changqing explained a few words, then continued walking forward. The two returned to the back of the Workshop Hall, where he found several sets of clothes:
"Those receiving Class B treatment will receive two gold-thread cloud-patterned robes, two sets of everyday clothes, and three sets each of undergarments, hairpins, shoes, and socks."
The robe is woven from first-grade high-quality spirit silkworm silk mixed with golden threads refined from wind-milled copper. It is embedded with twelve layers of magical restrictions, making it very lightweight and providing good defense. Most importantly, it does not require us to control it with our divine sense.
By the way, junior brother, what cultivation method are you planning to choose?
"I will give you pills that match your cultivation method based on your choice. Of course, you can choose other types of pills."
You should know that different cultivation methods produce different types of magical power. If you cultivate a fire-elemental technique but choose a water-elemental elixir, you're simply asking for trouble. Not only will you suffer after consuming it, but you'll also find it difficult to improve your cultivation after refining it.
Ji An cupped his hands and replied, "Based on my master's advice, I have chosen the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique."
"The Green Wood Longevity Technique is excellent; it's equivalent to taking a high-grade second-tier longevity pill."
Alas, it is only when one's lifespan is nearing its end that one truly appreciates the benefits of a long life.
Ye Changqing sighed and took out two fist-sized blue jade bottles:
"This is the Azure Spirit Pill, which is best suited for use with the Azure Wood Everlasting Spring Technique."
Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who enjoy Class B treatment receive 24 pills annually. If they wish to receive more, they must purchase them with contribution points.
As he spoke, he took out another jade slip and handed it out:
"It details the benefits and obligations that Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect enjoy at each level. If they fail to fulfill these obligations for three consecutive years without a valid reason, their benefits will be reduced."
In the past, newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators would not be assigned tasks for three years, as the sect gave them ample time to consolidate their cultivation and adapt to the new environment.
However, this rule changed a few years ago. Now, junior disciples only have one year of free time, and after that year, they must report back to choose which sect mission they wish to undertake.
Ji An took the jade slip, pressed it to his forehead, and quickly scanned it, focusing on the Class B treatment and the supplies he had received. He nodded slightly.
"Thank you, senior brother. I still need to go to the Transmission Hall to choose a cultivation method. I will come back to find you in a few days to choose a cave dwelling."
"Take care, junior brother."
Walking along a path lined with lush green bamboo, Ji An found the entrance to the Hall of Transmission of Skills, which was a stone cave that had been carved out.
Along the way, he sensed that he had passed through three layers of magical restrictions. If it weren't for the identity jade token, he would never have been able to get here.
Cultivation techniques are the foundation of a power's inheritance, whether for a particular power or a particular cultivator. He was not surprised by such tight defenses.
The three large characters 'Chuan Gong Dian' (Hall of Transmission of Merit) are etched on the stone wall above the cave entrance, colored with cinnabar, making it as red as blood.
Stepping onto the moss-covered stone steps, Ji An entered the Hall of Transmission of Skills.
Upon approaching, one sees a lean, otherworldly old man leaning over a table. On the table are numerous jade slips, and a cup of spiritual tea emits wisps of steam, its fragrance permeating the air.
The old man exuded a vast and profound aura, giving people a strong sense of oppression.
Sunlight streamed down from overhead, creating patches of gold on the ground.
Niches were carved into the surrounding stone walls, each containing a jade slip that shimmered with various colors of spiritual light, and a faint spiritual light emanated from the outside of the niches.
The cultivation techniques, spells, beast taming, weapon crafting, and alchemy sections are clearly categorized and labeled.
Each niche had a label with information written in tiny handwriting.
Ji An coughed lightly, stepped forward, bowed, and said:
"Newly promoted Foundation Establishment disciple Ji An has come to choose a cultivation method."
The old man didn't even blink, and said coldly:
"I heard you. Go and get it yourself. Once you've chosen, come find me to copy the jade slip. Place your jade tablet on the light screen in the niche, and the magical restriction will open automatically."
His words had a coldness that kept people at a distance.
Ji An didn't take it seriously. A place like the Hall of Transmission of Skills must be full of hidden talents. You can't entrust someone with such an important task as guarding this place if you don't have some skills.
The person before him possessed an aura as vast as the ocean, exerting far greater pressure on him than his own master, and was likely a powerful cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage.
He first glanced through them, then began to carefully select.
As a disciple enjoying second-class treatment, in addition to cultivation techniques, he can also choose two Foundation Establishment stage spells for free.
In addition, his knowledge was too narrow and he urgently needed to broaden his horizons, so he picked out all the jade slips that he could use.
When the old man saw the dozens of jade slips placed on the table, he finally looked up and a faint smile appeared on his lips:
"Basic knowledge jade slips do not require contribution points and are a privilege enjoyed by sect cultivators, but spell jade slips will consume a certain amount of contribution points."
Most newly promoted Foundation Establishment disciples are poor. Exchanging Foundation Establishment Pills consumes a huge amount of contribution points, so very few people would choose to use so many spell jade slips.
He quickly examined what kind of jade slips they were, muttering to himself:
"The cultivation technique is the Evergreen Wood Technique, but the Foundation Establishment stage spells are Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra, Azure Wood Transformation Technique, Overlapping Waves Technique, Rocky Mountain Technique, Exploding Fireball, and Golden Light Technique. Isn't this ridiculous? You chose metal-element spells for a wood-element cultivation technique. Hand over the jade tablet, let me see who you, you fool, have become a disciple of!"
The old man was quite angry. He could understand if a late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple chose a spell that was incompatible with his cultivation technique, since studying such spells could reveal the divine intent of the technique from the opposite perspective. But what right did a disciple in the early stage of Foundation Establishment have?
Sensing the fleeting spiritual pressure fluctuations emanating from the other party, Ji An felt as if he were in a vast sea of fire, his skin feeling as if it were being burned.
He suppressed the excitement in his heart, thinking to himself that sometimes being too responsible isn't a good thing.
He handed over his identity jade token and explained softly:
"I am skilled in planting, so I chose the Evergreen Wood Technique. As for the Golden Light Technique, it is because I also have a good understanding of metal-based spells."
Ji An activated his magic to unleash the Sharp Metal Technique, golden light shimmering at his fingertips.
The old man squinted as he watched the golden light swirling around his fingertips, and the anger on his face subsided.
"I see. However, from now on your magic power will take on the properties of wood elemental energy, making it more energy-intensive to activate metal elemental spells."
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly began to speak:
"Have you mastered the Golden Armor Technique?"
Not yet.
Ji An replied that since the stone tortoise had hardly absorbed any of the three spiritual energies of Qian, Dui, and Li, he had to rely entirely on his own efforts to practice the metal and fire element spells, which did not allow for time constraints.
"The Golden Light Technique has great potential. If you want to achieve something, you should practice the Golden Armor Technique more. It will help you understand the mysteries of the Golden Light Technique. Also, don't give up the Sharp Metal Technique."
The old man took the jade tablet, placed it on the spirit plate, and nodded slightly.
"Well, you'll receive the treatment of a second-class disciple. After removing the two spells that consume the most contribution points, you'll also need to deduct 2,500 contribution points."
"Pretty well-off, still over 5,000 contribution points after deductions."
"My planting spells are quite good. I help my master manage the herb garden, and I also rented dozens of acres of spirit fields to accumulate this wealth."
Ji An quickly copied the jade slip, bowed to the old man, and left.
After leaving Lingxiao Mountain, Ji An rode a gray-feathered sand goose westward, and two days later, he finally arrived at the region where Chiyan Peak was located.
It was noon, the sun was blazing, and in the distance, billowing clouds could be seen.
After traveling for another half an hour, Ji An finally got a glimpse of the entire Crimson Flame Peak.
This is a bare, reddish-brown rocky mountain, resembling a cone with its tip removed. Golden-red mist billows out from the mountaintop like steam.
There was no greenery on the mountain, but at the foot of the mountain, there were lush trees surrounding the rocky hills, as well as a dark green pool covering twenty or thirty acres.
As the beast continued to approach, Ji An finally saw that the mountain peak was clearly a volcano.
He drove the sand geese to fly around the mountain peaks continuously. Even through the protective mountain formation, he could feel the intense spiritual energy vibrating in the air, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was extremely violent.
As the sun began to set, the mist on the mountaintop ceased to rise, and the raging spiritual energy around them gradually became docile.
He stopped outside the magic circle and found a corner to sit and rest.
The grey-feathered sand goose lay in the grass, occasionally letting out a weak groan. It was exhausted today, and even the air it was breathing felt like smoke and fire.
The spirit-seeking rat lay not far from the sand goose; it was in slightly better condition, but still listless.
The sunset glow, like a furnace, forged magnificent colors of reddish gold and purplish red. Birds cried out and beasts ran about, bringing this land, which was quiet and deserted during the day, to life.
He took out the jade slip containing the Qingmu Changchun Gong (a martial arts technique) and placed it on his forehead, silently reciting each word in his mind, pondering how to cultivate the technique.
The sun was warm, the moon was cold, and a night passed.
A thin mist enveloped the mountains, and Ji An's mind sank into his dantian, connecting with the stone tortoise.
[Spiritual clues: Kan (坎) spirit 1653.2, Gen (艮) spirit 505.4, Zhen (震) spirit 16.4, Xun (巽) spirit 70.8, Kun (坤) spirit 1422.5, Qian (乾) spirit 1.7, Dui (兑) spirit 0.1, Li (离) spirit 0.2]
All his spiritual abilities have increased, and this is the result of him staying outside the protective mountain formation.
Ji An opened his eyes and looked at the seemingly real yet illusory region hidden in the mist, marveling at the wonders of creation.
Beneath this fiery, molten land lie earth and water veins that nurture the vitality of all things, where the five elements wax and wane in harmony.
This is it. To others, this spiritual vein node may have various problems, but in his eyes, it is a blessed land that is several times better than Ningcui Cliff.
Before long, the rising sun dispelled the thin mist, and golden-red mist once again billowed from the mountaintop.
The aura of golden wind and raging fire spread from the magic array, and the gentle spiritual energy of heaven and earth around them quickly turned into a wild horse that had broken free of its reins.
The grey-feathered sand geese let out a pitiful cry; they couldn't stay in this place any longer!
The spirit-seeking mouse also made a "squeak" sound, and water mist even appeared in its small eyes.
"You two are in for a treat from now on!" Ji An put away the Spirit-Seeking Rat, let out a long howl, mounted his mount, and galloped away.
Standing before the cave at the foot of the mountain, Chen Xingzhou coldly watched the departing figure and gave the order:
"Be alert these next few days. If you spot anyone sneaking around the magic circle again, notify me immediately."
Yesterday he noticed someone flying around the formation with their beasts, but he didn't expect that the other party had been waiting outside all night. They must have had some ulterior motive.
(End of this chapter)
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