"Thank you, Senior Brother," Ji An took the Jade Slip of the Life and Death Technique, bowed in thanks, and prepared to leave.
"Please wait, Junior Brother."
The senior brother in charge of reception called him back and sternly said:
"The sect strictly forbids disciples from privately exchanging Jade Slips, and strictly prohibits selling cultivation method and daoist formulas outside of the sect. The rules are written clearly and unmistakably.
If discovered, depending on the severity, at worst you'll be sent to the mines for three years, and at worst you'll be reduced to a mining slave, spending the rest of your days in dark mines.
Do you understand?"
The Golden Spirit Sect is a sect renowned for its Artifact Refining and oversees more than ten types of mines.
It's said that disciples who violate sect rules are mostly sent to the mines.
The spiritual energy in the mines contains a lot of underground turbid Yin Sha, which is violent and chaotic, completely unsuitable for cultivation, so being sent to mine is a very severe punishment.
This brings us to the two paths of cultivation undertaken by cultivators.
One path is known as Magic Cultivation, where Immortal Cultivators absorb nature's spiritual energy and refine it into magical power stored within the dantian, with attack methods primarily relying on various magic techniques and magical artifacts.
The other path is known as Body Cultivation. They use the spiritual energy absorbed to nurture the body, cleanse essence and marrow, and also refine various spiritual objects into their body to forge the Purity Treasure Body.
In some sense, the body of a Body Cultivator is an alternative kind of magical artifact.
In the Cultivation Realm's development over countless millennia, the boundary between Magic Cultivation and Body Cultivation has become less distinct.
Magic Cultivators can practice Body Tempering Techniques to improve their body's defense power, and naturally, Body Cultivators can also practice magic techniques and use magical artifacts to enhance their attack and defense methods. It's simply a matter of different focuses.
Body Cultivators have a stronger resistance to turbid Yin Sha and can even sharpen their cultivation in harsh environments, so most of the mining work is done by Body Cultivators.
In the Golden Spirit Sect, Magic Cultivators make up about eighty percent of the total number of cultivators, with the sect's strongest Body Cultivator being an early-stage Chao Origin Realm cultivator, making it a veritable Magic Cultivator sect.
"I have thoroughly read the sect rules, keeping them in mind at all times, and dare not have the slightest transgressive act."
Ji An gently replied.
It's a joke that he, a first-layer Qi Refining disciple with no background and average aptitude, would dare violate the sect rules.
You wouldn't dare.
The senior brother in charge of reception nodded slightly, seeing the other was a new disciple and was just giving a routine admonishment.
He waved his hand: "As you were, Junior Brother."
Ji An walked out of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall's grand hall, sitting cross-legged on a mat, and fell into contemplation.
He had no intention of socializing with the surrounding disciples, deciding to develop his network three years later.
His reason for choosing the Life and Death Technique was that the Stone Turtle had accumulated a lot of Xun Spirit, which was perfect for refinement.
Another important point was that the Life and Death Technique could extract the vitality of plants and refine them into Wood Element Beads.
Wood Element Beads could be broken down into vibrant Wood Element Essence Qi to nourish Spirit Medicines, and the sect continuously purchases Wood Element Beads to nourish Spirit Medicines, accelerating their age.
However, only upon reaching the third layer of the Life and Death Technique can one refine Wood Element Beads. The first and second tier levels of the Life and Death Technique can only extract some liquid containing Wood Element Spiritual Energy.
The spiritual energy in the liquid evaporates quickly, requiring immediate use, and Spirit Farmers utilize the extracted liquid diluted in water to irrigate the Spirit Fields.
Xun, within the Five Elements, represents wood, symbolizing wind, and representing the vigorous growth of everything at the cusp of spring and summer.
He felt a thread of concern in his heart because in the Eight Trigrams, the Thunder Trigram also represents wood in the Five Elements.
If the Life and Death Technique required the refinement of two types of Spiritual Mechanism to improve quickly, it would be a tricky matter.
Zhen represents thunder, symbolizing vibration and alertness, growth and the power of rebirth, yet the Stone Turtle had not absorbed even a sliver of the Vibration Spirit Mechanism.
At this moment, the last glimmer of the setting sun disappeared, and the celestial vault was like a black curtain adorned with twinkling stars.
Ji An emptied his mind and began to operate his cultivation technique, absorbing nature's spiritual energy and refining it into magical power.
Not just him, all the disciples gradually started cultivating.
For ordinary disciples without familial support, there was no guarantee of advancing to the Qi Refining Fourth Level within three years, thus there was no eligibility to be lazy.
When his efficiency in refining magical power decreased, Ji An withdrew from cultivation, and instead placed the Jade Slip of the Life and Death Technique against his forehead, studying the casting techniques and delving into the essence of magic.
The night passed without words.
The next day, at 5:00 AM.
Ji An awoke from his dreams to find some disciples had already begun cultivating.
"Damn, it's so competitive."
He took a deep breath and industriously operated the Qingyuan Scripture.
Qi Refining disciples without pill support have limited cultivation time each day, and no one dares to slack off...
With the rising sun, other new disciples gradually arrived, one after another riding in Talisman Birds, with their fluttering clothes inspiring admiration.
The open space became increasingly crowded, and Ji An swallowed his envious salvia, squeezing near the Cyan Pine Daoist School's gathering.
He glanced around and noted that a few people hadn't arrived yet; there were only fourteen present.
"Senior Brother Chu, I estimate that the time is almost up, the Elder lecturing on the Dao will arrive soon, so why haven't Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Sister Zhao shown up?"
Chu River's eyes revealed a look of envy, smiling as he said:
"Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Sister Zhao each have family elders remaining in the sect to consult at any time.
This lecture is mainly about not-so-advanced foundational knowledge, so it's unnecessary for them to attend."
The group revealed envious expressions on their faces, perhaps in a few years, the two would have left everyone far behind.
After waiting a while longer, the group was led into a side hall by the senior brother on duty at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.
The plaque above the grand hall read "Enlightenment Hall," with three square and upright characters in deep black ink.
"Quiet, I'll say a few words briefly."
The speaker was about twenty and a few years old, but his face held a dignified air, as if he were often in command.
"Today, Elder Qin Yan is here to lecture, and during his lecture, no one is allowed to make noise.
If there is anything you do not understand, the elder will take the time to answer your questions after the lecture."
"When Elder Qin Yan first joined the sect, no one had high hopes for him, yet he carved out his path step by step.
His experience is extremely valuable for most people, so cherish this opportunity."
"Lastly, let me add one more thing.
When Elder advanced to Foundation Establishment, he was already fifty-four years old, and now he is one hundred and fifty-two, at the Ninth-Layer Perfection of Foundation Establishment."
The disciples collectively exclaimed in shock.
It's heard that one of the sect's Golden Core Ancestors is traveling the world, and the other is in closed-door cultivation, leaving sect affairs to be deliberated by Chao Origin Stage cultivators.
If Elder Qin Yan could take another step forward, wouldn't he become a Late-stage Chao Origin Cultivator! A guaranteed top-tier reserve force.
After about half a quarter-hour passed, the crisp sound of a crane's cry came, followed by a cultivator with a gaunt face, white eyebrows, and white hair, stepping in to sit down on the high platform.
Although his hair was like snow, the treasure light shimmered on his skin, and his eyes contained a godly light, reserved and deep like an ancient well.
"Welcome, Elder, to the Enlightenment Hall for lecturing," the attending senior brother respectfully saluted.
"Welcome, Elder, to the Enlightenment Hall for lecturing," the disciples all bowed in unison.
Another crane's cry echoed as a red-topped Immortal Crane strutted in and lain down beside the cultivator.
The cultivator produced a fist-sized Qingyu Bell, placed it on the table, and lightly tapped it with a Jade Hammer.
Ding! The lingering clear sound rippled through the grand hall.
"Rise, my name is Qin Yan."