Changing into a blue robe, his identity was set. Ye Chen did not linger in the stone house for long. After a brief period of adjustment, familiarizing himself with the thin yet stable spiritual energy environment of Zone C, he got up and went out. He was pressed for time and needed to quickly understand the sect's operations and find ways to improve his strength.
Following the guidance of the jade slip map, he first headed to another important location in the Outer Sect—the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.
The Dharma Transmission Pavilion was located in a valley surrounded by several Outer Sect peaks. It was a three-story ancient pagoda, with upturned eaves and hidden spiritual light, exuding a greater sense of solemnity and the weight of knowledge than the Deacon Hall. This was where Outer Sect disciples obtained cultivation methods, techniques, and even the basic inheritances of various cultivation arts.
The first floor of the pavilion was extremely spacious, lined with dozens of rows of tall jade slip shelves, categorized and labeled with sections such as "Five Elements Basic Cultivation Methods," "Low-level Spells," "Introduction to Miscellaneous Arts," and "Cultivation Knowledge." Many Outer Sect disciples in blue robes moved about, either scrutinizing texts or conversing in low voices, creating a quiet and focused atmosphere.
A middle-aged cultivator, also wearing a deacon's uniform but with a gentler aura, sat behind a desk at the entrance, responsible for registration and answering simple questions.
Ye Chen stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Esteemed senior brother, I am Ye Chen, a new disciple, here to select a cultivation method."
The middle-aged deacon looked up and glanced at Ye Chen. His gaze lingered for a moment on the blue robe that signified a registered disciple, then fell upon the disciple jade token at his waist. He frowned almost imperceptibly, as if recognizing his identity as having a "Pseudo Spirit Root from the Ascension Token," but quickly regained his composure.
"New disciples may select one basic cultivation method and two low-level spells free of charge. Jade slips cannot be taken away; you must use your spiritual sense to engrave a copy here. You have one hour. Go ahead," he said matter-of-factly, gesturing towards the shelves.
"Thank you, senior brother," Ye Chen replied, and stepped between the shelves.
He first headed to the "Five Elements Basic Cultivation Methods" area. The jade slips here were the most numerous. There were common methods like the Earth Heavy Art, Everlasting Spring Art, Departing Fire Heart Sutra, Geng Metal Art, and Bi Bo Art, all of which could only support cultivators up to the Late Qi Refining Stage with mediocre efficiency. For Ye Chen, who possessed the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter, a foundational technique rumored to be from ancient Qi Practitioners, these held little appeal. However, he still needed to select one as a cover, as the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter's origins were unknown and should not be exposed.
After a brief browse, he casually selected the Geng Metal Art, which had slightly stronger offensive capabilities and matched the hint of sharpness he had displayed.
Next, he moved to the "Low-level Spells" area. This was the main focus of his visit. The Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter emphasized foundation and the essence of spiritual power, lacking in combat techniques, and he urgently needed to supplement his practical abilities.
The spell jade slips on the shelves were dazzling, including common first-tier spells in the cultivation world such as Fireball, Ice Cone, Entangle, Wind Riding Technique, Golden Light Shield, and Earth Spike.
Ye Chen's gaze swept across them quickly, his mind already made up. He needed to cover offense, defense, and support, but limited by the number, he had to choose carefully.
He first picked up a jade slip for the Wind Riding Technique. This spell could enhance movement speed and agility, making it extremely practical for pursuit, evasion, or daily travel. For him, who needed to constantly "work hard" at cultivation, saving time meant increasing efficiency.
Engrave Low-level Spell Wind Riding Technique, requires 5 Contribution Points, free for new disciples. Engrave?
His spiritual sense touched the jade slip, and information flowed into his mind. Simultaneously, his disciple jade token warmed slightly, recording this selection.
"Yes."
Instantly, the complete cultivation method and spiritual power circulation route for the Wind Riding Technique were clearly imprinted in his memory, as familiar as if he had practiced it thousands of times. The System's assistance manifested at this moment, directly bypassing the step of initial understanding.
Next, his gaze fell upon a jade slip named Breath Concealment Art. This was not a combat spell, but it could conceal one's aura, regulate spiritual power fluctuations, and even disguise one's cultivation to a certain extent. For Ye Chen, who needed to hide his strength and avoid trouble, this spell was even more important than offensive spells.
Engrave Low-level Spell Breath Concealment Art, requires 5 Contribution Points, free for new disciples. Engrave?
"Yes."
The cultivation method for the Breath Concealment Art was also mastered instantly.
With two spells selected, his free quota was exhausted. Ye Chen did not leave but continued to browse among the shelves, reading the descriptions before the jade slips. He needed to learn more about spells, to prepare for future exchanges once he earned Contribution Points, and to broaden his knowledge.
Introductory jade slips for various cultivation arts were also displayed, such as "Basics of Artifact Refining," "Illustrated Guide to Common Spirit Medicines," "Introduction to Formations," and "Analysis of Talismans," but the Contribution Points required for their exchange were far higher than for ordinary spells.
Time passed quietly. As the hour drew to a close, Ye Chen had browsed the descriptions of most of the jade slips on the first floor, gaining a preliminary understanding of the Azure Profound Dao Sect's Outer Sect inheritance system. It was basic yet all-encompassing, laying a solid foundation for the disciples.
He cast one last glance at the jade slips for more powerful or peculiar spells that required Contribution Points for exchange, such as Palm Thunder, Earth Evasion Technique, and Invisibility Technique, noting their names and the required Contribution Points before turning to leave the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.
The middle-aged deacon saw him emerge and said nothing more, merely performing a routine check of his jade token records. Once confirmed, he waved him away.
Stepping out of the Dharma Transmission Pavilion, the sunlight outside the valley was somewhat dazzling. Ye Chen clenched his fist, feeling the knowledge of the two new spells in his mind, as well as the vast expanse of cultivation knowledge. His heart was filled with a thirst for knowledge and a pursuit of power.
With cultivation methods and spells preliminarily acquired, the next step was to transform theory into strength!
He did not return to the stone house but headed directly to another common destination for Outer Sect disciples—the Training Ground. He needed to master these two spells as quickly as possible and cultivate the Geng Metal Art to a certain degree as a cover.
The Training Ground was located on a flat, open valley floor, paved with hard bluestone and divided into hundreds of areas of varying sizes, equipped with simple protective arrays. Currently, many disciples were sparring and practicing spells, with shouts and the sounds of spell collisions filling the air.
Ye Chen found a secluded corner, set up the simplest warning prohibition, and began to practice.
He first circulated the Geng Metal Art. The circulation route of this cultivation method was simple. Compared to the complex hidden meridian circulation of the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter within him, it was like child's play. He deliberately slowed down, mimicking the raw feeling described in the jade slip, allowing spiritual power to flow slowly through a few main meridians, emitting a faint sharp aura of the metal element. With the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter as a base, simulating the aura of such a low-level cultivation method was effortless.
Then, he began to practice the Wind Riding Technique. Following the hand seals, he channeled spiritual power into the meridians of his legs. Initially, he was clumsy, his movements shaky, but after only three or five attempts—
Practicing Wind Riding Technique, Proficiency +1
Spiritual Power Control Improved, Wind Riding Technique Proficiency +2
The System's prompts sounded, showcasing his exquisite control over spiritual power. It was as if wind sprung from his feet, his body suddenly becoming light. With one step, he could cover a distance of over ten feet, his speed more than doubling! Although far from mastery, he had already gained entry!
Next was the Breath Concealment Art. This spell relied more on the subtle control of spiritual sense and spiritual power. He held his breath and concentrated, guiding spiritual power according to the hand seals to cover his body surface and suppress the fluctuations of his Dantian and Sea of Qi. Initially, his aura fluctuated unstably, but soon—
Practicing Breath Concealment Art, Proficiency +1
Successfully concealed aura to the level of Qi Refining Level 3, Breath Concealment Art Proficiency +3!
The Qi Refining Level 4 aura around him rapidly receded, becoming indistinct. At first glance, he appeared no different from an ordinary Qi Refining Level 3 disciple!
Such terrifying practice efficiency would shock anyone who knew about it. For an ordinary disciple to gain entry into a low-level spell would require at least several days of hard work, yet Ye Chen had initially mastered two spells in just half an hour!
He did not stop, continuing to practice tirelessly, alternating between the Wind Riding Technique and the Breath Concealment Art, deepening his understanding and increasing his proficiency. At the same time, he also spared some attention to maintain the circulation of the Geng Metal Art, making himself appear like a newly acquired disciple diligently adapting.
On the Training Ground, no one noticed this registered disciple working diligently in the corner. The sunlight stretched his shadow long, and sweat soaked his blue robe, but his eyes were bright, filled with focus and a yearning for power.
Initial exposure to Dharma transmission, the beginning of diligent cultivation. In the Outer Sect of the Azure Profound Dao Sect, Ye Chen's legend was quietly being laid, starting from the practice of these most basic techniques.