Chapter 96: Chapter 83: Mahayana Cultivator, Chun Ye
"I owe you many thanks for this time, I didn't expect you to have a true sister." After leaving the Mission Hall, Yang Ji clasped his hands in gratitude toward the girl in strong attire.
"Are you thanking me or my sister?" The girl asked with a sidelong glance.
"Naturally, I thank you both," Yang Ji replied with a smile.
"There's nothing to thank me for. You saved my life previously, so let's call it even, how about that?" The girl looked at him as she spoke.
"What, are you trying to distance yourself from a 'delicate flower' of the sect like me?" Yang Ji teased with a laugh.
"That's not it. We both hail from the Endless Sea. In the future, we should naturally become closer and help each other more," she stated frankly.
"I must admit I had some biases against you before, but you have truly surprised me. With a medium-grade Spiritual Root, your comprehension is quite excellent. I even suspect you might have been possessed by some old monster," the girl admitted as she scrutinized Yang Ji, as if trying to see through him completely.
"Ha ha, if the Primordial Spirit of an old monster entered my body and saw my innate talent, it would probably cry on the spot and, cursing and swearing, kick me away and flee. How could it possess me?" Yang Ji laughed at the absurd idea.
"That's true, your Spiritual Root is indeed inferior. I've cultivated for over twenty years and have already reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, yet you've cultivated for over a hundred years to reach the same level. Next time we meet, I expect I will have left you far behind," the girl said, lifting her chin slightly.
"It seems in order not to be left too far behind by you, I'll have to find some Spiritual Objects that can enhance my Spiritual Root," said Yang Ji, undiscouraged and smiling lightly.
"Indeed, you should find more Spiritual Objects that can enhance the root. Otherwise, at the same realm, you would have to spend several hundred or even a thousand years in arduous cultivation to advance, which is akin to suicide. Not worth it at all," she said frankly, her straightforward speech unadorned and direct, complemented by her efficient attire, which gave her an air of valiant grace.
"I've had this intention for a while, but it has to be taken slowly," Yang Ji acknowledged, clearly understanding the situation.
"By the way, having passed the first assessment, we are qualified to go to the Dao Tower and choose a top-level technique or cultivation method. As for Great Divine Powers and Dao cultivation techniques, we can also pick any one," said the white-haired elder.
"I won't go. Focus on essence and limit on greed; biting off more than one can chew isn't good. The techniques and cultivation methods I have are enough for me. You all can go," said the girl. Waving her Storage Bag, she took out a golden Talisman Command and handed it to Yang Ji, "This is a Communication Talisman. Within a certain range, I can contact you through it, and you can contact me."
"We both come from the Endless Sea; we are fellow countrymen. We should keep in touch more often. When you have time, you can visit the Luo He Celestial Domain and be my guest. I will introduce my sister and some friends to you, expanding your social circle, and it will be beneficial for you."
"To be acquainted with a true disciple would be an honor for me," Yang Ji nodded and smiled. "By the way, I still don't know your name."
"Yan Zhan, a woman destined to become a true disciple. In the future, in the sky above, I will have my own territory," the girl proudly proclaimed with hands clasped behind her back.
"Yang Ji!" Yang Ji responded with a smile, introducing himself as well.
"Hmm, I'll remember you. I should be going now. Let's stay in touch," said Yan Zhan, and after giving him one last look, she leapt into the sky and vanished into the clouds.
"And what about you all?" Yang Ji suddenly turned to the white-haired elder and the others. Some matters had delayed them, and he had not yet asked for their names.
"Respected Leader, my name is Chong Yuan," said the white-haired elder.
"My name is Shan Hai," said the black-haired elder.
"My name is Jian Sen," said the sullen young man.
"My name is Wei Feng," said the refined middle-aged man.
"I am Wei Ming," the young man with a smiling face said.
"My name is Hai Kun," said the robust man.
Yang Ji nodded. These six people also had impressive talents. Apart from the white-haired elder, all had Supreme Spiritual Roots.
The white-haired elder, Chong Yuan, may only have a Superior Root Bone, but he handles matters with experience and astuteness, and Yang Ji actually held him in high regard.
If he became an Inner Sect Disciple in the future, entrusting him with the management of the faction would indeed save a lot of worries.
"Having completed the first assessment, we will be able to stay in the Dao Sect for ten years. We must make good use of this time to enhance our strength and strive to pass the next assessment in one go,"
Yang Ji glanced at everyone and said, "Let's go, we're off to the Technique Hall to receive Cultivation Techniques."
"Understood, Revered Master." Everyone nodded and then flew towards the Technique Hall, which was also known as the Dao Tower.
...
With over a million disciples in the Dao Sect, one had to compete for their own interests; nobody would revolve around you unless you were a Dao Child or a true inheritor.
For instance, when receiving Cultivation Techniques, Medicine Pills, and so on, the Sect would not send someone to deliver these items to you. Instead, you had to use your Dao Sect Command Token to claim them, where the completed assessments within provided the necessary proof.
Only disciples who had passed the first assessment task were qualified to enjoy the Sect's basic rights and resources.
At this moment, they followed the Sect map within the Dao Sect Command Token, rushing towards the Dao Tower.
Sect grounds were laid out with Teleportation Arrays everywhere, connected to underground Spirit Veins. There was no need to pay with Spirit Stones for direct transportation, making it quite convenient to go anywhere.
After a few teleports, in a short while, the group arrived near the Dao Tower.
They then soared upward and flew forward several miles.
Ahead, within the clouds and mist, appeared a Tower that was at times hidden and at times visible, emitting flickering Spiritual Light. It had seven floors, resembling a huge mountain peak, piercing into the Yun Xiao, standing silently upon the earth.
This awe-inspiring tower was none other than the Dao Tower, also the Technique Hall.
"The book 'Wuji Dao Sect' says that this Dao Tower is a communicating Supreme Dao Instrument; I wonder if that's true," Yang Ji muttered.
"Strict area of the Dao Tower, flying is prohibited! Who is flying up there? Descend immediately!" At this moment, a stern voice came from below.
Yang Ji knew his limits and led the group to land on the periphery of the Dao Tower. They then walked forward and greeted two Nascent Soul Realm disciples guarding the tower: "We have seen our two senior brothers; we have passed the first assessment and come to receive Cultivation Techniques."
"You have passed the assessment? Go in," one of the guard disciples said indifferently.
"Hey, Elder Chun Ye is inside drinking alone; he's been worrying about not having any company for drinks. Your timing couldn't be better," another disciple said with a light laugh.
Yang Ji had learned from the book 'Wuji Dao Sect' that the Dao Tower was guarded by Elder Chun Ye, who had to approve the receipt of Cultivation Techniques and Skills.
Yang Ji nodded to the two senior brothers and then slowly led the group into the tower.
They hadn't walked far when they heard a sorrowful sigh from inside.
"What is love in this world? I am devoted to her, yet she treats me coldly..."
"Glug!"
"Glug!"
From a distance, Yang Ji saw a debonair and handsome middle-aged man guzzling wine in great gulps.
He wore a purple robe, his long hair hanging loose, a hint of wild arrogance in the corners of his eyes, his pupils seven parts drunk, uttering word by word the depths of his devoted love - the kind that evokes both sympathy and sorrow in the listener.
Who else could this handsome, unrestrained, and uninhibited man be, if not Elder Chun Ye?