ragginovel Chapter 83 The Small Competition is Approaching
Chapter 83 The Small Competition is Approaching
Time flies, spring goes and summer comes.
Zhang Lin has been at Danxia Sect for over a month.
He gets up at dawn every day, first meditates for an hour to absorb the spiritual energy of the spiritual spring well, and then refines two batches of top-grade pills, without fail.
In the afternoon, I might go to Yunshuitang to see if there are any suitable tasks to take on, or go to the Dharma Platform to listen to lectures. In the evening, I would meditate for two hours before resting.
Day after day, without haste or slowness.
The liquid true qi in the dantian increased from 89 drops to 105 drops, only 3 drops away from the 108 drops required for the great success of qi cultivation.
The operation of the "Shangqing Qi-Guiding Technique" became increasingly proficient, and the dantian became as bright as a starry river, with true qi flowing smoothly and effortlessly like pearls rolling on a plate.
He didn't miss a single lecture at the Dharma assembly.
In addition to the art of fire control, elders also taught the fundamentals of the Five Elements techniques, the identification of spiritual herbs, and the formulation of elixirs.
Zhang Lin carefully memorized everything and pondered it repeatedly after returning home. Although it wasn't as immediately effective as the system's enhancement, it had the advantage of a solid foundation and the ability to apply knowledge to other situations.
Among them is a rare technique, the First-Rank Qi Observation Technique, which was learned during a sermon.
This technique is neither offensive nor defensive; it has only one use—to observe the aura of others.
The level of cultivation, the thickness of true qi, and even the type of cultivation technique one is practicing can be discerned.
Although it is an auxiliary technique, it is of great use in combat. It can help you see the strength of your opponent, so that you can know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Chen Boyuan had learned this technique before entering the sect, and he had seen through Zhang Lin's cultivation level at a glance when he was in Qingxuan City.
Zhang Lin enhanced this technique to the third rank of the first grade.
First-level Qi Observation: Allows you to observe the cultivation level and the thickness of true qi of others.
Second-tier Spirit Observation: Can identify the type of cultivation technique the other party is practicing and observe the flow of spiritual energy.
Tier 3 - Illusion Breaker: Can see through illusions and concealment techniques; with energy gathered in the eyes, nothing can hide from the eye.
When the third-tier Qi Observation Technique is activated, the eyes glow with silver light, taking in the spiritual energy of plants, cultivators, and array formations as if viewing the lines on the palm of one's hand.
Besides magic, he also learned a basic array formation, although it was just a simple spirit-gathering array, which he also learned from the Dharma teaching platform.
This formation uses spirit stones as its base, drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to gather within it, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.
He set up a small spirit-gathering array in courtyard number seventy-two, which, combined with the spirit spring well, increased his cultivation speed by three points.
Yu Youwei has not slacked off in the past month or so.
He tended to the spirit fields and cultivated spirit herbs every day to earn contribution points. After accumulating several hundred, he borrowed some more from Zhang Lin, bringing the total to eight hundred contribution points, which he then used to exchange for the "Mysterious Yin Technique".
Although this technique only goes up to the point of perfect Qi cultivation and then there is no further inheritance, it is sufficient for her current needs.
Her Xuan Yin Meridian can convert spiritual energy into Yin-attribute true energy extremely quickly. She can cultivate the "Xuan Yin Technique" with ease. In just one month, her cultivation level has risen from the early stage of Qi Refining to the middle stage. Her rapid progress has even been heard of in the outer sect.
Some of the older disciples privately discussed: "That new disciple who came to Cuiping Peak has a truly remarkable Xuan Yin physique. He broke through to the middle stage in just one month, and he'll probably reach the late stage in less than a year."
Some people say, "It's a pity that the Danxia Sect doesn't have any superior Yin-attribute cultivation techniques. If she were in the Xuantian Sect or the Biluo Palace, this girl would at least have no trouble reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."
Yu Youwei remained calm and composed when she heard these comments, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
She still gets up early and goes to bed late every day, tending to the spiritual field, practicing her cultivation techniques, and studying the silk manuscripts. Her life is even more regular than Zhang Lin's.
They would occasionally meet at a crossroads, exchange a few words, and then go their separate ways.
That evening, Zhang Lin had just finished refining a batch of Qi-restoring pills when there was a knock on the courtyard gate.
Is Junior Brother Zhang here?
It was Chen Boyuan's voice.
Zhang Lin opened the door and saw Chen Boyuan standing outside, holding a jade slip in his hand, his expression more solemn than usual.
"Senior Brother Chen, what is it?"
"Regarding the small competition," Chen Boyuan said as he entered and sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard. "The annual small competition at Cuiping Peak is in half a month, and everyone is preparing. I've come to ask if you're participating."
Zhang Lin sat down opposite him: "Let's talk about the rules."
Chen Boyuan handed over the jade slip: "The rules are all inside. I'll just pick out the important ones."
"The competition is divided into three categories: alchemy, magic, and combat. The top ten in the combined ranking of these three categories will be the ten disciples of Cuiping Peak."
"Alchemy accounts for 40%, magic for 30%, and combat for 30%," Chen Boyuan said. "This ratio is not good for you. Your alchemy skills are among the best in the outer sect, but you may not have an advantage in magic and combat."
Zhang Lin said calmly, "Not necessarily."
Chen Boyuan glanced at him, recalling the rumors about him in Qingxuan City, and a smile appeared on his lips: "Indeed, I forgot you're no ordinary person."
"What are the benefits of being in the top ten in the competition?" Zhang Lin asked.
"There are many benefits." Chen Boyuan counted on his fingers, "First, the monthly increase in spirit stones, pills, and contribution points will double."
"Secondly, you can enter the second floor of the Cuiping Peak Scripture Pavilion and use contribution points to borrow all first-grade third-level spells."
"Third, prioritize accepting high-reward missions, such as missions involving rare and precious items."
"Fourth, disciples who make the list can represent Cuiping Peak in the Outer Sect Grand Ranking Competition in September."
He paused, then added, "In addition, there is a special reward for this year's competition."
"What reward?"
"Ancient artifact of destiny".
Zhang Lin's gaze narrowed slightly.
He had read it in the "Preliminary Explanation of the Nine Provinces: Ancient Artifacts" section of the Sutra Repository.
Ancient artifacts imbued with the aura of destiny are objects used by those with great fortune throughout history, and by outstanding figures of the past. These artifacts retain the aura of their era, and collecting them can help suppress one's own destiny.
Chen Boyuan said, "I heard that this year the sect discovered several ancient artifacts in an ancient site and distributed them to the various peaks as rewards for the small competition."
"Cuiping Peak won two items, and the first and second place finishers in the top ten each won one item."
"How is the condition?"
"I don't know." Chen Boyuan shook his head, "But since it was unearthed from ancient ruins and has withstood the test of time, it must be of good quality."
Zhang Lin pondered for a moment: "Do you know what those two ancient artifacts are?"
Chen Boyuan said, "One item is a broken sword, which is said to have been used by a sword cultivator in ancient times. Although the sword is broken, its sharpness is still there, and it is over three thousand years old."
"The other item is an inkstone, which is said to have been used by an ancient master of alchemy. There are still some ink traces in the inkstone, and it is over three thousand years old."
A broken sword, an inkstone.
Zhang Lin silently made a mental note of it.
He came to Danxia Sect and kept a low profile, refining pills, cultivating, and accumulating spirit stones, all for the purpose of establishing his foundation in the Heavenly Dao.
Those who can establish their foundation in the Heavenly Dao are all people blessed with great fortune. At this time, the appearance of something that can suppress their fortune is the best thing ever.
The foundation building of the Heavenly Dao requires nine hundred-year-old spiritual objects: the sun, moon, five elements, wind, and thunder; none can be missing.
These spiritual items cannot be bought with spirit stones. Ordinary ones are fine, but special ones require contribution points, need to complete tasks to obtain exchange quotas, and need to be valued by the sect.
Xiao Bi was an opportunity to enter the core of the outer sect, and what he valued was the privilege of being given priority to accept high-paying missions.
He had already learned at Yunshuitang that many tasks were not available to ordinary outer disciples, but required identification and guarantees.
When it comes to alchemy, he is never afraid of anyone.
In the past month or so, all the Qi-restoring pills, healing pills, and mind-calming pills he refined were of the highest grade, with a 100% success rate.
There are some who can achieve this level in the outer sect, but most of them are senior disciples who have been in the sect for several years. Those who can reach such a level as a new disciple like him are extremely rare.
Zhang Lin snapped out of his reverie: "Fellow Daoist Chen, would you like to participate in the minor competition?"
"Of course," Chen Boyuan said with a smile. "Although the chances of making it into the top ten are slim, it's good to broaden one's horizons. As for you, Fellow Daoist Zhang, with your alchemy skills, the top ten should be a piece of cake."
Zhang Lin shook his head: "We must not underestimate our opponent."
Chen Boyuan nodded and said, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. Before the competition, each peak will announce the list of participants. If you're interested, you need to register at the Affairs Hall within five days."
"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Chen."