Immortal Reincarnation Tribulation

Chapter 102 Sects and Clans

Elder Peony sat cross-legged on the bed with her eyes closed. A light gauze curtain hung at the edge of the wooden bed, through which her graceful figure could be vaguely seen.

"Elder Du's divine sense is extraordinary. Has he cultivated some kind of secret technique?" Elder Peony opened her eyes and asked with a hint of surprise.

"In my younger years, I cultivated a technique called the Soul Devouring Technique, which does have some amplifying effect on spiritual sense," Du Fan admitted truthfully after only a moment's thought.

"The Soul Devouring Technique? If I remember correctly, it is an extremely profound ghost cultivation technique."

Although mastering this technique will greatly enhance one's spiritual sense and allow one to seize the spiritual sense of others for one's own use, this technique is extremely difficult to cultivate, and there are also considerable hidden dangers after using it on others.

"Unless absolutely necessary, Elder Du should refrain from cultivation in the future. By the way, I wonder what level Elder Du has reached in his cultivation?" Elder Mudan frowned slightly upon hearing this and slowly replied.

"Is that so? Oh, I've cultivated to the seventh level. I wonder what's wrong with this technique? I hope you can tell me, senior." Du Fan was surprised to hear this and spoke frankly without any concealment.

"Seventh floor? You're not lying to me, are you?" Upon hearing this, the Peony Fairy's expression changed, and she looked at Du Fan with a hint of suspicion.

"How could I lie about this? It is indeed the seventh level." Du Fan was taken aback, not understanding.

"The difficulty of cultivating this technique is extraordinary. It seems that Elder Du has a great talent for ghost arts." Peony Fairy scanned Du Fan with her divine sense and basically determined the truth of his words.

"Actually, if we're talking about potential risks, they aren't entirely unavoidable. As long as you don't use this technique on others before you've mastered the tenth level of this skill, there shouldn't be any problems."

"If Elder Du truly possesses talent in this area of ​​cultivation, I still suggest you master it as soon as possible. However, this technique is indeed somewhat mysterious and unpredictable, so even after mastering it, it's best not to use it on others."

Elder Peony was surprised, but she explained the pros and cons and points to note to him in detail.

However, it's clear from her words that she doesn't seem to know much about the "Soul Devouring Technique."

"I see. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Peony." Du Fan looked thoughtful upon hearing this, then cupped his hands in thanks to the woman.

"It's nothing. I was just mentioning it casually. You can probably guess the purpose of sending someone to bring Elder Du here. From now on, I will take you as my disciple and be responsible for teaching you and answering your questions."

However, Elder Du's status is special. I will only pass on the cultivation method to you. We do not need to address each other as master and disciple, nor do we need to perform the formal master-disciple ceremony for me.

There is a jade slip on the wooden table. You can abandon your previous cultivation methods. This jade slip records a high-level water attribute cultivation method for the Qi Refining stage, as well as related spells that can be cast at the Qi Refining stage.

"Take this back and study it carefully. If you encounter any problems in your cultivation, you can come to me anytime without any reservations."

Elder Peony smiled gently at Du Fan and spoke to him very politely.

Du Fan glanced around and indeed found a white jade slip the size of a bowl on the wooden table beside him. He was immediately overjoyed and clasped his hands in thanks to Elder Mudan, saying, "In that case, this junior thanks Elder Mudan."

Du Fan did not insist on calling the other party "Master," but he changed his address slightly and called him Elder Peony. Then he carefully put away the jade slip.

"Elder Du, do you have any questions during your daily cultivation? You might as well share them with me now. If I have any insights in this area, I will certainly share them with you without reservation." Elder Peony nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said this.

"As for the confusion regarding cultivation, there are indeed some."

Although my cultivation level is not high, only at the second level of Qi Refining, I have broken through the minor realms of Qi Refining twice. After each breakthrough, my cultivation stagnated for a period of time.

Even after refining a large number of pills, my cultivation level remains stagnant; however, my magical power does become somewhat more concentrated. I wonder if this phenomenon I'm experiencing is normal?

Upon hearing this, Du Fan did not hesitate and immediately asked about the thing that frustrated him most in his cultivation. If it weren't for that gap period after his breakthrough, his cultivation speed would have increased considerably. With the help of Qi Refining Oil, he might have already advanced to the third level of Qi Refining.

"Hehe, so that's what it is. Elder Du, there's no need to worry. The period of stagnation in cultivation that you mentioned is called the stabilization period. As a cultivator, everyone will encounter this after breaking through their realm."

During the stabilization period, taking elixirs or other external methods to enhance cultivation are not very effective. Only by relying on meditation and breathing exercises to absorb the spiritual energy of the weather can one shorten the stabilization period.

Of course, there is always a time limit to the stabilization period. If you do not breathe in the spiritual energy of the weather during this period, the stabilization period will naturally pass after a while.

In addition, the length of the stabilization period is directly related to the cultivation level. The higher the cultivation level, the longer the stabilization period will be after the breakthrough.

However, the pills taken during the stabilization period are not entirely useless. Once the stabilization period is over, the magical power generated by the pills will be directly converted into a portion of one's own cultivation.

While it couldn't be a complete transformation, the magical power was significantly purer, resulting in an exceptionally solid increase in cultivation level. This presented an opportunity to purify one's cultivation power.

After Elder Peony chuckled, she began to explain in detail to Du Fan, from which Du Fan benefited greatly.

"I see. Elder Peony's words have put me at ease and I have learned a lot from them."

Regarding cultivation, I have no further questions for now. However, there are some things in the cultivation world that I still don't quite understand, and I'm quite curious about them. If it's convenient for Elder Peony, please enlighten me.

Upon hearing this, Du Fan suddenly understood, as if enlightened. Overjoyed, he thought of something else and spoke without hesitation.

"Oh? Elder Du, please speak frankly." Elder Mudan raised an eyebrow and said decisively.

"In the cultivation world, the ranking system between sects seems to be quite complex, with sects, factions, and clans. I wonder if there's any reason behind it?" Du Fan asked immediately, his eyes flashing.

"Only those who have reached the Golden Core stage are qualified to deal with this matter. It is normal that Elder Du is unaware of it. Since you are so interested in this, I may tell you a thing or two."

Once one's cultivation reaches the Golden Core stage, one can establish a sect. However, if the highest-ranking cultivator in a sect is only a Golden Core cultivator, then the sect can only be classified as a small sect, meaning the sect's name ends with the character "派" (pai).

If a sect has a powerful cultivator in the early Nascent Soul stage, then that sect will be classified as a medium-sized sect, meaning its name ends with the character "门" (men, meaning sect).

Elder Du's former sect, Kongsang Sect, was among them. In a small northern state like Qingzhou, a medium-sized sect was considered a considerable force.

A sect is designated as a large sect only when it has three cultivators at the mid-Nascent Soul stage or one powerful cultivator at the late-Nascent Soul stage. Your Qingzhou Illusion Cloud Sect's ancestor was a senior at the late-Nascent Soul stage, hence the sect is classified as a large sect. Naturally, the names of large sects end with "Song" (宗).

After a moment's thought, the Peony Fairy slowly spoke, describing in great detail the division and conditions of sect ranks, which Du Fan instantly understood.

"So that's how cultivation sects are ranked. Our Qixia Sect's name also ends with the character 'Zong' (宗), but it seems that the Qixia Sect isn't as simple as a large sect... This..."

Du Fan nodded repeatedly as he listened, but Elder Mudan did not continue speaking. Hearing this, Du Fan, who was intrigued, naturally asked again.

"Qixia Sect is certainly not an ordinary large sect, but a super sect. The criteria for defining a super sect are quite strict, requiring three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators or one peak Nascent Soul cultivator."

Whether they are late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators or Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivators, they are extremely rare on the Nine Provinces Continent. Each one of them is a true powerhouse who can roam the continent with unparalleled strength and supernatural abilities, almost the best in this world.

Therefore, there are only four super sects in the entire Nine Provinces Continent, three of which are in the Central Province and one in the Wan Province in the west.” Elder Peony hesitated at first, but finally told the truth.

"As expected!" Du Fan's heart stirred upon hearing this.

"Thank you for informing me, Elder Peony. I have no further questions," Du Fan said respectfully, bowing with his hands clasped.

"Alright, by the way, although Elder Du is an honorary elder of Qixia Sect, he is no different from a real elder. Therefore, you can receive an elder-level monthly salary and other benefits at the sect's Elder Hall."

Each of the five peaks has an Elders' Hall, so it doesn't matter where you receive your reward. However, the treatment at Qixia Sect is still somewhat inferior to that of the Seven Star Merchant Alliance, so Elder Du shouldn't be too disappointed.

"If Elder Du has no other questions, you may proceed as you see fit." Elder Peony nodded and kindly offered a reminder.

"How could I have such thoughts? Thank you for the reminder, Elder Mudan. I will take my leave now."

Du Fan bowed slightly and then left the villa where Elder Peony lived.

Being able to receive double treatment from two transcendent forces at the same time made Du Fan extremely excited, and he naturally wouldn't be polite about such a good thing.

After making some inquiries, he learned that the Elder Hall of the South Peak was located on the mountainside, not too far from where he was, so he went there directly.

When he stepped into what appeared to be a rather ordinary hall, he was greeted by an extremely spacious room.

There were only four people in the hall at that moment, talking to each other in a place that resembled a counter. Three of them were standing outside the counter, while the last person was inside.