Chapter 150: Journey To The Main Peak
“Grand Martial Lecture Hall?”
Su Yan showed a puzzled expression: “Does the Martial Lecture Hall divide into large and small?”
Gu Songde said: “The Martial Lecture Hall has no division into large and small. Each branch sets up its own Martial Lecture Hall, with martial artists at the Fourth Realm of True Intent Spirit Merging Stage serving as lecturers, teaching martial skills to Inner Disciples. Dan Qiao True Persons lecture once every ten days if they have free time.”
“Then where does the Grand Martial Lecture Hall come from? Could it be on the Main Peak side?”
Gu Songde shook his head: “The Martial Lecture Hall on the Main Peak side is no different from those of our branches. Many Outer Disciples and Servant Disciples go there more often. The so-called Grand Martial Lecture Hall is our common name. If truly speaking, it should be called Spirit Platform Sermon.”
Su Yan’s eyes lit up: “Is it the place of the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform?”
“Right,” Gu Songde said: “Once a month, by the on-duty Elder giving the sermon, borrowing the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform to teach disciples to comprehend True Intent.”
He paused slightly, implying something: “Those who can serve as on-duty Elders are all senior predecessors of the Sect, at least with cultivation above Dan Qiao Realm Triple Heaven.”
Su Yan then understood the origin of the distinction between large and small Martial Lecture Halls.
“Trouble Senior Brother to lead the way. This junior brother also needs to go to the Main Peak.”
Gu Songde laughed: “To exchange for things, right? You got first in the grand exam, with a full fifteen hundred Contribution Points, plus two hundred Contribution Points for new Inner Disciples. That’s quite a lot of resources. We’ll talk while walking.”
He opened the Beast Taming Bag at his waist and released a Flying Sky Bat with a wingspan of fifteen or sixteen meters, fluffy black fur, sharp claws and fangs, remarkably with Second-order Low-grade strength, not weaker than a Heart Ape Realm martial artist.
“Junior Brother, come up. The Main Peak is far; we won’t ride that Black Horned Giant Eagle.”
The two mounted the back of the Flying Sky Bat. Su Yan noticed that at the position of its eyes, amid the scarlet red hid a rune, precisely the Beast Taming Seal, though unknown what variant cultivation technique it was.
The Flying Sky Bat soared into the sky, entering the clouds, heading toward the Main Peak after leaving Guizang Valley.
“Junior Brother, if you want to exchange for Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills, go to the Martial Arts Pavilion. Most of the Beast King Sect’s Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills are there. Weapons, Pills, Spirit Sealing Talismans, and many other items can be exchanged at the Sect Affairs Pavilion Treasury, but the number of treasures and exchange limits change over time. If there’s nothing Junior Brother exactly needs, then you can only post a task at the Sect Affairs Pavilion or directly seek help at the Artifact Refining Pavilion or Pill Refining Pavilion.”
Gu Songde explained the matters of the Main Peak one by one, and Su Yan was surprised in his heart.
‘The Main Peak operates like this? With each peak holding unique inheritances, yet resources allocated so uniformly. No wonder it’s so powerful…’
While talking, the two had arrived at the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform, landing down, just in time to see Black Horned Giant Eagles, Cloud-soaring Sparrows, Winged Flying Bears, and other Contracted Beasts and mounts swarming in from the sky.
On the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform, soon two or three thousand people had gathered.
Everyone sat cross-legged on the ground, not daring to make noise.
After about a quarter of an hour, the bell rang three times, and the figure of the on-duty Elder Yin Mingchen appeared on the stone tablets, sitting cross-legged, with white hair and beard, robes floating in the wind.
“What I lecture on today is the way of cultivating spirit to increase True Intent cultivation, using accumulated spirit as the lead to build up power for True Intent metamorphosis…”
Yin Mingchen began lecturing on the experience of True Intent cultivation, voice low and majestic, transmitting to every part of the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
The Nine Tablet Spirit Platform faintly transmitted bell chimes and beast roars, blending into the sermon voice, enhancing the lecturing effect by three parts, causing True Intent resonance. Almost all disciples were immersed, comprehending the cultivation of Beast Spirit True Intent.
Su Yan was among them. In the inner scene of his Dantian, the Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon and White Ape True Intent intersected, continuously gathering spirit and True Essence to temper the Beast Spirit body.
‘Though Beast Spirits have thousands of forms, I am not among them. Even Beast Spirits cultivated from the same cultivation technique have millions of differences. Only the unchanging true self, only the original true intent, can nourish…’
Hearing Yin Mingchen’s sermon, Su Yan gained insights into methods of cultivating Beast Spirit True Intent. Sitting cross-legged, two hours passed in the blink of an eye.
The bell chime rose, Yin Mingchen stood up and left, and the crowd slowly awoke, with an expression of wanting more.
‘The Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon has solidified a bit, the White Ape also more robust. As expected, those who can break through to Dan Qiao Realm are extraordinary…’
“Junior Brother, do you need me to lead you to the Martial Arts Pavilion?”
Gu Songde just asked, but had no intention of leading the way.
Matters like exchanging for Cultivation Techniques and resources were always better known by fewer people.
Although Gu Songde wanted to befriend Su Yan, he wouldn’t do something so foolish.
Moreover, he came to the Main Peak with his own matters to handle.
Su Yan shook his head: “Senior Brother, go ahead with your business. I’ll go by myself.”
Parting from Gu Songde, Su Yan followed the Main Peak roads, ascending step by step.
The Main Peak had towering buildings layered high, majestic structures, imposing pavilions matching ancient trees, exotic flowers, strange stones, with thin mist and clouds swirling, faint light scattering, like an immortal mountain scene.
The Martial Arts Pavilion was half-embedded in the mountain body, about a hundred meters high, built of spiritual wood, supported by white jade, carved with many lifelike beast patterns, extraordinary aura.
Su Yan stepped into the Martial Arts Pavilion, and the black glossy solid wood floor underfoot made a crisp sound.
The building resembled a Treasure Pagoda, ascending layer by layer. Looking up, one couldn’t tell how many layers there were at first glance.
Each layer was filled with special books and scrolls, covered in flowing light, clearly protected by a special energy layer over these classics.
Su Yan just entered the Martial Arts Pavilion and felt a suppression. His Beast Spirit True Intent was suppressed inside his body unable to appear, and even True Essence was suppressed by seventy to eighty percent.
“First time here, right? Martial Arts Pavilion bans martial arts; everyone is the same. You’ll get used to it.”
The voice came from the second floor. A man with withered hair and a face full of decay poked his head out, looking about sixty or seventy years old, slightly hunched, glancing at Su Yan.
“Greetings, Senior.”
“Call me Uncle Master Chang.”
Chang Feng slightly raised his gaze: “Take out your Disciple Token for me to see.”
Su Yan did so, taking out the Disciple Token, which was immediately taken by Chang Feng the next moment.
He swiped his hand over the token, not knowing what incantation he used, and a faint light lit up:
“Guizang, Su Yan”
He tossed the token back and said: “New Inner Disciple, no great merits. Your authority allows exchanging for Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, Auxiliary Skills, minor Divine Abilities below the third layer. Right, for new disciples, the first main Cultivation Technique exchange only needs ten percent Contribution Points.”
Su Yan caught the token, cupping fists in salute: “Many thanks, Uncle Master Chang.”
Chang Feng turned back to a bookshelf, half-reclining against it, exchanging for a martial skill book to continue reading.
Su Yan’s expression slightly tightened. The Martial Arts Pavilion had a great power guarding it. Chang Feng’s aura just now was steady but had a sense of emptiness, unknown the reason.
He put this thought aside and first looked through the books on the first floor.
The first floor had the most books. Going around once, there were over a thousand large black beast-patterned solid wood bookshelves, about three meters high, filled with books, no less than tens of thousands.
Su Yan looked around once, shocked and sighing inwardly.
“Green Snake Skill, White Wolf Scripture, Savage Bull Strength, Fierce Tiger Strength… So many Cultivation Manuals, all with Visualization Diagrams here, but their power may not be much inferior to Golden Ape True Skill, even surpassing it. This is the foundation of a great sect.”
Su Yan touched the protective layer outside the book covers with his finger, sensing a faint True Intent. What cultivation technique it was and its general effects appeared in illusions before him.
Though not very detailed, it was enough for a general understanding.
He looked at half a circle; Cultivation Manuals and Divine Abilities were the fewest, Auxiliary Skills and Martial Skills the most, all tiers below First-order High-grade.
But even so, these Cultivation Manuals were stronger than many Small Town martial arts inheritances.
“Savage Bull Strength, First-order Mid-grade Cultivation Manual, 500 Contribution Points. If discounted, needs 50 Contribution Points…”
Every Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill, even same tier, had differences in Contribution Points, likely related to cultivation difficulty, technique characteristics, etc.
He strolled around once and went to the second floor. The books here were much fewer than the first floor, just over ten thousand.
“Soaring Eagle Layered Wind Strength, Second-order Low-grade Cultivation Manual, 1000 Contribution Points, can be cultivated to True Intent Realm Third Realm Condensing Momentum Stage, no Dan Qiao method.”
“Buffalo Spirit Devouring Skill, Second-order Mid-grade, 1200 Contribution Points…”
Second floor Cultivation Manuals were more precious, mostly one to two thousand Contribution Points. Main Cultivation Techniques slightly more expensive; after discount, one to two hundred, not exceeding three hundred Contribution Points.
New Inner Disciples and those Outer Disciples had only one or two hundred Contribution Points on hand, just enough to exchange for a main Cultivation Technique.
Su Yan looked at several main Cultivation Techniques. Though stronger than Golden Ape True Skill, he didn’t choose immediately.
He prepared to ascend to the third layer. Chang Feng didn’t lift his eyes, just faintly said: “Guizang Valley branch Cultivation Manuals are on the third floor east side bookshelf. From there left and right are respectively other branches’ classics.”
With Chang Feng’s guidance, Su Yan went up to the third floor, heading straight to the east side.
On the bookshelf, Cultivation Manuals were fewer, but Martial Skills and minor Divine Abilities more.
He carefully checked, inwardly amazed: “Over a dozen Third-order Cultivation Manuals, not counting Martial Skills and Auxiliary Skills.”
So-called Third-order Cultivation Manuals must be cultivable to Dan Qiao Realm and usable for a period after.
Some good Second-order High-grade Cultivation Manuals might have breakthrough to Dan Qiao methods, but absolutely no follow-up cultivation methods, and efficiency far inferior to Third-order Cultivation Manuals.
《Silver Toad Transformation》《Heavenly Scorpion True Scripture》《Ice Silkworm Indestructible Skill》《Bone Spirit Nine Transformations》《Green Vine Wood King Skill》… Third-order Cultivation Manuals, each over five thousand, so expensive.
Su Yan closely examined the Cultivation Manuals; from the descriptions, he knew their power.
Silver Toad Transformation, transforming into a toad reaching the heavens, finally even becoming a moon-devouring Silver Toad, body comparable to a mountain range.
Heavenly Scorpion, Ice Silkworm and other Cultivation Manuals, specialized in one path, all extremely powerful Cultivation Manuals.
But Su Yan frowned slightly, not quite satisfied inwardly, pondering: “My foundation is controlling Fierce Insects, specialized in one path. Even without beast restrictions, may not play to my strengths.”
What he needed was not specialization, but multiplicity.
Broad Cultivation Manuals, while able to control more Fierce Insects, complementing each other, that was his path.
He carefully checked, not only Guizang Valley Cultivation Manuals, but also looked through all other branches’ Cultivation Manuals.
Thus staying on the third floor for over two full hours, lamps lit themselves, illuminating the entire Martial Arts Pavilion.
During this time, disciples came seeking classics but had already left. The Martial Arts Pavilion was especially quiet now.
“Youngster, what Cultivation Manual are you exactly looking for?”
Suddenly, Chang Feng appeared behind him, holding a rolled-up book in hand, gaze deeply watching Su Yan.
Su Yan’s figure startled, coming back to senses, turning to salute: “Disturbed Uncle Master.”
“Fully four or five hours, from first floor to third, I’ve never seen such a picky Inner Disciple as you.”
Picky, in the martial world, is a neutral term. Some are muddled fools who don’t want this or that, knowing nothing.
Others clearly know the path they want to take, hence so picky.
In Chang Feng’s eyes, Su Yan’s focus was obviously the latter.
“Replying to Uncle Master, this disciple temporarily hasn’t found a Cultivation Manual to his liking.”
“What kind of Cultivation Manual do you want? Contracted Beast cultivation, or solo supremacy?”
Su Yan’s heart sank slightly, looking up to ask: “Uncle Master, does the pavilion have Cultivation Manuals for driving more Feral Beasts to achieve the dao?”
“Hmph, quite greedy.”
Chang Feng snorted coldly, but knocked on the bookshelf with his finger: “There are, and not few. But driving more Feral Beasts means that Cultivation Manual may cultivate multiple True Intents. More True Intents mean more divided attention; often cultivators fail, hard to succeed. Without great perseverance and great talent, cannot achieve. Are you?”
This question, clearly without releasing aura pressure, but just three flat words made Su Yan feel suppressed.
“Yes.”
Su Yan raised his gaze, not evading, not modest.
“Interesting.”
Chang Feng’s eyes flickered, slightly raising his head: “Hundred Tiger Peak’s 《Dragon Tiger Suppressing Heaven Skill》, Shattered Moon Peak’s 《Yin Yang Divine Ape Transformation》, Fuyue Peak’s 《Fuyue Turtle Snake True Skill》… and your Guizang Valley’s 《Five Poisons Golden Body Profound Skill》 are all Cultivation Manuals for contracting multiple Feral Beasts to aid cultivation. The condensed True Intents are also top-tier powerful, but all Third-order High-grade or even Fourth-order Cultivation Manuals.”
He chuckled: “I don’t know whose disciple you are, but you can’t afford to exchange these. Ordinary practice is first cultivate lower Cultivation Manuals. Like Dragon Tiger Suppressing Heaven Skill, cultivate a Feral Beast tiger Cultivation Manual like 《Subduing Tiger Profound Skill》, then slowly advance. You now can do so. Lower Cultivation Manuals for 《Five Poisons Golden Body Profound Skill》 include Silver Toad Transformation, Heavenly Centipede Great Law, Mysterious Snake Fierce Sun Skill, etc. Choose one.”
Su Yan hearing this, eyebrow slightly raised, but not yet decided.
Chang Feng seeing his expression, couldn’t help frowning: “Still feel too few? Just condensing the Beast Taming Seal is enough to keep you busy. How dare you still greed for more?”
“Not greed for more, just somewhat unwilling. Wonder if there are more paths to walk.”
“More paths to walk…”
Chang Feng almost laughed in anger. Already wanting more paths at True Intent Realm, then what was he?
But looking at the book in his hand and around, he still shook his head, body moving to the second floor.
“If you don’t fear wasting years, go look at the bottom of Guizang Valley shelf, that Cultivation Manual called 《Star Constellation Profound Beast Skill》, also created by a bold and reckless fellow. Pity he didn’t succeed, didn’t reach Fourth-order grade, Dan Qiao lifespan already exhausted. Do well.”
Voice falling, Chang Feng had already disappeared.
