Chapter 10

Yuanli is not a rare thing. As early as the cultivation era, there were people who studied it. However, during the cultivation era, when spiritual energy was abundant, the use of spiritual energy was more widespread. Because the activity level of spiritual energy is much higher than that of yuanli, making it easier to use. The abundant spiritual energy also suppressed the generation of yuanli. Therefore, during the cultivation era, the study of yuanli was mostly done by small sects.

Only in the barren lands where spiritual energy was scarce did yuanli become the mainstream.

It must be said that the cultivation world was blessed with abundant spiritual energy, vast and expansive borders, as if a land bestowed by heaven. The cultivation world has always been proud of this, and for a long time, almost all cultivators believed that the cultivation world was the center of the universe.

The harsh living conditions of the barren lands were never taken seriously by them. However, no one could have imagined that the spiritual energy in the world would gradually become scarce. Spiritual energy is the foundation of the cultivation system, and when it dissipates, the brilliant and splendid cultivation world would also collapse.

For millions of years, the barren lands, which the cultivation world had never taken seriously, became their invincible enemy.

Driven to a dead end, the ancestors frantically sought new power. Their teachers were their enemies, the荒兽 (wild beasts) and the 蛮族 (barbarian tribes). Yuanli was discovered and strengthened under such circumstances. However, the cultivators, with their millions of years of accumulation, quickly established their own five-element yuanli system.

The theory was continuously refined, the system became more robust, and the Five Elements Heaven gradually grew stronger.

Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, the five elements are the foundation of all things. Stable five-element forces form matter, while active five-element forces are the five-element yuanli. In the current five-element theory, the five types of yuanli have no essential differences; they are just different forms of yuanli. The five different forms transform and restrain each other, forming a perfect cycle. This is why the five-element forces rarely exist independently; they often coexist.

This is also the reason for the complex attributes of natural objects.

Mr. Dong's explanations were the most basic principles, which many found dull and useless. However, for Ai Hui, they clarified many of his doubts. The sword cultivation techniques he was familiar with, whether the grand and orthodox methods or the unconventional ones, were numerous. But without the foundation of spiritual energy, these techniques had no value. The sword seed he had been working on for three years had not even sprouted, and he had long given up hope.

Reading countless sword manuals still helped broaden Ai Hui's horizons. The ancient sword cultivation theories had already reached their peak, vast and profound like the sea. Even in the barren lands, his application of many techniques was different from others, and even the powerful yuan cultivators marveled at it.

His survival in the barren lands was not by chance.

What he had learned before were just fragmented pieces, but now he was gradually piecing them together. This made him excited. He had some vague ideas before, and now it seemed that these ideas were not impossible to realize.

He suppressed his eager heart; it was not the right time yet. He needed more accumulation.

The Induction Field was the right place to come. The first class brought so much收获 (gain), which surprised him greatly. He was full of anticipation for the other courses.

The days of classes were peaceful and fulfilling, but for Ai Hui, they were as beautiful as sunshine. He cherished every day and every class. For someone with average talent, obtaining this opportunity was not easy. He absorbed everything like a sponge.

Mr. Dong's启蒙 (启蒙) class was very short, only ten sessions, and Ai Hui felt a bit unsatisfied. He had many classes, but he found that only Mr. Dong's启蒙 (启蒙) class involved the principles of yuanli cultivation. The other teachers taught practical techniques or cultivation methods, rarely explaining the underlying principles.

Perhaps in the eyes of the teachers, it was enough for the beginners to know how to cultivate.

Ai Hui had gradually adapted to the learning life in Songjian City and no longer reacted as intensely as he did at the Induction Field entrance. The learning in Songjian City was very relaxed, with no rigid rules. Any course could be chosen as long as one met the conditions, such as reaching a certain realm.

However, he still had his own class, and his classmates were the ones he met on the first day. The teacher in charge was still Mr. Xu.

The realms and strengths of the classmates varied greatly, and the courses they chose were different, so they rarely met. Only during the weekly class meetings would he see his classmates.

No one paid attention to Ai Hui.

Most of the students had probably already forgotten Ai Hui's name. A student with weak strength and low activity had no presence at all.

When Mr. Xu saw everyone gathered, he said, "I called everyone here to discuss the selection for the Yinghua Wind Society."

Upon hearing "Yinghua Wind Society," the students from the Five Elements Heaven immediately became excited, while those from the Old Earth looked puzzled.

"The Yinghua Wind Society selects students with strength and talent. In the society, there are dedicated teachers to guide cultivation, and many practical activities, such as managing school buildings, organizing competitions with other cities, and even the opportunity to enter the barren lands with teachers to experience the atmosphere of the barren lands."

The prospect of entering the barren lands excited the students, and they began to chatter excitedly.

The barren lands were mysterious and full of unknowns. With the teachers' accompaniment, there was no need to worry about safety. The opportunity to enter the barren lands and gain experience made the students yearn.

Among the excited students, Ai Hui remained indifferent. He was unmoved by the so-called Yinghua Wind Society. The guidance from the teachers was good, but for him, it was more important to accumulate enough yuanli to open his innate yuan palace.

As for the barren lands, he was already tired of it.

Mr. Xu, seeing the excited students, smiled and continued, "Of course, the selection criteria for the Yinghua Wind Society are quite strict. Since you have just entered the Induction Field, the minimum requirement, based on previous years, should be opening at least two palaces."

There was an immediate chorus of groans. According to this standard, only three or four students in the class could meet it. Those who thought they could be selected could not help but show excitement.

"This is the minimum standard, but it is not a fixed one. Try more often," Mr. Xu continued. "How to be selected, you will know when you go. What I want to say now is that any student who is selected will receive rewards from Songjian City, which will greatly benefit your cultivation. Everyone, work hard. Duanmu Huangchen, distribute these materials."

Duanmu Huangchen, the rich and well-dressed young man Ai Hui had seen at the school gate, was also the strongest student in the class.

Ai Hui remained calm. The rewards were probably good, but with so many trivial matters, they were not very attractive. Besides, his strength was far behind.

His thoughts turned to cultivation. The cultivation environment in Songjian City was so excellent that it felt like heaven. He was carefully planning his cultivation, pondering it.

Duanmu Huangchen, distributing the materials, passed by Ai Hui without stopping and said with a mocking tone, "If you didn't attend the启蒙 (启蒙) class, you don't need to look."

Ai Hui was confused. The other's hostility was inexplicable, and...

How childish!

At the Shi family residence.

"Only six people have been confirmed?"

Shi Xue Man's voice was not loud, but the temperature in the hall seemed to drop by more than ten degrees, making all the servants and guards shiver.

The head of the Songjian City branch, standing below, was pale and trembling, his voice quivering. "I have sinned! At the time, I did not record their names, and it was the start of the new semester, which made it very difficult for us. We could only rely on rumors among classmates and feedback from nearby merchants to finally lock down six people, but we have ruled them out."

He was now deeply regretting the blind battle. What a mess he had made!

Shi Xue Man took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions. She knew it was not his fault. Her reaction had been slow at the time. If she had not been dazed, she could have easily obtained everyone's information, and that damn guy would not have escaped.

"You have worked hard, and you have done well. This is not your fault," Shi Xue Man's voice was still cold.

The middle-aged man below burst into tears. The pressure he had been under was far beyond what most people could imagine. The lack of progress in gathering information had pushed him to the brink of collapse.

The tense atmosphere in the hall dissipated somewhat.

Shi Xue Man slowly said, "But this matter still requires your attention. Everyone will cooperate with you, and we will spare no effort to find this person."

The middle-aged man did not expect such a determined attitude from the young lady. This was not the first time he had heard "spare no effort" from her. Considering her character, which grew stronger with each setback, he found this normal.

"I will do my best," he said, not daring to make any promises. After a moment, he added, "I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it's feasible."

"What idea?" Shi Xue Man asked straightforwardly.

"Finding him is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But I think, since he posed a threat to you, his strength must be formidable. Such a person would likely stand out in Songjian City. I think, with his strength, he should have no problem being selected for the Yinghua Wind Society. Could we narrow down the search by focusing on the Yinghua Wind Society?"

He looked at Shi Xue Man. He had not seen the mysterious person in action and knew nothing about the details of the battle. Only she could judge the person's strength.

Shi Xue Man's eyes brightened as the middle-aged man spoke. When he looked at her, she said without hesitation, "Focus on the Yinghua Wind Society. I want the list as soon as possible."

"Yes!" the subordinate quickly responded.

Shi Xue Man turned and left, acting decisively. She did not want to waste a moment. Her mind was filled with the drive to cultivate, her eyes burning with determination.

Even if you are stronger than me now, I will never give up!

I, Shi Xue Man, will personally avenge this humiliation!