Chapter 12

The presence or absence of the phrase "the confluence of clear and turbid" in the note directly caused a 10% increase or decrease in the success rate.

Undoubtedly, from the perspective of success rate, the appearance of this condition not only increased the difficulty but also reduced the success rate of advancement, seemingly making it entirely unnecessary.

However, Shang Xia's attention was more focused on the 10% reduction in compatibility.

"Gain a bit of the essence of heaven and earth"!

Undoubtedly, the true key lies in this phrase.

What exactly is the "essence of heaven and earth"?

And only "a bit"!

Is it really worth it?

However, if we look at it from the opposite angle, ignoring the issue of compatibility, if the quadrilateral stele provided the most perfect, or the most cost-effective, advancement formula for Shang Xia, does that mean that in the "view" of the quadrilateral stele, trading a 10% reduction in success rate for this bit of "essence of heaven and earth" is entirely worth it?

"Still, I should first figure out what the 'confluence of clear and turbid' refers to, and whether I have any chance of encountering it!"

Shang Xia smiled bitterly and shook his head, but he was not without speculation in his heart.

It was just that some traditional knowledge from his homeland needed to be verified in this world before he could proceed.

It wasn't that Shang Xia lacked courage, but the matter concerned his life and soul. A slight misstep could lead to a loss of control during the advancement process, ultimately resulting in his death.

Moreover, Shang Xia himself only had a superficial understanding of some traditional cultures from his homeland, so how could he dare to apply them blindly?

Just as Shang Xia withdrew his attention from the quadrilateral stele and was about to instruct Yan Qi to prepare the extraordinary materials needed for the advancement formula, a sudden, crisp cracking sound came from his mind.

"Crack—"

Shang Xia was startled, and his attention instantly returned to the quadrilateral stele.

A crack appeared on the surface of the right side of the stele, then extended downward, all the way to the base!

What's going on?

Could it be because of the advancement formula?

Or, more precisely, because the process of deducing and perfecting the advancement formula caused some kind of consumption to the stele itself, ultimately leading to the crack?

Hmm, there was also the deduction and perfection of the martial arts technique "Mixed Yuan Thunder Hand" before. Could it be the combined effect of both?

Shang Xia almost immediately identified the cause of the crack in the stele.

One side of the quadrilateral stele is now cracked...

If all four sides of the quadrilateral stele were to crack, would the entire stele collapse?

At this moment, his instinctive sense of danger from his soul told him that it certainly would!

And his soul instinct also told him that if the stele were to crack and collapse, his soul would also be annihilated!

In other words, from the moment he crossed over to this world, the iron ruler, or the quadrilateral stele, which served as the carrier, had already merged with his soul, sharing its glory and decline!

Is there still a possibility to repair and mend the quadrilateral stele?

There must be, there has to be!

Shang Xia didn't believe that he came to this world just to wait for the countdown to his soul's self-destruction.

"Three sides of the stele are still intact. If we assume that one side of the stele can complete one deduction of a martial arts technique and one perfection of an advancement formula, then I have three more chances. I must find a way to enhance my strength and discover a method to mend the stele before these three chances are exhausted!"

...

"Confluence of clear and turbid?"

Zhang Haogu muttered to himself, his expression thoughtful.

Shang Xia, seeing this, knew there was a chance, and quickly nodded with an expectant look.

Sure enough, Zhang Haogu took a wooden box from the bookshelves in the room, opened it, and revealed a cloth talisman on top.

Shang Xia, not a shallow person, recognized the material of the cloth and the martial arts runes embroidered on it, and knew that the power of this cloth talisman was likely far superior to his lightning-patterned talisman.

Beneath the cloth was a pile of bamboo slips with numerous marks of burning, rotting, rusting, and insect damage.

Many of the silk threads used to bind the bamboo slips had already broken, making the pile look disordered.

"These are just ordinary bamboo slips!"

Shang Xia was slightly surprised in his heart, but his expression did not show any contempt.

Just by seeing how Instructor Zhang carefully wrapped the cloth talisman, Shang Xia knew that this pile of seemingly tattered bamboo slips was not simple.

At this moment, Instructor Zhang pointed, and the bamboo slips in the wooden box floated up, passing before his eyes in a roughly connected order.

Shang Xia hurriedly focused his gaze, but the slips passed by too quickly for him to read the characters, except for the first one.

This bamboo slip, perhaps because it contained the title of the text, had only four large characters, which Shang Xia managed to see.

"Secret Book"

These were the four characters on the first bamboo slip, with the second one severely rusted and illegible.

Shang Xia wanted to read more, but a sudden feeling of nausea rose in his chest, and he felt dizzy, so he quickly averted his gaze from the flashing slips.

Martial Intent Realm, the third level of martial arts!

Only at this level can a martial artist truly touch the level of soul consciousness.

And only at this level can one read the content of each slip accurately as they flash by, like Instructor Zhang.

"Found it!"

Zhang Haogu's voice interrupted Shang Xia's thoughts.

Looking up, Shang Xia saw a relatively well-preserved slip floating in front of Instructor Zhang.

"... At the beginning of the cave heaven, it is like the beginning of the world, when the essence of heaven and earth first appeared, with the light and ethereal qi floating in the sky and the turbid yin qi sinking to the ground..."

This time, Shang Xia didn't need to read; Zhang Haogu himself recited it, shaking his head.

Shang Xia was initially stunned, then his eyes rapidly flickered.

When Instructor Zhang stroked his beard and turned back, Shang Xia's face was already filled with confusion.

"Teacher..."

Zhang Haogu, seeing Shang Xia's eager expression, was somewhat satisfied and explained, "If my guess is correct, the 'clear and turbid' should refer to the 'light and ethereal qi' and 'turbid yin qi' on this slip!"

Shang Xia quickly asked, "But according to what you just recited, the 'clear and turbid' qi has already ascended to the sky and descended to the ground, how can there be a 'confluence place'?"

This was Shang Xia's true purpose!

As for the content of the slip in Zhang Haogu's hand, Shang Xia probably understood it better than Zhang Haogu!

"It's not impossible..."

Zhang Haogu's face showed deep thought.

Shang Xia, eager, blurted out, "But the cave heaven..."

Zhang Haogu glanced at him, and Shang Xia wisely closed his mouth.

Zhang Haogu didn't explain but also didn't blame him, seemingly deliberately avoiding the term "cave heaven," and said, "A confluence place is still possible, like the 'Two Worlds Battlefield'!"

The Two Worlds Battlefield again!

But this was indeed possible!

This time, Shang Xia didn't need to ask; Zhang Haogu continued on his own, "The Two Worlds Battlefield is a strange place formed by the intersection of two worlds, where the fundamental forces of the two worlds clash, and the 'light and ethereal qi' and 'turbid yin qi' might be a form of these fundamental forces."

Shang Xia pondered for a moment and asked, "Then, may I ask, Teacher, if I am in the Two Worlds Battlefield, how should I identify it?"

Zhang Haogu regretfully shook his head, "I don't know either!"

But before Shang Xia could show disappointment, Zhang Haogu added, "However, I can make some speculations."

Shang Xia's heart leaped, and he saw Zhang Haogu looking at him, "This 'confluence of clear and turbid' is related to your advancement to the Wuji Realm, right?"

"Exactly!"

Shang Xia was not surprised by this and admitted it frankly.

He didn't think others were fools, especially someone as learned as Zhang Haogu, who could often see the whole picture from a small detail.

Even if this world had not yet formed the same understanding of heaven and earth as his homeland, it did not hinder their exploration and progress in this direction.

The Wuji Realm, the name itself already explained a lot.

Zhang Haogu seemed very satisfied with Shang Xia's frankness and shared his speculations, "I previously mentioned that the Two Worlds Battlefield is formed by the intersection and collision of two worlds, creating many strange and inverted places, such as the alternation of light and darkness, cold and heat, sudden rain and clear skies, and the sun and moon in the sky..."

"These strange places may not be the 'confluence of clear and turbid' you mentioned, but in my view, they are certainly related. The specific situation will need you to determine it yourself."

Shang Xia nodded repeatedly, realizing that he must go to the Two Worlds Battlefield.

At this moment, having achieved his goal, Shang Xia was about to take his leave when he saw Instructor Zhang smiling at him.

Shang Xia's heart stirred, and he said, "Teacher, I plan to go to the Two Worlds Battlefield to find the 'confluence of clear and turbid.' Is there anything I can do along the way?"

Zhang Haogu laughed, "The academy is sending a batch of supplies to the Two Worlds Battlefield's Tranquil Peak. The academy is short of personnel during the holiday, and the Security Department had asked me to recommend a few people. I didn't expect you to offer yourself, so you can go along!"

Leaving Instructor Zhang, Shang Xia had not yet left the academy when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"Shang Xia, wait a moment!"

Shang Xia stopped and turned, surprised, "Supervisor Sun, is there something you need?"

Sun Haiwei looked a bit embarrassed, "I just came out of Instructor Zhang's office and heard that you are going to Tranquil Peak with the academy's supply team?"

Shang Xia was slightly taken aback but quickly replied, "Yes, is there something you need?"

Sun Haiwei looked even more embarrassed, "It's about the holiday training!"

Shang Xia understood.

Sun Haiwei continued, "This year, there are sixteen late-stage Qi Blood students who have not yet entered the Extraordinary Martial Realm. According to tradition, I planned to take them to Tranquil Peak in the Two Worlds Battlefield for training during the holiday, but..."

Shang Xia understood the unspoken meaning, "Supervisor, do you need me to take them to Tranquil Peak?"

Sun Haiwei looked grateful, "I originally planned to have them go with the academy's supply team, so I asked Instructor Zhang. I didn't expect that you would also be going to Tranquil Peak soon. This is great! If you lead the sixteen students, with the supply team accompanying, I will be at ease."

Shang Xia smiled, "Supervisor, rest assured. In three days, when the academy's supply team sets out, you can notify the students to gather at the academy."

After a brief exchange, they parted ways.

Shang Xia watched Sun Haiwei's departing back and muttered, "There have been rumors that Instructor Zhang will be promoted. It seems these rumors are not baseless."

——

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