Chapter 39

The places used by cultivators for cultivation are generally referred to as "cave abodes," but they are specifically divided into six categories: "Cave Heavens, Blessed Lands, True Palaces, Qi Abodes, Mystic Huts, and Essence Huts." These are further classified into upper and lower grades based on the abundance of qi and spiritual energy. The so-called Class A, B, C, and D cave abodes are, in fact, merely the lowest-grade Mystic Huts and Essence Huts, not even reaching the level of True Palaces or Qi Abodes, let alone Cave Heavens or Blessed Lands.

As Huang Shouhe spoke, Die'er opened her mouth to argue further but was stopped by Zhang Yan, who raised his hand and said, "Die'er, you go out first."

Die'er was initially unwilling, but a glance from Zhang Yan made her heart tremble inexplicably. She timidly said, "Yes," and reluctantly left.

Zhang Yan then turned to Huang Shouhe and said, "I do need a cave abode."

Huang Shouhe stroked his beard, glanced at Zhang Yan, and said, "Good, it's still you, Brother Zhang, who understand the rules. I have a Class C cave abode here. I'll fetch the cave abode token for you."

"Hold on."

Just as Huang Shouhe was about to turn, Zhang Yan called him back. He took a step forward and smiled, "Senior Brother, you might be mistaken. What I came to claim is not a Mystic Hut or an Essence Hut, but a Cave Heaven or a Blessed Land."

"What? A Cave Heaven or a Blessed Land?"

Huang Shouhe's face darkened, and he waved his sleeve, scolding, "You are just a Pulse Opening cultivator who has just entered the Upper Academy. You want a Cave Heaven or a Blessed Land? Nonsense! Do you know that only True Men can reside in Cave Heavens or Blessed Lands? Even those Senior Brothers at the Mystic Light stage may not get one, let alone you!"

Zhang Yan remained calm and said, "Senior Brother, you are mistaken. If it were someone else, it would indeed be impossible, but I am a Lower Academy entry disciple who has now opened my pulse and entered the Upper Academy. It is reasonable for me to have a Cave Heaven or a Blessed Land."

Huang Shouhe said coldly, "Even if you are a Lower Academy entry disciple, once you enter the Upper Academy, you must follow the rules."

"Since we are talking about rules, I would like to ask, are these your own rules or the rules of the Transcendence Pavilion?"

Zhang Yan sneered inwardly. Did Huang Shouhe think he was new to the Upper Academy and knew nothing?

The matters of the Upper Academy were not as secretive as cultivation techniques. He had already thoroughly investigated the details before plotting to enter the Lower Academy. Later, he repeatedly consulted with Ai Zhongwen and others. He knew the various rules and regulations of the sect clearly. It was impossible to deceive him on this matter.

"This..." Huang Shouhe hesitated, "... this is naturally the rule of the Transcendence Pavilion."

"Bang!"

Huang Shouhe's table, which held the ledger, was suddenly shattered by Zhang Yan's palm. He was startled and said, "What are you doing?"

Zhang Yan took two more steps forward, his tall figure looming over Huang Shouhe, and said coldly, "Entry disciples of the Lower Academy, once they open their pulses and enter the Upper Academy, become true disciples, residing in Cave Heavens or Blessed Lands, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. This is the founding rule of the Jingcang Sect. You, a mere attendant, dare to manipulate things in secret, claiming that the rules of a pavilion are greater than those of a sect. Do you think I can't touch you, or that the elders and attendants of the Zhengqing Hall can't deal with you?"

Huang Shouhe's hand trembled, and he involuntarily took two steps back. He tried to remain calm and said, "Don't try to intimidate me with these words. Can you, a mere Pulse Opening cultivator, summon the elders of the Zhengqing Hall?"

Zhang Yan laughed and said, "I am a true disciple. Not to mention the elders, even the sect leader can be summoned by striking the golden bell to enter the hall! It seems that Senior Brother Huang is determined to test the power of the Zhengqing Hall's punishment today?"

Huang Shouhe was terrified and secretly cursed, "Didn't Wang Jia's fourth son say this kid has no background and doesn't know the Upper Academy's internal affairs? How can he be so clear?"

However, the matter of the cave abode was just to deceive those who didn't know. As a long-serving attendant of the Transcendence Pavilion, his methods were far superior to those of the inexperienced Wang family's scion. He had already prepared a backup plan. Seeing that this method wouldn't work on Zhang Yan, he immediately changed his attitude and put on a smile, saying, "Junior Brother, don't be anxious. I just remembered that there is a Blessed Land that is currently vacant, perhaps reserved for you. It would be suitable for you."

He reached into his sleeve, pretended to search for a while, and then took out a token that was neither metal nor wood and handed it to him. "This place is called Lingyan Island, located southwest of Jiuyi City. This is the token to open and close the island's restrictions. I will assign an attendant to accompany you."

Zhang Yan smiled, accepted it, and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Hehe, Junior Brother, you are too polite, too polite." Huang Shouhe waved his hands, smiling as if the previous unpleasantness had vanished.

Zhang Yan thought for a moment. Although Huang Shouhe would never dare to give him a low-grade cave abode, the fact that he so readily handed over a Blessed Land must have some unknown reason. However, he didn't want to delve too deeply. Cultivation was not a smooth path, and a bit of adversity was nothing.

After Zhang Yan left, Huang Shouhe laughed mockingly and walked to the back hall. He was met by an old Daoist who was walking towards him. He was startled and immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "Uncle Wu."

This old Daoist was Wu Yu, the head of the Transcendence Pavilion. He nodded slightly at Huang Shouhe and said, "Did the one called Zhang Yan come today?"

"Yes, he did."

"Hmm, which grade of cave abode did you give him?"

"He is a Lower Academy entry disciple. Following the usual practice, I allowed him a Blessed Land."

Wu Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Which Blessed Land?"

Huang Shouhe hesitated and said softly, "Lingye Island."

Wu Yu frowned and said, "You gave him that harsh place of Golden Wind and Fiery Flame?"

Huang Shouhe quickly explained, "Although I tried to explain the reasons, this person is stubborn and unyielding, not listening to advice. He thought I was bluffing, so I had no choice but to allow him. It's not my fault."

Wu Yu looked at him for a moment and sighed, "Be careful." He shook his head, walked away with his hands behind his back.

Before leaving, he glanced coldly at Huang Shouhe, who still looked pleased and unaware. He couldn't help but sneer. Zhang Yan, upon entering the Upper Academy, was given a female attendant by Sun Zhenren. Although Sun Zhenren usually doesn't meddle in trivial matters, he might be using Zhang Yan as a stepping stone. The conflict between the lineage and the noble families is not easy to get involved in. Didn't you see that the attendants are all trying to avoid it? Yet you are eagerly trying to please the Wang family. Be careful, or you might end up shattered and without a place to bury your bones!

Zhang Yan left the Transcendence Pavilion with an attendant who was responsible for guiding him. Seeing Die'er waiting outside, he instructed her, "Go tell Lady Tang that I have chosen a Blessed Land."

"Blessed Land?" Die'er's eyes lit up with joy. "Where is it? I will inform Yan Lady immediately. We have a flying boat, and we will come to meet you shortly."

Zhang Yan said, "It's in the southwest, on Lingye Island."

Die'er gasped and covered her mouth, "Lingye Island?"

"Hmm? Is there something wrong?"

Die'er said urgently, "Master, Lingye Island has overwhelming spiritual energy, with rampant Golden Wind and Fiery Flame. It is not a place for cultivation but a place of death and despair!" She complained, "Master, Yan Lady is in the Jade Flower Cave Heaven with Sun Zhenren, wearing embroidered robes. She cannot endure hardship. Why don't you choose another place?"

Zhang Yan frowned and said coldly, "Does your lady want to cultivate and become an immortal or enter the palace as an empress? On the path of cultivation, one must forge ahead, overcoming obstacles. There is no comfort or luxury. If she is unwilling to follow me, she doesn't have to come."

With that, he waved his sleeve and boarded the attendant's flying boat, ascending into the sky.

Die'er looked frustrated, stomped her foot in anger, but had to return to report.

Soon, Tang Yan learned of the news but remained silent for a long time.

Ling'er, with a worried look, approached and said, "Yan Lady, we didn't expect Zhang Yan to be so familiar with the Upper Academy's rules. We are now stuck. But that attendant Huang is to blame for giving us that place of death. We will suffer too."

Tang Yan said softly, "It's not a problem. We will endure for a few months. Zhang Yan has some abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have become a Lower Academy entry disciple. His pulse pattern is the Mist Pattern. It will be difficult for him to cultivate in a place of Golden Wind and Fiery Flame. In three months, the sect will have immortal masters check his cultivation. If not, in six months, Wang Lang will emerge from seclusion, and dealing with Zhang Yan will be easy. But during this time, you must be cautious and avoid giving Zhang Yan any leverage to punish you."

Ling'er said carefully, "Why don't Yan Lady go and explain to Zhang Yan, so he doesn't act foolishly?"

Tang Yan shook her head, "Given by the True Man, can this matter be taken lightly? If Zhang Yan can't take care of us, the True Man won't interfere. But if we make our own decisions, do you think Sun Zhenren won't kill us?"

Ling'er shuddered and dared not mention it again. After thinking for a moment, she comforted Tang Yan, "Wang Lang has extraordinary talent. He has been washed with jade liquid daily since birth to refine his bones and marrow. He started cultivation at nine and has been at the second level of the Bright Qi stage for eleven years. He is from the Hao Pu Wang family and has recently become a disciple of Master Du De. His future is bright, and he is deeply in love with Yan Lady. He will not betray her."

Tang Yan nodded and sighed, "I hope so."

At this moment, Zhang Yan had already flown to Lingye Island. The attendant pointed below and said, "Senior Brother, the cave abode is on that mountain peak."

Before Zhang Yan could take a closer look, he felt a surge of malevolent energy. He squinted and then opened his eyes to see that the center of the island was shrouded in steam, with rolling smoke and clouds. The highest peak was a bald, cone-shaped volcanic crater, while the surrounding areas were covered with ancient trees and teeming with spiritual creatures, exuding a vibrant vitality.

To a cultivator like Zhang Yan, the island's spiritual energy soared to the sky, like a sword or a rainbow, resembling a dance of fire, as if the entire island was enveloped in a golden-red aura. The essence of heaven and earth was indeed overly abundant.

Although the cave abode given by Huang Shouhe could indeed be considered a blessed land for cultivation, everything has its limits. For example, this cave abode had Golden Wind and Fiery Flame rising at the hours of Mao, Wu, and Shen every day, capable of boiling scriptures and burning meridians, scraping bones and skin. The spiritual energy was too overwhelming, and long-term cultivation here could damage one's foundation.

The lineage disciples of the Jingcang Sect rarely had pulse patterns of Golden Wind and Fiery Flame. Even if they did, they would choose more gentle spiritual energy cave abodes. This cave abode had been vacant for a long time, and no one was willing to come.

The flying boat slowly landed. The attendant, seemingly unwilling to stay too long, put Zhang Yan down, gave a few instructions, and hurriedly left.

Zhang Yan, now on solid ground, carefully sensed the spiritual energy and was not alarmed but delighted. His "Taiyi Jinshu" required the use of wind, fire, metal, and thunder to refine the essence and temper the Dry Spirit Metal Qi. Now, this cave abode had delivered itself, saving him the trouble of searching.

What others saw as a place of death and despair was, to him, a true Cave Heaven and Blessed Land. He laughed to the sky, "What is poison to others is medicine to me. This is the perfect example!"

...

...

PS: Thank you to Nana Li for contributing a book club. Group number: 217929481 (Path of Strife)

Everyone is welcome to join the discussion.

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends