Chapter 18

"Give you a high-level cultivation technique? I don't have that ability. My strongest cultivation technique is only a lower-grade human rank, not much better than those in the first floor of the scripture hall."

"Moreover, I don't have the qualifications to pass on cultivation techniques to you. You know the rules of the Qiyun Sect, don't you? Privately teaching the sect's cultivation techniques will result in the loss of one's cultivation and expulsion from the sect."

Zhao Guanshi seemed to be able to see through Ye Zhen's thoughts, making Ye Zhen's old face turn red. A hint of disappointment flashed across Ye Zhen's eyes. Ye Zhen had thought that Zhao Guanshi might give him a slightly higher-level cultivation technique, but it seemed he had overestimated the situation, and the sect's rules were clear.

The cultivation techniques that have been passed down for a long time in the Zhenxuan Continent are divided into four ranks and twelve grades, namely Heaven, Earth, Human, and Common, with each rank further divided into three grades.

For example, the Blood Qi Technique and the Bear King Mountain-Carrying Fist, which the Qiyun Sect teaches to miscellaneous disciples, are both lower-grade common cultivation techniques. The scripture hall of the Qiyun Sect has five floors, and the cultivation techniques stored on each floor are of different grades.

The first floor mainly stores common-grade cultivation techniques, ranging from lower-grade to upper-grade. The second floor stores human-grade cultivation techniques, the third and fourth floors store earth-grade and heaven-grade cultivation techniques, respectively. As for the fifth floor of the scripture hall, it is said that only the sect leader Guo Qijing of the Qiyun Sect has the qualifications to enter.

Under normal circumstances, the highest grade of cultivation techniques that outer disciples can learn is upper-grade common. As for human-grade cultivation techniques, only inner disciples have the qualifications to learn them.

Occasionally, outer disciples who have made great contributions to the sect can also be rewarded with human-grade cultivation techniques.

"However, although I cannot pass on cultivation techniques to you, I can give you an opportunity to obtain a better cultivation technique." Seeing the disappointment on Ye Zhen's face, Zhao Guanshi changed the subject.

Ye Zhen's expression suddenly turned from disappointment to surprise. Zhao Guanshi continued, "But don't be too happy too soon. I'm just showing you a path. Whether you can succeed or not depends entirely on your own abilities and fate."

"Please guide me, Zhao Guanshi!"

"Ha, Ye Zhen, in our Qiyun Sect, only inner disciples have the qualifications to be taught by a master. Although outer disciples are also listed in the sect, due to their large numbers, they generally have to choose and practice cultivation techniques on their own."

"However, the sect does not completely ignore outer disciples. Ten instructors are arranged for the outer disciples living on Donglai Peak. You should know this, right?"

Ye Zhen nodded in response.

"Ye Zhen, do you know what these ten sect instructors on Donglai Peak are responsible for?"

"Liu Zhisshi said that if outer disciples have any questions about cultivation, they can seek guidance from the sect instructors." Ye Zhen answered with a slight hint of confusion.

"Then, Ye Zhen, what do you think the role of these ten sect instructors is?"

"Should be similar to teachers?"

Hearing Ye Zhen's answer, Zhao Guanshi suddenly turned around like a whirlwind, "Similar to teachers? Then tell me, which of the new outer disciples regards the sect instructors as teachers?"

"Before the new outer disciples choose their cultivation techniques, have they ever consulted the sect instructors about which techniques are suitable for them?"

Ye Zhen's eyes suddenly brightened, as if he had grasped something.

"Actually, not just the new outer disciples, but almost all outer disciples in recent years have treated the ten sect instructors on Donglai Peak as mere decorations."

"Due to this, the once prestigious and highly sought-after position of sect instructor has gradually become a neglected and idle position, leading to a decrease in the number of outstanding outer disciples."

Having said this, Zhao Guanshi said to Ye Zhen with deep meaning, "You should know that sect instructors are among the few in the sect who have the authority to teach cultivation techniques. Do you understand what I mean, Ye Zhen?"

"I understand!" Ye Zhen nodded hurriedly. With Zhao Guanshi's words, if he still didn't understand, there would be something wrong with his head.

"Good, but the guidance from sect instructors is very arbitrary. Whether you can benefit from it depends on your abilities and fate."

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Zhao Guanshi!" Ye Zhen bowed in gratitude.

"Are you satisfied with the gift I gave you?" Zhao Guanshi asked with a smile.

"Satisfied, very satisfied!" Ye Zhen nodded hurriedly.

"Then why don't you go?"

Just as Ye Zhen was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked Zhao Guanshi, "Zhao Guanshi, my brother Sha Fei is still on Baosong Peak. Can I visit him often in the future?"

"Of course, I welcome you to Baosong Peak." Zhao Guanshi said.

Hearing this, Ye Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had this question for two reasons: one was to visit Sha Fei, and the other was because of the stone marrow spirit liquid in the secret cave on the back mountain of Baosong Peak.

Although the stone marrow spirit liquid can be collected every few days, if Ye Zhen came too often, it would raise suspicions. Now, he had an excuse to visit Baosong Peak frequently.

After bowing in thanks, Ye Zhen left the room. However, just as he was about to leave, Zhao Guanshi's voice rang out again.

"Ye Zhen, according to my knowledge, among the ten instructors on Donglai Peak, Liao Feibai is a kind and knowledgeable instructor who loves to teach outer disciples who were originally miscellaneous disciples. You can try going to Liao Feibai first." Zhao Guanshi said.

"Thank you, Zhao Guanshi, I will remember that!"

Shortly after Ye Zhen left, Zhao Guanshi's gaze became distant, "Feibai, I have sent the person you are looking for. The rest depends on your encounter..."

On the way back, Ye Zhen kept thinking about Zhao Guanshi's words, feeling increasingly excited.

Sect instructors, after all, are just teachers with a different name due to the large number of disciples they need to guide. In the current situation where most outer disciples ignore the sect instructors, if he goes, the chance of being treated differently is quite high.

When Ye Zhen was still a miscellaneous disciple, he suffered a lot from the lack of guidance while practicing the Blood Qi Technique and the Bear King Mountain-Carrying Fist, taking many detours.

Now, even if he is unlucky and not treated differently by the sect instructors, Zhao Guanshi has at least given him some direction.

Moreover, Zhao Guanshi's suggestion to find Liao Feibai must have a specific purpose. Liao Feibai should be one of the better and more capable instructors among the ten.

However, it was already late in the day, and after a day of折腾 (torture), Ye Zhen was covered in sweat. He did not rush to find Liao Feibai immediately. Instead, he planned to rest for the night, clean up, and then go to Liao Feibai after a bath and change of clothes.

The next day, Ye Zhen, looking fresh and spirited, headed towards the peak of Donglai Peak.

Since the sect instructors have a high status on Donglai Peak, the ten instructors and the Donglai Peak executors all live at the peak, which has the most serene environment.

When Ye Zhen reached the peak of Donglai Peak, he was a bit worried. The ten instructors' courtyards were lined up in a row, but Ye Zhen did not know which one belonged to Liao Feibai.

What made Ye Zhen even more frustrated was that the place where the instructors lived was empty, just as Zhao Guanshi had said. The sect instructors seemed to be ignored by the outer disciples, and there was no one to ask for directions.

While he was worrying, a plump figure appeared from below, quickly leaping towards the peak. The agility of the figure was not what one would expect from such a fat person.

When the person approached, Ye Zhen recognized him, and the person had already flashed in front of Ye Zhen with a smile, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Ha, Junior Brother Ye, what are you frowning about so early in the morning?" Jin Yuanbao, with his chubby face, asked with a smile, his eyes squeezed into slits.

"I have some cultivation questions and came to seek guidance from Instructor Liao, but I don't know which courtyard he lives in." Ye Zhen asked.

"Instructor Liao?" Jin Yuanbao's fat face showed a hint of surprise, "Why did you think of... Instructor Liao?"

"I heard from a friend that Instructor Liao is kind and skilled in teaching, so I came to seek his guidance." Ye Zhen said.

"Kind and skilled in teaching?" Jin Yuanbao's large mouth suddenly opened wide, and he glanced fearfully at the most dilapidated courtyard on the left, "That messy courtyard is Instructor Liao's. Brother, I have something to ask Instructor He, I'll go first!"

Saying this, Jin Yuanbao's body moved, rolling quickly towards another instructor's residence like a ball of meat.

"The most dilapidated courtyard?"

Ye Zhen noticed that the other nine instructors' courtyards looked clean and tidy from the outside, with no grass. Only the courtyard that Jin Yuanbao pointed to was overgrown with weeds, truly dilapidated.

Despite its dilapidation, Ye Zhen still entered, as it was recommended by Zhao Guanshi. If it didn't work out, Ye Zhen could still try other instructors.

Stepping over the weeds, Ye Zhen crossed the courtyard and entered the instructor's hall.

The instructor's hall was even more chaotic than the weedy courtyard, with old clothes, broken swords, broken wood, and discarded metal scattered everywhere. However, the most eye-catching was the half-broken stone stele standing in the hall.

"If you want to seek the Way, first forge your courage!"

At first glance, the seven large characters seemed haphazard and disorderly, but upon a second look, they exuded a powerful and fierce aura, making Ye Zhen dare not look directly.

"Is Instructor Liao here? Disciple Ye Zhen has come to seek guidance!"

Swish!

Before Ye Zhen's words had even finished, a cold blue sword beam suddenly shot out from the hall, slashing down at Ye Zhen's head!