After bidding farewell to Master Zhou, Chu Bai didn’t delay and went straight to the Spirit Pavilion, located in the core area of the Daoist School.
This tower that soared into the clouds was even more magnificent up close. Its blue-black body seemed to be cast from a single block of Profound Iron, its surface covered with complex and abstruse Array Patterns.
Just standing before the main gate, one could feel the astonishing Spiritual Pressure overflowing from within the tower, as if facing a slumbering behemoth.
Chu Bai took out the still-warm Token and placed it into the verification slot on the side of the gate.
BZZT—
A faint ripple of Spiritual Power spread out. No guards stopped him. A semi-transparent screen of light materialized before his eyes.
On the screen of light, countless points of light twinkled like a galaxy. Each point represented an independent Blessed Land space.
"Class A student Chu Bai, authorization verified."
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. "There are currently thirty-two vacant Class A Blessed Lands. Please select a Five Elements Attribute."
Chu Bai understood. ’It is said that if one were to spend Daoist Merit to enter the Spirit Pavilion on a normal day, they could only choose a general Five Elements Attribute. As for whether they would encounter better Spiritual Qi upon entering, that was entirely up to luck.’
’But now, holding the reward Token, my access level is clearly a tier higher.’
He raised his hand, his fingertip lightly tapping the character for "Gold" in the empty air.
The screen’s display changed instantly. The general attribute was immediately refined, and dozens of images, each circulating with a different sharp aura, appeared. Below them were thoughtfully included short descriptions in small seal script.
Chu Bai’s gaze swept over them.
[Thousand Jin Suppressing Qi]: Produced from an Underground Magnetic Mountain Ore Vein. As heavy as a mountain. Cultivating with this Qi makes one’s Magical Power vigorous and stable, suitable for wielding heavy weapons.
[Sinking Iron Condensing Qi]: Born from the accumulation of blood-stained weapons on mortal Ancient Battlefields. Extremely heavy with Evil Qi. The Blessed Land is filled with broken swords and shattered halberds, radiating a chilling killing intent.
[Cyan Blade Qi]: Qi that accompanies the Spirit Plant ’Sword Leaf Grass’. Light, agile, and sharp. Suitable for the path of a Sword Cultivator.
...
The dazzling array of Metal Element Spiritual Qis was bewildering. Each one possessed unique characteristics. Someone with decision paralysis would probably agonize over the choice for half a day.
Chu Bai pondered for a moment.
’The primary Spiritual Power in my body still carries the purifying and nurturing characteristics of the Purifying Spirit Flow. Although this trait’s proportion will be gradually diluted as my Cultivation increases, the foundation remains.’
’If I’m to cultivate the Five Elements Impermanence Root, the first Metal Qi I introduce will be crucial.’
’Something too heavy will suppress the fluidity of water, but something too light won’t be able to support the framework of the Five Elements...’
Chu Bai’s gaze finally settled on a pale golden aura in the corner of the screen.
[Innate Geng Metal Qi]: The Essence of sharp metal produced by heaven and earth, relatively rare. Its nature is grim, destructive, evil-sundering, and righteously firm. It is the foremost of all metals.
’Grim, evil-sundering, and firm.’
A sharp glint flashed in Chu Bai’s eyes.
’Though I have many techniques now—Formless Cloud Hand for control and Spirit Water Needle for group attacks—I lack a truly decisive, all-penetrating offensive ability. Against tough-skinned enemies, I can often only wear them down.’
’This Innate Geng Metal Qi, on the other hand, is said to be able to break through anything and is the rarest of its kind. If I can incorporate it into my body, not only will it shore up my weaknesses, but it will also lay the hardest possible foundation for my future Five Elements cycle.’
’This is the one.’
Chu Bai no longer hesitated. With a thought, his finger pressed down firmly on the confirmation button.
In the next instant, the Teleportation Array Patterns beneath his feet flared with a dazzling white light, and a slight sense of dizziness washed over him. By the time his vision cleared, he was already in a strange, new world.
This was an independent space about one li in radius.
The perimeter was not made of enclosed walls, but of a gray, chaotic mist. In the center of the space, a bare stone platform stood abruptly. There were no flowers, grass, or trees around, and the air was filled with a sharp sensation that made one’s skin prickle slightly.
Chu Bai took a deep breath and felt as if he were inhaling not air, but fine slivers of blades.
’What domineering Metal Qi!’
Instead of being alarmed, he was delighted. He sat cross-legged on the stone platform and began to circulate the Guiyuan Technique.
As the Cultivation Technique circulated, the faint, pale golden streams of air wandering nearby seemed to be drawn in, slowly converging on him.
An ordinary person, upon first Guiding such domineering Exotic Spirit Energy, would have to be extremely cautious, even needing to take a Vein-Protecting Pill. But Chu Bai, relying on the formidable physique granted by his Nourishing and Exquisite talent, forcibly drew the first wisp of Innate Geng Metal Qi into his meridians.
SSSS—
A tearing pain shot through his meridians, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by an unprecedented feeling of fullness.
That wisp of Metal Qi merged into his Dantian Qi Sea. Although it was just a drop in the ocean, a faint, almost imperceptible golden glint now flickered within the originally pale blue vortex of Magical Power.
The change was extremely subtle. If not for Chu Bai’s Microscopic Introspection, it would have been nearly impossible to detect.
’As expected, completely changing the nature of my Magical Power won’t be accomplished in a single day.’
Chu Bai thought to himself. At this rate, with steady accumulation over time, his Magical Power would undergo a qualitative change once the Innate Geng Metal Qi in his body reached a certain volume. By then, the power of any Golden Element Techniques he practiced would be multiplied.
’Besides, the Spiritual Energy Density here is more than ten times that of the outside world!’
Chu Bai felt the Magical Power in his body greedily devouring the surrounding energy, like a parched land receiving welcome rain. Even just passively meditating, his experience bar was jumping at a visible rate.
「Three double-hours later.」
Chu Bai slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long, turbid breath. The puff of air struck the ground in front of him, leaving a shallow white mark as if a sharp blade had scraped it.