Chapter 257 : Enlightenment Opportunity
Chapter 257: Enlightenment Opportunity
"Good. Truly worthy of being the current Dao Child of our Mirror Moon Sect."
True Person Zheng gave a word of praise, then turned to gaze at the setting sun outside the hall.
"Three days from now at midnight, the Dao Child may go on expedition alongside True Person of Myriad Treasures. Let the Heavy Gold Sect witness the elegance and prowess of our Mirror Moon Sect's Dao Child."
Chen Beiwu clasped his fists solemnly. "Yes. This disciple shall not disappoint Elder’s high expectations."
After the expedition matter was settled, Chen Beiwu took the initiative to bid farewell and depart.
True Person Zheng stood at the center of the grand hall, watching Chen Beiwu’s figure gradually fade away. Stroking his beard with a smile, he murmured, "This child resembles me in my youth."
In the next moment, five phantom figures suddenly appeared within the hall—all top-ranking Golden Core Elders of the Mirror Moon Sect’s main lineage.
"The Biyuan Mountain Range has a Golden Core cultivator from the Heavy Gold Sect stationed there. The Dao Child is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Might his participation in the expedition bring unexpected risks?" asked the Fourth Elder, Yu Zhaoli.
One must always be wary of the worst-case scenario.
If she were a Golden Core cultivator from the Heavy Gold Sect, she would rather abandon the vacant Gold Marrow ore vein than let slip the chance to eliminate a future threat to their sect.
"That statement is not quite right," said the Third Elder, Yu Shuiyao, shaking her head slightly. "If the Dao Child never endures blood and fire, how will he command the cultivators of the sect and inherit the Dao lineage?"
"Moreover, with True Person of Myriad Treasures leading the expedition this time, unless a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Heavy Gold Sect shamelessly breaks the Five Great Sects’ unspoken rule to act personally, the Dao Child shall face no danger to his life."
The Five Great Sects were both rivals and allies.
If the powerful figures of a sect could target rising prodigies of other sects at will, the Five Great Sects of the Earth Proliferation Territory would have long since fallen into chaos.
Cultivation sects bordering the Earth Proliferation Territory would also seize the chance to intervene and take a share.
"It’s of no concern," True Person Zheng chuckled. "I have already reported this to the Patriarch."
"With the Patriarch divining the stars, if the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Heavy Gold Sect or Blazing Flame Sect dare to make a move, our sect shall have its own experts to engage them in Dao discourse."
Upon hearing this, the gathered Golden Core Elders slightly raised their brows, suppressing their surprise.
The sect’s True Monarchs were usually either wandering the Southern Wastes or in secluded cultivation, seeking a breakthrough, rarely involving themselves in sect matters.
Even they, as Golden Core Elders, seldom had the opportunity to meet a True Monarch face-to-face.
It seemed the Patriarch’s regard for the Dao Child far exceeded their expectations.
…
Returning to the Moon-in-Water Dwelling, Chen Beiwu activated the Gate of Ten Directions to teleport to the Immortal Alliance.
Due to the quality of spiritual veins, he had always cultivated in the Southern Wastes.
But after relocating to a Fourth-Tier Cave Residence, both he and Golden Egg had shifted their cultivation site to the Immortal Alliance.
"Glug—"
Feeling the rich ambient energy from the Fourth-Tier spiritual vein, Golden Egg happily wagged his tail, frolicking freely in the Azure-Wave Cold Pool.
There was a stark contrast between merely receiving blessings from a Companion Landscape and actually engaging in combat.
If he fought with full force, Golden Egg would deplete all his energy and fall into a deep slumber for at least a month, unable to battle during that time.
However, the Companion Landscape would also drastically accelerate the stimulation of his bloodline.
On the other hand, if he merely pushed himself to exhaustion, Golden Egg would faint for several hours and awaken with decent combat capability—though the bloodline stimulation from the Companion Landscape would be far less intense compared to going all out.
Considering Golden Egg’s endurance, Chen Beiwu had recently been using the [Landscape Diagram of Heaven-Reaching Tree, All-Encompassing River, Ascending Profundity, and Five Elements Unified Dragon Transformation] to gently stimulate his bloodline, rather than directly applying Dragon Transformation.
"Buzz!" His phone vibrated.
Chen Beiwu glanced at it and saw that the elective course [Celestial and Earthly Beasts Confidential Exam Volume] was about to begin, taught by Senior Brother Jiang Chuan.
…
At the Yuqing Teaching Building, in the lecture hall—
An imposing elderly man with white hair and a gray Daoist robe stood at the lectern, speaking calmly:
"I am Jiang Chuan. This lecture will focus on the path of bloodline evolution for Companion Beasts..."
During the lecture, True Monarch Jiang Chuan noticed a few students occasionally casting glances at the [Celestial and Earthly Beasts Confidential Exam Volume] placed before them. His brows furrowed slightly.
"That book can be discarded."
With a wave of his sleeve, a gust of wind swept over, causing the books before the students to flutter and fall to the ground with a "thud".
Seeing this, the sect students wore expressions of astonishment—Chen Beiwu himself couldn’t help but pause slightly.
He glanced at the cover of the volume, which clearly listed the author as Jiang Chuan himself.
Well now, Senior Brother Jiang Chuan really didn’t hold back—not even sparing his own book!
"[Celestial and Earthly Beasts Confidential Exam Volume] was written by me two hundred years ago. Though it was listed a century ago as core reference material for the Beast Taming Departments of both the Seven-Nine Upper Sects and Thirteen Immortal Sects, there’s one thing I never clarified."
True Monarch Jiang Chuan remained calm. "That book was written specifically for those of mediocre talent. The bloodline evolution methods it contains are all conventional paths and inherently limited."
"Each of you managed to enter the Yuqing Immortal Sect, which means you are exceptional talents. You should not be bound by the limits of this [Celestial and Earthly Beasts Confidential Exam Volume]."
At this, True Monarch Jiang Chuan glanced at Chen Beiwu and gave a slight nod.
Not bad. Despite having skipped many classes this year and nearly failing due to insufficient credits...
At least he hadn’t skipped Jiang Chuan’s core Beast Taming class.
Upon hearing this, Chen Beiwu realized that True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s comments were directed at him.
Books are lifeless; the Dao is alive.
To blindly believe in a book is worse than having none at all. Rote memorization leads only to mediocrity.
Noticing Jiang Chuan’s gaze toward Chen Beiwu, several sect students couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
Competition within the Yuqing Immortal Sect was fierce—not every sect student could earn the favor of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Even among prodigies, there were stark differences.
Being admitted to the Yuqing Immortal Sect didn’t guarantee that one would stand out.
Let alone form a top-grade Golden Core within 110 years and truly enter the sect’s inner fold as a recognized Immortal Student.
More likely, one would fail to form a core within 110 years—and not even graduate with a certificate from the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
Thus, for sect students of average background, the sect’s lecturers were the highest-level Immortal Alliance elites they might ever encounter in life—the strongest cultivators.
If they could catch the eye of a Nascent Soul True Monarch and receive guidance, their path to core formation would go much smoother.
But right now, all discerning eyes in the lecture hall could see: in True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s eyes, only Chen Beiwu—ranked third on the Rising Stars List—truly existed. The other students were mere foils.
"Everyone, put down your books and listen as I explain the three orthodox methods of evolution for Companion Beasts."
With a tap of his finger, three dazzling star maps emerged before Jiang Chuan.
"For hundreds of thousands of years, the Immortal Alliance’s tradition of cultivating the Dao through borrowed beasts has persisted. Only three paths align best with the Heavenly Dao of Sky Abyss Star."
At that moment, a crimson crystal fell onto the first star map, causing a Red-Tailed Goldfish to undergo rebirth through fire and transform into a Chi Dragon that commanded ten thousand beasts.
"First is the method of refining with heaven and earth treasures." True Monarch Jiang Chuan flicked out a crimson fire crystal from his sleeve:
"All the heaven and earth treasures in existence contain spirituality and embody the Dao’s rhythm. We cultivators may use such treasures to cultivate and rapidly elevate our cultivation realm.
"Naturally, Companion Beasts can also make use of these treasures to awaken the bloodline within them."
"However, one must pay attention to the compatibility between the treasure and the Companion Beast. Blindly applying high-grade cultivation resources to awaken a beast's bloodline may instead lead to poor results."
"For instance, to evolve a Third-Tier Treasure Beast like the Red-Tailed Goldfish, one must use ‘Dragon Breath Crystal’ to nourish its scales, ‘Earth Core Mystic Milk’ to temper its body, ‘Chi Dragon Bud’ to awaken its essence, and ‘Dragon Vein Pearl’ to make it leap across the abyss. Only then can the Red-Tailed Goldfish’s bloodline gradually evolve into a Fourth-Tier High-Grade Mystic Beast — the【Golden-Steel Chi Dragon】..."
As he listened to Senior Brother Jiang Chuan’s lecture, Chen Beiwu’s eyes sparkled slightly.
The Red-Tailed Goldfish was one of the rare cases that could transcend the shackles of bloodline and evolve into a Fourth-Tier Chi Dragon without walking the Chi Dragon path.
Its evolution route based on heaven and earth treasures was a rare and invaluable mystic-material diagram — to call it a priceless treasure would not be an exaggeration.
He hadn’t expected Senior Brother Jiang to openly reveal such information, not the least bit afraid of the【Golden-Steel Chi Dragon】evolution method leaking out.
‘Perhaps Golden Egg could also use the【Golden-Steel Chi Dragon】evolution path as reference,’ Chen Beiwu thought silently.
Sensing his junior brother's moment of insight, True Monarch Jiang Chuan activated a thought.
The second star map suddenly radiated dazzling brilliance, displaying the image of an Immortal Alliance cultivator manifesting the Moonlight Dragon Gate Landscape. A Spirit Fish leapt across the moonlight, its bloodline transforming into a domineering Chi Dragon.
"Second is the Heaven-Bearing Profound Tempering Blood Method, also known as the Companion Landscape Evolution Method." True Monarch Jiang Chuan pointed to the Chi Dragon in the star map.
"The innate profound powers hidden within a Companion Beast's law meridians are essentially the manifestation of the Dao’s rhythm carried in the spirit beast’s bloodline — it is the embodiment of Dao itself."
"Enhancing the tier of a Companion Beast’s innate spiritual art is equivalent to advancing its bloodline."
"For example, a Second-Tier High-Grade Spirit Fish called【Frost-Moon Tail】has an innate Second-Tier High-Grade Spiritual Art【Scale-Shedding Leap】."
"If the contract cultivator can promote its bloodline evolution via the Companion Landscape, elevating its innate spiritual art to Third-Tier Upper-Grade Treasure Art【Dragon Leap Radiance】, then using the landscape as a foundation, it could evolve into a Chi Dragon once both its talent and cultivation reach their limits — no need for walking the Chi Dragon path."
"However, this method has its drawbacks — not only is it time-consuming, but it also heavily relies on both the beast and the cultivator’s talents and comprehension."
"If the Companion Beast’s nature and the concept behind the cultivator’s landscape are not aligned, its bloodline might evolve in strange or aberrant directions."
As True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s words ended, a wave of commotion rippled through the classroom.
The gazes of the sect students all turned toward Chen Beiwu.
True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s lecture was overflowing with personal bias — and far too obvious!
Most of the students present were Sect Level One freshmen, with only Chen Beiwu having successfully formed his Bestowed Beginning of the Scene. The rest hadn’t even gotten started on the Marvelous Method of Companion Beast Landscape.
‘Unbelievable... was this class tailor-made just for Chen Beiwu?’ one freshman mentally grumbled.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Chen Beiwu raised his hand.
Seeing Senior Brother Jiang nod slightly, he voiced his confusion: "Teacher, can the Golden Scale Fish use the Companion Landscape Evolution Method to become a Chi Dragon without walking the Chi Dragon path?"
"It cannot." True Monarch Jiang Chuan shook his head and chuckled. "The Golden Scale Fish possesses a unique bloodline and is extremely rare even among aquatic spirit beasts. It must evolve through the ancestral bloodline awakening method."
As he spoke, the third star map unfurled, displaying the union of dragon and tiger, reflecting the image of a proud and untamed Gold-Horned Chi Dragon.
"At the end of the day, bloodlines are not only the power granted to spirit beasts by the heavens, but also a form of constraint and shackle — especially for the Golden Scale lineage."
"Without high-grade Chi Dragon bloodline of the same origin as a guide, the Golden Scale Fish finds it extremely difficult to break through the shackles of its bloodline.
Without raising a flood within a Dragon-Vein-Converging Lake to initiate the walk of the Chi Dragon, it is nearly impossible for the Golden Scale Fish to awaken the latent Chi Dragon blood within its body."
"This is a strict law confirmed by the research of the Immortal Alliance’s Artifacts Pavilion."
"This law cannot be overturned even by the Companion Landscape Evolution Method or the Refinement with Heaven and Earth Treasures. Otherwise, beasts like the Gold-Horned Chi Dragon would not be nearly extinct within the Immortal Alliance."
"However, the Yuqing Immortal Sect has a way to resolve this problem..."
Time passed quickly, and the class soon came to an end.
"Ring ring ring!" The class dismissal bell rang.
Before leaving the lecture hall, True Monarch Jiang Chuan cast a glance at his junior brother, as if to say he had something more to discuss.
Understanding his meaning, Chen Beiwu—who had gained much—quickly rose and followed the True Monarch.
Second floor of Wuji Tower, Admissions Department.
True Monarch Jiang Chuan looked at Chen Beiwu: "Not bad. In the short time since we last met, your cultivation has advanced from mid-stage Foundation Establishment to peak Foundation Establishment.
"It seems you've consumed quite a bit of heaven and earth treasures during this time, even using your truancy period for closed-door cultivation."
Chen Beiwu certainly didn’t take this as praise. He hurried to explain that he had entered seclusion due to a moment of insight, not to intentionally skip class.
"Let’s hope so." True Monarch Jiang Chuan nodded, moving to official business. "You’ve missed too many classes this year and haven’t earned a single credit."
"According to the rules of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, you’ll need to repeat a year and make up the required credits before advancing to Sect Level Two."
Chen Beiwu remained silent and did not bring up any previous agreements. He simply listened.
As expected, Senior Brother’s tone shifted. "But there are exceptions to everything."
"I mentioned before, if you could achieve Flawless Foundation Establishment, the matter of repeating a year would be dismissed."
"However, if you want to comprehend the Supreme Sutra of Boundless Salvation of Taiyuan, you’ll need to accumulate one hundred credits. At the very least, you must complete the basic theory and practical courses by Sect Level Five — otherwise, even I cannot help you."
"Do you understand?" Senior Brother Jiang Chuan looked directly into Chen Beiwu’s eyes.
Haste makes waste.
Rapid cultivation breakthroughs were good, but if his junior brother aimed to form a top-grade Golden Core, he needed to settle his foundations and thoroughly comprehend the sect’s immortal techniques—even if that meant slowing down.
Achieving Flawless Foundation Establishment guaranteed the potential for a top-grade Golden Core, but did not guarantee success.
Throughout the history of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, there had been prodigies with Flawless Foundation who still failed at core formation.
Such peerless talents usually failed not due to lack of talent or unstable foundations, but because their ambitions were too lofty—they aimed for too high a grade of Golden Core.
"Understood." Chen Beiwu nodded, knowing full well this was heartfelt guidance from an elder, not mere criticism over missed classes.
If True Monarch Jiang Chuan had truly been disappointed in him, he wouldn’t have so thoroughly explained the Golden Scale Fish’s evolution path in class, nor offered two solutions.
"By the way, you performed well in the Cave Dwelling Challenge. Didn’t bring shame to our master."
Jiang Chuan patted Chen Beiwu on the shoulder and continued on the main topic. "Your initial Companion Landscape intention during the duel wasn’t bad, but there were some shortcomings."
"Within the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm, the sect has preserved many landscape intention diagrams left behind by sect titans who comprehended the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art, for later generations to draw insight from."
"So, junior brother, do you want to enter the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm and comprehend the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art to refine your own landscape?"
Chen Beiwu’s eyes lit up at these words. "Of course I do. Please help me, Senior Brother!"
"No problem. Applying for access to the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm requires approval from the sect’s upper echelon. Once the process goes through, I’ll send you a message."
Not surprised by his junior’s response, Jiang Chuan added an extra reminder:
"Entering the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm to comprehend the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art costs one hundred credits. You can owe them for now, but be sure to repay them within ten years."