Chapter 487 - 237: Surge in Cultivation

Chapter 487: Chapter 237: Surge in Cultivation

’I don’t know what it’s for, exactly, but I’m sure there’s a reward for completing a collection. The panel would never trick me with some useless gimmick.’

Especially after this illusory dream, Xie Yuan was more certain than ever of his Golden Finger’s power. It always managed to surprise him, operating on an incredibly high level.

The final reward was an increase of ten thousand points to his Chopping Wood progress.

’This is unexpected... Could playing as the Black Monkey and fighting Yang Jian actually be useful?’

The Eight Trigrams Lotus had increased his Chopping Wood progress before, but he never expected the Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal to do the same. ’Does that mean sparring in a game also counts as cultivation?’

Besides, ten thousand points was a lot—a full tenth of the total progress, equivalent to nearly a year of cultivation.

A satisfied look appeared on Xie Yuan’s face. The Black Celestial Book’s enhancements to his cultivation were truly all-encompassing. No wonder its appearance had caused such a bloodbath.

Possessing the Black Celestial Book was enough to establish a thousand-year-old hidden family like the Mu family of Beidu Mountain, or a major Sect like the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect.

’If I could just get my hands on a single page of the Black Celestial Book, my Chopping Wood progress would accelerate dramatically, and my cultivation would surely skyrocket.’

’As for where to find one...’

A glint flashed in Xie Yuan’s eyes. Jianzhen Lake was his next target.

The lake within the lake had returned to normal. He guessed the Yao family hadn’t figured out the correct method and were still unable to reach the bottom to see its true face.

Without the right method—such as the protection of another page from the Black Celestial Book—the Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal was virtually inaccessible due to its unique properties.

’I should get to it before the Yao family figures it out.’

However, there were a couple of problems. First, Xie Yuan had no way to take it with him right now. He estimated that he would need the complete Eight Trigrams Lotus in hand to even have a chance of using the Black Celestial Book’s power to retrieve the Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal.

Second, the method of entering the ruins was still in the Yao family’s possession. Their control over the lake within the lake was far greater than his, so Xie Yuan would have to find another way to come and go as he pleased.

’I can’t rush this goal; it won’t do any good. If I can’t find Miss Mu, I won’t be able to retrieve it even if I manage to get inside.’

Xie Yuan touched his arm, feeling the two lotus petals imprinted on his skin.

As long as he had this, the two of them were bound to meet again.

Since the Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal couldn’t be rushed, Xie Yuan’s current short-term goal was to raise his cultivation level and try to complete his collection of this "Buddhist Charm" to see what it did.

[Buddhist Charm: (3/9)]

’Six more wisps and the collection will be complete... but where do I find them? I doubt I can get them just by visiting any random temple and offering some incense, can I?’

Xie Yuan mused. ’They probably only appear in places like ancient ruins, secret realms, or near rare Buddhist treasures and thousand-year-old temples, right?’

He nodded slightly. For the time being, he would act as a devout layman, entering every temple and bowing before every Buddha he came across. He would just have to search for them slowly.

Xie Yuan glanced at the sky. The east was already brightening; it was the break of dawn.

He dusted off his robes and strolled leisurely out of Jinling.

The Golden Crow rose from behind Zijin Mountain, and the sky grew bright.

POUND! POUND! POUND—

The doors of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s Jinling Villa were pounded upon heavily. A servant opened the main gate, only to find a group of lavishly dressed young masters from prominent families standing outside.

The moment the gate opened, they swarmed inside. The servant couldn’t stop them and was shoved aside.

Two men led the group. One was a middle-aged man with a straight nose, a wide mouth, and a resolute expression. He wore a deep blue robe and projected a powerful aura.

The other was an elderly man with sinister eyes and a full head of meticulously arranged black hair. Dressed in a black long robe, he radiated an oppressive presence.

The group stormed into the Sword Sect’s villa, stopping before the main courtyard.

Qin Zhenyang stood on the steps, his hand resting on his scabbard. He looked at the middle-aged man and the elder leading the group and spoke calmly.

"Gentlemen, the Jinling Villa is the private property of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect. For what reason have you come here uninvited?"

The elderly man snorted in anger.

"Qin Zhenyang, you’re a mere junior. How dare you put on airs before me?"

His aura flared, pressing down directly on Qin Zhenyang.

Behind him, Ning Zi and the others turned pale. They swayed and stumbled back two steps before the pressure suddenly vanished, the formless aura completely blocked.

Qin Zhenyang took a step forward, his expression calm, his palm gripping his scabbard.

Sword Intent flared to life. Facing the Grandmaster’s aura alone, his figure remained as steady as a mountain.

The elder’s expression changed slightly. His eyes narrowed, and his aura intensified.

Yet Qin Zhenyang only swayed slightly. His sleeves billowed, but he stood firm on the steps, shielding his junior brothers and sisters, motionless.

Seeing this, a strange light flashed in the eyes of the middle-aged man standing beside him. He said coolly,

"Young Hero Qin, looking down on us from above... is this how the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect treats its guests?"

Qin Zhenyang looked at the two men and replied calmly,

"Guests? Where? Barging in like this... so this is the courtesy of the Qian and Yao families."

The elder’s face darkened, and he spoke in a frigid tone.

"Such a sharp tongue. You are a mere junior. Since you see a Grandmaster before you, why do you not bow?"

Qin Zhenyang looked at him, his expression unchanging, and replied slowly,

"Senior Qian, you should just state your purpose. Barging into someone’s home and demanding they bow is simply absurd."

"You!"

The Qian family’s Grandmaster, Qian Weiyi, glared, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "Very well!" he said in a frigid voice.

"Excellent! The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect has certainly grown bold. A mere disciple dares to act so arrogantly before one of the Eight Great Families!"

"Great Families?"

Qin Zhenyang scoffed.

"If a single Head Elder of my Sword Sect were present in this villa today, would you still dare to force your way in, Senior Qian? Bullying the weak while fearing the strong, throwing your weight around because of your age... So this is the famed conduct of the great families!"

Qian Weiyi’s expression shifted. Seeing that Qin Zhenyang refused to yield an inch or give him any face, his complexion turned completely black.

Qian Yangsheng was of the same lineage and a member of his grandchildren’s generation. Though not his direct grandson, he was the most promising prodigy of his branch of the family.