Chapter 497 - 222: Honey?

Chapter 497: Chapter 222: Honey?

"Hmph!"

Zhou Xuanmo finally let out a cold snort and waved his hand impatiently. "If you understand, then scatter! Go on, get back to what you were doing! Remember my words today. On the path of cultivation, the greatest taboo is to be overly ambitious. Staying grounded is the only true path!"

The disciples, as if granted a great amnesty, all bowed in salute. Then, with their tails between their legs, they silently and swiftly dispersed, each returning to their original spots. No one dared to whisper amongst themselves again.

Zhou Xuanmo watched as the first floor instantly fell quiet. He rubbed his brow and let out a soft sigh.

All he could really do was admonish and warn these ordinary disciples.

’As for that Linyuan kid...’

He turned his head, looking toward where the figure had long since vanished, and could only let out another soft sigh.

’...His is a path he must walk alone.’

He mused for a moment, then sighed. ’Still... I should probably let Senior Brother Yue and Senior Brother Shen know.’

He took out his Token and infused it with his Divine Sense...

Qin Fang, of course, had no idea what transpired in the Scripture Pavilion after he left. As he walked away, many disciples who saw him bowed and greeted him.

As was his custom, he simply offered a slight nod in return and continued on his way.

A thoughtful glint appeared in his eyes.

’The Sect definitely has Concentrating Iron Heart Jade... but I have no idea where...’

This Concentrating Iron Heart Jade could be considered a kind of "cultivation aid." Practicing a Leaf Skill required a corresponding aid.

One used the unique properties of these aids to become more attuned to the Leaf Skill being learned, or to acquire the specific traits or energies it required. This was a distinctive feature of Leaf Skill cultivation.

Without them, many Leaf Skills would not only progress slowly but might be impossible to practice at all.

For instance, when he practiced the Nine-Layered Abyss Water Armor, without Profound Turtle Shell Powder, the Abyss Water Armor would have no "medium" to adhere to. At the same time, his Physique wouldn’t be enhanced, and he would be unable to withstand an Abyss Water Armor composed of high-quality Primordial Power.

He recalled when he first cultivated True Essence. He had subconsciously gathered a large amount of it in his hand, only for a stabbing pain to shoot through his arm.

That was because his bones and muscles couldn’t withstand such a large quantity of True Essence.

Cultivation aids were what drastically increased the strength of one’s muscles and bones, allowing them to gather large amounts of True Essence.

The most crucial point of a Spiritual Sense Leaf Skill was to allow one’s Divine Sense to cross from the "Spiritual River" over to the "material river."

Only then did the power of one’s Divine Sense have any true meaning.

Therefore, to practice with Divine Sense, one first had to obtain Concentrating Iron Heart Jade.

’And a small amount won’t do. I’ll need a huge quantity of Concentrating Iron Heart Jade...’

The special power contained within Concentrating Iron Heart Jade allowed Divine Sense to cross from the Spiritual River to the material one, but how much could cross over depended entirely on the width and strength of the "channel."

And the very thing that constructed this "channel"... was the special energy within the Concentrating Iron Heart Jade.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Fang’s brow twitched.

’I’m not sure where in the Sect I can find Concentrating Iron Heart Jade, but I do know... of a place that’s bound to know.’

With that, a thought stirred in Qin Fang’s mind. He shot into the air and flew off in a direction he had never taken before.

Before long, he reached a remote mountain range. A massive platform had been carved into the mountainside, and on it sat a grand hall.

Inscribed above the entrance to the hall were three large words: Celestial Martial Hall!

This was the home of the Celestial Martial Lineage—Si Shen Cliff.

Qin Fang landed lightly on Si Shen Cliff.

He scanned his surroundings and was taken aback.

The entirety of Si Shen Cliff was deserted; there wasn’t a soul in sight.

The plaza outside the Celestial Martial Hall was covered in snow, with only a few faint traces of having been swept.

The main doors of the Celestial Martial Hall were shut tight, covered in a thick layer of dust that suggested they hadn’t been opened in a very long time.

The whole place felt desolate and was utterly silent.

It was a stark contrast to the lively hustle and bustle of Guiyuan Valley!

Just as Qin Fang was frowning at the sight, he heard a door creak open—CREEEAK. The sound suggested rusty hinges. He looked toward the noise and saw a young woman walk out of a side hall, broom in hand.

As Qin Fang looked over, she seemed to sense someone outside and glanced his way.

And then she froze.

"Senior Brother Qin?"

Who else could it be but Su Nian?

Qin Fang was surprised as well. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, "Junior Sister Su, are you... the only one here at the Celestial Martial Hall?"

Su Nian paused, a flicker of embarrassment on her face. She quickly shook her head. "Of course not... There are other disciples and Elders... It’s just... my Celestial Martial Lineage focuses on Divine Sense, so most of them are in their residences performing Contemplation. They rarely come to the Celestial Martial Hall unless it’s necessary... Senior Brother Qin, what brings you here?"

She asked Qin Fang quizzically after her brief explanation.

’...So their ranks really are withering.’

’...Good thing I didn’t choose the Celestial Martial Hall back then.’

Of course, he wouldn’t say that out loud.

He nodded and said, "It’s fortunate I ran into you, Junior Sister Su. I came to the Celestial Martial Hall to ask for some information."

"Oh?" Su Nian looked at him, puzzled.

"Where in the Sect can I find Concentrating Iron Heart Jade?"

’Concentrating Iron Heart Jade?’

Su Nian paused for a second before realization dawned, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Qin Fang. "Senior Brother Qin, you’re going to practice with Divine Sense?"

Qin Fang nodded slightly in response; he had no intention of hiding this.

"I knew it! Does this mean Senior Brother Qin also thinks my Celestial Martial Lineage is the strongest?" Su Nian’s eyes shone even brighter.

Seeing the sudden sparkle in Su Nian’s eyes, Qin Fang replied bluntly, "Not at all."

"Huh?" Su Nian’s expression went slack.

"It’s just that my battle with the Path of Non-Birth made me realize my own weaknesses. Divine Sense is one of them. So, I want to learn a Spiritual Sense Leaf Skill for self-defense... but I have no intention of specializing in it."