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Chapter 100: The Heaven-Encompassing Star Sword Formation
Chapter 100: The Heaven-Encompassing Star Sword Formation
"Brother Lu, ask away. I promise to answer all your questions truthfully and completely!" Bai Li Jianqing nodded seriously.
"Your grandfather spent many years cultivating at Tianjian Sect, so you must know a lot about the sect's inner workings," Lu Xuan said.
"Can disciples have their own spirit fields to cultivate spirit herbs after joining the sect?" he asked.
"Of course. Once you're in, the sect will assign Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators to teach you cultivation methods, instruct you in techniques like alchemy, array formation, and talismans, and occasionally there will be mandatory sect missions."
"Apart from that, outer sect disciples are free to manage their time as they wish, as long as they don't violate any sect rules."
"As for spirit fields... Tianjian Sect occupies a vast area, with countless peaks and valleys. Disciples are allowed to establish their own caves and even claim a spirit vein for themselves after becoming inner sect disciples." Lu Xuan nodded, indicating his understanding.
"Brother Lu, with so many questions, you're not considering..." Bai Li Jianqing hesitated, looking like he wanted to ask something but dared not.
"That's right. After joining the sect, the first thing I want to do is cultivate spirit herbs and raise spirit beasts," Lu Xuan confirmed.
"Brother Lu, you're only slightly older than me, yet you've reached your current cultivation level as a wandering cultivator. That shows your talent is extraordinary. Why would you want to bother with cultivating spirit herbs?" Bai Li Jianqing asked, puzzled.
"Different people have different aspirations. Just as you are devoted to the path of the sword, I am equally passionate about watching the spirit herbs and beasts I cultivate grow and mature," Lu Xuan replied.
"Moreover, while spirit herbs may not be as esteemed as alchemy, array formation, or talismans, they are still a part of the cultivation arts. Without spirit herb masters, how would you obtain the Sword Grass that you so desire?" Lu Xuan countered.
"You're right. I fully support you, Brother Lu," Bai Li Jianqing agreed.
At the mention of being able to cultivate the Sword Grass he coveted, Bai Li Jianqing's slender eyes narrowed into slits as he eagerly leaned forward.
Lu Xuan took this opportunity to reinforce his character setting of being dedicated to cultivating spirit herbs.
Several days later, beneath the gigantic stone sword, a spacious square had been set up.
At one end of the square were two white jade tables, behind which sat two Tianjian Sect cultivators clad in green robes. Seven or eight outer sect disciples maintained order around them.
Lu Xuan and Bai Li Jianqing had arrived early and headed towards one of the tables, where only a handful of people were waiting. Each of them wore a robe, exuding spiritual energy and possessing calm gazes.
In front of the other table was a long line, which Lu Xuan estimated to already have over a hundred people.
He queued up at the back of the line but turned around to find that Bai Li Jianqing had somehow slipped into the shorter queue.
"That's not fair, queue-jumping like that..." Lu Xuan was about to call him out when he saw Bai Li Jianqing take out a green token and wink at him.
"The Qingyun Token? So that's like a VIP pass?" Lu Xuan instantly recognized the token in Bai Li Jianqing's hand, as he had one himself.
He glanced at the long line behind him and quietly made his way to Bai Li Jianqing's side. Taking out his own Qingyun Token, he elicited a surprised look from Bai Li Jianqing.
"Brother Lu, you're quite the dark horse, obtaining a Qingyun Token as a wandering cultivator," Bai Li Jianqing remarked.
Lu Xuan smiled in response, "Just a stroke of luck."
The Tianjian Sect cultivators at the white jade tables were responsible for conducting preliminary screenings of the numerous cultivators present. They tested bone age, cultivation level, and the aura of the cultivators.
Aside from a small number of specially recruited cultivators at the lower and middle stages of the Qi Refining Realm, those over thirty years old who had not reached the late Qi Refining Realm or had questionable backgrounds would be eliminated in the first round.
Initially, Lu Xuan had been concerned that his talent might not be sufficient to pass the screening. However, after inquiring with Bai Li Jianqing, he learned that talent was only one important factor, and cultivation base was given more weight.
"Greetings, future junior brothers and sisters. I will be leading you to the Tianjian Sect."
After he finished speaking, he patted his waist storage bag, and a shuttle-shaped flying boat appeared on the ground. The flying boat shimmered with spiritual light, adorned with numerous inscriptions, clearly a second-grade flying artifact.
Lu Chen bowed and greeted him, then followed the others onto the flying boat.
The flying boat sped through the sky, soaring above the endless mountain ranges that turned into blurred shadows beneath them.
During the journey, the upright and courteous Tianjian Sect youth cultivator was extremely enthusiastic, engaging in conversations with the passengers on the flying boat.
Towards Lu Chen, who was dressed simply, he showed no signs of disdain. He understood that those who possessed the Qingyun Token either had extraordinary backgrounds or unique talents, and they were held in high regard. Although he had joined the Tianjian Sect in advance, he knew that he would soon be surpassed by the talented individuals present.
After a moment, the flying boat arrived before an awe-inspiring formation that blotted out the sky.
The formation stretched as far as the eye could see, and the sky above was filled with twinkling stars. From time to time, a shooting star would fall, landing on the surface of the formation and stirring up sword auras that resembled swimming fish.
Lu Chen focused his gaze, and within the stars, an infinite sword aura suddenly emerged.
"This is the Heaven-Encompassing Star Sword Formation, the protective grand formation of the Tianjian Sect, renowned throughout the cultivation world as a deadly killing formation. Even Nascent Soul stage experts who fall into this sword formation may meet their end."
The dignified Tianjian Sect outer sect disciple introduced the formation with pride.
After the flying boat landed, he led Lu Chen and the others to a gigantic stone turtle.
The stone turtle was massive, its shell weathered by countless years, lying motionless at the edge of the sword formation.
The Tianjian Sect disciple flicked his finger, sending a deep purple pill into the stone turtle's mouth. With difficulty and slowness, the stone turtle lifted its head, and an abstruse spiritual power flashed, giving Lu Chen the feeling that he was completely exposed before the turtle.
"This is the mountain-protecting spirit beast, the Guardian Turtle. Its age is so ancient that it is impossible to trace. It can understand human speech, discern evil, and in the future, if you want to enter or exit the sect, you can feed it a specially made beast pill, and it will open the way for you."
Feeding the sect-protecting spirit beast? Lu Chen found the idea quite stimulating.
Seeing the ancient turtle nod slightly, the Tianjian Sect disciple stepped forward to the spirit power barrier and took out a black token. Spiritual power flashed, and a small door appeared in the barrier, large enough for two people to pass through.
Lu Chen followed him through the door and into the sword formation.
As soon as he entered, he felt a surge of rich and pure spiritual power wash over him, causing the spiritual power in his body to become instantly more vibrant, many times stronger than what he had experienced in his small courtyard in the market district.
He even felt an illusion that his cultivation would progress rapidly in such a spiritually abundant environment.
"As expected of a sect. With this abundant and pure spiritual energy, spiritual herbs should grow faster and have a higher chance of achieving higher quality."
Lu Chen thought to himself.
Within the sect, the mountains and lakes were shrouded in mist, with ethereal clouds and colorful mist, presenting a magnificent sight. Various exotic spiritual birds and beasts roamed freely, showcasing the grandeur of the sect.
(End of Chapter)
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