Chapter 134: The Aura of Spirit, Inner Sect Disciple

Chapter 134: The Aura of Spirit, Inner Sect Disciple

"My entry into the Spirit Realm went rather smoothly, although it was not exactly close to the array's location.

But I didn't encounter too much trouble along the way..."

Chu Ning immediately began to recount his experience.

Of course, he wouldn't divulge the details of his encounters.

After all, he had discovered the Yin Demon Sect's people, but he hadn't been in his original form at the time.

Moreover, with Tan Zhang and Lin Lan perishing in the outburst of Spirit Aura, naturally, no one else would know about it either.

As for his encounter with the Inner Sect disciple who had perfected his Qi Refining and killing him, he would definitely keep that a secret.

Who knew if this person was connected to any of the Golden Core cultivators present?

However, it was clear that the high-ranking members of the sect weren't interested in how he had reached the array's location.

So even though Chu Ning gave a very brief account, they didn't ask any further questions.

When Chu Ning mentioned entering the Five Elements Grand Array, the crowd showed even greater concern.

At this point, Chu Ning had nothing much to hide, so he candidly recounted everything that had transpired.

He even included how the monk with the surname Yan had killed some disciples to demonstrate his power, not leaving out any details.

He spoke until he reached the part about the Spirit Herb's appearance and the outburst of Spirit Aura.

Chu Ning had an easy explanation for this, as he had previously received the Earth Spirit Bracelet as a reward from the sect.

He then mentioned that he had quite a few mid-grade lower-tier defensive talismans on him.

After all, Liao Yunming had given him some, and he had already used them when dealing with the Yin Demon Sect disciples.

As for the mid-grade, mid-tier defensive talismans, Chu Ning kept quiet about them.

After hearing Chu Ning's story, Xin Wuyao's eyes lit up with anticipation.

"Are you saying that during the outburst of Spirit Aura, you were driving the array, and thus, you obtained the Aura of Spirit?"

Aura of Spirit? Chu Ning suddenly realized that he might have overlooked something.

With one event after another occurring after breaking the array, he felt fortunate to have survived, and it had slipped his mind.

He hadn't thought about it until now.

Hearing Xin Wuyao's question, Chu Ning suddenly recalled.

During the outburst of Spirit Aura, there seemed to be a streak of green light that flowed along the stone pillar and into his palm.

However, at that time, Chu Ning was focused on resisting the impact of the Spirit Aura and didn't think much of it.

But now, as he recalled, a thought occurred to him—could that have been the Aura of Spirit?

With this in mind, Chu Ning hesitated and said, "I'm not sure how one would determine if they have obtained the Aura of Spirit."

Xin Wuyao quickly asked, "During the outburst of Spirit Aura, did you feel the Aura of Spirit, which had transformed into a stream of light, flowing along the stone pillar and into your body? Or, try circulating your qi now and sense if there's a pure and refined spiritual energy in your dantian that hasn't dissipated."

Hearing Xin Wuyao's words, Chu Ning had a general idea, so he immediately circulated his qi to sense it.

Indeed, in the next moment, he discovered an exceptionally pure spiritual energy in his dantian.

Chu Ning tried to stimulate it, and instantly, threads of this extremely pure spiritual energy began to seep out, flowing into his dantian and transforming into spiritual power.

At the same time, it also surged towards his limbs and bones.

Simultaneously, the spiritual energy around Chu Ning's body stirred slightly.

Just as Chu Ning was stimulating the spiritual aura in his dantian, Xin Wuyao, who was seated in the master's seat, stood up swiftly.

Then, with a flash, he appeared beside Chu Ning.

"Aura of Spirit! You truly obtained the Aura of Spirit!"

At this moment, there was a hint of delight in Xin Wuyao's voice.

It was because he had immediately sensed it when Chu Ning stimulated the spiritual aura in his dantian.

"Stop!" Xin Wuyao exclaimed.

Hearing this, Chu Ning immediately halted and looked at Xin Wuyao with a puzzled expression.

The master of Qingxi Sect, Xin Wuyao, smiled and said, "This Aura of Spirit can enhance your innate talent for cultivation. Don't stimulate it randomly for now."

"Chu Ning, you really obtained the Aura of Spirit." Mu Ling, who was standing beside him, looked at Chu Ning with a hint of envy.

From her words, Chu Ning vaguely understood that Mu Ling must have already told everyone about what had happened in the Spirit Realm, and it was clear that she herself had not obtained the Aura of Spirit.

"Just pure luck!" Chu Ning replied with a smile.

For someone like Chu Ning, who possessed the Tiger Wood Spirit Body, whether or not his innate talent for cultivation improved wasn't something he was too concerned about.

However, it was evident that the Aura of Spirit had more benefits than just that.

It would undoubtedly aid in his cultivation progress.

Moreover, Chu Ning recalled what Elder Tong had said clearly—if he wanted to obtain more advanced cultivation techniques, he would have to become an inner sect disciple.

And previously, the sect had mentioned that anyone who obtained the Aura of Spirit would be eligible to become an inner sect disciple.

As Chu Ning thought about this, Xin Wuyao had already returned to his seat, his eyes filled with a smile as he looked at Chu Ning.

"Chu Ning, according to the sect's rules, obtaining the Aura of Spirit qualifies you for promotion to an inner sect disciple.

I wish to take you under my wing. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Chu Ning was slightly taken aback.

Could the Aura of Spirit's ability to enhance one's cultivation talent be so powerful? And now, the master of Qingxi Sect wanted to accept him as a disciple?

Although he felt that this matter was a bit odd, and the sect's actions regarding the Wood Spirit Herb had made him somewhat wary of this seemingly gentle and cultured sect master, Chu Ning couldn't refuse at this point.

He seemed to have just realized the significance of it, and his face lit up with delight as he exclaimed, "Master wants to take me as a disciple?"

"Indeed!" Xin Wuyao nodded with a smile.

"However, you are still at the Qi Refining stage, so I can only take you as a registered disciple for now.

Focus on your cultivation, and once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I will formally accept you as my disciple.

"Many thanks, Sect Master!" Chu Ning immediately cupped his hands and bowed.

Xin Wuyao nodded slightly in acknowledgment of Chu Ning's thanks. He then turned to the silver-haired elder, Mu Ling, and said, "Elder Mu, although Mu Ling didn't obtain the Aura of Spirit, she also made significant contributions within the Spirit Realm. Let her cultivate in the inner sect as well, instead of leaving her in the outer sect."

Elder Mu nodded in agreement. "I had intended for her to cultivate in the inner sect. I only wanted to temper her temperament first. After experiencing these recent events, she should have gained some insights."

Xin Wuyao smiled at her words and then stood up. "Then it's settled. We now have a clear understanding of what happened in the Spirit Realm. We'll just ask the other injured disciples some simple questions when they wake up. We'll also see if any other disciples obtained the Aura of Spirit so they can join us in the inner sect."

After finishing, Xin Wuyao turned to Chu Ning and said, "Chu Ning, come with me."

Hearing this, Chu Ning didn't hesitate and immediately followed.

Soon after, Elder Mu also left with Mu Ling.

In the Clear Heart Hall, only the white-haired Elder Yang in green robes, the injured Elder Gui in red robes, and the black-faced Elder Zhu remained.

"Sect Master's mental fortitude has indeed strengthened. Despite the major event that occurred today, he was able to remain calm so quickly," Elder Zhu commented with a sense of admiration.

Elder Gui's gaze shifted to Elder Yang. "Brother Yang, what is the Sect Master's intention in accepting this disciple? Could it be that he still hasn't given up on the Spirit Herb?"

Elder Zhu's face twisted in confusion at Elder Gui's words. "What do you mean, Brother Gui? The Spirit Herb clearly escaped. If we couldn't catch it immediately, even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't be able to find it. Where else could we look for it?"

Elder Gui remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Elder Yang.

Elder Yang finally sighed. "There was indeed a rumor that if the spiritual energy within the Wood Spirit Herb isn't absorbed and refined by anyone, a cultivator who obtained the Aura of Spirit could roughly sense the herb's location when they reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Roughly sense its location?" Elder Zhu asked, perplexed. "How would that help us find it for real?"

Elder Gui chuckled. "Brother Zhu, don't forget that among the disciples who obtained the Aura of Spirit in the sect, most have reached Foundation Establishment, but two of them haven't. Adding the five from a few months ago, that makes seven, and now with Chu Ning, we have eight."

Elder Gui's expression remained calm, but his words carried a hint of complexity. "As long as they don't reach Foundation Establishment at the same time, each time one of them reaches it, they will sense a general area. Then, we bring the next person to that area to further narrow down the range."

He paused before continuing, "This Chu Ning is the lowest in cultivation and the youngest among the miscellaneous disciples. Naturally, he is most likely to be the last one to reach Foundation Establishment. With that in mind, the Sect Master's decision to take him under his wing becomes clear."

Elder Zhu's eyes flickered as he glanced at Elder Yang. "Brother Yang, is what Elder Gui saying true?"

Elder Yang nodded slightly, his aged voice filling the hall. "Perhaps. But whether it will succeed or not is another matter."

Seeing that Elder Zhu wanted to say something more, he waved his hand. "There's no need to discuss this further with me, Brother Zhu. My cultivation has been ruined, and I've already told the Sect Master that I'm no longer suitable for the position of elder. Elder Tong is approaching his limit, and there's a vacancy in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. I'll go there."

Elder Yang stood up and walked towards the door of the Clear Heart Hall, his back emanating a sense of desolation.

Inside the hall, Elders Gui and Zhu looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions. However, neither of them spoke this time.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Clear Heart Hall with Xin Wuyao, Chu Ning arrived at Xin Wuyao's cave abode.

Xin Wuyao took the master's seat while Chu Ning stood below.

"Chu Ning, now that you've joined the inner sect, what are your plans?" Xin Wuyao asked.

Chu Ning's eyes flickered as he considered the question, eventually shaking his head. "Disciple is still overwhelmed by this good news and hasn't thought about it yet."

"Then, I'll make the arrangements for you," Xin Wuyao said as he took out a green jade talisman and waved his hand, sending it into Chu Ning's hand.

"This jade talisman is the prohibition token for a cave abode on the east side of the inner sect. Although the cave isn't large, it's filled with dense spiritual energy. Even among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the inner sect, it's considered excellent. You can cultivate there in seclusion. Refine the Aura of Spirit as soon as possible, improve your talent, and focus on cultivating to reach the peak of Qi Refining. When the time comes, I will help you with your Foundation Establishment."

Seeing the astonished look on Chu Ning's face, Xin Wuyao continued, "I've added my imprint to this jade talisman, and it also serves as your identity token. You can go to the Thousand Machines Pavilion and take any elixirs and other cultivation spirit herbs as long as they aren't rare or specially reserved. Of course, they are only for your personal use."

Chu Ning's mouth hung open in surprise at Xin Wuyao's words.

However, Xin Wuyao wasn't finished. "You can also go to the Library Pavilion and choose suitable cultivation techniques and spells.

"However, for now, you shouldn't practice too many spells or spend too much energy on talisman-making. Focus solely on cultivating and improving your realm."

Chu Ning was bewildered by Xin Wuyao's sudden words.

He now even suspected that the other party didn't want to accept him as a disciple but as a son-in-law.

"Something's not right! This is very wrong!"

Chu Ning's face still wore an expression of shock and delight, but his mind was filled with confusion.

Even if he had obtained the Aura of Spirit, which could improve his talent, he shouldn't be receiving such treatment all of a sudden.

There must be another reason for this, something he wasn't aware of.

Chu Ning's mind quickly flashed through these thoughts, but he naturally didn't show them.

With a smile and an expression of shock and joy, he bowed to Xin Wuyao:

"Thank you, Sect Master! Before this disciple heads to Yanji Fang to collect some spirit plants and other belongings, I will immediately devote myself to cultivation.

I will strive to break through to the peak of Qi Refining as quickly as possible and succeed in Foundation Establishment, so as not to disappoint the Sect Master's nurturing."

But Xin Wuyao immediately waved his hand at this moment:

"Never mind those things, there are all kinds of spirit pills and elixirs in the Thousand Machines Pavilion, just go there to collect them.

Now that you've obtained the Aura of Spirit, you shouldn't leave the sect casually before completing your Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, if the Yin Demon Sect finds out, they will surely not let you off easily."

"Yes, Sect Master." Chu Ning pretended to look flustered and bowed his head in agreement.

At this moment, a thought popped into his mind.

House arrest?

After expressing his gratitude profusely, Chu Ning left Xin Wuyao's cave abode and headed in the direction indicated by the jade talisman in his hand.

At this moment, he didn't think about anything that had just been said. He was only curious about the cave abode he was going to.

The divine sense of a Golden Core cultivator was undoubtedly extremely powerful, and his every move might be perceived by Xin Wuyao.

Chu Ning was afraid that if he thought too deeply about something, his face would unconsciously show some signs of it.

As he flew, Chu Ning realized how vast the inner sect was.

The miscellaneous area he had been in before, with its spirit plant rooms, spirit beast rooms, and other miscellaneous disciples, as well as the spirit fields, was already quite large.

But the mountain range where the inner sect was located was by no means smaller.

Here, there were not only tall pavilions but also cave abodes on small hills.

Chu Ning flew for almost a hundred miles before he finally arrived at the cave abode on the east side.

Holding the prohibition token, he entered the cave abode and was slightly surprised by what he saw.

This cave abode was really something else! In terms of the density of spiritual energy, it far surpassed the courtyards in the outer sect.

Although it couldn't compare to the areas in the Spirit Realm with abundant spiritual energy, it was still quite impressive.

There was a cultivation room in the center, with a medicinal garden in front and a living room, study, spirit beast room, and talisman-making room on either side.

It had everything he needed.

"I bet even the cave abodes of Foundation Establishment cultivators aren't much better than this."

Even though he knew that Xin Wuyao's good treatment of him was probably for another reason, Chu Ning still couldn't hide his satisfaction.

"Is Chu Ning here?"

Just then, a voice called out from outside the cave abode, and Chu Ning walked out to see a young boy in blue standing there.

"Chu Ning, I am Lin Xiaobo from the Thousand Machines Pavilion, sent here to deliver some things to you."

After speaking, the boy in blue presented a pile of items to Chu Ning.

Chu Ning took them, and the boy smiled, "Chu Ning, these are just some everyday items.

The pavilion master has instructed that from now on, you can go to the Thousand Machines Pavilion whenever you wish, as long as you show your identity token. If you need anything else for your cultivation, just go there to collect it."

Chu Ning nodded in thanks, and the boy in blue left.

Chu Ning brought the items into the cave abode and saw that they included several sets of the inner sect's green robes, a bottle of pills, a bag of spirit rice, some spirit beast meat, and a small bag of spirit stones.

Chu Ning opened the bag of spirit stones and was surprised to find ten pieces of medium-grade spirit stones inside. He knew that he had only earned a few dozen spirit stones from selling his talismans before.

As for the pills, they were the commonly used Gathering Yuan Pills for the middle stage of Qi Refining.

After putting away the items, Chu Ning finally sat down to think about everything that had happened that day.

He pondered over Sect Master Xin Wuyao's overly generous behavior and tried to guess his true intentions.

"Aura of Spirit! Foundation Establishment!"

From Xin Wuyao's words, Chu Ning easily identified two key phrases.

The other party's treatment of him was definitely not normal.

Even if it was related to the Aura of Spirit he possessed, unless...

Spirit Herb!

A sudden thought flashed through Chu Ning's mind.

Xin Wuyao was probably not interested in the Aura of Spirit on his body. What he truly cared about was the Spirit Herb.

"Could it be that this Aura of Spirit can be used to find the Spirit Herb? No, that's not right. He also told me to refine the Aura of Spirit.

And what about Foundation Establishment? Why did he keep emphasizing that I should focus on cultivating and reaching Foundation Establishment as soon as possible?"

Chu Ning carefully sorted through his thoughts.

He could basically infer that the Sect Master, his newfound mentor, most likely wanted to use the Aura of Spirit on his body to locate the Spirit Herb.

And there might also be some connection between this and Foundation Establishment.

However, at this moment, he couldn't piece together too many clues.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end