Zhang Yan had once heard Zhou Chongju ntion that crossing the Hua Dan stage was extrely difficult. If Opening ridians was laying the foundation for the Great Dao, the Golden Core was akin to the Heavenly Ladder to immortality. Thus, achieving the Golden Core was often referred to as "climbing the Heavenly Ladder."
Ning Chongxuan had cultivated for less than fifty years and was already a Hua Dan cultivator, with a Second Grade Elixir, a rarity among tens of thousands—a disciple truly worthy of Master Sun’s highest regard.
At this mont, everyone present faintly felt that in the sect’s grand competition two years hence, the titles and rankings of the top ten disciples might undergo significant changes.
After expressing his delight, Fan Changqing set aside the letter, glanced at Zhang Yan, then slapped his forehead and said, "I almost forgot! Junior Brother Zhang has yet to receive a Capture Token. But considering you slew that Demon General, this rit should be recorded for you!"
Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, and a piece of white jade flew toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan raised his hand to catch it, feeling a chill penetrate his bones as if holding a piece of cold ice. He shuddered slightly, then stored the jade in his sleeve bag.
This Jade Talisman rely required refining with one’s Essence Blood upon return, after which it could function like a Dharma Treasure, obeying the wielder’s will. However, if soone forcibly erased the Essence Blood, it would beco utterly useless, effectively preventing any claims of false rit.
Though he didn’t obtain the Demon General’s Essence Blood since he lacked the talisman earlier, Zhang Yan had slain the Demon General before everyone present and kept its head as proof. Thus, his achievent would still be recorded in the rit Book and recognized by the rit Institute.
Currently, amidst the campaign against the Three Pools, the disciples were fighting valiantly because the Mingcang Sect only taught ordinary Qi Cultivation thods to non-direct lineage disciples. Only by earning contributions to the sect or gaining the favor of their masters could they learn the secrets of advanced cultivation techniques.
Under most circumstances, a cultivator might have hundreds of disciples under their tutelage, yet only a privileged few would gain true teachings.
Even among Xuann noble families, disciples were exchanged between clans rely to maintain relationships, while their ancestral cultivation techniques were rarely passed down outside the family.
Take Wang Pan on Red Cloud Island—Du De took him as a disciple purely for familial interest but never imparted any Great Dao thods. So even when Wang Pan later perished, Du De remained indifferent.
As for the sect’s renowned Three Skills and Five Classics, and Twelve Divine Abilities, sect rules strictly forbade private transmission. Even with sufficient rit, a disciple required approval from all True Masters and elders before being allowed to learn and practice them.
Fan Chang stood upon the grand hall and said, "The day is late. Everyone should disperse and continue their cultivation despite the campaign at the Three Pools."
Seeing no further matters, everyone departed one after another.
Ren Mingyao was the last to leave the hall. Gazing upon the crimson evening clouds in the distant sky, he suddenly burst into loud laughter. Anyone nearby would surely find his behavior baffling.
"Zhang Yan, oh Zhang Yan, I nearly fell for your deception. The ’Sword Talisman’ you speak of is forged by combining five essence energies at great cost and can only be used once. Even if you possess more talismans, they can’t be many! Hmph, what a hollow display of power—I wonder how long you can keep up the pretense."
He sneered a few more tis before stepping away.
Returning to his lodging, Zhang Yan first refined the Capture Jade Talisman, then cald his heart and spirit to ditate in stillness.
At the Human Hour, a faint sound of soft silver bells reached him intermittently. He slowly opened his eyes.
Recognizing the summoning sound from the Upper Hall, he pondered briefly before stepping out of his room. With a leap, he transford into a streak of light heading toward the grand hall.
Other disciples, hearing the summons, also hurried over. In a short ti, they all had assembled in the grand hall.
Upon entering, Zhang Yan looked up to see Fan Changqing seated in a secondary position, while his previous spot was now occupied by a dashing cultivator in a white robe with brows stretching to his temples.
"Brother Ning?"
Zhang Yan was startled. Was Ning Chongxuan not scheduled to arrive tomorrow? Why had he co tonight? Moreover, he did not observe the Spirit Core Flying Palace upon his arrival—could there be so underlying mystery?
He quietly took his seat and cautiously studied Ning Chongxuan for a mont.
Since achieving Hua Dan, Ning Chongxuan appeared subtly different from before. Sitting there, the sharp Qi chanism that once enveloped him seed sowhat restrained. Yet it felt like a concealed sword edge ready to strike at any mont.
Once everyone had arrived, Ning Chongxuan swept his gaze over the gathering below, not lingering on anyone for long. Then, his eyes paused briefly on Zhang Yan, and he nodded slightly.
Turning toward Fan Changqing, he said, "I heard Senior Brother Fan possesses a map of Bixue Pond?"
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