Free Taxi

Then, Zhou Hai said, "You need to reach the Craftsmanship Tower and meet Chen Xingfeng within three days, otherwise the mission will expire."

"The Craftsmanship Tower is in [Luoxia City], quite far from the Heaven Defying Sect."

"It will take a lot of time if you go normally."

"Do you know how to get there?"

Hearing this, Ning Ri said, "This disciple has some savings. I can hail... no, I can have someone send me there."

He almost said the word "hail," but thankfully corrected himself in time.

This method of transportation was taught to him by a group of cultivators when he went to perform his authentic mortal swordsmanship for them previously.

Ning Ri had told them he wanted to become a disciple, but the immortal sect was far away, and he didn't know how to get there.

Those people then gave him a Jade Slip and a set of hand seals.

As long as he channeled spiritual energy into the Jade Slip and performed the hand seals, he could summon a cultivator to send him there.

Because it was so similar to hailing a taxi, Ning Ri defaulted to calling it hailing a taxi.

The first time Ning Ri hailed one, it was a Sword Cultivator who sent him directly to a gathering place for sects, where he was repeatedly rejected...

What amazed Ning Ri even more was that this cultivation version of "hailing a taxi" also had a free ride for new users. He didn't spend a single coin the first time he hailed one.

It was precisely because of this that Ning Ri told Zhou Hai he could have someone send him there.

Upon hearing Ning Ri say this, Zhou Hai couldn't help but laugh and said, "You're talking about the [Golden Strategy Tally], right?"

Ning Ri immediately nodded, "Yes!"

The word "tally" came from the "Tally Drum Chariot."

The Tally Drum Chariot was essentially a mortal taxi.

Every li (about 500 meters) the carriage traveled, a wooden figure inside would strike a drum once.

In other words, it was like a meter.

But cultivators didn't need meters or tallies; they could fly very far in one go. The "cars" Ning Ri had ridden in weren't metered; they were all a fixed price.

However, even though tallies weren't necessary, the Golden Strategy Immortal Sect still used the name because it was easier to understand.

Of course, it was easier for people in this world to understand. As for Ning Ri, he still preferred the [Golden Strategy Taxi].

Hearing this, Zhou Hai seemed to think of something, and a mischievous smile suddenly appeared on his face. "The [Golden Strategy Tally], how many times have you used it?"

Ning Ri replied, "Twice, and the first time was free!"

He didn't have enough savings to keep hailing them.

Zhou Hai's smile deepened. Then, he took out a Jade Slip and suddenly said, "Do you know? The Heaven Defying Sect has a unique technique specifically for Anomalies, unparalleled in the world, and all other sects emulate it."

Ning Ri was taken aback. Weren't they talking about hailing a taxi? Why were they suddenly discussing Anomalies? "What technique?"

Zhou Hai said, "This technique is called the [Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique]."

"Most soul-splitting techniques in the world involve splitting one's own cultivation or Divine Soul, but the Heaven Defying Sect's Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique is different. It creates a soul shell outside of one's own Divine Soul."

"When entering an Anomaly, this soul shell becomes a life-saving charm."

"When ordinary people enter an Anomaly, they are prone to violating its rules and dying instantly before they understand them."

"Even if they don't die, they have to expend their life-saving means or suffer great damage."

"But the [Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique] is different. It doesn't consume any of the caster's power, yet it allows you to have an extra life within an Anomaly."

"However, the drawback is that the Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique can only be used for Anomalies. If a powerful cultivator in the cultivation world is chasing you, this technique cannot die in your place."

"But even so, the Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique is incredibly powerful!"

"However, you cannot practice the true Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique yet, as the requirement is for the Divine Soul to have strength, at least at the Nascent Soul stage. But I'm not just rambling for no reason."

"I want you to practice a simplified version of the Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique."

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

"Actually, under normal circumstances, Qi Refining disciples cannot learn it, but I have confidence in you."

Ning Ri was stunned. "You want me to learn the simplified version?!"

"Yes, after you learn the simplified version of this technique..." Zhou Hai suddenly chuckled, "you can use the [Golden Strategy Tally] for free one more time."

Ning Ri was stunned after hearing this, then his eyes widened as he realized—

So you suddenly jumped to Anomalies and mentioned the Heaven Defying Sect's unparalleled technique, and after saying all that, it was all to help me become a new user...

When Ning Ri left the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, he was still filled with gratitude towards Zhou Hai.

Of course, it wasn't because Zhou Hai had made him a new user, but because of the [Heaven Defying Foundation Establishment Method].

Although Zhou Hai didn't say much, Ning Ri knew clearly that among the entire Outer Sect, he was the only one capable of completing this mission.

Elder Zhou intercepting this mission clearly indicated he was waiting to give it to him.

Or rather...

Elder Zhou might have already guessed that he would refuse the two options given to him.

So, Elder Zhou had prepared a third option for him. This third option was a path of greater independence and self-reliance!

If he chose to have the elders fetch him pills to improve his aptitude, Elder Zhou wouldn't have given him this artifact-refining task related to cultivation methods.

Ning Ri pondered this, unable to help but murmur—

From this perspective, he had… completed another trial?

Then, bathed in the bright moonlight, Ning Ri walked back to the Golden Osmanthus Garden.

The entire Outer Sect had valleys, plains, and small mountains, all connected by formations. When Ning Ri first arrived at the Heaven Defying Sect, he had been warned not to wander around randomly, as it was easy to trigger the formations. Now, with his Disciple Token, he didn't need to worry about that problem.

After traversing various terrains, Ning Ri returned to the Golden Osmanthus Garden.

All the way, he had been planning to go to the Craftsmanship Tower to find Master Chen Xingfeng to refine artifacts.

Since he had the Golden Strategy Taxi, going to the Craftsmanship Tower wouldn't be a big problem.

Even if it was slow, it would only take half a day at most.

Before that, he would stock up on more techniques within the sect and see if he could improve all the strength he needed to improve…

After all, he was also worried about what might happen on his way to find Master Chen Xingfeng for the mission.

For example, what if some ultimate boss blocked his path and killed him?

However, before stocking up on techniques, he planned to find Liang Chengdao first.

Using someone else's alias was a matter that could be big or small.

It was only right to express his apology.

However, when Ning Ri arrived at Liang Chengdao's small house, Liang Chengdao didn't see him. He merely said from inside that he didn't blame him.

Met with a closed door, Ning Ri said gently, "Thank you, Brother Chengdao, for not holding a grudge against a petty person. If Brother Chengdao needs any artifacts refined, I, Ning, can lend my assistance."

This "lend my assistance" was quite flexible. If the magic treasure was simple, he'd help refine it. If it was difficult, they could discuss it further.

But at least, he had shown his attitude.

Liang Chengdao, from inside the house, said indifferently, "Mm."

"Then I shall take my leave."

With that, Ning Ri returned to his own small house.

After Ning Ri left, Liang Chengdao walked to the window, stared at Ning Ri's retreating back, and after a moment of silence, took out a mirror to look at himself. Then, he put away the mirror, turned back, and continued his cultivati