Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion

As Ning Ri's thoughts drifted, Xun Zang ended his contemplation. He looked Ning Ri up and down for a long time before grabbing his hand again. Spiritual energy flowed into Ning Ri's meridians, circled once, and then Xun Zang withdrew his power, finally concluding:

"I think you're a great fit for our Heaven Defying Sect."

Ning Ri, who had been anxiously wondering if he'd make it to the second round of interviews and join the Heaven Defying Sect, was instantly bewildered—

He's a fit already?

That was too hasty?

Xun Zang continued, "I'm not sure exactly what happened to your body, but I believe your situation is very special, very heaven-defying."

"This aligns perfectly with our sect's philosophy."

"Therefore, we don't need to have a philosophical discussion between us."

"You can pass my assessment directly."

Ning Ri was still a bit dazed. "Ah... so that's how it is? Thank you, Elder Xun!"

Wait, something's not right...

Isn't the 'heaven-defying' in your Heaven Defying Sect supposed to mean 'acting against heaven'?

Why does the vibe feel off?!

Xun Zang added, "No need to thank me. However, you still need to participate in a disciple trial before you can officially join the Heaven Defying Sect. Elder Zhou of the outer sect will decide if you are eligible to participate in the trial."

"So, you can go see Elder Zhou next. If he agrees, you'll be able to participate in the disciple trial."

Ning Ri immediately replied, "Okay!"

Since Ning Ri was the last candidate to be assessed, the disciple recruitment ended after he passed.

After leaving the Heaven Defying Sect's disciple recruitment office, the burly man who had been holding the stele led Ning Ri to the Golden Osmanthus Garden, where outer sect disciples usually gathered.

Ning Ri politely asked, "Senior Brother, how should I address you?"

The stele-holding man said, "My name is Li Cheng. You can call me Senior Brother Bei..."

Seeing the look of surprise flash across Ning Ri's face, Li Cheng explained, "Due to my cultivation path, I need to act as a trial stele recently. It's best if everyone calls me 'Stele' so I can strengthen my identification with it."

Ning Ri: "?"

What is he talking about?

Is he joking?

Ning Ri gave a dry laugh. "Haha, Senior Brother Bei, I'm sorry, but I'd like to know why you're acting as a stele?"

Li Cheng didn't hide anything and said solemnly, "I cultivate the [Path of Miraculous Objects Defying Heaven]. Heavenly treasures descend, secretly conforming to the will of heaven. Miraculous objects are born and nurtured by heaven, and so is the raw material for trial steles—[Spirit-Touching Stone]."

"[Spirit-Touching Stone] can detect a person's spiritual roots and directly points to the essence of a cultivator. It has an inseparable connection with the Heavenly Dao's ability to control myriad cultivators."

"If I can successfully become a trial stele, it will prove that I have grasped a trace of heavenly will. Then I can act on behalf of heaven and successfully defy it."

Ning Ri was momentarily speechless after hearing this, but it seemed to make sense. He said, "Then I wish you success in your path and a smooth journey, Senior Brother."

"Haha." Hearing Ning Ri's words, Li Cheng laughed, patted Ning Ri's shoulder, and said, "Junior Brother, what are your thoughts on defying heaven?"

Ning Ri pondered for a moment. "To cultivate diligently, become an immortal, live as long as heaven and earth, and finally surpass the Heavenly Dao. This is my understanding of defying heaven."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Li Cheng exclaimed in surprise, "You're a traditional cultivator?"

Ning Ri: "May I ask, Senior Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Li Cheng said, "The traditional cultivation sect advocates for cultivation as the primary focus. You fit that description, but our Heaven Defying Sect does not."

"Traditional cultivation, defying heaven with ancient methods, while not entirely useless, is too inefficient and outdated. The environment of heaven and earth is not as good as it was in ancient times..."

"Therefore, we are now researching new ways to defy heaven. While we haven't abandoned cultivation, we advocate more for finding a path to defying heaven that resonates with one's inner self. This way, it's more convenient."

Speaking of which, Li Cheng said with some regret, "It's a shame you advocate for traditional cultivation..."

Hearing this, Ning Ri whispered, "Senior Brother, I don't actually strongly advocate for traditional cultivation. I think new-era cultivation is more suitable for us. You know, I always get bored with the old and fancy the new."

"Ah! Junior Brother Ning, you jest." Li Cheng understood Ning Ri's meaning and quickly said, "Don't worry, you can still join the Heaven Defying Sect even if you advocate for traditional cultivation. The Heaven Defying Sect only wants to gather like-minded individuals who harbor the will to defy heaven and seek the path to immortality together. Whether you're traditional or new-style, you can join us."

"Come, let's not talk so much for now. I'll take you to the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion in the Golden Osmanthus Garden to wait."

"We'll wait for Elder Zhou to assess your physique before making a final decision."

Ning Ri: "Yes!"

Upon arriving at the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion.

Li Cheng left first to find the Elder Zhou, who was the head of the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, as he had mentioned.

As for Ning Ri, he stood outside the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, extremely excited.

He looked at the ancient and elegant building, his heart filled with emotion—

Isn't this why he came to the Heaven Defying Sect?!

Li Cheng told him he could look around and browse freely in the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, making him very happy. Such a good thing?!

His cheat was very simple.

As long as you read the main text of a cultivation method, you can generate a skill in the panel.

The Qi Refining Art and Gale Step before were obtained this way.

After generating a skill, he could start leveling it up!

That's why he was so excited.

Li Cheng told him to look around the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion as he pleased; wasn't that like a mouse in a rice bin?

Upon entering the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, Ning Ri immediately found the cultivation method section.

Because this Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion was only open to Qi Refining disciples, there was only one jade slip among the cultivation methods--

[Basic Qi Refining Art].

As for the Foundation Establishment cultivation methods above that, they were not here.

The method to view a jade slip was simple: just place it against your forehead.

Ning Ri wasn't picky and immediately picked up the [Basic Qi Refining Art], placing it against his forehead...

Swish, swish, swish!

As his vision warped, the chapters of the cultivation method appeared before him, the text dense and clear down to the finest detail. He quickly flipped through the contents of Third Stage Qi Refining and reached the end. Flipping one more page would lead to Fourth Stage Qi Refining...

Ning Ri closed his eyes, gazing at the jade slip, his breathing rapid. With an excited heart and trembling hands, he circulated his spiritual sense and began to flip pages...

A line of text caught his eye:

"You can view the complete main text after submitting contribution points."

Ning Ri: "?"

He expressionlessly put the jade slip back.

He finally understood why he was allowed to look around freely!

It turned out to be pay-to-read!

However...

Ning Ri thought for a moment, glanced around, and his eyes suddenly lit up...

Even if it was pay-to-read, there was still free content!

He could practice the free parts too!

He wasn't picky!

With that thought, Ning Ri immediately picked up a nearby spell technique...

[Crocodile Turtle Iron Bone Skill]!

A large section of free main text appeared before him.

The moment he finished reading it, a new skill immediately appeared in his panel.

He opened his panel:

[Host]: Ning Ri
[Skills]:
1. [Mortal Blade Technique]: 10 (Maxed) (Can Respec)
2. [Qi Refining Art · Incomplete]: 3 (Maxed) (Can Respec)
3. [Gale Step · Incomplete]: 3 (Maxed) (Can Respec)
4. [Crocodile Turtle Iron Bone Skill · Incomplete]: 0
Free Skill Points: 0

Ning Ri's reading speed was limited, and Senior Brother Bei was quite fast. Therefore, he had only read the free content of one jade slip before people arrived outside the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion.

However, he was already very satisfied.

He would come back later to mooch off it again.

When he found a secluded spot later, he could respec his [Mortal Blade Technique] and then add points to the newly acquired incomplete spell technique.

Just then.

Li Cheng's voice came from outside the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion: "Junior Brother Ning, Elder Zhou is here!"

Ning Ri was about to reply.

Suddenly, another excited voice rang out:

"Quick, let me see! Who is it that has calcified acupoints yet can still refine Qi!"

"This is too heaven-defying!"

Ning Ri: "..."

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