Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion

As Ning Ri's thoughts drifted, Xun Zang finished pondering. After sizing Ning Ri up and down for a long while, he grabbed Ning Ri's hand again. Spiritual qi entered his meridians once more, circling halfway through before Xun Zang withdrew his power and finally reached a conclusion:

"I think you are very suitable for joining our Heaven Defying Sect."

Ning Ri, who had been anxiously wondering whether he could make it to the second round of interviews and join the Heaven Defying Sect, was instantly dumbfounded—

He was suitable to join just like that?

Wasn't this a little too hasty?

Xun Zang continued, "Although I do not know what exactly has happened to your body, I think your situation is extremely unusual—very heaven-defying."

"This aligns very well with our sect's philosophy."

"So there is no need for a philosophy interview between you and me."

"You may pass my stage directly."

Ning Ri was still somewhat dazed. "Ah... so that is how it is? Then, this junior thanks Elder Xun!"

Come to think of it, wasn't something off here...

Shouldn't the Heaven Defying Sect's "heaven-defying" mean defying heaven itself?

Why did this feel like the whole style had gone completely sideways?!

Xun Zang continued, "No need to thank me. However, you must still undergo a disciple trial before you can formally join the Heaven Defying Sect. Elder Zhou of the Outer Sect must decide whether you are qualified to take part in that trial."

"So, you may go meet Elder Zhou first. If he agrees, you can participate in the disciple trial."

Hearing this, Ning Ri immediately said, "All right!"

Since Ning Ri was the last examinee, the disciple assessment came to an end once he passed.

After leaving the Heaven Defying Sect's disciple recruitment office, the burly man who had been playing the stele led Ning Ri toward Golden Osmanthus Garden, where Outer Sect disciples gathered.

Ning Ri asked politely, "Senior Brother, may I ask how this junior should address you?"

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

Seeing the flash of astonishment on Ning Ri's face, Li Cheng explained, "Because of the Dao Path I cultivate, I need to become a Trial Stele for a while. The more everyone calls me a stele, the more I can strengthen my identification with being one."

Ning Ri: "?"

What was he talking about?

Was he trying to be funny?

Ning Ri gave a dry laugh. "Haha, Senior Brother Bei, sorry, but this junior would like to know—why do you want to become a stele?"

Li Cheng did not hide it from him. In a grave voice, he said, "What I cultivate is the Path of Miraculous Objects Defying Heaven. Heavenly treasures descend into the world in secret accord with heaven's will. Miraculous objects are born of heaven and nurtured by earth; the raw material of a Trial Stele—the Spirit-Touching Stone—is the same."

"The Spirit-Touching Stone can test another's spiritual roots, pointing straight at the essence of cultivators. It is inseparably connected to Heaven's ability to govern countless cultivators."

"If I can successfully become a Trial Stele, it will prove that I have grasped a trace of heaven's will. Then I can carry out the Dao on Heaven's behalf and successfully defy heaven."

After hearing this, Ning Ri did not know what to say for a moment. Yet it somehow sounded rather reasonable, so he said, "Then this junior first wishes Senior Brother smooth success in seeking the Dao, with no obstacles upon your Dao Path."

"Haha." Hearing Ning Ri's words, Li Cheng laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Junior Brother, do you have any thoughts on defying heaven?"

Ning Ri pondered before replying, "Cultivate diligently, become an immortal, live as long as heaven and earth, and finally surpass the Heavenly Dao. That is my understanding of defying heaven."

The moment his words fell.

Li Cheng said in surprise, "You are actually from the traditional cultivation school?"

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

Li Cheng said, "The traditional cultivation school advocates cultivation as the foundation. Yours is that kind, but our Heaven Defying Sect is not."

"Traditional cultivation, ancient methods of defying heaven—though they are not entirely useless, their efficiency is too low, and they have fallen behind the times. The environment of heaven and earth is no longer as good as it was in ancient times..."

"So now we are researching new ways of defying heaven. We have not abandoned cultivation, but we place greater emphasis on finding a Heaven-Defying Path acknowledged by one's own heart. That makes things far more convenient."

At this point, Li Cheng said with some regret, "To think you actually advocate traditional cultivation, that really is..."

Hearing this, Ning Ri said quietly, "Senior Brother, I do not actually advocate traditional cultivation that much either. I think cultivation in the new era suits us better. You know, I have always loved the new and hated the old."

"Ah! Junior Brother Ning, you jest." Li Cheng understood Ning Ri's meaning and hurriedly said, "Rest assured, even if you advocate traditional cultivation, you can still join the Heaven Defying Sect. The Heaven Defying Sect merely wishes to gather like-minded companions who harbor the thought of defying heaven, so that we may seek the immortal path together. Whether you are traditional or new-style, you may join us."

"Come, let us not say so much for now. I will first take you to wait at the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion in Golden Osmanthus Garden."

"After Elder Zhou examines your physique, he will make the final decision."

Ning Ri said, "Yes!"

Upon arriving at the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion.

Li Cheng left first to find the pavilion master he had mentioned—Elder Zhou Hai.

As for Ning Ri, he stood outside the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion, thrilled beyond measure.

Looking at the ancient, elegant pavilion, his heart surged with excitement—

Wasn't this exactly why he had come to the Heaven Defying Sect?!

Li Cheng had told him he could browse and wander freely through the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion. Ning Ri was overjoyed—there was actually such a good thing?

His cheat was very simple.

As long as he read the main text of a cultivation method, a skill could be generated on his panel.

That was how he had obtained the Qi Refining Art and Gale Step earlier.

Once a skill was generated, he could begin allocating points!

That was why he was so excited.

Li Cheng letting him browse freely through the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion—wasn't that like a mouse entering a rice jar?

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

Since this Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion was only open to Qi Refining disciples, there was only one jade slip containing a cultivation method—

[Basic Qi Refining Art].

As for Foundation Establishment Cultivation Methods of higher levels, they were not kept here.

The method for viewing a jade slip was simple: press it against one's forehead.

Ning Ri was not picky. He immediately picked up the [Basic Qi Refining Art] and pressed it to his forehead...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

As his vision warped, chapters of the cultivation method appeared before him. The text was dense and every stroke clearly visible. He quickly flipped through the contents of the Third Stage Qi Refining to the very end. Turning another page would bring him to the Fourth Stage Qi Refining...

With his eyes closed and the jade slip pressed to his forehead, Ning Ri's breathing quickened. His heart raced, his hands trembled, and he circulated his divine sense to begin turning the page...

A line of text entered his sight:

"Submit Contribution Points to view the complete main text."

Ning Ri: "?"

Expressionless, he put the jade slip back.

Now he understood why he had been allowed to browse freely!

So it was paid reading!

However...

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

Even if it was paid reading, there had to be free content no matter what!

He could cultivate the free parts too!

He was not picky!

With that thought, Ning Ri immediately picked up the technique beside it...

[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 on his panel.

He opened the panel:

[Host]: Ning Ri

[Skills]:

1. [Mortal Blade Technique]: 10 (Maxed Out) (Points Can Be Reset)

2. [Qi Refining Art]: 3 (Maxed Out) (Points Can Be Reset)

3. [Gale Step]: 3 (Maxed Out) (Points Can Be Reset)

4. [Crocodile Turtle Iron Bone Skill]: 0

Free Skill Points: 0

Ning Ri's reading speed was limited, and Senior Brother Bei had moved rather quickly. Thus, he had only finished the free content of one jade slip before someone arrived outside the Pillars of Cultivation Pavilion.

Still, he was already quite satisfied.

He could come back later and freeload here again.

Later, once he found somewhere secluded and reset the points from [Mortal Blade Technique], he could properly add points to this newly acquired incomplete technique.

At that moment.

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

Ning Ri was just about to answer.

When another excited voice suddenly rang out:

"Let me see already—who is it that can still refine qi despite having stones in their acupoints?!"

"That is way too heaven-defying!"

Ning Ri: "..."