Azure Dragon Transformation Art

After hearing Elder Xie's words, Chen Xuan set his mind at ease.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition was restricted to disciples with mortal bodies?

He felt that securing a top-three finish wouldn't be too difficult.

"Elder, do you know when the next Outer Sect Grand Competition will be held?"

Chen Xuan asked curiously.

"It's in three months. You can try participating, but if it doesn't go well, it's best to wait another three years. Compared to breaking through to the Spirit Sea Realm as quickly as possible, it is more important to condense a superior Spirit Sea."

Elder Xie stroked his beard as he spoke.

The moment Chen Xuan arrived, he had seen that the boy was already at the Great Perfection of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Though he was somewhat surprised, he didn't find it unbelievable.

After all, he had long known that Chen Xuan's talent was in no way inferior to those with spirit bodies; the previous three months had simply been wasted while he was stuck in Hundred Herb Valley.

Now that he had arrived at the spirit-rich Danxiao Peak, and combined with the over fifty thousand contribution points earned from the Floating Cloud Trial, Chen Xuan was able to purchase more than enough resources.

Therefore, it was only natural that Chen Xuan had advanced all the way to the Great Perfection of the Qi Gathering Realm in such a short time.

Of course, even though he saw that Chen Xuan was at the Great Perfection of the Qi Gathering Realm, he was not at all optimistic about Chen Xuan's chances of placing in the top three of the upcoming competition.

One had to realize that although the Outer Sect Grand Competition forbade disciples with spirit bodies from participating, many of those who did enter were disciples who had deliberately lingered in the Qi Gathering Realm for years.

They did so specifically to fight for the top three spots, hoping to secure a purple or even a golden Spirit Sea.

These veteran disciples each possessed formidable combat experience and an impressive mastery of Daoist techniques.

No matter how one looked at it, Chen Xuan was still lacking.

With only three months remaining, it would be very difficult for Chen Xuan to catch up to some of those veterans.

Elder Xie estimated that even if Chen Xuan participated in this year's competition, his best result would likely be the top ten.

"Many thanks, Elder."

Chen Xuan didn't take Elder Xie's words to heart and simply cupped his hands in gratitude.

He was definitely going to give it a try.

However, he had no intention of waiting another three years.

Compared to some of the veteran disciples, he had his own advantages: Floating Cloud Moon-Chasing and Purple Imperial Dragon Flame.

Most mortal-bodied disciples in the Qi Gathering Realm, aside from the Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms they received upon entry, rarely managed to obtain another top-tier Daoist technique.

After all, not everyone was like Chen Xuan, who could take first place in the Floating Cloud Trial and earn an additional top-tier technique.

Most disciples could only hope to acquire new high-grade techniques at best while in the Qi Gathering Realm.

Furthermore, Chen Xuan's Purple Imperial Dragon Flame possessed terrifying power.

This gave Chen Xuan a great deal of confidence.

Chen Xuan and Jiang Qiong did not linger with Elder Xie for long, and the two soon departed together.

After they left, Jiang Qiong looked at Chen Xuan and said, "Junior Brother, don't be anxious. Your talent is no worse than those with spirit bodies; even if you are delayed by three years, it won't amount to much."

Chen Xuan nodded with a smile, knowing that Jiang Qiong was trying to comfort him. Although he felt he didn't need comfort, he said nothing and simply accepted her kindness.

"Senior Sister, do you know anything about the Outer Sect Grand Competition?"

Chen Xuan began to probe for information about his potential rivals once again.

During the Floating Cloud Trial, he at least knew his greatest opponents were those three with spirit bodies.

But regarding the Outer Sect Grand Competition, he was truly in the dark.

After all, the number of outer sect disciples in the Cloud Sea Sect was truly vast.

"I don't know much either, so I can't give you too much advice... However, I remember that in every annual Outer Sect Grand Competition, the top three contestants have all reached the Minor Accomplishment stage in their Daoist techniques, and sometimes, disciples who have reached the Great Accomplishment stage even appear."

Jiang Qiong thought for a moment before speaking.

The matches in the Outer Sect Grand Competition were contested by those at the Great Perfection of the Qi Gathering Realm, and it was stipulated that the only weapon allowed was the Floating Cloud Sword issued by the sect.

Therefore, the competition would primarily come down to one's mastery of Daoist techniques.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan felt relieved.

Minor Accomplishment?

With three months remaining, given his speed in cultivating Dao techniques, he should be able to reach his goal barring any accidents.

It was just that his Purple Imperial Dragon Flame would likely not reach the Minor Accomplishment stage, only the Proficient level.

However, the Purple Imperial Dragon Flame was powerful enough to fully compensate for the lack of proficiency.

Therefore, he still had a decent chance of competing for the top three in this year's Outer Sect Tournament.

Still, to be safe, he needed to find a way to further improve his strength.

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment.

He remembered he had one Enlightenment Point left; mastering one more method would increase his strength that much more.

Moreover, this was the advantage of his system.

He needed to continue shoring up his weaknesses.

Chen Xuan thought of body tempering; he would have to do it sooner or later, so he might as well start as soon as possible.

"Senior Sister, does the sect's Technique Pavilion have any decent body-tempering techniques?"

Chen Xuan asked again.

"Body-tempering techniques?"

Jiang Qiong was taken aback.

She then asked curiously, "Junior Brother, are you still thinking of giving it a go in this year's Outer Sect Tournament?"

"Since there is an opportunity, I have to try."

Chen Xuan did not deny it.

"With your comprehension, if you continue to cultivate step by step, your Dao techniques will almost certainly reach Minor Accomplishment in three years, perhaps even Major Accomplishment.

If you go and cultivate an additional body-tempering technique now, it might hinder your progress. Besides, body tempering is not easy and consumes quite a lot of resources.

However... it doesn't seem like it would affect your chances of getting into the top three in three years. Fine, suit yourself."

Jiang Qiong had originally intended to dissuade Chen Xuan.

But as she spoke, she realized that even if Chen Xuan cultivated an extra body-tempering technique, it wouldn't matter much.

Chen Xuan's comprehension was more than sufficient; even if he wasted some energy on body tempering, it would at most affect his results in this year's Outer Sect Tournament.

He would still have a very high probability of placing in the top three of the Outer Sect Tournament three years from now.

Chen Xuan smiled and asked again, "So, Senior Sister, do you have any techniques to recommend?"

Jiang Qiong pondered for a moment, her eyes lighting up. "I have a very deep impression of one body-tempering technique within the sect.

The technique is called the Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art. It is said that when cultivated to its peak, one's physical strength can rival that of the Dragon race.

There is an elder in the sect who cultivates this very technique, and he is quite famous.

However... although the technique is powerful, the resources required are even more precious."

Chen Xuan was slightly startled when he heard the name.

It was identical to the name of a technique in a novel he had read in his past life.

He immediately became interested.

"Does this technique require many contribution points?"

Chen Xuan asked.

"If it were the complete version, you certainly wouldn't be able to afford it.

However, techniques are different from Dao techniques; they can be exchanged in parts.

The Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art is divided into five volumes. If you only exchange for the first volume, you can still afford it."

Jiang Qiong explained.

Chen Xuan nodded upon hearing this. He would go to the Technique Pavilion to take a look at this technique next; if there was nothing better, he would choose to cultivate it.

Afterward, Chen Xuan and Jiang Qiong returned to Danxiao Peak.

The two did not continue together; Jiang Qiong went back, while Chen Xuan turned to head toward Cloud Sea Peak.

Cloud Sea Peak, Technique Pavilion.

Similar to the situation at the Dao Technique Pavilion, this building was also guarded by an elder, and the interior was a world of its own.