Jade Firmament Peak

Dragon Pattern Pills were refined one after another.

Chen Xuan began consuming the pills to advance his Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art.

The second level of the Dragon Pattern Scroll focused on cultivating the legs.

On Chen Xuan's legs, streaks of dragon patterns began to coalesce.

It took a few days.

Chen Xuan had successfully mastered the second level of the Dragon Pattern Scroll; by now, the dragon patterns on his hands and legs totaled two hundred and forty.

His cultivation in both Qi refining and body tempering had reached the perfection of the second stage.

The advancement of his cultivation would have to pause for the time being.

After all, he had yet to obtain the Qi of Heavenly Dao, and Chen Xuan was in no rush to explore the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm.

Although his cultivation could not be improved further for now.

There were still other areas he could enhance.

He intended to be fully prepared before setting out to explore the secret realm in search of the Qi of Heavenly Dao.

For instance, the proficiency of his three Daoist techniques, or preparing more pills, magical artifacts, and talismans.

Proficiency in Daoist techniques was easy to handle; they could cultivate on their own. However, if he had the time, he could observe others dueling, which would also be beneficial for improving his techniques.

It was just that the duels he watched had to be of a high level.

Watching novices peck at each other would certainly be useless.

That was hard to find, so he wasn't in a hurry; he would let his Daoist techniques cultivate themselves for now.

Chen Xuan shifted his immediate focus to magical artifacts.

The Purple Imperial Dragon Flame was like a cheat code for learning alchemy; perhaps it would be the same for learning artifact refining.

Chen Xuan went out that day, intending to inquire about information regarding artifact refining.

Just as he stepped out, he saw Senior Brother Li Junmo preparing to fly off on his magical artifact.

Li Junmo had entered the sect a few years earlier than him.

He must know more than he did.

Since they had run into each other, he might as well ask.

"Senior Brother Li."

Chen Xuan called out, stopping Li Junmo, who was about to leave.

"Junior Brother Chen? Is there something you need?"

Hearing Chen Xuan's voice, Li Junmo immediately walked over with a smile and asked.

"Senior Brother, I have a question I would like to ask."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands and asked.

"Speak freely, Junior Brother."

"I have recently taken an interest in artifact refining. I wonder, if I wish to learn a thing or two, where should I begin?"

Li Junmo was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this: "Junior Brother, why have you suddenly become interested in artifact refining? We are disciples of Danxiao Peak."

"Senior Brother, there is no rule stating that disciples of Danxiao Peak cannot learn artifact refining, is there?"

Chen Xuan asked with a smile.

"That is not what I meant. I am saying that although we are cultivators, our energy is limited. Among the arts of alchemy, artifact refining, formations, and talismans, it is best to specialize in only one while our cultivation is still shallow.

As disciples of Danxiao Peak, if we are to specialize in one, it should naturally be alchemy, as our peak has sufficient heritage in that regard.

If you were to give up alchemy to choose artifact refining, it would certainly not be a wise move."

Li Junmo shook his head and explained.

Chen Xuan nodded upon hearing this: "I naturally understand, Senior Brother, but I have my own considerations..."

Chen Xuan did not explain further.

He couldn't very well say that his Purple Imperial Dragon Flame was so overpowered that he had become a fifth-rank alchemist just by reading the books in the Library Pavilion once.

Seeing this, Li Junmo did not say anything more.

Everyone's path of cultivation was different; he was merely Chen Xuan's senior brother, having entered the sect two years earlier.

Therefore, he could only offer his sincere advice once. To persist in persuading him would be tactless and lacking in self-awareness.

"If you truly wish to learn artifact refining, that is easy enough; just head directly to Jade Firmament Peak.

The situation at Jade Firmament Peak is similar to Danxiao Peak, except that they specialize in artifact refining while we specialize in alchemy.

However, since you are not a disciple of Jade Firmament, you will need to spend contribution points to enter their Library Pavilion.

Additionally, you cannot attend lectures at the Jade Firmament Lecture Hall. If you wish to attend classes on artifact refining, you can only go to the Lecture Hall on Cloud Sea Peak."

However, while Cloud Sea Peak does have a Lecture Hall, it is intended for disciples outside the Nine Firmaments, so it certainly cannot compare to the Lecture Hall of the Nine Firmaments.

Li Junmo explained the ins and outs of the matter in detail.

This was also the reason why Li Junmo had advised Chen Xuan to study alchemy rather than artifact refining.

Although Outer Peak disciples are permitted to visit other peaks, they remain Outer Peak disciples nonetheless; they must spend contribution points just to read books, and they are barred from attending lectures in the Lecture Hall.

After listening, Chen Xuan did not mind the fees.

However, his expression turned somewhat strange, and he couldn't help but feel that the Nine Firmaments seemed a bit exclusionary.

Seeing this, Li Junmo smiled and said, "Does Junior Brother find something amiss?"

"Do not misunderstand; the rule requiring Outer Peak disciples to spend contribution points to access the libraries of other peaks only applies to Outer Sect and Inner Sect disciples, not Core Disciples."

"As for the Lecture Halls on each peak, only lectures regarding technical crafts are restricted from Outer and Inner Sect disciples."

"There is a reason for this regulation. There are always disciples who fancy themselves geniuses; while still in the Qi Gathering or Spirit Sea Realm, they wish to learn everything—alchemy, artifact refining, formations, talismans—and are eager to master all the hundred arts of cultivation."

"In truth, the mediocre far outnumber the geniuses. Many cannot see themselves clearly, and the sect cannot allow its disciples to neglect their cultivation, so it must impose certain restrictions."

"Through these limitations, the sect hopes that most disciples will abandon the idea of becoming a polymath before reaching the Dao Foundation, and instead focus honestly on their cultivation and refining a single craft."

"However, where there are the mediocre, there are naturally geniuses as well. The sect does not wish to cut off the path for these geniuses, so the restrictions are not severe; it still allows disciples to spend contribution points to read in the libraries of various peaks."

"Although they still cannot attend lectures, at least there is the Lecture Hall on Cloud Sea Peak. Surely, a true genius can improve themselves even under such circumstances."

"Many thanks for the clarification, Senior Brother."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands in thanks.

"Ah, it is nothing. Junior Brother, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave. I have finally gathered enough contribution points and am planning to head to the Dao Technique Pavilion to exchange for the Spirit-Devouring Profound Fire."

"I hope the Profound Fire I condense turns out well. I don't ask for it to be dragon-shaped like yours, as long as it isn't some insect shape," Li Junmo said with a hint of excitement.

Disciples of Danxiao Peak, for the most part, greatly desire this Dao technique.

Especially since Li Junmo had witnessed Chen Xuan wielding the Purple Imperial Dragon Flame during the Outer Sect Grand Competition, he was even more expectant of the Spirit-Devouring Profound Fire.

"I wish Senior Brother success in condensing a powerful Profound Fire."

Chen Xuan smiled and offered his well-wishes.

"I certainly will!"

As the two spoke, they soon parted ways.

Li Junmo headed toward Cloud Sea Peak, while Chen Xuan made his way to Jade Firmament Peak.

Jade Firmament Peak.

This peak was located right next to Danxiao, not far away at all.

Chen Xuan arrived at Jade Firmament Peak shortly after.

Although a glance revealed only Jade Firmament disciples, Chen Xuan did not attract any particular attention.

After all, no matter which peak it was, disciples from other peaks would visit from time to time.

Upon arriving, Chen Xuan quickly located the Library Pavilion.

He walked into the Library Pavilion and approached the elder guarding the pavilion.

"Chen Xuan of Danxiao, greetings, Elder."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands and called out.

The elder guarding the pavilion looked Chen Xuan over a few times. "Here to learn artifact refining?"

"Yes."

Chen Xuan handed over his Disciple Token.