[Your Daoist Acolyte level has increased. Current progress: 2/3 (1/600)] [Congratulations, player. Your Daoist Acolyte has gained additional transferable professions. New transfer options: Mountain Guardian Daoist (Blue), Demon-Slaying Daoist (Purple), Scripture Mystic Daoist (Purple)]
After roughly examining the three major professions, Jiang Xuan discovered that the Mountain Guardian Daoist was a transition from a civil profession to a martial one.
Because it had to be bound to a Daoist temple, all of a Mountain Guardian Daoist's power relied upon the mountain range he guarded. Once he left the mountain gate, he was like a flood dragon deprived of water. Less than thirty percent of his abilities remained. In the end, he was merely a gatekeeper trapped in one corner.
"Even if I advance to the high ranks, I'll only become a mountain god. That isn't what I want."
His gaze shifted toward the Demon-Slaying Daoist and the Scripture Mystic Daoist. With a single glance, Jiang Xuan saw that these two professions stood more than one level above the Mountain Guardian Daoist.
First, the transfer options, [Demon-Slaying Daoist] and [Scripture Mystic Daoist], were both Purple-grade. Their innate foundational power already surpassed that of the Blue Mountain Guardian Daoist.
Not to mention, both had completely broken free of the fatal shackles of "regional binding." They worked without restriction in every setting, and each possessed a core advantage the Mountain Guardian Daoist could only watch from afar.
"The core of the Demon-Slaying Daoist is that a Daoist takes up a sword and slays demons and devils. This profession inherits the Mystic Sect's orthodox Three-Five Evil-Slaying Orthodox Law. It is the direct lineage of subduing demons and safeguarding the Dao passed down by the Celestial Masters' Way, following the path of 'using slaughter to stop slaughter, using righteousness to shatter evil.' Its core advantage lies entirely in eight words: 'unrestrained and unfettered, stronger with every kill.'"
"Yet this lineage is ultimately an orthodox Daoist tradition. It teaches that wielding a sword is not for flaunting cruelty, and slaying demons is by no means bloodlust. Its central tenet has always been to carry out Heaven's transformations, protect the Dao and bring peace to the people, save the world, and deliver all living beings..."
It had to be said that the Demon-Slaying Daoist was powerful. By taking this path, Jiang Xuan would obtain a complete set of Three-Five Evil-Slaying Orthodox Law. The moment his sword left its sheath, it would possess an innate restraint against demons, devils, and evil spirits.
Moreover, this lineage's path of advancement was simple. The sixteen words, "using slaughter to stop slaughter, using righteousness to shatter evil; unrestrained and unfettered, stronger with every kill," had already explained the Demon-Slaying Daoist's core path with perfect clarity.
Yet after carefully comparing the Demon-Slaying Daoist and the Scripture Mystic Daoist, Jiang Xuan's heart leaned more toward the latter.
Mountain Guardian Daoists guarded mountain gates, and Demon-Slaying Daoists swept away evil spirits. But in the end, both types of Daoists were merely side branches of the Daoist tradition and could not be considered orthodox.
The Scripture Mystic Daoist was different—this lineage took Daoist Scriptures and mystical canons as its root, and the scripture arts of the Mystic Sect's orthodox line as its foundation. It was the legitimate lineage of scripture masters who oversaw the scripture collections within temples and continued the Daoist orthodoxy, walking the true path of cultivation: "carrying the Dao through scriptures, communing with gods through mysteries."
Precisely because of this lineage's characteristics, the profession passives Jiang Xuan would gain after becoming a Scripture Mystic Daoist were mostly related to meditation, comprehending the Dao, and studying cultivation methods.
As long as he transferred professions, this lineage could provide Jiang Xuan with a permanent boost to Dao comprehension. Later, it could even help him see through cultivation bottlenecks and resolve the stagnation of cultivation methods.
Once this lineage was cultivated to its peak, it could even be called a "walking Scripture Repository of Dao comprehension." Because it could increase the comprehension aptitude cultivators valued most, in Jiang Xuan's eyes, the Scripture Mystic Daoist's versatility and practicality were far beyond those of the Mountain Guardian Daoist or Demon-Slaying Daoist.
Beyond that, there was another, more realistic consideration that made Jiang Xuan decide to favor the Scripture Mystic Daoist:
"Though the Demon-Slaying Daoist's abilities are excellent, and a Daoist wielding a sword to slay demons and devils is indeed dashing, that sort of thing is fine for playing around with in a game. In reality, though, I only have one life. There is no such truth as evil never triumphing over righteousness in the mortal world. Taking this path would be no different from repeatedly hopping across the gates of hell. One careless step, and I'd die with my Dao extinguished."
"If there were no other choices, that would be one thing. But now that I have many paths to choose from, choosing this dangerous road would be far too foolish."
Having settled on his profession transfer direction, Jiang Xuan looked at the specific requirements for becoming a Scripture Mystic Daoist.
[Profession: Scripture Mystic Daoist (Purple Premium Grade)] [Transfer Requirements: ①: Prerequisite profession [Daoist Acolyte] cultivated to perfection (Incomplete) ②: Raise the three major spells to mastery (Incomplete) ③: Read and be able to recite three hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures and the Daoist Canon (Incomplete) ④: Deeply understand one Daoist Scripture or spell, possessing one's own unique interpretation and insight into it (Completed) ⑤: Obtain a position in a Daoist temple's Scripture Repository and conduct a special transfer ritual within it (Note: the Scripture Repository must contain no fewer than three thousand volumes, and at least eighty percent of its collection must concern Daoist Scriptures or the Daoist Canon) (Incomplete)]
"This doesn't look too difficult... no, the hardest transfer requirement has already been completed."
Looking over the Scripture Mystic Daoist's five transfer requirements, the first was the prerequisite foundation for transferring professions, while the second was a rigid threshold for entering the Mystic Sect's orthodox line.
As for the third, it certainly required extraordinary memory, but since one was to oversee the scripture collection and pass on the Dao Branch, it was a necessary lesson to undergo.
"And while this is difficult for ordinary people, it isn't a problem for me. With a powerful Divine Soul and the focused concentration of Sincerity · Heart, as long as I have texts to read, I can memorize every last one in a short time."
As his thoughts turned, Jiang Xuan's gaze fell upon the fourth condition.
This was the true chasm.
Though the third condition required Jiang Xuan to recite three hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures, it only tested memory and could be achieved through slow, grinding effort. But the fourth tested comprehension—the tiny spark of spiritual insight that could only be encountered, never sought.
"People often say that genius consists of ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration. Task three is that ninety-nine percent of perspiration, while task four is that one percent of inspiration—rarer still, and the factor that determines one's upper limit."
Jiang Xuan now understood that the Scripture Mystic Daoist was a profession meant solely for geniuses. Fortunately, through the mutual fusion and verification of the Sword of the Mind and his spells, he had already crossed this threshold ahead of time.
"As for the fifth condition, it is nothing more than finding a Scripture Repository to join... If I can receive an Excellent Rating in this Daoist Academy evaluation, that won't be difficult either."
Yet as soon as the thought arose, Jiang Xuan shook his head. He did not wish to attach himself to the Divine Firmament Sect's Scripture Repository. Instead, he wanted to build one himself.
This was not a momentary whim. Rather, an instinct in the dark seemed to be telling him that possessing a Scripture Repository wholly his own would bring immeasurable benefits to his path of cultivation and even to the road ahead.
"Will it increase comprehension aptitude? Or will it... concern an even higher profession transfer in the future?"
Unable to see through the key to it for the moment, Jiang Xuan stopped burrowing into a dead end and temporarily buried the matter in his heart.
At the same time, Jiang Xuan sighed inwardly.
"At least three thousand volumes of Daoist classics, plus a spacious courtyard. To protect the Daoist Scrolls properly, I'll need dedicated people to manage them, and high-quality camphorwood bookshelves... Building a Scripture Repository will definitely cost a great many Spirit Stones. With my current assets, it is simply a fool dreaming of the impossible."
Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice. Without Spirit Stones, and with Jiang Xuan's most important task now being to open all thirty-six Apertures and successfully enter the Dao-Bearing Class—
Though building a Scripture Repository was important, it could only be set aside for now.
Afterward, Jiang Xuan no longer used the Sword of the Mind to fuse with the Purification Spell, then used the Sword of the Mind to cut away the impurities in his flesh.
—That method truly was convenient and swift, but a sword was ultimately an instrument of slaughter. By using it this way, the turbid qi within Jiang Xuan's body could indeed be cut out. Yet because it had long fused with his flesh, blood, and qi, when the sword fell and the turbid qi left his body, a thread of his own Origin Energy would be cut away as well.
If he used it too frequently, Jiang Xuan would still deplete his origin and damage his foundation.
"In the end, I still lack Spirit Stones. If I had enough Spirit Stones to purchase replenishing pills, I could use this Purification Sword to carve out an immaculate, pure, and spiritual Dao body in the shortest time possible."
Thinking this, Jiang Xuan secretly made a resolution.
"Once I successfully enter the Dao-Bearing Class, I must find a way to overcome the hurdle of 'wealth.'"
"Relying on others' support is never stable, and opportunities like wagers will not come every time. I have to find a lasting way to make money."
Sitting cross-legged in the hall that had been converted into a Daoist temple, Jiang Xuan's thoughts spun through countless turns as he considered many things.
Just as he closed his eyes to regulate his breathing and organize his thoughts, voices outside the courtyard gradually rose in clamor—Su Household's mistress, Su Wanyi, had personally come to Green Bamboo Town with her daughter Su Linyin to inspect their territory.
Looking out through the window lattice, Jiang Xuan saw a great number of servants gathered around the Su Household, forming an imposing procession.
The first person to catch his eye was a young married woman dressed in a black palace gown. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her temperament cool and dignified. Every gesture she made carried rules and the bearing of an Aristocratic Clan carved into her bones.
Su Linyin at her side possessed another kind of graceful and refined beauty.
Since Green Bamboo Town was controlled by the Su Household through Zhou Lie, the people here basically all lived by relying upon the Su Household. Thus, the arrival of the mother and daughter was met with the people's deeply respectful flattery.
Jiang Xuan's mother, Shen Yuerong, was also summoned over. Following behind Liu Hui, she helped receive Su Wanyi.
What made Jiang Xuan sigh was that, influenced by her past circumstances, the education she had received, and this world's atmosphere of strict hierarchy, his mother was so respectful before Su Wanyi that she was nearly humble to the point of servility.
Just a few casual, gentle words of comfort from the other woman made her eyes redden as she said tearfully, "Mistress, it is not your fault. This servant simply has a bad fate..."
That grateful, deeply indebted appearance made Jiang Xuan furrow his brows, yet he had no grounds to comment.
"Forget it... Let it be for now. My cultivation is still shallow and my wings have not yet grown full. Once I become strong enough in the future, Mother will naturally be able to straighten her back and no longer need to bow and scrape like this."
Knowing clearly that everything in this world depended on strength, Jiang Xuan decided that what the eye did not see could not trouble the heart. He simply hid in the hall and did not go out.
Yet just as he thought that Su Wanyi, as the Su Household's mistress, would be too busy to notice an insignificant person like him—
After the inspection was complete, on the road out of Green Bamboo Town, Su Wanyi suddenly glanced sideways at Su Linyin and spoke calmly.
"You care a great deal about that Jiang Xuan?"
The indifferent, tranquil words caused Su Linyin's footsteps to pause.
Remembering how she had peered inside Jiang Xuan's doorway several times earlier, Su Linyin nodded. "A little, indeed, but I care about him not because of what happened before. It is because of Dong Hao..."
Very quickly, she explained how highly Dong Hao regarded Jiang Xuan. Then, with a trace of conflict in her brows, she said, "Before this, I was hesitating over whether I should contend with Dong Hao and have Jiang Xuan pledge allegiance to me."
"Shen Yuerong is very respectful toward you, Mother. If I start with her, I have a chance to win him over."
After hearing this, Su Wanyi did not immediately give instructions. Her expression unchanged, she merely asked, "Then what are you planning now?"
"I have decided to give up." Su Linyin spoke without the slightest hesitation, her voice even carrying a lofty indifference. "Jiang Xuan is far too arrogant, and he also fails to recognize his own place."
"Before, I was looking for Jiang Xuan, and I was also giving him an opportunity."
"If he had appeared, it would have meant he still understood something of hierarchy and rules. Such a person would have been worth recruiting."
"Unfortunately, he never showed himself from beginning to end. With such a proud and unruly temperament, he is plainly unwilling to submit to discipline. Even if someone like that were recruited, he would only become trouble."
Su Wanyi neither approved nor disapproved of her words. She merely said faintly, "If you are not recruiting him, then are you prepared to watch Dong Hao pull him to his side?"
"Of course not." At this point, a somewhat cunning smile appeared on Su Linyin's face. "Tomorrow, I will find some excuse to reveal this matter publicly, so Dong Hao and everyone else know that I voluntarily yielded Jiang Xuan to him. That way, Dong Hao will owe me a favor."
Seeing that she had such thoughts, Su Wanyi finally nodded in satisfaction. Then her tone shifted as she asked about another matter.
"How many people at your Daoist Academy have received Excellent Ratings so far?"
"Eighteen." Su Linyin answered, then hurriedly added, "By the seventh day, the number of people at Star Daoist Academy who receive Excellent Ratings should be between thirty and forty."
"Forty people..." Su Wanyi's tone was calm, yet it carried undeniable weight. "According to the rules of previous years, only nine or ten people from Star Daoist Academy's Hundred-Day Grand Examination can enter the inner sect directly. Even in the second round of assessment, there are only ten slots in the end for those who can receive an Excellent Rating."
"If you want to secure your entry into the inner sect, you must place in the top ten in the second round of assessment."
"Your daughter understands." Su Linyin fell silent for a moment, then reached out and linked her arm through Su Wanyi's, sighing with furrowed brows. "It is precisely because the competitive pressure is so great that I had wanted to recruit Jiang Xuan before, to gain another source of support."
"Unfortunately, Jiang Xuan can obtain, at most, a Grade B rating. He may even fail to obtain one at all. He lacks strength and refuses discipline. Someone like that simply is not worth wasting my thoughts on."