After bidding farewell to Master Zhou, Chu Bai did not delay and went straight to the Spirit Pavilion located in the core area of the Dao Academy.
This towering tower is even more majestic when viewed up close. The blue-black tower body seems to be cast from a single piece of Black Iron, with complex and obscure patterns flowing on its surface.
Just standing in front of the gate, you can feel the amazing spiritual pressure overflowing from the tower, as if you are facing a dormant giant beast.
Chu Bai took out the token with residual temperature and placed it in the verification groove on the side of the door.
"Buzz--"
A slight wave of spiritual power spread out, without any guard blocking it, and a translucent light curtain unfolded in front of his eyes out of thin air.
Above the light curtain, densely packed light points flickered like a galaxy. Each light point represented an independent blessed land space.
"Grade A student Chu Bai, permission verification passed."
A mechanically indifferent voice sounded in my mind, "There are currently thirty-two spaces available for Grade A Blessed Land, please select the attribute Five Phases."
Chu Bai knows it in his heart. It is said that if you spend Dao Merit to enter Spirit Pavilion, you can only choose the Five Phases attributes of the general category at most. As for whether you can encounter better spiritual energy after entering, it all depends on luck.
But now he is holding the reward token, and his permission is obviously one level higher.
He raised his hand and lightly tapped the word "gold" in the void with his fingertips.
The light screen picture suddenly changed, and the originally general attributes were instantly refined. Dozens of pictures with different sharp auras emerged, and a brief description in small seal scripts was thoughtfully attached below.
Chu Bai glanced across.
[Thousand-Jun Suppressing Qi]: Produced from the underground Cishan mineral vein, it is as thick as a mountain. When this gas enters the body, Spell Power is powerful and steady, and is good at using heavy weapons.
[Shen Tie Ning Qi]: Born from the accumulation of blood-stained weapons in the ancient battlefields of the mortal world, Killing Intent is extremely heavy. Broken swords and broken halberds are scattered throughout the blessed land, and the killing intent is awe-inspiring.
[Azure Edge Qi]: Spirit Plant'Swordleaf Grass' is associated with Qi, which is light and sharp, suitable for sword cultivation.
The variety of Metal Element auras is dazzling. Each one has its own unique characteristics. If you have difficulty choosing, you may have to struggle for a long time.
Chu Bai thought for a moment.
The main spiritual power in his body now still has the Purification and warming characteristics of [Pure Bathing Spirit Flow]. Although as the cultivation level increases, the proportion of this characteristic in the total amount will gradually dilute, but the foundation is still there.
If you want to repair Five-Element Impermanent Root, the introduction of Metal Energy in the first step is very important.
"If it is too thick, it will suppress the flexibility of the water. If it is too light, it will not be able to support the frame of Five Phases..."
Chu Bai's gaze finally settled on a pale golden aura in the corner of the light screen.
[Innate Geng Metal Qi]: The essence of sharp gold produced by heaven and earth is relatively rare. Its nature is to kill, destroy evil, and be strong and righteous. It is the first of all golds.
"Combating, destroying evil, and strengthening."
Chu Bai had a glimmer of light in his eyes.
Although he now has many methods, such as "Formless Cloud Hand" for control and "Spirit Water Needle" for group attack, he only lacks a truly decisive and invincible killing method. Facing rough-skinned and fleshy enemies, he often can only rely on grinding.
And this Innate Geng Metal Qi is said to be indestructible and is the most difficult to find among similar spiritual energies. If it can be incorporated into the body, it will not only make up for the shortcomings, but also lay the strongest foundation for the future Five-Element Cycle.
"That's it."
Chu Bai no longer hesitated, with a thought in mind, he pressed his finger heavily to confirm.
The next moment, the teleportation array under his feet lit up with a dazzling white light, and he felt a slight dizziness. When his vision returned to clarity, he was already in an unfamiliar world.
This is an independent space about one mile in diameter.
It is not surrounded by closed walls, but by gray Chaos fog. In the center of the space, a bare stone platform stands abruptly. There are no flowers, plants and trees around it, and there is a sharp feeling in the air that makes the skin tingle slightly.
Chu Bai took a deep breath, and felt that what was inhaled into his lungs was not air, but tiny blades.
"What a domineering Metal Energy!"
He was not surprised but overjoyed, sitting cross-legged on the stone platform and running "Origin Return Formula".
As the technique moved, the faint golden air flowing around him seemed to be drawn and slowly gathered towards him.
If you are an ordinary person, you must be careful when receiving such a domineering alien spiritual energy for the first time, and you may even need to take Meridian-Guarding Pill medicine. But Chu Bai, relying on the strong physique brought by [Food Injury Leaks Elegance], forcefully sucked the first ray of Innate Geng Metal Qi into the meridians.
Hiss--
There was a tearing pain in the meridians, but the pain was fleeting and was replaced by an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.
That wisp of Metal Energy merged into the Dantian Qi Sea. Although it was just a drop in the ocean, there was a faint golden edge in the originally light blue Spell Power vortex.
This change is so weak that it would be almost undetectable without Chu Bai looking inside Subtlety.
"Sure enough, if you want to completely change the nature of Spell Power, it will not take a day."
Chu Bai secretly thought in his mind. According to this progress, over time and over time, when Innate Geng Metal Qi in the body reaches a certain scale, Spell Power will undergo a qualitative change. At that time, if you practice any metal system Spell Arts, its power will be doubled.
Moreover, the concentration of spiritual energy here is more than ten times that of the outside world!
Chu Bai just feels like the Spell Power in his body is like a long drought, and it is consuming the surrounding energy crazily. Even if he simply hangs up and breathes, the experience bar is beating at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Three hours later.
Chu Bai slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath. The breath left a shallow white mark on the ground in front of him, as if a sharp blade had been drawn across it.
He pulled up the panel and took a look:
[Realm: Qi Refining Second Layer(2/100)]
Although it has only changed from entering the second level to progress 2, this is a real increase in cultivation, faster than three days of hard training outside!
"Next, practice here for three hours every day. In more than a month, you should be able to see obvious transformation."
Chu Bai stood up with satisfaction, crushed Teleportation Talisman Seal in his hand, and disappeared into the blessed land instantly.
When we returned to the T-shaped room, it was almost dusk.
As soon as he opened the door and walked in, several roommates who were chatting immediately gathered around him.
"Brother Chu! You are finally back!"
Zhou Tong came forward with an envious look on his face and looked Chu Bai up and down, "Spirit Realm Grand Competition, although we were eliminated early this time, we could see clearly on the viewing wall outside. Especially the last scene, tsk tsk, it made my blood boil with excitement!"
"Yes!" The burly Jiang Kuo also echoed, with a bit of regret in his tone, "If Non-Self is unlucky and is sneak-attacked by Shadow Beast at the beginning, he must fight side by side with Brother Chu until the end. Even if he just helps to block the poisonous fire, his ranking will probably rise a lot."
"Come on, with your body, you're probably pretty good at blocking poisonous fire."
Chen Shi, who was holding a formation book and chewing on it, chuckled, raised his head and said, "I'm different. Although I can't fight, but this time I set up the formation behind the large army, and I managed to get into the top fifty, and I got a lot of Dao Merit rewards. I'm pretty lucky."
A few people made jokes, which made Chu Bai's originally tense heartstrings relax.
As we chatted, the topic naturally couldn't get around another influential figure in this assessment - Dong Feng.
"Speaking of which, Dong Feng seems to have changed a lot after this incident."
Jiang Kuo sat down on the edge of the bed, grabbed the spiritual fruit on the table and took a bite, thinking thoughtfully, "I see that he is outside Martial Training Ground, and Divine Capital is not so sinister in his eyes. He should have put down his obsession with fighting, which is a good thing."
"His nature is actually not bad."
Jiang Kuo swallowed the pulp and continued, "This was the case when I was with him at the Azure Cloud Academy. But at that time, he was the only one in the Academy and there was no one else. Being able to compete with him has developed a self-centered character. Now in front of Brother Chu, he has completely seen the gap. If he can understand his shame and be brave, and catch up, Dao Heart will be more stable in the future."
Chu Bai heard this and nodded slightly.
This Jiang Kuo may seem careless, but in fact he has a clear mind. Dong Feng is indeed not a treacherous person, but he values his reputation too much and wants to prove himself too much. Now that he has been convinced, he may become a pure seeker.
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."
Chu Bai smiled and waved his hand, looking at several roommates who looked tired, "After the examination and seeing blood again, everyone must be exhausted. Let's go to bed early."
Everyone was exhausted that night and slept extremely deeply.
Early the next morning, the Golden Crow rose in the east.
Because it is the rest period after the half-year exam, Dao Academy specially gave the students three days off.
Although Chu Bai doesn't have to go to class, he has just got the opportunity to the Spirit Pavilion practice, and he is also responsible for the Law Net inspection mission assigned by the prison, so he actually doesn't have much free time.
"But practice requires relaxation and relaxation, and appropriate relaxation is still necessary."
Chu Bai finished washing up, looked at the few people who were still lying in bed, and said loudly, "Everyone, wake up! I said before the exam that I wanted to treat Spirit Cuisine. I have nothing to do today, so it's time to honor it."
"Spirit Cuisine?!"
Jiang Kuo, who was still snoring, suddenly sat up, his eyes as wide as copper bells, "Brother Chu, treat me to a treat? That's a good feeling! Then I won't be polite! Now that Brother Chu is the head of the case and the number one among the freshmen, he is definitely the richest among us!"
"I'll go too, I'll go too!" Chen Shi also jumped up.
Even Zhou Tong, who has always been more reserved, couldn't help but lick his lips, obviously coveting the expensive Spirit Cuisine on the second floor of the cafeteria for a long time.
Half an hour later, a private seat on the second floor of the cafeteria.
The table is filled with steaming delicacies.
Braised red tail fish, steamed bamboo shoots, stir-fried fire cloud chicken... each dish exudes attractive spiritual energy fluctuations, and is full of color, flavor and flavor. There is also a pot of excellent "Cloudmist Spirit Tea" warm next to it.
"Come on, come on, have fun today!"
Chu Bai poured tea for several people and greeted them boldly.
If in the past, this meal cost twenty Dao Merit, he would definitely feel heartbroken. But now that he is Qi Refining Second Layer and has various rewards, he can still afford this expense.
More importantly, since he was promoted to Qi Refining Second Layer, his [Food Injury Leaks Elegance]Fate Destiny has been running even more crazily and his appetite has increased. On weekdays, he can only eat half full on the first floor of the cafeteria to save money. Today is a celebration, so naturally he has to eat as much as he wants.
"Brother Chu is awesome!"
Several people were not polite, and their chopsticks fell like raindrops.
After drinking and eating, everyone leaned back in their chairs and stroked their round bellies with contented faces.
Jiang Kuo burped loudly and sighed, "This is how people live. After eating this meal, I will probably improve my cultivation level a lot when I go back to meditate."
Everyone chatted for a while and then dispersed.
Everyone understands that the assessment is just the beginning, and the road to true cultivation is still long. After eating and drinking, you will eventually have to go back and continue to practice hard.
Chu Bai sent away several roommates and stood alone at the door of the cafeteria, looking at the main peak shrouded in clouds and mist in the distance.
"I have rested and eaten."
He put away the smile on his face, and his eyes became calm and firm again.
"Supervisor Chen once said that if I decide to join the Five Phases lineage, I can go find him."
"Now that the first ray of Innate Geng Metal Qi has entered the body, it's time to visit this Foundation-Building Cultivator today."
Chu Bai straightened his clothes and walked towards Supervisor's Office.
Chu Bai As soon as he walked in front of the heavy wooden door, before he raised his hand to slam the door, the door in front of him automatically opened without any wind and slowly opened inward. A faint Sandalwood Incense mixed with the unique pressure of a high-level monk came to his face.
He calmed down and stepped in.
The furnishings in the house are extremely simple. Apart from a desk and a few Meditation Cushion, there is only a hanging painting with the word "Dao" shrouded in mist on the wall.
Supervisor Chen was still wearing a dark robe, sitting cross-legged on Meditation Cushion, his eyes slightly closed. The moment Chu Bai stepped into the room, he slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were like lightning, and he glanced straight at Chu Bai.
"Have you accepted Metal Energy?"
Supervisor Chen's voice is plain, but it seems to be able to penetrate everything, "The breath is sharp, with a hidden meaning of destroying evil... It's [Innate Geng Metal Qi]."
Chu Bai was shocked in his heart. He had just introduced a trace of Metal Energy into his body, and even the nature of Spell Power had not completely changed. The other party could see through the root of the aura at a glance. Is this the vision of Foundation-Building Cultivator?
"The prison has a keen eye like a torch." Chu Bai saluted respectfully, "The student encountered this energy by chance in the Spirit Pavilion and felt that it suited him, so he boldly chose it."
"Not bad." Supervisor Chen nodded slightly, and there was no hint of joy or anger in his tone. "This aura is strong and upright. As the 'skeleton' of the beginning of Five Phases, it is an excellent choice."
Immediately, he changed the topic and instead of continuing to struggle with practice, he suddenly asked, "Do you know why I set up such a complicated situation for this assessment?"
Chu Bai was slightly startled, and all the details of the three-day assessment flashed through his mind.
From the routine trial in charge of Supervisor Liu on the first day, to the sudden [Earth Smoke Fire] poisonous gas on the second day, to the realistic "death" and desperate situation in the early morning of the third day...
He thought for a while and replied in a deep voice, "This move of the prison should be to test the minds of the students. To see if they can put aside their personal grudges and take charge of their own affairs under desperate circumstances."
The "accident" on the third day was actually the [Spirit-Slaying Thread]Heart Inquiry trap set up by Supervisor Chen.
If Chu Bai had chosen to abandon the injured Dong Feng and others in order to survive, he might still be ranked first in points, but his evaluation in the eyes of these overhauls would probably be greatly reduced.
"Yes, you are quite clever."
Supervisor Chen looked at the neither humble nor arrogant young man in front of him, and the corner of his mouth curved slightly, "True Intention not only saw through the assessment, but he was also able to make the most correct choice in that panic. Whether it was commanding with determination, or finally sacrificing his life to swallow poison and kill the enemy, he did a great job."
"The meaning of the Dao Academy's existence has never been just to cultivate a group of thugs who can only practice in seclusion."
Supervisor Chen stood up, walked to the window, with his back to Chu Bai, and said in a distant voice, "The so-called Heart Inquiry is asking about the heart towards the Tao, and more importantly, the ability to achieve success. In the past, there were geniuses with high levels of cultivation and the first place in the examination, but in the end, because of their narrow-mindedness and too small structure, they eventually lost sight of everyone, and even went into evil ways."
"Being behind in cultivation is only temporary. As long as you are willing to work hard, you can eventually catch up. But if your mind is broken, even with Golden Core cultivation, it is nothing but a disaster."
Having said this, he turned around and took a deep look at Chu Bai: "According to your performance this time, regardless of your temperament or means, you belong to Higher Vehicle. You should have a share of the 'Immortal Clerk' quota for this session."
"Immortal Clerk quota?"
Chu Bai was startled when he heard this. This word was quite unfamiliar to him.
He only knew that Dao Academy student Ordination was practicing in order to find a career within the system.
For example, if you get the ash basket in the county examination, you can go to the county government to work as a catcher or medical officer. This is the "official position" that countless people in a small place like Anping County dream of, and it is enough to protect a family.
And if you want to go further, you must join the cruel Heavenly Examination after graduation to compete for the official official position that is only one in ten thousand.
Only those who have passed the official status and obtained the Edict Investiture of the imperial court with White Ordination are qualified to break through Foundation Establishment.
But this Immortal Clerk... Listening to Supervisor Chen's tone, it seems that it is still above Heavenly Examination?
Looking at Chu Bai's puzzled expression, Supervisor Chen patiently explained, "When Dao Academy graduates each class, the ten best students will be selected and directly awarded the title of 'Immortal Clerk'."
"Once you obtain this status, you no longer have to be subject to the cumbersome 'Heavenly Examination', you will be directly awarded White Ordination, and your journey will be smooth and directed towards Foundation Establishment!"
"What?!"
Even though Chu Bai had a calm mind, he couldn't help but feel his breath stagnant at this moment.
No need to participate in Heavenly Examination? Directly recommend Foundation Establishment qualification?