Life Threads

Zhou Qing began to consider the possibility of vying for the position of Senior Apprentice.

The benefits of becoming Senior Apprentice naturally went without saying.

Stronger support from the sect, as well as early access to the benefits of an Inner Disciple—these could greatly increase his cultivation speed.

Compared to mortals, Cultivators naturally possessed long lifespans. Yet compared to the goal of cultivation, those lifespans were far from enough.

As everyone knew, one of the fundamental contradictions in a Cultivator's life was the conflict between progress in cultivation being too slow and one's lifespan slipping away too quickly.

Therefore, for Cultivators, any opportunity to increase their cultivation speed was rare and precious.

The only question was whether he could secure that position.

Although his cultivation speed was not merely equivalent to a single spiritual root, as Wei Xu and the other two believed, but rather four spiritual roots, the gap between him and Wei Kuang's sixteen spiritual roots was still far too great.

Although his cultivation speed would increase as his magnetic field ability improved, reaching Wei Kuang's level in a mere three months was still somewhat unlikely.

What was more, even if his cultivation speed could surpass Wei Kuang's, he could not reveal it.

So far, the only talent he had displayed was his comprehension.

There was no standard for measuring whether one's talent in comprehension was strong or weak. Even if he performed a little too extraordinarily, there would be no downside; it would only make the sect value him more.

Spiritual root talent, however, was different.

The spiritual root recorded in his file was only a single root. Such things were innate. If he suddenly displayed a cultivation speed far beyond that of a single spiritual root, it would be difficult to explain.

This alone determined that three months later, he absolutely could not display too high a level of cultivation.

Zhou Qing secretly shook his head in regret.

It seemed he could only give up this opportunity.

Striving for cultivation resources was important, but concealing his secret was the foremost priority.

He smiled. "If I gain it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate. Let it be."

Seeing that Zhou Qing did not seem struck by the news, much less depressed, Wei Xu and the others were happy for him while also feeling even greater admiration.

Wei Xu said, "Brother Zhou, the ease and steadfastness of your temperament truly puts us to shame."

Zhou Qing smiled. "All right, stop flattering me. I know why Xiaohu came. Why have you two come?"

At his question about their purpose, Wei Xu and Nie Yunxi suddenly became awkward.

Wei Xu said sheepishly, "It seems Miss Nie and I had the same intention. Why not let Miss Nie speak first?"

Nie Yunxi pondered briefly, then said, "Actually, I wished to ask Senior Apprentice to stand guard for me, so that I can sense spiritual energy."

"I want to become proficient at sensing spiritual energy as soon as possible, then apply to Uncle Chen for a cultivation technique."

She looked somewhat embarrassed.

This request was truly rather presumptuous. If the time spent sensing spiritual energy was too short, there would be little effect; but if it went on too long, she would be troubling Zhou Qing too much.

Feeling apologetic, Nie Yunxi hurriedly added, "For taking up Senior Apprentice's time, this junior sister is willing to compensate you with spirit stones."

Zhou Qing asked in surprise, "You have spirit stones?"

He had always heard that spirit stones were cultivators' primary cultivation resource, but he had never seen one before.

Nie Yunxi explained, "Three months from now, once all the disciples have successfully completed their Heavenly Cycle, the sect will provide each Outer Disciple with three Low-Grade Spirit Stones every month. In addition, disciples can accept sect missions, and their rewards can also be converted into spirit stones."

So that was how it was.

Zhou Qing smiled. "You wish to become proficient at sensing spiritual energy early in order to speed up your cultivation progress. But if you compensate me with spirit stones, wouldn't that likewise slow down your cultivation?"

Nie Yunxi's pretty face reddened slightly. "If I can sense spiritual energy and cultivate a technique sooner, perhaps I can leave a better impression on Uncle Chen. Then my path in the sect may be easier in the future."

The Azure Cloud Sect did not have fixed master-disciple relationships. Although the Elders and stewards of the Hall of Skill Transmission were responsible for answering disciples' questions, people naturally had their biases. If one could build a friendly relationship with an instructor, one would naturally gain more advantages in cultivation.

At this, the three of them could not help casting envious looks at Zhou Qing.

This fellow did not need to worry about such matters at all. He did not even need to trouble himself with the sect's various mundane affairs—Uncle Chen would naturally strive for them on his behalf.

This was the privilege of a genius.

Others could only envy it.

Zhou Qing nodded with a smile. "Come to my place every night at the hour of the pig."

"As for compensating me with spirit stones, do not mention it again. We came to Cloud Prefecture City together, and in the future, we will still need to support one another in the Cultivation World. Saying such things is far too distant."

This was like someone delivering a pillow just as he was dozing off.

He had been worrying over having no one to help him study methods of intimidating the mind, yet these three had delivered themselves right to his door.

The three of them would come to his home every night to sense spiritual energy. With no elders or masters nearby to restrain them, and with plenty of time available, it could not have been better.

Of course, he would not use the three of them as test subjects and truly use his magnetic field to shake their minds. But the results of his observations and analysis alone would provide sufficient accurate data to determine the extent of what his magnetic field could do.

Nie Yunxi and the other two were overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Apprentice!"

Zhou Qing smiled and ushered the three of them into the courtyard.

Seeing the ruins in the courtyard, the three of them were somewhat puzzled.

Zhou Qing's heart stirred, and he asked, "It collapsed from long neglect and disrepair. I was just thinking of applying to the sect for some iron tools to repair it. Do you know whom I should approach?"

Wang Xiaohu smiled. "Why would you need to do it yourself? Sect servants inspect every courtyard daily. You only need to post a sheet of paper at the entrance listing your requirements, and the servants will naturally come repair it at the time you request."

Zhou Qing smiled. "Building a house with one's own hands is a kind of pleasure as well."

As they spoke, the three had already arrived in the living room.

Nie Yunxi and the other two sat cross-legged in the living room and began sensing spiritual energy.

Seeing that the three had already entered a tranquil state, Zhou Qing immediately activated his magnetic field and began sensing the electromagnetic signals from their bodies.

The electromagnetic signals within the human body came from its electrochemical reactions.

No human activity could exist without electrochemical reactions.

Whether a thought arose in one's mind, one's eyes saw an object, or one raised a hand or took a step, all depended on the release of chemicals between neurons and the transmission of electrical signals.

The superposition of all these electrical signals formed a person's overall electromagnetic signal.

Zhou Qing's control over magnetic fields was still not precise enough to accurately grasp every electrical signal in the human body. He could only form an overall impression.

He closed his eyes, reducing visual interference, and used only his magnetic field to sense the condition of the three.

He sensed that the three of them were like galaxies composed of countless imperceptibly tiny stars.

Those tiny stars were the minute electrical signals within their bodies, while the galaxies were the electromagnetic states they displayed as a whole.

With a slight movement of Zhou Qing's consciousness, the galaxies rapidly receded and shrank, as though his perspective were swiftly pulling farther away.

In the end, the galaxies became slender threads.

Zhou Qing used his invisible magnetic-field hand to touch one of those threads. He felt that if he exerted even a little force, he could snap it.

That thread was a person's lifeline, and now he was holding that line in his "hand."