Lineage Rewards, Choosing a Secret Art

The clan chief, Zhou Daoyi, had not even asked where the Spirit Coins Zhou Chun used to buy the Moon Blade Meteor Wheel had come from. Zhou Chun found that rather strange.

But for him, it was undoubtedly a tremendously good thing.

Though he believed the excuse he had fabricated was beyond reproach, a lie was still a lie.

If he did not have to lie, then there would naturally be no possibility of being exposed.

Thus, over the following days, Zhou Chun waited for the clan chief to settle the reward for his contribution of the "Forest Hidden Cicada Breath Art," while also asking familiar clansmen like Zhou Zhengyong about registration for the upcoming internal selection tournament.

This time, the Zhou Family had set up some rewards for its internal selection tournament in order to encourage clansmen to participate enthusiastically.

As long as one entered the top ten of either the clan's Elite Group or Youth Group, one would receive an additional year's worth of Merit Points corresponding to one's status within the clan.

Though this reward was not much, something was better than nothing.

Therefore, nearly every cultivator in the clan who met the registration requirements had signed up.

Of course, for Zhou Chun, placing in the top ten of the Youth Group posed virtually no problem. Even a place in the top three was not beyond his reach.

As for first place, he had better forget it.

The Zhou Family's highest-cultivated cultivator under thirty was Zhou Zhengkang, seventh among the "Zheng" generation. At only twenty-nine years old, he had already reached Layer 10 Qi Refining and possessed at least two First-grade High-tier magic tools.

This Zhou Zhengkang was also a strong contender for first place in the Youth Group of the Five Great Families' Daoist martial arts competition. The Zhou Family elders had placed great hopes upon him.

Zhou Chun's goal was simple. Never mind the Zhou Family's internal selection tournament—so long as he could place in the top ten in the Five Great Families' Daoist martial arts competition, that would be enough.

It was said that cultivators who placed in the top ten could receive either a First-grade High-tier magic tool or pills and spiritual items of equivalent grade.

That was an exceptionally practical reward.

And so, while he waited, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Three days later, Zhou Chun was summoned to Pagoda Peak by the clan chief Zhou Daoyi's Spirit Pet, Lanlan, where he learned of his reward.

"After discussion between myself and the three elders, we have decided to grant Zheng Chun the following rewards for contributing the 'Forest Hidden Cicada Breath Art.'"

"Zheng Chun shall be promoted to an Elite Clansman of the clan."

"You shall be granted an opportunity to enter the second floor of the Book Repository and select one secret art to cultivate."

"You shall be awarded three hundred Merit Points."

Inside Zhongping Hall, Zhou Daoyi looked at the Zhou Chun he had summoned and solemnly announced his rewards.

These rewards could not have been more generous!

Leaving aside the status of Elite Clansman, the opportunity to select a secret art for cultivation and the three hundred Merit Points were both concrete benefits.

Even Zhou Chun had not expected the rewards to be so much more generous than he had estimated beforehand.

He was so stunned that he forgot to give thanks.

It was only when Zhou Daoyi saw that he remained silent that the clan chief looked at him and reminded him, "Well? Are you satisfied with the clan's rewards, Zheng Chun?"

Only then did he come back to his senses.

He nodded repeatedly. "Satisfied. This junior is extremely satisfied."

Then he cupped his hands toward Zhou Daoyi and bowed. "Many thanks to the clan chief and all the elders for your favor. This junior is profoundly grateful."

"It is good that you are satisfied."

Zhou Daoyi nodded, then earnestly instructed Zhou Chun, "So long as you devote yourself to handling matters for the clan in the future, the clan will certainly not mistreat you in the slightest."

"Yes, this junior will certainly keep the clan chief's teachings firmly in mind."

Zhou Chun answered respectfully, then left Pagoda Peak after offering profuse thanks.

Afterward, he did not delay in the slightest. He immediately changed course and headed for Flying Stone Peak, where the Book Repository was located.

Zhou Chun had not been curious about the second floor of the Zhou Family's Book Repository for merely a day or two.

Now that he finally had the chance to enter and select a secret art to cultivate, how could he possibly sit still?

However, entering the second floor of the Book Repository required Third Elder Zhou Daoquan to lift the restriction.

Zhou Chun waited on Flying Stone Peak for nearly an hour before Third Elder Zhou Daoquan finally had time to come outside the Book Repository.

Zhou Daoquan naturally remembered Zhou Chun, who had left that mysterious snake egg with him for study.

When he saw him now, he looked at him with approval and said, "You brat have had quite the fortuitous encounter. Ordinarily, only Core Clansmen may enter the second floor of the Book Repository to select a secret art for cultivation. Yet you have managed it just after becoming an Elite Clansman."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun obediently flattered him, saying, "It is all thanks to the clan chief and elders' support and care that this junior has received such an opportunity."

Hearing that, Zhou Daoquan could not help but chuckle. "Heh heh, you brat certainly know how to talk. No wonder the clan chief favors you so highly and spoke so many good words for you before us."

The clan chief, Zhou Daoyi, favored him so highly?

Zhou Chun's expression froze, then his heart filled with delight.

Zhou Daoquan would hardly deceive him about such a matter for no reason, so it was most likely the truth.

For him, this was exceedingly good news.

If he could catch the eye of Zhou Daoyi, the clan chief, then he would have someone to rely on in the Zhou Family from now on.

But despite his delight, he restrained himself as best he could and continued speaking pleasantly. "Everything this junior said came from the heart. Every word was the truth."

Zhou Daoquan ignored him after that, merely forming a hand seal and sending a streak of spiritual light toward a certain corner of the first floor of the Book Repository.

At once, the staircase passage that had originally been concealed by restrictions appeared in Zhou Chun's sight.

"Enough. This old man has opened the restriction. Go select something from the second floor yourself. Once you have made your choice, come down and tell this old man."

After waving his hand and leaving those words behind, Zhou Daoquan went over to the Giant Green-Haired Ape guarding the Book Repository and began conversing with the Zhou Family's strange beast in beast language.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator proficient in Beast Taming Arts, Zhou Daoquan knew more than a dozen beast languages and could directly communicate with the corresponding demonic beasts through them.

Of course, such communication was limited to simple words, and communicating with wild demonic beasts was far less convenient than communicating with trained spirit beasts.

Zhou Chun had long since seen Zhou Family cultivators use beast language to communicate with spirit beasts, so he was no longer surprised.

After taking a brief look, he climbed the stairs to the second floor of the Book Repository with a heart full of anticipation.

Compared to the spacious first floor, the second floor had far less space.

Moreover, Zhou Chun saw at a glance that only a bookshelf bearing the words "Secret Arts" stood within his view. Everywhere else was still blank, separated by restrictions.

He walked over to the bookshelf and swept his gaze across it, seeing thirteen volumes arranged in a row.

These thirteen volumes represented the thirteen secret arts possessed by the Zhou Family.

Of course, Zhou Chun knew full well that the Zhou Family certainly had more than thirteen secret arts. These were merely the secret arts currently available for Qi Refining Stage clansmen like them to cultivate.

Among them was even the "Forest Hidden Cicada Breath Art" he had contributed.

"Golden Spirit Sword Art," a Sword Control Secret Art. Only those with a Metal attribute spiritual root may cultivate it. It is divided into two layers. Upon mastering the first layer, one may imbue blade- and sword-type magic tools with "Golden Spirit Sword Edge," enhancing their sharpness. Upon mastering the second layer, one may use blade- and sword-type magic tools to unleash "Golden Spirit Sword Qi," whose power rivals a First-grade High-tier spell.

"Five Elements Spirit Armor Art," a defensive secret art. After successful cultivation, one may condense a Five Elements spirit armor around the body according to the attribute of one's own spiritual power. Its defensive effect depends on the cultivator's own cultivation.

"Blood Burning Spirit Transformation Art," an auxiliary secret art. After successful cultivation, one may burn essence blood and transform it into spiritual power.

Zhou Chun examined them one by one and found that the dozen or so secret arts on the bookshelf covered nearly every possible purpose, and all of them appeared quite good.

Unfortunately, he could only select one secret art to cultivate at present.

The next time he wanted to come here and select another secret art, he would likely have to wait until he became a Core Clansman.

Thus, after much deliberation, Zhou Chun ultimately selected the defensive secret art, the "Five Elements Spirit Armor Art."

He could not help it. He was afraid of dying.

After all, once this defensive secret art was successfully cultivated, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance his ability to protect himself and preserve his life during Daoist battles and deadly struggles.

After choosing the secret art, Zhou Chun carried the volume down the stairs and handed it to Third Elder Zhou Daoquan.

Zhou Daoquan accepted the volume, glanced only at its title, and nodded slightly. "Since you have made your choice, leave this copy of the secret art with Old Ape. Whenever you wish to cultivate the secret art in the future, come to him and borrow the copy to read until you have learned it."

After saying that, he handed the volume to the Giant Green-Haired Ape beside him.

"This junior obeys."

Zhou Chun responded, then cupped his hands and bowed to the Giant Green-Haired Ape as well.

At that moment, Zhou Daoquan seemed to remember something. He suddenly looked at him and said, "Oh, right. This old man has also learned some things from studying that exotic beast egg you left with me. Barring any mishap, there should be results within half a year. Remember not to run around outside during this time, lest this old man be unable to find you when the time comes!"

He had figured something out so quickly?

Zhou Chun was startled inwardly, then immediately delighted. He nodded solemnly. "Yes, this junior will remember."