Leaving seclusion, a farce

As Jiang Yan gulped it down like a whale, the Spirit Stone in the Spirit Gathering Formation, which should have released its Qi slowly over a full day, was drained to powder in just an hour.

Jinbao, who had long been waiting at the side, immediately replaced it with a fresh Spirit Stone.

To make up for his lack of time, Jiang Yan could only resort to this rather wasteful method.

Fortunately, he had enough Spirit Stones. His second uncle had given him ten, and when he opened the parcel the patriarch had given him that day, he found another ten inside.

They had probably anticipated this situation, so he would use what needed using. This was no time to be stingy.

Spirit Stone after Spirit Stone was replaced. Finally, after Jinbao put in the eighth, the "whirlwind" of Spiritual Qi surrounding Jiang Yan slowly subsided.

Jiang Yan opened his eyes, and the stone chamber seemed to brighten for an instant.

Light arose in an empty chamber; when the spirit grew powerful enough, a mere gaze could illuminate one's surroundings.

Now that he had successfully cultivated the Qi-Consuming Cultivation Method, which could also temper the body, the great increase in his essence and Qi had naturally brought growth to his spirit as well.

Jiang Yan also vaguely felt that constantly using the Stone Book to analyze cultivation methods during this time must have tempered his spirit.

At the very least, his spirit now recovered considerably faster.

Looking inward and sensing that the original single thread of Spiritual Qi within him had now become several strands, Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction.

The Guiding Method truly deserved its place among the seventy-two techniques. It was extraordinary indeed.

At this moment, the Law Power in his Dantian formed a vortex that circulated on its own.

Under the influence of this vortex, the Spiritual Qi around him was constantly drawn into his body.

The Dao Academy's instructor had explained that once the body reached perfection and one successfully cultivated a cultivation method-

One could generally circulate the method through around twenty cycles during each cultivation session.

Yet this Guiding Method could actually cultivate on its own.

Although it was far slower than Jiang Yan actively absorbing Qi, over time it would undoubtedly allow him to pull well ahead of ordinary disciples.

Moreover, a Dao novice at this stage could cultivate only one strand of Law Power at most.

To cultivate more Law Power, they had to attain the lower ninth-rank realm of copper skin and iron bones. Only then could their bodies accommodate three strands of Law Power.

Constrained by their meager Law Power, ninth-rank Dao novices generally did not learn many Law Techniques.

When fighting with techniques, they preferred to use things like talisman implements.

Even Eighth-Grade Fangshi couldn't say they could squander Law Power at will. When casting spells, they often needed materials containing Spiritual Qi to assist them.

Only after reaching the seventh rank as a Daoist, when an internal circulation formed naturally and Law Power became abundant-

Could they learn all manner of Daoist arts freely and enrich their foundations.

This was also why only Daoists of at least the seventh rank were qualified to participate in the Immortal Dynasty's campaigns against other worlds.

Below the seventh rank, their ability to survive was simply too weak. Going would only make them cannon fodder.

But judging by the information Jiang Yan had obtained from the Guiding Method-

He could cultivate two strands of Law Power before breaking through, twice the amount the instructor had mentioned.

With twice the Law Power, he would surely sweep all before him in a contest of techniques!

Only, he was running out of time now. Jiang Yan reckoned the Prefecture Examination was fast approaching.

He formed a seal with his fingers, drawing a thread of Spiritual Qi out of his Dantian.

It became an invisible breeze that swept over him from head to toe, carrying away all the grime.

This was the Body-Cleansing Technique, a minor technique specifically meant for cleaning.

Everyday techniques like this were generally recorded in cultivation methods. Jiang Yan had learned it after just a few glances.

Raising a hand to beckon Jinbao over, Jiang Yan scanned the stone chamber once more. Only after confirming that he had left nothing behind did he push open its great doors.

"Phew..."

Although the cultivation chamber had a ventilation formation installed and was not dimly lit, it naturally could not compare with the outside.

Jiang Yan took a deep breath of fresh air and raised a hand to rub his stomach.

He had spent over twenty days cooped up here, filling his stomach with nothing but Grain-Avoidance Pills every day. It was time for a change of flavor.

Besides, he had successfully cultivated his cultivation method. He ought to celebrate with a good meal.

Jiang Yan was in no hurry. He still had to return the token first and get back his unused talisman currency while he was at it.

Everything went smoothly, though it took some effort to extricate himself from the petty clerk's endless stream of flattery.

That was only natural. Not only did Jiang Yan practice the path of consuming Qi and wielding Law, but he had also successfully cultivated his cultivation method before the Prefecture Examination.

His prospects were plain to see. The petty clerk was merely an ordinary ninth-ranker; how could he not offer a little flattery?

After all, in cultivating immortality, there were those who charged ahead with their heads down, and those who devoted themselves to cultivating connections.

All were doing it for their Dao Paths. Who could say their own choice was better?

Whatever choices others made, Jiang Yan, at least for now, was rather pleased by the petty clerk's flattery.

With the corners of his lips curved upward, he left the cultivation chambers' grounds.

As the Prefecture Examination drew near, the Dao Academy grew more crowded.

Not only had the disciples participating in this examination arrived, but so had many who had failed to qualify, and even disciples newly admitted to the Dao Academy.

Anyone interested in entering the prefectural academy would find ways to learn about each Prefecture Examination in preparation for the future.

Jiang Yan walked toward the Dao Academy's exit, taking in his surroundings along the way.

Whenever he spotted someone in the crowd whose exceptional bearing made them stand out like a crane among chickens, he quietly committed them to memory.

The tests in each Prefecture Examination differed. Sometimes candidates were randomly paired off to fight, with the highest-ranking candidates ultimately selected.

Sometimes they were divided into two opposing camps to battle one another, with those who performed outstandingly selected in the end.

Jiang Yan had even heard of one Prefecture Examination in which a personage high above had devised something entirely novel.

They had thrown all the candidates into a Small Plane that had just been conquered.

When the candidates entered, the remaining resistance was still struggling in its death throes. By the time the examination ended, the plane had been cleared out.

In short, there was no predicting the Prefecture Examination's tests, nor any way to do so. The candidates' only option was to add as many trump cards to their hands as possible.

Whether they would be teaming up or fighting one another, he needed to have some idea of the others' capabilities.

Jiang Yan looked around as he walked, but upon reaching Immortal Stele Square, he found his path blocked by a crowd.

The square was still clamorous with voices. Quite a few disciples who had dragged their feet through the annual examination were only just beginning to choose their cultivation methods.

On a meditation cushion, Li Shun opened his eyes and looked delightedly at the token in his hand. Several small characters were clearly visible on it.

Li Shun-Spirit Communion and Beast Commanding Path!

As soon as he left the meditation cushion area, several figures gathered around him and questioned him anxiously. They seemed to be his clansmen.

"Well? Which path did you enter?"

"How was the cultivation method?"

Li Shun waved the token in his hand, looking smug.

"Fortunately, I did not fail you. I entered the Spirit Communion and Beast Commanding Path."

"One of the two side paths!"

"Hahaha, excellent! Our Shun truly is remarkable."

"Indeed! But now that Shun has obtained his cultivation method, shouldn't that agreement be..."

At the last person's words, Li Shun's expression stiffened.

But he had come prepared, and forced out a small smile.

"Changing my surname and registration is a serious matter, after all. Could you allow me some more time to consider it?"

"What are you saying, Shun? We agreed on this!"

"We agreed that our household would fund your cultivation, and before the Prefecture Examination, you would take the surname Chen and join our household register. Why are you going back on your word now?"

Li Shun frowned at these words.

"I, Li Shun, have come this far entirely through my own efforts. The Chen Household's help merely added flowers to the brocade."

They could find no common ground. This single remark sent the Chen Household into an uproar, and they even stepped forward to tug at him.

Immortal Stele Square was already bustling with people coming and going. The commotion drew even more onlookers, immediately packing the place solid.

As Li Shun fobbed them off, he secretly rejoiced.

He had specifically learned this trick from a senior disciple last year, and was confident he could keep the Chen Household in hand. When the time came, he might even take the opportunity to...

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Jiang Yan caught a few snippets and immediately understood.

Many declining minor lineages had no talented youngsters of their own.

Choosing a few promising cultivators without resources and investing in them could be considered mutually beneficial.

But it was hardly rare for those they funded to turn against them after rising in status. It happened a few times at every year's Prefecture Examination, and he had no wish to wait until their argument ended before passing through.

"Excuse me, everyone. Please make a path and let me through."

A calm, clear voice carried into the crowd, cutting through the clamor. Everyone turned to look.

They saw Jiang Yan in dark blue-green Daoist robes, his figure tall and straight, his eyes bright and keen, shining as though he had cultivated some special eye technique. His complexion was ruddy, and Qi and Blood surged throughout his body.

Because he had only just successfully cultivated the Guiding Method, his every movement still followed some strange rhythm, carrying a powerful allure.

A palm-sized Mutant Golden Toad also lay on his shoulder. What an extraordinary appearance, what a handsome seedling of a Daoist.

Seeing everyone staring at him, yet no one taking the initiative to give way-

Jiang Yan frowned slightly, wrapped the Law Power from his Dantian around himself, gently pushed open a path, and walked straight through.

With his interruption, the argument naturally could not continue.

The Chen Household patriarch standing there sensed the Law Power surrounding Jiang Yan.

He raised his head to watch Jiang Yan's figure drift away. Once Jiang Yan was far off, he turned back to Li Shun, whose ugly behavior was now fully exposed.