Ever since that day, Chen Shuangbai had been able to tell quite clearly that something was different about the atmosphere.
Those disciples who, like him, had been allowed to stay after developing a sense of Qi grew more diligent in their cultivation over the months following their registration.
The Daoist who taught them during the day was named Lingxiu.
After spending some time with him, the disciples all learned that Martial Uncle Lingxiu was an inner sect martial uncle who served as a scripture instructor at the Scripture Transmission Hall. He had the gentlest temper and rarely grew angry.
In time, whenever the disciples had questions, they would speak up. After he explained things to them in detail, many of their doubts would be dispelled.
After the daily question-and-answer session ended,
Daoist Lingxiu swept a calm gaze over the disciples. The disciple attending him understood at once and struck a jade chime, its melodious ring drawing everyone's attention.
"You have been on the mountain for some time now. Those of you who remained are all promising talents who have developed a sense of Qi."
"Having just looked around, I found that quite a few disciples have reached the Qi Refining First Layer. Once you reach the first layer, you can absorb Spiritual Qi and turn it into Law Power. With Law Power, you can wield Law Techniques. You have surely thought of going out to vanquish demons and exterminate devils, to cut down the strong and aid the weak."
Daoist Lingxiu had a pleasant voice, and with his handsome looks, he was like a good-natured teacher at an academy down the mountain. Quite a few disciples immediately voiced their agreement.
Hearing this, Chen Shuangbai guessed that the sect intended to teach them Law Techniques.
Sure enough.
Daoist Lingxiu continued:
"Once you have spiritual power, you need Law Techniques that suit you."
"According to sect rules, you new disciples may obtain two Law Techniques free of charge from the Scripture Pavilion Hall under the sect's Dao Transmission Hall."
"Whether to protect yourselves or to fight enemies, you need Law Techniques at your side..."
The Jade Spring Sect was a major sect in the Jing Kingdom,
and it had close ties with the Jing Kingdom's imperial family, receiving substantial offerings from them each year. Its forces were naturally vast, divided into three halls and nine divisions.
The place where the sect kept the true talismans of its Law Techniques was the Scripture Pavilion Hall, under the Dao Transmission Hall.
Besides that, the halls under the Dao Transmission Hall included the Scripture Transmission Hall, where Daoist Lingxiu served, which oversaw the instruction of new disciples and held regular lectures on Daoist arts; the Jade Dew Hall, which oversaw the cultivation of spirit medicines and development of Pill Formulas; and the Scripture Pavilion Hall, which oversaw the compilation of Cultivation Method texts and the copying of Jade Slips used to impart them.
For Chen Shuangbai's group of disciples to receive their techniques, they had to go to the Scripture Pavilion Hall.
The Scripture Pavilion Hall was not far away. It was in an ancient, secluded cave abode on the mountain beside the disciples' quarters.
Two slightly older disciples stood guard outside the cave abode, their expressions solemn and their cold eyes like lightning as they surveyed their surroundings and watched Daoist Lingxiu and the new disciples.
Of the two, the one with a long, horse-like face stepped forward to greet Daoist Lingxiu. "Martial Uncle Lingxiu, have you brought the junior brothers and sisters to choose Law Techniques?"
Daoist Lingxiu nodded slightly and spoke with the pair for a while before turning to Chen Shuangbai and the other disciples with a smile.
He said, "Inside the cave are the sect's inherited scriptures. A book spirit guards them and can help you choose suitable Law Techniques."
"But remember, once you have made your choice, you cannot change it! You must choose carefully. What suits you is best; do not aim for the heavens with your feet off the ground."
Daoist Lingxiu's tone grew noticeably sterner for that last part.
The disciples understood what was at stake and all spoke up to say they understood.
Watching the people ahead of them go in one by one and emerge soon after, either brimming with joy or scratching their heads and ears, the lad He Qi grew nervous.
Fu Qianlan watched He Qi acting like a monkey and rolled her eyes. "Will you settle down? Old Chen and I are getting dizzy watching you!"
He Qi turned back, his face full of grievance.
"Well, I'm nervous!"
"Besides, aren't you two nervous too?"
he asked in return.
Fu Qianlan shrugged, looking unconcerned.
After spending several months with her, Chen Shuangbai knew she was strong-willed and had a mind of her own. He had also heard that the Lineage she came from had dealings with cultivators, so she had presumably already made plans and naturally had no reason to be flustered.
He Qi was rather different.
His family were merchants, and he was their youngest son. He had grown up pampered and had not experienced much, so he was naturally somewhat uneasy.
Seeing how composed Fu Qianlan looked, He Qi turned his gaze to Chen Shuangbai.
"Old Chen?"
Chen Shuangbai smiled and said, "Teacher Lingxiu has given us plenty of pointers these past few months. Once you're inside, take your time choosing. If you think something suits you, that's enough. There's no need to be nervous."
His words seemed to comfort He Qi, who gradually stopped feeling nervous.
Soon, the disciples ahead of them came out, and it was the three of them's turn.
Chen Shuangbai stepped into the curtain of water floating in midair outside the cave abode, its surface rippling like waves. When he came to his senses, he found himself in a cool, dry, brightly lit library.
He did not hurry to look around. Instead, he smoothed the wrinkles from his clothes and bowed deeply toward the front. "This junior is Chen Shuangbai," he said sincerely. "I ask the book spirit to show itself."
At once, a point of light appeared in the empty space before him.
A tiny figure emerged from the light.
The little figure floated in midair, its face shrouded in a halo of light that made its features impossible to see. Apparently pleased with Chen Shuangbai's manners, it nodded slightly and said, "Disciple, which two Law Techniques do you need?"
Chen Shuangbai had already made plans before coming in, so he said, "I would like a Law Technique that can observe the flow of Spiritual Qi, and one that can both attack and defend."
The point of light visibly paused, circled Chen Shuangbai once, and muttered "troublesome lad" a few times. Then more than a dozen Jade Slips appeared before him.
"They're all here, Law Techniques suited to your current Early Qi Refining stage. Choose for yourself."
Then it added:
"Choose carefully. Once you've decided, you can't change your mind."
"Thank you, book spirit."
Chen Shuangbai bowed again, then opened the dozen or so Jade Slips before him one by one and began looking through them.
Some time later.
He Qi and Fu Qianlan had settled on the Law Techniques they wanted early on, but seeing that Chen Shuangbai was taking much longer than they had, they waited outside for a while.
A short while later, Chen Shuangbai came out.
The two immediately gathered around him, concerned that he might have run into trouble.
Chen Shuangbai smiled and shook his head. "It's just that the sect's collection is as vast as the sea. For a while, I was dazzled by all the choices."
Hearing this, the two were relieved.
He Qi could not keep things to himself and volunteered the two Law Techniques he had chosen.
"I chose Suspended Water Blade and Thousand Wave Shield. That way, I'll have both attack and defense covered!"
"What about you two?"
Fu Qianlan did not conceal her choices either. "I chose Wave-Parting Sword Finger and Wave Control Instruction."
Chen Shuangbai finally shared his choices as well.
"Cold Spring Guidance and Spirit-Appraising Pupil."