Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven?
Zhou Wuji's eyes were full of questions. What was this cave heaven all about? He had never heard of it before.
True Person Zhihua understood Zhou Wuji's meaning, and she said calmly, "Your cultivation is too low and your status is too low. You are not qualified to know many secrets of the sect."
Zhou Wuji asked curiously, "What rank and status do I need to reach to know this?"
"One must possess at least Third Rank cultivation level to be qualified to know the various secrets of this lineage. And only the sect leader can know all the secrets of this sect."
True Person Zhihua then said, " The Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven condenses the power of the nine heavens stars, transforming into a nearly tangible Heavenly Pillar, radiating boundless treasure light."
Even cultivators of average talent can achieve ten times the cultivation effect within this environment compared to the outside world.
"The specific effects of cultivation depend on the individual's talent. The stronger the talent, the better the cultivation effect."
"When the Heavenly Pillar Treasure Radiance is consumed, it will dissipate into streams of light, and it can only be used again when it is re-condensed into a Heavenly Pillar."
"There's another point: when cultivators breathe in spiritual energy within the Heavenly Pillar, their minds resonate with the pillar. Over time, the pillar will reflect their inner demons."
"If one cannot resolve their inner demons, they will Qi Deviation mad and ultimately be assimilated by the Heavenly Pillar Treasure Radiance."
True Person Zhihua concluded, " The Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven is extremely special. According to the agreement among the various lineages, only those who have made great contributions are qualified to enter the grotto for cultivation..."
Zhou Wuji understood. The entry threshold for Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven was too high, so it needed to be kept secret to avoid causing dissatisfaction among the crowd.
If one truly makes a great contribution, one can naturally enter the Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven based on that merit.
Great merit is not a figurative number. It is clearly stated in the Demon-Expelling Hall that 10,000 good deeds constitute great merit.
If he went out to resolve the Lin Household Gully matter, he would normally be awarded thirty or forty merits.
Moreover, he would have to wait for Wuyun to send a letter confirming that the matter was settled before the merit could be transferred to his name.
In cases like Lin Household Gully, it takes resolving three hundred cases to accumulate enough merit for one major achievement.
Generally speaking, cultivators below the Fourth Rank would find it difficult to accumulate ten thousand merits even after a lifetime of work.
Zhou Wuji asked, "Did Lu Wuyuan and Yan Wudong also go to Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven?"
"That's natural; otherwise, how could someone so young easily advance to the Fourth Rank?"
True Person Zhihua calmly said, "They all had their masters perform great deeds on their behalf before they were able to enter the grotto-heaven for cultivation."
"Once they have accumulated great merit, they will also be expected to provide assistance to future generations of their lineage..."
Zhou Wuji suddenly felt that Zhiyuan was truly incompetent; he had been the abbot of the Lower Court for so long, yet he hadn't earned a single merit.
Zhiyuan great merit, I will definitely offer him a price. If he doesn't sell, it means I truly don't have it.
The old man didn't even know about the grotto-heaven; otherwise, he should have been reminded at least once.
True Person Zhihua must have made a great contribution. Her cooperation with the Fire Phoenix Army in eliminating Lord of Yunmeng is at least worthy of a great contribution.
However, True Person Zhihua would certainly use the merit to care for his own descendants, and would never give it to him...
He completely understood this; no one is a saint, and no one would prioritize the needs of outsiders over their own.
Since he's not a saint, he won't expect others to be saints.
Another point is that although he and True Person Zhihua have a good relationship, it is a private one. This matter, however, involves the lineages of various sects and is not a private matter.
He had always owed True Person Zhihua a favor, and he resented True Person Zhihua simply because True Person Zhihua hadn't gone to great lengths to help him. He couldn't possibly do such a thing...
True Person Zhihua didn't say anything more; she believed Zhou Wuji could understand the implications.
Upon arriving at the Upright Heart Hall, it was True Person Zhihua who recounted the events in detail.
Zhiyun did not ask Cui Yuanfeng. True Person Zhihua had already made it clear enough that asking a mere Devil Cultivator Wuyi.
He also felt that this matter was very important, and immediately sent True Person Zhihua to Yue Ridge to investigate the situation.
If everything is true, they must immediately report it to the Academy and the Heavenly Master's Manor.
Zhiyun only instructed Zhou Wuji to keep it a secret; Zhou Wuji was not responsible for anything else.
After all, Zhou Wuji was only Fifth Rank cultivator. His ability to keenly detect the barbarians' unusual movements was already a great achievement. The rest of the work did not require a Fifth Rank cultivator.
Zhou Wuji was quite satisfied with the result. He had killed a group of barbarians and had a lot of life points at his disposal, more than he could use.
The barbarians are valuable, but Yue Ridge is too dangerous; there's no need to be reckless and take the risk.
After leaving the Upright Heart Hall, True Person Zhihua Zhou Wuji hesitated for a moment before heading down to the Flying Profound Hall.
The rear hall was large and deep, almost devoid of sunlight. The front and back doors were open, and even at the hottest time of day, the breeze passing through brought a touch of coolness.
The Zhiyuan priest, dressed in a thin Daoist robe with his chest half-open, revealing his thin chest, lay on a bamboo chair, occasionally waving his whisk to shoo away mosquitoes, looking relaxed and carefree.
Zhou Wuji bowed respectfully from afar, saying, "Grandmaster Uncle, your disciple has come to see you."
Zhiyuan, the old man, slightly lifted his eyelids and glanced at Zhou Wuji. He snorted, "Coming here in the middle of the day, there must be something you need."
"Hehe, maybe we're just kindred spirits, you understand me best."
Zhou Wuji chuckled and moved closer. Zhiyuan was two generations older than him, but both of them were very pragmatic and utilitarian in their actions, yet they had their own bottom line.
He was closer to his Uncle Yiping, but he got along better with Zhiyuan. When he was with the old man, he didn't hold back as much when he spoke.
"Grandmaster Uncle, do you know about the Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven?"
There was no one in the back hall, Zhou Wuji was certain that no one was around. In the Flying Profound Hall, no one could escape his notice, so he didn't need to worry about such secrets getting out.
"Have no idea."
Zhiyuan opened his old eyes and looked at Zhou Wuji, "Since it's called a grotto-heaven, it must be a sacred place for cultivation."
"Grandmaster Uncle is wise; it is indeed so."
Zhou Wuji briefly explained the matter of Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven. He believed that the old Daoist was very reliable, more so than Yiping and Yizhen, and would never speak carelessly.
Although this matter was kept secret, it wasn't exactly top secret. It was just that the higher-ups didn't want the news to spread widely, lest it arouse envy and jealousy among many cultivators.
Zhiyuan pounded his fist and said angrily, "I knew the Lu Household and the Yan Household were not right. Sure enough, these big Lineage can only produce geniuses in every generation by monopolizing cultivation caves."
"Oh shit..."
Zhiyuan couldn't help but curse as well, but then he sighed helplessly, "What can we do when our master is so disappointing!"
Zhou Wuji chuckled dryly. He didn't look down on Zhiyuan; he knew from the old Daoist's reaction to the tree heart that this person's talent for cultivation was only above average, not even first-rate.
He abruptly changed the subject, saying, "Grandmaster Uncle, this is a top secret of the sect. You mustn't tell anyone, or I'll be in big trouble..."
Zhiyuan replied irritably, "Of course I wouldn't talk nonsense."
"Grandmaster Uncle, I have another matter I'd like you to consider..."
Zhou Wuji then recounted the matter of the barbarians. It wasn't that he couldn't keep things to himself, but rather that he didn't understand the relationships between the various factions within the Upper Court, nor did he grasp the depth of the situation.
Zhiyuan was mediocre, but he was cunning and shrewd, and still had some connections in the Upper Court, so he was very clear about the situation Upper Court.
Ask him directly, and he'll have a clearer understanding of the situation.
" True Person Zhihua is ambitious and enterprising. You've come to the True Person Zhihua to explain this matter to him."
"But you are in the Demon-Expelling Hall, yet you bypassed the Hall Master Zhiying. If this succeeds, Zhiying will definitely have a problem with you."
"As the Hall Master of the Heavenly Pivot Hall, Lu Zhijing is in charge of the Heavenly Pivot Lineage of the Upper Court. As Tianshu cultivator, you have bypassed Lu Zhijing on such an important matter, which will inevitably anger him."
Zhou Wuji sighed, " True Person Zhihua has treated me the best. How can I be qualified to please everyone? I can only choose True Person Zhihua."
"That's true."
Zhiyuan nodded in agreement. Zhou Wuji, being a junior, would offend everyone if he tried to please everyone.
Rather than doing that, it would be better to just choose True Person Zhihua.
The old Daoist priest then said seriously, " Lu Zhijing is narrow-minded and acts somewhat extremely. He is very unpopular."
"That's why, despite his high level of cultivation and being a direct descendant of the Lu Household, he could only rank fourth in the Upper Court."
" Lu Zhijing is frustrated with his career, which makes him increasingly extreme. You really need to be careful, lest he find something to use against you."
"Although Zhiying is a woman, she is quite magnanimous. Even if she is dissatisfied, she will not make things difficult for you."
Zhou Wuji cupped his hands in thanks. "Many thanks to my grandmaster uncle for guiding me through the fog and clearing away the clouds. I am now completely enlightened."
He wasn't just offering empty flattery; without expert guidance, he might have felt he'd offended someone, but he never imagined the consequences would be so severe.
Only someone experienced in the ways of the world and familiar with Lu Zhijing's temperament could make such a judgment in advance.
Zhou Wuji earnestly asked for advice, "How can I avoid this troublesome Lu Zhijing?"
Zhiyuan thought about it seriously for a while and said, "Actually, he can't do anything to you. At most, he can let his grandson teach you a lesson."
"However, as the Lord of the Heavenly Pivot Hall, he can forbid you from learning the Secret Method of the Heavenly Pivot Lineage."
"Huh?! It's such a small thing, is it really necessary to be so harsh?"
Zhou Wuji was now really getting restless. Fighting Lu Wuyuan was nothing; at worst, he could lose a few moves and save face for the Lu Household.
Although he values his reputation, he is willing to trade it for substance.
He could not tolerate being unable to practice the Secret Method of the Heavenly Pivot Lineage, which severed his Dao Path.
"This person is able to maintain a firm grip on the Upper Court's Heavenly Pivot Lineage because he controls the power to pass on Secret Method."
"The abbot is also from the Heavenly Pivot Lineage, so why doesn't the abbot care?"
Zhiyuan said, "Based on my understanding of him, he will definitely do that. Moreover, your rapid advancement to the Fifth Rank will threaten Lu Wuyuan's position, so he will be even less polite to you."
"The abbot is also surnamed Lu, though he's from a collateral branch of the Lu Household. He might not be able to help you in this matter."
The old Daoist thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you switch your allegiance to True Person Zhihua... or find an opportunity to go to our academy and find a powerful backer..."
Zhou Wuji returned to his room, and the thought of Lu Zhijing's possible revenge made him feel uneasy, even though it hadn't happened yet.
What should he do if this actually happens?
It would be easy for him to switch sides to Yuheng in a fit of anger, but if word got out, the entire sect would consider him a traitor.
After all, any infighting within the same lineage is internal strife. Therefore, most people would definitely think he was wrong to switch sides.
The sect leader would definitely think he was rough and reckless, unable to solve the problems of the Upper Court, and therefore unsuitable for important positions.
If it were anything else, Zhou Wuji wouldn't mind taking a few steps back.
The transmission of Secret Method is of paramount importance to him, and he must not give up on it.
He needed to think carefully about how to deal with it...