Hearing Zhou Wuji's request, Zhou Xuan'an, who was over 140 years old, found it somewhat amusing, but he knew that it wasn't Zhou Wuji's problem, but Zhihua had said.
Zhou Xuan'an looked at True Person Zhihua, True Person Zhihua pretended not to know, lowering his eyes and remaining silent.
Zhou Xuan'an had no choice but to explain to Zhou Wuji himself, " The Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel is extremely profound and complex. To cultivate this method, one must at least reach the Third Rank and become a formal True Disciple."
The Daoist priest, who was over a hundred years old, sighed as he spoke, " The Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel integrates all laws, becoming broad and then refined, refined and then pure, pure and becoming one, and one becoming perfect and flawless."
The term "golden wheel" refers to the fact that "gold" signifies purity, refinement, superiority, and the highest level, while "wheel" signifies perfection and progress.
Throughout the history of the Northern Pole Sect's leaders, only two people have truly mastered this technique.
Both of them were unparalleled in their time, invincible, greatly enhancing the prestige of the Northern Pole Sect.
Although he knows the Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel, his mastery of this technique is not profound.
If a genius within the sect were to forge the Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel, it would be an immense boon for the Northern Pole Sect!
Although Zhou Xuan'an admired Zhou Wuji, he could not make an exception and pass on his teachings. Prematurely teaching Zhou Wuji the Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel would be more harmful than beneficial.
"This disciple is ignorant; please forgive me, Sect Leader."
Zhou Wuji was also aware that he had only recently become a True Disciple Candidate, and it was unlikely that he would learn the Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel.
However, since such a good opportunity exists, it's worth a try. Even if it fails, there's no real loss; the cost of trial and error is extremely low.
The Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel requires reaching the Third Rank to cultivate, and one must also become a formal True Disciple. Knowing the conditions for cultivating the Myriad Phenomena Golden Wheel in advance gave him a direction to strive for.
Zhou Wuji then said, "This disciple wishes to learn the Northern Pole Sword."
This time, Zhou Xuan'an nodded in approval. "Everyone says you have unparalleled talent in Swordsmanship; the Northern Pole Sword is indeed suitable for you."
He then added, " The Northern Pole Sword Technique requires formal True Disciple to master. Since you've exchanged your great merit for it, that's more than enough."
Zhou Wuji was only trying it out, but upon hearing this, he was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to express his gratitude.
The sect leader took out his Heavenly Pivot Token and handed it to True Person Zhihua, saying, "Take Wuji to the front hall and find Zhilin to receive the Secret Method."
True Person Zhihua accepted the Heavenly Pivot Token with both hands, which was exactly what was expected.
Zhou Wuji bowed again before following True Person Zhihua out of the inner hall.
When Yang Tie Ying saw his master come out in the courtyard, he showed joy and moved his mouth, but remembering the instructions of True Person Zhihua, he swallowed the words that were about to come out.
"Let's go," Zhou Wuji called out, taking Yang Tie Ying with him.
True Person Zhihua led the two back to the Purple Tenuity Hall in front, where they found True Person Zhilin in a side hall and presented him with the Sect Leader 'Heavenly Pivot Token.
True Person Zhilin was very serious. He stamped the document with the Heavenly Pivot Token and recorded the time and the name of the Secret Method in detail.
He also made Zhou Wuji leave his Tianshu Seal on the document and sign it.
As a witness, True Person Zhihua must also leave the Heavenly Pivot Token mark and sign his name.
True Person Zhilin took out the key and opened the heavy iron door behind him.
Entering through the iron gate, you find yourself in a spacious, enclosed room containing several heavy iron boxes.
True Person Zhilin formed a mudra with his hands and Law Seals chanted an incantation. Runes on an iron box shone brightly, and a strong surge of Law Power emanated from the void.
Zhou Wuji didn't know the material of the iron box, but he could tell that it was exceptionally heavy and imbued with powerful Law Technique, and that it was connected to the magic array of the Purple Tenuity Hall.
Without the corresponding method and key, trying to move the iron box is equivalent to fighting against the entire magic array.
Law Technique and Law Artifact like the Five Spirit Pouch have no chance of breaking through the protective power of the magic array.
The fact that this place is so heavily guarded, and that Sect Leader Zhou Xuan'an is so close, shows how much importance the sect attaches to it.
True Person Zhilin finished casting his spell, the iron box slowly opened, and he took out a corresponding Jade Slip from it.
Without Zhou Wuji saying anything, True Person Zhilin pointed at Zhou Wuji with the Jade Slip in his hand, and a starlight shot out from the Jade Slip and landed right on Zhou Wuji's brow.
Zhou Wuji's mind jolted, and starlight unfolded in his sea of consciousness. A dharma image formed from starlight spoke, " The Northern Pole Star Emperor, supreme and victorious—"
Once Zhou Wuji regained consciousness, True Person Zhilin said, "The transmission of the Dharma is complete. You may leave."
This True Person Zhilin was a middle-aged man, clearly a man of few words.
Zhou Wuji bowed in thanks and then left the secret hall first.
True Person Zhihua had left, she greeted True Person Zhilin and then led Zhou Wuji and Yang Tie Ying out of the Purple Tenuity Hall.
"The Lord of the Heavenly Pivot Hall is the True Person Zhiming. He is fair in his dealings with people, but he is inherently reserved and arrogant."
"Everyone in this institution is like this; this corrupt habit is utterly ridiculous—"
Although True Person Zhihua was a graduate of this academy, he held the academy's customs and practices in utter contempt.
It's just a tradition formed over hundreds of years; not only can she not change it, but even the sect leader can't change it.
She said to Zhou Wuji, "You are True Disciple Candidate and have the title of Third Rank True Person, so you don't need to care about these people's faces."
"However, there are quite a few Rank Third Rank True Person in this academy, and the infighting among the various factions is fierce. As an outsider, you will inevitably face various forms of targeting, so you must be prepared."
True Person Zhihua's expression also turned serious. "You must remember every word the sect leader said to you."
"Fighting without breaking apart, and adhering to the sect's rules—this is of utmost importance."
"No matter what, we must not kill."
She gave Zhou Wuji a deep look as she said this, reminding him not to try anything clever.
Zhou Wuji knew that True Person Zhihua was doing this for his own good, so he said directly, "I understand."
True Person Zhihua further stated, " The Northern Pole Sword, through its sword cultivation methods, directly points to the Great Dao. It is one of the sect's supreme Secret Method."
"You've just become a True Disciple Candidate and have exchanged for Secret Method. You can cultivate on your own for six months. After six months, you'll be assigned a corresponding mission."
"You should focus on your spiritual practice for the next six months—"
Zhou Wuji nodded. True Person Zhihua had made it very clear that he could use the next six months as he pleased.
Six months later, as a candidate for the True Disciple Candidate, one must assume corresponding responsibilities and complete the tasks assigned by superiors.
At that time, he would have to face all sorts of difficulties and tests.
He asked, "Does the True Person know of the Great River Association?"
" Chuyang's big gang is wealthy and powerful, controlling water transport, and has several Third Rank martial artists in charge."
" The Great River Association a motley crew, and it even has ties with the pirates of the 72 water fortresses of Canglang Lake."
Zhou Wuji nodded; he had expected this all along.
These days, even government officials collude with various forces, not to mention gangs; they do dirty work and make dirty money.
It would be strange if the Great River Association didn't collude with the pirates of Canglang Lake.
An organization involved in water transport will be in big trouble if it doesn't manage its relationship with river pirates properly.
He asked, "I met a woman named Yan Baoying on the ship. She claims to be the daughter of Yan Zhen, the vice president of the Great River Association, and wants me to help her get rid of evil spirits."
" Yan Zhen, Third Rank martial artist, is very capable. It is said that he is a decent person." True Person Zhihua knew Chuyang quite well, so he naturally knew the name Yan Zhen.
Zhou Wuji was somewhat puzzled. "Why didn't Yan Baoying seek help from this academy, but instead came to a Daoist priest I met on the way?"
" The Great River Association and our academy don't have a good relationship, so it's normal that Yan Zhen doesn't want to ask for favors."
True Person Zhihua said, " Yan Zhen has no grudge against you, so he shouldn't be targeting you."
The Great River Association and the Northern Pole Headquarters have a bad relationship, but the Great River Association will not act recklessly towards the Northern Pole Headquarters.
In particular, Zhou Wuji is True Disciple Candidate and Third Rank True Person bestowed by the imperial court. If something were to happen to him, even Yan Zhen, Third Rank martial artist, would find it difficult to explain.
True Person Zhihua did not like the Great River Association, but she also disagreed with the academy's decision to distance itself from the Great River Association.
The poor relationship between the two sides mainly stems from the arrogance and conceit of the members of our institute, who regard the Great River Association as river pirates.
True Person Zhihua will not contact Great River Association, but she hopes Zhou Wuji can be more pragmatic.
What Zhou Wuji does is his business, and she won't interfere.
Zhou Wuji understood True Person Zhihua's attitude, and he felt that Yan Baoying was still worth getting to know.
He has no one to rely on in this hospital, so having more friends is always a good thing.
True Person Zhihua, and Zhou Wuji brought Yang Tie Ying to the Heavenly Pivot Hall.
The main campus of the Northern Pole is very grand, with each of the seven halls, from the Purple Tenuity Hall to the Big Dipper Hall, occupying Yifeng.
Even more remarkably, the Big Dipper Seven Peaks are arranged in a dipper shape, faintly corresponding to the Big Dipper Seven Stars in the sky.
As the Yifeng, Tianshu Peak is majestic and towering, with lush forests and beautiful scenery.
The Heavenly Pivot Hall is built on the summit and is quite grand in scale, consisting of a mountain gate, front hall, main hall, side halls, and rear hall. On the sunny slopes on both sides of the Heavenly Pivot Hall, there are several building complexes, which are areas for cultivators to stay and practice.
Zhou Wuji met the True Person Zhiming in a side hall of the Heavenly Pivot Hall. This True Person was of medium height, with a round face, fair skin, three long wisps of beard under his chin, and wore a wide Daoist robe. He spoke in a gentle voice and seemed very kind.
Speaking of appearance alone, he does resemble his Uncle Yiping somewhat.
However, this True Person's eyes shone with inner light, and he sat calmly in the main seat, a demeanor that his martial uncle could not match.
"I know your name in this academy. Your method of spreading the Dao through the Water Mirror is so profound that I have to admire it."
"The sect leader's acceptance of you as True Disciple Candidate is universally Qi Ingestion. The fact that our Heavenly Pivot Lineage has gained another potential True Disciple Candidate is a truly joyous occasion!"
True Person Zhiming spoke very politely, "During this time, you should focus on quiet cultivation and not concern yourself with other external affairs—"
As Zhou Wuji left the Heavenly Pivot Hall, he secretly curled his lip. The words of the True Person Zhiming were polite, but they were just empty words; they offered no real benefits whatsoever.
It's also clear what this True Person's true attitude towards him is.
However, it's already quite kind of them to be polite!
The young Daoist priest Shangqi the way, guiding Zhou Wuji to a secluded courtyard with three main rooms, side rooms on both sides, and a storage room.
The houses are all brick and wood structures, and although they are sparsely furnished, they are quite clean.
Outside the courtyard was a large peach orchard, which was in full bloom in March. The red and white Peach Blossom were very beautiful, and the fragrance of the flowers filled the air.
Zhou Wuji liked it at first sight. The place was quite secluded and had thousands of peach trees as companions, making it an excellent place to stay.
" True Person, this place is called Fallen Blossoms Studio, and it is the best residence for our lineage."
He Shangqi fourteen or fifteen years old, and had not yet Qi Consumption. He had a small nose and small eyes, but he was not ugly; on the contrary, he was quite likable.
The young Daoist was initially a little nervous, but he gradually relaxed when he found Zhou Wuji speaking gently and politely.
Zhou Wuji praised, "It is a quiet and secluded place, an excellent place for cultivating the Tao."
Shangqi and Yang Tie Ying worked together to clean the main room first. Zhou Wuji took out his personal belongings and made some arrangements. They stayed at Fallen Blossoms Studio that day.
That night, Zhou Wuji lay in bed and opened the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment. A Northern Pole Sword had appeared prominently on one of the pages—