Something good had appeared!
[Ascending Stairs Hall]
This grand hall is situated atop a relatively isolated, floating mountain range deep within the Inner Mansion.
The entire palace is constructed from massive, dark blue stones, with a simple and imposing design and minimal ornamentation.
Only the eaves, like swords, are slightly upturned, exuding a sense of solemnity and gloom.
The entire hall seemed subtly separated from the surrounding walls, emanating a stable and profound spatial fluctuation.
Countless thick, heavy, and dazzling halos of light, resembling iron chains, stretched from the back of the hall into the depths of the void, leading to an unknown destination.
Arriving at the plaza in front of the palace, Qi Yun slightly raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over this gateway leading to many perilous places and fortuitous opportunity.
He then stepped into the only blue stone archway in front of the hall.
As soon as he passed through the archway, a faint yet incredibly precise wave swept over his entire body.
Like the finest comb, it probed his cultivation aura.
The fluctuation was swift and subsided without any obstruction.
Behind the archway is the main gate of the [Ascending Stairs Hall].
In front of the door, two men dressed in identical gray robes, with the same appearance and two shiny bald heads, sat cross-legged on a prayer mat.
Their breaths were connected, their breathing synchronized.
As Qi Yun approached, one of them seemed to sense something and slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze initially held a hint of the laziness and scrutiny common on duty, lingering for a moment on Qi Yun's young and unfamiliar face before he spoke in a muffled voice, "Hmm?"
A new face, someone new here?
As he spoke, he propped himself up on his knee with one hand, preparing to casually stand up and conduct the routine questioning and registration, just as he usually did with the newly arrived mid-to-late Qi Refining disciples.
But just as he flipped his hand and took out an old bronze mirror engraved with intricate runes, and habitually looked at Qi Yun,
On the smooth surface of the bronze mirror, instead of intricate patterns or a blurred halo, four ancient and striking characters clearly emerged:
[Qi Refining Ninth Layer]!
The moment the bald man saw those four words, his arms, which were supporting his knees, suddenly went limp.
His upper body swayed involuntarily, and the bronze mirror in his hand almost slipped from his grasp!
The laziness and casualness on his face were instantly replaced by astonishment and fear.
The previously condescending attitude vanished completely.
He hurriedly steadied himself, almost instinctively forcing out an incredibly bright, even somewhat obsequious, smile, and bowed repeatedly to Qi Yun: "Senior Brother, please don't be offended! Senior Brother, please don't be offended!"
I've only been on duty at the [Ascending Stairs Hall] for two years, and my eyesight is poor; I haven't recognized your true face yet. I apologize for any neglect!
He spoke extremely quickly, and his attitude was respectful to the point of being humble.
Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the Divine Soul Realm!
This is already considered the pinnacle among the Inner Mansion disciples; they are prodigies who could reach the Great Perfection stage at any time and then attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment.
Such an existence is definitely not someone an ordinary rotating disciple like him can afford to offend.
If you're not careful, you might face unforeseen misfortunes in the future.
Qi Yun's gaze swept over the two bald figures sitting cross-legged, their breaths mingling, before he raised an eyebrow with interest. "The Two Hearts Method?"
"You've got some guts! You dare to practice such a dangerous and treacherous method?"
His tone was calm, yet he succinctly revealed the true nature of the other person's cultivation technique.
[Two Hearts Method] is an extremely strange and unorthodox Law Technique collected by the Wuji Sacred Sect.
Its core lies in the fact that the caster must use immense perseverance and precise control to forcibly separate their physical body and soul essence into two independent bodies.
After that, the two bodies can cultivate simultaneously, each accumulating insights and cultivation levels.
The progress is twice that of ordinary monks.
When the time is right, they can be merged back into one. At that time, the two cultivation levels and the two insights will overlap, resulting in an instantaneous surge in cultivation, which can be described as a shortcut to instantaneous advancement.
However, this method, though seemingly defying the heavens, actually harbors enormous hidden dangers.
First of all, the pain and risks of forcibly separating the soul are enormous; the slightest carelessness could lead to the soul being scattered.
Secondly, since the two bodies exist independently for a long time, they are very likely to develop new consciousness due to different experiences and insights.
Who will be the main character and who will be the secondary character at that time?
When they combine, whose orders should they follow?
It could very well lead to a conflict of consciousness and self-destruction.
Finally, and most fatally.
Once one of the bodies is destroyed, it's equivalent to instantly losing half of one's life essence and cultivation foundation.
Not only is the Dao Path interrupted, but even maintaining the current level becomes extremely difficult, rendering one a complete cripple. For this reason, very few people within the Holy Sect dare to truly attempt to cultivate this Law Technique.
Unexpectedly, Qi Yun encountered someone here today in front of the [Ascending Stairs Hall].
Hearing Qi Yun reveal the cultivation method he practiced, the bald man showed no surprise. After all, the method had obvious characteristics and was not a secret to a knowledgeable Qi Refining Peak cultivator.
A helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face, tinged with self-deprecation. "Senior brother has discerning eyes."
Alas, there's nothing I can do; I'm of mediocre talent and dull-witted.
I was lucky enough to pass the examination and enter the Inner Mansion back then, thinking I could soar to great heights, but reality was...
Compared to my other exceptionally talented fellow disciples, my cultivation progress has been consistently lagging behind.
The gap is widening, Dao Path seems bleak.
He sighed, a hint of resentment and determination flashing in his eyes. "For me, the ordinary path offers almost no hope."
Only by taking the risk, practicing this unorthodox Evil Method others dare not touch, and gambling everything, might there be a sliver of a chance to glimpse the scenery of a higher realm.
Listening to the bald man's bitter yet resolute words, Qi Yun remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
When he first entered the Dao Path, his aptitude was equally inferior, even less than that of this bald man.
It was only after undergoing the transformation of the [Cinnabar Cicada Womb Treasury] and the baptism and sublimation of [Buddhist Merit] in the Earth Temple that it underwent a metamorphosis.
"The path to greatness is arduous, and each has its own methods. You should take care of yourself."
Qi Yun didn't offer much comment, simply saying something understated before turning his gaze to the deep, dark gate of the Ascending Stairs Hall.
Seeing that Qi Yun didn't seem to care or look down on him, the bald man breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed again, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother."
Beside him, the other "him" who had been cultivating with his eyes closed also nodded slightly in sync, as if they were telepathically connected.
"You're going to [Miluoluo Mountain]?" Upon hearing Qi Yun calmly state his destination, the bald man's respectful expression was instantly replaced by a hint of surprise.
He was clearly taken aback for a moment, then hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Senior brother, things might not be peaceful over [Miluoluo Mountain] lately."
If you're not in a hurry, it's best to go later.
"Oh?"
The bald man's words made Qi Yun's gaze flicker, and he stopped in his tracks to look at him.
"Not peaceful? How so?"
Seeing Qi Yun's interest, the bald man quickly scratched his shiny bald head and organized his thoughts, saying, "The specifics... I don't know too much either. After all, it's a place that only senior brothers at the Qi Refining Peak and the Great Perfection can enter. The level is too high."
However, I heard a few senior students who came out of there mention it briefly before----
It seems that a place called "Karma-Burning Valley" has been in turmoil for some reason for the past year. The environment there has become extremely unstable, and the danger level has skyrocketed.
Several of my fellow students came out with bruises, quite serious ones.
He paused, a hint of confusion on his face. "But it's strange, it's clearly getting more and more dangerous inside."
However, in the past few months, the number of senior disciples applying to enter [Miluoluo Mountain] has actually increased significantly compared to before.
The bald man suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
He wasn't stupid; he realized it instantly.
This isn't a riot, it's clearly something good coming out of Miluoluo Mountain!
A knowing glint flashed in Qi Yun's eyes as he glanced meaningfully at the bald man in front of him.
This person is quick-witted, well-informed, knows how to assess situations, and understands who to offend and who to befriend.
With a slight thought, he flipped his hand, and a Higher Vehicle refining material landed in his palm.
"You have a good character and some courage, daring to cultivate the ' Two Hearts Method '."
Qi Yun handed over the precious materials, his tone calm yet carrying an air of undeniable authority.
"Want to be friends?"
Looking at the precious materials presented to him, a hint of hesitation flashed in the bald man's eyes.
He knew very well what it meant to accept the "friendship" of a senior brother at the Qi Refining Peak for no reason.
But to refuse? He dared not.
Faced with Qi Yun's calm yet imposing gaze, he hesitated for only a few breaths before immediately extending both hands to respectfully accept the precious materials. "Of course! It is my honor to make your acquaintance, Senior Brother."
"Hehe, okay." Qi Yun smiled.
"Since we're friends, we should help each other, don't you think?"
"Of course—" The bald man's forehead was slightly sweaty; he knew the main point was coming.
"You're on duty here, so your words carry some weight." Qi Yun's smile faded, his tone carrying a commanding tone.
"If there are any more people who want to enter [Miluoluo Mountain], especially those at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer or the Great Perfection, try to persuade them to leave, or at least delay them for a while."
For each person I successfully persuade to leave, I will be rewarded upon my release.
how?"
Upon hearing this, the bald man was startled.
This is quite risky. If other senior brothers with connections find out, he'll definitely be in deep trouble.
But looking at the heavy treasure in his hands, and recalling Qi Yun's previous attitude towards him, as well as the promise of "another reward"—
He pondered for only a moment, then gritted his teeth and nodded emphatically. "Don't worry, senior brother!"
I know what to do!
I will do my best!
"Alright, then I'll trouble you." Qi Yun nodded in satisfaction.
Immediately, he made a barely perceptible movement with his right hand inside his sleeve.
A faint Thousand Cranes Talisman, almost blending into the air, was released silently, like a speck of dust, and quietly adhered to the shadow of the door frame of the Ascending Stairs Hall.
This was his usual backup plan, used to monitor subsequent developments.
Having done all this, Qi Yun stopped and strode toward the gate of the [Ascending Stairs Hall].
The light and shadow stretched behind him. With one step, his figure disappeared into the ripples within the doorway, heading towards [Miluoluo Mountain].