LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 212: Promotion
Chapter 212: Promotion
Upon arriving at the inner sect, Xu Lian didn’t even need to speak. The master in charge of the inner sect already knew his purpose and handed him a crystal clear stone. “This is a Shadow Stone. Without using any secret treasures or forbidden techniques, just rely on your own strength to kill a grandmaster-level exotic beast or wild bird. Once you do that, you’ll pass the sect’s inner assessment and become a true disciple.
When you fight the exotic beast or wild bird, be sure to use the Shadow Stone to record the entire battle.”
The grandchildren of the elders stopped here, remaining in the inner sect to cultivate. Their cultivation levels were only at the level of Dark Strength or Transformation Strength, which wasn’t enough to kill a grandmaster-level exotic beast or wild bird.
Xu Lian took the Shadow Stone, cupped his hands in a respectful salute, and then turned to leave.
There were also exotic beasts and fierce birds in the small world, but they were all domesticated and had lost their wild nature. They couldn’t be used for evaluation… So, Xu Lian had no choice but to leave the small world and go outside, planning to venture deep into the forest to find a grandmaster-level exotic beast or fierce bird.
Once outside, for safety reasons, he called out, “Are the two old… guardian seniors here?” This was to prevent any powerful beings who coveted the laws of the divine realm from capturing him.
He almost said, “two old six,” but he managed to correct himself in time. Even if he had said it, the two guardians wouldn’t have understood it.
“I’m here,” the voice of the Huo Clan guardian came from the void.
The old clan leader’s voice also sounded, “I’m here too.”
“…” Xu Lian felt reassured. He activated his movement technique, leaving afterimages behind as he moved step by step, disappearing and reappearing, quickly heading into the forest.
The guardian of the Huo Clan said, “Last time, when you came out of the Hundred Boat Secret Realm, I was a little late in picking you up, and you ended up being captured by the Old Vine Demon. That was my mistake. From now on, I’ll stay by your side without taking a single step.”
The old clan leader added, “Me too.”
“…” Xu Lian didn’t know what to say. Was the old clan leader just a repeater?
Arriving deep in the forest, Xu Lian began to search for a grandmaster-level exotic beast.
To avoid being exposed to the outside world for too long and attracting the attention of powerful beings, the Huo Clan’s guardian directly gave Xu Lian a hint. “About ten miles to your right, there’s a Grandmaster-level exotic beast.”
Xu Lian immediately rushed over. Upon seeing the beast, he held the Shadow Stone in one hand and struck out with the other, releasing a burst of golden energy.
The Grandmaster-level exotic beast died without even letting out a scream.
With his cultivation at the sixth stage of the Great Grandmaster Rank, dealing with an exotic beast at the Grandmaster level was far too easy.
Putting the Shadow Stone away, Xu Lian returned to the small world of the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land and the inner sect.
He handed the Shadow Stone to the inner sect master.
The inner sect master reviewed his battle process and, finding no issues, issued him a true disciple identity token. He kindly explained, “True disciples are those who have received the true teachings of a certain elder. You can choose an elder to be your master.”
Xu Lian thanked him and left.
He felt a bit emotional. Having connections really made things easier. It seemed like everyone in the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land was “friendly”.
Of course, he knew that this was an illusion. As one of the top major powers, the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land had secured its place in this chaotic world filled with strange and dangerous phenomena. How could it be truly friendly?
“To find an elder to become my master, I should definitely choose Gu Xiangzhen’s master.”
Xu Lian didn’t hesitate and went straight to find Gu Xiangzhen.
Gu Xiangzhen smiled and took him to her master. “From now on, I’ll really be your senior sister.”
Gu Xiangzhen’s master looked like an ordinary old man – plain clothes, average height, and unremarkable appearance. He was the kind of person who could blend into a crowd without anyone noticing.
The old man kindly said, “I have three principles for accepting disciples.
I don’t accept those with too much or too little talent.
I don’t accept those who are too handsome or too ugly.
I don’t accept those with too strong or too weak family background.
You don’t fit any of these three principles.
Your talent is too high, your appearance is too good, and your background is too powerful.”
What a character… Xu Lian had never heard of such requirements for accepting disciples. Others usually looked for disciples with high talents and strong family backgrounds.
He couldn’t help but look at Gu Xiangzhen. No wonder she was so ordinary… Of course, he couldn’t say that out loud.
“So, Senior, does that mean you won’t accept me?” Xu Lian asked.
The old man replied, “I will accept you. Our lineage has some connection with that person… so we can make an exception for you.”
No principles… Xu Lian pressed further, “Senior, can you tell me who that person is? The Goddess of Nine Heavens?”
He began to feel that something was wrong. According to Gu Xiangzhen, not many people in the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land knew about that person. However, the Goddess of Nine Heavens was too famous-everyone in the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land knew about her. This made it seem like the Goddess of Nine Heavens didn’t match the person he was looking for.
The old man said, “Since that person hasn’t told you, I can’t disclose it either.”
Again with this… Xu Lian sighed and looked at the old man and Gu Xiangzhen. They really were master and disciple, saying the same things.
The old man said, “Pour me some tea.
Gu Xiangzhen smiled and poured out a cup of tea, handing it to Xu Lian.
Xu Lian took it and presented it to the old man, almost saying, “Here’s tea for the boss.”
He bent slightly and offered the cup, saying, “Please, Master, have some tea.”
The old man nodded, took a sip, and then set the cup aside. “According to the rules for true disciples, you have to learn a secret martial art from an elder to be promoted to a direct disciple. What kind of secret fighting technique do you want to learn?”
As the saying goes, you can never have too many skills. Xu Lian naturally wanted to learn them, but he already had the Sacred Spirit Record, which contained many immortal techniques and combat skills. He didn’t lack any secret combat techniques.
After thinking for a moment, he asked tentatively, “Do you have any immortal techniques?”
Gu Xiangzhen was stunned.
The old man’s mouth twitched. “Do you think if I had immortal techniques, I’d still be just an elder? Wouldn’t I be a Great Elder by now?”
Xu Lian chuckled, realizing that it made sense. “Then teach me your best skills.”
Gu Xiangzhen was jealous. She had always learned whatever her master taught her without any choice in the matter.
The old man said, “If we’re talking about my best skills, it would definitely be escape techniques. When I was young, I stumbled upon the tomb of an ancient sage and received an ancient manual that contained various escape techniques.
There are the Five Elements Escape Techniques: earth, water, wind, metal, and fire.
There are the Yin-Yang Dual Escape Techniques: Light and Dark.
There’s the Spatial Escape Technique, which, when mastered, is faster than traveling through the Void.
There’s even a forbidden chapter: the Time Escape Technique, which is said to allow one to move through time. However, I’m too dull-witted. Despite cultivating for thousands of years, I still haven’t grasped its secrets.”
Gu Xiangzhen’s eyes turned red with envy as she stared at Xu Lian. “Do you know what Master’s title is? He’s known as the Untraceable Wanderer. Not only is he the best in escape techniques within the sacred land, but even in the entire world, few can rival him in this art. Even those with higher levels of cultivation than Master find it difficult to harm him. If you can learn Master’s escape techniques, you’ll benefit for a lifetime.”
Xu Lian’s heart burned with excitement. It seemed that this Untraceable Wanderer truly had something special. He immediately cupped his hands and said, “Please, master, teach me the escape techniques.”
The old man nodded. “With the laws of the divine realm upon you, countless powerful beings covet you. Learning some escape techniques will suit your situation well.”
Then he glanced at Gu Xiangzhen. “Actually, I’m not favoring one over the other.
It’s just that your talent limits you from understanding these profound escape techniques.
If I taught them to you, it would only harm you.
Why is that?
Because your talent isn’t enough. If you were to learn those methods of escape, it would take up too much of your time and hinder your progress in cultivation.
That’s why I’ve always taught you simpler fighting techniques, just enough to get by, so that you can focus your talent on improving your cultivation.”
Gu Xiangzhen’s face showed a look of remorse. She had misunderstood her master’s good intention. She bowed deeply and said, “I understand now. Thank you for your guidance, Master.”
The old man then turned to Xu Lian. “You have already reached the sixth stage of the Great Grandmaster rank at the age of seventeen or eighteen. Your talent is clearly extraordinary. Learning my escape techniques won’t be a problem for you.”
Not just exceptional – it is off the charts… Xu Lian nodded silently.
The old man took out a yellowed ancient manual and solemnly handed it to Xu Lian. “This is my life’s work, as well as the legacy of that ancient sage. How much you can learn depends on your own comprehension.
First, read it carefully and memorize it. Then, I’ll explain its secrets to you in detail.”
Xu Lian took the yellowed ancient manual and began flipping through it page by page. Soon, he received a prompt: [Recording in progress…].
By the time he finished flipping through the manual, the recording was complete. Instantly, his mind was filled with a variety of escape techniques.
He glanced at his skill list: [Nine Elements Escape Techniques (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Dark, Space, and Time. Among them, the Five Elements Escape Techniques are classified as Mystic Arts, the Yin-Yang Escape Techniques are classified as Great Arts, the Spatial Escape Technique is classified as a Quasi-Immortal Art, and the Time Escape Technique is classified as an Immortal Art.)]
Xu Lian was overjoyed. The Time Escape Technique had already entered the realm of immortal arts. His only regret was that with his current cultivation at the Grandmaster level, he couldn’t use the Spatial and Time Escape Techniques yet.
Seeing him flicking through the manual so quickly, the old man frowned. “You can’t just skim through it like this. You need to read it in detail. Otherwise, you won’t understand what I’m talking about when I explain it to you.”
Xu Lian handed the yellowed manual back to the old man. “I’ve memorized every word, and I’ve already learned a part of it… There’s no need for Master to explain. As for the rest, I should be able to comprehend it once my cultivation reaches the required level.”
The old man’s eyes widened. “Are you joking with me?”
Xu Lian had no choice but to demonstrate.
With a turn, he sank into the ground and emerged from another spot – Earth Escape.
He flicked the flame of a candle in the room, and as the flame flickered, he disappeared, reappearing at another candle-Fire Escape.
Next, he touched the water in a teacup and vanished, only to step out of a small lake outside with a splash-Water Escape.
With a wave of his hand, he stirred up a gust of wind and disappeared again-Wind Escape.
Finally, he took out a copper coin and instantly vanished, reappearing next to a weapon rack.
The old man stared in stunned silence.
Gu Xiangzhen was also stunned.
What is a genius?
This is it…
Perhaps the word “genius” is no longer sufficient to describe such a miraculous level of talent. It should be called ” peerless talent.” No wonder that person was willing to risk exposing their identity within the Yi Sect to protect him. His future achievements are truly worth anticipating.
Xu Lian stopped and said, “With my current cultivation, I can only perform these.”
The old man smiled wryly. “After thousands of years of studying escape techniques, I still can’t say that I use the Five Element Escape Techniques better than you.”
Xu Lian once again expressed his gratitude. “Thank you, Master, for teaching me the way of the Escape Technique. I will remember it in my heart.”
The old man waved his hand slightly. “At my age, it brings me great joy to have a peerless talent like you as my disciple. Leave now. You can go to the Sequence Hall to be promoted to Direct Disciple.”