Free Web NovelChapter 7: Chapter 7: White Cloud Peak, Gathering
Gu Yun hoped to find a powerful burst technique or a special one for self-preservation, so he continued walking along the bookshelves.
"Glimmering Light, Human Tier Upper Grade. In combat, it enhances Spiritual Qi for swift spear attacks, producing four dazzling rays of light like meteors crossing the night sky, capable of instantly crushing an opponent." 260 Contribution Points.
"Overlord’s Fierce Spear, Human Tier Top Grade. Grip the longspear with both hands and spin rapidly, condensing immense Sharp Qi. A single thrust unleashes a domineering spike of Spiritual Qi, like a violent gale, destroying everything in its path." 400 Contribution Points.
"One Slash Void, Human Tier Upper Grade. Condenses Saber Qi into a single point before releasing it. A single slash of unparalleled power that seems to slice through space itself. 300 Contribution Points."
...
Gu Yun lingered in front of a bookshelf for a long time.
"Shadow Concealment Technique, Human Tier Upper Grade. Diminishes the user’s presence, allowing a Cultivator to blend seamlessly and silently into their surroundings. 300 Contribution Points."
"Breath Concealment Technique, Human Tier Upper Grade. Conceals one’s aura and Cultivation Realm. Only those a full major Realm higher than the user can truly perceive their real strength. 300 Contribution Points."
Both of these Techniques were quite practical. The Shadow Concealment Technique could be used for escaping, or for assassinations and ambushes. The Breath Concealment Technique could hide one’s Cultivation, making it impossible for others to gauge your true abilities.
After careful consideration, Gu Yun ultimately chose the Breath Concealment Technique. He already had the Wandering Dragon Step, so his need for the Shadow Concealment Technique wasn’t that great.
When Gu Yun walked to the entrance of the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion, the white-haired elder who had just been dozing off was now awake.
"Breath Concealment Technique, 300 Contribution Points."
"It must be returned within thirty days, whether you’ve successfully cultivated it or not. It cannot be privately taught to others without the Sect’s permission," the white-haired elder reminded him.
Gu Yun nodded. "Yes, senior, I understand." He used the Sect’s Body Technique Token in his hand to transfer 300 Contribution Points, leaving him with a paltry 20.
After the transfer was complete, Gu Yun bid farewell to the white-haired elder and left the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion.
The white-haired elder watched Gu Yun leave and muttered to himself, ’He cultivates the Thunder Decision, his Spiritual Power is abundant, and he has Minor Success Saber Momentum. This little fellow is quite interesting.’
...
After returning to his quarters in the Seventh Institute, Gu Yun spent the next few days in a structured routine.
He woke up early every day and spent over sixteen hours practicing various Martial Techniques and other techniques.
Although the repetitive practice was tedious, his ’Heaven Rewards Diligence’ ability allowed him to watch his Skill Level panel. Seeing the numbers slowly tick up, Gu Yun savored the process of his strength increasing. This tangible proof of progress filled him with motivation, and he devoted himself completely to cultivation.
During his years in the Outer Sect, this routine of cultivating day in and day out had long since become a habit for Gu Yun.
At night, he would meditate for four hours, cultivating the Celestial Thunder Technique.
It was precisely because he could endure such lonely, arduous cultivation that, despite his merely above-average aptitude, his strength and cultivation—with a little help from his ability—were comparable to those of some top-tier geniuses.
In the past few days, Gu Yun had successfully reached the Beginner level with the Breath Concealment Technique.
Name: Gu Yun
Realm: Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Early Stage
Cultivation Technique: Celestial Thunder Technique (3rd Layer 73%)
Martial Techniques: Wind and Thunder Saber Technique (Perfection), Mountain-Breaking Fist (Great Success 55%), Wandering Dragon Step (Great Success 80%)
Technique: Breath Concealment Technique (Beginner 10%), Celestial Thunder Technique (Minor Success 21%)
Saber Momentum: Minor Success (6%)
...
A few days later, Gong Yihong, the third-strongest in the Seventh Institute, personally came to invite Gu Yun to a gathering at White Jade Peak.
Gong Yihong hailed from the Great Yan Dynasty’s Capital Palace Family, a family of considerable standing within the Profound Celestial Sect’s sphere of influence.
One could say Gong Yihong was a disciple from a great family. The purpose of him organizing this gathering was to build connections with people who had a chance of entering the Inner Sect in the Outer Sect Grand Competition six months from now.
He was likely trying to gather connections and resources, whether for himself or his family.
Gu Yun thought it over carefully and ultimately chose to accept the invitation.
’Gu Yun thought about similar gatherings in the fantasy novels from his past life. A villain would inevitably appear to relentlessly mock and humiliate the protagonist... after dealing with the junior, a senior would show up, and finally an elder. Some legacy disciple would target him, or a disciplinary steward would hand out an unfair punishment because of personal connections, and so on.’
’But then again, I’m obviously not the protagonist,’ Gu Yun thought. ’Logically, something that trope-filled shouldn’t happen to me.’
Besides, Gong Yihong had come to invite him in person.
Furthermore, Gu Yun had no intention of taking the path of hiding away to achieve eternal life, nor did he plan on following the "I alone am invincible, sweeping away all foes" route.
The Cultivation Realm wasn’t just about fighting and killing; it was also about politics and relationships.
So Gu Yun agreed to attend the small gathering organized by Gong Yihong.
Gong Yihong had mentioned that it wouldn’t just be elites from their Seventh Institute; top disciples from other institutes would be there to network as well.
「The next day.」
Gu Yun arrived at the banquet on time.
He scanned the attendees. There were eighteen people in total. Ten were talented disciples from the Seventh Institute, and the remaining eight were from other institutes.
’Gong Yihong’s social skills are certainly impressive,’ Gu Yun thought. ’Everyone here is a talented disciple.’
At the gathering, no one made any mocking comments or passive-aggressive remarks; there was only normal conversation.
As expected, there was a gap between real life and fiction. No matter how bad relations between people got, those who were inherently sarcastic and started mocking you the moment they saw you were few and far between.
Then again, he’d heard that reality could sometimes be even more absurd than fiction. That, Gu Yun couldn’t say.
’Perhaps it’s because my strength ranks within the top several hundred of the entire Profound Celestial Sect’s Outer Sect, and in the top ten of the Seventh Institute. The potential and power I’ve shown must command some respect,’ Gu Yun thought.
"Come, everyone! The path of cultivation isn’t easy. As fellow disciples, fate has brought us together. From now on, we should all support one another."
Gong Yihong raised his cup, addressing the disciples from the various institutes who had gathered around.
The disciples present raised their cups in response. Some were enthusiastic, some were indifferent, and some simply smiled and nodded. Each disciple’s reaction was different.
In reality, with the triennial Outer Sect Grand Competition approaching, this was just a small gathering organized by Gong Yihong to foster some camaraderie, without any deeper motive.
The gathering’s true purpose was simply to build a network. These connections could be expanded upon later, after entering the Inner Sect and truly stepping into the Cultivation Realm, making mutual aid more convenient.
For instance, if someone practicing Alchemy or Artifact Refining was missing a certain material, they could ask their fellow disciples.
Or perhaps one day a disciple might discover some ruins or a cultivator’s grotto, feel they couldn’t handle it alone, and invite a few fellow disciples they know to explore it together.
As for whether they might encounter a treasure so valuable it would lead to betrayal—a backstab from which the victim, who should have died, instead survives thanks to some unbelievable fortuitous encounter and gains a Heaven-Defying opportunity, thus beginning a legendary life...
Well, that would depend on the circumstances.
All in all, forming a team with fellow disciples you knew was always more reliable than with some untrustworthy Loose Cultivators.
After all, having more connections always made it easier to solve problems.
