Free Web NovelChapter 58: Chapter 58: Hairband, Flying Sword, and Canyon
The test was quick, and it was soon Zhang Chi’s turn. He took a deep breath and walked into the Array.
SWISH!
A Spiritual Light rose, indicating the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.
His result was no different from the other disciples, though the light was perhaps slightly brighter.
This indicated that Zhang Chi’s Spiritual Power was quite good and that he was, ’as expected’, practicing a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique.
The supervising Cultivator didn’t even give him a second glance before registering the result in his Token.
Afterward, like all the other disciples who passed, Zhang Chi received a white Jade Token.
The Jade Token was a Protective Talisman. It could be crushed at a critical moment to protect its bearer, making it comparable to a Tier One Middle Grade Vajra Talisman.
The Jade Token also served another purpose: if the holder was killed, it would transform into a mark that would attach to the murderer.
This way, the Sect could avenge its disciples, and it also served to prevent disciples from killing each other to a certain extent.
"The Sect is so generous!" Zhang Chi marveled.
’It might only be a single Jade Talisman, but giving one to every disciple must be an enormous expense.’
"Haha, the Sect has spent Spirit Stones to cultivate us. We haven’t had a chance to pay them back yet, so of course they can’t bear to let us die."
"But still, I think while the protective function of this Jade Talisman is fine, the marking function is worse than just having everyone sign a Spirit Contract not to kill each other!"
Just then, Qin Susu and the others also passed the first stage. He Yan was the one who spoke, a smile on his face.
"Brother, don’t speak nonsense if you don’t know. This isn’t just to prevent disciples from killing each other; it can also mark Demon Beasts. After all, anything that kills a disciple of our Sect, be it a Demon Beast or a person, must die."
"Besides, Spirit Contracts aren’t that simple. If you’re talking about tens of thousands of people, even the highest-level Spirit Contract might not work. And a top-tier Spirit Contract is far more expensive than a mere Jade Talisman."
"Otherwise, do you really think the Sect wouldn’t have thought of it?"
He Shi explained helplessly, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Yes, Spirit Contracts are good, but their scope of use is very limited."
Qin Susu and Zhang Chi didn’t mind, simply nodding in agreement.
"Alright."
He Yan scratched his head and obediently fell silent.
After that, the group chatted for a little longer before parting ways.
Qin Susu and the others went to find that cousin of Chen Bufan’s, Chen Ling’Er, who was one of the people praised just a moment ago.
As for Zhang Chi, he headed to the Sect Marketplace once more, taking care to disguise himself along the way.
"Fellow Daoist, you’re finally here. The items you wanted—I prepared them a month ago. But I must say, I spent quite a bit to acquire them for you."
Soon, Zhang Chi arrived at the Treasure Pavilion, where he had done business before, and met with the Beautiful Lady Shopkeeper.
The moment she saw Zhang Chi, her eyes lit up.
It turned out that after their last transaction, Zhang Chi had returned several more times, selling a batch of Gathering Essence Pills and purchasing a large quantity of Tier One Middle Grade Alchemy Materials.
Because of this, she had long since concluded that Zhang Chi was, at the very least, a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist.
Naturally, she was very enthusiastic.
Zhang Chi’s repeated business with the Treasure Pavilion wasn’t because he was captivated by her beauty, but to build trust, making it easier to commission her to find certain special items for him.
Three months ago, after their last transaction, he had placed a special order, detailing his needs.
"Don’t worry, I would never let the Shopkeeper take a loss," Zhang Chi said with a slight smile.
Despite his words, when it came time to haggle, Zhang Chi showed no mercy, leaving the beautiful woman torn between affection and exasperation.
A moment later, after spending nearly all his savings and Elixirs—everything but his Contribution Points—Zhang Chi finally had two new items in his possession.
The first was a Magical Artifact, a Flying Sword of the Middle Grade Peak, named Taking Carbon from the Furnace, or Furnace Carbon for short.
As its name suggested, the Flying Sword was pitch-black like carbon, yet it was also incredibly hot and sharp, making it especially suitable for Zhang Chi.
However, it had cost him a full nine hundred Spirit Stones.
In truth, it was a Flying Sword that had been downgraded due to a mistake during Refining. While it seemed to be Middle Grade, in many ways, it was comparable to an Upper Grade one, yet cheaper than a true Upper Grade sword.
This was the best Flying Sword Zhang Chi could afford at the moment.
Otherwise, there would have been no need to specially search for an ordinary Middle Grade or Upper Grade Magical Artifact Flying Sword.
The second item was a black hairband, about a foot long. It looked perfectly ordinary, with no Spiritual Power fluctuations whatsoever, but it was actually a Storage Magical Artifact. The space inside was equivalent to ten Low Grade Storage Bags combined.
But its price was far more than ten Storage Bags put together, costing Zhang Chi a straight four hundred Spirit Stones.
Fortunately, although it was expensive, it was very useful.
With it, he wouldn’t have to worry about exposing some of his secrets even if someone inspected his Storage Bag.
For the upcoming assessment, this hairband was undoubtedly the most suitable item for carrying the Black Coffin from Xiao Yunhong and any Demon Pills he might acquire.
"Fellow Daoist, please come again."
"I will."
With that, Zhang Chi quickly took his leave.
The Beautiful Lady Shopkeeper was so enthusiastic that he suspected if he stayed any longer, she would eat him alive.
But he knew this was just one of her little tricks. At its core, it was all for business; she wasn’t truly interested in him.
Upon returning to the Earth Fire Hall, Zhang Chi immediately began the Refinement of Furnace Carbon and made some other preparations.
The next morning, he once again joined Qin Susu and the others outside the Sect Hall.
As for his guard duties at the Earth Fire Hall, the Sect had made its own arrangements for the duration of the assessment, so he didn’t need to worry about it.
Outside the hall, a vast sea of people had already gathered. A behemoth hovered in the air above them—it was the Floating Airship.
"The Sect is so generous!"
The crowd marveled, then used their white Jade Tokens as proof of entry to board the massive vessel.
RUMBLE...
The giant ship started up, and the scenery below quickly receded. Three days later, at dawn, they finally arrived at their destination.
It was a Grand Canyon that ran from east to west, stretching for hundreds of miles. It was shrouded in a black mist and enveloped by an Array. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Even without entering, everyone could hear the terrifying roars of Demon Beasts echoing from within.
But upon hearing this, the disciples only grew more excited.
"You’ve all learned the Secret Technique for extracting Pseudo-Demon Pills, correct? If so, then go. Remember, do not directly absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here. Use Elixirs and the like to replenish your Spiritual Power."
"This place is covered by the Sect’s Array, but it is also concealed by Demonic Qi. Therefore, the Sect cannot perceive your situation, receive your signals, or rescue you in time. Once you go in, you can only rely on yourselves. You must be extremely careful!"
"Alright, I will see you at the western exit in one month. I hope you will all still be in one piece by then!"
At this point, all the disciples had gathered on the deck. A Foundation Establishment Steward gave a slight smile and announced the start of the assessment.
SWISH! SWISH!...
The disciples immediately scrambled, Flying with their Magical Artifacts from the eastern entrance of the Array and rushing into the Grand Canyon.
Zhang Chi was no exception.
He flew forward on his sword. After feeling as if he had broken through some kind of barrier, his vision blurred for a moment, and he found himself inside the Grand Canyon.
The Spiritual Qi within the canyon was abundant, but it was filled with a black, fog-like Demonic Qi that severely obscured his vision.
His Divine Thought, however, was not affected in the slightest.
At the same time, he could also absorb Spiritual Qi normally.
This was because the Demonic Qi was being directly purified by his Jade Pendant.
Moreover, his Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique was a Demon Technique to begin with.
Of course, the other disciples couldn’t do the same.
They wouldn’t even dare to casually extend their Divine Thought, and even if they did, it wouldn’t reach very far.
’Good, the Demonic Qi really doesn’t affect me. This place is practically my home turf! Haha!’
Realizing this, Zhang Chi was overjoyed.
