Chapter 797: Chapter 687: Sect System & Book Collection Pavilion (Long Chapter)_2
Additionally, every so often there are small-scale sect enrollment assessments, but the requirements would be slightly higher than those from three days ago when our Tao Sect was enrolling disciples on a large scale for the first time—the Sect Master had specifically expanded the quota...
"So, for those of you still interested, you are quite welcome to settle down in Tao City. Accumulating contribution points not only allows for exceptional admission by the sect but also for the exchange of some rather precious treasures... As long as you complete enough tasks, surpassing the current Inner Sect, Outer Sect disciples, is not impossible."
Earlier on, many who had failed to be selected were inquiring whether there were other methods to join the Tao Sect.
The Heavenly Mechanism Tower had even specifically inquired with Elder Yan of the Outer Sect, but alas, Elder Yan refused to answer on the grounds of confidentiality.
Today,
the words of Elder Shay ignited the ambition of many disappointed candidates.
It turned out they hadn’t permanently missed the opportunity of "going up the Dragon Gate"!
No going back to the tribes! They decided to immediately purchase property within Tao City so that they could be the first to seize tasks issued by the sect.
Upon hearing this, the dispirited Cheng Yuankui suddenly made a ’bold statement,’ determined to become the one who completes tasks most efficiently!
Elder Shay curled his lip.
The surname Cheng’s efforts were doomed to be fruitless, for who asked him to be on a double blacklist—a unique case indeed.
...
Most of those at the Awakening Tier could not yet fly, so they climbed along the winding white jade staircase, following Elder Shay, a fresh crop of disciples ascended Kowloon Mountain.
The Book Collection Pavilion was located near the peak of the mountain, at a relative height of seven to eight thousand meters. Climbing the steps one by one, they were surrounded by rolling seas of clouds. Whilst the biting cold wind had been kept at bay, they could see the wind, sharp as sword light, constantly whipping up outside the mountain. Looking down felt like plummeting into an endless abyss.
Of course, they wouldn’t actually fall, such minor psychological pressure couldn’t affect these young talents.
They were only amazed by the sheer cliffs and the splendid sea of clouds.
Within the group, for the ordinary people, the low-tier Awakeners, Elder Shay casually bestowed a BUFF on them. Though merely a ’senseless’ Gunner Master, he was still capable of casting some simple supporting magic.
With the comprehension of a Second Tier Transcendent, his brain operated at high speed, understanding Low-level magic after just a glance.
"You’ll be standing at the top of Kowloon Peak, commanding a view that lessens the counterparts."
The Book Collection Pavilion was not yet at the very top, but looking down from this vantage point, the surrounding mountains were beneath one’s feet, and the entire Tao City could be seen clearly, the view extending all the way to the mighty rivers of Kowloon Mountain’s end.
"This is the Book Collection Pavilion."
The Pavilion was situated in a secluded area near the mountain summit, not gathered with other buildings.
From the outside, the Pavilion looked just like a small, five or six-story high round tower with an unadorned appearance.
But once inside, a different world unfolded.
Each floor was twenty meters high on its own, taller than the actual size from the outside and so wide that its boundaries could not be seen.
In the Book Collection Pavilion, rows of bookshelves were arrayed neatly, divided into different areas based on the type of books.
"Not only does the Book Collection Pavilion contain Cultivation Skills, magic, and Combat Skills, but it also possesses various categories of books on Rune Studies, including specialized texts on Forging Studies, Pharmacy, etc., as well as ’Mountain and Sea Realm Geography,’ ’10,081 Major Routes Map of the Endless Sea,’ ’Cooking Techniques of the Gigantic Sea Lords of the Endless Sea,’ ’How to Travel Through the Mountain and Sea Realm Without Spending a Dime,’ and other excellent non-curricular books. You should read more when you have free time to broaden your horizons."
"Of course, the reason I brought you here today is for you to choose a Cultivation Skill and a magic/Combat Skill. This is a privilege for your induction. Outer Sect disciples can only choose from the first floor, while Inner Sect disciples can choose from both the first and second floors. After today, if you want to choose books from the Book Collection Pavilion, you’ll need to exchange them with points from within the sect."
Elder Shay waved his hand grandly, "Go and find the secret manual of your hearts’ desire, but remember, don’t make loud noises; otherwise, Elder Yi who manages the Book Collection Pavilion will throw you out, and don’t beg me for mercy."
Elder Yi?
As the words of Elder Shay fell, some people realized that, at the entrance to the Pavilion, there was a figure seated.
Clothed in armor, with his gaze cast downwards, he cradled a long spear in his arms.
Sitting quietly there, he resembled a statue. They had seen him when they came in but had completely disbelieved that he was a living person, let alone an elder managing such an important building as the Book Collection Pavilion.
His ability to contain his energy was exceptionally strong!
He truly was a significant figure of the sect.
"Elder, there are so many books here, could you possibly give us some guidance?"
A group of clueless new disciples looked towards both Elder Yi and Elder Shay but ultimately felt Elder Shay seemed more approachable.
"Each Cultivation Skill or Combat Skill has some brief descriptions in front, which you can use to judge whether it suits you. When you take a manual off the shelf, that counts as your selection, and you won’t have a chance to change your mind.
The number of reprinted editions of each secret manual is limited; if you set your sights on a certain manual that happens to be out of stock, you’ll have to wait for others to finish borrowing it.
Of course, even the Cultivation Skills here on the first floor are very precious. Instead of aiming for seemingly stronger secret techniques, it’s better to choose one that suits you the most.
That’s all there is to say; now choose boldly. At worst, you can later exchange points for another Cultivation Skill. After all, it won’t kill you to practice."
Greenhorn Disciple: "..."
Without you saying that last sentence, we might have actually believed you.
...
The area housing the cultivation dharma methods occupied only a small part of each layer.
Still, the number was vast, leaving the greenhorn disciples dazzled.
Among them, some were born with a silver spoon, and their clans even had Unity Realm ancestors.
They also had advanced cultivation skills.
But not many. Each book capable of cultivation to the Stepping Void Realm was extremely precious, and those enabling cultivation to the Unity Realm were likely only one or two.
Only when they achieved the Stepping Void could they have a chance to access the complete cultivation skill.
And it might not even be suitable for them.
Yet the sect’s Book Collection Pavilion had really many cultivation methods, too many! The least could cultivate to the Unity Realm, and the absorption of Source Qi and the efficiency of conversion were extraordinary!
They could definitely find the cultivation dharma method that best suited them!
But... it was just too hard to choose.
The greenhorn disciples fell into a happy dilemma.
...
Book Collection Pavilion, second floor.
Inner sect disciples scattered to search for their coveted secret manuals. Those from big families with backgrounds, some geniuses, ultimately had some advantages. They knew more clearly what they needed, what suited them, and they went straight for the corresponding secret manual area.
The remaining disciples, who were born into ordinary families and knew little about cultivation, could only rely on their own judgement and luck to find something.
Fortunately, they had an entire day. Inside the pavilion, there were also many foundational, universally applicable cultivation dharma methods, which were suitable for anyone to cultivate.
Xiao Dong was unremarkable among the inner sect disciples. Except for a few who were unawakened, many other inner sect disciples had a higher cultivation than him.
Xiao Dong had awakened at a very early age, when he was twelve.
Twelve was the earliest age for awakening. Everyone who awakened at the age of twelve had talent.
At first, Xiao Dong was also considered a genius until he began cultivating.
After grinding for a year, he was still at the First Layer of Awakening, not even matching the worst of his peers, and eventually, Xiao Dong was expelled from the academy in their small city.
He always believed that his talent was poor.
However, the Tao Sect’s test results showed that his talent was super grade.
Xiao Dong didn’t understand. What about him seemed like super grade talent? Even his lifebound magic, a type of flame, could only ignite a few sheets of paper.
He feared that even if he cultivated a high-level dharma method, he couldn’t speed up his progress, afraid that he would fail in the quarterly assessment three months later and be expelled from the sect.
Xiao Dong seriously perused the descriptions of each cultivation method, especially the Fire Series ones.
Each one was countless times more profound than the dharma method he had cultivated before.
But he still felt uncertain, feeling that they weren’t truly the right methods for him.
"Thump~ thump~!"
Suddenly, his heart started beating violently, as if attracted by something, he looked up towards the twenty-meter-high ceiling.
What he was looking at was not the ceiling, but something on a higher floor.
Something above was drawing him.
Suddenly,
A red light pierced through the ceiling, shooting straight into his forehead.
In his mind, it seemed as if a "ding" exploded.
Xiao Dong stood in place for a long time, then opened his eyes brimming with excitement after a while.
"So, that’s it. The ’Ten Thousand Fire Technique’ seems tailor-made just for me!"