Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
There were two other people along with Zhu Yi at the table. One of them was a lady who wore a yellow robe. She was very elegant and charismatic. Although she did not reveal her status, one could subtly sense the royal stature she possessed.
The other person was a scholar who appeared to be around 30 years old. He was decked in red, along with a green robe as an outer wear. He wore a hat on his head and revealed a sense of his talent as he moved.
As this scholar sat here, he did not reveal any stature, nor was there any vibration of mana around him. But above his head, there was a subtle gas beam that shot into the Nine Heavens. The gas beam was formed from countless literary words that created a piece of enlightening essay.
Zhu Yi looked at this scholar and said, “Comrade Jiao, your literary skills seem to be greater than before. It’s a joyous thing as you managed to learn many new stuff.”
This scholar in front of him was Jiao Junchen. During the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai, he once sparred with Zhu Yi before.
He spent many years reading up and had always been an ordinary scholar. There was no sense of cultivation around him, but after he managed to achieve the position as the top scholar in one of the Great Qin Empire’s scholarly examination, he actually attained the Advanced Aurous Core Stage in one shot.
Initially, he did not have a pleasant first experience with Zhu Yi when they first met. It was only after they sparred did they learn more about each other. He was also very impressed by Zhu Yi’s cultivation and literary skills.
Through sparring with him, Zhu Yi was also influenced and managed to increase his wisdom.
After their battle, the two of them also became friends. After the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai, Jiao Junchen returned to his hometown and retreated to study. He even resigned from his position in the Great Qin Empire to pursue his studies.
At times, when Zhu Yi left to travel, he would go to the Great Qin Empire to visit him. The two of them bonded over literary pieces and conversed about scholarly writings. Outside of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, Jiao Junchen was probably one of the few acquaintances that Zhu Yi had.
Jiao Junchen was now in the Beginner Nascent Soul Stage. Not long after the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai, Jiao Junchen broke through his bottleneck and overcame the Void Lightning Tribulations, forming the Nascent Soul.
But after that, he went into his state of reading again. In terms of cultivation, he did not improve anymore.
But in Zhu Yi’s eyes, he could tell that as Jiao Junchen’s knowledge increased, his culture and literary talents became immense. If he continued on this path, his future would be very bright.
After listening to Zhu Yi’s words, Jiao Junchen laughed, “It’s a huge honor to receive your compliments.”
He was just like before. He was neither handsome nor manly, but he gave a pleasant feeling to everyone who met him.
Zhu Yi heard him and chuckled slightly, “I hope that you will continue to improve in the future. If you continue this way, you will reach the Immortal Soul Stage one day, which is going to be a huge matter.”
Jiao Junchen said, “My accumulation was sufficient before, but I still missed by one step and remained in the Advanced Aurous Core Stage. It was only after I sparred you did I break through my bottleneck. I will be more careful this time. The last time, I was too anxious.”
Zhu Yi nodded his head, “For a scholar to improve, he must approach with caution. This is the proper way. For you to think like that, I can see that you are not far from the great Dao.”
“As for the guy who took the same examination as you and got people raving about him, is there no more news about him anymore?” Jiao Junchen asked. Zhu Yi shook his head, “While there has been no more news about him, I can confirm who he is.”
Jiao Junchen nodded his head and did not enquire any further. Zhu Yi lifted his teacup and toasted Jiao Junchen and the lady, “Regardless, it’s been tough on you both, Princess Xingyun and Comrade Jiao.”
That lady in yellow was Shi Xingyun, the Princess of the Great Qin Empire. She laughed lightly and she lifted her teacup with Jiao Junchen, “Zhu Yi, you are too kind.”
Right now, Shi Xingyun was in the Nascent Soul Stage. She tried to hide her aura and not reveal anything. But her stature seemed to be increasing day by day.
Zhu Yi knew her true background and knew that as her cultivation increased, this was something that became more and more obvious.
In fact, Zhu Yi was curious that if Shi Xingyun continued to improve, would she achieve the Immortal Soul or Undying Demon Soul?
If it was just the Immortal Soul First Level or the Undying Demon Soul First Level, it was still fine. Although they were different in some sense, they pursued the same path.
The question laid in if she continued to reach a higher level, which were the Immortal Soul Second Level and Undying Demon Soul Second Level. It would be a different matter then.
“Her dragon soul had experienced changes and the mantra she cultivated was also the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons. There was a high possibility that she would achieve the Immortal Soul First Level.” Zhu Yi pondered in his heart, “Otherwise, her past efforts would be wasted.”
In recent times, both Zhu Yi and Shi Xingyun travelled together to the various Middle Worlds and alternate planes of spaces in the Great Qin Empire, trying to find for clues. Eventually, they managed to discover some trails about the pawn of the Great Void Sect. Zhu Yi was very appreciative for what Shi Xingyun did.
Shi Xingyun looked at Zhu Yi and asked, “Zhu Yi, is there any possibility for someone who cultivates the Mantra of the Great Oblivion to recover after his Dao heart has been crushed? I have never heard of that before.”
Although she helped Zhu Yi to search for clues, Shi Xingyun did not question why Zhu Yi did that or whether it affected the rest in the Celestial Sect of Wonders. She did not even try to figure things out herself.
When they reached the place they were finding, Zhu Yi would go on to find for clues while she would stand far away. After the matter was over, she did not investigate further too or ask more from Zhu Yi.
However, with regards to the situation at the Great Void Sect, regardless whether it was the Great Qin Empire or herself, they were both interested. The more they knew, the better it was.
The Celestial Sect of Wonders and Great Void Sect did not exactly share a strained relationship, but they were not harmonious either. This was not a secret in the Divine Lands too.
Thus, Shi Xingyun did not have any taboos that she could not approach, and she asked proactively.
Zhu Yi looked at Shi Xingyun before nodding his head and said, “If one’s soul was not rid of the memories of his mantra and foundation, then hope was still alive. But this hope only exists as a glimmer. After all, if there was great hope, one’s Dao heart would not have been crushed.
He remained calm. Discussing about the Mantra of the Great Oblivion was fine with him. He did not seem affected by it.
After Shi Xingyun and Jiao Junchen heard him, they nodded their heads and did not ask further.
As Zhu Yi spoke until this point, it was already enough for them.
Shi Xingyun laughed slightly. She turned from a dragon soul into a human one, but even so, no one could figure out her train of thought if she did not say it out explicitly. Under such a circumstance, it might be over the top to reveal so much.
Zhu Yi was clearly aware of this reasoning. So did Shi Xingyun, thus she did not probe further. Anyway, the reply Zhu Yi gave to her was enough for her to report to the Great Qin Empire.
Jiao Junchen changed the topic, “Besides consulting you this time, I actually have something that I need you to help me with.”
“Is it for this child?” Zhu Yi turned his attention to the young lady behind Jiao Junchen.
This young lady looked like she was only 12 or 13 years old. Although she was not fully developed yet, it could be seen that she would be a beauty in the future. Especially her big, black eyes that caught people’s attention.
Her gaze looked sharp, revealing that she was probably someone who had her own ideas.
Jiao Junchen said, “She’s called Jiao Qing, a niece of mine. She has been cultivating since young. Although she’s not stable enough, her will is resilient.”
Although Jiao Junchen was not old, his Jiao Family was a huge one. The size of the family was large and those of the same seniority were actually quite far off from one another in terms of age. But this was not exactly a rare thing.
“Previously, she cultivated with me, but she was too wild and could not settle down to study. But I can tell that she has potential. However, the only thing is that her line of cultivation probably doesn’t suit me. Thus, I brought her here to meet you, hoping that she can join the Celestial Sect of Wonders.”
Zhu Yi did not speak and looked at Jiao Junchen. He knew that he was not done with his words.
For those who really wanted to join the sect, the sect would definitely welcome those with ambitions.
To a portion of the people, embarking on the long journey to the Yun Peak would be arduous. But for Jiao Qing, it was not that difficult.
At the same time, Zhu Yi knew that Jiao Junchen was not a selfish person.
Indeed, Jiao Junchen followed by saying, “Everyone who wants to join your sect has to go through the Heart-Revealing Steps. If Jiao Qing wants to do the same, she will be no exception. I have no intention for you to help her out but to let her follow the rules.”
“I came to find you today in order to fulfil Jiao Qing and her parents’ wishes. That’s why I hope that you can supplement her with the Soaring Dragon Spell.”
Zhu Yi nodded his head, “You want them to witness what she would be like if she manages to learn your mantras successfully?”
Jiao Junchen replied, “That’s what I want.”
Jiao Qing’s face revealed complex emotions. She was excited, curious, listless and sympathetic.
Zhu Yi’s Soaring Dragon Spell could allow those below the Immortal Soul Stage to rise one small realm, until the Advanced Nascent Soul Stage.
Jiao Qing had been following Jiao Junchen to cultivate and developed a scholarly aura. While she did not have any cultivation to herself, the Soaring Dragon Spell and mantras of the Scholarly Sect (which Jiao Junchen cultivated were quite special. As they were unpredictable and miraculous, they allowed Jiao Qing to see how much she could achieve.
Although she did not make much progress, both her and her parents still possessed hope all these years.
Zhu Yi tapped his finger lightly and a pale-white dragon projection started to revolve around Jiao Qing.
Jiao Qing looked excited, but as the projection disappeared, her body didn’t experience any changes.
Jiao Junchen shook his head too. He took a recording of that projection using his mana, hoping to bring them back to Jiao Qing’s family.
This was the case with the mantras of the Scholarly Sect. Those who succeeded in them could rise overnight. But those who failed could end up studying for ages, even till the day they died.
Jiao Qing looked disappointed yet free. She did not doubt Zhu Yi’s powers at all, considering his immense powers and literary prowess.
Zhu Yi looked at her and thought, “She has great potential…”
As he supplemented his Soaring Dragon Spell on Jiao Qing’s body, he managed to learn more about her.