The scenery before him changed the instant he stepped in, now finding himself standing inside an ancient looking room. The interior of the room was quite simple, and gave off an oldish aura.
The jade token dropped onto the ground, and was picked it by Zhou Yuan before he carefully kept it.
Zhou Yuan looked at the mat atop the stone bed in front of him, as he muttered to himself, “Is this where patriarch Cangxuan used to cultivate?”
He surveyed his surroundings, before his attention finally stopped on a table in front of the stone bed, where four jade scrolls quietly lay.
Out of curiosity, Zhou Yuan walked forward and randomly picked one of them up, his pupils abruptly shrinking the moment he sent out his senses.
“It’s a mid grade Heaven Genesis technique…”
In the Cangxuan Sect, Heaven Genesis techniques obtained by the disciples would usually be at the low grade Heaven tier, while obtaining a mid grade Heaven tier was several times harder.
Zhou Yuan never expected that a random scroll he picked up in the room would turn out to contain a mid grade Heaven Genesis technique.
Shock filling his heart, Zhou Yuan picked up the other three scrolls, and to find that two of them were also mid grade Heaven tier techniques. Moreover, they seemed to be fairly high ranking even amongst other mid grade Heaven tier techniques.
The last scroll was to most shocking of them all. It held a grade 7 Qi cultivation method!
From how they were so casually placed in the room, it appeared that patriarch Cang Xuan did not really value them.
However, this was only the case for patriarch Cang Xuan. For someone like Zhou Yuan, they were treasures that he could only dream of. In fact, he was even contemplating whether he could take them all.
In the end, he managed to suppress his greed. The Ancient Manuals Tower had its own rules after all, and if he was caught, he might end up empty-handed instead.
“I’ll just pick one of these mid grade Heaven tier techniques.” Zhou Yuan was stuck in a dilemma for quite some time, before he finally gritted his teeth and made his decision. Though the grade 7 Qi cultivation method was superior, it was useless to him.
Hence, he reached out and grabbed a jade scroll, before turning around as he prepared to leave.
However, he spotted a tiny flash of green from the corner of his eye as his body turned. He paused to take a look, only to discover a small plant that resembled a small pine tree on a corner of the bed.
It was an unremarkable object that was easy to overlook even if seen. After all, there was nothing special about this small pine tree.
However, the Decoder Saint Rune in Zhou Yuan’s pupils was currently still spinning, causing him to be taken aback the moment he saw the small plant. He could clearly see ancient markings carved on the plant’s body that gave off a peculiar sensation...
As a result, he quickly turned back and put down the jade scroll, before he carefully lifted up that small plant.
The Decoder Saint Rune in his eyes spun as the ancient markings on the plant began to converge, forming an image that was reflected in his eyes.
An ancient message appeared in his brain.
“Immortal body, Taiyi Green Wood Mark.”
Chapter 387 Taiyi Green Wood Mark
“Immortal body?”
“Taiyi Green Wood Mark?”
Zhou Yuan’s expression could not help but change as he savored the information that had entered his head. “What a boastful claim.”
Despite what he said, a look of pleasant surprise surfaced in his eyes. He had realized that the marks carved on the plant were actually a Genesis technique.
This Genesis technique was extremely mysterious. He may not know what rank it was, but judging from how patriarch Cangxuan had painstakingly carved it onto the plant, it was obviously different from the four other mid grade Heaven tier techniques.
“I am curious to find out what makes this technique so special that made patriarch Cangxuan treat it so differently.”
The Decoder Saint Rune in Zhou Yuan’s eye spun, as the markings were reflected in his eyes. Boundless yet cryptic information soon surfaced in his mind.
After observing it for a brief moment, Zhou Yuan finally understood what the Taiyi Green Wood Mark was.
It was an extremely amazing Genesis technique personally created by patriarch Cang Xuan. It allowed one to absorb the Taiyi Qi from the surroundings, using it to create a certain mark, which was known as the Taiyi Green Wood Mark.
With regards to the so-called Taiyi Qi, it only existed within magical ancient wood element objects. The older the wood, the more Taiyi Qi it contained...
Although the Taiyi Green Wood mark would not increase one’s power or strengthen one’s body, it would bestow a frightening amount of life energy to the user.
It was more than just regenerating one’s limbs. If one reached the perfect level, as long as one was not disintegrated to dust in an instant, one would still be able to slowly regenerate one’s entire body no matter how terrifying the injuries; even if only a head remained.
In a certain manner of speaking, this could be considered an immortal body.
“Is it really so frightening?” Zhou Yuan’s heart pounded loudly, as his breathing became ragged. This was the first time he had seen such an amazing Genesis technique.
A technique that could bestow a terrifying amount of life-force to the user.
This was practically a god-like survival skill!
It was no wonder that patriarch Cang Xaun had taken the time and effort to carve it onto the plant. At the advanced level, one would surely become one of the most annoying existences in this world.
Just think about it, if you were engaged in a life-and-death struggle with someone who was nearly impossible to kill, how troubling would that be...
“I wonder what tier this Genesis technique is?” Zhou Yuan licked his lips. Even though the Taiyi Green Wood Mark did not boost one’s combat power, its utility may even exceed that of a high grade Heaven Genesis technique.
“However… reaching the perfect level of the Taiyi Green Wood Mark is easier said than done.” After a surge of excitement, Zhou Yuan gradually began to regain his cool.
To learn the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, the most critical item was that Taiyi Qi.
The older and rarer the ancient wood was, the stronger the Taiyi Qi it possessed. However, such ancient wood were surely rare resources, and Zhou Yuan did not know how much Taiyi Qi he would have to absorb in order to reach the perfect level...
He looked at the plant in front of him, as he awkwardly scratched his head with a bitter smile.
However, it was fate that allowed him to obtain the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, and there was no way he would give up on it. With a deep breath, Zhou Yuan kept the plant into his Universe bag.
He had evidently already made up his mind. He would do whatever it takes to master the Taiyi Green Wood Mark.
After he keeping the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, Zhou Yuan took another look at the ancient room, before he cupped his fist and bowed. This was his way of showing his appreciation to patriarch Cang Xuan for leaving this manual behind to bless someone like himself.
After which, he turned around, pushed open the door and left.
The scene in front of him began to change once again, and it wasn't long before his surroundings brightened. Zhou Yuan lifted his head, only to find that he was already standing at the entrance of the Ancient Manuals Tower.
The door behind him was shut again.
Zhou Yuan was stunned. His gaze did a quick turn, and he quickly realized that there were two figures standing on the steps in front of the door.
The hunched over elderly man, who was sitting down with a broom in his arms, was naturally old Xuan.
However, it was the young looking figure beside old Xuan who left Zhou Yuan in shock. It was the peak master of Sword Cometh Peak, Ling Jun.
To think that such an important person would be here...
The ins
tant Zhou Yuan discovered peak master Ling Jun, the latter tilted his head slightly, as his deep pool like eyes nonchalantly swept a glance at the former.
This glance alone caused Zhou Yuan to feel a stabbing pain all over his body. It was as if peak master Ling Jun’s gaze contained an extremely dreadful sword aura. If he showed even the slightest hint of killing intent, a single glance would instantly pierce Zhou Yuan’s body.
Fortunately, peak master Ling Jun quickly withdrew the sword aura in his eyes. He turned around, approached Zhou Yuan and said with a faint smile, “Zhou Yuan, you are extremely talented. Are you interested in joining my Sword Cometh Peak?”
He did not beat around the bush, directly stating his intent to recruit Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan was put on the spot by these words. Wasn’t peak master Ling Jun being too direct?.
“Le Tian and the others lost to you because they were useless, and I have already punished them accordingly. Given your talent, it is a waste for you to stay at Saint Genesis Peak.”
“If you come to my Sword Cometh Peak, I promise you that you will become one of the ten Chosens within three years. How about it?” Asked peak master Ling Jun.
Zhou Yuan let out a bitter laugh, before he shook his head and said, “This young one appreciates peak master Ling Jun’s kind intentions.”
There was no change in peak master Ling Jun’s expression, seemingly unsurprised by Zhou Yuan’s rejection. He merely looked deeply at Zhou Yuan, before he asked, “I am a little curious as to why you insist on staying in the pitiful Saint Genesis Peak?”
Zhou Yuan replied with a calm expression, “I’ve already mentioned it during the peak selection ceremony. I was fortunate enough to receive a blessing from patriarch Cang Xuan in the Saint Remains Domain. I came to the Cangxuan Sect not only because of my admiration for the patriarch, but also because I hope to restore Saint Genesis Peak to its former glory so as to repay him.”
Peak master Ling Jun fell silent.
On the steps, old Xuan lifted his aged face, glanced at Zhou Yuan, and said, “I never imagined that even someone from the younger generation would understand the meaning of gratitude.”
He then turned towards peak master Ling Jun, and said with his raspy voice, “Saint Genesis Peak is a lonely and desolate place that cannot match up to the liveliness of Sword Cometh Peak. You should head back soon.”
When he realized that old Xuan was asking him to leave, peak master Ling Jun withdrew his gaze from Zhou Yuan and looked towards old Xuan. Following which, his body began to fade, ultimately vanishing from sight.
Zhou Yuan finally heaved a huge sigh of relief deep inside when he saw peak master Ling Jun leave. Merely standing in front of the former had made him feel a terrifying pressure. It was after all not pleasant to stand in front of someone who could take your life in the blink of an eye.
He had been truly afraid that peak master Ling Jun might still be upset with him over what happened at the purple sash selection test, and give him a literal ‘death glare’...
Old Xuan slowly staggered to his feet. He leaned on his broom, as his murky eyes stared at Zhou Yuan. A long while later, he finally opened his mouth and slowly said, “You… entered master’s training chamber?”
He paused for a moment, before he continued, “The items in there… are beyond the reach of ordinary disciples…”
Chapter 388 Heaven Credit
“Beyond the reach…”
Could sweat immediately appeared on Zhou Yuan’s forehead when heard old Xuan’s words, as he subconsciously took two steps back. He stared warily at old Xuan as he forced a smile, “Elder, you can’t possibly be asking me to return the item I obtained?”
He was really feeling a little panicky at this moment, because he had already become quite attached to the Taiyi Green Wood Mark. Asking him to surrender it now would be akin to asking him to cut off a piece of his flesh, and there was no way he would willingly do so.
Old Xuan’s face remained impassive when he saw the drastic change in Zhou Yuan’s expression. Instead, he hoarsely replied, “According to the rules, you do lack the qualifications.”
Just as Zhou Yuan was about to force his way through, old Xuan continued, “But on account on how much I approve of your earlier words, I may make an exception for you this time.”
Zhou Yuan, who was about to rush forward, suddenly stopped. He stared at the old man and secretly gnashed his teeth inside. Nonetheless, he did not dare to reveal even the slightest hint of displeasure.
“Thank you very much elder!”
Old Xuan indifferently said, “It’s too early for you to celebrate… though you may take it, it doesn’t come without conditions.”
Zhou Yuan suspiciously asked, “What are the conditions?”
Old Xuan began sweeping the ground as he said, “Master’s items cannot be obtained so easily… if you want it, you must exchange it for a ‘Heaven Credit’.”
“Heaven Credit?!”
Zhou Yuan was first startled by upon hearing this, before he involuntarily exclaimed.
“Elder, your request is too much. I’m only a newly promoted purple sash disciple, how can I possibly have any Heaven Credit?” Zhou Yuan complained.
The Cangxuan Sect gave out various tasks to its disciples, which were split into three categories; Heaven, Earth and Human. The Heaven tasks were the most difficult, but if completed, the disciple would be granted a Heaven Credit.
Next were the Earth tasks, which would reward an Earth Credit when completed.
A Heaven Credit was extremely attractive to any Cangxuan Sect disciple, because it could be exchanged for several treasures.
These treasures include Heaven tier techniques, Heaven Genesis Weapons and even powerful Qi cultivation methods!
Needless to say, a Heaven Credit was a target that every disciple of the sect strived for.
However, not only was there a limited number of Heaven tasks, they would be immediately snatched up by one of the ten Chosens each time they showed up. Therefore, it was not easy for an ordinary disciple to even take on a Heaven task.
Consequently, it was even more challenging to obtain a Heaven Credit.
Every time a Heaven task appeared, all the purple sash disciples in the sect would become akin to a pack of wolves that had spotted an unguarded lamb. The intensity of the competition would make on involuntarily wet one’s lips.
Zhou Yuan was merely a newly promoted purple sash disciple, who had yet to even complete a single task, let alone a Heaven task…
This was why he became a little antsy when he heard old Xuan wanted a Heaven Credit.
However, old Xuan ignored Zhou Yuan’s complaints and said, “Even though I do not know what you obtained, it is already a huge steal for you to exchange it for a Heaven Credit.”
Zhou Yuan expression fluctuated indeterminately as he lamented, “But I don’t have any Heaven Credit!”
Old Xuan unhurriedly replied, “Then you’ll owe me one.”
“Owe?!” Zhou Yuan was dumbstruck. Was this actually allowed?
“I will give you three months. After three months, you must bring a Heaven Credit to me… and during this period, you will be allowed to keep the item you obtained.” Old Xuan elaborated.
Zhou Yuan was taken aback, as he stared suspiciously at old Xuan. Why was this old fellow being so kind towards him?
His eyes swivelled in thought, as he began to entertain a certain idea. He might be able to master the Taiyi Green Wood Mark within these three months. When that happened, there would be no need for him to bother with this old fellow.
“Little one, even though it seems like this old man has one foot in the grave, no one in the Cangxuan Sect, not even sect master Qing Yang, dares to reject me.”
It was as if old Xuan could read Zhou Yuan’s thoughts as he unhurriedly said, “If you are up to any monkey business, I can safely tell you that even if you do master it, I am confident that I can find a way to take it all away.”
Cold swea
t instantly appeared all over Zhou Yuan’s body, slightly fearful as he looked at the old man again. Looks like he was also a ruthless person.
Old Xuan seemed to smile as he asked, “How about it?”
“If you are unsatisfied with my offer, you can return the item, and I will permit you to pick something else.”
There was naturally no way Zhou Yuan was going to do so. The fact that patriarch Cangxuan deliberately hid the Taiyi Green Wood Mark in such an obscure location indicated that it was definitely an extraordinary technique. Even though he did not know what grade it was, Zhou Yuan had a hunch that it was definitely extremely powerful.
His eyes flickered in thought. A long while later, he finally gritted his teeth.
“Deal, it’s just one Heaven Credit after all. In three months time, I will bring one to you!” Though he knew that it was going to be an extremely challenging task, Zhou Yuan had no choice but to go through with it for the sake of the Taiyi Green Wood Mark.
A smile seemed to appear on old Xuan’s wrinkly face when he heard this. He nodded and said, “At least you have some courage. Master’s items must not fall into the hands of an ordinary person, or it will taint his name.”
Zhou Yuan showed a cramped smile. Looks like one must not count one’s chickens before they hatched. He had been overjoyed moments earlier after getting his hands on the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, but in the blink of an eye, he now had to deal with some troublesome matters because of it.
Zhou Yuan grumpily asked, “May I leave now?”
He came here to pick a treasure. However, he ended up with such a huge problem instead.
Old Xuan paid no heed to Zhou Yuan’s grumpy expression, merely waving his hand to send the latter off, before lowering his head to continue sweeping the ground...
At the sight of this, Zhou Yuan turned around to leave.
His leaving face was filled with vexed worry, clearly fretting over how he would obtain a Heaven Credit in three months. After all, getting a Heaven task was already going to be a pain.
“Forget it. I’ll ignore it for now, and think about it after I learning the Taiyi Green Wood Mark!”
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 211
