Chapter 721: Elder Xun

Brother Li brought the four to the elder's front and smiled as he introduced them. “Teacher Qian, these four are the newly accepted disciples under Instructor Ji.”

Teacher Qian's gaze swept over the group before finally landing on Fang Chen. He quickly noticed something curious. “Why are you keeping your eyes closed?”

Brother Li answered for Fang Chen. “Teacher Qian, this is the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s sword leader. He was injured and blinded in the past.”

The title of “sword leader” immediately captured the attention of those who had been absorbed in Teacher Qian's theories and had not been paying much attention to their surroundings. Curious, they all turned to Fang Chen, examining him closely.

Teacher Qian’s brows furrowed slightly. “He cannot see? How can he refine pills if he can’t see?”

Brother Li chuckled. “Junior Brother Fang has cultivated an eye technique, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s sword leader.”

“Oh? An eye technique? There are thirty-six eye techniques in the Central Continent, and our academy possesses twenty-eight of them. Which one are you practicing?” Teacher Qian inquired.

Fang Chen pondered for a moment before smiling and declining to answer, “It's inconvenient to say.”

“Junior Brother, now that you are part of the Alchemy Department, we are all family. There’s no need to be secretive,” said a middle-aged cultivator, smiling. “Besides, it’s Teacher Qian who’s asking you. Don’t lose your manners.”

Xia Ji frowned. “Senior Brother, each sect has its own heritage. We can’t just disclose everything to others, right? Should I also let others know that I prefer to use the toilet in the morning and add sugar to my tofu pudding?”

The middle-aged cultivator glanced at Xia Ji, and his smile grew wider. “This junior brother has quite the temper. Since it’s inconvenient to speak, then let it be.”

Seeing that the atmosphere had turned a bit awkward, Brother Li quickly intervened. “Teacher Qian, these four have just enrolled, so I’ll continue to show them around.”

Teacher Qian nodded. “Go ahead.”

The other continued on their way as Teacher Qian resumed explaining the classics of alchemy to the attendees.

After leaving, the Fifth Princess immediately glared angrily at Xia Ji. “Xia Ji, you finally got into the academy and the first thing you do is offend one of the senior brothers.”

“When did I offend a senior brother?” Xia Ji looked at her, a smile painting his lips. “Little girl, are you here to keep an eye on me for your sister? I’ve said it before, I don’t think I’m suitable for the Fourth Princess. The higher-ups may want us to be together, but we have to consider our own wishes as well. I doubt the Fourth Princess would want to get married to someone she’s never met before.”

The Fifth Princess rolled her eyes. “That’s up to the elders to decide. This is how it is for us. No matter what, your matter with the Fourth Princess is settled.”

At that moment, Fang Chen asked Brother Li, “Brother Li, can we go to the Hall of Ancient Records later?”

“Of course, any student can enter the Hall of Ancient Records,” Brother Li replied with a nod.

For the next few hours, he led the four around the Alchemy Department to familiarize them with the area. After that, he personally escorted the four back to the green and grassy area to establish their own cave dwellings.

For cultivators, opening up a cave-dwelling wasn’t a complicated task. Each of the four chose a mountain peak and excavated the interior slightly to create the initial shape of their abode.

Ning Tieniu came over to find Fang Chen after finishing his cave. “Brother Fang, where shall we go next?”

“I plan to go to the Hall of Ancient Records to have a look. Brother Li said there are many ancient texts inside, recording various secrets of the world. This is a rare opportunity I can’t miss,” Fang Chen replied with a faint smile.

“I’ll tag along with you,” Xia Ji said as he walked into the cave.

“Going to the Hall of Ancient Records? Reading? Sounds like a headache to me,” groaned Ning Tieniu.

He immediately found an excuse to turn and leave, heading off to look for the Fifth Princess.

After Ning Tieniu left, Fang Chen looked at Xia Ji with a smile and remarked, “I think your marriage with the Fourth Princess might actually happen.”

“I don’t like her. What they think can happen is their business.” Xia Ji chuckled. “Let’s not talk about that. I want to see the Hall of Ancient Records too. I’m curious about the secrets recorded there that the world doesn’t know.”

Before long, the two of them set off to the Hall of Ancient Records.

Arriving, they found themselves in a nearly empty large hall with only an old man guarding it.

The old man glanced at the two and reminded them not to damage the ancient texts and jade slips. After that, he slipped into silence once more.

Fang Chen activated his Primordial Immortal Eye to look around. The ancient texts and jade slips almost filled the entire hall. Fortunately, he wasn’t aimlessly searching; after asking the old man a few questions, he found a book that recorded information about the Five Great Sects.

Inside were brief details about the Desolate Academy, Divine Dao Sect, Immortal Worshiping Sect, Incense Sect, and Spirit Blood Sect.

Fang Chen flipped to the page recording the information regarding the Spirit Blood Sect, which contained only a few brief notes.

The Spirit Blood Sect: The exact establishment date of this sect is currently unknown, but it has existed for countless years. Following a sinister ideology, the Spirit Blood Sect utilizes the blood essence of mortals to refine Blood Spirit Pills.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Fang Chen frowned slightly. “Is that all?”

He had expected to find more detailed records about the Spirit Blood Sect from the Desolate Academy but was disappointed to see so little.

After reading that, he went to look for texts related to the Three Thousand Dao Sect, hoping to gain insights into the past deeds of the Heavenly Cloud Emperor. However, the records there were similarly scant.

At that moment, the old man guarding the place walked over to Fang Chen’s side and glanced at the ancient text in his hand. Seeing what Fang Chen was reading, he smiled. “You’re only at the Golden Core Realm. What do you know about these things?”

“I’m just a curious junior, wanting to take a look. May I ask how to address you, senior?” Fang Chen asked.

The old man chuckled. “Just call me Elder Xun.”

“Elder Xun?” Fang Chen nodded lightly. Then, he asked, “Elder Xun, may I inquire if there are detailed records of the Heavenly Cloud Emperor’s life in the Hall of Ancient Records?”

Elder Xun smiled. “There are, but with your current level of cultivation, you’re not qualified to peruse them. Your level of access is restricted to that of the Lower Four Realms.

“It’s better for a young man your age to focus all your thoughts on cultivation. Some things won’t do you much good knowing them. I’ve heard that you are the current sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. You’re also favored by the Heavenly Cloud Emperor and have received his guidance, just like that little guy from the Greenwood Sect, right?”

Fang Chen was caught off guard.

That little guy from the Greenwood Sect?

He quickly realized that this elder had likely lived for a very long time; otherwise, he wouldn’t refer to Ancestor Qingmu as a "little guy."

Fang Chen nodded. “Yes.”

“Having a background like that is very rare; it’s quite interesting.” Elder Xun chuckled, patting Fang Chen on the shoulder. “Come with me; I want to show you something.”

“Huh?”

Fang Chen's interest was piqued, so he bid his farewell to Xia Ji before following Elder Xun.

Xia Ji frowned slightly, looking pensive. “Strange. Why did Fang Da come to tell me he’s going off? Where is he going?”

After thinking for a moment, he smiled and decided not to dwell on it; since they were in the Wilderness Academy, nothing bad would happen.

Fang Chen followed Elder Xun to a quiet room. This room contained many ancient texts. Elder Xun pulled out one book and handed it to Fang Chen.

“Take a look at this ancient text; you might find it appealing.”

Curious, Fang Chen glanced at the title.

Ancient Immortal Refining Technique.

A refining technique?

Refining something was different from integration and becoming one with it; it means to refine in the alchemical sense. Fang Chen noticed this subtle detail, then continued to read, discovering that it was actually a method explaining the techniques of the Nascent Soul. However, the terminology used for the Nascent Soul was different from what he knew today.