"You have no idea. The inner city is divided into the City Domain and the Dao Domain. The Dao Domain is located within the Tianfa Earth Spring, and the energy of worldly laws there is many times denser than here. Not only is there the Jiuli Dao Academy, but also the Sui Sect, the Tianyi Gate, the Guanhai Pavilion, and the Sanchen Palace belonging to the Chen clan's academy.
"As for me, Gao Huan, a Pure Immortal Physique—how long have I even been cultivating? Barely a dozen days, and I've already opened my first spring!"
Gao Huan was talking expansively with Old Liu, Old Guan, and Qin Ke, his spirits soaring. Lowering his voice, he added, "To tell you the truth, those Wuhai Realm seniors at the Jiuli Dao Academy were fighting over who got to take me as a disciple. And one after another, they kept introducing their clan's prettiest granddaughters and nieces, wanting to arrange marriages with me! Some even said I could take several wives—they don't practice monogamy here. Tell me, don't you think that's annoying?"
"Oh, terribly annoying. Pure bragging," they all chorused in unison.
...
After lunch, Li Ling and Gao Huan took their leave.
Before departing, Li Ling imparted linguistic comprehension to Qin Ke, Old Liu, and Old Guan, mentioning that she would be cultivating at the Jiuli Dao Academy for a time. She told Li Weiyi to look for her there if he ever needed anything.
Cai Yutong stayed behind.
She seemed to have no interest in people, yet upon discovering a room full of ao spiders, she became utterly fascinated.
Inside a dim room.
Li Weiyi recounted Li Songlin's words in full to Senior Coffin and Senior Tablet, hoping to hear their counsel. After all, their understanding of cultivation and the Jiuli Clan was far beyond anything he possessed.
The remnant corpse in the stone coffin pondered for a moment before speaking. "In the past, entering the Jiuli Dao Academy would naturally have been an excellent path. But from what your companion said, there are now so many sect factions within the Dao Domain. That shows the Jiuli Clan has declined drastically.
"You must understand that the Dao Domain of Jiuli City is the core of cores among the Jiuli Clan's vital interests. In the past, only the Jiuli Dao Academy stood there. Yet several massive pieces of their core interests have actually been carved away."
Li Weiyi could sense disappointment and anger emanating from Senior Coffin.
"The tribal chiefs of these past few generations in the Jiuli Clan are utter bastards!" Senior Tablet fumed.
Senior Coffin said, "Weiyi, your constitution and cultivation speed deviate far from the ordinary, and you harbor too many secrets. If you enter the Jiuli Dao Academy without a sufficiently formidable power backing you to the hilt, shining too brightly will inevitably invite disaster.
"Such staunch backing must be rooted in blood ties. Take Cang Li, for example. Behind him stands not just the Cangling Tribe, but likely the entire Jiuli Clan.
"He is clearly being groomed as the foremost Inheritor of the Jiuli Dao Academy's new generation, someone who can travel the realm representing the Jiuli Clan and shoulder the heavy burden of revitalizing it.
"Anyone wishing to make a move against an exceptional figure like him would have to weigh the consequences carefully. The price of killing him would be facing the wrath of the entire Jiuli Clan.
"Do you think the Jiuli Clan would unite against a common foe to avenge you if someone killed you? Even if we speak only of the Cangling Tribe, how far would they go for you? Would they stake their entire tribe just to back you up?
"If nothing else, if people found out you opened five springs in just a single month, that alone would be enough to draw Wuhai Realm experts to hunt you down!"
A tangle of emotions surged within Li Weiyi. "It seems entering the Jiuli Dao Academy truly has more drawbacks than benefits."
"I know of another path," Senior Coffin continued. "The risk is somewhat greater, but for you, it may be the better choice.
"In the Lingxiao Realm of the Living, top-tier powers always groom Inheritors for each generation—sometimes one, sometimes several. Without exception, these Inheritors possess Pure Immortal Physiques, have opened nine springs, and boast peerless talent and appearance.
"They travel the realm, witnessing the myriad facets of mortal life and observing the perils of every trade. While gaining worldly experience, they also serve as living banners for their sects and houses, attracting countless talents to follow and join them. Naturally, their sects and houses expand and flourish in turn.
"Thus, these Inheritors generally become the future masters of their sects and family houses."
Li Weiyi smiled. "The charm of an idol can indeed drive many people into a frenzy."
Senior Coffin said, "Yet if a superpower wishes to pass down its legacy for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, relying solely on surface strength would allow others to see right through them. Therefore, besides cultivating the face, they must cultivate the lining.
"The Inheritors are the face, while the lining is known as the Divine Hidden Ones.
"The resources a Divine Hidden One receives are even better than an Inheritor's, but the struggle for that position is far more brutal.
"You've probably guessed that I had ties with the Jiuli Clan during my lifetime. I admit that having you take this path carries a bit of personal bias.
"However, the path of a Divine Hidden One allows you to obtain the Jiuli Clan's cultivation resources while receiving their protection, all with minimal restraint placed upon you. I think you should give it serious consideration."
Li Weiyi asked, "What do you mean by 'brutal,' Senior?"
"The competition is extraordinarily cruel," Senior Coffin said. "Each year, the nine great tribes select one or several youths and send them to the Jiuli Hidden Gate, yet only one survives each year. Whether that single survivor can even become a Divine Hidden One remains unknown; more likely than not, they may only serve as a Hidden Servant to one.
"A Divine Hidden One is chosen only once every few decades."
Li Weiyi chuckled wryly. "Senior... aren't you setting me up for a trap?"
Senior Coffin replied, "Hear me out. Since I prepared this path for you, I naturally have a foolproof plan. Before going to the Jiuli Hidden Gate, you must first break through to the ninth spring. With the combat prowess you'll possess at the ninth spring, you won't even need to compete; you can simply conquer those at the Jiuli Hidden Gate who... well, let us tentatively call them people! When the time comes, take a Wuhai Pill from the Hidden Gate, and you can step directly into the Wuhai Realm.
"Aside from breaking nine springs, there is a second method to compete for the position of Divine Hidden One, though it carries some danger—you would have to make a trip to the Tomb of the Cang King. For now, we still have ample time, and your cultivation speed is fast enough, so there is no need to take that risk."
At this moment, Senior Tablet spoke up. "The current situation is more complicated than we imagined. Both internal and external troubles seem to have arisen for the Jiuli Clan. I believe he should head to the Hidden Gate as soon as possible. The cultivation environment there is even better than in the Dao Domain, which will allow you to advance faster. When walking the path of cultivation, how can one avoid taking risks?"
Li Weiyi said, "Wait a moment, you two... To become a Divine Hidden One of the Jiuli Clan, wouldn't one need not only strength, but also their absolute trust?"
"You need not worry about that," Senior Tablet said. "Since Senior Coffin dared to arrange this path for you, he naturally has a way to resolve it."
"Indeed. Focus on cultivating in peace for now," Senior Coffin added. "As for which of the two methods to choose, Senior Tablet and I will discuss it further."
Remembering something, Senior Coffin said, "Our current group is far too weak. We need to raise a sufficiently strong guardian. What do you think of Zhao Zhizhuo?"
Li Weiyi smiled. "We had the exact same thought! But I can't bear the consequences of exposing a top-tier dharma artifact right now."
"Aren't you being a bit overly cautious, kid? Even if Zhao Zhizhuo recovers his cultivation, no one would ever suspect a mere Yongquan Realm cultivator like you."
Senior Coffin said, "How about this: leave him to me. I will help him restore his cultivation, and at the same time, I can pose as a powerhouse to intimidate him a bit. Of course, it also depends on whether you're willing to spend the money..."
It would certainly cost a fortune!
Li Weiyi felt an ache in his heart and put on a miserable face. "I only just managed to come into two windfalls with great difficulty. How much is this going to cost?"
Aside from the one hundred thousand silver coins from the Changlin Gang, Li Ling had also brought the funds provided by the Cangling Tribe to purchase the estate earlier today.
"Picture how much money those sects spend to raise a single Wuhai Realm expert; you might feel better that way," Senior Coffin remarked with a rare chuckle.
Li Weiyi walked out of the room. Looking at the large household before him, he felt a severe lack of security, so he decided to put the plan to restore Zhao Zhizhuo's cultivation onto the agenda. Only when they truly had a Wuhai Realm powerhouse presiding over them would he feel more at ease—whether heading to the Tomb of the Cang King or going into seclusion to charge toward the sixth spring.
...
The following day.
Li Weiyi and Zhao Zhizhuo rode toward the city gates in a newly purchased carriage.
Zhao Zhizhuo still bore numerous scars across his body, but they were no longer a serious hindrance, and he could move about with complete freedom.
After entering the city, magnificent and imposing buildings came into view. Luxurious carriages rolled through the streets everywhere, and one could constantly see formidable exotic beasts alongside sect disciples dressed in matching attire.
"Head to the West Market," Li Weiyi said.
Zhao Zhizhuo was an adept driver. Pulling the reins and cracking his whip, he steered the horses and turned westward.
Li Weiyi asked, "I heard that to reconstruct shattered springs, one needs to purchase spring liquid. That stuff must be quite expensive, right?"
Zhao Zhizhuo knew all too well about spring liquid. "Spring liquid is the essence condensed from the spring orifices of Dao Seed Realm powerhouses. Unless they are utterly destitute and cannot even put food on the table, they would never sell it. On the market, a single drop of spring liquid is worth a thousand silver coins."
Li Weiyi clutched his chest and asked again, "How many drops does it take to reconstruct one spring?"
"Reconstructing my first spring took three drops. Reconstructing the second took five," Zhao Zhizhuo replied.
Li Weiyi asked, "Old Zhao, how many springs did you open back in the day?"
"Eight springs."
Recalling the past, Zhao Zhizhuo wore a proud expression. "You must understand, a martial cultivator who breaks eight springs is hailed as an outstanding talent—it is even harder than charging into the Wuhai Realm. Put it this way: out of twenty cultivators at seven springs, perhaps only one can break through to the eighth. But out of ten seven-spring cultivators, one might reach the Wuhai Realm. Of course, that's just a rough comparison, not exact figures."
"Old Zhao, do you trust me?" Li Weiyi asked.
Zhao Zhizhuo was no fool, and he instantly grew tense. "Brother Li, are you planning to buy spring liquid for me? There's no need to waste that money. I wasted an untold fortune back then, and it was entirely useless. I exhausted every possible method, and after years of effort, I only reconstructed two springs. My heart has long since found peace."
"You've resigned yourself to fate? Are you truly content? I heard that in the past, all five of your qi seas in the Wuhai Realm were fully opened, and your cultivation was exceptionally profound."
Li Weiyi said, "If you trust me, ask no questions. Once we buy the spring liquid, I will take you to meet a senior. He can help you."
Zhao Zhizhuo understood Li Weiyi's temperament; the young man never spoke without purpose. His emotions were instantly set ablaze, a tempest surging within his heart. He stared fixedly at Li Weiyi, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Drive the carriage! Look at the road... sit back down... Can't you keep your composure?" Li Weiyi said.
How could Zhao Zhizhuo possibly remain composed? Old tears nearly welled in his eyes as he asked urgently, "Just which senior is it? In the entire Lingxiao Realm of the Living, there are fewer than ten dharma artifacts capable of helping reconstruct spring orifices... I don't believe Lizhou has even one..."
"I already told you, don't ask. If you ask again, we turn back right now. That senior hates talkative people the most," Li Weiyi said.
"I won't ask, I won't ask... Not another word."
Having said that, Zhao Zhizhuo couldn't help but add, "Is that senior truly in Jiuli City...? Right, right, I'll stop asking... I'll drive. I'll drive properly..."
Chapter 53