Right as Marionette reached that threshold, Chen Chuan suddenly sensed something as well.
His heart stirred slightly. Though the sensation was somewhat faint at this moment, the sudden surge in spiritual connection clearly signified that the seed he had split off had undergone a transformation, and its mutated tissue had leaped to the level of a martial artist.
His spirits lifted. This step was undeniably crucial, as the seed required diverse external stimuli during its growth while remaining relatively fragile itself; no matter how resilient one was, there was always a limit.
Much like an immature sapling, even a minor storm could easily destroy it, but once it passed this hurdle, both its survival chances and resilience were greatly increased.
Yet the subsequent step was the most vital of all: the seed had to maintain balance between spirit and body as best as possible. Once this equilibrium settled completely, it would mark the discovery of that point where spirit and physical body broke through together.
Then, when the seed was absorbed back, he could use it to seize that vital pivot and cross the limit barrier in the most consummate state possible.
He could not intervene in this process, so he could only leave the seed to find its own way.
After returning from the mine cavern, he stayed at the camp for another night. Come dawn, though the matter was concluded, he was in no hurry to rush back.
The federal capital was still hosting the Invitational Tournament, where his presence was not required. Returning would only bind him with restrictions, so taking the opportunity to cultivate outside for a while was much preferable.
Upon learning his thoughts, Vegadov said, "Further south lies Weishu State, home of the Tianji Sect. Weren't you interested in that place, Mr. Chen? Why not travel there for a look? There are many places well suited for cultivation.
"You needn't worry either, Mr. Chen. The Tianji Sect has always remained neutral, and nearly the entire state's population are believers. The Covert Operations Directorate and Strategic Affairs Department hold little sway there, official interference is rare, and the atmosphere for learning and exchange is wonderful. Many groups and factions, including members of our Purist Faction, sometimes choose to hone their fighting skills there."
Chen Chuan considered it and thought it sounded agreeable. That very day, he boarded a train. After a day's journey, the train departed Duwane State and entered one of the Federation's five major states, Bayende-Weishu State.
Of the Federation's five major states, aside from El-Montevia State and El-Calvinia State, held respectively by the West Coast and East Coast parties, the remaining three belonged to dominant global megacorporations and cultic factions. This distribution of power was the product of compromise and cooperation among various factions during the early days of opening up the Ying Continent.
The federal government had continuously attempted to draw back the resources of the other three states, but to this day had seen little success.
The train did not head straight for Center City, where the Tianji Sect's headquarters lay, but first stopped at a bustling border city named Aduri.
A Tianji Sect zhisuo was established here. A so-called "zhisuo" was an institution uniting religion and administration unique to the Xuan Sect system; it handled not only sect affairs but also exercised certain administrative functions.
Within Weishu State, there were thirty-six zhisuo of varying sizes, all named after famous mountains and scenic landmarks from Xuan Sect legends. The one they had arrived at was named "Chongming."
After disembarking from the train, the group headed toward the zhisuo.
Although this zhisuo sat on the border of Weishu State, the religious atmosphere was thick. Many residents wore the everyday robes of the Xuan Sect, carried pendants representing ritual implements, and greeted others using sect etiquette.
Over the past few days, the escorts following Chen Chuan had grown familiar with the Purist Faction members. One of them asked curiously, "Are all the residents here believers of the Tianji Sect?"
A Purist Faction member promptly replied, "Not quite. The Tianji Sect doesn't force anyone into the faith. They have their own religious academies, and only those who have studied there and received a talisman are considered true Tianji Sect initiates."
They further explained that for ordinary devotees, the Tianji Sect held an annual examination on sect rituals. These tests were tied to various social benefits; passing them with acceptable conduct earned tax reductions.
For example, children under ten who passed were immediately granted sect student status; those over sixty who had passed five assessments would be cared for in retirement by the sect until the end of their days.
Hearing this, everyone understood at once: while the Tianji Sect did not force one to believe, social benefits and avenues for advancement were tied to it in every way.
Though the federal government maintained a state government and state assembly here as well, they were essentially mere ornaments.
Yet every coin had two sides. For that very reason, Weishu State exerted very little influence in the federal central government. Administrators originating from the state rarely became prominent federal officials or congressmen, partly due to local conditions and partly due to deliberate suppression by the central government.
Strictly speaking, this could be considered a state within a state. Then again, most of the Federation's center cities were remarkably independent to begin with. What set Weishu State apart was its greater size, larger population, and above all, the fact that—like the major powers controlling other states—the Tianji Sect possessed high-tier power.
Following the city's main boulevard, the party walked for half an hour before arriving at Chongming Zhisuo.
Chen Chuan looked up. The zhisuo stood atop a high knoll. From the knoll, the upturned eaves revealed East Continent multi-eaved hip-and-gable roofs, upon which crouched rows of Xuan Sect roof beasts, presenting a magnificent, solemn, and elegant sight.
At that moment, the deep chime of a chime bell rang out, bringing tranquility to those who heard it.
A pair of white jade crane sculptures stood by the entrance, appearing as if lightly spreading their wings in graceful dance, seeming almost to emit clear crane cries. Such extraordinary craftsmanship lent a touch of vitality to the solemn atmosphere.
After announcing themselves at the entrance, sect attendants promptly invited them inside. The zhishi here was surnamed Hai, of East Continent descent. Appearing in his sixties, with black hair, a black beard, and hale spirits, he wore traditional Xuan Sect azure robes. Though somewhat stout, he still carried an air of transcendental elegance.
Once tea was served, learning that they planned to visit the sect headquarters for sightseeing and cultivation and to call upon several renowned masters, he said:
"You have arrived at an inconvenient time. We happen to be holding the sect's decennial Great Jiao ritual these days. Master figures from every zhisuo are gathered at the headquarters and cannot receive visitors, while the various pavilions and halls are all sealed. Therefore, I believe it would be best for you to wait until the ritual concludes before traveling there. Furthermore, if you wish to cultivate, there is no need to visit the headquarters specifically."
Looking at Chen Chuan with a smile, he added, "As this is Mr. Chen's first visit to our Tianji Sect's territory, sect tradition calls for offering you an auspicious encounter. I can divine heavenly secrets on your behalf to locate a suitable place for cultivation."
Vegadov explained, "This uses the Tianji Rite to calculate destined affinity. I received guidance the first time I came as well; it was very effective and genuinely helped me a great deal. You might as well give it a try, Mr. Chen."
Chen Chuan gave a slight nod. "Then I shall trouble Master Hai."
Master Hai smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen." Offering a sect salute, he stood and retired to the rear hall.
After the two had waited for an hour, Master Hai returned and handed Chen Chuan a bamboo canister sealed with beeswax.
"I do not know what is written within either; I only followed the celestial mechanism during divination. Once Benefactor departs and opens the scroll, you shall find what you seek."
Chen Chuan nodded to him. Finishing their cup of tea, they took their leave.
Not long after they left, a mystic emerged from outside into the grand hall of the zhisuo.
Seeing him, Master Hai rose and said in surprise, "Senior Brother Jinzan, you have returned? Have you finished what you set out to do?"
Mystic Jinzan said, "Whether I went or not hardly mattered." He shook his head. "After making a round outside, I see Master was right. How could human effort sway heavenly fate? I seemed to have done much, yet in the end accomplished nothing at all."
Master Hai said, "Now that you are back, Senior Brother, there is no need to dwell on those matters. Have you returned in order to go to the headquarters? That makes sense—the Jiao ritual surely cannot do without you."
Mystic Jinzan showed disgust. "I am not going. I despise looking at their faces."
Master Hai asked cautiously, "Is Senior Brother Jinzan still unwilling to see Senior Brother Fuming?"
Mystic Jinzan gave a cold sneer. "Fuming and his circle can never sit still. They actually harbor the wild ambition to meddle in federal politics, forgetting the admonition that 'The mysteries of heaven do not enter worldly politics.' Yet the Grand Overseer does nothing to restrain them."
Master Hai said, "Ever since the Celestial Master entered secluded cultivation, matters great and small have fallen under the Grand Overseer's hand. Whatever rules he lays down, we must simply follow. Senior Brother, allow me a word of counsel: Senior Brother Fuming acts for the good of our sect as well. Living upon this Ying Continent, we inevitably must deal with the political rulers here; it cannot truly be considered a breach of sect law."
Mystic Jinzan seemed disinclined to pursue the topic further. Glancing at the burning incense in the burner, he asked, "Were there visitors just now?"
"Ah, two benefactors from the Purist Faction came by. They said they recently shattered a fissure, gained some insights, and came to our jurisdiction seeking a place to cultivate."
"Oh? That matter—I know of it."
Mystic Jinzan nodded. He knew about that fissure in Duwane State; the Purist Faction had labored over it for years.
He remarked with feeling, "To think they truly cleared it. The Purist Faction struggles to realize its ambitions here on the Ying Continent, yet their resolve is impossible to crush. Rare indeed. Among the five great factions of this age, only the Purist Faction and Implant Faction are of any use."
Master Hai smiled. "I assumed you disliked implantation techniques, Senior Brother."
Mystic Jinzan shook his head. "Though the body is our treasure, otherworldly calamities approach, bringing changes beyond measure. Certain notions need not be clung to so stubbornly. How could all those rules outweigh the fundamental survival of the common people?"
"You possess a compassionate heart for the world, Senior Brother."
Mystic Jinzan said self-deprecatingly, "Nowadays, such sentiments are the most useless things of all. Exhausting every heavenly secret, remaining unnamed in the end, whether existing or not, coming and going as a single spirit."
On the other side, Chen Chuan returned to the vehicle, uncapped the bamboo canister, and took out the contents. Unrolling it, he saw a line-drawn map with a location marked upon it.
He cast a glance over it, musing to himself: *Is this what the celestial mechanism indicated?*
Checking the map and searching via his boundary credential, he quickly found a match.
Within Weishu State, the Tianji Sect had designated seventy-two scenic landmarks, and this location was one of them: "Dongwang Crag." He shared this with Vegadov, and their vehicle headed in that direction.
Chapter 1218