Upon sensing that force, Chen Chuan felt the mutated tissues within his body give an active response.
A thought crossed his mind: this was likely the ritual power Fan Zhentong had mentioned earlier, which conferred additional benefits.
It was a beneficial energy, so he did not resist, allowing it to seep in.
The moment the power entered his body, the mutated tissues swiftly divided and absorbed it. What absorbed the most was the purple qi mutated tissue, which seemed to receive immense nourishment, expanding noticeably in just a brief moment.
At this, a faint glint showed in his eyes. After sensing it a while longer, he had roughly deduced the ritual's function.
This ceremony helped the subject sprout mutated tissue akin to purple qi; if one already possessed it, the absorbed power served to reinforce it.
In that case, possessors of secret map bloodlines would undoubtedly reap similar advantages.
The ritual was prolonged and gentle, drawing to a close only after more than an hour.
Chen Chuan let go and took two paces back, feeling his invigorated mutated tissues—the purple qi, in particular, had grown considerably richer.
This was far more potent than ordinary self-cultivation. The ritual presumably guided the growth of these mutated tissues while supplementing certain urgently needed or missing energies.
Pity it was a one-time affair.
Going forward, he would still have to cultivate steadily and honestly.
Through this ritual, he also discovered that the entire field space was now suffused with his spirit.
From this moment onward, anyone wishing to enter from outside required his permission. And should he wish it, their every move upon entering would be distinctly perceived by him.
Adding contacts for those few advisors on his boundary credential seemed to allow direct communication with their field spaces as well; as long as both parties were willing, they could travel to each other's domain through the connection between their fields.
This was far more convenient.
Advisors had no need to take a roundabout route from the outside to visit one another.
With that handled, he was in no hurry to head elsewhere. Instead, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a cracked jade fragment.
"Kaiyang, do you know what this is?"
Kaiyang answered, "Advisor Chen, this is a used Celestial Secret Map. Judging from the repair of the cracks, it has been no more than fifty years."
Chen Chuan said, "Oh? Were the cracks caused by extracting the bloodline?"
"Yes, Advisor Chen. The process of acquiring a bloodline involves stripping away a portion of the secret map and implanting it into one's own body.
"If the recipient's body can adapt, they obtain what was historically termed a secret map bloodline."
"Historically termed?"
"Yes. That method of transplantation was comparatively crude. It required entering the opposite realm to conduct a ritual, slaying and sacrificing high-energy creatures from both worlds, and then employing special tools to transfer the power into the recipient's body.
"This was the mainstream method of acquiring bloodlines in the old era. However, because recipients varied in constitution and training techniques were backward, the bloodline's power was difficult to utilize effectively.
"Upon entering the new era, following extensive exchanges during the Grand Alliance period, new methods emerged.
"Generally, through contemplation of the secret map, esoteric rituals, resonance, and various other means, one establishes a spiritual resonance with it. This causes the secret map to actively or passively link with a suitable recipient, thereby gradually cultivating the bloodline.
"This approach yields no tremendous power in the initial stages; it requires gradual guidance and release through subsequent training. Those who successfully develop usually possess higher compatibility, and the various sects have each formulated esoteric transmissions for acquiring and awakening bloodlines."
Listening to this, Chen Chuan nodded inwardly. So that was how secret map bloodlines were acquired.
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do these cracks repair themselves?"
"Yes. After a secret map has been used, it gradually repairs itself, which in the past took anywhere from several decades to a century. But according to our observations, during fluctuation periods, the repair speed accelerates. The secret map in your hand may require only four to five years to fully recover.
"However, the repair itself causes the secret map to shrink in volume, though there is currently insufficient data to determine the extent of that shrinkage."
Chen Chuan said, "The secret maps I have found and learned about all come in sets of three. Is there any particular significance to this?"
"There is a hypothesis that secret maps originally derived from a single or a few mother bodies. What we have recovered are merely fragments of them. Secret maps sharing a common origin produce a resonance effect, significantly amplifying their function."
Chen Chuan nodded. "As far as I know, some esoteric transmissions and new technologies in the old era were also derived from them?"
"Indeed. Some theories hold that the patterns upon the secret map are expositions on the essence of the world—divine vessels for communicating with higher dimensions. Through study and induction, all manner of knowledge transcending common sense can be derived from them.
"The method of obtaining this is not stored within the general database. If you are interested, Advisor Chen, you may apply for special authorization from the Five-Member Advisory Subgroup, and they can provide you with the relevant information."
Chen Chuan made a sound of understanding. Such knowledge was held not only by Great Shun, but likely by various countries, corporations, and major sects across the world. Keeping it out of the database was clearly because each faction commanded different techniques and was unwilling to let them leak out.
In the past, obtaining these would have been fraught with immense difficulty, yet now that he was an advisor, it came effortlessly. The elevation of status and power naturally brought ease in acquiring resources and intelligence.
He turned and departed, arriving at the second-floor hall where the items shipped earlier had been delivered.
Chaoming, having shrunk in size, was waiting obediently atop a crate while keeping watch over his belongings. Seeing him approach, it let out a joyful chirp.
Chen Chuan walked over, stroked its head, and after a moment's thought, released the civet urban legend, sending the two of them outside to feed.
He then carried the items to the study where he had decided to rest for the night.
As he unpacked, he reflected that once the specially commissioned weapon repository was built and reinforced, he could move all the weapons he had recently collected, along with his earlier treasures, into that single space.
Having all his collections gathered together was pleasing just to imagine.
After indulging in that thought for a moment, he brought out Emperor Wenguang's alchemy furnace and placed it on the floor.
He intended to use this free window to revert the celestial abode into a celestial seed as soon as possible.
The matter of the Ascending Ladder still needed to be addressed, but having only just become an advisor today, the various departments were likely only now receiving the news. He expected many people would seek him out over the next day or two, so he could discuss it then. For now, he would wait a bit.
***
Inside the Ministry of National Security, Minister He Shugang set down the telephone without an expression on his face.
He had just received official notice from above: Chen Chuan had joined the Supreme Advisory Council as a formal advisor.
In truth, he had already caught wind of this from within his sect, though it had not been officially confirmed until now.
Not long ago, Chen Chuan had been merely a commissioner, yet in the blink of an eye, he stood within the nation's highest organ of power.
Such was the advancement path of a martial artist: it required no extensive political seniority, only sufficient talent and combat prowess to ascend directly to the top.
To be frank, he felt a measure of envy. Back then, he had abandoned the path of a martial artist and spent the better part of his life climbing to this seat, yet Chen Chuan had effortlessly overtaken him. He could no longer tell whether his choice all those years ago had been right.
Just then, he sensed something and looked ahead, spotting an indistinct figure taking shape upon the sofa.
He asked, "Does the sect have instructions?"
The figure said, "Minister He, the sect wants you prepared to tighten your grip on the ministry.
"Now that that man has become an advisor, he will certainly use the department where he once served as an entry point to expand his influence and sphere of power.
"Minister He, things may not be easy for you moving forward, but the Ministry of National Security is of vital importance to us. The sect's demand is that you ensure it remains in our hands, no matter what."
In a voice devoid of ripples, He Shugang said, "If a way can be found to transfer Ren Xinshan away, I can guarantee holding it."
The figure fell silent for a moment before replying, "We will find a way."
***
At the very same moment, within the Purist Faction headquarters.
Zhan Jiyue looked down at the internal dispatch in his hands, his face brimming with delight. He had assumed it was impossible for Chen Chuan to join the Advisory Group, never expecting things would take such a dramatic turn in the end.
He raised his head toward Vice Chairman Zhu sitting opposite him and grumbled, "Vice Chairman Zhu, you must have known the news well in advance, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me sooner? I've been moping around for days."
Vice Chairman Zhu snapped, "Before the final announcement, who would dare leak it? Do you think the Supreme Advisory Council has no regard for its dignity?"
Zhan Jiyue paused. "Chairman, you mean..."
Vice Chairman Zhu said, "Though the dispatch doesn't state it outright, the sect suspects the higher-ups altered the roster, which rendered the original nomination void."
Zhan Jiyue was startled. "The higher-ups... Could it be...?"
"Enough. Just keep it to yourself—don't say it aloud." Vice Chairman Zhu pointed a finger at him.
Understanding completely, Zhan Jiyue nodded repeatedly.
"There is another reason I called you here today."
Vice Chairman Zhu continued, "Ever since Advisor Chen arrived in the capital, we have wanted to arrange a meeting with him, but he has been swamped with official duties since taking office. Now that he is an advisor, headquarters wishes to meet with him to coordinate better in the future. Old Zhan, you have good rapport with Advisor Chen; please convey the invitation on our behalf."
Zhan Jiyue said in surprise, "Wouldn't it be better if comrades from the faction spoke to Advisor Chen directly?" The Advisory Group was not without other Purist Faction advisors; passing along a word was hardly difficult.
Vice Chairman Zhu shook his head. "The faction had little prior contact with Advisor Chen. An invitation like this is better coming from you."
Zhan Jiyue muttered to himself: *Now you remember to reach out; where were you earlier?*
Yet he also knew this was not Vice Chairman Zhu's fault. Recently, headquarters had poured all its focus into pressing the assault on the convergence zones and defending the Ring of Worlds. Plagued by manpower shortages, everyone from headquarters had been mobilized, and the chairman was attending daily conferences at the State Council, leaving no room to attend to other matters.
He said, "Very well, Vice Chairman Zhu, leave this to me. But I can't make any promises. Advisor Chen has only just become an advisor and will certainly be busy; he might not have the time."
Vice Chairman Zhu said, "Mm, just do your best. Old Zhan, I have faith in you."
Chapter 1482