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Chapter 39: Encountering the Chongxuan Sect Again
🕑 Added 2025-03-10 12:45:26 +0000 UTC“Spirit Pearl?” Du Rong blurted out in surprise. He scrutinized the pearl in Chen Xiao’s hand before finally trusting his own eyes. With a puzzled expression, he looked up at Chen Xiao and asked, “Master, forgive my boldness, but where did this Spirit Pearl come from?”
This was a Spirit Pearl, not a Spirit Coin! Spirit Coins could be obtained as long as one had money and was willing to pay the transaction fees. But Spirit Pearls were different. They could be used as energy and were far rarer in the mortal world. They only circulated among aristocratic families and cultivators. Even among cultivators, Spirit Coins were the common currency for daily expenses, while Spirit Pearls were a luxury.
Chen Xiao explained, “Very few people know this, but I happened to learn a technique related to residential feng shui that allows me to identify certain rare immortal antiques. You should be aware that some of these antiques hold significant value. For instance, have you heard about the bronze cauldron that the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion recently sold?”
Seeing Du Rong nod, Chen Xiao continued, “According to the immortal master who took it, although the formation patterns on the cauldron were damaged, the material itself was extremely rare and valuable. It could be melted down and reused as raw material. This Spirit Pearl was obtained in a similar manner. It was part of my share from selling an ancient ivory plaque.”
Du Rong pondered for a moment before saying, “Master, are you planning to specialize in this trade? In the cities of cultivators, there are second-hand artifact shops, which are great places to find treasures.”
Chen Xiao shook his head. “No, I brought this up to assure you that I have the means to earn enough Spirit Coins and Spirit Pearls for my needs. Uncle Rong, would you be willing to accompany me to a cultivator’s city? I can cover all the expenses.”
Chen Xiao had keenly grasped the key to persuading Du Rong. Over the years, Du Rong had spent all his earnings on purchasing pills, weapons, and equipment to enhance his strength. He had long yearned to visit that city, but the ship fare alone was exorbitant, fifty Spirit Coins! That amount could buy five bottles of pills, ten weapons, or a full set of equipment, which would be enough to undertake twenty expeditions and improve his cultivation by a third.
If Chen Xiao was truly willing to provide the fare, there was no way Du Rong could refuse. Sure enough, he agreed almost instantly and decided to accompany Chen Xiao to the cultivator’s city. Having made up his mind, Du Rong immediately switched gears, focusing entirely on planning for Chen Xiao’s journey.
He said, “The first issue we need to address is your identity. When cultivators go on expeditions, they accept and complete tasks through an organization called Zhishi Hall. It also handles exchanges of goods, and if needed, one can even post tasks through it.”
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. “There’s actually such a convenient platform in this world?”
Du Rong didn’t quite understand the term ‘platform,’ but he got the gist of what Chen Xiao meant. Nodding, he explained, “Yes, it’s very convenient. Zhishi Hall is jointly managed by multiple factions, functioning like an alliance. The shipping routes from the outer ports to that city were established by Zhishi Hall. Since it only operates within the cultivation world, purchasing a ship ticket requires a cultivator’s name plaque.”
“A name plaque?” Chen Xiao was surprised. “A plaque that serves as proof of identity?”
Du Rong confirmed with a nod. “That’s right.”
Chen Xiao hadn’t expected the name plaque to be so important for something like this. Fortunately, he always kept his plaque close. He retrieved it and placed it on the table. “I just had my plaque replaced last year. It’s an adult’s version and can be used long-term.”
Du Rong picked up the plaque and, using an unknown technique, caused it to flash with a faint glow.
He then explained, “This name plaque is the most crucial identification for everyone, not just commoners, but especially for cultivators. In fact, the plaque stores some information, and by probing it with true essence, one can read its contents.”
With that, Du Rong recited the details stored in Chen Xiao’s plaque.
Only then did Chen Xiao realize that this small plaque contained much more than just a name, birth date, and place of origin. It also had a rough physical description, including details as precise as his eye color, whether his hair was straight or curly, the shape of his eyes, and even the contours of his lips and ears. The descriptions were so meticulous that a skilled artist could easily draw a near-exact portrait based on them.
Chen Xiao was deeply shocked by how strictly this world managed personal identification. Even the ID system from his previous life wasn’t much more advanced than this.
Du Rong chuckled. “Master, don’t be too surprised just yet. This is merely a commoner’s name plaque. For cultivators, the requirements are even stricter. The plaque must record one’s spiritual roots, cultivation level, and sect affiliation. If a cultivator has a master, that must be noted; if they are a rogue cultivator, the school they studied at must also be documented.”
Chen Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Why such meticulous record-keeping? Wouldn’t this reveal too much about many immortals? Would the immortal sects truly accept this?”
Du Rong nodded solemnly. “It’s absolutely necessary. In the past, before such regulations were enforced, there were cases where demonic cultivators infiltrated righteous sects by impersonating others. One such incident nearly led to the downfall of an entire orthodox lineage. Though the system is strict, it prevents disasters like that, so the sects have no objections. Besides, the plaque only records basic information, it doesn’t disclose the strength of one’s spiritual roots or cultivation techniques, so it doesn’t truly expose any secrets.”
Chen Xiao felt a heavy weight settle in his heart. Things were far more complicated than he had expected. In a low voice, he asked, “Then, how can my name plaque be converted into a cultivator’s plaque?”
Du Rong frowned slightly, sensing the difficulty. “The simplest way is to undergo a test. Once you pass, your ordinary plaque can be upgraded to a cultivator’s plaque.”
Du Rong told Chen Xiao that the first thing those children did after joining an Immortal Sect was to replace their old identity plaques with cultivator identity plaques. As for those who failed to enter an Immortal Sect and graduated from the academy instead, their identities were reported to the county for reassignment. Aside from these two methods, the descendants of powerful families with spiritual roots could apply directly, while independent cultivators outside the sects could simply visit the Zhi Shi Hall for verification and receive their cultivator plaques, just as Du Rong had mentioned.
No matter which method was used, Chen Xiao needed to have a spiritual root, without one, there was no chance of obtaining a cultivator identity plaque. The problem was, if his body had spiritual roots and the talent for cultivation, why would he have bothered to create a new cultivation system based on feng shui in the first place? With a wry smile, Chen Xiao asked, “Is there any other way?”
Du Rong replied solemnly, “There’s only one option left: applying for a temporary disciple plaque.”
As long as there was a way, that was good enough. Chen Xiao let out a breath of relief, but before he could celebrate, Du Rong explained the entire process. First, he needed to find an Immortal Master willing to help. Then, under the guise of being that master’s prospective disciple, he could obtain a temporary identity plaque valid for only three months.
Du Rong added, “Actually, ordinary people who frequently travel between the capital and the cultivation world also use temporary identity plaques. The key to this method is finding an Immortal Master willing to assist you.”
An Immortal Master willing to help? Easier said than done!
Chen Xiao rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I imagine such an Immortal Master would be hard to find?”
This time, however, Du Rong reassured him, saying, “No need to worry, Master. The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain, there’s always a solution.”
Unlike before, this time Du Rong took the initiative without waiting for Chen Xiao to ask. The next day, he brought him to the Zhi Shi Hall’s outpost in the outer harbor. The outpost wasn’t large, just a two-story wooden building occupying a little over a hundred square meters. The first floor was an open hall without partitions, with a waiting area near the entrance and a few service counters inside. A staircase led directly to the second floor, though it was unclear what kind of business was conducted there.
There weren’t many people inside the Zhi Shi Hall. Du Rong told Chen Xiao to wait in the reception area while he took his identity plaque upstairs. Chen Xiao sat quietly in his seat, partially hidden by a lush potted plant, observing the others in the hall.
When he looked at people, the first thing he checked was their aura. Those with a strong presence were Immortal Masters, while those without might still be cultivators. He watched as people came and went, eventually spotting two middle-aged men dressed in luxurious silk robes and heavy fur cloaks, both with prominent bellies.
There was no way they were cultivators. Just like him, they were ordinary people without spiritual roots.
At their age, even if they were cultivators, their bodies wouldn’t have changed so much as to grow such large bellies.
These two men were led inside. Regardless of what business they had, they still needed cultivator identity plaques. Seeing this, Chen Xiao felt much more at ease. Where there was demand, there would be a way. With so many people requiring temporary identity plaques, his own application shouldn’t be too difficult.
Relaxing, he leaned back in his chair and waited for Du Rong to return.
At that moment, a few people sat down behind the potted plant. Since this was a place for cultivators, they didn’t bother lowering their voices.
One of them complained, “This is already our fourth attempt. When will we finally cross this damn sea?”
Another person responded, “Junior Brother Geng, be patient. Since we’re accompanying Uncle Master Xi, we should’ve been mentally prepared for this.”
Chen Xiao had already found one of their voices somewhat familiar, but the moment he heard the name “Uncle Master Xi,” he immediately recognized who it was.
It was Zhao Fang, the disciple who had accompanied Xi Yunqing, the Immortal Master recruiting disciples for the Chongxuan Sect!
Chen Xiao didn’t dare turn his head. Instead, he stole a glance through the gaps in the potted plant. Sure enough, it was Zhao Fang. A quick scan revealed four people sitting together. Two of them, he had seen in Fancun, while the other two also seemed to be disciples of the Chongxuan Sect.
The one who had told Geng to be patient was Zhao Fang. His opposite, Junior Brother Geng, looked utterly dejected as he sighed, “How was I supposed to know this mission would be so disastrous? The first time we set sail, we hit a storm and had to turn back. The second time, we got inexplicably lost and ran aground. And the third time, unbelievably, a deep-sea beast swam all the way to the coast to seek a mate… A mere month-long sail has been delayed for half a year. It’s infuriating!”
Another person chimed in, “The elders already intended to test Uncle Master Xi’s control over misfortune when they put him in charge of this trip. Judging from the results… it’s not look great.”
The fourth person reassured them, “Don’t worry. The administration hall anticipated your delay, which is why they sent us to assist. Your merits won’t be deducted, just focus on escorting these disciples back to the sect, and the mission will be complete.”
Junior Brother Geng sighed, “It’s fine for us since we understand the situation. But those poor disciples… after soaking in seawater three times, nearly every one of them has fallen ill at least once.”
After a moment of silence, he muttered weakly, “Is it just me, or does Uncle Master Xi’s misfortune seem to intensify as his cultivation grows stronger?”
