Chapter 466 - 463: 9 Layer Space Spiritual Cicada Route
What’s going on?
How did a single poem manage to make all the great powers and deans of the academy leave?
It appears that each of the deans achieved significant gains, even gifting Qin Feng with the Spring and Autumn Cicada and the Mountain and River Map, the treasured works of Danqing Academy. Was that really necessary?
Tang Sanyuan and the others, being at a lower level in their Dao cultivation and nowhere near the cultivation realm of individuals like Su Muzhe, didn’t gain much enlightenment from the Righteous Qi Song.
A few of them stared intently at Qin Feng, unable to take their eyes off him.
They were highly skeptical—was this guy really from Beast Taming Sect and not the chief disciple trained by some other major academies?
Even if he were the chief disciple from those academies, it would still be impossible to achieve something so astoundingly unconventional.
A single poem was able to resonate with the spirits of several great powers from the Spring and Autumn Academy, elevating their realms. That was truly a divine creation!
Moreover, Qin Feng had none of the vast energy about him, making it impossible for him to be a scholar from another academy.
Thus, they were all immensely puzzled.
Especially Fang Chengqian and Tang Sanyuan, who felt frustrated when they recalled how Su Muzhe had grabbed the two of them, intending to exchange Qin Feng with the Gui Ling Ancestor.
The chief disciples of the prestigious Spring and Autumn Academy were, after all…Nevermind, Dean Su was right; even as chief disciples, they couldn’t compare to a cultivator from Beast Taming Sect in terms of poetic accomplishment, which was utterly embarrassing.
Tang Sanyuan inadvertently turned his head and saw his sister looking at Qin Feng with admiration, which startled him. He quickly moved forward two steps to block her line of sight, cleared his throat, and made awkward conversation, “Congratulations, Brother Qin, on obtaining the treasure.”
“Hehe, I should also thank Senior Su from your academy.”
Qin Feng gleefully placed the Spring and Autumn Cicada into the Spiritual Beast Bag and pocketed the Mountain and River Mirror, planning to put them into the Demon Refining Pot later. He chuckled and said, “Senior Su is indeed generous, giving away even treasures like the Mountain and River Mirror so readily. His magnanimity is truly beyond comparison to us juniors.”
Daoist Wu looked somberly at Fang Chengqian, “Was it you who took Brother Qin and the others to Danqing Academy earlier? Did you also introduce them to the Mountain and River Mirror?”
To Qin Feng, the Mountain and River Mirror was merely a space treasure, useful only for replenishing the Demon Refining Pot and nothing else.
But to the students of Danqing Academy, they never cared about its spatial attributes; what mattered to them was the painting on the mirror, the works of the dean of Danqing Academy.
Now, this academy treasure, this finest masterpiece has just been given away, and of course, he felt somewhat bitter.
“Er?”
Fang Chengqian suddenly felt uneasy.
Although Danqing Academy wouldn’t dare do anything to Su Muzhe or disturb Qin Feng, he, who unwittingly caused the academy to lose its treasured painting, would still remain in the academy and might not have an easy time in the coming days.
Then, he couldn’t help but cast a resentful glance at Qin Feng.
This guy, asking Dean Su for the Mountain and River Mirror was bad enough, but why did you have to mention that it was me who took you there?
Qin Feng pretended not to see his resentful look and put on a seemingly naive smile.
Indeed, he had deliberately mentioned Fang Chengqian because now even if he encountered scholars from Danqing Academy during the trials, he would not be targeted by any discontented students.
“Ultimately, since Su Muzhe had already given the Mountain and River Map to him, even if some were dissatisfied, they would only complain to Fang Chengqian a little, and wouldn’t dwell on this matter.”
Beside him, Li Miaozhen looked at him in a daze, truly unable to comprehend how Qin Feng managed to get several Grandmasters of the Spring and Autumn Academy to voluntarily give him treasures.
Feeling shocked in her heart, she quickly grabbed a jar of wine next to her and gulped down several mouthfuls to calm her nerves!
Compared to Li Miaozhen’s carefree nature, Liu Xuanling and Lianxing were even more astonished.
However, they did not understand the Confucianism Technique well, even though they felt that the poem by Qin Feng seemed quite profound, they were not clear about its actual effect on those Confucianism Grandmasters.
In their view, it was like how an unintentional remark from a Confucianism scholar could also possibly move the spirit of a Daoism Immortal, such events were rare, but they were not nonexistent, so it was not unacceptable.
“Alright, the fellow Daoists have all gone into seclusion, let’s head back too.”
The Gui Ling Ancestor said with a smile.
He found himself liking Qin Feng more and more.
Indeed, this junior’s fortune was truly extraordinary. To think that he managed to move figures like Zhao Boyang and Su Muzhe of the Spring and Autumn Academy just through a poem. If those individuals truly advanced in cultivation due to it, they would not dismiss this favor.
Creating good relations with the Spring and Autumn Academy, one of the Five Great Powers of the Biluo Great World, would bring many invisible benefits to their Sect.
Especially now during the Five Domains Alliance, when Grandmasters of various schools gather to discuss major matters, if the Spring and Autumn Academy could speak a good word for the Beast Taming Sect, it would spare the Sect from many troubles and gain numerous benefits.
To be honest, the Spring and Autumn Academy was only without the Spring and Autumn Ancestor in residence. Otherwise, be it in strength, influence, or authority, it was no less than the War God Palace or the Ten Directions Ghost City, even stronger in terms of its rallying power.
After all, the Spring and Autumn Ancestor was a saint revered by scholars worldwide, which naturally elevated the status of the Spring and Autumn Academy a great deal.
Unlike in the Southern Domain, where no other major sects proved their Dao through martial ways except the War God Palace, or in the Northern Domain, aside from the Ten Directions Ghost City, there were hardly any cultivators practicing the Netherworld Ghost Path.
Only the Taixuan Daoist School in the East Domain and the Great Leiyin Temple in the West could match the Spring and Autumn Academy in terms of influence.
And for Creators like Grandmaster AncestorTaixuan and Ghost Ancestor, they hardly cared about the competition among the sects on normal days, as long as their own Daoist schools were safe and there was no major upheaval in the world, they wouldn’t interfere.
Thus, whether the Spring and Autumn Academy had a Creator Grandmaster in residence didn’t really make a difference. Furthermore, if someone targeted the Spring and Autumn Academy, they could still communicate with the Spring and Autumn Ancestor.
That was why Gui Ling Ancestor felt even more that Qin Feng was a lucky star for the entire Beast Taming Sect.
This young man always brought various surprises unintentionally, just like when he brought back the statue of the Dark Flame Demon God to the Sect, or during the expedition when he subjugated an ordinary Lion Scorpion Beast, and just happened to be summoned to discover another world, thus gaining a chance for advancement.
Hearing the words from Gui Ling Ancestor about leaving, Li Miaozhen regretfully put down the empty jar in her hand with a sigh, “It’s a pity, I thought we could have a hearty drink today, but we have to go just as things were getting exciting.”
“Ha ha…”
Tang Sanyuan laughed, “If Daoist Fellow Li is willing, you can always come to the Academy to find us anytime, there will be plenty of fine wine!”
Fang Chengqian looked at him, stepped forward, and said, “Now, factions from the Five Domains are still arriving, and there are more than ten days until the Alliance meets. How about I bring enough Spring and Autumn wine to Lingxiao City to find you… and the fellow Daoists tomorrow.
Furthermore, I also know several places in Lingxiao City that have excellent Spiritual Wine. Since it’s your first time in the Central Region, I am willing to keep you company around Lingxiao City to fully perform the duties of a host.”
“Indeed, that sounds good.”
Li Miaozhen slapped his shoulder carelessly, “You really are more straightforward. Just don’t recite poems and match verses in front of me all day like those old scholars in the academy.”
Tang Qiyun bit her lip and said softly, “Then I will go find them with Senior Brother Fang as well.”
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but glance at Qin Feng.
Tang Sanyuan, who was nearby, saw this and hurriedly said, “Little sister, don’t you still need to prepare for the trial? You should stay in the academy and study music theory properly.”
Tang Qiyun looked at her brother strangely, “The trial is not far off, what can I comprehend in such a short time?”
“Then stay in the academy to refine the Spiritual Treasure. I’ve found a protective treasure for you, it’s quite powerful and perfectly suited for your use.”
“When did you mention this before?”
Tang Sanyuan rolled his eyes, thinking, you weren’t smitten before!
His sister was just curious about Qin Feng now, but if he let her continue interacting with that guy from the Beast Taming Sect, she might develop feelings for him. If she were really lured away to the Southern Domain, not only would the academy stir up trouble, but their family would also face great difficulties.
After all, she was the Chief Disciple of the Music Department, not an ordinary student. Both the academy and the Tang family regarded her as a rare genius, who was not to be easily lured away by others.
Although Spring and Autumn Academy and the Tang Family were not concerned about marriage, the Southern Domain was too far. Even entities who had achieved immortality would take a considerable amount of time to travel back and forth, let alone these small cultivators who had not yet proven their Dao?
Therefore, he planned to cut off the possibility of his sister interacting with Qin Feng from the start. Over time, she naturally wouldn’t think about him anymore.
However, he himself could visit Lingxiao City with Fang Chengqian.
The female disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were excellent in appearance, talent, and cultivation progress. Although he was not willing to let his sister marry far into the Southern Domain, if he could bring a genius disciple from the Southern Domain into their family, he believed both the academy and their family would definitely approve enthusiastically.
After all, the Beast Taming Sect was a Major Sect, a significant force everywhere.
And looking at the current trends, there might be further advancements in the future. If truly their luck thrived and several Golden Immortals emerged or someone advanced to the Eternal Realm, it would become a top-level great force, second only to the Spring and Autumn Academy.
Gui Ling Ancestor didn’t pay attention to these junior’s thoughts. With his Daoist Heart and cultivation, such trivial matters weren’t worth his concern.
Besides, his true disciples weren’t just anyone to be easily lured away. A mere few days weren’t enough time for such feelings to develop.
And these female disciples each had their own peculiar traits; Li Miaozhen was bold and belligerent, never entertaining thoughts of love; Lianxing was pure-hearted, maintaining her inner purity and rejecting external contamination of her Daoist Heart.
As for Liu Xuanling, she was exceedingly arrogant. Regardless of whether these Spring and Autumn Academy disciples had lower or higher cultivation than hers, she wouldn’t take them too seriously.
The only one relatively normal, Qin Feng, was a male and obviously wouldn’t be lured away!
After the disciples bid farewell to Fang Chengqian and others, Gui Ling Ancestor waved his sleeves and took Qin Feng and the others back to Lingxiao City.
…
In the cultivation room, Qin Feng deactivated the prohibition, sat cross-legged in the center, and waved to fetch the Mountain and River Mirror.
This mirror was three zhang wide and two zhang high, much larger than ordinary mirrors due to the spaciousness of the Danqing Academy’s gateways.
However, compared to the space within the Mountain and River Map, this size of the mirror was insignificant.
Qin Feng, with a joyful face, examined the mirror up and down.
This is a space magical treasure equivalent to an Immortal Artifact, its inner space vast, hardly much smaller than the fifth floor of the Spirit Sun Treasure Wheel.
The Spirit Sun Treasure Wheel was a magical treasure the Spirit Sun Daoist had prepared to refine into a Cave Heaven Treasure. After many years of meticulous refining, it possessed such vast space.
When the Dean of the Danqing Academy was painting, he never intended to turn the painting into a formidable magical treasure, but being an Immortal Great Power, he created the Mountain and River Map as an example for future Danqing Academy disciples to learn from. Thus, he devotedly used the Supreme Daoist Skill to condense the origin energies of earth, water, fire, and wind, creating space out of nothing, and the painting eventually became the defining masterpiece of the Danqing Academy.
Thus, although the painting had no offensive capabilities and its combat power was far inferior to the Spirit Sun Treasure Wheel, its internal space was in no way inferior to that of the Spirit Sun Treasure Wheel.
Moreover, the Mountain and River Map was painted by the Danqing Academy Dean by condensing Origin Qi, and its presence led to a richness in Spiritual Energy inside, even denser than the fifth floor space that possessed a large Spirit Vein.
The only issue was that the Mountain and River Map had no Spirit Vein supporting it internally; if too much was extracted, the Spiritual Energy inside would diminish over time, and Qin Feng would later need to find a way to infuse a Spirit Vein into it.
However, for merely nurturing the Spring and Autumn Cicada, there was no problem at all. The Spiritual Energy inside the Mountain and River Map, even raising the Spring and Autumn Cicada to the level of a Demon Immortal, would not be depleted in a short time, so Qin Feng did not have to worry about the Spiritual Energy needed for the cicada’s cultivation for now.
After much hesitation, Qin Feng finally decided to send the Mountain and River Mirror into the ninth floor space of the Demon Refining Pot.
He did not choose the sixth floor because he felt that since the first floor nurtured the Swallowing Sky Toad, future levels would surely focus on the Space Law. So, he placed the Spring and Autumn Cicada, which held the Time Law, in the ninth floor, seemingly corresponding by being on opposite ends.
As for the floors in between, he planned to focus on mutually opposing principles such as light, dark, yin, and yang, which would be somewhat easier to manage together.
After a good while, a bright light rose in the ninth-floor space, and the Mountain and River Mirror was firmly stabilized in the middle of the ninth floor, the space within the Mountain and River Map settled down completely, turning into a picturesque landscape!
Qin Feng then reached out and took out the Spring and Autumn Cicada, sending it into the Demon Refining Pot.
Earlier, Su Muzhe casually placed a prohibition on the Spring and Autumn Cicada, sealing its ability to move and making this Spiritual Cicada utterly unable to resist despite having the law with it, thus it was easily refined by the Demon Refining Pot into the ninth floor’s Demon Beast.
After the refining was complete, Qin Feng then lifted the prohibition on the Spring and Autumn Cicada.
The prohibition Su Muzhe laid was relatively simple for Qin Feng’s convenience, easy to lift with just an external touch, otherwise with Qin Feng’s cultivation level, how could he break the prohibition laid by an Immortal Great Power!
Calling forth the Spring and Autumn Cicada, Qin Feng held the inch-sized cicada in front of him and examined it for a long while.
He then extended his Divine Sense into its body, perceiving the Time Law within it, and couldn’t help but marvel.
Time Law, one of the most mysterious and difficult to perceive and cultivate laws in the Void Ten Thousand Realms, was manifested within this mere cicada.
He was delighted and became even more eager to refine the Demon Refining Pot into his Lifebound Magical Treasure, so he could grasp the Time Law sooner.
The Time Law within the Spring and Autumn Cicada was not particularly strong; it might also not see much progress in the field of Time in the future since its power of law was not comprehended but was born directly from absorbing the essences of the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree.
Once separated from the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree, it was nearly impossible for the cicada with its limited wisdom to achieve Longevity through the Time Law, let alone reaching the Immortal Dao.
Nevertheless, Qin Feng had no lofty expectations for it to cultivate the Space Law to a profound degree; in fact, even if he hadn’t demanded the Spring and Autumn Cicada from others, this cicada would have had a difficult time becoming an Immortal, as the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree would not allow unlimited energy absorption from it.
Qin Feng only needed a basic understanding of the Time Law, so in Fighting competitions, he could use the Time Law to achieve feats that others could not.
As for the Spring and Autumn Cicada’s future advancement, he already had plans—it would follow the path of fusing with other Spiritual Cicada’s Bloodline Divine Powers, allowing it to cultivate other laws to achieve Longevity.
Only by achieving Longevity could it have more life span to slowly comprehend the Time Law.
Otherwise, it was not the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree; how could it have such a long life span to perceive Time Law? It would likely exhaust its life span before even scratching the surface of the Time Law, turning into a dead cicada!