Chapter 22: The Peak of Transmission

Such means of enslaving others could only be used on beasts like these immortal cranes. If such methods were applied to cultivators, Jade Immortal Sect would not be a sect of the immortal path, but a great demonic cult. He grumbled inwardly, but had no intention of setting the crane free. Having just stepped into the path of cultivation, he would not let slip even the slightest advantage—how could he possibly give up an immortal crane capable of flight?

“My thanks to the unknown senior brother who allowed me to gain an immortal crane.” With a sly chuckle, Shen Yan mounted the crane, preparing to head toward the Law Transmission Peak on Quiet Cloud Island.

Just then, his brows drew together. Circulating his true qi, he listened intently to the hushed whispers of several disciples not far off.

“That’s one of the errand boys the peak master brought back, isn’t it? To think he was rewarded with an immortal crane—unbelievable.”

“Hmph, a newcomer, yet he’s already been given an immortal crane. Some people are just lucky.”

“You don’t know, do you? I heard the new peak master is making him deliver an innate spiritual object every year. If you could do that, what’s an immortal crane compared to that?”

“That’s right. If innate spiritual objects were so easy to find, we wouldn’t have to painstakingly save up our contributions. Who knows if that guy’s lucky or doomed?”

“Forget it, let’s not talk about it. We should focus on earning contributions and hope to become outer disciples soon.”

The errand disciples of Cloud Show Peak, upon seeing Shen Yan riding his immortal crane, were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. But upon hearing of the task Yang Yun had assigned him, their thoughts of taking his place quickly faded.

Shen Yan now understood why Mingyue had paid him no mind—it was simply because she saw him as a dead man, not worth befriending. Shaking his head, he paid no attention to these petty words. Such backbiting did nothing but hinder one’s cultivation.

What mattered now was understanding the cultivation methods of this world and Jade Immortal Sect’s basic situation. With the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal in hand and the resources of Jinzhou Bay at his disposal, his cultivation would surely progress rapidly.

Law Transmission Peak was the heart of Jade Immortal Sect—not only the site where teachings were passed on, but also where the records of disciples were kept. As a mere errand disciple, Shen Yan was not yet qualified to have his name inscribed in the Jade Registry, but learning the basic arts of the Qi Refinement stage and studying the sect’s collection of books posed no problem.

The immortal crane weaved through the mountains, and before long, Shen Yan saw a peak whose summit had been cut flat.

“We’ve arrived at Law Transmission Peak.”

Clutching the token Yang Yun had given him, Shen Yan leapt from the crane’s back. Gazing at the resplendent Transmission Hall before him, he could not help but marvel anew. There were few people here, yet the atmosphere was solemn, with many outer disciples patrolling the surroundings.

Entering the hall, he found that the first floor held jade slips introducing the basics of the cultivation world. Shen Yan did not rush to learn any techniques, but first perused these slips to gather information about the world.

A craftsman must first sharpen his tools—Shen Yan lingered on the first floor for a full half-month. Only after gaining a thorough understanding of what he needed did he prepare to ascend to the second floor to learn the sect’s Qi Refinement techniques.

“You wish to study a Qi Refinement method? But none of the errand disciples promoted to outer disciples this time match your appearance,” said a mid-stage Qi Refinement outer disciple within the hall, eyeing Shen Yan with suspicion.

“I was recommended by the master of Cloud Show Peak. Here is the token—please take a look, senior brother.” Shen Yan respectfully handed over Yang Yun’s token.

“Cloud Show Peak? Recommended by the newly promoted True Inheritor, Senior Sister Yang Yun?” The disciple was startled, hastily took the token, and upon verifying its authenticity, said warmly, “Which Qi Refinement art would junior brother like to study?”

Jade Immortal Sect, being an immortal sect, possessed thousands upon thousands of Qi Refinement arts, so such a question was necessary.

“I would like to learn the Water Origin Formula, if you please.”

“The Water Origin Formula? Though the power cultivated from it is upright, harmonious, and extremely pure, it is also notoriously difficult to master. It seems junior brother has a resolute nature.” The disciple smiled and quickly produced a jade slip for Shen Yan.

“You flatter me, senior brother. I simply prefer the balance and serenity of water-based arts,” Shen Yan replied with a gentle smile, accepting the jade slip and imprinting its contents upon his mind before returning it.

The disciple put the slip away. Both sensed an opportunity for friendship, and so, with deliberate intent, struck up a rapport. After a time, Shen Yan rose to take his leave.

“Take care, junior brother Shen Yan. If you have time, do visit us at Law Transmission Peak more often.”

“Please, senior brother Yan Sheng, feel free to visit the Tranquil Heart Residence at Cloud Show Peak when you have the chance.”

“Certainly, certainly.”

Yan Sheng, the outer disciple, saw Shen Yan to the door with enthusiasm, his envy growing as he watched him mount the immortal crane. For a mere errand disciple to possess such a mount—backed by a True Inheritor—was no small matter.

After parting ways with Yan Sheng, Shen Yan rode the crane back to Cloud Show Peak. In the half month since, Yang Yun had not sought him out once—she was likely either embroiled in sect struggles or in closed-door cultivation.

Shen Yan enjoyed the freedom, unburdened by supervision. Each night, he would ride the crane out to sea, searching for the locations of innate spiritual objects. The ocean was rich with such treasures—many of which Shen Yan could not name—but with the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal in his possession, none could escape his perception if they were nearby.

Guiding the crane to the edge of Quiet Cloud Island’s protective barriers, Shen Yan alighted upon a reef, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes.

The Water Origin Formula was a foundational cultivation art, its primary purpose to attune the cultivator to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and guide it into the body—a process known as Drawing Qi Into the Body.

Once the energy entered, the cultivator would refine it, extracting the essence and discarding the dross—this was called Refining Essence into Qi.

Following the method described in the Water Origin Formula, Shen Yan slowly attuned himself to the spiritual energy around him.

But in that moment, a surge of heat suddenly burst from the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal at his chest, spreading through his body in an instant and automatically circulating along the formula’s prescribed path.

“So… the so-called Refining Essence into Qi is the act of extracting innate purple qi from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth!”

In that instant, Shen Yan grasped the essence of cultivation. No wonder even the Sovereign of Qian would go to such lengths to gather innate spiritual objects. No wonder Yang Yun, upon learning of his incredible luck in capturing three Crimson Gold Silver-Eyed Fish in half a year, had brought him into the sect.

They all sought the innate purple qi within these spiritual objects—to enhance their own cultivation!

Having understood everything, Shen Yan’s heart blazed with excitement. With the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Seal to aid him, would his cultivation not progress at a rate countless times faster than others?

While others toiled to absorb spiritual energy and painstakingly extract a trace of innate purple qi, he could cultivate directly with the purest essence itself.

“Today, I shall become a cultivator!”