"This cliff is steep and surrounded by sheer walls, with only an iron chain bridge as the passage. Moreover, Elder Qi is stationed there, making it the safest place in the entire Sword Cauldron Sect. Let’s go!" Yin Daoyan said.
"Master, I heard from Senior Sister that the Sword Cauldron Sect has three Supreme Elders. Is this Elder Qi you mentioned the Supreme Elder Qi Qingfeng?" Zhong Lin asked curiously.
"That’s right, our Sword Cauldron Sect has three Supreme Elders: Elder Qi Qingfeng, Elder Lu Ming, and Elder Men Qing’an. All three are pinnacle experts of the First Grade Pure Essence Realm. They once roamed the world and were revered by all. Now, they are all in seclusion within the sect, attempting to break through the First Grade and achieve the Grandmaster Realm."
When Yin Daoyan spoke of these three Supreme Elders, his face was full of reverence.
"Is it really that difficult to break through to the Grandmaster Realm?"
Yin Daoyan glared at Zhong Lin, "Listen, listen, what nonsense is that? If it were that easy, wouldn’t there be more than just the Sect Master who is in the Grandmaster Realm?"
Zhong Lin awkwardly scratched his head and kept quiet.
"Master Yin, why is it so deserted here?"
Mei Weixuan glanced around, only to find the area devoid of any people, save for the howling wind.
"Sword Cauldron Sect disciples are only allowed to enter the Transmission Pavilion to select cultivation techniques and martial arts skills on the first and fifteenth of each month. You two are exceptions. Alright, go in! I’ll wait for you outside."
The two of them no longer hesitated and stepped onto the iron chain bridge.
The bridge was narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time. The two proceeded one after the other.
From the outside, it didn’t seem as daunting. But once on it, there was an abyss below, fierce winds on all sides, and the entire iron chain bridge trembled under the wind flow. It felt as though it might break and collapse at any moment, and with their cultivation level, if they fell, there would be nothing left of their remains.
Mei Weixuan’s face turned slightly pale, and even Zhong Lin was tense with anxiety.
Mei Weixuan grumbled, "I wonder how the sect’s predecessors managed to place the Transmission Pavilion in such a place. If enemies were to attack, cutting the chain would make crossing impossible unless they could fly. Truly eye-opening!"
"Stop with the nonsense, hurry up."
Zhong Lin urged, feeling highly discomforted by the lack of safety on this iron chain bridge.
After walking several hundred meters, they finally reached firm ground. On the small mountain peak stood only a stone tower, with a large plaque hanging on it bearing the words "Transmission Pavilion."
Upon pushing the door open, they were greeted by rows of bookshelves holding scrolls, books, and various animal skin martial arts secret manuals.
A glance revealed mainly Lower Third Grades body refining techniques and their corresponding martial arts skills.
At the entrance was a table, and beside it was a black-robed elder, fast asleep.
Noticing Zhong Lin and Mei Weixuan’s arrival, the elder opened his sleepy eyes slightly.
The two did not dare neglect. Mei Weixuan stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Elder. We are new disciples here to select cultivation techniques and martial arts skills."
The black-robed elder waved his hand, closed his eyes again, and said weakly, "The first, second, and third floors correspond to lower, middle, and upper third grade martial arts cultivation; the fourth floor is for alchemy, do not go to the fifth floor unless you seek death. Choose according to your cultivation level. You cannot take anything out, copy it down here. You have one hour, and keep it quiet while copying; don’t disturb my sleep."
"Yes, thank you, Elder."
Zhong Lin silently took out the token given by Yu Jinglei from his sleeve and handed it over.
At the sight of the token, the elder’s eyes lit up briefly, his sleepiness vanished, and he focused intently on Zhong Lin.
"Sect Master’s Token... I haven’t seen this in a long time. What’s your name? Who is your master?"
Zhong Lin bowed, "Disciple Zhong Lin greets Elder Qi. My Master is Spirit Medicine Peak’s Yin Daoyan."
"I’m not Elder Qi. Next time, make sure you address correctly," the black-robed elder said, fiddling with the token. "Since when did Yin Daoyan take a disciple?"
"You can go to the fifth floor. Remember, you can only memorize items from the fifth floor, not copy them, and you can select only one to cultivate. Otherwise, your inner breath may conflict, causing your meridians to burst and you to die."
The two bowed once more to the black-robed elder before stepping up the stairs.
The elder watched Zhong Lin’s departing figure and muttered, "To think there’s a Sect Master’s Token. It seems Yin Daoyan has accepted an extraordinary disciple!"
The two ascended the stairs. Mei Weixuan stayed on the second floor, while Zhong Lin went straight to the fifth.
He was full of anticipation!
Sprinting up the stairs was different from the unobstructed lower floors; the fifth floor was barred by a heavy blue stone door.
The stone door was hefty, weighing ten thousand pounds, and only those in the Divine Power Realm had the strength to push it open.
Zhong Lin placed his hands on the door. Exerting great strength, he felt a massive force in his arms. With a rumbling sound, he pushed the stone door open.
The fifth floor was spacious and empty, without the bookshelves of lower floors, but had several stone platforms, each holding a jade box.
Zhong Lin approached to look past the jade boxes, noticing text on the stone platform beside each.
"Fiery Sun Heart Scripture," a fire attribute Qi cultivation heart method. Upon cultivation, one’s complexion becomes red, inner breath blazing, the activation of which seems capable of scorching the inner organs.
Zhong Lin nodded silently. This was the Qi cultivation method Lian Shan Elder practiced. No wonder during their palm exchange, his hands felt a burning sensation.
Zhong Lin headed to the next platform and read the description there.
"Withered Wood Divine Skill," a wood attribute Qi cultivation heart method. In cultivation, skin becomes like withered wood, and the inner breath, gentle and nurturing, assists with healing internal organs, fascia, and injuries.
Zhong Lin realized this Qi cultivation method produced wood attribute inner breath, beneficial for body refinement and healing, but the notion of "skin like withered wood" made him lose interest.
Recalling Lian Shan Elder’s red face, Zhong Lin almost mistook him for the legendary Guan Yu reincarnated. If he practiced "Withered Wood Divine Skill," would he end up looking like a decrepit old man?
The strength is temporary, but being handsome lasts a lifetime.
Shaking his head, Zhong Lin continued to the next platform.
"Flying Spirit Sword Scripture," a gold attribute Qi cultivation heart method. Inner breath as sharp as a sword, gold essence shattering sharpness, unrivalled in destructive power.
Zhong Lin’s eyes brightened. This was a gold attribute method; its name alone suggested a highly aggressive Qi cultivation heart method. Gold denotes slaughter, and swords are unparalleled in breaking through.
Zhong Lin immediately felt inclined towards this one, remembering how in video games, he liked to allocate his points to attack attributes.
Resisting his urge, Zhong Lin continued to inspect other platforms.
"Water Scripture," "Cold Soul Mysterious Skill," "Treasure Image Divine Skill," "Blood Sea Dragon Scripture."
In total, there were seven stone platforms, meaning there were seven Heavenly Level cultivation methods.