northernbook Chapter 38 How are Celestial Masters Trained?
Chapter 38 How are Celestial Masters Trained?
"It's a pity that in recent years, the spiritual energy on the continent has become increasingly scarce. Whether it's the adults or us subordinates, it's always difficult to break through in spiritual power cultivation, and it's becoming more and more difficult to capture demons." Chang Qing clenched his fist. "I am currently at the fourth level of the middle rank. I can still contribute to capturing demons that have not yet broken through to the middle rank, but once it involves middle rank demons, we need Lord Di An to take action."
"Intermediate Level 4?" Ning Xiaoxi asked, somewhat puzzled. "How are these levels divided?"
The somewhat somber atmosphere dissipated with Ning Xiaoxi's words. Chang Qing smiled, "Our Celestial Masters are divided into nine levels of the low rank, nine levels of the middle rank, and three levels of the high rank. Above the high rank are super beings. Ordinary guards are generally novice Celestial Masters, roughly at level six to nine of the low rank. Those at the middle rank can serve as subordinate officials, and those at levels one to six of the middle rank can serve as commanders. Levels seven to nine are chief clerks, registrars, and clerks. Earthly Fiend Lords are generally at the early to mid-high rank, while Heavenly Gang Lords are at the high to high rank." Chang Qing paused, unconsciously lowering his voice, "There are rumors that the Pavilion Master and the elders of the Elder Council are all super beings, but we've never seen the Pavilion Master make a move, so we can't judge whether it's true or not."
Ning Xiaoxi finally heard the introduction from the Celestial Master, and for a moment, it was as if a new world had opened up for her. It was rare that Chang Qing was willing to explain these things to her. "Brother Chang, is cultivation difficult?" Looking at Chang Qing, who was almost thirty or forty years old, and looked older than her father, she wondered what level this intermediate fourth stage was.
Chang Qing nodded. "First of all, to become a Celestial Master, one must possess a spiritual vein foundation. Only with a spiritual vein can one gather spiritual power for cultivation. Generally, the level is determined by the depth of spiritual power, but some special cultivation techniques and special magic treasures can enhance a Celestial Master's abilities. Some Celestial Master families also possess special bloodlines that can increase the power of Celestial Master techniques. So, it's not enough to just have deep spiritual power." Chang Qing took a deep breath. "Your brother Chang here comes from an ordinary family. It's only because I have a spiritual vein that I had the opportunity to enter the Spirit Source Academy of the Celestial Master Pavilion to cultivate. However, because I don't have family support, I can only cultivate ordinary techniques, so I've only reached the fourth level of the intermediate stage."
Ning Xiaoxi channeled her spiritual energy around Chang Qing, discovering that Chang Qing's spiritual veins were thicker than hers, but the energy was only flowing like a river, not yet reaching the level of a flood. She frowned slightly. Could this level of spiritual energy concentration be the standard for judging one's level? She also recalled a fleeting memory of darkness when she last met Master Tianji. Could that have been Master Tianji examining her spiritual veins?
Thinking of this, Ning Xiaoxi looked up at Chang Qing. He didn't seem to sense anything unusual. Could it be that he didn't?
Just as Ning Xiaoxi was pondering this, she suddenly felt the spiritual energy bolt she had used to fasten the door snap.
"He's out," Ning Xiaoxi said softly.
Chang Qing looked up at the courtyard, but saw no one.
Ning Xiaoxi quickly circled around to the back of the courtyard. "He went through the back door." She then unleashed her Dragon Step technique, leaving only a fleeting afterimage.
Chang Qing stared dumbfounded at the departing figure, running quickly to catch up, but daring not to tread too heavily, for in the quiet of the night, even the slightest sound would alert the enemy.
Ning Xiaoxi saw the guards watching from the left side of the courtyard wall and whispered, "Follow me." Then she quickly left.
The two guards were momentarily stunned as Ning Xiaoxi flew past, then they saw Chang Qing land silently and follow. "Let's go."
The three of them quickly followed Ning Xiaoxi's retreating figure.
The two guards who were originally stationed at the back gate of the courtyard saw Tao Jiang come out and were about to split up to follow when Ning Xiaoxi appeared in front of them.
"One person follow, the other person joins the two brothers on the right and stays to monitor the yard. Don't go in. If anyone leaves, arrest them immediately." Ning Xiaoxi whispered, then followed Tao Jiang's footsteps.
Chang Qing arrived shortly after and, upon hearing Ning Xiaoxi's instructions, said to the guards who remained behind, "After you have spoken to the brothers on the right, go back and report to the military advisor, and send another commander to guard the area." With that, he quickly caught up with the guards who had gone ahead.
Under the cover of night, Tao Jiang quietly arrived at a shop near the North Gate. Judging from the sign, it was a breakfast shop. Tao Jiang waited in the shadows by the door for a while, and after confirming that no one else was around, she opened the shop door and went inside.
An old man was waiting on the side of the shop, his rough hands rubbing back and forth, his eyes fixed on Tao Jiang.
She casually took out a pill and handed it to the old man, saying, "Work hard, your son will get better." After saying that, Tao Jiang walked to the corner of the yard, opened a cover under the stairs, and crawled inside.
Below was a hollowed-out cave, roughly the size of a room. Against the wall were several large black jars with strange patterns painted on them. Wisps of yin energy were constantly being drawn in, following the patterns and entering the jars.
Tao Jiang picked up a black box from the shelf next to her; its material was unclear. She opened the jar and took out a bead. Thick, blood-red mist swirled inside the bead. The moment the bead was taken out, the temperature in the entire space dropped significantly, and a layer of white mist appeared on Tao Jiang's hands.
He put the beads into the box, then opened each jar one by one, taking out one of the same beads from each jar, making a total of ten beads.
After placing the beads, Tao Jiang flexed her hands to let the white mist swirling around them dissipate. Then, she crouched down to carefully examine the patterns and textures on the jar, confirming that everything was in order. She then walked to a corner, removed the wooden plank covering the entrance, revealing a tunnel, and quickly went inside.
Ning Xiaoxi, who was standing guard at the street corner opposite the shop, frowned. "There's a tunnel."
"what?"
"Tao Jiang entered the tunnel, and it seemed to be heading out of the city."
"A tunnel to the outside of the city?" Chang Qing's face flushed with anger. They actually dared to openly dig a tunnel to the outside of the city. This was outrageous.
"The city gates are closed. Can we get out?"
"Let's go." Chang Qing assigned two guards to stay and watch the breakfast stall, then led Ning Xiaoxi and the others toward the city gate.
Ning Xiaoxi watched as Chang Qing negotiated with the city gate guards for a while, and then a group of guards came out and opened the city gate a crack.
The group successfully left the city. Ning Xiaoxi carefully sensed the direction of the spiritual energy and then walked eastward along the city gate.
After walking about two hundred meters, Ning Xiaoxi squatted down and hid her body in the shadows of the city wall.
This is a patch of weeds. In early spring, the weeds are flattened by the snow, and the snow melts and then freezes back into ice. There is also a whistling wind blowing through the night.
Right there on this frozen, weedy ground, Tao Jiang lifted a lid and came out, then put the lid back down, making it so smooth that you couldn't tell it was a tunnel entrance.
Tao Jiang's black clothes were clearly visible in the moonlight and the reflection of the remaining snow. He moved quickly, glancing around to make sure no one was there, before rushing towards Panhou Mountain.
Ning Xiaoxi separated a wisp of spiritual energy and followed Tao Jiang closely.
Chang Qing took out a talisman from his pocket, activated it with spiritual power, and the talisman disappeared silently. "Tracking talisman. The moonlight is too bright tonight, we can't get too close." He then left two guards to watch the exit.
As the talisman disappeared, Ning Xiaoxi also sensed a faint spiritual force chasing after Tao Jiang, similar to her own spiritual force tracking. She praised, "Brother Chang is amazing!" and then happily followed behind Chang Qing.