Chapter 110 - 37 Falling Clouds 1
Chapter 110: Chapter 37 Falling Clouds 1
Translator: 549690339 |
“As the Spirit Energy Tidal Surge gradually returned, more and more people became cultivators due to various special reasons, by serendipity and coincidence.
However, as the vast majority of people do not have a clear understanding of cultivation itself, they urgently need to understand the situation of the Cultivation World and their own cultivation problems through various channels. As a result, various cultivation forums were born, and the Wisdom Forum is one of them.”
“The Wisdom Forum is not the largest cultivation forum, but it is definitely of the highest quality among all cultivation forums, because the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of Great Xia’s Imperial Court stands behind the Wisdom Forum.”
Upon hearing about the cultivation forums, Shen Yuan gradually became interested.
Previously, during his exchange with Hoe Yao at Fubo Pond, Hoe Yao had mentioned that he had learned about the Dragon Sovereign Banquet from a cultivation forum.
At that time, due to the time constraint, Shen Yuan didn’t ask further about the cultivation forums, and this matter being brought up by Xue Mingzhi now saved Shen Yuan a lot of trouble.
“The entry requirements for the Wisdom Forum are very strict. Only cultivation prodigies recognized by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau are allowed to enter the forum, which has gathered the majority of Geniuses from all over Great Xia.”
When talking about the Wisdom Forum, a proud look appeared on Xue Mingzhi’s face.
It was evident that in Xue Mingzhi’s view, being recognized by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is an extremely honorable matter.
“The Wisdom Forum follows a points system, which allows you to earn points by answering other members’ cultivation questions.
These points can be used for asking questions, or for accessing precious cultivation books. Included among these are some Profound Divine Powers collected by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”
“So, you want me to pass the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s test to become a member of the Wisdom Forum?” Shen Yuan asked.
Upon hearing this, Xue Mingzhi’s face turned pale and he quickly shook his head saying,
“People from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau aren’t qualified to examine you at all!
Every member of the Wisdom Forum has an invitation quota, which is usually held by the elders of various genius families.
I haven’t used my invitation quota yet, so I wish to invite you to join the Wisdom Forum.”
After saying this, Xue Mingzhi still felt somewhat anxiety in his heart.
He didn’t tell Shen Yuan that the Wisdom Forum actually has some unwritten rules that are not stated openly.
Gathering all the Heaven’s Pride Geniuses of Great Xia in the Wisdom forum is the handiwork of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
Initially, the Bureau’s plan was to subtly influence all the Heaven’s Pride Geniuses of Great Xia through the forum, and gradually assimilate them towards the Imperial Court side.
Once this plan was realized, the party controlling the current Heaven’s Pride Geniuses would also govern the overall development of the Spirit Energy Tidal Surge era. The future is bound to be one where the Great Xia’s Imperial Court suppresses the other directions.
This is a result that all sects are unwilling to see, so they have attempted in various ways to counterbalance the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
The many Hidden Sects first let their own cultivation geniuses challenge the other geniuses who have joined the forum. After defeating them, they widely publicized that the Wisdom Forum is merely for show as it does not include the real geniuses.”
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau could only grudgingly allow sect geniuses to join the Wisdom Forum.
L thereafter, various Hidden Sects started pressuring the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, demanding that the restrictions should not be too rigid, and that people other than the disciple geniuses should also be allowed to enter the Wisdom Forum.
After several disputes, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau chose to compromise, establishing a so-called member invitation system where each member can invite one person to join the Wisdom Forum.
After the invitation system was created, these Hidden Sects finally revealed their true purpose.
The elders in their grotto heavens sacred land, who are unable to return to the world, enter the Wisdom Forum through invitation. While answering questions raised by the geniuses, they promote their sect’s methods, Divine Skills, and sect benefits, attempting to lure geniuses to join their sects.”
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau didn’t realize until then that they had been fooled. However, by this time those sect elders had already made a name for themselves in the Wisdom Forum by constantly resolving difficult questions using their knowledge on cultivation.”
Even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau cannot casually kick these sect elders out. They could only choose to fight magic with magic by answering cultivation issues and dissing the sects in similar manner.”
In this back and forth, the Wisdom Forum has formed a strange atmosphere – whoever answers the difficult questions first, takes the opportunity to ridicule the other party.”
Under such circumstances, these Heaven’s Pride Geniuses were the ones who benefitted and solved many problems in the process of their cultivation.
Due to these reasons, the choice of the invited person’s quota for other Heaven’s Pride members is also typically their elders or companions with higher cultivation.
Once the invited person successfully answers a question, the inviter will get one percent of the points earned for answering the question, which adds up to a nice reward over time.
Xue Mingzhi had his little selfish motives as well, but in addition to that, impressed by Shen Yuan’s extraordinary abilities, he aimed to strengthen his relationship with him, and therefore proposed the Wisdom Forum.”
Upon hearing Xue Mingzhi’s explanation, Shen Yuan’s face relaxed.
If entering the Wisdom Forum required examination by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Shen Yuan would certainly refuse without hesitation.
Right now Shen Yuan has many secrets and it’s not wise to face off directly with the officials. But if he were to enter the forum by Xue Mingzhi’s invitation, then he wouldn’t have this concern.”
Shen Yuan said to Xue Mingzhi,
“I’m very interested in your proposal, but it seems that each member only has one invitation quota, and this quota is probably not cheap, right?”
Shen Yuan’s words are not wrong, due to the special nature of the Wisdom Forum, the asking price for an invitation quota in the Imperial Capital has already reached astronomical figures.”
This not only includes the seekers who really want to study cultivation through the Wisdom Forum, but also some second-generation elites who believe in their own status and want to enter the Wisdom Forum.”
In the young generation of the Imperial Capital, the ability to enter the Wisdom Forum has become a social status symbol.”
Even a duke’s son once took the initiative to ask the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for a Wisdom Forum member quota, but he was directly thrown out by the Bureau’s people.”
Once this news got out, the reputation of the Wisdom Forum among the second-generation elites soared.”
This was because Xue Mingzhi had only recently obtained membership to the Mystic Forum, otherwise the slots would have already been sold out.
Of course, the costliness is only relative. The value of the droplet of Spiritual Liquid Shen Yuan casually handed out far exceeded a mere invitation slot. There was no need for Xue Mingzhi to quibble over such trivial matters.
“However, it is merely an invitation slot. It’s not really a precious item. Teacher Shen, please feel free to accept it,” Mingzhi added.
While speaking, Xue Mingzhi took out a sleek silver card from his pocket. The card was imprinted with information related to the Mystic Forum—it was the so-called invitation voucher.
Shen Yuan took the card, glanced at the spirit objects in the gift boxes, and selected a piece of Yunfu red sandalwood.
Although Yunfu red sandalwood and Cold Iron Ore were both first-tier spirit objects, the quality of the former far surpassed the latter.
Due to its size, the red sandalwood piece could not be made into a storage ring, but the storage equipment made by Pot’s Heaven Divine Power was not limited by shape.
Shen Yuan carved out a space inside a small piece of red sandalwood. Using Pot’s Heaven Divine Power to create a space, a storage magic artifact, much larger than the two rings, appeared in his hand.
On the outside, the storage magic artifact looked like a small hollow bamboo tube. Shen Yuan casually tossed it to Xue Mingzhi.
“This is your reward.”
Xue Mingzhi respectfully accepted the storage magic artifact, and once again, felt the storage space with his Divine Sense.
He was nearly numbed with awe by Shen Yuan’s array of extraordinary skills.
The spirit objects were brought by him and Fu Hua, ordinary items which turned into valuable storage magic artifacts in Shen Yuan’s hands.
“If those sect clan families were to see these abilities, they might want to capture Teacher Shen and force him to produce storage magic artifacts day and night.”
Such a thought flashed in Xue Mingzhi’s mind.
But when he remembered the Divine Skills Shen Yuan casually employed to create spatial rifts and turn decay into magic, he quickly suppressed these absurd ideas.
“If anyone really tries to force his hand, I’m afraid the first ones to be scared would be those sect clans.”
Fu Hua, watching from the side, was pleased to see his nephew establishing a relationship with Shen Yuan. He felt relieved about bringing Xue Mingzhi along this time.
With Xue Mingzhi’s help, the Fu Family’s relationship with Shen Yuan could be improved even further.
Seeing that Shen Yuan’s focus had shifted to the invitation card, Fu Hua realized it was time to take his leave. He respectfully said to Shen Yuan:
“It’s getting late. We should take our leave now.
Teacher Shen, if there is anything you need, please feel free to instruct us. The Fu Family will surely do its utmost to assist.”
Fu Hua’s words reminded Shen Yuan of a task he had previously planned to assign to the Fu Family but had to put on hold because they hadn’t been around.
“There is indeed a matter I’d like your help with.”
Fu Hua’s eyes lit up. He quickly said, “As long as the Fu Family can handle it, we will do our utmost to assist Teacher Shen.”
Shen Yuan waved his hand casually, saying:
“It’s nothing major. You must have investigated my background.
Your Fu Family can send some people to look after Shen Yu, but don’t make it too obvious.”
Fu Hua revealed an understanding expression and immediately said:
“Rest assured, Teacher Shen.”
Afterwards, Fu Hua, along with Xue Mingzhi, slowly left the courtyard.
Only after they had left the courtyard gates did Xue Mingzhi voice his doubts to Fu Hua.
“Who is Shen Yu that Teacher Shen referred to?”
“She’s Teacher Shen’s biological sister, probably the person closest to him.”
Xue Mingzhi was stunned: “Teacher Shen’s biological sister? So Teacher Shen is not an ancient powerhouse who emerged from the grotto heavens sacred ground?”
Fu Hua glanced back at the closed courtyard gate and irritably glared at Xue Mingzhi, saying:
“Shut up! Teacher Shen is not someone you can casually speculate about!”
Xue Mingzhi zipped his lips immediately. After a while, the car slowly rolled away from the old city area.
After Fu Hua and the others had left, Shen Yuan returned to his room, logged onto his computer, and began to explore the so-called Mystic Forum.
From what he could see, the Mystic Forum appeared to be his only avenue to acquire various cultivation essentials.
As his computer screen loaded the forum, Shen Yuan noticed there wasn’t any identity verification process to avoid intruding into the cultivators’ privacies.
Using the invitation, Shen Yuan easily logged onto the forum. A few clear characters appeared before him on the screen.
“Please enter your forum name.”
After a brief hesitation, Shen Yuan key in two simple characters:
Falling Clouds!