hotmtlnovel Chapter 132 Connections
Chapter 132 Connections
Outside the Ascendant Tower.
Alkaid glanced inside.
"At the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, one would be the strongest in a country within the Artifact Nurturing Realm; even though the Qi Refinement system is inferior to the Martial Path system in terms of combat power before the high-rank cultivators, suppressing a province is still no issue. Yet, within the Ascendant Tower, one can only do the bidding of others."
"Scarcity is what makes something valuable. When the number of people in a particular profession increases, its value naturally decreases."
Zong Yan felt somewhat emotional, "When I first came here, I also found it unbelievable, but now... I've come to accept it..."
"The primary reason for this situation is the change in the world's structure. Three hundred years ago, our White Tower Federation had a literacy rate of less than ten percent, but now, it's over eighty percent."
Ji Pingtian continued the conversation, "Similarly, three hundred years ago, before coming into contact with the Moon Demon Empire, those at the Fourth Layer of Body Refinement still had hopes of being assessed by the top ten Immortal Sects and become disciples of one of these sects. Cultivators were one in a thousand, but now...
everyone has a cultivation technique to practice, and everyone can cultivate."
"Yes, the times have changed too fast. Hundreds of years ago, Immortal Masters who were once esteemed by all, and the cultivation techniques that once cost a fortune to acquire have now been incorporated into the compulsory education system, radically changing everything... If one cannot keep up with the trends, they're inevitably weeded out by the times."
Zong Yan nodded in firm agreement.
Alkaid looked at Ji Pingtian and Zong Yan.
Clearly, these two "elderly men," despite their efforts to learn, had...
Been delayed in the Artifact Nurturing Realm for too long and would inevitably face being phased out by the times.
That's why they were so full of sighs.
"You are all experts at the Sixth Layer of Body Refinement; there's no need to be so pessimistic about the future."
Alkaid said, "With just a bit of opportunity, you could comprehend the forces of heaven and earth and step into the domain of high-rank cultivators."
"High-rank cultivators, ah, if I can step into the domain of high-rank cultivators in this lifetime, I'd be content,"
Ji Pingtian said with a bitter smile, "However, even though it has become much easier to become a middle-rank cultivator now, high-rank cultivators... they still represent reaching a significant level of achievement in cultivation. They can claim positions and status in all fields, and the younger ones could even secure a steward position at the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
We have already missed the golden age of cultivation; taking that step further... is hard."
"Longxiang City's fifteen higher educational institutions are recruiting Martial Path teachers. I am planning to apply after a while. Once in this system, if I enter the Seventh Layer of Body Refinement in the future, I will be able to directly apply for a professorship at Longxiang Academy of Higher Learning,"
Zong Yan suddenly said.
"You?"
Ji Pingtian was slightly surprised, "Isn't it good for you to be an external coach at the Hundred Refinements Sect?"
"Going to a higher educational institution and getting washed by new academic knowledge might open up my thinking. It may even give me hope to break through to the Seventh Layer of Body Refinement. Staying at the Hundred Refinements Sect... reaching the Sixth Layer of Body Refinement might be my limit."
Zong Yan said.
After listening, Ji Pingtian couldn't help but fall silent.
Perhaps...
He should also keep up with the times.
If one does not enter the current cultivation system of the world, one can never keep up with the currents of the times.
After a while, he finally said, "We... are following the Martial Path, where the competition for Martial Path teachers is the fiercest... If it were Sword Cultivators or Technique Cultivators, just being at the Sixth Heaven could land a job directly with certification..."
"But we're not young anymore; it's risky to suddenly switch to Qi Refining into Divine..."
Zong Yan shook his head.
"Then let's try it together. If not higher educational institutions, then higher academies might work."
Alkaid listened to their conversation and understood the difficulties they were facing.
Compared to him, Zong Yan and Ji Pingtian were already quite old, with almost no room for development left.
He was only twenty-one, with the backing of the Nine Cauldrons Sect as a fallback. If he squandered ten or eight years and it was indeed hopeless to establish his own sect, he could always take the exams to join the Nine Cauldrons Sect and secure an iron rice bowl.
But for Zong Yan and Ji Pingtian...
Especially for Ji Pingtian.
Zong Yan still had Zong Lian of the Hundred Refinements Sect to look out for him. If Ji Pingtian did not take a gamble, he might be able to live without worry, but in terms of career achievement...
He really would become just another face in the crowd.
For him, who was once the president of a society capable of stirring up troubles across two continents, this was harder to bear than death itself.
...
Hundred Refinements Sect.
Your next journey awaits at empire
"Eldest senior sister..."
Zong Yan hastily interjected.
But Alkaid didn't pay attention to the content of her words. After a moment of contemplation, he quickly realized something, "You don't wish for me to stay at the Hundred Refinements Sect?"
Huang Yunqi's expression remained unchanged, but her eyes revealed a momentary panic. Although she quickly returned to her icy demeanor, Alkaid still "sensed" it.
"I'm merely stating a fact. Relying on elixirs to rapidly advance your strength doesn't prove your talent. Since both our Master and little junior brother think so highly of you, you should make an extra effort to show your worth. Whether you join the Nine Cauldrons Sect or make a name for yourself in another field, you can prove your talent,"
she said swiftly.
Alkaid nodded, considering something.
Zong Lian obviously intended for him to stay at the Hundred Refinements Sect.
For what purpose?
To support the facade of the Hundred Refinements Sect after his passing.
However, Huang Yunqi, who was born and raised in the Hundred Refinements Sect, clearly didn't see it that way.
Alkaid shook his head, unconcerned.
Yet after some thought, he decided to push down his initial idea of using his "cultivation talent" as leverage to secure a "venture investment" from Zong Lian.
He was reluctant to get too entangled.
As for the Spirit Stone issue...
Half a month ago, when he realized the efficiency of the Celestial Pill in aiding cultivation, he had already considered it.
"Eldest senior sister,"
Zong Yan spoke disagreeably, "We are here to see our Master."
"The Master has gone with City Lord Luo to the East Desolate Island Group for the annual sea patrol,"
explained Huang Yunqi.
Zong Yan was slightly startled, "Why has it been moved up this year?"
"With Xuanming Sect encroaching on Posuo Island's waters, the Nine Cauldrons Sect naturally needs to demonstrate its deterrence,"
Huang Yunqi said calmly.
After hearing this, Zong Yan didn't have much to say.
The Wanhua Mountains and the East Sea Archipelago were both territories of the Original Artifact Sect. The Nine Cauldrons Sect had always claimed these lands as their territory, but...
The surrounding Sects paid them no heed.
They annexed islands in the Eastern Sea Archipelago and mined resources as they pleased.
The same went for the Wanhua Mountains.
As such, the Nine Cauldrons Sect organized an annual sweep in these two regions.
If successful, they would reclaim some land.
If not, they would lose some resource points.
"The patrol usually lasts two to three months. Do you have anything important, Alkaid? If so, we can send a message to the Sect Leader..."
Zong Yan asked.
"No,"
Alkaid shook his head.
He then said, "I will be stepping out for a bit."
"I'll drive you,"
"It's unnecessary,"
Alkaid waved his hand.
But Zong Yan still insisted on driving, taking Alkaid to his intended destination.
The Longxiang Academy.
Upon entering the academy, Zong Yan was slightly taken aback, "What are you doing here?"
"I checked, and the Longxiang Academy has a research project underway. This project has received funding of one thousand four hundred Spirit Stones from the Nine Cauldrons Sect. And I think... I can solve it."