The endless dense clouds enveloped everything to the sides and behind, with only the path ahead visible.
A gateway, dozens of feet tall, bore four ancient characters carved upon it: "Grand Dream Academy."
"This time, entering feels different."
"It seems I can see further and my senses are clearer."
"This time, there should be something I can reach, right? It would be best if I just got a treasure directly, no more trials of the heart..."
Lost in thought, Zhao Xing leisurely walked through the clouds and passed through the Academy's main gate.
Just like the first time, various sacred grounds flashed before his eyes.
The Hall of Reincarnation, the Platform of Heart's Inquiry, the Tower of Martial Gods, the Repository of Arcane Arts, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, the Palace of Sacred Beasts, the Palace of Destiny... Pavilions and terraces, palace complexes, covered walkways and sky bridges, all arranged in a staggered yet harmonious manner, surrounded by layer upon layer of mist, as if he were in a celestial realm.
However, as he approached, these places, one by one, receded into the clouds.
He waited, quietly waited.
In anticipation, a golden, shimmering palace magnified in his vision, eventually stabilizing completely.
"Hmm? Not the Platform of Heart's Inquiry, this is... the Hall of Ingenuity?"
Zhao Xing scrutinized the palace. He hadn't expected that after reaching this stage, it wouldn't be the Platform of Heart's Inquiry that appeared, but the Hall of Ingenuity.
"The Hall of Ingenuity has many treasures, but they are scattered across different areas. It just depends on which annex hall I'm entering."
Zhao Xing thought to himself, then stepped into the palace.
As soon as he entered, a burst of mist erupted around him, then dispersed, slowly revealing the real surroundings.
"Student Zhao Xing, welcome to the Hall of Profound Secrets."
A low voice emanated from the mist ahead, and then a strange beast slowly emerged.
It was as large as an ox, resembling a Qilin, with dense, dark fur covering its body, bright, spirited eyes, and a silver horn on its forehead. It spoke in human language.
Zhao Xing was slightly stunned after seeing the beast's appearance.
An animated beast, a Xiezhi? He had actually arrived at the Pavilion of Profound Secrets?
"Greetings, Guardian," Zhao Xing quickly cupped his hands in salute.
He was familiar with the Pavilion of Profound Secrets. This Xiezhi was its guardian, and it had another name: the Dharma Beast.
The Xiezhi possessed high intelligence, understood human speech, and knew human nature. The national treasures of many dynasties changed frequently—sometimes a Qilin, sometimes a Xuanwu, sometimes a true dragon, sometimes a phoenix. But the status of the Xiezhi remained constant; in every dynasty, it was a national treasure.
It was also a guardian of the nation. Although the one before him was not a true Dharma Beast Xiezhi but merely an animated construct, it contained the spiritual essence of a Dharma Beast, and its body was crafted from nine-tier materials, making it virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
The Dharma Beast Xiezhi examined Zhao Xing. "You are only in the mid-stage of Qi Accumulation. The only challenge suitable for you is this Pavilion of Profound Secrets."
Zhao Xing listened quietly.
"The Way of Ingenuity involves multiplication, division, deduction, and explanation, striving to exhaust the source of creation. The mechanisms and formations within primarily test a student's wisdom and deductive calculation abilities. These mechanisms and formations incorporate the Five Elements and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches."
"Each level, the difficulty will double, but the reward will also double."
"If you can reach the end of the Pavilion of Profound Secrets, you will receive a 'Rare and Exotic Treasure'."
The Dharma Beast Xiezhi explained.
Zhao Xing's heart couldn't help but pound.
A Rare and Exotic Treasure!
Beyond the normal tiers one to nine, treasures were further classified as 'Rare and Exotic Treasures' and 'Peerless Wonders'.
A 'Rare and Exotic Treasure' was a truly uncommon item, even over a thousand years within a single dynasty, appearing in single-digit quantities at most.
As for 'Peerless Wonders,' those were items that couldn't be found in the current world, passed down from ancient times.
Why was Zhao Xing so excited?
Because in this era, the Grand Dream Academy had not yet been plundered by Emperor Wu, and these challenges had barely changed!
He had passed all these challenges in his previous life!
"Ahead is the first level, the Gate of Profound Secrets."
The Xiezhi breathed lightly, and the mist ahead dispersed, revealing a uniquely designed wooden door.
"The Gate of Profound Secrets has three mechanical locks on it. Open the locks, and you pass the first level."
Zhao Xing suppressed his inner excitement, cupped his hands, and walked over.
The wooden door was five meters high and eight meters wide. Its unique design came from being seamlessly embedded within the wall.
The rest of the wall was incredibly smooth, with no visible seams for the door. At a height of one meter, there were three components.
Two of them protruded.
One was shaped like an ox head, and the other resembled a snake.
The third was embedded within the door, forming a plum blossom pattern.
"Zhaoyang Plum Blossom Lock, Chongguang Ox Head Button, Huangluo Serpent Lock." Zhao Xing looked at the three mechanical locks and couldn't help but smile.
Although he wasn't proficient in the Way of Ingenuity, he knew the solutions.
He even knew more than one way to solve them.
He had memorized them as a player, and they were still applicable now because these types of mechanical locks didn't involve the use of his own internal energy.
The Xiezhi had also stated that the test was a student's wisdom and calculation ability, along with their understanding of the Five Elements and Heavenly Stems knowledge.
"The Zhaoyang Plum Blossom Lock and the Chongguang Ox Head Button are Heavenly Stem locks, while the Huangluo Serpent Lock is an Earthly Branch lock."
"These basic components are combined in a unique way to form the lock. Each component needs to be moved to its corresponding position to unlock it."
Zhao Xing first tackled the ox head button.
He pushed with his left hand, adjusting the position of the ox head button, moving one ox head downwards and the other facing him.
The wall felt soft; the ox head button moved freely inside, completely unrestricted. However, pulling it open with force was utterly impossible.
Zhao Xing kept his left hand still, operating only with his right. He pulled the ox head held in his right hand back until it reached the 'Shangzhang' position, which is one-third of the Kun position.
Then, he gently curved the ox head in his right hand upwards, and the lower ox head rotated accordingly, forming an upper and lower arrangement.
At this point, the ox head in the lower Kun position was disengaged, but it was still not considered unlocked.
He then had to move the ox head in the Shangzhang position to the 'Chongguang' position, which is the 'Zhen position.'
Afterward, he rotated it downwards to two-thirds of the Zhen position and attempted to pull it outward.
*Click, click, click, click*
The two ox heads immediately retracted into the door, and a faint blue light appeared, signifying that one of the locks had been unlocked.
"Solving it with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches method is indeed the fastest. One down!"
Clapping his hands, Zhao Xing walked to the Huangluo Serpent Lock on the other side.
The serpent lock lay horizontally on the door, about three feet long, composed of numerous small, dense beads.
"The Huangluo Serpent Lock has 146 movable beads and 9 fixed beads. The combination methods are not too numerous, but half of them are hidden inside the door, which is where the difficulty lies." Zhao Xing began to grope, searching for the positions of the fixed beads.
The key to unlocking the serpent lock was to find the nine fixed beads and restore them to their Huangluo positions.
"Thankfully, I'm the only one here. No one to cause trouble for me." As he unlocked it, Zhao Xing recalled some amusing anecdotes.
This challenge was interesting. The serpent lock would reset at midnight, ensuring that four fixed beads were exposed.
This was the initial difficulty of the first level.
However, if the first person of the day deliberately messed with it, hiding the fixed beads, or if some fool got frustrated and randomly moved the movable beads, then the difficulty for subsequent people would increase, truly creating trouble.
So, every midnight, people would queue up, vying to be the first to solve it, to avoid trouble for themselves and to, incidentally, cause some trouble for others.
"Done!" After fumbling for a moment, Zhao Xing reset the nine fixed beads.
*Hiss, hiss* The serpent lock quickly retracted into the door, and at the same time, blue light appeared in its original position.
"Excellent, quite talented." The Xiezhi watched Zhao Xing's movements and nodded slightly. "It seems the first level won't be a problem for him."
Since the first two locks were solved so quickly, the last one was clearly not an issue either.
Only one remained, the Zhaoyang Plum Blossom Lock.
It was also the most difficult of the three locks.
"All nine petals of the plum blossom must be reset once. Fortunately, there's only the Zhaoyang position for the Heavenly Stems, which makes it much simpler. If it were more difficult, needing to correspond to the Heavenly Stems internally and the time of day externally, then it would be troublesome." Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then gently pressed one of the plum blossom petals.
After pressing it down, a sound emanated from within. Zhao Xing listened carefully, then proceeded to the second one.
The first step was to filter.
Among the nine petals, there must be one that is in the Zhaoyang position.
Since each petal needed to be reset, he had to find the first petal and move it, but not randomly. He had to remember the direction of movement in sequence, otherwise, he might keep trying and only reset one piece.
After finding the position, Zhao Xing began to unlock it.
Ten breaths later.
*Buzz*
The plum blossom petals lit up with blue light in sequence, then expanded and bloomed.
*Click, click, click, click*
The large door began to retract to both sides.
First level, passed!
"Student Zhao Xing, congratulations on passing the first level of the Hall of Profound Secrets." The Dharma Beast Xiezhi walked over. "You have received a Tier 4 'Five Viscera Cleansing Pill'."
"The Five Viscera Cleansing Pill can enhance your internal cultivation techniques, strengthen your organs, accelerate Qi recovery, and make spellcasting smoother."
"If you cultivate a technique that absorbs malevolent energy, it can also enhance your five viscera's resistance to malevolent fire."
Having said that, the Xiezhi opened its mouth, and a five-colored pill flew out from its belly.
Zhao Xing received it with both hands. "Thank you."
Looking at the Five Viscera Pill, he couldn't help but sigh. The Grand Dream Academy's prestige was indeed high. A mere first level awarded a Tier 4 pill directly.
If this were during Emperor Wu's era, when it became the 'Cloud Dream Academy', this first level would at most award Tier 1 or Tier 2 treasures.
One was elite-focused, the other populist; the rewards naturally couldn't be compared.
"Do you wish to continue the challenge?" the Xiezhi asked.
"Yes, I would like to continue," Zhao Xing nodded.
*Whoosh* The Xiezhi blew a breath forward, and the surroundings seemed to churn with strong winds and rolling clouds.
Zhao Xing was also carried swiftly by this wind. When he stabilized and looked around, the scenery had completely changed.
"Second level, the Heavenly Secret Boxes."
"Before you are four Heavenly Secret Boxes, categorized into A, B, C, and D levels. They contain treasures of different qualities."
"The Heavenly Secret Boxes have no locks or clasps; they are sealed by formation inscriptions. If you are a Mechanist, you may try to unlock them with formation inscriptions."
"If you wish to forcefully break them open, the A, B, C, and D Heavenly Secret Boxes respectively require your spell or martial skill power to reach the early stage of Spirit Bridge, mid-stage of Spirit Bridge, late stage of Spirit Bridge, and perfected Spirit Bridge."
The Dharma Beast Xiezhi was referring to the cultivation realms of the Great Li Dynasty, which were ancient cultivation realms.
The Qi Accumulation Realm corresponded to Rank 9, and the Spirit Bridge Realm corresponded to Rank 8.
Qi Accumulation was easy to understand: absorbing the qi of heaven and earth, condensing it to cultivate oneself.
The Spirit Bridge Realm, on the other hand, involved building a spiritual bridge of heaven and earth within the dantian, connecting with heaven and earth, allowing for a clearer perception of the Five Elements between heaven and earth, while also accelerating qi absorption, ensuring a continuous qi circulation.
The characteristics of the realms were the same; only the names differed across dynasties.
"To forcefully break open the A-grade box, it requires the attack standard of a perfected Spirit Bridge Realm," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "The difficulty has increased."
In his previous life, when he cleared this level, the A-grade box only required the standard of a mid-stage Spirit Bridge Realm.
However, neither the Grand Dream Academy nor the Cloud Dream Academy required overall combat power; only the single-item 'attack power' numerical value needed to meet the standard.
That is to say, the destructive power of a single spell needed to be sufficient to dismantle the box's defense; it didn't require comprehensive combat power comparable to the 'Spirit Bridge Realm'.
According to the Great Zhou cultivation system, a single mid-tier spell or martial skill reaching Nine Revolutions was the symbol of the Rank 8 realm.
The higher and lower stages of a True Rank 8 only expanded within the domain of mid-tier spells.
True Rank 8 Upper (Perfected Spirit Bridge) would typically involve multiple mid-tier perfected spells or secret techniques, or even self-created spells that broke through the Nine Revolutions limit. They would also be better integrated and more comprehensive, leading to higher combat power.
True Rank 8 Lower (Late Stage Spirit Bridge) would involve multiple mid-tier Nine Revolutions spells or secret techniques.
From Rank 9 to Rank 8, the qi itself didn't undergo a qualitative change, but the physical body would become stronger. Of course, the difference between Rank 8 and 9 martial artists was significant, but the difference for spellcasting professions was smaller.
As for whether a single spell reaching Nine Revolutions could be considered Rank 8 combat power, that depended on the specific circumstances.
For example, currently, the A, B, C, and D boxes were all made of special wood. If one only knew 'Earth Element spells,' they would be helpless.
Because wood overcomes earth in the Five Elements, even if one mastered seven or eight earth spells, all reaching the perfected mid-tier, they still wouldn't be able to break them open by force.
"My lightning magic is only at Nine Revolutions, not yet perfected. I wonder if it can break it," Zhao Xing thought to himself. In terms of attack power, lightning magic was certainly the fiercest. Although Ice Rain was maxed out, in this situation, burst damage was needed, and Ice Rain probably wouldn't reach the critical value.
Moreover, the Great Li and Great Zhou systems were different, and he wasn't sure if it would work.
Formation inscriptions were the 'password' to unlock the boxes.
In the Way of Ingenuity, formation inscriptions were a more advanced application technique.
These Heavenly Secret Boxes were not the ones he was familiar with from Emperor Wu's era, so the 'passwords' were naturally not the same.
"Flowing Clouds!" Zhao Xing pointed his finger, and clouds immediately appeared above his head.
Because spell comprehension was rooted in the soul, spells could also be cast within the Grand Dream Academy.
Later, if his internal energy underwent a qualitative change, he could also bring his combat power into the challenges through higher-tier guiding talismans and soul-stabilizing talismans.
"Summon Lightning!"
A bolt of lightning fell from the clouds.
Knowing that his lightning magic was not yet perfected, Zhao Xing could only focus on refining his control techniques.
*Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!*
Nine consecutive bolts of lightning struck the same spot on the Heavenly Secret Box, attempting to break it open.
"Did it break?"
Zhao Xing looked closely, only to find that the Heavenly Secret Box merely had a scorched mark, far from being broken open.
"Never mind, no need to waste time on this level."
Zhao Xing quickly gave up on breaking open the A-grade box.
Even if he didn't get the highest reward in this second level now, he could always challenge it again later.
*Boom, boom!*
Two bolts of lightning easily broke open the C and D boxes.
As for the B-grade Heavenly Secret Box, it took a bit more time.
"What's in the boxes?"
The Heavenly Secret Boxes weren't large, only half a meter long and as thick as an ankle. Naturally, they couldn't hold anything big. The three items that emerged were all small.
However, treasures weren't judged by size but by quality.
As soon as Zhao Xing broke them open, three light clusters floated before him.
"Wind Crystal Earrings, Tier 3 High-Grade, polished from Wind Crystal Jade, a specialty of the Wind River Grotto-Heaven. Wearing them enhances hearing."
"Earth Fiend Pill, Tier 3 High-Grade, containing a wisp of earth fiend energy, can be used to cleanse the internal organs."
"Giant Whale Pill, Tier 4 Mid-Grade, made from the flesh and blood of a deep-sea giant whale combined with Tier 3 herbs. Upon consumption, it enhances physique, granting immense strength. Especially for the lungs, a Qi Accumulation realm cultivator who takes the Giant Whale Pill can dive a thousand meters underwater using only their physical body."
The Xiezhi's voice rang out, introducing the three treasures one by one.
Perhaps because he used brute force to break them open, these three items were basically for martial artists.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing muttered to himself: *All for body tempering. Am I, a perfectly fine agriculturist, supposed to take the physical brute-force path?*
But the items given were indeed good, surprisingly excellent for just the second level.
Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh, the elites of Great Li truly enjoyed good provisions.
It should be known that these three items, within the Tier 3 and 4 range, had relatively unique uses; they weren't common goods.
The Earth Fiend for body tempering, Giant Whale for strength, and it even came with an underwater effect. As for the Wind Crystal Earrings, they could enhance hearing, which was quite practical.
"Student Zhao Xing, would you like to continue to the third level?"
"Yes, I would like to continue." Zhao Xing had broken the B-grade box, which qualified him to proceed to the next challenge.
If he had only broken the C and D boxes, he wouldn't have been able to continue to the third level.
*Buzz*
The clouds churned again, and Zhao Xing felt himself being swept away by a gust of wind. The next moment, he found himself between two walls.
"The third level is called the Mechanical Labyrinth."
"The labyrinth has many mechanisms, some obvious, some hidden, and they are all movable. You need to find the patterns within them to deal with those mechanisms and then navigate through the labyrinth."
The Xiezhi introduced, "If you enter from the labyrinth's entrance and exit within four hours, you will receive a Tier 4 treasure reward."
"If you exit within two hours, you will receive a Tier 5 treasure reward."
"If you exit within one hour, you will receive a Tier 6 treasure reward."
"If you do not exit within four hours, it will be considered a failed challenge."
Zhao Xing blinked. The Mechanical Labyrinth, the highest reward was actually a Tier 6 treasure?!
This was far superior to the Cloud Dream Academy during Emperor Wu's later era!
During Emperor Wu's era, the highest reward was only a Tier 4 treasure!
He just wondered if the Mechanical Labyrinth had been simplified. If it hadn't, it meant the difficulty was the same, which meant he would truly strike it rich this time... Zhao Xing felt a surge of excitement.
The Xiezhi looked at Zhao Xing, a hint of confusion in its eyes, wondering why he was excited. Was he perhaps scared?
For this, the Xiezhi specifically explained, "The Mechanical Labyrinth poses no danger. You can rest assured in challenging it. At most, failure will result in falling asleep for three days; you need not worry about your personal safety."
Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Guardian."
"Enter."
"Yes." Zhao Xing stepped into the labyrinth.
The Xiezhi blew a breath, and the Mechanical Labyrinth immediately began to move.
[43 seconds from now] Chapter 1727: Li Zhu's Name First Appears in the World, King of Hell Marks Pei Yuan
[26 seconds ago] Chapter 504: Inheriting the Legacy
[2 minutes ago] Chapter 501: Captured, Divine Skill, Means of Escape
[3 minutes ago] Chapter 42: Antidote
8487 · 0 · 22