Chapter 121: Capital Customs

Young Ancestor also picked up a fish bone and drew on the ground the Five-Star Realm cultivation diagram he had seen in the ruins. It was incomplete. He said, "This is all I saw. The diagram was too fragmented, so it wasn't carved into the Green Sun Palace."

Qin Mu's heart stirred. He drew the incomplete Five-Star Realm cultivation diagram he had seen in Zhenyang Palace and compared it with the one Young Ancestor drew. The incomplete parts of the two diagrams were mostly different, and if overlaid, they could fill in many missing sections!

Qin Mu then drew a new diagram beside them. This new diagram was missing only one part: the left shoulder clavicle area!

However, even with the cultivation method for the left shoulder clavicle missing, he could now fully activate the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique and continue cultivating!

Young Ancestor carefully examined the new diagram Qin Mu drew. After a long moment of contemplation, he used the fish bone to draw a few lines on the left shoulder area. He said, "I'll complete this cultivation diagram for you based on my understanding, but what I fill in might not be entirely accurate; there will certainly be deviations compared to the original. When you're in a duel and your vital qi circulates, your left shoulder might still have a slight flaw. If your opponent's skill is ordinary, they won't discover your flaw. But if your opponent's insight is exceptional, your left shoulder could become your fatal weakness."

Qin Mu felt a chill in his heart and quickly asked, "Ancestor, how keen must an opponent's insight be to detect this flaw?"

Young Ancestor pondered for a moment before replying, "A Celestial Being, or someone in the Life and Death Realm."

Qin Mu felt relieved and chuckled, "Why would I ever provoke such formidable experts?"

"There are also some young people whose cultivation realm isn't high, but their insight is exceptional," Young Ancestor stated calmly.

"For example, there are such young people in the Imperial College," Young Ancestor said indifferently. "Don't think too highly of yourself. This is no longer an era where you can dominate merely by relying on one or two inherited cultivation techniques. If Daoist arts and divine abilities don't progress, relying solely on ancestral traditions will, hehe, lead to your eventual destruction by others. Do you know why I became the Grand Libationer of the Imperial College? It was to study all the knowledge under heaven, to witness the dawn of a new era."

A trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes as he murmured, "Alas, I fear I won't live to see it..."

Though he viewed life and death lightly and was not sad about his approaching demise, he was disheartened that he couldn't witness the arrival of a new era, an era he himself had striven to bring about.

"It doesn't matter if I can't see it," Young Ancestor said, his spirits lifting as he smiled. "But you can. Young Cult Master, don't be self-limiting. Your vision must be broad, and your mind must be open!"

Qin Mu bid farewell to Young Ancestor. The impression this old man left on him was different from that of the other villagers.

The villagers of Disabled Elderly Village generally appeared to be a group of good-natured elders. Though they looked fierce, prolonged contact revealed their inherent kindness. They taught Qin Mu principles of conduct and survival skills.

Young Ancestor, however, did not teach him these things. Instead, he used gentle persuasion, guiding him to view the world from a higher perspective.

Different vantage points reveal different worlds.

A low-flying chicken or sparrow only sees coops and thatched huts, pecking at insects and grains on the ground.

A soaring eagle, with its sight extending a thousand li, claims a thousand li as its hunting territory.

To become the Holy Cult Master of the Heavenly Devil Cult, one must possess the ambition to see a thousand li.

For Qin Mu, the most practical gain from this encounter was the Five-Star Realm cultivation diagram for the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique. With this diagram, he could continue his cultivation; otherwise, his cultivation would be stuck in the Five-Star Realm without any further progress.

He returned to the Scholar's Quarters and attempted to activate the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique, circulating his vital qi according to the refined cultivation diagram. The Five-Star Realm cultivation path of the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique was far more complex than before, layering another set of techniques on top of the foundational Guiding Art and Spirit Embryo Realm methods.

Qin Mu had extensively studied all the cultivation methods in the Great Education Heavenly Devil Scripture. Although numerous and miraculous, few within it could rival the Five-Star Realm cultivation path of the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique.

The Five-Star Realm cultivation path of the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique seemed to activate three sets of techniques simultaneously: the simplest Guiding Art, which then drove the Spirit Embryo Realm cultivation route, and the Spirit Embryo Realm, in turn, drove the Five-Star Realm cultivation route. It was truly complex.

This time, his vital qi surged forth vigorously, circulating according to the diagram. Suddenly, his consciousness split into five, flowing alongside the abundant vital qi into the Five Star Divine Treasures.

Within the Five Star Divine Treasures, the five great stars suddenly shone brilliantly!

However, this time, there was no chaotic interaction or mutual annihilation of the five elements. Instead, a beam of starlight from the Golden Star (Venus) pierced down, merging with one of his conscious fragments, transforming into a Golden God. This deity had snakes hanging from its left ear, stood on two dragons, possessed white fur on its tiger-like claws, and wielded a bronze axe.

Qin Mu carefully circulated his vital qi, allowing the illusory Golden God to continuously absorb the Golden Star's starlight.

The starlight that formed the illusory Golden God was called star power, the power of the stars.

Simultaneously, a beam of starlight from the Wood Star (Jupiter) also pierced down, merging with another fragment of his consciousness, transforming into a Wood God. This deity had a human head, a bird's body and feet, stood on two dragons, and held a willow whip.

From the Water Star (Mercury), another beam of starlight descended, merging with his third conscious fragment, forming the illusory Water God with a human head, red hair, a serpentine body, and a trident.

The light from the Fire Star (Mars) merged with his fourth conscious fragment, transforming into the illusory Fire God, which had a beast's body, a human face, stood on two dragons, and held a fiery gourd.

The light from the Earth Star (Saturn) merged with his final conscious fragment, transforming into the illusory Earth God, which had a human head, a serpentine body, and two gates on its back. There were inscriptions on these gates, but as it was an illusion, they were blurry and unreadable.

His vital qi merged with the illusory forms of these five gods, and vital qi and star power began to slowly transform into each other—a perplexing phenomenon.

"Vital qi transforming into star power, and star power transforming into vital qi. Is there any significant change during this mutual conversion?" Qin Mu wondered.

He pondered, carefully observing, but found no discernible difference. He only felt that when vital qi transformed into star power, he vaguely sensed an inexplicable force stirring in the starry sky, though he couldn't identify what it was.

Conversely, when star power converted back into vital qi, he noticed his cultivation slightly improved.

"This isn't a bad thing," he concluded.

He breathed a complete sigh of relief. Although the Five-Star Realm cultivation diagram still had a small flaw, at least he could cultivate without constantly risking qi deviation.

"There's still some time before the Imperial College classes begin. I should return to Listening Rain Pavilion to bring Fox Ling'er here. Plus, I promised to continue treating the people in Flower Alley."

Qin Mu left his dwelling and walked outside, where he was met by a group of scholars.

The area where he lived was separate from those of divine ability practitioners. It was the residence for scholars in the Spirit Embryo Realm and Five-Star Realm; all Imperial College scholars below the Six Directions Realm resided here. With the Imperial College session commencing, many scholars from previous years had returned from other regions. They had enrolled a few years before Qin Mu and had deeper cultivation, but as long as they hadn't broken through to the Six Directions Realm, they still lived in this area.

The Imperial College allocated ten spots annually for junior scholars. It was challenging for junior scholars to break through to the Six Directions Realm within three to five years, so the number of junior scholars in the Imperial College was not small.

As these scholars passed by Qin Mu, one of them glanced at him and said, "Junior Brother, I heard there's an outcast from the Great Ruins who recently arrived at the college. Do you know where he lives?"

Qin Mu paused, then asked, "Senior Brother, why are you looking for that outcast?"

The scholar replied, "Outcasts are mere commoners fit only to be slaves. I can't believe the Emperor actually allowed an outcast to become a scholar at our Imperial College; this disgraces us all. We heard about this and were filled with righteous indignation. We intend to make him understand the difficulty and leave the Imperial College. If he stays, how can we possibly maintain our dignity?"

Qin Mu's eyes flickered. "So that's it. I've met that outcast before; he lives nearby. Shall I lead you there?"

The dozen or so scholars were delighted. They bowed and smiled, "Thank you, Junior Brother!"

"You're too kind, Senior Brothers," Qin Mu replied.

Qin Mu said, "I also come from a distinguished family, a powerful clan, yet I'm studying alongside an outcast. I'm so ashamed I wish I could dig a hole and crawl into it. By the way, my surname is Qin."

"Qin?"

The scholars were surprised. One of them politely said, "So it's a brother from the Qin family. Indeed, the Qin family in the capital is a prestigious clan. Studying with an outcast truly disgraces your family name. The Qin family has produced many fine generals and is known for its loyalty and righteousness. Though I enrolled two years before you, I wouldn't dare call myself your Senior Brother. Let's refer to each other as brothers."

Another scholar chuckled, "My father operates a mine in Tiger Roar Mountain, and every year, he transports hundreds of outcasts, bought from the border, to work there. Hundreds die each year, so we constantly have to buy more. Heh heh, I can't believe I'm studying in the same college as an outcast. If my father found out, he'd be furious and say I'm associating with slaves."

A female scholar said, "I also heard about this matter. The Emperor is using this opportunity to put pressure on his officials, which is why he allowed an outcast into the Imperial College. In truth, he also intends to annex the Great Ruins. By acknowledging outcasts as citizens of Yan Kang Nation, isn't he also acknowledging the Great Ruins as Yan Kang territory? However, the Emperor's consideration was incomplete; by placing an outcast in the Imperial College, he overlooked the feelings of us scholars."

Qin Mu led these scholars to the end of the Scholar's Quarters, chatting casually along the way. Near the very end, there was only one very secluded courtyard. Qin Mu smiled, "Senior Brothers, this is where that outcast lives. Please wait a moment."

He stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a moment, the courtyard gate opened, and a round face peered out from behind it. Seeing Qin Mu, the person paused slightly, then smiled, "Brother Qin..."

Qin Mu pushed the door open and entered. The others followed in a line, crowding the plump scholar into the center of the courtyard.

Qin Mu closed the courtyard gate, secured the bolt, and with an unruffled expression, asked, "By the way, Senior Brothers, is killing allowed in the Imperial College?"

The scholars were stunned. One of them burst out laughing, "Brother Qin, we just intend to teach this outcast a lesson and drive him out of the Imperial College. As for killing? If we killed him, we'd all be expelled from the Imperial College. Giving him a beating will be enough!"

Qin Mu seemed a little displeased. He grumbled, "The capital has so many rules; you can't even kill someone casually. If this were in our Great Ruins, killing a dozen people wouldn't even raise an eyebrow..."