Chapter 16: Soul Cleansing Hall

After taking a tour of the Alchemy Hall, Tang Jian bid farewell to Yang Yuhuan and proceeded to visit the Soul Cleansing Hall.

Upon entering the hall, Tang Jian was greeted by a calming aroma that permeated the environment, creating a sense of tranquility and belonging. This place was not filled with people driven by desires or wickedness but rather with individuals seeking to uncover the true path of life.

Immersed in this atmosphere reminiscent of a Buddhist temple, Tang Jian felt a connection to his past life, where he often sought solace and tamed the inner demons within him by visiting such temples.

Lost in his contemplation, Tang Jian was suddenly taken aback by an elder who noticed him and approached with swift steps. The old man, with a serene demeanor and a white robe, resembled a true Taoist. It was the first time Tang Jian had encountered someone in this world who had achieved genuine peace, despite the existence of over a thousand cultivation methods.

"Greetings, esteemed senior," Tang Jian respectfully bowed his head. "I have come here to select my main course. May I be so bold as to ask for your name?"

The old man smiled gently, his hand lightly touching Tang Jian's shoulder. "Knowing the name of an old man like me, who seeks to transcend mortal desires, would serve no purpose. As for your main course, let me send someone to call for Liu Mei. She has been waiting for you since the entrance exams concluded." The old man's words lacked any malice, signifying his genuine intention to withhold his name out of humility, rather than belittling Tang Jian.

Giving instructions to a student, the old man ordered them to summon Liu Mei.

As news of Tang Jian's arrival reached Liu Mei, she quickly emerged from the meditation room, her appearance somewhat disheveled from the rush. Excitement gleamed in her eyes as she beheld a potential direct disciple.

Noticing her own disarray, Liu Mei composed herself, adjusted her attire, and cleared her throat, speaking with elegance. "Ah, you have arrived, young Tang. You must have come early to select your main course. It is wise to act promptly before the devil covets what is rightfully ours. Now, please tell me, which course would you like to pursue? The Spirit Summoning Course or the Soul Manifestation Course?" Liu Mei made a concerted effort to win Tang Jian's favor, acting like a noble lady.

Liu Mei's mention of acting before the devil covets something stemmed from a legend in the Thousand Dao Realm, where anything desirable would be seized by those possessed by demons if not promptly utilized.

"It is good to see you, Senior," Tang Jian responded. "I would like to register for the Soul Manifestation Course."

Liu Mei's expression contorted with disdain upon hearing Tang Jian's choice. "What are you saying, young Tang? Do not simply consider your decision. Ponder carefully about the path you wish to tread. A seemingly simple choice like this can shape the course of your Dao journey. Selecting the Spirit Summoning Course would be more beneficial, allowing you to employ a contracted spirit to fight on your behalf rather than relying solely on yourself."

As previously explained, Soul Manifestation cultivation involved fusing with the souls of the demonic beasts one devoured, enabling the manifestation of their characteristics and innate skills as desired by the cultivator.

On the other hand, Spirit Summoning Cultivation involved forging a contract with the spirit of a deceased beast, granting the cultivator the ability to summon and command the spirit in battles. This method was easier to master and ensured the cultivator's safety. Therefore, many soul cultivators chose this cultivation path. Liu Mei herself was a Spirit Summoning Cultivator.

For Tang Jian, Spirit Summoning Cultivation would have been a suitable choice due to his inclination to delegate tasks rather than engaging personally. However, he refused to rely on the soul of a deceased beast, now a ghost, for his life. Hence, he opted to become a Soul Manifestation Cultivator.

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Observing Liu Mei's stubbornness, the old man intervened. "Liu Mei, why be so obstinate? Allow him to choose his own path. I can clearly see that he is even more stubborn than you. I know you desire him as your disciple, but even if he had chosen the path of a Spirit Summoning Cultivator, I doubt he would willingly worship you as his teacher," the old man said calmly.

Liu Mei, upon hearing the old man's words, sighed and replied, "You are right, old senior. I should not impose my choice on him in such a manner. Perhaps we were not fated to be master and disciple. Let us leave it at that and allow Tang Jian to explore the wonders of our Soul Cleansing Hall." Disappointment tinged her voice as Liu Mei ceased her attempts to convince Tang Jian.

Perplexed by Liu Mei's sudden retreat upon hearing the old man's advice, Tang Jian couldn't help but wonder. This outcome seemed unlikely unless the old man possessed a cultivation base higher than Liu Mei's or possessed greater insight into the world of soul cultivation.

The old man gazed at Tang Jian as though seeing a kindred spirit. "Young child, before you depart, allow this old man to impart a few words of wisdom," he said, prompting Tang Jian to nod and lean forward in anticipation.

"This world is treacherous, but do not let the demons deep within you consume you. I sense boundless curiosity within you, and I hope you can satisfy that insatiable curiosity and uncover the true wonders of this world. With that, I shall not detain you further," the old man advised sincerely. To others, his words might have seemed nonsensical, but Tang Jian listened intently, sensing the wisdom hidden behind the old man's utterances.

Liu Mei gestured for Tang Jian to follow her as she led the way towards the meditation room.

Stepping inside, Tang Jian was immediately greeted by a faint scent of incense. The atmosphere exuded peace, and several students were engaged in deep meditation before the incense, their minds undisturbed. Near the incense stood a green jade with an intricately engraved dragon motif.

Observing Tang Jian's captivation by the serene and tranquil environment, Liu Mei spoke, "I can see that you are immediately drawn to this place upon entering. It seems you have a genuine fondness for this environment. Since your curiosity aligns with this place, allow me to enlighten you."

Liu Mei proceeded to explain that the incense before the students was the Soul Calming Incense, which allowed soul cultivators to immerse themselves in the world of souls. This world of souls was a term used by soul cultivators to describe the realm they perceived while refining their souls. Within this world, cultivators could clearly see the souls of living beings around them.

As for the jade placed near the Soul Calming Incense, it was a restricted soul jade, preventing others from utilizing its power. This particular soul jade had been placed there by the founder of the Azure Dragon Empire, believed to be a descendant of a clan from beyond the empire's borders.

While Liu Mei expounded further on the path of soul cultivation, another senior sister entered the room, carrying a guzheng in her hands, seemingly dragged along. The guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither, emitted a creaking sound as it was hauled to the front of the meditation room.

The other students, deeply absorbed in their meditation, appeared unperturbed by the noise, maintaining their focused state. Tang Jian marveled at their unwavering concentration.

Liu Mei, with an excited expression, looked at Tang Jian and asked, "Young Tang, would you like to join your fellow seniors and meditate here? Who knows, upon hearing your senior sister play the music, you might catch a glimpse of the beautiful world of souls."

Unable to contain his curiosity about the world of souls, Tang Jian immediately agreed to the hall master's offer.

He found an empty seat in a corner of the room and prepared himself to delve into the new realm he was about to experience.

As he delved deeper into his meditation, a gentle sound filled the air—a melodic tune played on the guzheng with delicate precision, tinged with a touch of melancholy. The music seemed to intertwine with the very essence of Tang Jian's being, resonating in his soul.

After immersing himself in meditation, Tang Jian felt a profound sense of tranquility enveloping him. The melodic strains of the guzheng seemed to guide him into a state of heightened awareness, as if unlocking hidden chambers within his mind.

Ding!

System initialization in the process!

Startled by the mysterious voice resonating inside his head, Tang Jian abruptly opened his eyes, searching for the source of the sound. After scanning his surroundings, he found nothing amiss and assumed it was a mere hallucination, returning to his meditation.

Ding!

System Initialization Complete! Linking With the host!

Once again, the enigmatic voice startled Tang Jian, leaving him perplexed and yearning for answers.