This plaque operated on the same principle as the one I had shattered in the tomb. However, unlike that piece of junk, this one was stunningly crafted. A pale-yellow piece of jade was inscribed with golden characters that glowed with inner light, emanating an “ancient mystical aura.” When one attempted to comprehend the symbols engraved on the plaque, they would enter an internal world where they would be hypnotized into believing they were on the verge of understanding some great truth, some profound heavenly law that would make them one of the greatest cultivators in all of existence.
Admittedly, the Heavenly Law embedded within this plaque could aid development and breakthroughs to a higher level of cultivation. However, with each such "free" breakthrough, a cultivator’s future progress would slow more and more, eventually leaving them endlessly chasing the “unattainable truth.” In reality, the plaque contained no great knowledge, but it served as an excellent decorative item, capable of turning any room into the “mystical chambers of a great cultivator.” The plaque's aura influenced anyone who saw it.
Sun Wei Bonk didn’t dare use a technique to pull the treasure toward himself, opting instead to send a servant to retrieve it. The elder’s trembling hands took hold of my gift, and in his gaze, I didn’t feel gratitude but infinite greed — and perhaps a sliver of goodwill toward a useful servant. Well, the blow had struck its target, and the poison was already starting to corrode his mind.
“My offerings are now complete” - I addressed the sect leader with a slight bow.
Cheon Chu Han regarded me with a detached smile, masking some confusion. After all, I had parted with treasures so easily, treasures for which most of those present would gladly slit an enemy’s throat.
“You’ve done the sect a great service by bringing these gifts” - Cheon Chu Han said, scanning the treasures with his consciousness. - “But what have you kept for yourself?”
At this question, all eyes in the room lit up with greed, and everyone prepared to tear my body apart in pursuit of the impossibly valuable treasure I must have kept hidden, compared to which the sword and the plaque were mere trinkets. I did not disappoint, plunging the local elite into the depths of helpless envy.
“I obtained a seal from an ancient cultivator in the Forbidden Tomb, enhancing my control over Qi flows.”
With these words, I extended both hands forward and revealed the tattooed seal on one of them. I then created crude and unstable threads of glowing Qi, looping out from my palms. The threads in my left hand were denser and more precise. Of course, this was all just for show. I could have made the threads perfect, but I wasn’t about to reveal my actual level of skill. My goal was simply to demonstrate that the seal genuinely enhanced Qi control.
“Come to me” - commanded Cheon Chu Han.
I stepped forward and approached him. He placed his hand on my shoulder and carefully scanned my body. However, compared to the power of the spirit from the tomb, his probing attempts were laughable. All his efforts to examine the seal were blocked by its masking properties. Still, even the traces he could sense were enough to confirm the complexity and “ancient origin” of the structures embedded within.
“Hm...” - The sect leader frowned. - “Return to your place.” - I obediently stepped back. - “This seal was undoubtedly created by the spirit of the Forbidden Tomb. And you truly haven’t hidden a single artifact obtained there” - he declared, concluding his examination.
As I had suspected, during close contact, a more powerful cultivator could indeed “peek” into a student’s rings. But inside mine, the only truly valuable item was the Spiritual Compass, which was clearly of modern design. Considering it had been entrusted to ordinary students, it was unlikely to be a priceless treasure. After all, Kre Ka Tui hadn’t even inquired about its fate.
“Why did you so easily give up all these treasures?” - Cheon Chu Han continued probing.
“I prefer not to rely on external tools but to depend solely on my own strength. Therefore, techniques for using Qi interest me far more.”
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The sect leader nodded approvingly, pleased with my modesty and prudence.
“By the way, what technique did you study in the Phantom Library?” - Cheon Chu Han asked.
Based on my assumptions, ordinary students, who had never been trained to memorize information deliberately, couldn’t fully study a library technique within just one hour. Important details about utilizing these techniques were carefully interwoven with philosophical musings and descriptions of the Heavenly Laws and Demonic Curses. Therefore, the sect relied on the experiences of many students to piece together the original technique.
Most likely, that was why they organized this bloody recruitment and training process — to reconstruct these techniques bit by bit, as they were genuinely high-ranking and even someone like Cheon Chu Han couldn’t dismiss such knowledge.
When I was absorbing the information from the library’s books, I noticed that different techniques appeared with varying frequencies. Most were simple, but occasionally, more intriguing ones emerged. The Heavenly Hammer technique I used to crush opponents in the tomb was one of the rarest and also one of the most effective. According to the description, it could penetrate most defenses, and the only way to block it was with the Heavenly Shield technique, another rare skill from the Phantom Library.
Naturally, I wasn’t about to reveal that the entire library was now stored in my head. However, I saw no harm in sharing the Heavenly Hammer technique. After all, I had no intention of using these techniques myself due to the limitations they imposed. The more a cultivator used them, the more they became bound by the Heavenly Laws embedded in the techniques, stifling their potential for growth. Whoever invented these Heavenly Laws was a genius — effectively neutralizing the threat of rebellion from 99% of cultivators.
“I studied the Heavenly Hammer technique” - I answered the question.
Surprised whispers rippled through the hall.
“Excellent” - Cheon Chu Han said with a now genuine smile. - “Can you share with me what you managed to remember? In the past two hundred years, only eight students have acquired this powerful technique. Unfortunately, even their combined understanding wasn’t enough to utilize it.”
“Explaining it would take too long. I can record my understanding of the technique onto spiritual jade.”
“Oh? Bring high-quality jade immediately!” - the sect leader ordered.
Within seconds, a servant rushed to him with a finely crafted slab of bright green jade. He gestured for the servant to bring it to me. Examining the offering, I confirmed its high quality. Moreover, the jade was infused with neutral Qi, which would preserve even the subtlest nuances of meaning, capturing my thoughts in a single imprint.
I focused and began forming the image I intended to describe the Heavenly Hammer technique. Each Phantom Library technique consisted of three parts. The first detailed the technique itself — the method for manipulating one’s Qi. The second explained how to enhance the technique using a specific Heavenly Law or Demonic Curse. The final part described the Heavenly Law and the principles underlying it.
I planned to outline the basics of the technique, provide a detailed explanation of how to amplify it with the Heavenly Law, and very thoroughly describe the Heavenly Law itself. The result would be a text that not only blocked a user’s development but also deeply entrenched the limiting principles. While I couldn’t estimate the exact developmental ceiling it imposed, it undoubtedly existed.
Gathering my thoughts, I began recording them onto the jade, ensuring no “extra” information was included. Due to the volume of data, the process took nearly five minutes. Finally, I exhaled, opened my eyes, and handed the tablet to the servant. He quickly delivered it to the sect leader.
Cheon Chu Han began reading the tablet, his eyes widening in astonishment.
“This… This is a complete description of the Heavenly Hammer technique and the associated Heavenly Law of Nine Stars!” - he nearly exclaimed.
The room erupted in a buzz of astonishment.
“I forbid you to share this technique with anyone other than the elders of the sect” - Cheon Chu Han commanded.
“Of course” - I said with a bow.
Cheon Chu Han spent several more minutes poring over the tablet before reluctantly tearing himself away from its contents.
“Tan Ji Tao, you have rendered a great service to the sect, and your diligence will not go unrewarded. Normally, students who pass the Forbidden Tomb trials are sent to the sect’s Outer Forest to serve as guards and trackers. However, those who visited the Phantom Library are entitled to become junior students of the Outer Court. To you, I grant the rank of senior student of the Outer Court.”
“Thank you” - I said with another bow.
A senior student of the Outer Court? Even the title of his son and heir wouldn’t have been enough to earn my gratitude. Though I was weak now, I planned to seize control of this sect in the near future and use it as a stepping stone for my ascension.
“Bring the ring of a senior student of the Outer Court” - the sect leader commanded.
A servant rushed over and handed me the ring. I scanned its contents and found several pills and a full set of clothing appropriate for my new status.