Chapter 129: Contention

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Contention

"Guardian?"

Yang Haichen narrowed his eyes. He didn’t quite understand what the title meant, much less what it had to do with Junior Brother Liu.

"You may not be aware, Junior Brother, but Spirit Chefs are not skilled in combat, so they require Guardians. The previous Spirit Chef had four Servants and two Guardians.

When Junior Brother Liu becomes a True Disciple, he will receive similar treatment. Do you think it’s better to be a True Disciple, or the Guardian of a Second Grade Spirit Chef?"

Xie Xichen spoke slowly. If he had to choose, he would certainly want to be a Guardian. Even True Disciples have to purchase Spiritual Cuisine. However, Guardians, like Servants, are bound by a Spirit Contract from Purple Cloud Valley. This alone would give them a much greater chance of obtaining Spiritual Cuisine.

"I’m really not sure about that. But Junior Brother Liu doesn’t seem to need a Guardian. Is there anyone who would actually dare to cause trouble on the back mountain of Purple Bamboo Peak?"

Yang Haichen shook his head. ’If I really had to choose, being a Guardian would definitely be better. Right now, neither I nor Junior Brother Liu are bound by any Spirit Contract. We’re just cooperating, and I get to enjoy Spiritual Cuisine for all three meals a day. If I became his Guardian directly, the benefits certainly wouldn’t be bad.’

"Junior Brother Liu will eventually have to leave Purple Cloud Valley to complete missions, just like with this trial. The Black Feather Royal Family is considering a change in direction, so they won’t make a move against Junior Brother Liu. But without this Array sealing off Fire Dragon Valley, do you think those Loose Cultivators would kidnap him for his Spiritual Cuisine?"

Xie Xichen shook his head. Large-scale trials like this one didn’t typically result in heavy losses for Purple Cloud Valley disciples. In fact, as long as they didn’t actively seek trouble, casualties among disciples of the Three Immortal Sects were rare, especially from fighting each other.

Most losses occurred during regular missions. The Great Xia Dynasty was vast and rich in resources, which was the foundation for the peaceful coexistence between the Three Immortal Sects and the various Noble Families. But beyond them, there were also large numbers of Loose Cultivators, as well as Evil Cultivators and Demon Beasts hiding among the populace.

Evil Cultivators and Demon Beasts were generally dealt with by Inner Sect Disciples. The death toll from these encounters was high; they were true battles of life and death.

The previous generation of outstanding Inner Sect Disciples were all stationed in the various territories controlled by Purple Cloud Valley. Upon their return, they could be promoted to True Disciple based on their achievements, or they could switch careers and become a Steward of Purple Cloud Valley.

Next year, it would be their turn as Inner Sect Disciples. At that time, if Junior Brother Liu wanted to become a True Disciple as quickly as possible, this was something he would have to face. For safety’s sake, having an extra Guardian would undoubtedly be a safer bet.

"That’s possible. But Junior Brother Liu really doesn’t seem to be considering anyone for the role of Guardian. He doesn’t even pay attention to the competition for the pillars of light."

Yang Haichen hesitated. He wasn’t entirely sure what Junior Brother Liu was thinking. But recently, aside from preparing Spiritual Cuisine, Liu Chen spent all his time in his room. He didn’t care about the pillars of light, or even the profits from the Spiritual Cuisine.

"That’s what you think, Junior Brother Yang, but the other junior brothers and sisters might not agree."

Xie Xichen nodded. He was inclined to believe Junior Brother Yang’s judgment, but whether others would was not something he could control. After all, in the contest to become the Guardian, Yang Haichen was also a competitor—and the most threatening one at that.

"This is such a hassle."

Yang Haichen shrugged helplessly. ’If I just handed a list of names to Junior Brother Liu, he might just wash his hands of the whole thing. Then, forget about Fire Dragon Valley—even back at Purple Cloud Valley, he’d probably stop selling Spiritual Cuisine altogether.’

In the end, Xie Xichen took his leave. If he could just meet Junior Brother Liu and ask his thoughts, this matter might die down a bit. The problem was, he had almost never seen Junior Brother Liu. The man was right there in that room, but if he refused to come out, Xie Xichen couldn’t just barge in.

As for whether Liu Chen was cultivating in his room or deliberately staying inside, Xie Xichen had no idea.

Inside the room, Liu Chen slowly opened his eyes. A multitude of dust motes rearranged themselves freely in the air under his control. The feeling of complete mastery flooded his mind. Liu Chen’s understanding of the Artifact Manipulation Technique had deepened, and he had successfully forged his own path.

[Artifact Manipulation Technique: Unique]

After the Artifact Manipulation Technique evolved, the duration and distance over which he could control objects both tripled. After it evolved to become "Unique," Liu Chen’s ability to control minute objects was further enhanced. This control also extended to his manipulation of Spiritual Power and Spiritual Sense, resulting in more precise handling of both.

’I can control all kinds of Magic with greater precision now. Casting time will be shortened, and it will consume less Spiritual Power. The more fundamental the Magic, the wider its applications, so its evolution to ’Unique’ provides the most significant overall improvement.’

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes, examining the changes within himself. ’From a certain perspective, Spiritual Qi and Spiritual Power can be considered objects. Even Spiritual Sense can be seen as an object. The scope of the Artifact Manipulation Technique is incredibly broad. I don’t think the creator of this Magic ever imagined the effects I’m achieving now. This is a path I’ve forged myself.’

’If the creator of the Artifact Manipulation Technique had originally intended for it to enhance control over Spiritual Power and Spiritual Sense, the Magic would never have been circulated. Everyone would have known it was a trump card. When Spiritual Power and Spiritual Sense are equal, victory comes down to who has superior control over them.’

’However, it’s rare to encounter a perfectly matched opponent under normal circumstances.’

’Next, I’ll cultivate the Lamp Burning Technique and the Soul Crossing Technique. As for the Solid Spirit Technique, I just need to keep selling Spiritual Cuisine, and it will naturally evolve to ’Unique’.’

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes and scanned the courtyard with his Spiritual Sense. Seeing that nothing was amiss, he resumed his cultivation.

At dinnertime, Yang Haichen received ingredients from the Jackal but didn’t take them to Liu Chen. Instead, he waited quietly. Once the first pillar of light appeared, the rules of the competition would become clear, and the matter of the Spiritual Cuisine could finally be settled.

Just after 9 p.m. on the twelfth day of the ninth month, as midnight of the thirteenth day arrived, a pillar of light suddenly erupted from one of the eighteen volcanoes.

The eighteen volcanoes were already the focus of the Three Immortal Sects’ attention. Within moments, several Meridian Passage Cultivators from the Three Immortal Sects appeared on the scene.

"So, what’s the plan?"

Xie Xichen looked at Nangong Ye before him and Thunderstorm not far away, unable to resist asking. The three of them were not the strongest participants from the Three Immortal Sects in this trial, but within Fire Dragon Valley, they could represent the will of their many sect-mates.

"From the looks of it, a new pillar of light will appear each day. How about we take turns among our three sects, competing two at a time in a cycle?"

Thunderstorm from Thunder Mountain slowly walked over. Compared to the refined-looking Nangong Ye and Xie Xichen, Thunderstorm was more boisterous in both appearance and personality.

"In that case, you two can have this pillar of light."

Nangong Ye nodded and took a step back. ’If Qingxu Hall competes a day later, our sect-mates who are on the verge of a breakthrough will have a better chance of reaching the Meridian Passage Realm. In any case, there are only eighteen pillars of light, so there’s definitely no share for the Noble Families.’

"Brother Kuang, please enlighten me."

Xie Xichen floated gracefully into the pillar of light, the very picture of elegance, while Thunderstorm leaped into the air and landed with a heavy thud.