Ancient Strengthening Technique (Portraits of Beauty) Ancient Strengthening Technique Chapter 1216-1217

AST 1216 – Nine Heavens Golden Pellet, Sacred Hall, Promotion to Elite Disciple

Tian Jiange said that he would become a core disciple very soon. Additionally, this time around, the reason he came here was so that he could acc.u.mulate sufficient contribution. As for his cultivation level, Lord Sect’s leader would give him a Nine Heavens Golden Pellet.

“Nine Heavens Golden Pellet?” When Qing Shui heard this, he was very astonished.

He could actually sense that Tian Jiange definitely had a close relations.h.i.+p with some people in the upper echelon in Lord Sect. He could tell that from the fact that these people he was with were stronger than him but were still very respectful toward him.

“It’s a type of mysterious medicinal pill which can increase one’s strength by a lot and temporarily raises some things, like one’s comprehension. It has a very long effect and not only would it provide a large increase in power, for a long period of time after, one’s level of comprehension in martial techniques and skills would be several times faster than before.”

This was something subjective. The higher one’s talent was, the stronger the effects of the Nine Heavens Golden Pellet.

“This really is something good!” Qing Shui smiled and said.

There were many precious and rare treasures in the World of the Nine Continents. There were also countless items left behind from the ancient times. It was just that many of these things were hidden very well and one might only get them if they were lucky.

This Nine Heavens Golden Pellet was said to be a powerful medicinal pill left behind from the ancient times.

“That’s right. Oh, right. Brother, are you interested in joining Lord Sect? We brothers can be together then. Lord Sect is not bad. At least, it isn’t as arrogant as some other factions.” Tian Jiange smiled and said. He was very straightforward.

“To be honest, I’ve already joined Breezing Wind Veranda. If I hadn’t, then I’d really want to join Brother.” Qing Shui smiled and said.

“That’s really a pity. But it’s fine. Lord Sect and Breezing Wind Veranda are on very good terms. I heard that our leader likes Teacher Sunu a lot. We might even become a family in the future. In the future, if you are to come across any problems and need help, don’t forget about me. I’ll definitely help out if I can.” Tian Jiange smiled and said very seriously.

Qing Shui thought of what the Seventh Princess had said previously. There seemed to be a lot of people who liked the Eldest Princess. These people also restricted one another and even if they wanted to do anything to the Eldest Princess, they wouldn’t be able to do so. Moreover, the Eldest Princess was supported by a powerful expert and no one dared to make any reckless moves.

It seemed that Lord Sect was also one of such parties.

The two of them chatted a lot and Qing Shui got to learn of quite a number of things. For example, although it wasn’t clear what kind of characters the leaders of factions like the Saint Child Band and Lord Sect were like, but to be able to get over ten thousand people submit to them, must mean that they are all powerful experts. Therefore, there wasn’t a need to guess. It was obvious that these were extremely talented individuals and in the future, one of them might even be the one to take over Heaven Secrets Academy.

Compared to aristocrat inheritance, the Heaven Secrets Academy was more inclined toward sects and the strongest person would be revered.

This could also be why the Heaven Secrets Academy turned a blind eye toward the formation of these groups. Those people who were arrogant would probably just become the stepping stones of the ones who would truly lead the Heaven Secrets Academy. Some people were never meant to have great achievements. Even if they were to gain the upper hand, it would only be temporary.

Tian Jiange didn’t stay on this topic for very long. He had always seen himself as very strong, and he felt that in the future, Qing Shui would definitely be very strong. This might be why he had agreed that they would be friends the next time they met when they had battled previously.

Now they were considered friends. At least it was a good beginning!

The other people who were with Tian Jiange didn’t say much. A large group of demonic beasts had appeared in the distance and all of the people started killing the beasts. Qing Shui and the ladies used the Unison Swordplay.

It was only now that some of them noticed Qing Shui’s and the ladies’ great teamwork. The great flow of their teamwork increased their prowess greatly, causing Tian Jiange's group to be stunned. It was a very good feeling.

Tian Jiange also knew that Qing Shui wanted to advance to become a high grade disciple or even an elite disciple. However, it was impossible for one to advance to a core disciple in less than five years. Not even if one was strong enough.

It might be because the people from the Saint Child Band they had met earlier were too arrogant that Qing Shui felt that the people from Lord Sect seemed different. At the very least, these people seemed stronger than those from Saint Child Band and they have better qualities as well.

One would require a high level of contribution to advance to a core disciple. Tian Jiange had already acc.u.mulated merits for a very long period of time but it would still take him some more time. He would need to take the Nine Heavens Golden Pellet and then when he became strong enough, he would then be able to head to the Heaven Secrets Academy and be promoted to a core disciple.

They stayed here and killed for three days. Qing Shui gained sufficient contribution level for him to be promoted to an elite disciple and he was preparing to return. The wave of beasts this time around was also close to its end. For the past three days, Qing Shui had seen many experts from the Heaven Secrets Academy appearing in the area. There were even more experts from Wavemoon Dynasty. There were no signs of the Eldest Princess.

In three days, Qing Shui and Tian Jiange got closer. They had very similar characters and as the saying went, birds of the same feathers flock together. Only people who could get along well could be called friends. For the past few days, the two of them had gotten to know each other very well with and had started to address each other as brothers. Most importantly, it was the feeling that was calm as water between gentlemen. Other than the very start when Tian Jiange invited Qing Shui to join Lord Sect, he did not dwell on stuff relating to this area thereafter.

Qing Shui and the others left. During these few days, he didn’t bring out the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant. It wasn’t because he was scared, but rather, he felt that there wasn’t a need for it. It was one of his killing attacks and he felt that it was better for it to remain concealed for now.

Tian Jiange still required a little bit more time, so Qing Shui and the others headed back first. Anyways, he had no method of being raised to a core disciple for now and there wasn’t a need for him to get that high a contribution level. Moreover, it was still hard to say who would lead the Heaven Secrets Academy in the future.

No one knew that he had killed that few hundreds of people from Saint Child Band. After returning to the Heaven Secrets Academy, no one discussed it either. This made Qing Shui feel that the people from Breezing Wind Veranda were still quite good. On that day, there were several tens of people from Breezing Wind Veranda.

Qing Shui wasn’t especially concerned that the people from Saint Child Band would get to know that he had killed their people. However, at present, he felt that it was still better not to let others know of it. After he got strong enough, these wouldn’t matter anymore.

Sacred Hall!
This was the place where Heaven Secrets Academy checked on their members and promoted them. Every day, there would be quite a number of disciples rising up to high grade disciple from ordinary disciple, and from high grade disciple to elite disciple.

There weren’t many cases of elite disciples being raised to core disciples. Sometimes, one might be able to see one, or several but at other times, one might not even be able to see one even in 10 to 14 days.

Today, there seemed to be a lot more people than usual. When there were large a.s.signments, there would be more people here since it would be easier to gain the contribution level from the Heaven Secrets Academy.

Contribution wasn’t something which could be purchased or gifted. Of course, one could gift items that could be exchanged for contribution. For example, in this a.s.signment, people could gift you with Demon Nuclei and you could also kill others to s.n.a.t.c.h their Demon Nuclei.

Qing Shui came alone. The girl was back in the manor. She wasn’t allowed to wander around. Even though she was quite strong, she was after all, not a member of the Heaven Secrets Academy. Therefore, even if she was together with Qing Shui, there were still some areas she couldn’t go. The Sacred Hall was one of them.

They were in the front hall of the Sacred Hall. This was where the promotions of elite disciples or lower tiers were conducted. Only the promotion for core disciples would be conducted inside and it would be more stringent.

“You want to be promoted from ordinary disciple to elite disciple?” An old man looked at Qing Shui and asked.

The old man was very elegant and thin, and had a very eye-catching goatee. He appeared very amiable as he smiled and looked at Qing Shui.

“That’s right, Elder. May I ask what conditions I need to fulfill?” Qing Shui took out some Demon Nuclei. Through Yan Jinyu and the Seventh Princess, he had already known of the contribution level required for one to be promoted to an elite disciple.

“This level of contribution is sufficient for one to be promoted to an elite disciple but I’ll still have to test your abilities. That is the most important part. First, I'll record these contributions under your name.” The old man smiled and said. He then took the small pile of Demon Nuclei from Qing Shui and stored them.

Qing Shui also knew that the contribution level before the core disciple level wasn’t high. Most people would be able to gather enough but it was hard for them to gain enough powers to reach the required level.it was because the lowest elite disciple would need at least a strength of 10,000 nimbus.

The test was a battle. It was very simple. One would be required to have at least a battle prowess of 10,000 nimbus. For Qing Shui, this was of course of no issue. He got through the administration very quickly and after he bid the old man goodbye, he met someone on the way out.

Young Master Fu!

It was the person called Young Master Fu. This man was handsome but cunning and he had wanted to lay his hands on the ladies, but he didn’t end up taking any action. When he saw Qing Shui, he also wore a smirk. When the two of them pa.s.sed by, a voice rang out.

“You should consider my previous suggestion again!”

Qing Shui shook his head, not saying anything. People like these were just like insignificant ants to him. Although Qing Shui wasn’t especially strong, he had the potential to be strong. It was just that he still required a little opportunity, and that opportunity was nearing.

Qing Shui heard that this man was already a core disciple and would soon be taken in by Elder Tianyi as his disciple. If it was in the past, Qing Shui might find it to be a little troublesome since it wouldn’t be good for him to be targeted by someone like this.

Most elite disciples were no match for him—even more so in battles. Core disciples should be much stronger, especially the disciples some Elders had taken a liking to. They should be of a similar level to the Eldest Princess and even if they were weak, they shouldn’t be underestimated.

However, thinking of how he had his Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant, Qing Shui paid Young Master Fu no heed and left directly. The other party was blind to get involved with Qing Shui. If he didn’t open his eyes, Qing Shui wouldn’t mind killing him.

Qing Shui held onto his new authority token and the other items that represented his ident.i.ty. His manor had also changed to one that was three-story tall.

Here, three-stories was just a concept. There wasn’t actually three stories but more so that the height was on the third tier. It was at a height of over 100 meters and there were only two tiers below him. The manor of a core disciple would be at least over 1,000 meters. This was the distance between them.

Qing Shui brought the girl and moved to the new place. Yan Jinyu and the Seventh Princess came along too. There was a great difference here when compared to the small place they were staying at previously.

The area was many times bigger. There was at least five Mu. Walking here, Qing Shui looked to the far distance and then upward. Above them, there were still many tiers of core disciples, teachers, Elders, and Custodians. It was even said that on the exterior, there were even existences which they weren’t aware of.

The boundlessly luxurious scene was like a mirage with mountains, waters, and dense forests. All of these belonged to Heaven Secrets Academy and it was just the exterior appearance. No one knew what the interior was like.

To be able to have an extraordinary standing in the Western Oxhe Continent, the Heaven Secrets Academy must have some terrifying powers. Looking at the Heaven Secrets Academy, Qing Shui thought of the other two Grade Four Dynasties.

Were there any Grade Five Dynasties in Western Oxhe Continent? Was there anyone in Heaven Secrets Academy and the other two Grade Four Dynasties who were Grade Five existences?

What grade State Master was a False G.o.d?

In that moment, Qing Shui went into a short daze. The path of martial arts was endless; there would always be someone stronger out there!

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AST 1217 – The misery of having treasures at low grade, Ten Thousand Years Spiritual Limestone, Feathered Spirit Gra.s.s

Now, Qing Shui was already at a higher position than both Yan Jinyu and seventh princess. Yan Jinyu also just got promoted to be a high grade disciple not long ago. It hasn't been long since seventh princess joined Heaven Secrets Academy. She was strong, hence it was fairly easy for her to get promoted to be a high grade disciple.

However, becoming an elite disciple wouldn't be as easy a task. Among a hundred people, sixty of them were normal disciples, twenty of them were high grade disciples whereas only five of them were elite disciples. From this, it could already be seen that the elite disciples were really powerful. At least inside the Heaven Secrets Academy, they still held quite a decent position. But the ones truly active in Heaven Secrets Academy were the core disciples and the people above them.

"I am now an elite disciple, shall I invite the eldest princess over for the gathering?" Qing Shui asked after thinking for a while. After all, the eldest princess has also been a great help for him. If it wasn't because of her, he wouldn't have gotten this kind of opportunity. Hence, deep down, he still held a lot of grat.i.tude for her.

"My sister is going to come very soon. Well, at least you still have some conscience for remembering sister." The seventh princess chuckled.

Qing Shui got gloomy. What was that? But only until now did he look into the surroundings. Within this manor, there were three buildings, one pond and an area of small fake mountains. On top of the pond, there was an arched bridge and a spot with a pavilion. Within the manor, there was also a bamboo forest. It was a verdant forest which was greenish blue in color. An abundant life force spread around from it.

"Even though a sparrow was small, it still had all the organs needed for it to be alive". This place was already considered quite a decent manor. Actually, there was nothing really wrong with the previous manor. The problem with it was that everywhere were manors, hence, he somehow found it a bit awkward. Now, at least he would feel a bit more comfortable doing his morning exercise here.

Not long after, the eldest princess came. When she saw Qing Shui and the girls, she smiled and greeted them. Only after that did she smile at Qing Shui: "Congratulations!"

Like usual, this woman was like the bright moon across the night sky, very beautiful. Even Yan Jinyu and seventh princess were a bit inferior compared to her. No wonder Saint Child Band and the leader from Lord Sect would be so loyal to her. The kind of attraction which she could give men was fatal.

Her appearance was so enchanting that it could cause people to spurt out blood. It wasn't as simple as being s.e.xy, it was also gentle and graceful. That was a kind of attraction that couldn't be described in words. It was a kind of charm which came from within.

Her eyes emitted a kind of tranquility. A kind of extraordinary feeling from the mortal world, causing people to not dare to blaspheme her. Qing Shui noticed that the more he interacted with it, the more his ability to self-control would decrease.

He embarra.s.singly turned away, smiled and said to the eldest princess: "Thank you, and also, thank you for recommending me into Heaven Secrets Academy."

"Your dragon elephant is really powerful. You are a true man." The eldest princess smiled out of nowhere.

Qing Shui's body shaked. He looked at the eldest princess and smiled: "Thanks for your compliment."

Qing Shui already knew that the eldest princess knew about the things that happened which involved him in the Huge Desolated City, so much so that QIng Shui could sense that the eldest princess was just around them at that time. The reason why she called him a man might have had to do with the fact that he didn't run away while facing off against the Fire Dragon at that time.

Qing Shui saw both of the eldest princess' beautiful eyes looking back at him. They seemed as if they were intending to see through him. Qing Shui was able to see something from her eyes. It should be about himself refining demons…… It's just that she hasn't inquired about anything for now.

Qing Shui rubbed his head and avoided the eldest princess' eyes. Now, he was already considered to have temporarily got onto the eldest princess' boat. If he wasn't mistaken, the eldest princess has also known about him killing off people from Saint Child Band.

Qing Shui really hoped that the eldest princess found out about all these from other people instead of her witnessing it herself. However, Qing Shui knew that the possibility of the latter was really huge, because she was worried about the seventh princes, yet she was unable to take action herself. It's very likely that she was trying to train her.

On his first night in the new manor, Qing Shui entered the realm very early. He left the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant outside to guard the night. With it being there, Qing Shui could go into the realm in peace and not get distracted.

Like usual, he refined his magic treasures. It's just that for now, basically, it's very hard for them to be upgraded. Qing Shui saw the Heaven Shaking Drum, Spirit Gathering Drum and Coiled Dragon Statue. As far as the current Golden Scale Dragon Elephant was concerned, Qing Shui no longer knew whether the Heaven Shaking Drum was still taking effect.

With his current strength, he was no longer capable of knowing whether a scene caused by two million nimbus would be the same as a scene caused with the strength of four million nimbus. Or rather, he didn't even know whether the attack the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant used the other day contained a strength which worth a million and twenty thousand nimbus or two million and forty thousand nimbus……

He couldn't achieve it with his strength. Once Qing Shui refined that strength, he would be able to experience it.

"Oh yeah, can I ask about the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant?"

It's just that upon learning the news, Qing Shui got upset, the reason being that the strength of the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant didn't actually get increased because of the Heaven Shaking Drum. This was because the grade of the Heaven Shaking Drum was no longer able to catch up to its strength.

Qing Shui really felt like cursing. But as he thought deeper into it, he let go of that intention. He has already picked up a great deal. It's just that it was a waste that the Heaven Shaking Drum didn't work. But he wasn't afraid of it, once the Heaven Shaking Drum ascended in grade, it would naturally be able to once again significantly increase the strength of his demonic beasts.

Grades….. Without grades, everything would just be decorations. Similarly, it was also hardest for this thing to level up. For treasures like Heaven Shaking Drum, once it reached fifth grade, it's already became considerably hard for it to continue ascending. This was only because the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant was too powerful. It's like back then with the Big Dipper Sword, it couldn't help amplify Qing Shui's Spirit Energy and was no longer able to draw out its use as expected.

These phenomenons were very usual. It's just that it made people felt really upset.

Alright, now, he felt that there was one more thing for him to look forward to. He looked forward to the Heaven Shaking Drum, Coiled Dragon Statue and the Spirit Gathering Lamp going up in grade. That was the only way, there would come a day when all of his demonic beasts became really strong.

The Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant woke up. It seemed like the Nirvanic Fruit has ripened. It's just that the Fire Bird hadn't actually eaten it. Like usual, it would visit that place everyday and burn them with its own Fire of Life. Qing Shui felt that these Nirvanic Fruits would very likely make the Fire Bird's strength increase significantly. It's just like letting it go through Nirvana Rebirth. It might even end up just like the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant. Similarly, Qing Shui really looked forward to this day.

If these demonic beasts of his could all be incomparably strong, it would be equivalent of himself being strong. This way, in the future, he would feel extremely confident wherever he went. This was because there were a lot of things he needed to do. After four years, there were people from his family who would also come. By then, they needed him to take care of them.

As Qing Shui thought about all of these, he felt all fired up. His entire body was filled with motivation. He considered it as fighting for a reputation for his own family members.

Other than that, what Qing Shui was happy about was that the Thousand Years Gloomy Tree had grown quite a lot of green fruits. He knew that the fruits contained extremely powerful Yin attributed force. What made him puzzled was that it was the favorite food source for the current Six-headed Demonic Spider. After every set amount of time, it would eat one of them.

Other than the Six-headed Demonic Spider, the Spirited Snake Turtle also liked it. As for the other demonic beasts, none of them would really approach it. After every set amount of time, the Six-headed Demonic Spider would eat one of the fruits. During this period of time, its strength would increase by folds. The spider web it spat out would be more tough, sticky and poisonous.

Six-headed Demonic Spider, female!

This, Qing Shui could understand. But as for the Spirited Snake Turtle…… He remembered from his past incarnation that turtles contained large fire and it helped to significantly nourish one's body. But very quickly, Qing Shui managed to find out the problem. The Spirited Snake Turtle, snake was a Yin animal.

Could it have something to do with this?

Qing Shui wasn't concerned about this. That entire tree of green fruits would be enough food source for both the Six-Headed Demonic Spider and Spirited Snake Turtle for quite a while. Besides, even after they ate it, new ones would still grow.

Qing Shui didn't know up to what kind of level the Six-headed Demonic Spider and the Spirited Snake Turtle would attain by relying on the Thousand Years Gloomy Fruit. In any case, the Six-headed Demonic Spider relied on its spider web. Besides that, its strength would also increase. With its current speed, Qing Shui felt that the pace at which it improved was really terrifying. Even though it wasn't like the sudden burst of improvement demonstrated by the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant, but this kind of pace was in a way also considered to be insane. It's just that he didn't know for how long this pace would last for.

This was a good thing. He made himself calm his mind down and entered the state of cultivation.

Seal of Roc!

About the Divine Nebula Formation, now, Qing Shui was already trying hard to arrange the sixty second star. Unfortunately, he failed again and again. But every time he attempted it, there would be progress and improvements.

Qing Shui felt necessary to cultivate the Eight-eight Divine Nebula Formation within this time. By doing so, he would be able to significantly increase his strength and spirit energy. This was because he knew that the Realm of Violet Jade Immortal was somehow related to another factor, that was, the spirit energy.

All along, he always had this thought with him. Maybe by improving his spirit energy up to a certain extent, he would be able to upgrade the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal. Now, the source of contradictions have all been pointed towards the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal. It seemed like everything would only be able to develop smoothly once the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal upgraded.

At the blink of an eye, half a month has pa.s.sed. His raw strength once again increased by two nimbus. Qing Shui seemed to no longer feel excited with this. It's just like the feeling when he was guarding an entire gold mountain, he wouldn't fear that he had not enough gold to spend. At the moment when he saw two more golds, he wouldn't have found it uncommon.

The Seal of Roc was just the same as before. As for the Double Eight Divine Nebula Formation, he has spent three days within the realm trying to arrange the last star but with no result. It's always so close… He was just one step short from success……

Qing Shui wasn't really that upset. During daytime, he would guide the girl through her cultivation. This witch-like girl was already going to achieve the strength of a second grade State Master very soon. As for her capabilities in real combat… It was even more powerful.

At the time when Qing Shui helped her acupunctured, Qing Shui felt that the Blood Terminating Force within her body was slowly blending into her body. By the time the energy from the Blood Terminator Bead completely merged into her body, the pace at which her strength increased would no longer be as terrifying as now.

Qing Shui stretched out his senses. The girl could barely make it to third grade State Master. Once that happened, she would no longer be able to improve at incredible pace like now.

Half a month pa.s.sed. The girl would cultivate Taichi Fist twice. In the morning and at night. At other times, she would cultivate the Tiger Form as well as a few footsteps. Qing Shui would also guide the flow of her pernicious aura and baleful aura with his Gold Needles , enabling the wounding power of the girl's attacks to be a lot stronger than her own strength.

Qing Shui was really happy seeing the progress the little girl made. Now, the girl seemed a lot more relaxed in front of him compared to before. She had also started showing a lot more expressions compared to before. Other than cultivating everyday, she would also talk to Qing Shui. But normally, they were also things concerning her cultivation. She had never spoken anything about her. Qing Shui didn't ask. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get anything unless the girl decided to say it herself.

"Qing Shui, I have found the Ten Thousand Years Spiritual Limestone and Feathered Spirit Gra.s.s you wanted." Qing Shui heard the eldest princess' voice.

Qing Shui turned around only to find that the eldest princess has arrived. He remembered that he once requested her to help him find the materials for Spiritual Liquid. At that time, he wasn't really concerned about it. He never expected that she would actually find it.

"Oh, well then, thank you! After I refined it, I will share a bit with you." Qing Shui smiled and said.

"You are being too stingy. You only shared a little with us, you should at least share half of it!" It's very rare that the eldest princess would talk so casually. That beautiful face of her made people not dared to look directly at it.

"Actually, this little bit is already half of them. For all you know, I feel that there may only be a drop of it. Let's hope for the best and hope that we will be able to get two drops of it. If not, I don't think I will be able to share with you……" Qing Shui smiled and said.

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