While being pursued by the middle-aged man, Zhang Xuan had fled in a panic, resulting in him losing his bearings. The royal palace was vast, and there were many buildings that looked similar to one another. This left him dumbfounded, and the location of the banquet hall was nowhere to be found.
As such, the esteemed principal of the Master Teacher Academy, Zhang Xuan, had lost his way!
However, there were formations all around the royal palace, and there were experts everywhere. With his aura severed, how was he supposed to find his way out?
If he could fly high enough, he would be able to find his way out. However, after the previous incident, he knew that there were countless experts in the royal palace. If he were to try to fly up, he would surely become a target for them!
More importantly, the middle-aged man from before had probably not given up yet. If he were to show himself, there was a good chance that he would catch up to him.
Under the concealment of the formations in the courtyard, Zhang Xuan was still able to escape successfully. However, if he were to be intercepted in the air, he would be at a disadvantage in terms of speed and terrain.
As long as I head in a single direction and pass through all the courtyards, I should be able to leave the royal palace …
Unable to find his way out, Zhang Xuan rubbed his glabella in distress. Thus, he could only resort to the most basic method.
Legend had it that if one were to fall into a pitch-black cave, there was only one way to get out alive — hold onto a wall and continue walking forward. No matter how deep the cave was, one would eventually find his way out.
This was the method he was using now. The houses around him were all similar, and the buildings were stacked on top of each other. If he followed the original path, not only would he bump into the middle-aged man, he might even walk further and further away, and it would be difficult to get out.
The only way was to ignore the direction and follow the path until it was dark!
No matter how big the royal palace was, there was bound to be a way out. Once he was out, he would be able to find the entrance and return to the banquet hall.
Let's head in this direction then!
With such thoughts in mind, Zhang Xuan decided on a direction and began walking forward with widened strides.
As a soul, walls didn't pose any obstruction to him, allowing him to pass through them easily. However, the formations in the courtyards were a little troublesome, and there would be experts patrolling the area from time to time, so he had to be careful.
However, with the Eye of Insight and the Heaven's Path Soul Art, as long as one wasn't a Saint realm expert specializing in soul arts, it would be nigh impossible for them to notice him.
After passing through six to seven courtyards, a massive courtyard finally appeared before his eyes.
What is this place?
This courtyard was clearly different from the one that contained the stone tablets. It was much more spacious, and there was a massive Aura Sealing Formation erected around it, seemingly to prevent anything from leaking out.
"Could it be that this palace also has some unknown secrets?"
The main purpose of the Aura Sealing Array was to conceal the aura inside, so that the aura inside would not be able to leak out, and people outside would not be able to probe in. Could it be that there was something shameful about making this place look like this?
Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Zhang Xuan surveyed his surroundings.
"It looks like an examination ground. Could it be that we've already left the palace?"
There were many stone pillars in the courtyard that were used to measure strength. It looked like a testing ground.
Why did the imperial palace need so many things?
Perplexed, Zhang Xuan walked around the courtyard. At the end of the courtyard were two neat rows of walls. It looked like a narrow alley, and densely packed words were carved on the walls.
"There are seven ways to increase one's soul. First, train your mind. Secondly, facing fear, panic, and many other emotions. Thirdly, "
Both sides of the wall were filled with all kinds of cultivation methods, all related to the soul.
"These are so simple …"
With just a glance, Zhang Xuan immediately understood what was going on. The soul cultivation technique recorded on the walls was extremely simple, and it could be considered as the most basic of soul cultivation techniques. Even the Heaven's Path Soul Guiding Formula that he had cultivated back then couldn't compare to it.
It was only suitable for Consonant Spirit realm cultivators who had just begun to come into contact with the soul.
There were many words written on the walls of the alley, and after taking a look, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but take a few steps forward.
"The cultivation technique here seems to be slightly more profound than the rest …"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
The soul cultivation technique recorded on the walls was clearly much more profound than the one on the outside. Even though it was still lacking compared to the soul cultivation technique, it was still a soul cultivation technique. If one were to practice it frequently, it would be beneficial to the growth of one's soul energy.
"This alley sure is long. Could it be that the contents are getting more and more profound?"
Looking into the depths of the passageway, Zhang Xuan realized that the passageway extended to an unknown depth. He couldn't hold back his curiosity.
Just by taking a few steps forward, he realized that the deeper he went, the more profound the contents on the walls became. Could it be that the contents on the walls would be of help to him as well?
"There's still some time before the hour ends anyway. Time to take a look!"
In any case, it had only been ten minutes since he left the banquet hall. Since there was still some time left, he might as well take a look.
Zhang Xuan hurriedly advanced.
Just as he had expected, the deeper he went, the more profound the soul cultivation technique he saw. Even though most of them might not be practical, they weren't too weak either.
"Hmm? Why does this passageway feel pressured? "
After walking for a while longer, just as he was about to reach the end of the passageway, Zhang Xuan suddenly realized that there seemed to be some kind of pressure pressing down on his soul from the surroundings.
However, the pressure was extremely weak. If one didn't pay close attention, it would be impossible to notice it.
"No matter what it is, I should just take a look at it first!"
Knowing that there were even more profound soul cultivation technique manuals up ahead, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate and continued walking forward.
To him, it didn't matter whether the cultivation technique manuals were shallow or complicated. As long as he could collect them, he would be able to contribute to the Heaven's Path Divine Art Compilation. Since he was already here, he might as well collect them all.
Zhang Xuan's gaze swept across the walls, and the contents on the walls appeared one after another in his mind.
The contents at the end of the passageway already bore some resemblance to the Thousand Tempering Soul Condensation Art that he had seen previously. Even though it was still slightly lacking, it wasn't as terrible as the previous one.
"From simple to difficult, this passageway should be a place for the later generations of the royal family to learn soul cultivation technique …"
Upon seeing this, Zhang Xuan finally came to a realization.
At the start of the passageway, it contained the simplest cultivation technique suitable for those who had just come into contact with souls. The deeper he went, the more profound it became. By the end of the passageway, he had already assimilated the few stone tablets from before.
To be able to reach this point, even if the other party's mastery of soul cultivation was beneath his, it was at least on par with the middle-aged man from before.
It seemed like those stone tablets were the foundation for the Hongyuan royal family to cultivate their souls. It was no wonder why they were so heavily guarded.
"Without the heritage of the soul oracles, the soul cultivation technique is still a little too simple …"
After reading through the final cultivation technique, Zhang Xuan shook his head.
These cultivation technique manuals might be decent for an ordinary cultivator, but as someone who had received the heritage of the soul oracles, they were nothing more than child's play to him.
It was as if he was looking at a high school curriculum after completing his postgraduate studies.
But even so, the royal family must have spent innumerable years collecting these cultivation technique manuals and expended a huge amount of resources to obtain them.
Even though these cultivation technique manuals were simple, they were extremely systematic. It was more than enough to groom an expert who specialized in soul offense.
Retracting his gaze, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze forward.
At the end of the passageway was an average-sized round door. It seemed to be sealed tightly by some kind of power.
Zhang Xuan pushed it open, only to find that it was extremely sturdy.
"Humph!"
Zhang Xuan's eyebrows shot up as he drove his soul energy.
Kacha!
The round door abruptly opened, and a vast hall appeared before his eyes.
Hong long!
As soon as he stepped in, he immediately felt a powerful pressure crushing down on him, threatening to tear his soul apart.
"Humph!"
Driving his Heaven's Path Soul Art, a layer of light rippled across his soul, alleviating the pressure he was feeling.
Raising his head to take a look at the hall, he realized that the pressure he was feeling earlier were four sculptures.
These sculptures were extremely tall, and some were wielding swords while others were wielding sabers. Even before reaching him, he could already feel an immense pressure pressing down on him, threatening to tear his soul apart.
The spiritual energy in the hall was so dense that it felt almost tangible, similar to when he first entered the Cleansing Lake.
"This … is actually spiritual energy capable of nourishing one's soul?"
Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
The spiritual energy absorbed by one's soul was much gentler than that absorbed by one's physical body. Otherwise, he wouldn't have to worry so much about Wei Ruyan.
"Even though this spiritual energy is capable of nourishing one's soul … Wei Ruyan is currently in a coma, so she won't be able to absorb it.
Since Wei Ruyan was in a coma, she couldn't absorb any spiritual energy at all. Thus, she could only absorb it slowly.
While this spiritual energy was extremely beneficial to one's soul, it was impossible for it to seep into one's weakened soul to nourish it. In order to use it, one would have to absorb it first.
"She can't, but I can. Why don't I raise the strength of my soul first? The stronger my soul is, the greater the chance of saving her will be!"
Even though this spiritual energy was unable to save Wei Ruyan, it was of great help to him. It could strengthen his soul, thus increasing his chances of saving Wei Ruyan.
"Let me see if I can compile a new soul oracle cultivation technique first!"
Zhang Xuan immersed his consciousness into his mind.
"Compile!"
Zhang Xuan fused the soul oracle cultivation technique he had obtained from Mo Hunsheng with the manuals he had just collected, and with a deep exclamation, a book fell onto the ground.
"Ethereal Treading realm Heaven's Path Soul Art …"
Flipping the book open, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
Combining the Thousand Tempering Soul Condensation Formula and the other cultivation technique manuals that Mo Hunsheng had given him, Zhang Xuan finally managed to obtain the 8-dan Heaven's Path Soul Art.
Previously, he had only cultivated up to Perfect Harmonization realm pinnacle, but now that he had the Ethereal Treading realm Heaven's Path Soul Art and the abundant spiritual energy in the surroundings, he immediately sat down without any hesitation.
Driving the Ethereal Treading realm Heaven's Path Soul Art in his mind, his massive soul began devouring the spiritual energy in the surroundings like a powerful Spirit Gathering Formation.
Gugugugu!
A crisp sound echoed, and Zhang Xuan's soul was undergoing rapid changes.
Hong long!
Not too long later, with a resounding buzz, he achieved a breakthrough to Ethereal Treading realm.
Ethereal Treading realm intermediate stage!
Ethereal Treading realm advanced stage!
Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle!
An hour later, his cultivation had reached Ethereal Treading realm pinnacle, and his strength had risen to 20,000,000 ding!
"Great!"
With the increase in his soul energy, his mind became more agile, and his mind became more energized. Standing up, he realized that most of the concentrated spiritual energy in the surroundings had been devoured by him during his breakthrough.
The four sculptures that had been suppressing him previously had lost their luster as well. It was as if their energy had been sapped dry, and they would shatter at any moment.
PS: Seventh place. Thank you, everyone. If Laoya continues his breakthrough tomorrow, feel free to continue voting for him. Hehe!
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