Two years later, Chen Jingzhai could be seen putting the books back on the shelf in the library.

After cracking his neck, he circulated the spiritual power inside his body. Just then, there was an unusual fluctuation of spiritual power around his body.

All of a sudden, his aura disappeared without a trace.

After spending a total of about eight years, Chen Jingzhai finally finished reading all the books in the library.

Naturally, he had found a lot of good stuff in there, such as the Presence Concealment Technique, a technique that could hide one’s aura, and the Presence Seeking Technique, a technique that could detect the aura of others.

In total, Chen Jingzhai had mastered slightly more than a dozen skills. All the techniques he had picked up were from the books in the library.

If it weren’t for his unique talent, Chen Jingzhai would’ve missed out on the opportunity as he did six years ago. But things were no longer the same.

One of the many notable books he had read was titled “Record of Hermit Guangmiao’s Bizarre Adventure.”

That book contained some autobiography and travel notes and a record of some of the unusual and mystical events that had taken place during the adventures of Hermit Guangmiao in the mortal world. Some of the accounts included were harmful techniques and his insight about them.

Once Chen Jingzhai finished reading the book, there appeared to be three spells that he could learn.

[Spell: Sheep Curse]

[Effect: Upon activation, the target being will be turned into a sheep.]

[Weakness: The stronger the targeted being, the more spiritual power will be consumed. Consequently, it shortens the duration of the effect.]

[Flaw: Knitting sheep’s wool into a loop and wearing it may increase the mastery speed.]

This was a bona-fide spell and not a technique. The required amount of the user’s spiritual power was relatively high. Furthermore, it was not something one could master within a short time, even with the knowledge of the flaw.

Chen Jingzhai was somewhat satisfied with this spell, as it was pretty interesting. This spell could bring about some unexpected effects in times of need.

[Spell: Soul Gathering Technique]

[Effect: By chanting the Ba-Zi of the target, the user can gather the dispersed soul of the target.]

[Weakness: It has a low success rate.]

[Flaw: Wearing the Soul Wood or reciting the Buddhist Sutra a thousand times can increase the mastery speed.]

This spell was related to the soul, so Chen Jingzhai would not let the chance of learning it slip past him.

Although unremarkable, all spells related to the soul were precious. It was even more so seeing that it was the spell of Hermit Guangmiao, one that ought to be paired with the next attack.

[Spell: Soul Seducing Technique]

[Effect: After using the Soul Gathering Technique, the user can entrap the soul and control its life and death.]

[Weakness: It may destroy the sentience of the soul and deduct the netherworld merit of the user. In the worst-case scenario, the spell may bring harm to the user.]

[Flaw: Wear the Century Soul Wood or recite the Buddhist Sutra a hundred thousand times or the Taoist Scripture ten thousand times.]

According to Hermit Guangmiao’s autobiography, he had used these two spells to punish the evil people and save the good ones. Even though he had acted alone, he could summon a familiar after mastering the Soul Seducing Technique. It was considered the best spell one could master to travel in the mortal world.

Chen Jingzhai had memorized the cultivation methods of all three spells.

With that, he took his time and strolled out of the library.

Two years had passed since then.

There were quite a few people in the library. Most of them were fledglings, around eight to nine years old.

These people were aspirant cultivators who had recently enrolled. They were still wet behind their ears and had just begun their learning journey. They were precisely like Ling Wuque back then.

However, Chen Jingzhai was different since he remembered his previous life. He had since set a goal in his mind at the age of six.

Back then, he would immerse himself in the world of books like a hungry cat before its meal.

After seeing his juniors, Chen Jingzhai couldn’t help but become sentimental.

“Jingzhai!”

After seeing Chen Jingzhai, Ling Wuque strode toward the former and announced, “The new batch of aspirant cultivators is arriving soon!”

“Huh? What’s so special about it?” Chen Jingzhai asked. “Isn’t there a bunch of new aspirant cultivators every year?”

“It is different this time,” Ling Wuque murmured. “I’ve heard that they are arriving aboard the Soaring Clouds Ship.”

“A Soaring Clouds Ship, you say?” Chen Jingzhai stared at him in surprise.

“You heard me right!” Wrapping his arm around Chen Jingzhai’s shoulders, Ling Wuque walked and explained, “It is the Soaring Clouds Clan’s famed Soaring Clouds Ship, one that a Foundation Establishment Plane cultivator can only maneuver. Besides, I’ve also heard that the aspirant cultivators are from the northern region of Pulao Kingdom.”

“So you mean they’re from the royal family?” Chen Jingzhai wondered.

“A few of them are from some long-established prominent families,” Ling Wuque muttered. “Pulao Kingdom’s capital is in the north, where the royal family and nobles are hailed from. It is only natural that some of the aspirant cultivators will come from there.”

“I see where you’re getting at.” Chen Jingzhai nodded and went on, “When will they arrive?”

“Soon. I’ve heard from the master that it won’t be long… Look! They’re here!” Ling Wuque pointed his finger at the sky.

That day, there was a clear blue sky with clouds dispersed across the heavens. At that time, a long wooden ship, sixteen feet long, stealthily passed through the layers of clouds.

It made no sound as it hovered in the sky, looking like a humongous monster. It made a sudden appearance and slowly approached the White Cloud City.

All the commoners in the city noticed an overcast shadow and lifted their heads toward the sky. They immediately caught sight of the gigantic wooden ship.

Some of the people instantly fell to their knees, while a number of the crowd stood rooted to the spot, with mouths agape.

Inside the Aspirant Cultivators Academy, even someone like Chen Jingzhai was hyped up as he took in the scenery with an ardent look.

Although he was not a nescient person, it was still his first time seeing a flying wooden ship in real life.

The feat itself was already beyond the scientific knowledge that he had known. He reminded himself—though it was not the first time—that this was a world of cultivation.

Still, none of the events he had encountered previously were as powerful as this one.

“So this is the Soaring Clouds Ship!” Ling Wuque remarked in excitement. “Rumor has it that this is the Soaring Clouds Clan’s most basic ship! Despite being the most common, it can alter its size, fly in the sky by riding the wind, and traverse countless mountains and rivers! This is how the cultivation sects roll!”

Ling Wuque was not the only one who could not hold back his exhilaration. All these aspirant cultivators had been studying at the Aspirant Cultivators Academy since the age of six, so it was not a surprise that they were uninformed.

The appearance of the Soaring Clouds Ship had caused a strong visual impact on most people. Individuals like Ling Wuque, who had reached the Meditation Plane, had reacted differently. They were elated since there was a high chance that they could also pull off such a feat in the future.

Meanwhile, those who had already given up long ago and those whose aptitudes were insufficient but continued to train themselves were greatly distressed.

“This is magnificent!” Ling Wuque glanced at the enormous ship that was gradually descending toward the Aspirant Cultivators Academy. “Jingzhai, do you think we should join the Soaring Clouds Clan? Imagine us piloting one of those.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” Chen Jingzhai added, “We are three-element spirit root cultivators. So the cultivation sects will pick their members, not the other way round. We don’t have the luxury of choosing where to go.”

“What is wrong with…” Ling Wuque retorted in a reflex but came to a realization quickly.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as he gazed at Chen Jingzhai with a smile.

“It’s undeniable that you’ve been diligent with your cultivation for the past two years. While it’s true that you can pick whichever cultivation sect you want to join since you’ve reached Level 5 of the Meditation Plane, have you decided to come clean about the secrets of your cultivation and sever your relationship with me?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“I’m sorry! It’s my fault, Jingzhai!” Ling Wuque begged pitifully.

It was truly incredible that he could reach Level 5 of the Meditation Plane in two years. Ling Wuque knew that he could never hope to achieve this without Chen Jingzhai’s guidance. After all, even the three geniuses born with celestial bones had only reached Level 5 of the Meditation Plane. Even with such an achievement, the three had already been acting haughtily.

Lately, people of the same batch had ganged up and formed factions, creating a foul atmosphere in the Aspirant Cultivators Academy. After witnessing Chen Jingzhai’s solemn expression, Ling Wuque remained taciturn, stood on the spot, and looked at the sky.

“Something is not right!” Chen Jingzhai’s expression turned pale.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Wuque queried.

“The ship is not slowing down. At the speed of its descent, it will crash into the academy grounds.” Chen Jingzhai turned gloomy and exclaimed, “Flee from this place at once!”