Chapter 1014: 58: Reading Celestial Tomes in the Scripture Pavilion
Xiao Jie followed the voice and looked over, seeing an Immortal dressed in a blue scholar's robe and wearing a square cap, with a gentle and elegant demeanor, surrounded at the center by hundreds of suspended glowing books, like a constellation of scrolls.
At this moment, he was looking through the gaps between the books, surprisingly gazing over.
"Ha, I wondered who it was, turns out to be our Daoist Book Fool." Lin Xuance laughed, and then introduced Xiao Jie, "Daoist Sui Feng, let me introduce you. This is Ten Thousand Books Immortal Daoist Su Moyan. Daoist Su Moyan, this is Daoist Hidden Moon Sui Feng, who has just ascended today, newly arrived in the Painting Realm as a fresh Immortal friend."
The Immortal referred to as Su Moyan listened, his face showing even more surprise: "A newly ascended Immortal? The Immortal Road has been broken for quite some time, didn't expect someone could ascend at this time, truly… interesting, interesting! I've stayed in this Scripture Pavilion for so many years and have missed much news from the outside world."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and those hundreds of books flew back to the shelves. Su Moyan then walked over slowly, sizing up Xiao Jie with a face full of wonder.
Miao Fa Yuanjun interjected: "We are accompanying Daoist Sui Feng here to seek books. Daoist just ascended to Immortal Position and might have many unclear aspects in cultivation, so he wants to take a look at the Immortal Technique Books in the pavilion."
Su Moyan turned his gaze to Xiao Jie and smiled warmly: "I see. I wonder what kind of books Daoist Sui Feng is looking for? Do you have any specific goals?"
Xiao Jie bowed and said: "Thanks to Daoist Su for asking. I am looking for some texts to enhance my strength and cultivate Immortal Techniques. To be honest, I plan to visit the Netherworld soon to resurrect a few departed friends. I wonder if Daoist has any recommendations?"
"Planning to head to The Peaceful Realms?" Su Moyan pondered briefly, then clapped his hands, "Hmm, it's best to practice some spells specifically for countering sinister forces, safeguarding the Primordial Spirit, controlling Yin Yang Qi, Avoiding Miasma, breaking illusions, and even communicating or shocking ghosts to move freely in that realm and reduce trouble.
I happen to have a book titled 'Dark and Mysterious Record', which records many such practical Immortal Secret Techniques, perhaps suitable for you."
As he finished speaking, a thick and heavy book emitting a faint dark glow, seemingly made from Netherworld Beast Skin pages, flew from a shelf overhead, hovering in front of Xiao Jie.
Lin Xuance continued, "In my opinion, Daoist Sui Feng is also a wielder of weapons—" his gaze swept over the treasure sword carried on Xiao Jie's back, and his tone paused imperceptibly, "Immortals also have techniques specifically for using sword and blade Divine Weapons, their profundity far surpasses ordinary Martial Arts. This book, 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique', is a legacy from the Ancient Sword Immortal, unfathomably profound, and extremely suited for Immortal Power operation, with limitless might."
Saying this, he gestured, and a Jade Scroll surrounded by fierce Sword Qi flew out in response.
The Martial Arts Immortal also exclaimed in a loud voice: "The physical body is fundamental, cannot be neglected! Though an Immortal's body is immortal and indestructible, it can still be harmed by sword and blade. Although it can regenerate, it's ultimately troublesome.
I recommend this 'Xuangang Body Refining Technique', a method for tempering the Immortal Body. Mastered fully, your whole body will be surrounded by Xuangang, making your flesh invulnerable! Additionally, it grants incredible strength, capable of toppling mountains, far beyond the reach of those mundane Martial Arts." A heavy book, metallic and radiating immense Qi-Blood energy, slowly flew forth.
Miao Fa Yuanjun also softly spoke: "Immortal Techniques are the fundamental tools of Immortals, need to be mastered to some extent. In the future, roaming the three realms, many things will be more convenient. Techniques such as Invisibility and Disguise, Wall-penetrating, Flying and Jumping, Call the Wind and Rain, turning stones into gold, Wishful Size, are all very practical. If your cultivation deepens and your Mana is sufficient, you can also study some remarkably powerful advanced Immortal Techniques, exemplified by 'Qianyang Lihuo Technique', 'Ice Soul Mysterious Scripture', 'Nine Heavens Thunder Control Technique'. These are secret inheritances from our Gyun Immortal Realm, immensely powerful, worthy of thorough contemplation." Several Jade Scrolls emitting different attribute glows—crimson red, ice blue, purple lightning—appeared simultaneously.
All of a sudden, seven or eight powerful books floated before Xiao Jie, for him to choose from.
Xiao Jie's eyes gleamed with excitement at the sight. Just hearing the names of these skill books was impressive enough, being able to freely choose, the treatment of Immortals is truly extraordinary.
Xiao Jie nodded, asking the most crucial question: "Thank you, Daoists, for your recommendations! May I ask, can these Immortal Technique Books be freely viewed and studied? Can they be taken out of the Scripture Pavilion?"
Su Moyan explained: "The Scripture Pavilion is divided into nine layers. The lower six layers contain mostly mortal skills, historical arts and sciences, and ordinary Cultivation Techniques, which Daoist can freely browse and also use Immortal Techniques to copy and take out without restriction. But the top three layers contain unique, rare, and Immortal Technique Books that embody the essence of the Grand Dao, invaluable in worth, and according to rules can only be borrowed and studied within the pavilion. If wanting to take out… each person can only borrow one copy at a time, and must register it. If lost or damaged…" his tone turned serious, "it must be compensated with 'Cause and Effect Points'.
"Cause and Effect Points?" Xiao Jie heard this term once more, "What might this be?"
"Among us Immortals, mundane gold, silver, or currency is obsolete." Lin Xuance interjected, "Immortals wield the powers of heaven and earth, common needs such as Immortal Brewed Spirit Fruit, ordinary elixirs or talismans, and even some standard Magic Artifacts can be freely taken without cost. But those truly precious, unique or items requiring immense effort to refine, such as treasures, books, or secret medicines, must be exchanged with 'Cause and Effect Points'."
"These Cause and Effect Points are regarded among Immortals as a measure of contribution or value, a sort of 'Merit' or 'Contract Token'. If you lack Cause and Effect Points, it's manageable—you can help other Immortal friends with some 'bothersome matters' they don't have time to deal with or prefer not to handle directly. Upon completing one task, you can receive corresponding Cause and Effect Points according to the difficulty, importance, and outcome. However, do remember, only critical, labor-intensive, or risky matters can earn points. Common errands or relaying messages do not count."
Xiao Jie suddenly realized: Isn't this the "faction reputation" and "exclusive token" system from online games? Got it. Even as an Immortal, to get the top benefits, one can't escape doing "quests" and "grinding reputation." Ordinary resources can be freeloaded, but for core valuable items, one must work for these "NPC Immortals" to exchange them.
He looked at the powerful Immortal Technique Books hovering before him and glanced at the staircase leading to higher levels, forming a plan in his heart: First, he'll look among the lower layers to learn some basic, practical Immortal Techniques and complete the task of resurrecting his teammates. As for more advanced Immortal Techniques, greater strength, and those top secret scrolls needing Cause and Effect Points for exchange… he'll deal with them later.
For now, he focused his attention on the 'Dark and Mysterious Record' and the 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique'. To retrieve people from the Netherworld, strength and specific preparation are the priority.
Besides, it's best to learn some basic Immortal Techniques, and also inquire if there are any Transformation Magic Books available. Looks like he'll have to spend some time here in the Scripture Pavilion.