While going to the Lu Shi Pavilion to get a Flying Boat Ticket, Xu Xing also asked Nie Shu about Array Manuals in the Heavenly Book Pavilion.
As the saying goes, listen to advice, and you’ll eat your fill. People like Jiang Yan and Nie Shu, who had been in the Sect for a long time, knew many of its secrets. Sometimes, a well-intentioned reminder from them could save him from taking many unnecessary detours.
"Uncle Xu, if you want to buy an Array Manual," Nie Shu began, after a moment’s thought, explaining succinctly, "you can start with the ’Illusionary Sacred Monarch’s Array Methods’. This book is divided into three parts: upper, middle, and lower. The upper part starts with basic array knowledge, is suitable for cultivators in the Immortal Foundation Realm, and includes three elementary array techniques. Though the price seems expensive, it is actually the most cost-effective. The Divine Illusion Saint Monarch possesses extensive knowledge, and the content of the explanations is profound. Some knowledge seems simple but contains deep truths. This book is followed by the middle and lower parts, so you don’t have to worry about the continuation of array knowledge."
There were other places in the Sect besides the Heavenly Book Pavilion that sold Array Manuals. However, these manuals might seem cheap, but after buying them, one would suffer a significant loss. After spending time and effort cultivating, the path would end there. On the other hand, the ’Illusionary Sacred Monarch’s Array Methods’ seemed expensive, but the knowledge inside was coherent, gradually deepening and building upon itself.
This was not to say that the former type of manual was inferior. It was just that array studies particularly abhorred haphazard cultivation. Some people liked to use the three powers as the fundamental principles for their arrays, while others preferred the five elements. Learning arrays could consume a lifetime, and what one gained was often just the superficial aspects. If the path chosen from the beginning was wrong, the cost of rectifying it later would be immeasurable.
"Furthermore," Nie Shu added, "the House Elder of the Outer Island Pan Palace also mostly learns from this ’Illusionary Sacred Monarch’s Array Methods’. After Uncle Xu is stationed externally, having learned from this Array Manual, it will be much easier to consult with the Sect’s elders."
The Flying Feather Immortal Palace had two places for learning the profound principles of cultivation and various arts: the Abode Tower and the Pan Palace. The Abode Tower, set up within the Sect, was where Cultivator Disciples with at least a Dao Pill Enroll in School to receive instruction. It was divided into inner and outer halls, with a clear hierarchy. However, Commoner Disciples were not entirely without hope of entering the Abode Tower to study. As long as they entered a Master and Disciple Lineage, or their cultivation reached the Returning Core stage, they would be eligible to enter.
As for the Pan Palace, it was established among the external powers outside the Flying Feather Immortal Palace’s main sect grounds. Inner Sect Disciples who became External Cultivators were eligible to join the Pan Palace to study. Within the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, there was also a saying: "Aristocratic Families frequent the Abode Tower; Commoners head to the Pan Palace."
"So that’s how it is..." Xu Xing nodded, signaling his understanding.
Studying cheap array manuals versus studying expensive array manuals: the former is like being a rogue cultivator, seemingly gaining an advantage but, in reality, suffering a major loss. The latter allows one to consult with senior sect members, ensuring a worry-free future.
"Thank you, Junior Nie." Xu Xing took out a Qilin Horn Fruit from his robes and gave it to Nie Shu.
He had sought Nie Shu’s advice not only to avoid detours but also to further connect with Jiang Yan before leaving. Nie Shu was Jiang Yan’s subordinate, and the two had a close relationship. He had received Jiang Yan’s favor, getting a Flying Boat Ticket for free... This ticket was a gift from Jiang Yan, a reciprocal gesture, and Jiang Yan hadn’t expected anything in return. However, relationships were often built in such unintentional ways. While benefits exchanged could solidify a relationship, sometimes a little unexpected warmth could make it unbreakable. Besides, he had already fed Qilin Horn Fruits to the Azure Fire Wolf Spider. One more wouldn’t be missed.
"A Qilin Horn Fruit?" Nie Shu’s beautiful eyes brightened, and she happily accepted her thank-you gift.
For cultivators in the Immortal Foundation Realm, the Qilin Horn Fruit only offered a taste experience and a slight improvement in cultivation. However, for Innate Martial Artists, the benefits were much greater. Additionally, the Qilin Horn Fruit was delicious. Even if she had the money, she would mostly exchange it for cultivation pills rather than waste it on such spiritual fruits.
After Xu Xing left, Nie Shu placed the Qilin Horn Fruit into her Storage Bag as if it were a treasure. She then continued her duty in the outer hall of the Lu Shi Pavilion, waiting for her shift to end.
「About half a day later」
A tired-looking Jiang Yan returned from outside. He ignored Nie Shu and headed straight for the inner hall.
Nie Shu called out to him, "Steward Jiang, Uncle Xu came by at noon today and took the Flying Boat Ticket you left in the pavilion. And..."
Such Flying Boat Tickets were also an internal benefit for Sect Deacons like Jiang Yan. The Flying Boats traveling to and from the Wangchuan Sea were rarely full. Since Deacons often had a hard life and couldn’t be made to suffer in their duties, the Sect would gift Sect Deacons some Flying Boat Tickets as a benefit. Sect Deacons could sell these tickets or use them personally. If sold, the proceeds could help supplement some household expenses. Therefore, Jiang Yan’s Flying Boat Tickets were often left in the outer hall of the Lu Shi Pavilion to be sold to older disciples who knew the arrangement.
"I left you a voice transmission talisman about that." Jiang Yan shook his head, preparing to continue towards the inner hall. However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly registered Nie Shu’s "and..." and caught the word.
Having just lost several of the External Cultivators under his supervision, Jiang Yan was very concerned about Xu Xing and particularly sensitive to matters involving him. Xu Xing could be said to be the External Cultivator he had been most optimistic about in recent years.
Xu Xing, stationed externally, might be valued by the House Elder of Pan Palace and be included in the Master and Disciple Lineage system. Once he truly becomes part of a Master and Disciple Lineage, he’ll be even more sought after than disciples from Aristocratic Families!