Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World Chapter 2282: Monk Shi

Previously on Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World...
Zhao Hai swiftly recovered from the Heart Refining Road's illusions and pressed onward through the sixth stage, facing escalating tests of willpower that assaulted his mind with visions of his past life on Earth. As he reached the ninth stage, invisible energies intensified, nearly splitting his consciousness, while three elders observed from the summit: the Long Family's Supreme Elder harboring resentment due to past conflicts, the Zhou Family's elder pleased by his potential alliance, and a neutral Core Disciple elder assessing his resolve. Zhao Hai's golden spiritual force stirred to shield his thoughts, allowing him to craft deceptive memories against the road's probing energy, but he ultimately feigned collapse and tumbled from the path, caught by Wan Feng below as the elders noted his formidable endurance.

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Having examined the jade slip carefully, the elder gave a nod and stated, “Very good. There’s no problem. Let’s go back and report to the Sect Master. This child can be a Core Disciple of the Forbidden Path Sect.”

This choice from the elder stemmed directly from the jade slip's contents. That jade slip had been placed there by the elder himself, marking the key spot along the Heart Refining Road. Once the test-taker could no longer endure and collapsed, the odd energy would extract their memories, which then showed up in the jade slip. This served as the Forbidden Path Sect's way to uncover the hidden truths about their prospective disciples.

Inside the jade slip lay the memories drawn from Zhao Hai. Of course, these weren't his actual experiences at all. Instead, Zhao Hai had forged them using his golden spiritual force.

Yet the elder remained unaware of this fact. The Heart Refining Road had run smoothly for countless years without any issues. So it stood to reason that Zhao Hai's memories came across as genuine. The elders saw him as an ideal pick for the sect's special nurturing.

The elder felt particularly pleased by the inclusion of Zhao Hai’s Demon Subjugation Method within those memories. Thanks to it, the Forbidden Path Sect now gained access to yet another valuable body cultivation technique.

A mighty organization like the Forbidden Path Sect eagerly gathers every sort of cultivation method available. Given their vast number of disciples, they can't always guarantee a perfect match for each one's needs. Accepting a talented recruit only to lack a fitting cultivation method would spell trouble for the sect. Ultimately, that prodigy might fade into mediocrity like ordinary members, representing a huge setback for everyone involved.

Sects, as a rule, offer handsome incentives to any disciple who contributes a rare cultivation method. That's why Forbidden Path Sect members actively seek out such techniques and deliver them to the group in return for benefits.

This remained entirely up to the disciples, of course. The Forbidden Path Sect never compelled anyone to surrender their cultivation methods. Doing so would scare off potential joiners entirely.

Zhao Hai had deliberately added the Demon Subjugation Method to the jade slip so the sect could claim it. In turn, he aimed to claim a reward from them.

From questioning Zhou Feng, Zhao Hai learned there were two types of rewards available for turning in a cultivation method. The first tied directly to the handed-over method's rank. In exchange, the sect allowed selection of two equivalent cultivation methods or techniques. Swapping one for two definitely counted as a solid deal.

The other reward option involved jade essence, pills, or artifacts. Disciples could also swap for practical resources. The quantity, naturally, scaled with the method's quality. Either way, the sect ensured fair treatment.

Zhao Hai favored the initial reward type. He planned to trade the Demon Subjugation Method for Zhou Feng's God Elephant Body Technique.

Through days of chats with Zhou Feng, Zhao Hai grasped that the God Elephant Body Technique focused on harnessing the Divine Elephant's power. Once reaching basic proficiency, practitioners could draw it in to bolster their own might. From there, gradual refinement would steadily enhance their physical form.

Listening to Zhou Feng describe the technique, Zhao Hai decided it fit him perfectly. He'd recently taken in the spiritual qi from the Valley of the Divine Elephant. Employing the God Elephant method to integrate the qi of those fallen Crazed Elephants would dramatically boost his power. Plus, it meant putting that absorbed qi to full use without waste.

This didn't imply Zhao Hai ignored the Forbidden Path Sect’s Evil Buddha Lotus Technique. Quite the opposite—it suited him well too. Zhao Hai cultivated the 18 Buddhist Techniques, building a solid foundation of Buddhist qi in his body. As a Buddhist-derived art, the Evil Buddha Lotus Technique meshed seamlessly with his constitution.

In the jade slip from the Heart Refining Road, Zhao Hai noted that upon reaching Gale Canyon, he'd encountered the Crazed Elephants’ spiritual qi. He downplayed the amount he'd absorbed, claiming only a portion. That bit of qi had propelled him from the Soul Fusion Stage straight to the Earth Monarch Stage.

Zhao Hai felt confident the Forbidden Path Sect wouldn't block his pursuit of the God Elephant Method. Plus, as a Core Disciple, he'd gain access to the Evil Buddha Lotus Technique as well.

Zhao Hai understood his circumstances clearly. His physique already proved robust. And with the Space at his disposal, obtaining both techniques would let the Universal Scanner merge them into a form tailored for him. That way, he could fully process the surplus qi stored within.

As the three elders departed from the Heart Refining Road's peak, Wan Feng instantly grasped the outcome. Had Zhao Hai failed, the elders would have commanded his execution on the spot. Their departure signaled success, so Wan Feng produced a pill and slipped it into Zhao Hai’s mouth.

The pill brought a soothing warmth spreading through Zhao Hai's body upon contact, especially easing his mind. It felt restorative and deeply relaxing. Realizing he could rouse now, Zhao Hai gradually lifted his eyelids and scanned his surroundings in apparent confusion. His gaze settled on Wan Feng, then Elder Guo, and finally Zhou Feng. Snapping to attention, he bowed to the two elders, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow, “I have seen Elder Wan and Elder Guo.”

Noting Zhao Hai’s demeanor, Wan Feng grinned and replied, “Well done. Hitting the ninth stage on your debut try is no small feat. In two days, you'll get your identity token. Take this interval to recuperate and regain your strength.”

Zhao Hai feigned astonishment, “I made it to the ninth stage? Is that accurate? I don’t remember passing through any of the stages.”

Wan Feng let out a light laugh, “No worries. Just know you've cleared the test. Head back and rest up.” Zhao Hai agreed with a nod. Soon after, Elder Guo and Elder Wan departed.

With the elders gone, Zhou Feng rushed forward in excitement and exclaimed, “Brother, you're incredible. Making the ninth stage right away on the Heart Refining Road—that's exceptional. Don't fret; your position in the Tyrant Blade Sect will be solid. Trust me. Down the line, I'll need you watching my back.”

Zhou Feng had overheard Wan Feng explain that fifth-stage success meant inner disciple status. Seventh stage brought true disciple rank. Ninth stage secured core disciple honors. With Zhao Hai nearly touching the tenth, core status seemed inevitable.

Unaware of these details, Zhao Hai looked puzzled by Zhou Feng's words, “Is that so? Brother Zhou, what exactly did you pick up? Spill it quick.”

Zhou Feng chuckled and responded, “Brother, hold tight for two days. The sect calls the shots, and we can't sway that. Even if I share now, things might shift by then. Still, I'm certain you'll land at least as an Inner Disciple.”

Zhao Hai arched an eyebrow, “Becoming an Inner Disciple works fine for me. Hahaha. Excellent, excellent. Come on, Brother. Let's grab some drinks.”

Zhou Feng burst into laughter, “What a fine occasion. We'll drink our fill! Off we go.” With that, Zhao Hai and Zhou Feng departed the Heart Refining Road.

Meanwhile, the three elders from the Heart Refining Road's summit reached the Forbidden Path Sect's Main Hall. This space also housed the Sect Master of the Forbidden Path Sect, known as the Evil Buddha Hall.

The Evil Buddha Hall loomed grandly, resembling a distant temple. Guarding its entrance stood a statue of an aged monk in flowing robes. In one hand, he clutched a strand of beads, each the size of a longan fruit. His other palm formed a solemn seal. The monk's features radiated benevolence, yet his gaze burned with lethal intent. The carving blended Buddha's serenity with demonic ferocity.

This figure represented the Forbidden Path Sect's founder, the Flowerless Monk. Following his passing through seated meditation, his followers immortalized him in stone. Don't dismiss the statue lightly—it was forged from top-tier demonic stone infused with demon qi. Annual incense offerings from the sect imbued it with potent demonic qi, rivaling true artifacts in power.

The Merit Transferring Elder guided the Zhou Family Elder and the Long Family Elder in a respectful bow to the statue. Afterward, they stepped inside the Evil Buddha Hall. The hall's interior stayed stark and unadorned, covered in prayer mats. At the forefront sat a cultivator clad in dark monk robes, cross-legged on a mat while fingering a bone-crafted bead chain. His eyes stayed shut in silent recitation.

This was the Forbidden Path Sect's present Sect Master, Monk Shi. Though titled a monk, he enjoyed a family life with wife and offspring. The "monk" simply formed part of his moniker.

The bone chain in Monk Shi's grasp was the legendary relic of the Flowerless Monk, the White Bone Chain. Legends claimed the Flowerless Monk fashioned it from over ten skulls of Condensing Spirit Stage experts. Bursting with formidable energy, the chain had joined him in battles across the world, forging his famed legacy. In the True Spirit Realm, the White Bone Chain symbolized the Forbidden Path Sect Master's authority. Every leader wielded it as their signature artifact.

Upon the three elders' entry into the Evil Buddha Hall, they clasped fists and greeted, “We have seen the Sect Master.”

Monk Shi gradually parted his eyelids. His expression held gentle warmth, but his stare gleamed with killing intent, echoing the Flowerless Monk statue. Such was the mark of practicing the Evil Buddha Lotus Technique.

Monk Shi inclined his head and inquired, “You've returned. How did it go?”

The Merit Transferring Elder passed the jade slip to Monk Shi with a grin, “Sect Master, we've struck gold this round. The young one's talent runs deep. He merits Core Disciple status for focused development.”

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