Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8543: The ruler (1)

Cheng Wanchun gradually opened his eyes and exhaled a long sigh. He had just finished his cultivation session. At this moment, he felt immense respect for the leader of the Ghostwind bandits. The previous technique he practiced was decent enough, inherited from a minor sect, and considered solid. Yet, his progress had always been sluggish, requiring intense effort with little reward. Clearly, he remained stuck at the Dharma cultivation stage.

But after adopting the Song of Righteousness Qi, it seemed his innate cultivation potential had suddenly bloomed. His advancement sped up dramatically, leaving him somewhat startled. A full month had passed since he began practicing this Qi, and his power now touched the Dharma usage realm—two months ahead of his initial expectations.

This day marked the moment for selecting his ritual implement. The thought brought a spark of excitement to Cheng Wanchun's face. He rose to his feet, adjusted his attire, and stepped outside. In the front yard, he encountered numerous fellow cultivators who all offered greetings, which he returned warmly. Evidently, despite his focus on training over the last month, he had built many connections.

Truth be told, Cheng Wanchun was familiar with plenty of folks there. He also grasped the academy's layout well. Thousands pursued cultivation within its walls, overseen by several headmasters. Lu Yongde served as just one, handling the academy's daily operations.

From conversations with others, Cheng Wanchun learned that their mountain range academy hosted fewer students than the branches on nearby peaks. This insight deepened his appreciation for the Ghostwind bandits' formidable might. He had even witnessed a Heavenly Tribulation right there, which left him utterly stunned. That was a Heavenly Tribulation! It signified a cultivator ascending to Island Lord level. How could he not be awestruck? An Island Lord was a legendary figure he could never approach before.

Yet the others around him appeared unfazed. Upon inquiring, he discovered such tribulations occurred periodically. They claimed over a thousand experts surpassed Island Lord level. That figure truly shocked Cheng Wanchun to his core.

Still, it ignited a flame of hope in him. He yearned to one day endure a Heavenly Tribulation himself, rising to Island Lord status or perhaps securing a spot in one of the top three teams. Only those elite teams could elevate cultivators to true fame across the realm. Such achievement meant everything to them.

Through offhand talks, Cheng Wanchun had uncovered the top three teams' existence. Dubbed as such, they included the Ghostwind Team, the Blood Ghost Team, and the Divine Arms Battalion. These powerhouses boasted superior training methods, techniques, and magical weapons. Even the Ghostwind bandits' boss occasionally lectured them, making their strength unrivaled. The individual he saw facing the Heavenly Tribulation belonged to one of these elite groups.

Consequently, the top three teams had evolved into legendary forces throughout the realm. It was Cheng Wanchun's first encounter with tales of them, fueling his dream to join their ranks someday. For now, though, it remained a distant aspiration, spurring him to train with unyielding fervor.

Upon reaching the front yard, Cheng Wanchun headed directly for Lu Yongde's quarters. He rapped softly on the door and announced in a resonant tone, “Cheng Wanchun seeks an audience with Headmaster Lu!” Besides training this past month, he had delved into Confucian sect texts, refining his manners considerably.

“Wanchun, you've arrived—enter,” came Lu Yongde's voice. Cheng Wanchun acknowledged and pushed the door open. Inside lay a spacious living room. Opposite the entrance stood a long table bearing a bowl of tea. Flanking it were two chairs, one occupied by Lu Yongde on the left.

To Lu Yongde's left sat another chair, separated by a small table, both rows oriented toward the door. The entire space exuded refined elegance. Hanging on the wall across from the entrance was a bold inscription of “Dao.” In his left hand, Lu Yongde clutched a book, gazing at Cheng Wanchun with a pleased smile. He appraised him briefly and remarked, “Excellent, truly impressive. Wanchun, I never anticipated you'd attain the magical usage realm in merely a month. You've surpassed the deadline splendidly. Well done, but stay diligent—press on without slacking.”

Cheng Wanchun bowed in agreement, and Lu Yongde went on smiling, “The month has flown by. Today, you select your ritual implement. Since you've embraced a fresh technique, your old one no longer fits. With this period of practice, you've attuned to its nature, so proceed to pick accordingly. I'm confident the choice you'll make now will perfectly match you. Come along.” He rose, tucked away the book, and guided Cheng Wanchun out. Cheng Wanchun hurried after him toward the academy's rear. Entering a courtyard, he spotted a teleportation formation.

Beside the array stood a modest room from which a figure emerged, eyeing Lu Yongde silently. Lu Yongde clasped his fists in salute and stated, “Greetings, Lord Sun. This is Cheng Wanchun, who joined our mountain range academy a month back. I've brought him today to select a Dharma artifact.”

Lord Sun cast a glance at Cheng Wanchun and nodded curtly. Without a word, he pivoted and retreated into his room. Cheng Wanchun and Lu Yongde approached the teleportation array. A burst of white light enveloped them, and they materialized in a vast cavern. Its location remained unknown—a sealed chamber with no exits, accessible solely via the array.

Shelves lined the cavern, laden with diverse Dharma artifacts: books, scrolls, brushes, inkstones, and peculiar ink-like objects. Stranger items Cheng Wanchun had never encountered dotted the displays. He even noticed two bowl-shaped pieces, now knowing they served as brush washers, not alms bowls.

Lu Yongde instructed Cheng Wanchun, “Wanchun, select one that calls to you. Remember, just a single choice this time. Follow your instincts, and check its harmony with your mana. Proceed.” Cheng Wanchun assented and started browsing.

As Cheng Wanchun navigated among the ritual implements, he sensed their auras. True to Lu Yongde's advice, he sought the one that resonated deepest with him. Advancing further, a sudden intuition halted him, his gaze locking onto an object on a nearby shelf.

Approaching for a better inspection, he found the item understated. The pair measured roughly a foot in length and an inch across, clearly matched, with a yellowish hue—not golden, but brassy, about a finger's thickness. They resembled plain copper rods. Yet, each bore an intricately carved, ferocious tiger that chilled the viewer to the bone.

Before, Cheng Wanchun might have overlooked them, but now he recognized their significance. These humble copper bars were renowned as copper rulers, used by scholars to secure paper during writing—one of their everyday implements.

Cheng Wanchun sensed an instant bond with this pair of copper rulers, drawn to them immediately. Without hesitation, he lifted them, feeling an even stronger bloodline connection that confirmed his choice. Drawing a steady breath, he admired them affectionately for a moment before carrying the copper rulers back to Lu Yongde.

Reaching Lu Yongde, Cheng Wanchun presented the copper ruler and saluted deeply, “Sect Master, I've made my selection—this pair of copper rulers.” He held them up. They weren't featherlight; their weight felt substantial, yet Cheng Wanchun relished the sensation.

Lu Yongde examined the copper ruler in Cheng Wanchun's grasp and nodded approvingly. “Fine choice. These are the Twin Tiger Suppression Rulers. Their exact uses remain a mystery to me—explore them gradually after returning. Very well, let's depart.” He then escorted Cheng Wanchun to the teleportation formation. In the next instant, white light flared, depositing them back in the courtyard.

As they rematerialized, Lord Sun awaited them there. The pair quickly paid their respects to him. Lord Sun inclined his head, then produced a jade slip and declared, “You've selected the Twin Tiger Suppression Ruler, so this jade slip belongs to you. The sect leader handed it to me, instructing that whoever picks these should receive it. Here.” He extended the jade slip toward Cheng Wanchun.

Both Cheng Wanchun and Lu Yongde stood stunned. They knew precisely which sect master Lord Sun meant, and that realization amplified their surprise. Never had they imagined Zhao Hai preparing a jade slip in advance. Notably, he hadn't done so for other magical tools, yet he had for this copper ruler—an astonishing detail.

Recovering first, Lu Yongde eyed the jade slip enviously before addressing Cheng Wanchun. “Wanchun, accept the jade slip. Choosing this ruler proves your deep connection to it. Redouble your efforts from here. Take it; time to head back.” “Yes, sir!” Cheng Wanchun replied with bubbling excitement. He accepted the jade slip, saluted Lord Sun once more. Lord Sun paid him no mind and withdrew to his room. The two then exited the courtyard and made their way home.