Public Appearance
Chao can tell that once he comprehends 10% of the Asura Ice Arts, that will be the equivalent of reaching the peak success of 1st-level Asura Ice Laws. From then on, his cultivation journey will be smooth.
Typically, the Laws of a cultivator wouldn't have something extra such as Chao's Asura Ice Laws. Even for geniuses, it would just be Ice Laws, even if the cultivation art they cultivated is very special.
Chao could only guess his unique Asura Ice Laws are most likely stronger than the average Law essence. Although, he has no direct reference to tell if this was true or not for now.
Shifting his focus from cultivation, Chao looked toward the big day ahead of him. He quickly took a history book from a shelf and opened it to the part describing the Ming Family.
Chao was refreshing on his detail before making the trek over. What he read within a few moments surged his already great interest in the Ming Family.
What he had missed before was the fact that the Ming Family has immense backing. Their Great Elders were Mastered Origin realm cultivators, a step above the Tilted origin realm phase.
From Ordinary to Tilted means one has officially stepped into the 4th layer of the Origin realm.
At this phase, the power gap becomes great. This is because the control one has over Origin Qi and Law essence has greatly improved, allowing them to draw out more natural power and other abilities.
From Tilted to Mastered Origin, the power gap becomes even wider!
It is said that a 7th layer Mastered Origin cultivator can easily crush a peak 6th layer Tilited Origin cultivator in but a few moves.
Even as daring as Chao is, he wouldn't dream of messing with a Mastered Origin cultivator.
But there was an even greater terrifying fact than just Mastered Origin cultivator.
That is, the ancestors of the Ming Family are genuine Sky Sages experts! These old monsters have already comprehended and can control 50% of Origin Qi and 20% of their Ordinary Law essence.
Thinking about the mystical Sky Sages made Chao go into deep thought. As far as he's aware, Origin Qi is said to be a layer of the universe's natural spiritual energy.
Evidently, it would be impossible for any fresh, new cultivator to be able to absorb the whole force of nature's spiritual energy. Thus, through the cultivation system in place and by studying cultivation arts, anyone can gain the ability to first absorb the Origin Qi layer.
Though it's the first layer of nature's spiritual energy, the power it can grant wasn't anything to scoff at.
Not only does it transform the mortal body's toughness to match pure iron, but it also strengthens the space of the dantian and majorly increases one's striking power!
When 50% of Origin Qi is combined with 20% of Law essence, Chao heard that these freaks of power can smash apart steel buildings with a strong enough attack. They can even destroy small mountain cliffs, go at speeds where they can traverse miles in a matter of minutes, and at the peak of Sky Sage, a cultivator can even fly!
Such freaks of nature were tucked away deep within the Ming family. And above these freaks were even greater figures.
In the Sage Origin realm, it is said that those masters could even decimate a mountain top with a wave of their hands.
All these power feats were far away from the current Chao. However, he was greatly determined to make it up to those feats step by step.
Focusing on the present, Chao finished reading and was just about to get ready for the day.
He barely had any sleep, yet he didn't feel the least bit sluggish. This wasn't even because of the magical benefits of cultivation.
More so, Chao had always kept himself up at night, studying his Jade Fire Art. The only difference now was he felt slightly pipper than usual.
But before Chao got ready, he suddenly recalled his system. From the beast he killed, he gain SP and the ability to access the shop.
Chao promptly opened the system, pressed the shop tab, and soon saw a huge list of items.
As Chao read the list, his eyes started to widen in horror and fear.
The things here were truly amazing items! They all surpassed a Mortal Grade rank and even managed to reach Top Spirit Grade.
As one can guess, Spirit Grade items are immensely beneficial to cultivators. Whether it was for cultivation resources, weapons, or healing items. Top-grade Spirit items can even be immensely helpful for a Sky Origin expert!
However, despite all the good items listed, the SP required made Chao dry in the mouth.
He merely had 500 SP. While just for a Low-Grade Spirit nourishing pill, it cost 400 SP!
With a Spirit nourishing pill, Chao's Spiritual Sea perception will increase, his dantian will strengthen, and the rate his body can absorb Qi and Law essence will amplify.
Although, this came at the small cost of making the Law Core gain small impurities, which can lead to one's foundation becoming unstable. But as long as one diligently cultivates on their own to get rid of the impurities with new Law essence, the negatives barely matter.
For the current Chao, it would be a good item. However, he didn't want to foolishly spend all of his points now.
Becoming too bright would end up as a disaster than a blessing. The jealousy of people becomes intense when one doesn't even come from a fearsome background.
Chao had instead opted to purchase better-looking clothes. It cost him a simple 50 SP.
Once he clicked on the tap, a bright flash dazzled his room, and out came a set of decently designed robes.
Chao nodded with satisfaction. He would no longer look like a poor man but instead a true cultivator.
With this finally settled, Chao decided to spend the next few hours optimizing himself to his best condition.
A long day awaited him.
...
Creek City truly was a marvelous place. Its size practically seemed endless. Its land area is over thousands of square miles!
There are various districts separating parts of the city, each having its own distinct style and brand of cultivator.
A mass population lived within Creek City and yet everything was incredibly spacious to fit numerous massive organizations at the same time.
The Western District of Creek City contained the most family and clan powers compared to Sects. And it is also a gateway to the dirt-poor class section of the city.
At this time, one young man seemingly blended into the crowds of people.
His looks were decently good and his clothes were befitting of a cultivation status. Compared to how he looked days ago, it was practically night and day.
Chao honestly felt satisfied simply walking with the crowds of cultivators. He may have detected numerous other presences far stronger than him and spotted people with more luxurious clothes, but none of that could stop his stride.
His destination was directly toward the Ming Family's entrance exam courtyard.
Compared to other Martial powers, the Ming Family made it simple to join by having a whole entire courtyard dedicated to new requirements.
It was bright early in the morning and Chao didn't rush to the Ming Family. His eyes curiously gazed around, spotting numerous stores built with colorful stone materials.
These weren't any regular materials but rather Qi energy-infused materials. The building structure is naturally numerous times tougher than what any ordinary mortal can use.
Every cultivation shop, family power, or other organization was made from Qi materials. It made for some genuine breathtaking sights as these buildings can even exhibit dazzling glows that can swoon anyone's attention.
Chao had quite enjoyed his small, peaceful walk. But all of a sudden, a loud commotion started to erupt beside him.
Excited clamors of cultivators ranged through the streets.
"Ah! It's Sir Feng Gen, Mr. Nian, and Miss Xun! The Great Sword Sect really is making public appearances."
"I wonder how their little gathering with the Winter Wind Sect will go down? These two have always been hostile towards each other."
"It shouldn't go too badly. For the sake of the Creek Martial gathering, even those great geniuses can put down their differences."
'Those Sects?' Chao felt greatly intrigued. His soul sense expanded just a little bit farther and promptly detected three tremendous auras!
Just these natural auras made Chao tightly wrinkle his brows. He smoothly shuffled through the crowd to spot three young beautiful youths making their way towards a high and fancy restaurant.
These three all wore sword scabbards and robes that had beautiful sword symbols designs running along it.
These youths easily stood amongst their crowds. Two were handsome young men, and the other was a gorgeous young maiden.
In particular, the young man in the center exuded the strongest presence of the three. Their bearings were mesmerizing. Each step they took seemed to be full of power.
Upon their faces were only serious, determined expressions. A sweep of a gaze from any one of them could make mere 1st layer Origins shiver to their cores.
Chao intently stared for a moment before getting a random person's attention. He asked with confidence, "This has to be the Great Sword Sect's public appearance in a while, right? To send such geniuses..."
"Yea, you're right." The man started to speak as he was swept away by the momentum. "For us ordinary folks, seeing the Great Sword Sect core geniuses is already a blessing. Truthfully, I think the Great Sword Sect has a greater edge than the Wind Winter Sect. I mean, Sir Feng Gen alone is a Mastered Origin genius at the 7th layer! And he's only 25 years old. Sir Nian and Miss Xun are also great Tilited Origin geniuses. It's always a sight to behold to see them in public."