Chapter 76
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Chapter 76: Tianyun Immortal Gathering
Wei Lian had departed.
To claim that Wang Chen felt no sense of loss would be untrue.
As the saying goes, "People are not grass or trees; who can be without feelings?" The fortnight spent living together had fostered a considerable fondness in him for this pure and kind girl, who was more understanding than words could convey.
Though this fondness did not involve romantic feelings, Wei Lian’s presence had undoubtedly added a splash of color to Wang Chen’s life.
Moreover, Wei Lian had taken on most of the household chores and was adept in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, bringing a touch of refinement to the home.
Her sudden departure left Wang Chen feeling somewhat disoriented.
However, he quickly dispelled this light melancholy from his heart.
He summoned the Cultivation Panel and allocated 1 point to his attributes.
【Insight: 5】
Previously, after defeating the Three Friends of Taize, Wang Chen had earned 12 points of Heavenly Merit.
This increased his total Heavenly Merit to 14 points.
He could now add a point to any of the three main attributes except for root bone!
Naturally, he prioritized Insight.
But at that moment, Wang Chen did not immediately allocate the Heavenly Merit points to Insight.
He wanted to see if any more intruders would come to deliver their heads.
What if he could accumulate 100 points of Heavenly Merit and allocate them to his root bone instead?
In Wang Chen’s mind, the ranking of the four main attributes was root bone, Insight, Soul, and Body.
Root bone was the most important!
This completely aligned with the common knowledge of cultivation.
However, it turned out Wang Chen was overthinking, as he did not earn another point of Heavenly Merit until Wei Xiong appeared.
So now, he could only invest in Insight.
In truth, Insight was also excellent, as it could raise the level cap of the spells he could cultivate using his own power.
It significantly reduced the consumption of Virtue.
Little did Wang Chen expect, the moment he added that 1 point to Insight, his mind suddenly went blank.
In an instant, it was as if his soul had been completely cleansed.
It was an unprecedented clarity and purity!
Then, Wang Chen’s consciousness returned to himself, and countless realizations surged within his Sea of Consciousness.
He swiftly traced back through the techniques and spells he had cultivated.
Five Element Technique, Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, Metal Finger Technique, Spirit Light Shield, Fire Crow Technique…
Wang Chen discovered many problems!
At this moment, clarity dawned upon him.
Though the Cultivation Panel could swiftly elevate Wang Chen’s cultivation level and spell rank, it failed to impart the deep-seated experience essential for true cultivation, inevitably leading to numerous challenges.
Were Wang Chen to pit his advanced level Metal Finger Technique against another practitioner of equal realm and skill level, victory would be nearly out of reach.
The gap lay in experience.
To overcome these hurdles, beyond relentless skill refinement, Insight was paramount!
With Insight of sufficient strength, one could even tailor techniques to flawlessly align with their own capabilities.
Now, Wang Chen grasped this truth fully.
This epiphany was a gift from the single point of Insight he had recently augmented!
This was known as "Enlightenment."
With 5 points in Insight, Wang Chen’s innate attribute had ascended to a notable new tier.
He regretted not enhancing his Insight sooner!
Consequently, in the ensuing days, Wang Chen ventured to Yunshan City to procure a collection of cultivation materials, alongside door panels and windows for home repairs.
Thereafter, he seldom ventured out.
Secluded within the hidden chamber, he methodically organized the techniques he had been practicing from start to finish.
He also allocated time to enhance his skill proficiency in crafting talismans, while refining two newly acquired magical instruments.
Time slipped away swiftly, and soon December arrived.
Recent days had seen several heavy snowfalls.
The Yunyang Sect’s grounds, both within and without, lay under a pristine white shroud, exuding a stark desolation.
The spirit rice planted in autumn had been reaped, and the prime seasons for hunting and gathering had passed, leaving most low-level cultivators nestled at home, entering a state of winter dormancy.
The human presence in Yunshan City dwindled sharply, prompting the female cultivators from the Harmony Sect employed at the Fragrant Pavilion to embark on the flying ships of the Four Seas Trading Association, seeking warmer southern climes to gather spirit stones.
Yet, by mid-December, Yunshan City suddenly buzzed with exceptional liveliness.
To be precise, the excitement was outside Yunshan City.
This was due to the commencement of the annual Tianyun Immortal Gathering!
From mid to late December each year, the various immortal cities encircling the 100,000-mile Tianyun Mountain range would throw open their markets to herald the New Year.
Loose cultivators from distant lands could set up stalls in the market, provided they held a travel permit, enabling them to trade a myriad of items.
Practitioners from the sect also converged, eagerly splurging on New Year’s provisions!
How could such an immortal gathering not be vibrant?
Even Wang Chen, who had been in seclusion for half the winter, emerged from his lair to partake in the festivities.
This was actually quite normal; even Golden Core true masters cannot truly transcend the material world. Most of their territory’s cultivators are not much different from ordinary mortals in many ways.
Especially for those low-level cultivators who have toiled hard all year, they eagerly anticipate a joyous and peaceful New Year to soothe their weary souls.
All beings suffer, and cultivators are no exception!
When Wang Chen arrived outside Yunshan City in the Dragon Scale Horse carriage, he saw tents pitched across every available space, even encroaching upon vast stretches of spirit fields.
However, the spirit fields were now barren, and the ground was frozen solid, making it inconsequential if they were disturbed.
Countless sect cultivators and loose cultivators mingled among the throng; some shouted boisterously, some haggled over prices, and others engaged in heated disputes. The bustling human presence made the winter feel less frigid.
Despite the lively atmosphere, the order of the immortal gathering remained well-maintained.
Amid the bustling crowd, teams of Wei Hall cultivators patrolled diligently.
Anyone daring to cause trouble here would find themselves sentenced to hard labor in the mines as a lenient punishment!
Wang Chen wandered leisurely through the market.
His supplies were plentiful; he had little to sell and even less to buy.
He simply needed a break from the hidden chamber, craving the vibrant human presence to refresh his spirit.
The myriad stalls at the immortal gathering, brimming with an assortment of peculiar items, truly broadened Wang Chen’s horizons.
Normally, when loose cultivators wished to sell their wares, they could only trade among themselves or sell to shops within Yunshan City.
Entering the city meant losing a layer of profit, only to be further squeezed by the shopkeepers.
Yet, there was little they could do about it.
The immortal gathering was different.
Stalls could be set up freely, with no city entry fees, rent, or taxes required.
The Yunyang Sect even provided security services free of charge.
Many loose cultivators seized this opportunity to display items they had accumulated over the year, hoping to sell them and enjoy a prosperous New Year.
However, the sheer number of vendors led to fierce competition, giving buyers the chance to snag bargains.
In Wang Chen’s original memories, there seemed to be numerous tales about such immortal gatherings.
Some were true, while others were wildly fantastical, claiming that treasures were found!
Wang Chen thought these stories were as absurd as the antiques at Panjiayuan, even less credible than the annual reports of A-share listed companies.
He ignored the enthusiastic pitches of numerous loose cultivator stallholders.
He only purchased two couplets and some decorative window paper for the New Year.
But one stall caught Wang Chen’s attention and made him stop in his tracks!
