Chapter 43: Breaking Through the Monkey's Pass (Part 1)

Before reaching the middle stage of Qi Refinement, all cultivation is dedicated to tempering the physical body, which serves as the foundation of the Dao. If the body is not properly cultivated, the capacity to carry spiritual energy will be limited.

During the period as a preparatory disciple, instructors from various academies will emphasize focusing on the cultivation itself, rather than pursuing unorthodox paths or various spells and techniques.

Only after successfully entering the middle stage of Qi Refinement can one divert attention to spells and hone their combat skills. Furthermore, those who fail to reach the middle stage of Qi Refinement within five years are relegated to manual labor. Since such cultivators find it difficult to make future progress, they often practice more spells to increase their personal capabilities.

To assist the formal disciples in their cultivation, the sect has established several man-made danger zones where disciples can practice their spells. If one can make a name for themselves on the leaderboards within these zones, rewards will be bestowed.

The place Zhao Chun was heading to was the Three-Part Stone Forest.

Located in the southeast of the Hidden Valley, this area was formed from the halberd dharma treasure of the founding sect leader. Within it, there are three layers of mountain and river barriers, filled with various rock formations shaped like pillars or fans. Lingzhen has also set up an illusion array here; any disciple who enters will be attacked by monkey shadows.

Consequently, some have named it "Monkey Pass."

With its rugged terrain and flickering monkey shadows, the Three-Part Stone Forest has become a training ground for movement techniques and combat. Seeking an opportunity to achieve fluid movement and ease of will, Zhao Chun naturally chose this place.

Upon entering the danger zone, it felt as though one had left the Hidden Valley entirely; not a trace of the beautiful scenery of Mount Lingzhen could be seen. Thick gray mist layered upon itself, making the various mountain rocks appear to shift between far and near.

The entrance was quite small, appearing no larger than a square inch from a distance. A small, suspended pavilion jutted out from a steep cliff, serving as the station for the gatekeeper. On the cliff rising beside the pavilion, the words "Killing Path" and "Forest Piercing" were written in bold red strokes, with two columns of smaller text beneath each.

Zhao Chun looked up, finding it quite interesting. The gatekeeping station was built so high and precariously that if one had not practiced movement techniques, it would indeed be difficult to ascend. It likely barred many people right at the entrance.

She immediately employed both rapid footwork and the snake-like step, darting upward within a few breaths.

The manual laborer guarding the pavilion momentarily lost focus, unaware of what had flown in. He only saw a flash before his eyes, something resembling a tiny black shadow.

Once the shadow stabilized, he saw it was actually a person—a small, thin individual dressed simply, looking like a child from who-knows-where.

As Zhao Chun "flew" inside, she realized the pavilion was indeed very small and even somewhat cramped. Aside from herself, there was no one else, making it feel exceptionally desolate and lonely.

"Are you the only one here?"

The male disciple guarding the gate regained his senses and nodded, saying with a wooden expression, "Are you here for the trial? Hand over your identity token and pay twenty Essence Stones."

Twenty? Zhao Chun clicked her tongue inwardly; the price was truly expensive.

She handed over her token and asked, "Does no one come here on ordinary days?"

The male disciple took it and looked—ho, an inner disciple! Hearing her question, he suddenly opened up and began a long explanation: "There are, but they are few. According to the senior brothers who used to stand guard, many people used to come in the old days, but now there seem to be new places to go, so fewer come here. Even when they do come, once they hear it costs twenty Essence Stones, they curse us guards for overcharging and run off. As for us laborers, how can we have the right to set prices? If we don't make a little profit, we get cursed at."

Zhao Chun also felt it was a bit pricey. Seeing the male disciple's bitter face, she thought to herself with amusement, "It is indeed expensive. An ordinary outer disciple only earns sixty a month; even with extreme frugality, they couldn't afford to come here many times."

"Expensive as it is, there is no cheating!" As if caught in a contradiction, he began to peddle his wares like a common merchant. "This place was formed from the dharma treasure of the Ancestor, and even the array was set up by the sect's Elders. The Essence Stones invested in its maintenance every year amount to tens of thousands. Charging twenty is just a drop in the bucket. To exchange that for a great opportunity, how could it not be worth it?"

Zhao Chun saw through it clearly. A great opportunity might manifest, but it would be built upon dozens or even hundreds of trials. At twenty per time, it added up to a massive expense. Most outer disciples, without a stroke of luck, could never afford such costs.

"What do you mean by the 'new places' you mentioned?" This was what Zhao Chun was truly curious about.

The male disciple was initially hesitant to speak, fearing she would turn and leave. Only after Zhao Chun repeatedly stated that she had indeed come to Monkey Pass today did he explain.

Among the thousands of outer disciples, each had their specialties. Some were skilled in cultivation techniques, while others excelled in movement and combat. Those who excelled in a particular field would seek profit by opening specialized lecture halls, charging tuition to teach the secrets of various spells.

Zhao Chun nodded as she listened, finding it somewhat similar to modern-day cram schools.

However, cultivating in such a manner was no different from following someone else's path; by merely following, one would ultimately live in another's shadow. All sorts of spells must eventually be used by oneself. If one does not achieve a breakthrough in their own perception, how can they command them as they wish?

"If this continues, disciples will merely follow the script in everything and find it hard to innovate. Does the sect not intervene to regulate this?"

The male disciple sighed. "In the past, it seemed... perhaps they did? But it has become increasingly prosperous over the last twenty years, so we haven't seen the sect express any objections..."

Zhao Chun frowned in silence for a long time. In certain aspects, the Lingzhen Sect truly left her feeling very perplexed.

After a moment, she produced twenty Essence Stones. "Record one trial for me first. I will settle the rest after I have tested my skills."

"Ah! Right!" The male disciple hurriedly took them, smiling joyfully. "You are quite clear-headed, knowing what is truly beneficial for cultivation." After laughing, he shared more trivial matters regarding Monkey Pass.

For instance, the three layers of barriers separated two long passes, each ten miles long. The first pass had gentler terrain, suitable for disciples in the middle stage of Qi Refinement, while the second was much more dangerous, with a recommendation to enter only once one reached the late stage of Qi Refinement.

As for the "Killing Path" and "Forest Piercing" boards mentioned earlier, they referred to two different trial methods.

In the ten-mile pass, one could record the shortest time taken to traverse it to enter the "Forest Piercing" board. Using the time it takes for an incense stick as a unit, one could record the highest number of monkey shadows slain to enter the "Killing Path" board.

Both boards had separate columns for the middle and late stages of Qi Refinement.

At this point, the male disciple leaned in and whispered, "Each board holds one hundred people. From eleventh to one hundred, the reward is five hundred Essence Stones. For the tenth, the hundredth, and so on—for every rank higher, the reward increases by a thousand!"

That was truly a grand gesture. If one could secure the top spot, it would be ten thousand Essence Stones, which was a fortune for a Qi Refinement disciple.

Seeing the sly look in the male disciple's eyes, Zhao Chun asked, "I suspect it isn't that simple, is it?"

"That is indeed true," he said with a wry smile. "These boards have been running since the sect's founding, spanning over two thousand years. The geniuses of every generation have almost filled the boards. It is extremely difficult for newcomers to make the list. Some dissatisfied people try their luck, but most just end up giving their Essence Stones away for nothing. Over time, fewer and fewer dare to try."

He widened his eyes and tested her, "But your movement is so agile, you must be able to make the list! If you don't make it the first time, just try more. Once you're on, you'll make your money back!"

Zhao Chun was momentarily speechless. She hadn't come here to make money; she was currently at a critical juncture for breaking through her realm, and her business at Monkey Pass was far more important.