Chapter 63: Seeing flowers through the fog

Cloud Realm Illusion, Room No. 7.

The flowing light within the spirit pod remained gentle, but Gu Qing’s expression was even more solemn than before.

On the light screen, dozens of different spiritual energy circulation route diagrams were densely listed.

Some were labeled “Ancient Method,” some “Quick Success,” and there were even red-labeled warnings for “Demonic Modification Versions.”

Gu Qing rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh.

He now fully understood the weight of that saying—book knowledge alone is shallow.

If it were just about memorizing these acupoints and routes like reciting poetry, he would have mastered them long ago.

But cultivating immortality wasn’t about rote memorization.

That wisp of spiritual energy circulating within his body—if it moved a fraction too fast, his meridians would burn with pain; a fraction too slow, and the spiritual energy would dissipate.

A fraction too heavy, and it felt like lead and mercury plummeting to the ground; a fraction too light, and it vanished like mist and clouds.

These extremely subtle “degrees” were difficult to describe precisely with the words in books.

Without hands-on guidance like Su Li’s, or the “force-feeding” style of teaching where someone like Lin Qingyue directly guided his spiritual energy, trying to figure it out on his own almost guaranteed a qi deviation.

“I need a teacher.”

Gu Qing leaned back in his chair, murmuring to himself.

But where to find a teacher?

The Qin Family was full of experts; even a random servant probably knew more than him.

But did he dare ask? No.

Go to an external martial arts school or a small sect?

Even less realistic.

For places with real heritage, just the identity verification and apprenticeship procedures alone were enough to make him hesitate.

Gu Qing’s gaze returned to the Lingnet search bar.

Since the Lingnet encompassed everything, since even those questionable elixirs were being sold, then knowledge…

Should be purchasable too, right?

He typed:

[Immortal Cultivation Guidance] [One-on-One Q&A] [Beginner Teaching]

The light screen refreshed.

The next moment, countless images popped up, almost dazzling his eyes.

The screen was split into countless small tiles, each one a dynamic image of a cultivator:

[Chief Senior Disciple of the Mad Blade Sect Teaching Online: Sense Qi in Three Days, Split Bricks in Seven! Refund if Ineffective!]

[Gentle Senior Sister One-on-One: Hands-on Guidance for Meridian Regulation, Includes Inner Demon Counseling (Male Cultivators Only)]

[Pill Dao Crash Course: 100 Ways to Avoid Cauldron Explosions, Essential for Alchemists!]

Gu Qing was dumbfounded.

The style of this immortal cultivation world was completely different from the transcendent, ethereal image he had imagined.

He quickly browsed the descriptions and understood.

In the Big Dipper Star Field, disciples of major sects would share their knowledge for sect contribution points.

And the Lingnet had turned this “teaching” into an industry.

A massive knowledge payment market.

Gu Qing clicked on the [Big Dipper Immortal Cultivation Education Zone].

The interface instantly became much more dignified.

A golden banner hung high:

[Heavyweight Announcement: Inner Elder of the Big Dipper Immortal Sect—Mysterious Mechanism Venerable to Hold a Public Lecture in Three Days]

[Topic: Spiritual Energy Evolution and Dao Foundation Construction]

[Entry Requirement: Early Tongyou Realm and Above]

[Lecture Fee: Fifty Thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones]

Gu Qing’s throat moved slightly.

Starting at the Tongyou Realm…

Fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones…

Every word seemed to remind him: You don’t belong here.

He was silent for a moment, suppressing his emotions, and continued filtering downwards.

[Qi Refining Stage] [Beginner] [Low Price] [High Ratings First]

The page refreshed.

Soon, a simple, unadorned course appeared.

[Course Name: The First Step for Mortals Cultivating Immortality—How to Safely and Efficiently Complete Qi Introduction into the Body (108th Session)]

[Instructor: Zhao Tiezhu (Inner Disciple of the Big Dipper Immortal Sect)]

[Course Format: Lingnet Small Class Teaching (Limit 30 People)]

[Fee: 1000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones]

[Start Time: Three Days from Now, Chen Hour]

The comment section was extremely lively:

“Senior Brother Zhao explains things very thoroughly, he can even correct reversed meridian flow on the spot!”

“Though the name is plain, it’s truly solid content!”

“Finally stopped blowing up my cauldron after listening.”

Looking at the reviews, Gu Qing was tempted.

The Big Dipper Immortal Sect, a top-tier sect in the star field.

Even if it was just an inner disciple, their perspective and foundation were far beyond that of ordinary cultivators.

Moreover, small class teaching meant he could ask questions.

He could even seize the opportunity to inquire about issues with the Eternal Verdant Qi-Introduction Art.

He touched his storage pouch.

One thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

It hurt, but it was worth it.

“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child.”

He clicked to enroll.

[Payment Successful]

[You Have Joined Zhao Tiezhu’s 108th Session Course]

Gu Qing let out a long breath.

Finally, there was a path.

He had three days to adjust his state.

He was just about to exit the Lingnet.

Suddenly—

“Ding-dong.”

A crisp notification sound rang in his consciousness.

The [Loose Cultivator Market] interface he had closed automatically popped up.

The screen was filled with exploding fireworks.

[Congratulations, user ‘Anonymous,’ for triggering the Tianji Pavilion’s One-in-a-Billion Lucky Koi Bag!]

[Detected that you have browsed products, automatically matching ‘Bone-Breaking Discount Benefits’]

[Matching Successful]

In the center of the screen, that pitch-black “Heirloom Old Jade” appeared again.

But the next moment, it was crossed out with a red line.

Original Price: 8000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

Now—

[Limited-Time Benefit Price: 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone]

[Countdown: 00:59]

Gu Qing was stunned.

One spirit stone?

He blinked.

This wasn’t a discount anymore; this was practically rewriting the price.

First reaction: Scam.

Second reaction: Tianji Pavilion official system.

Third reaction: He had looked at it for a long time just now.

“Could it really be this coincidental?”

Countdown: 00:40…

Gu Qing stared at that piece of jade.

Concealing aura.

Exactly what he needed most right now.

If it was real, he could cultivate right under Qin Momo’s nose.

If it was fake… the loss was one spirit stone.

“At most, one spirit stone.”

He whispered to himself.

Countdown: 00:10…

Gu Qing reached out.

Clicked to purchase.

[Payment Successful]

[Product Sent to Front Desk Mailbox]

—

Tianquan City streets.

Gu Qing retrieved the piece of black jade wrapped in layers of talisman paper from the mailbox.

It felt slightly cool to the touch.

No spiritual energy fluctuations, no strange phenomena; it still looked as ordinary as could be.

But he tried probing a wisp of his own spiritual energy into himself.

The next moment, his pupils contracted slightly.

As the spiritual energy circulated, it was completely “swallowed” by an invisible force.

His aura…

Vanished.

Not concealed.

But completely non-existent.

Gu Qing’s heart shook.

This thing…

It was real.

He slowly tightened his grip on the jade pendant.

Something tightly wound in his heart finally loosened a fraction.

“At least now… there’s a way out.”

He looked up towards the distant Jianmu Divine Palace suspended above the Sea of Clouds.

Beneath that radiance lay the order and rules of the entire star field.

And he, finally, had his first piece of “shadow-concealing cloth.”

Though tiny.

It was indeed there.