Chapter 99: The Emergence of a New Profession

The dream extended like a journey through a long canyon and corridor, gradually becoming clearer and more vivid ahead. Just as Wei Cheng sensed he was about to awaken and enter the seventh trial, an unusually distinct transmission stone stele appeared directly in front of him.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that people were everywhere in all directions—an endless sea of faces, as if trialists from all over the world had gathered here at once. Yet no one seemed to notice this; everyone, including Wei Cheng, eagerly focused on the stone stele, because it represented a fourth profession. Although the Trial Immortal gave no explanation, it clearly meant that they could now choose to cultivate a secondary path.

Wei Cheng stared at the transmission stele, and soon the strange runes on it transformed into content he could understand.

[Qingmu Heart Method: Warrior Realm]

[Practicing this fundamental method generates Qingmu internal power, which grows like flourishing vegetation, endlessly vibrant. It flows throughout the body, healing hidden ailments, detoxifying poisons, dispelling curses and strange forces. When located in places rich with thriving plants, it grants a Qingmu concealment effect.]

[This heart method can be cultivated alongside others, reinforcing the foundation, boosting potential, and breaking through bottlenecks. However, cultivation speed is extremely slow—only about one percent that of a specialist.]

[Drawback: Qingmu internal power is mainly auxiliary and difficult to use offensively.]

[Compatible external skill: Qingmu Order (compatibility 80%)]

Reading this introduction, Wei Cheng immediately thought of the Shadow Curse from the fifth trial and realized it was a supplement to the first three heart methods. Not all cultivators have growth potential, and no matter how hard they try, some cannot catch up. But the Qingmu Heart Method fortifies the foundation and nurtures the origin, which was undoubtedly excellent.

Moreover, Qingmu internal power could heal wounds, restore vitality, detoxify, and repel demons—truly an indispensable warrior heart method for daily life and travel. Everyone could cultivate it alongside their main path, which was fantastic, as it meant each person effectively carried a healer with them.

Without hesitation, Wei Cheng chose to comprehend it. Slow cultivation was acceptable; first, he would understand it.

In that instant, to his eyes, the transmission stele crumbled with a roar, transforming into an endless forest, its verdant hues breathtakingly vivid. Fascinating—this was a direct visualization!

As a flood of information poured into his mind, Wei Cheng felt a strange power entering his body, assisting him in beginning the path and forming the first strand of Qingmu internal power.

This was the Trial Immortal’s generous gift.

Otherwise, how could one master such a complex warrior skill in such a short time?

But Wei Cheng had a significant advantage over others. Having already condensed a spiritual seed, his mental strength was exceptionally strong, allowing him to grasp the Qingmu Heart Method rapidly and making the strange power’s assistance effortless.

He sensed this strange power was akin to divine light but of higher quality—each person received exactly one, no more, no less, like skill points granted at the start.

Some consumed most of their skill points merely to understand the Qingmu Heart Method.

When they finally entered the path, their skill points were already depleted.

Others, with greater potential, used fewer skill points in comprehension and thus could advance further after entering, as was the case when they mastered the Mountain-Moving Heart Method, Swift Swallow Heart Method, and Purple Haze Heart Method.

So one should not blame those who quickly stand out—they simply won the first race at the starting line.

Now, this was the second starting line.

At this moment, Wei Cheng’s comprehension of the Qingmu Heart Method barely consumed any skill points, only a little to guide his entry and illuminate the innate Qingmu meridians, after which he proceeded smoothly.

Remarkably, about ninety percent of that strange power remained.

It no longer actively guided him but lingered like a warm cloud within his body, ready to activate anytime without dissipating.

More astonishingly, Wei Cheng found this strange power also worked on the Mountain-Moving and Swift Swallow Heart Methods without any strain.

After a moment’s hesitation, he decisively redirected nearly ninety percent of the strange power to the Mountain-Moving Heart Method.

Indeed, one day was spent moving mountains; a lifetime devoted to moving mountains. Wei Cheng never sought breadth but depth and strength.

Survival was his foremost priority.

The Mountain-Moving Heart Method was his foundation.

Instantly, the Mountain-Moving visualization unfolded gently, transforming into eight clusters of mountains shrouded in white clouds, green peaks upon green peaks, rivers flowing endlessly. A shaft of golden light shone down, painting a magnificent landscape stretching thousands of miles.

Wei Cheng encountered no resistance; the strange power truly became part of him, wholly under his command—so much so that even summoning an extra little brother posed no difficulty.

Therefore, he chose to let this strange power assist him in exploring deeper details of the Mountain-Moving visualization.

This task was extraordinarily difficult.

Previously, he had spent nine days to improve just one percent in deep detail.

He worried it would only get harder.

Thus, fine steel must be used on the blade’s edge.

With the infusion of this strange power, the Mountain-Moving visualization became visibly more refined and imbued with spirit, especially the great river, which grew more lively and majestic, its turbulent waters commanding awe and fully under his control.

This strange power pushed his mastery of the deeper details all the way to ninety-five percent!

At this moment, Wei Cheng’s understanding of the Mountain-Moving visualization reached a new height, causing his Mountain-Moving internal power to surge wildly, its quality improving by roughly two-tenths.

But the greatest benefit came from the Way of Non-Conflict.

Wei Cheng felt he could summon the grandeur of the mountain river from the visualization anytime.

No—this was not quite right.

Rather, he could draw his enemy into the river in the visualization.

Let his opponent experience the overwhelming majesty of that great river.

Make the enemy kneel before the river and sing a song of surrender!

This was truly delightful—absolutely intoxicating!

Suddenly, Wei Cheng awoke.

He felt in excellent condition, surrounded by birdsong and fragrant flowers, the air intoxicating and filled with a mysterious, boundless vitality that made cultivation seem extraordinarily easy.

This was hardly the human world; it was more like being immersed in the immortal cultivation realm.

Looking around, he saw no one else. About a hundred meters away, a thick black mist writhed grotesquely, alive as if it were a beast.

In front of the dark mist, a golden sword scar stretched outward, forming an invisible barrier that contained the mist within.

Without doubt, beyond the golden sword scar lay the poisoned zone of the Shadow Curse, while on this side was the safe area of Cangwu City.

Wei Cheng recalled seeing a tremendous sword qi descend when he had stepped out of the poisoned zone.

As he pondered this, a stone stele, shaped differently from the transmission stele, floated down lightly at the golden sword scar.

Strange patterns flowed across the stele. Wei Cheng gazed for a moment and immediately understood:

[Secret Realm Stele (Large): Usable for cultivation]

[Duration: Twenty-four hours]

[Description: Passive reward granted by increased authenticity, available to all trialists]

[Description: Your performance determines the quality of the stele]

(The End)