Chapter 98: Preaching the Dao

The appearance of a Grotto-Heaven in Hidden Dragon Academy, and the fact that three students broke through to the tenth level of Qi Condensation within it, continued to ferment. Lin Jing’s Hidden Dragon Secret Technique finally reached Minor Achievement, completely transforming into a golden Potential Dragon Luck baby dragon.

However, while the tenth level of Qi Condensation was extremely rare, it wasn’t as earth-shattering as Crown Prince Gu’s achievements. Over thousands of years, many Geniuses had achieved it through various Opportunities, so it didn’t spread throughout the Ancient Kingdom as Lin Jing had imagined.

Most of his renown came from discussions among the powerful Families and Sects behind the examinees, focusing on quality. Among the common folk, he was only famous in the Ancient Domain; outside the Ancient Domain, the spread of his reputation significantly decreased.

Now, every few days, Lin Jing helped the Dragon Carp stimulate its potential, causing its growth rate to be extremely fast. Coupled with the Dragon Scale Fire,

its combat power was extraordinary. The Dragon Scale Fire, when mixed with ghost fire, created even more bizarre techniques, though it was not advisable to use.

In terms of physical strength, it was even more formidable. In terms of defense, it was already on par with the Body Cultivator from the snowy plains, capable of withstanding Spirit Bean Bombs.

As for Alchemy, with good fire and a good cauldron, the Dragon Carp, after improving its fire control mastery, was like an Alchemy Genius, successfully refining Beast Blood Pills. Although the success rate was not yet high, it could still be considered a second-grade Alchemist.

These achievements, for a Dragon Carp spirit widely believed to have no combat power before leaping through the Dragon Gate, were already remarkable.

“I, Cao Ziwei, will be giving a lecture on the Art of Treasure Hunting at Tian Yi Mountain in three days.”

“All who have entered the Hidden Dragon Secret Technique may come and listen.”

In Lin Jing’s Immortal Cave, after several days of seclusion, Lin Jing had just finished taking care of the Dragon Carp. Before he could delve into researching the Beast Control Body and Ice Soul Body, which he had named himself, he heard Mr. Cao Ziwei’s voice echoing throughout the Academy.

This was the first time a Cultivator had preached the Dao since he arrived at Hidden Dragon Academy. Unfortunately, the content wasn’t Mr. Cao’s most proficient Art of Prospering One’s Wife, which greatly disappointed many students in the Academy.

However, the four words “Art of Treasure Hunting” held immense charm. At least Lin Jing’s heart stirred, and he already planned to attend the lecture in three days.

Tian Yi Mountain was quickly covered by a gigantic light barrier that enveloped the heavens and earth.

Three days later, many Academy students came to listen to the lecture. There were Qi Condensation Cultivators, Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but not a single Golden Core Stage Cultivator.

One Cultivator after another walked into the light barrier and then disappeared directly, their aura completely gone, as if they had been teleported to another space.

After Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Squirrel arrived, they also entered the light barrier directly, then found themselves in a room filled with white light.

There were no facilities inside the room, but a huge spiritual energy vortex hung in mid-air, reflecting the figure of Cao Ziwei sitting cross-legged.

“A familiar teaching method.” Lin Jing also sat cross-legged on the ground, calming his mind and concentrating, waiting for the lecture to begin.

“Sigh—-“

The Pine Leaf Squirrel slid from his shoulder, lying flat in the independent space and gazing at the ceiling, not understanding why Lin Jing insisted on dragging it along.

“One tuition fee, two people listening to the lecture, it’s more cost-effective.”

Lin Jing explained many times. A moment later, Cao Ziwei opened his eyes and said, “The time has come. What I will speak of today,

is the Art of Treasure Hunting.”

“The Art of Treasure Hunting and the Art of Qi Observation have many similarities; both are accomplished by resonating with the Qi of heaven and earth to perform the Spell.”

“In addition, there are many types of Treasure Hunting Arts. What I’m going to teach next is not how to find rare Spiritual Plants, Spiritual Ores, or other traditionally defined treasures, but Ancient Treasures!”

“Whether it was the Immortal Palace Era or the Immortal Alliance Era, several continent-sweeping wars occurred, and many Ancient Treasures are buried in the world. The Sky Domain, as you all know, is the region with the most ancient ruins and Secret Realms of the Tian Yuan Ancient Kingdom, harboring countless Ancient Treasures and ancient Opportunities.”

“And besides the Sky Domain, in fact, no matter which city, it once had a glorious past. Perhaps a Mortal village now was once the Immortal Cave of an ancient Great Power.”

“The Art of Seeking Ancient Treasures is to teach you how to explore, identify, and excavate these Ancient Treasures. Alright, before I begin my lecture, does anyone have any questions? You may ask them now.”

A voice came from the Void Realm: “Mr. Cao, this Treasure Hunting Art is indeed extraordinary. If one finds an ancient Great Power’s Magic Treasure, it can even directly change one’s fate! But doesn’t the Academy usually teach the Art of Governing Cities?”

Mr. Cao said, “Powerful ancient Magic Treasures that can be found through the Treasure Hunting Art would have long been found. How could there be an Opportunity left for you? The Treasure Hunting Art requires great talent and great Opportunity to get started. After ordinary people learn it, at most they can find some common ancient artifacts with historical value, but not much practical value.”

“Therefore, when the time comes, you can excavate ancient artifacts in the cities you govern, establish Ancient Artifact Pavilions, display these ancient artifacts for people to visit, and increase the historical and cultural heritage of the cities you govern. In this way, isn’t it also a merit in governing cities?”

All students: “—”

Lin Jing: “…A historical museum, right.”

1

The Academy students knew that what the Academy taught was definitely not some proper Spell, but since they were already here, for the sake of their future official careers, they still planned to patiently finish learning.

For three consecutive days, the students listened in a daze. Compared to Spells that utilized one’s True Qi, this Treasure Hunting Art was too obscure. Besides needing to gather spiritual power in one’s eyes using a special method, one also needed to perceive heaven and earth, feel the pulse of history, in order to see the rising light of Ancient Treasures amidst the flow of time.

“For the next ten days, you can practice the Art of Treasure Hunting here on your own. Don’t be too demanding. If you’re not interested, you can leave now. After practicing for a few days, if you feel you don’t have the talent for the Art of Treasure Hunting, you can also leave on your own.”

“I have placed many ancient artifacts here. If you can find them with the Art of Treasure Hunting, they will be yours.”

After the lecture, the students found themselves transported from the small independent space to a vast mountain range. Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Squirrel were no exception. This mountain range was even larger than the Beast Taming Sect’s location, with hundreds of continuous peaks, though it was unknown how many Ancient Treasures were hidden within.

Lin Jing sat cross-legged on a huge rock, half-closing his eyes to enter a meditative state, perceiving the so-called pulse of history. After a long time, he perceived nothing, his eyes were sore, and he didn’t even see a speck of Ancient Treasure light.

“It seems I don’t have this talent.” He sighed, not particularly wanting to consume Potential Dragon Luck to learn this Art of Treasure Hunting for which he had no talent.

“What about you? Didn’t you see any ancient light either?” He asked the Pine Leaf Squirrel sitting on his shoulder. During this time, he had also let the Pine Leaf Squirrel listen to the lecture with him, wondering about the Pine Leaf Squirrel’s talent.

“Squeak—-” The Pine Leaf Squirrel remained completely silent throughout, not daring to speak earlier, always feeling that something had gone wrong while it was learning the Art of Treasure Hunting.

“Squeak?” It asked Lin Jing if this Art of Treasure Hunting could really be learned by Spirit Beasts.

“Mr. Cao said that the cultivation of the Treasure Hunting Art is not restricted by race; it was not created by the Human Race.” After Lin Jing finished speaking, the Pine Leaf Squirrel nodded.

It rubbed its eyes, its gaze nimble, certain that something was very wrong, because before its eyes, the mountains and plains were covered in the light of Ancient Treasures. Especially a distant mountain peak, compared to the faint glow of other places, was as dazzling as a star, almost blinding its Glazed Immortal Eyes.

“Squeak—” The Pine Leaf Squirrel claimed it had probably seen hundreds of lights.

Lin Jing fell silent upon hearing this.

Are you a hoarding rat, or a treasure-hunting rat? What do you mean by hundreds of lights?