The Fortunate Demoniac Little Village Doctor-Chapter 1476 - 800: Furnace (Part 2)

"Opening Ceremony! Begin!"

A loud shout echoed from the high platform above, accompanied by the sound of drums and music, as flowers scattered in all directions.

In a moment, seated in the center of the platform, the long-browed, white-bearded Bai Shanshi, the leader of the Star-Gazing Pavilion, stroked his beard and nodded kindly towards the Vice Sect Leader, Bai Shanhe, beside him.

Bai Shanhe, with black hair and sharp eyebrows, rose and swept his eyes over all the disciples present. He slowly approached the Star Furnace, pressed one palm against it, and a massive burst of flame surged from the furnace, accompanied by multicolored lights. As the flames danced and twirled in the air, Bai Shanhe continuously injected Spiritual Energy, causing the flame to grow larger gradually. Finally, with Bai Shanhe’s sleeves flying and a deep shout of "Capture!" from him, the flame, now over three meters high, twisted and condensed, ultimately forming a peculiar human head in the air. The flames flickered about it, portraying the features and even strands of hair in astonishing detail, resembling a real person.

"The Star Furnace has been awakened!"

"It’s exactly as the legends say!"

"I can’t believe we can see a Soul Device!"

"I wonder where I’ll be sent for trial!"

Lin Feng listened to the bustling discussions around him, feeling both nervous and excited. During his time in the Lower Court, he knew that every person who wished to embark on the path of cultivation in the Mortal World had to obtain a spiritual seed and plant it within themselves. This seed must then be merged with one of the nine Spirit Veins of the Mortal World, marking the beginning of their journey. Once a spiritual seed fuses with a cultivator, it will mature into nine Spirit Knots: Washing Body, Body Refinement, Spirit Storage, Marrow Cutting, Crystalizing, Origin Transformation, Open Knowledge, Breaking God, and Spirit Pinnacle. The more Spirit Knots one opens, the more Spiritual Energy they can accumulate, and naturally, the more powerful the Spiritual Energy they can use, making their cultivation techniques stronger.

Besides the increasing difficulty of opening each subsequent Spirit Knot, there is another limitation for all cultivators: once a Spirit Knot is opened, it needs to be continuously improved. If a cultivator remains stagnant and fails to open the next Spirit Knot within time, the previously opened Spirit Knot will close on its own.

One must either become stronger or weaker; there is no third option. This is the survival law of the Mortal World, a lesson Lin Feng deeply understood during his time in the Lower Court.

"Look quickly! The Sect Leader’s Spiritual Artifact, the Heavenly Earth Phenomenon Instrument!"

Suddenly, a shout of awe brought Lin Feng’s gaze to the azure sky, which began twisting and shifting, unveiling eight scenes. Among them, the highest depicted was Biyao, one of the nine Spirit Veins of the Mortal World belonging to the Star-Gazing Pavilion, characterized by clusters of green bamboo and lush landscapes, representing vitality, renewal, and prosperity. Notably, the Spiritual Bamboo within Biyao is the best choice for crafting various mechanical puppets; if not for the Star-Gazing Pavilion’s guard, Biyao would have become a battlefield for all factions long ago. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Below, the seven scenes depicted the seven courtyards behind Xuanxing Mountain of the Inner Court of the Star-Gazing Pavilion, named after the seven stars of the Big Dipper: Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang.

Though Tianshu is the highest and Yaoguang the lowest of the seven courtyards, the lush greenery and majestic landscapes make each a prime location for cultivation. Entering any of these seven courtyards is a stroke of fortune, despite individual differences in talent.

"Upper Court! Li Ding!" The announcer on the high platform called out with a flourish of the flowered name roster.

In response, Li Ding, adorned in splendid attire and wearing a proud expression, emerged from the Upper Court, casting a disdainful glance towards the disciples of the Lower Court before ascending the platform.

Lin Feng recognized him; his father was Li Guangmi, a high-ranking minister of the Court, often leading in causing trouble.

After ascending the platform, Li Ding first bowed three times to the leader as per tradition. If the Star Furnace acknowledged him, these bows would symbolize his formal discipleship. Failing to gain the Star Furnace’s approval would mean bidding farewell to Xuanxing Mountain and the Star-Gazing Pavilion.

Bai Shanshi smiled benignly and nodded at Li Ding, who then approached the Star Furnace under Bai Shanhe’s guidance, placing his hand into its chamber.

As soon as Li Ding’s hand entered, the flame, shaped like a strange human face suspended in the air, suddenly started to move. The mouth-like opening yawned wide, and a weary, ancient voice echoed from above, "Hmm... your talent is adequate, but your ambition is high, and your character has flaws... Such a person needs much tempering, still... Yaoguang Courtyard shall it be!"

As the voice faded, Li Ding, who stood by the Star Furnace, was suddenly engulfed by a cluster of flames, and in the next moment, vanished. On the sky scene displayed by the Heavenly Earth Phenomenon Instrument, Li Ding reappeared within Yaoguang Courtyard at the bottom.

Lin Feng had heard that the Sect Leader’s Heavenly Earth Phenomenon Instrument could track specific targets, usable only once in ten years, but witnessing it firsthand was nonetheless astonishing.

A thunderous cheer and applause erupted from the Upper Court, while the disciples receiving Li Ding at Yaoguang Courtyard likewise responded with cheers and applause, gathering around him.

As the crowd settled down, the name calling continued.

"Upper Court! Zhou Li!"

Lin Feng watched his greatest adversary, Zhou Li, stride haughtily from the Upper Court, casting a glance in his direction and seemingly mouthing something mocking. Others might not understand, but Lin Feng clearly knew Zhou Li was insulting him as a "foolish leader of dogs."