Chapter Seventeen: Wang Li Is a Treasure (Part Two)

Elder Mishan of the Transmission Hall steered the meeting off course with a single remark.
“No matter how wondrous an artifact may be, it cannot compare to the Tribulation Array! So many within our sect are waiting in line for their tribulations—without the array, how many will perish under the heavenly calamity?”
“Master, this decision seems rather ill-considered!”
“I just want to know: if we put the Divine Thunder Crystal of the Five Elements back into the Tribulation Array, will it still function?”
…
Their indignation was not without reason.
Cultivators, in essence, defy the will of heaven; from the moment one enters the Golden Core stage, the repeated trials of heavenly tribulation begin. Every leap in cultivation brings a new tribulation—survive, and the world is yours; fail, and both body and soul are annihilated.
Those at the Tribulation stage suffer the most, facing not only ordinary lightning tribulations but also the Five Elements tribulation, Heart Demon tribulation, Love tribulation, Dao Heart tribulation, and four more, totaling eight trials before entering the “Shedding the Mortal” phase to reach the Grand Ascension stage.
Between Grand Ascension and Earth Immortal stands the deadly Ascension tribulation.
Regardless of cultivation, enduring tribulation always carries a high risk of failure. To boost chances of survival, aside from personal strength, the most vital factor is the use of specialized Tribulation Arrays to mitigate the force of heaven’s wrath.
The power of the great sects stems not only from their inherited techniques but also from their formidable Tribulation Arrays.
With higher tribulation success rates, the sect accumulates more experts, growing ever stronger.
Many cultivators join these sects specifically for their arrays, since no one wishes to die beneath the lightning of heaven.
Though everyone could understand Master Liuguang’s intent—using the array’s foundation to craft artifacts for recording techniques and thus nurturing more talented disciples—they struggled to accept the method.
Ultimately, the world of cultivation is governed by strength; no matter how formidable the lower ranks become, they cannot compensate for the loss of elite power!
“Cough, cough…”
Seeing the crowd’s emotions rising, Master Liuguang coughed softly to quell the commotion.
The hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on him, their meaning clear:

Give us a reasonable explanation—or this matter will not be settled!
“Everyone, did I or Brother Liu ever say that the foundation of the Tribulation Array had been touched?”
Master Liuguang’s expression was calm. “As head of the sect, I would never be so foolish. Whatever your concerns, at least let Brother Liu finish his explanation.”
Elder Xiuye of the Heart Inquiry Hall asked, “Are you saying the Divine Thunder Crystal of the Five Elements used in artifact forging is not the array’s foundation?”
“Of course not,” replied Liuguang.
The Astrologer said, “There are no spare Divine Thunder Crystals in the Treasury. Did you acquire them elsewhere, Master?”
“Brother Liu, you explain.”
Liuguang gestured for Liu Wanjin to address the assembly.
Liu Wanjin took up the thread: “Esteemed elders, the Divine Thunder Crystal of the Five Elements was provided by Wang Li. Its origins are unknown to us, but one thing is certain: Wang Li is no ordinary individual. He not only possesses the means to forge artifacts, but is also gifted with the ability to restore incomplete techniques. For us at Pure Yang Temple, his value is incalculable.”
“Restore techniques?” Elder Mishan asked in confusion, “How does he do that? What grade of technique can he restore?”
The others were even more intrigued, finding this more remarkable than Wang Li’s ability to produce Divine Thunder Crystals.
Techniques are highly subjective, each crafted and refined to suit the cultivator’s unique traits. Creating a new technique, regardless of grade or efficacy, may not be difficult; but to claim Wang Li can fill in missing parts of others’ techniques seems a stretch.
“We are still uncertain to what extent Wang Li can restore techniques, but he claims the foundational technique he cultivates is ‘Purple Qi Comes from the East,’ which was lost for over two millennia. I have consulted seniors about its properties and can confirm he is telling the truth.”
“He has agreed to offer his technique, and I have arranged for someone to receive his teachings. Soon, we will know whether his technique originates from the Scripture Pavilion.”
“Moreover, the Master has agreed to exchange cultivation resources for his assistance in restoring the Pavilion’s fragmented techniques.”
“There are over two thousand incomplete techniques in the Scripture Pavilion. Even if he restores only a fraction of the beginner methods, it would greatly benefit the sect.”
“Additionally, Wang Li claims he can upgrade the artifact for recording techniques; once his strength recovers, he should be able to inscribe techniques of Earth-grade or higher. I have estimated the cost is minimal, and if we transfer all five thousand two hundred Yellow and Profound grade techniques now, the Pavilion could save over fifteen hundred premium spirit stones per year.”
“Fifteen hundred per year may not sound like much, but over centuries or millennia, the resources saved would be astronomical.”

“And this does not include the cost savings from recording Earth-grade and higher techniques in the future. Wang Li’s cultivation is advancing rapidly—he reached the Foundation Establishment stage in under two months. It should not take many years for him to recover enough to upgrade the artifact, at which point the Scripture Pavilion will cease to be a burden and instead become a great asset to our sect.”
“With this artifact, many masters can be freed from the heavy task of maintaining the original techniques and devote themselves more fully to cultivation.”
Liu Wanjin had spoken for the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, and his mouth was dry.
He was also grateful: “Luckily, I prepared my speech in advance. Otherwise, I might have slipped up with so much to say.”
The assembly had understood: for all Liu Wanjin’s words, the core message was simple—Wang Li is a treasure, and belongs to Pure Yang Temple. No one else should even think of making a move on him!
This was both a warning to those present not to use Wang Li as leverage, and a declaration of the Master’s will through their mouths.
Wang Li’s possession had never been a secret—at least not among the leadership of Pure Yang Temple.
Cooperating with a reborn soul of unknown origin is taboo, though all had done similar things, just seldom spoken aloud; still, it remained a stain.
Where there are people, there are games. Master Liuguang was not all-powerful at Pure Yang Temple; there were rivals, and excuses for minor schemes were inevitable.
Liuguang saw the mixed reactions, sensed private transmissions among the crowd, and sighed inwardly at the difficulty of leading his peers. Outwardly, he said, “Brother Liu has spoken at length. Now, let’s hear your opinions—I will not dictate everything.”
Everyone: …
If you won’t dictate, then why play this charade with Liu Wanjin?
Hypocritical, shameless!
Yet when it was time to speak, they could only nod and go along, their hearts and words at odds.