Two youths stood on the steps below.
One, dressed in light blue, was waving his arms, looking delighted.
The other, in white, had a more reserved expression, with dark, deep-set eyes.
"Long time no see, I missed you all so much," Hun Hunsheng also waved enthusiastically.
"Oh, right, I met a very interesting fellow. This is Mu Chen, the 'Blood Calamity Bringer' from the Spiritual Road. They say he killed a lot of people.
"Also, he's a Spiritual Array Master. Although he's only at the Mid Divine Soul Realm now, he has a move that even I find threatening.
"The one next to him is Luo Li. Her roasted meat is delicious, even better than yours."
The white-clothed youth looked at Mu Chen with increased interest.
"The one in white is Hun Yufeng, and the one in blue is Hun Jin," Hun Hunsheng introduced.
Hun Yufeng showed a gentle smile: "Come with me, I'll take you to find a place to stay first."
The group followed Hun Yufeng forward, who spoke as he walked:
"Let me introduce you to the basic rules of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy."
"The Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy does not assign guiding teachers. It generally adopts a system where senior students guide new students. Many basic common sense topics are also explained by senior students."
The group arrived before a black light gate. Hun Yufeng pointed at the light gate and said:
"The Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy is very large, and some areas are far apart, so such teleportation gates have been set up."
"These teleportation gates only lead to a specific fixed area. If you remember where each teleportation gate connects to, it will be much more convenient to travel around the institute."
Hun Yufeng walked into the light gate. The others followed behind him, arriving at a huge plaza.
What greeted their eyes were numerous light gates, with text above them indicating the areas they connected to.
A hint of amazement flashed in Mu Chen's eyes. The arrangement of teleportation arrays was not easy. The Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy had set up so many teleportation gates just for the convenience of its students' travel. What a grand gesture!
"The black light gates are entrances, and the white ones are exits... This plaza is Teleportation Hub Number One, and also the most densely packed teleportation hub."
Hun Yufeng pointed to a grand hall not far away and said:
"That's the Spiritual Value Hall. It's one of the most important and frequently visited places for us students. It has all kinds of things: spiritual techniques, spiritual artifacts, various natural treasures, all of which can be exchanged using Spirit Value."
He changed direction and walked towards a black light gate, speaking as he went:
"Near Teleportation Hub Number Two, there's a Task Hall, where students accept tasks to earn Spirit Value."
"You can also sell some spiritual artifacts you don't need, or various treasures, at the Task Hall in exchange for Spirit Value."
"However, if you're not in urgent need of Spirit Value, I suggest you sell them at the Trading Hall next to Teleportation Hub Number Three."
"That's where students trade among themselves. You decide the price you want to list. Generally, you can get three to four tenths more Spirit Value than at the Task Hall, but you need to wait patiently... and there's a chance it might not sell."
Emerging from the teleportation gate, they arrived at a grassy clearing. Amidst the lush greenery, clear lakes dotted the landscape, and clusters of houses were nestled.
A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Chen's eyes. The spiritual energy here was exceptionally dense, even surpassing the concentration within the North Spirit Academy's sole Three Level Spirit Gathering Array.
"A Spirit Gathering Array has been set up here? And it covers quite a large area?" he asked in surprise.
Hun Yufeng nodded: "Good eye... That's right, this is the residential area, divided into Class A, B, and C, covered by a Four Level Spirit Gathering Array."
"Class C is located at the edge of the Spirit Gathering Array, with the lowest spiritual energy concentration, while Class A and B areas are denser."
"However, Class C residential areas are free. Class A and B residential areas require fees. A Class A room costs two thousand Spirit Value per month, and a Class B room costs one thousand Spirit Value per month."
He looked at Mu Chen and Luo Li, saying meaningfully: "One room can accommodate two people, you know..."
Mu Chen's eyes lit up, and Luo Li's pretty face blushed slightly.
"For new students arriving at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, a very important point is to learn how to use the Spirit Value Plate. Take out your Spirit Value Plates..."
Under Hun Yufeng's explanation, Mu Chen and Luo Li took out their Spirit Value Plates and infused spiritual power into them. The Spirit Value Plates emitted a faint glow, projecting a light screen.
There were many icons on the light screen, with small text below each icon indicating its purpose.
Hun Yufeng smiled and said: "Open the map. It shows the regional distribution of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, as well as the locations of various teleportation gates... The red dot on it indicates your current location."
"Now, concentrate your mind and Magnify on the map. See the residential area? It shows which rooms are occupied and which are vacant."
"Enter a vacant house, then take out your Spirit Value Plate and lock it to register it as your residence. If it's a paid room, the corresponding Spirit Value will be automatically deducted from your Spirit Value Plate."
Hun Hunsheng enthusiastically studied the Spirit Value Plate, flipping through it and saying excitedly:
"Oh, this thing is quite convenient... Where are you guys staying?"
"We reside within a Five Level Spirit Gathering Array, costing fifteen thousand Spirit Value per month, and each room can only accommodate one person," Hun Jin replied.
He thought for a moment, then added: "The institute has over a hundred Four Level Spirit Gathering Arrays, over sixty Five Level Spirit Gathering Arrays, twenty Six Level Spirit Gathering Arrays, ten Seven Level Spirit Gathering Arrays, and one unique Eight Level Spirit Gathering Array."
"Among them, the Eight Level Spirit Gathering Array is not open to the public; it is the source of spiritual energy for all Spirit Gathering Arrays in the institute. The Six and Seven Level Spirit Gathering Arrays are for cultivation. The rooms inside are built to the specifications of cultivation rooms, so their area is relatively small."
Mu Chen pondered for a moment and asked: "If there are no guiding teachers, what should I do if I have questions about cultivation?"
Hun Yufeng smiled and replied: "It still relies on this Spirit Value Plate... In the 'Cultivation' section, there's information on various mentors..."
"It shows their cultivation level, residence, availability, areas of expertise, and consultation fees... You can make appointments through the Spirit Value Plate."
"A reminder: if you make an appointment and don't show up, the deducted Spirit Value will not be refunded. If a mentor has a sudden matter and cannot provide guidance on time, the Spirit Value will be refunded."
"Do you have any other questions? If not, we'll stop here. The important things have basically been covered; you can explore the rest yourself."
"Well then, Brother Mu, see you later. I look forward to your progress."
Hun Yufeng waved his hand and left.
Mu Chen held the Spirit Value Plate and said to Luo Li: "Let's go choose a Class A residence first."
Luo Li stared intently at Mu Chen with her Glass-like blue eyes. The latter righteously said: "We've just arrived at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, and we don't have much Spirit Value. We should save what we can."
"No doing bad things!" Luo Li warned.
They arrived at a small building by the lake and, after entering, selected a room through the Spirit Value Plate.
This was a two-story small building. Luo Li immediately claimed the upper floor: "I'm upstairs, you're downstairs. Don't come up unless there's an emergency!"
"Which means if there's an emergency, I can go up..." Mu Chen muttered softly.
He pulled out a chair, sat down, and began to study the functions of the Spirit Value Plate.
There were several icons on the Spirit Value Plate: Spiritual Value Hall, Task Hall, Trading Hall, Map, Notification Board, Famous Mentor Guidance...
Mu Chen noticed a small red dot on the Notification Board, so he clicked on it and found a notice issued by the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy to new students.
To all institute mentors, past students, and all new students:
To comprehensively assess the comprehensive qualities of new students upon admission, stimulate practical combat potential, and select outstanding talents, it has been decided to hold a New Student Competition 30 days from now.
Location: Bei Ling Mountain
Method: Flag Capture, Summit Ascent.
On the day of the competition, a spiritual flag will be placed on Bei Ling Mountain. Whoever can capture the spiritual flag will be the champion of the New Student Competition. In addition, a spiritual array will be set up at the summit. By carrying a Spirit Value Plate and entering the array, your summit ascent ranking will be recorded.
Rewards: Flag Capture Reward, 500,000 Spirit Value + entry to the Spiritual Technique Hall to select one spiritual technique. (Flag capturer is not included in the summit ascent ranking)
2nd-5th place, 300,000 Spirit Value + entry to the Spiritual Technique Hall to select one spiritual technique.
6th-10th place, 200,000 Spirit Value.
11th-50th place, 100,000 Spirit Value.
51st-100th place, 50,000 Spirit Value.
Participation Requirements: All new students are eligible to participate.
Registration Method: No registration required. Entering the Bei Ling Mountain area on the day of the competition will automatically be considered participation.
Competition Organizers: Deputy Dean Hun Miesheng, Elder Tianxi, Elder Zhutian
Upon seeing the rewards, Mu Chen's eyes lit up.
Entry to the Spiritual Technique Hall to select one spiritual technique... I wonder if there will be the later layers of the Blood Emperor Body Tempering Art...
However, for this type of competition, having team support would be a huge advantage.
Mu Chen secretly pondered, considering whether to join a guild.
He first put the competition aside and opened the Spiritual Value Hall to browse the items available for exchange.
Looking at the dazzling array of items, Mu Chen's eyes glazed over.
Divine-level spiritual techniques, advanced array diagrams, spiritual artifacts, spiritual beast essence...
Mu Chen's heart stirred again and again, but in the end, it could only turn into a sigh.
No choice, he was poor, couldn't afford a single one!
An item suddenly caught Mu Chen's eye.
Nine Netherworld Sparrow Essence Blood, possesses the miraculous effects of tempering the physique and cleansing the marrow and bones. After refining, it can also grant spiritual power special attributes, with a very small chance of acquiring special flames. Price: 10 million Spirit Value.
The Nine Nether Bird in the mandala flower even jumped up excitedly:
"I want it, I want it... That's it! Help me get it. With this, I can definitely evolve into a Nine Netherworld Sparrow!"
Mu Chen showed a helpless smile: "That costs 10 million Spirit Value, I can't afford it."
Nine Nether looked eagerly at Mu Chen's Divine Soul, her large eyes filled with longing:
"What do you need me to do? I'll cooperate with you. Just help me get it!"
Mu Chen sighed: "Alright, I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to save up that much."
"You can do it! You definitely can! You can use my power however you want. Just give me some ordinary spiritual beast essence to recover afterward."
☰