Chapter 32: Soaring Serpent Body-Tempering Technique

The quickest way to rob was to plunder a sect, and with such abundant heritage as the Wuming Sect, it was unparalleled in the cultivation world.

After browsing through the Scripture Pavilion, Ye Feifan realized there truly was no secret technique openly displayed. It must be hidden on a certain floor. Asking him directly seemed a bit low-class; it was more reliable to consult the system.

“System, can you find it?”

“Searching requires ten points. Proceed with search?”

“Points again… Fine, search…”

Under the temptation of the secret technique, Ye Feifan succumbed to reality.

“System is searching… Please wait…”

“Target found. The item is located on the fourth floor, third row from the front, second column on the wooden shelf, first jade slip. It is a yellow scroll titled ‘Soaring Serpent Body Technique.’”

Following the directions, Ye Feifan found the jade slip.

“How do I restore it to its original state?”

“This technique requires a certain level of comprehension. Refining the Soaring Serpent Body Technique to the Great Perfection stage allows one to grasp the ‘Dragon Elephant Prison Calamity.’”

“Must it be refined to Great Perfection?”

“The host may expend some points to upgrade or purchase technique upgrade vouchers for enhancement.”

Ye Feifan quickly checked the upgrade vouchers in the shop. The lowest-tier mundane upgrade voucher required three hundred thousand points—ridiculous! Upgrading the Soaring Serpent Body Technique to the Dragon Elephant Prison Calamity would cost billions of points.

“Points robbery!”

On second thought, Ye Feifan felt there was no need to fret so much. As long as he had points, every technique and spell could be upgraded to the corresponding level.

He decided to earn points honestly and draw rewards; the shop was simply too costly. Even if the odds were low, there was always hope, right? Besides, ten billion points would have already allowed him to draw many plot cards.

After some internal debate, Ye Feifan chose the Soaring Serpent Body Technique. His breath control was already beyond criticism; now he wanted a new technique to accelerate his cultivation and strengthen his body.

Before long, Ye Feifan stood on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

“Elder, I’ve made my choice. This one.”

“Soaring Serpent Body Technique?” The old man was somewhat surprised. This disciple the sect leader had accepted was different—he didn’t choose Heavenly Skill or Imperial Speech but a yellow scroll.

Incomprehensible!

After registering the technique, Ye Feifan pressed the jade slip to his forehead.

“Entwining, swaying, myriad changes, the heart’s greed swallows the elephant whole, sudden enlightenment to the Wind and Cloud Decision…”

Soaring Serpent!

Before his eyes, a massive winged serpent appeared, its body poisonous and agile, not only swimming through the ocean but also soaring through magma and fire seas. The crimson flames on its body seemed to burn the soul itself, challenging even Ye Feifan’s current state.

This technique was no simple matter!

The old man silently observed Ye Feifan’s changing expression. The red flush rose to his cheeks, then gradually faded, making observers’ hearts race. A glowing mark of the Soaring Serpent even appeared on Ye Feifan’s brow.

Staring at the mark for a long moment, the elder pondered, recognizing the ancient legend. That sect’s ultimate secret technique truly existed, yet its cultivation requirements were so harsh that even he could not reach its peak.

“Soaring Serpent… Dragon Elephant… I should have guessed earlier…”

Struggling to awaken, Ye Feifan was soaked in sweat. The difficulty of cultivating the Soaring Serpent Body Technique far surpassed that of ordinary yellow scroll techniques.

Before cultivation, he had thought the “Segment” in the technique’s name was a typo. After practicing, he realized the technique’s essence was segmented body forging—the “Segment” was correct. The complex segmented body forging method was the foundation to mastering secret techniques.

“Thank you, Elder!”

“That is your fate, not mine.” The elder shook his head and resumed tidying his room.

Ye Feifan left the Scripture Pavilion without much ado; his earlier courtesy was just that. The elder’s strength was extraordinary. Ye Feifan had seen many novels play out this way, and his expression was flawless (he gave himself a nine out of ten for his performance, deducting one point to avoid arrogance).

Winter Guan had introduced the disciples’ quarters. Ye Feifan soon found the outer sect disciple responsible for accommodation registration and settled his lodging.

Finding his room, Ye Feifan stared blankly for a while. The house was made of wood but very sturdy. The wood was a dry, dull green, quite unappealing, which sparked in him a thought to reconstruct it.

It was time to unleash the infrastructure fanatic within!

Of course, before that, he had to find a way to unlock [Dream Field] and [Pasture]; otherwise, subsequent work would be difficult.

After tidying up, Ye Feifan lay on his bed and began examining the system’s template.

“Name: Ye Feifan!”

“Points: Six hundred and two!”

“Cultivation: Second Tribulation Realm!”

“Technique: Yellow Scroll ‘Soaring Serpent Body Technique’ (Secret Technique ‘Dragon Elephant Prison Calamity’)!”

“Main Profession: Dream Fisher (Internship period; can’t you study on your own?)!”

“Profession Tools: Dream Hook, Causal Dream Rod, Fate Fishing Line, Fate Mallet, Drunken Dream Bamboo Basket!”

“Fixed Dream Tools: Dream Refining Furnace!”

“Physical Tools: Strongest Novice Sword, DJ Disguise Dream, Waterproof Flashlight, Bloodstained Pocket Watch (‘I Wait One Minute’ can freeze time for one minute, during which attacks on others are impossible).”

“Function Template: [Dream Fishing], [Dream Refining], [Shop], [Lottery], [Dream Field], [Pasture], [Top Secret Files]…”

“Main Quest: [Love of Blue Star] (Transition from reality to fantasy. After founding the nation, no spirits may become demons; those wronged souls have nowhere to rest. The host, formerly a Blue Star native, thus gains Blue Star’s love. Build infrastructure, become a fanatic. That is the power knowledge grants you…) Recreate Blue Star’s architecture in another world—not necessarily identical, but covering at least 80% area to complete the task. [First stage main quest reward: One billion points, breakthrough to Ninth Tribulation Realm, step into a higher realm, unlock side profession: Porter].”

“Side Quest: [Midnight Knock] On a stormy night, the Zhang family’s door is eerily opened. Sometimes a person’s identity swaps. You watch him; he watches you. Who’s outside the door? Arrive at the Zhang family before midnight, explore the truth or survive until dawn to complete the task. Rewards depend on the plot, guaranteed a lottery ticket. (Failing this opportunity means waiting for the next stormy night to continue.)”

“Permanent Side Quest: [Deadly Bus] The stormy night Route 88 bus roams the cultivation world, possibly offering special services to the host. Investigate bus stops where the bus halts to find abandoned cries. Investigate one stop per night; rewards vary with the storyline.”

“Side Quest: [Before Death] What did you see? What do you want to say? We can help. You pay; we return the favor… Patrol Tianzi City before midnight, find them, survive until dawn to complete the task. Rewards depend on the plot, guaranteed 500 points, a lottery ticket, and newspaper information. (Failure requires a week to reset.)”

“Side Quest: [Crying Heart] Who will save me? Who do I save? Come on, all of you accompany me, sobbing… Arrive at the Liu family before midnight, explore the truth, and survive until dawn to complete the task. Rewards depend on the plot, guaranteed a lottery ticket and newspaper. (Failure requires a month to reset.)”

Four side quests, none of which Ye Feifan could complete yet—the conditions were complex (traveling to Tianzi City took a week, stormy nights had yet to come).

The Liu family wouldn’t be afraid; perhaps that innkeeper would hide (he had deceived his superior last time). The Liu family had lost many spies and hated Ye Feifan deeply. If they knew his abilities, they would try to use him to solve their troubles before killing him when he was no longer useful.

He was determined to get back at the Liu family a bit, hoping for more rainy nights to keep them waiting.

What had the system been doing during these sixteen years?

Seeing he had only six hundred points—not even enough for a ten-draw—Ye Feifan dared not use them rashly. He had to keep some for dream fishing; without capital to earn points, things would get complicated.

Night was falling. Ye Feifan closed his eyes and revisited the dream realm, beginning his dream fishing journey… but he received bad news: the innkeeper’s nightmare had mysteriously disappeared. This time, only ordinary dreams could be caught—he had fished out all the nightmares last time.

Embarrassed, Ye Feifan turned his attention to Zhang Da, planning to wait until he weakened before making him believe his earlier words.

Since the Liu family was hostile, he could fish their dreams too, hoping to glean useful information.

He didn’t know the Liu family head’s name but knew Liu Chen’s. Ye Feifan planned to start with Liu Chen.

Using the basic Dream Enticing Incense, five or six dreams were attracted. Liu Chen’s dream was easily found.

…

At sunset, two youths wrestled playfully.

“Zhang Da, didn’t expect this day for you, huh!”

Victorious Liu Chen stood tall, taunting the boy beneath him.

“Liu Chen, I’ll kill you! Get off me!” Zhang Da struggled, face pale with hatred, but to no avail.

“I’m Yicao’s fiancé! You, loser, don’t deserve her!”

“Get lost, you hooligan! Watch your words, I won’t let you off!”

“Let’s see who’s the strongest!”

…

Watching this familiar scene, Ye Feifan sighed in relief, finally understanding why the two were so hostile—jealousy over love.

It seemed the Liu family head and Zhang Da’s father also fought over love…

Liu Chen was rebellious but indifferent to family affairs; in love, he was loyal—better than Zhang Da. Ye Feifan felt reluctant to intervene and decided to spare him for now.

Liu Chen’s dream was sent into the dream realm. Ye Feifan found a larger dream, likely the Liu family head’s.

Now to see what the Liu family head was up to…

[PS: Prosperity, Democracy, Civilization, Harmony, Freedom, Equality, Justice, Rule of Law, Patriotism, Dedication, Integrity, Friendliness]