Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Dream Bell
Baiyu briefly explained the matter of the Shelter to Erza.
After listening, she furrowed her brows, standing on the water surface, touching her chin: "It seems the Third Prince isn’t aware of why you can communicate with the Spiritual Body of the Shelter. Do you not know yourself?"
Baiyu shook his head: "If I knew, I wouldn’t have recklessly entered the Shelter. The reaction was too strong at the time, there was no way to hide it."
Erza nodded, "Indeed, that’s unavoidable. However, during the Spirit Realm Tides, I’ve entered a few times with Qiong Yue, you shouldn’t have any major problems."
The Spirit Realm Tides are a major event in the Shelter.
"What are the Spirit Realm Tides?"
Baiyu took the opportunity to gather more information.
Most of what was said about the Spirit Realm Tides was ambiguous, and Baiyu’s understanding in this area was minimal.
However.
Erza also shook her head: "Each Spirit Realm Tide is different, entering a different place. The Spirit Realm Tides allow entry into chaotic areas within the Spirit Realm.
The landscape of the Spirit Realm is vast, containing countless mysteries.
The Human Race’s current understanding of the Spirit Realm is just the tip of the iceberg.
The only certainty is.
Each Spirit Realm Tide offers an opportunity. These opportunities are generally contested by the City Lords of the Shelter.
This time, I cannot accompany you.
Only when your spirit reaches a thousand pascals, can you simply drive my power."
...
Their discussion did not last long.
Aside from certain matters, the information and knowledge Erza wanted to impart to Baiyu were directly infused into the Heart of the Dance, accessible to Baiyu at any time.
Exiting the large lake’s area.
Qiong Xue lay sleeping deeply on a stone table.
As Baiyu approached, she drowsily opened her eyes, somewhat confusedly looking around.
"Finished talking?" She paused for a moment, yawning as she asked.
Baiyu nodded: "Where to next?"
"To the Qiong Family grand hall, my father wants to meet you."
Qiong Xue stood up and continued to lead the way ahead.
...
The Qiong Family grand hall was located at the center of the Qiong Family’s complex, a standing palace with a training field in front, where a giant stone statue of the Qiong Family’s founding ancestor stood.
There weren’t many in the Qiong Family.
By Qiong Xue’s generation, there was already a dwindling in members. Besides Qiong Xue, there were no outstanding descendants.
One reason Qiong Yue chose Baiyu was because of Baiyu’s parents.
But had the Qiong Family had someone who could take up the mantle, she wouldn’t have handed Erza to an outsider.
...
Soon, the two entered the main hall, where the Qiong Family’s Patriarch, Qiong Wencai, walked over.
He was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a robe, exuding an air of scholarly elegance, and his speech was very proper.
Not many in the Qiong Family were allowed to dine in the main hall.
Besides Qiong Xue, the Qiong Family had a few promising descendants, and they got acquainted, but there was no further interaction.
It was evident.
Aside from Qiong Wencai and Qiong Xue.
The rest of the Qiong Family, though not hostile to Baiyu, were not particularly familiar, maintaining a distant and indifferent demeanor.
Once a formal process was complete.
Baiyu returned to his residence to prepare for the following day’s banquet.
The baron is the lowest rank in the Imperial noble hierarchy, but it still cannot be taken lightly, representing the Empire’s authority and dignity, so even a baron’s celebratory banquet requires meticulous planning.
According to Qiong Wencai.
Besides the Namu Earl, over ten viscounts and barons, as well as nobles from the major families of Zenith City, would attend tomorrow.
Of course.
Within the entire Zenith City’s noble families.
The Qiong Family and the Yuwen Clan have the most prominent influence, belonging to top-tier families, each with a Legendary Ship stationed.
The other families were a notch below.
...
After dinner, Baiyu returned to his room and closed the door.
The Qiong Family’s estate was too large.
Apart from meeting with Erza, he hadn’t explored elsewhere.
Knock, knock, knock.
He hadn’t stayed in the room for long when Qiong Xue, still looking sleepy, walked in, carefully holding a bell.
Seeing her trying to stay alert, it was clear there was an important matter.
"This is..."
Baiyu’s attention fell on the bell.
"Dream Bell. As I guessed, the elders of the Qiong Family want to meet you. It’s the first time Erza is entrusted to an outsider, they... might test you a bit."
Qiong Xue placed the bell on the table and sat cross-legged by the bedside.
Baiyu’s gaze settled on the fist-sized copper bell.
Dream Bell.
The name was quite intriguing.
"My dad asked me to bring it to you, just shake it gently, and I’ll protect you from the side." Qiong Xue’s face bore an unusually serious expression.
Baiyu grasped the bell.
A cool sensation passed through.
The chaotic thoughts in his mind cleared at that moment, his spirit and mind entering an incredibly calm realm.
He gently shook his right hand.
Ding.
The copper bell emitted a crisp sound.
Suddenly.
Ripples began to form around him, making the tables, chairs, and benches blur, and Qiong Xue’s figure gradually disappeared into the water ripples.
With another shake.
The ripples expanded in circles.
The room’s scenery had entirely vanished, and Baiyu, in a daze, reopened his eyes to find himself standing amidst clouds and mist, with mountain breezes gently blowing, and flocks of birds flying in the sky.
This is...
"Look here."
Suddenly a voice sounded from behind.
Baiyu turned around.
An elderly man in a black long gown stood cheerfully amidst the clouds behind him, exuding no detectable aura.
"Where is this?"
"My dream, or you can consider it a magical place."
"Who are you?"
"An elder of the Qiong Family, just call me Qiong Meng."
Baiyu clasped his hands, bowing: "Greetings to Elder Qiong."
"No need for formalities, what elder, just a remnant on the road to the Yellow Springs." Qiong Meng looked Baiyu up and down, pleased:
"Not bad, Qiong Yue picked a good seedling."
"Though cultivating both Extraordinary and Martial Dao, you’ve maintained balance well within your body; it seems your spirit is exceptionally resilient, making you a good candidate to bear Erza."
He stepped forward, directly in front of Baiyu.
"Your Blood Qi is also remarkably refined, without undue haste, a rare solid foundation. It seems you’ve devoted enough effort on the Forged Skin and Bone Tempering."
Qiong Meng grew more satisfied: "The only slight flaw is that you’re learning too many disparate things.
Extraordinary individuals have the pillar of Mysticism and frameworks of sequences.
Their advancement pathway is stable and set.
But Martial Artists.
Besides needing personal cultivation for Blood Qi growth, you need to establish your own framework and positioning in Martial Dao.
You have.
Blood Spirit Technique, Qi Spirit Technique, Fighting Spirit Technique...
These three systems don’t complement each other.
Of course, this diversity is a common issue for Martial Artists.
Most people practice whatever they come across in Ancient Martial Arts, and when trying to build a framework later, they find the foundation is already set, and hard to change.
Moreover, the Mysticism learned in school mainly pertains to understanding the Extraordinary.
There are few genuine works analyzing Martial Dao."
Baiyu perked up.
This elder was clearly imparting genuine Martial Dao knowledge.
His own understanding in this aspect was still very limited.
"An unstructured Spirit Technique cannot exert its true power. Your current Blood Qi is at the pinnacle of Tier Eight, and this wooden figure is Tier Nine..."
The elder pointed lightly.
Amidst the white mist.
An Ironwood-man stood up and approached Baiyu.
"Spar with it, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of my words."