Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Clan Rewards, Choosing a Secret Technique

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Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi actually didn’t ask where the Spirit Coins for purchasing the “Moon Blade Meteor Wheel” came from, which puzzled Zhou Chun somewhat.

However, this was undoubtedly a great thing for him.

Although he believed that the reasons he fabricated were faultless, a lie was ultimately still a lie.

If he could avoid lying, then there would be no possibility of being exposed.

So, in the following days, Zhou Chun was both waiting for Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi to finalize the reward for offering up the Hidden Cicada Breathing Technique and inquiring about the clan’s internal selection competition registration details from familiar clan members like Zhou Zhengyong.

The Zhou Family was holding the internal selection competition this time to encourage clan members to eagerly register and participate, and they had set up a reward system.

Those who made it into the top ten of the elite and youth divisions would be awarded with an additional year’s worth of welfare and merit rewards according to their status within the clan.

Although the reward was not much, having something was better than nothing.

Therefore, almost every cultivator in the clan who met the registration requirements signed up.

Of course, for Zhou Chun, making it into the top ten of the youth division posed virtually no problem, and even making it into the top three was not entirely out of reach.

As for first place, let’s not even mention it.

The Zhou Family’s cultivator under thirty with the highest cultivation level now is Zhou Zhengkang, the seventh in the “Zheng” generation, who is only twenty-nine this year but has already reached the tenth level of the Qi Refinement Realm and possesses at least two first-grade superior Magic Artifacts.

This Zhou Zhengkang is also a strong contender for first place in the youth division of the five major families’ magic duel event, and the Zhou Family elders placed high hopes on him.

Zhou Chun’s goal was simple; it didn’t matter for the Zhou Family’s internal competition, as long as he could make it into the top ten of the five families’ magic duel event.

It was said that cultivators who made it into the top ten would receive either a first-grade superior Magic Artifact or an elixir or Spiritual Objects of equivalent value as a reward.

This was a very substantial reward.

In this way, while waiting, three days passed by in a flash.

Three days later, Zhou Chun was summoned to Pagoda Peak by Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s Spirit Pet “Lan Lan” and then learned of his reward.

“After discussions with the three Elders, we have decided to grant the following rewards to Zhengchun for offering up the Hidden Cicada Breathing Technique.”

“Promote you, Zhengchun, to the status of elite clan member.”

“Bestow upon you the opportunity to choose one secret technique for cultivation from the second floor of the Book Collection Tower.”

“Award you three hundred merit points.”

In the Central Peace Hall, Zhou Daoyi looked at Zhou Chun, who he had summoned, and solemnly announced the rewards.

The rewards could not be considered anything but generous!

Leaving aside the status of an elite clan member, just the opportunity to choose a secret technique for cultivation and the three hundred merit points were significant benefits.

Even Zhou Chun did not expect the rewards to be so much more generous than he had estimated.

He was so startled that he forgot to express his thanks.

It was only when Zhou Daoyi saw that he was silent and reminded him, saying, “How is it? Are you satisfied with the family’s rewards, Zhengchun?”

That he finally snapped out of it.

He nodded repeatedly and replied, “Satisfied, this junior is very satisfied.”

After speaking, he bowed to Zhou Daoyi and said, “Thank you, Clan Leader, and thank you to all the Elders for your favor. I am extremely grateful.”

“If you are satisfied, then that is good.”

Zhou Daoyi nodded and then earnestly instructed Zhou Chun, “As long as you are dedicated to working for the family in the future, the family will definitely not shortchange you in the slightest.”

“Yes, this junior will definitely bear the Clan Leader’s teachings in mind.”

Zhou Chun respectfully responded, then left Pagoda Peak with a thousand thanks.

Afterward, he didn’t delay in the slightest and directly headed to Flying Rock Peak, where the Book Collection Tower was located.

Zhou Chun had been curious about the second floor of the Zhou Family’s Book Collection Tower for more than a day or two.

Now that he finally had the chance to enter and choose a secret technique for cultivation, how could he sit still?

And to gain access to the second floor of the Book Collection Tower, Elder Zhou Daoquan had to help unlock it.

Zhou Chun waited on Flying Rock Peak for nearly two hours before Elder Zhou Daoquan finally had time to come to the outside of the Book Collection Tower.

Elder Zhou Daoquan had a deep impression of Zhou Chun, who had left that mysterious snake egg with him for research.

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Upon seeing him, he looked at him with an approving smile and said, “Boy, your luck isn’t bad at all. Usually, only core clan members can enter the second floor of the Book Collection Tower to choose a secret technique to cultivate. Yet, you’ve managed to do it right after being promoted to an elite clan member.”

Zhou Chun, upon hearing this, also courteously complimented in return, “It’s all thanks to the Clan Leader and the Elders’ support and care that allows a junior like me to have this opportunity.”

Hearing his words, Zhou Daoquan couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, “Heh heh, you certainly have a way with words, boy. No wonder the Clan Leader takes such a liking to you, speaking highly of you in front of us.”

The Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi taking such a liking to him?

Zhou Chun’s expression froze for a moment, followed by an immense joy in his heart.

Zhou Daoquan would certainly not deceive him about such a matter, hence it was mostly likely true.

This was indeed very good news for him.

Being favored by Zhou Daoyi, the Clan Leader, would mean he had a solid backing within the Zhou Family from now on.

Although he felt jubilant inside, he still tried to keep his composure on the surface, continuing to say good words, “Everything the junior says is from the heart, completely honest and true.”

However, Zhou Daoquan didn’t pay any further attention to him. Instead, he formed a spell with his hands and cast a beam of spiritual light towards a corner of the first floor of the Book Collection Tower.

Instantly, the staircase passage, previously concealed by a forbidden technique, revealed itself before Zhou Chun’s eyes.

“Alright, I’ve undone the seal. Go up to the second floor and make your selection. Once you’ve chosen, come down and tell me,” he said.

Zhou Daoquan waved his hand and, after dropping those words, he walked over to the Green-Haired Giant Ape that was guarding the Book Collection Tower and started to communicate with this remarkable beast of the Zhou Family in the beast language.

As a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator proficient in the Beast Taming Technique, Zhou Daoquan was fluent in over a dozen beast languages, allowing him to communicate directly with related Demon Beasts.

Of course, this kind of communication was limited to some simple vocabulary, and it was far less convenient compared with the tamed Spirit Beasts than those in the wild.

Zhou Chun had long been accustomed to seeing Zhou Family cultivators communicate with Spirit Beasts in the beast language and found it nothing unusual.

After a brief glance, he walked up the stairs to the second floor of the Book Collection Tower, filled with anticipation.

Compared to the vastness of the first floor, the second floor had much less space.

Moreover, upon looking up, Zhou Chun saw only the bookshelf labeled with the word “Secret Techniques,” while other areas remained blank, still obscured by forbidden techniques.

He walked over to the bookshelf and quickly scanned the top, where thirteen books were neatly arrayed in a row.

These thirteen books represented the thirteen secret techniques owned by the Zhou Family.

Of course, Zhou Chun was aware that the Zhou Family definitely possessed more than just these thirteen secret techniques. However, the ones available for their Qi Refinement Realm clan members to cultivate were only these so far.

Among them was even the “Hidden Cicada Breathing Technique” he had offered.

“Golden Spirit Sword Technique,” a Swordsmanship secret technique, can only be cultivated by those with a Metal Attribute Spiritual Root, consisting of two levels. Upon mastering the first level, one can enhance blade and sword-type Magic Artifacts with “Golden Spirit Sword Gleam,” improving the sharpness of the artifact; upon reaching the second level, one can wield “Golden Spirit Sword Qi” through blade and sword-type Magic Artifacts, with power comparable to a first-rank superior spell.

“Five Elements Spiritual Armor Technique,” a defensive secret technique. After successful cultivation, one can condense a suit of Five Elements Spirit Armor according to one’s own Mana attributes, with the defensive effect depending on the individual’s Cultivation Level.

“Blood Burning Spirit Conversion Technique,” an auxiliary secret technique. After successful cultivation, it allows the conversion of vital blood into Mana.

…

Zhou Chun looked over each of them and found that the bookshelf contained secret techniques of various purposes, and they all seemed quite impressive.

Unfortunately, he could only choose one secret technique to cultivate right now.

The next time he wished to select another secret technique to cultivate, he feared he would have to wait until he was promoted to a core clan member.

So, after much deliberation, Zhou Chun still chose the defensive secret technique “Five Elements Spiritual Armor Technique.”

He was afraid of dying.

And such a defensive secret technique, once successfully cultivated, would undoubtedly greatly increase his ability to defend himself and preserve his life in battles and confrontations.

After selecting the secret technique, Zhou Chun brought the book down the stairs and handed it to Elder Zhou Daoquan.

Zhou Daoquan took the book, glanced at the name, and nodded slightly, “Now that you have made your choice, keep the rubbing of this secret technique with the old ape. When you want to cultivate the secret technique, come to it to get the rubbing for your study until you’ve learned it.”

He then passed the book to the Green-Haired Giant Ape standing beside him.

“As you command, Elder,” replied Zhou Chun, who then gave a respectful bow to the Green-Haired Giant Ape.

Just then, Zhou Daoquan seemed to remember something and suddenly turned to him, “By the way, that exotic beast egg you left for the old man to study, I’ve already made some progress. If nothing unexpected occurs, we should obtain results within half a year. Remember not to wander around during this time, so the old man can find you when the time comes!”

So quickly the research was yielding results?

Zhou Chun was startled, then overjoyed and immediately nodded seriously, “Yes, I will remember that.”