"Have you decided? Which path do you want to follow?" Zhuo Qilian asked.
"Spiritual Law!" Yun Ye declared.
"A wise choice," Zhuo Qilian nodded. "The path of the spiritual law only requires talent and practice, while the physical and divine laws require rare spiritual objects and are extremely difficult to master."
Zhuo Qilian then explained how to begin the Four Heavenly Paths. The awakening technique applies not only to spiritual roots but also to physical fitness and spiritual consciousness. Those who practice physical fitness need to awaken the body's spiritual light first, followed by the spiritual roots. Those who practice spiritual consciousness must awaken the consciousness of God, then the spiritual roots and physical body.
Typically, the physical body and spiritual consciousness are inferior to spiritual roots in initial combat effectiveness. Without corresponding resources and talents, these paths are likely dead ends.
Though Yun Ye wanted to learn the divine law to shield his thoughts, he needed power immediately. Time was of the essence!
**Evening**
Hungry, Yun Ye exited the first hall. He hadn't yet mastered the awakening technique and needed advice from other teachers. Zhuo Qilian wasn't the only teacher in Chutang; she guided, while others provided specific teaching.
Despite the empty scene, Yun Ye felt Zhuo Qilian was surely a beauty. Her voice alone was captivating.
"What was I doing just now?" Yun Ye suddenly realized he had forgotten parts of his memory. He remembered the knowledge but not who taught it or the dialogue that took place. This strange situation indicated a spiritual method affecting his memory. Why would the teacher blur her presence? Yun Ye felt a deep sense of fear and suspicion. Did they know something about his reincarnations?
He turned to leave, planning to master the spiritual law quickly, and possibly the divine law, to erase any traces of what happened if necessary—even eradicating the house's owner if needed!
**Crash!**
A tall figure bumped into Yun Ye, causing him to step back. The boy, about fifteen, smiled and pressed Yun Ye's shoulder.
"Get to know me. I'm Li Price from Bailian Steel. You might not know what Hundred Steel is... but you need to join us."
Trouble had found Yun Ye. It wasn't surprising; as a potential cultivator, he was bound to attract attention. Before, he avoided faction battles due to his chaotic situation. But now, in the Hall of Awakening, he had some value and room to maneuver.
"What do you want?" Yun Ye wrote, knowing private fights were banned but power dynamics still ruled.
Li Ji ignored the writing and continued smiling. "Pay ten pieces of silver, and you can join Hundred Steel. You'll get senior brother advice and share in profitable ventures."
Yun Ye bargained, "How about five? I don't have much money."
Li Ji agreed quickly. Free money was always welcome. Yun Ye led him to his residence, handed over five pieces of silver, and Li Ji's demeanor softened.
"Perhaps you don’t know much about this place yet, but you can't survive alone here. Hundred Steel is one of the three biggest forces in the Awakening Church. Joining us is the right move," Li Ji explained.
According to Li Ji, participating in the combat rankings was mandatory. Ideally, this allowed students to hone their skills. In reality, the strong bullied the weak, often causing serious injuries to new students to force them into submission. Hundred Steel was originally formed to resist this but had become just another faction.
Exchanging five pieces of silver for peace was a small price to pay until Yun Ye grew stronger. Hundred Steel even had spiritual root revivers, so for now, he had to endure.
**End of the Year**
Yun Ye passed the second test and entered the third, with improved results rated as "good." His mastery of Qi nourishing technique had advanced significantly. By the end of the year, Wang Yao also stepped into the realm of small success in nourishing qi and joined the awakening hall. Like Yun Ye, Wang Yao paid to avoid trouble but lived a frugal life.
Encouraged by senior brothers, Wang Yao worked hard, and Yun Ye's Qi-nourishing skill also improved. He decided to perform his first spiritual awakening, a method consuming life energy to activate the body's potential.
Yun Ye learned the awakening technique surprisingly quickly. Despite its complexity, he realized it was profound and required careful practice.
"I didn't expect the awakening technique to be so complicated," Yun Ye said, pale and dizzy from failed attempts. His life energy was depleted, and recovery was slow. If he continued at this rate, it might take a whole year to master!