CHAPTER 344: CHAPTER 298 BELL BEAD

To avoid alarming the common people, the Heavenly Boat picked up speed and altitude once it exited the valley.

Billowing clouds surged and undulated as though one could extend a hand and grasp the silky, veil-like mist.

A flock of birds approached from the east, skimming close to the billowing sails, gliding with the wind.

The students from various countries leaned against the railings, their hearts stirred, as they recited poetry in hushed voices.

"Risheng, why don’t you join the others in discussing poetry?" Su Feng approached with a cheery smile, carrying a stack of papers in his hand.

Li Ang glanced at Li Hui and the others, who were deeply engrossed in their poetry, and shook his head. "I am well aware of my own level of literary competence, so I’d rather not join the crowd."

Compared to reciting poetry, he was more curious about this ship. How did such a huge vessel take flight? Where were its hidden energy reserves?

Su Feng, noticing the confusion in Li Ang’s eyes, chuckled. "This ship was excavated from the ground by the Academic Palace just fifty years ago and underwent intermittent repairs for several decades. It was only recently, after being presented to His Majesty, that it was deemed ready for use—it serves as a show of strength for you Yu Country students participating in the trial."

"Dr. Su, did you also take part in the repairs?"

"Not personally. The main repair force has always been the Sacrificial Officer and the Doctors from Dongjun Tower, with occasional help from the Tributes at the Imperial Palace."

Su Feng shook his head. "Curious about how the ship takes flight and how it withstands the Heaven and Earth Gang Wind, aren’t you?

"I’m curious too, but Su Zi once said something profound—’Rationality has its limits.’

"Natural Science can analyze and understand some simple Mutated Objects.

"But those complex and dangerous Mutated Objects—their forms of existence, their principles of action—are simply beyond human comprehension.

"The Imperial Family and Hidden Sects of the Former Sui, thinking they could understand and control the Alien, even merge with them, ended up mad or foolish."

Well, in a sense, he himself was now inseparable from the Alien.

Li Ang maintained his composure and continued, "So, is it really okay for us to show off the Heavenly Boat like this?"

"Are you worried it gives Jing Country and Zhou Kingdom something to guard against?"

Su Feng grinned. "Not really. The Heavenly Boat was constructed by the Former Sui Imperial Family using taboo techniques as a vessel to search for Immortal Islands. It had to be built by Cultivators with pure royal blood. Where could one find the Former Sui Imperial Family now? The Heavenly Boat is a unique piece; building a new one would be fraught with difficulties. It serves more as a deterrent to other forces, showcasing the foundation of the Academic Palace.

"Regarding warfare, it’s not that the Heavenly Boat isn’t powerful; a fully functional Heavenly Boat indeed possesses the ability to annihilate a nation with a single vessel. However, such a slow and bulky ship is less efficient and direct than sending ten Candle Cloud Cultivators to penetrate deep into enemy territory. Additionally, there are issues of cost and risk. All things considered, an airplane has more potential. It’s a creation within the scope of Natural Science that can be replicated and reproduced without the risk of losing control."

Then why not combine them into a space-faring mothership?

A Cultivator’s greatest deficiency stems from the inherent ’frailty’ of their body. This ’frailty’ is particularly evident when compared to a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Even Great Practitioners of other Dao Paths can be mortally endangered if struck in vital spots. This is why the nations of the world are in their current state—the Candle Cloud Realm is the pillar of a nation. If its cultivators were to appear on the battlefield, achieving significant victories and emerging unscathed would be acceptable. However, if a large number of Candle Cloud Cultivators were injured or killed, it would destabilize national security. Other countries’ Candle Cloud Cultivators could then exploit this weakness, potentially slaughtering all the Inspectors and governors of the State Mansions within a single day.

And airplanes are much cheaper...

RUSTLE—

The sails of the Heavenly Boat lowered slightly, and with them, the cruising altitude of the entire vessel descended below the clouds.

Everyone had already left the Chang’an territory. As far as the eye could see, mountain ranges rose and fell in succession, with jungles lush and dense, without a single trace of human habitation or smoke from cooking fires.

"We’ve arrived at the Mountain of Mind and Heart."

The voice of the Sacrificial Officer, Chen Danqiu, spread across the entire deck. "I will now introduce the rules of the trial.

"The trial ground is the entire Mountain of Mind and Heart mountain range, and the trial will last for one hundred and sixty-eight hours.

"In a moment, each of you will receive two talismans: one Protection Talisman, capable of defending against a fatal injury once, and one Alarm Talisman. Upon activation, the Alarm Talisman is equivalent to surrendering and withdrawing from the competition; at that time, a teacher will come to escort you.

"As for the winning condition—we have previously dispersed many Exotic Beasts within the boundaries of the Mountain of Mind and Heart. Some of these beasts will be carrying special Bell Beads."

Bell Beads?

Li Ang’s brows furrowed slightly; he immediately recalled content from Exotic Beast Taxonomy.

A student from Longxi Academy raised his hand and asked, "May I ask the Sacrificial Officer, by Bell Beads are you referring to Sea Shell Bell Beads?"

"That’s correct."

Chen Danqiu nodded. "In the Endless Sea, the Sea Pearls produced by mollusk demon beasts are called Sea Shell Bell Beads. Depending on the type of mollusk, the Bell Beads will also have unique traits, such as Water Avoidance, Wind Control, Beast Driving, and so on.

"They are somewhat similar to talismans.

"We have engraved numbers on the Bell Beads, representing their score and type. The higher the score, the stronger the effect of the Bell Bead, and the more dangerous the Exotic Beast carrying it will be.

"You can consume the Bell Beads to protect and conceal yourself, or use them for offense to plunder others’ Bell Beads.

"At the end of the trial, rankings will be determined by the total score of the remaining unused Bell Beads each person holds. Those who are eliminated early will not have their rankings recorded."

Collect Bell Beads, ensure survival.

This rule seemed straightforward, but the students from various countries on the deck immediately grasped the underlying issue.

The trial rankings would be determined by the total score of the Bell Beads. This meant that to secure a chance to advance to Zhanquan for further study, one had to achieve a top-ten position.

The presence of Bell Beads and Exotic Beasts meant that Rain Listening Realm Cultivators facing Cloud Patrol Realm opponents might not be completely without a chance to fight.

Whether it was accumulating Bell Beads, utilizing Bell Beads in battle, setting traps and ambushes, or luring Exotic Beasts to attack others, there were opportunities for the weaker to triumph over the stronger.

More importantly, it was not forbidden to form alliances...

The students present exchanged glances, their gazes turning complex and unreadable.

Chen Danqiu asked calmly, "Are there any more questions?"

"Sacrificial Officer," Li Hui raised his hand, inquiring earnestly, "if someone by chance digs up a treasure from the Jialan Sect ruins, who does it belong to? Is it possible to immediately withdraw from the competition after excavating a Secret Treasure?"

Light laughter echoed across the deck.

Even Chen Danqiu allowed a rare smile. "Of course. The Jialan Sect has been scoured by us for so many years; if Prince Yue can unearth a Secret Treasure, it can only mean that His Highness has an affinity with Buddhist teachings.

"Furthermore, we have also placed Bell Beads within some ruins.

"Whether to delve deep into the heartland of the Jialan Sect, explore Secret Realms, and search for Secret Treasures, or to stay around the Mountain of Mind and Heart, hunting demons and accumulating strength—that will be for each of you to decide.

"Well, we’ve arrived at the Mountain of Mind and Heart. You may all proceed now. We will await good news outside the mountain."