Chapter 220 – The First to Comprehend the Monolith (1/2)
Chapter 220 - The First to Comprehend the Monolith
Viewing the monoliths of the Mausoleum of Books and comprehending the Dao. This was the fastest method for cultivators to break through into the next realm. This point had been confirmed countless years ago, so obviously none of the examinees from the Grand Examination needed to confirm it. In this tree-covered mausoleum mountain, it was very common to see monolith viewers break into the next realm. Occasionally, there would even be someone breaking through into the Star Condensation Realm, not even speaking of the Ethereal Opening Realm.
Logically, even if Zhong Hui only needed one night to break through, it still did not necessitate such a huge response, and yet besides those new entrants to the mausoleum like Su Moyu and Ye Xiaolian, those who had stayed in the mausoleum, as well as several senior Monolith attendants, all had serious expressions plastered on their faces. This was because if Zhong Hui succeeded, he would be the first amongst this new batch to break through. It was also because, regardless of any suspicious circumstances, he had only seen the first monolith of the mausoleum and obtained great benefits to his cultivation. Perhaps this was an indication that his powers of comprehension were astonishingly extraordinary.
Chen Changsheng did nott lock gazes with Ji Jin for long before turning to Zhong Hui, who still sat cross-legged before the monolith hut. As he watched the mist curl around Zhong Hui’s body and listened to the increasingly frantic sounds of boiling water, he thought to himself, in the end what had really happened? Last night Zhong Hui had not even found a method to comprehend the monolith, not even thinking about the possibility of breaking through. How could it be that over the course of one night, such great change occurred?
“Apparently Zhong Hui sat in front of the monolith hut for the entire night, I also heard…that senior Ji Jin guarded him for the entire night as well.” Su Moyu walked from the edge of the woods to stand by Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six.
Chen Changsheng frowned slightly as he thought of a certain incident that had been brought up in Xun Mei’s notebook. Around twenty years ago, there was once a Monolith Guardian that originated from the Heavenly Dao Academy that had used some sort of method to help a Heavenly Dao Academy student viewing the monoliths to break into the next realm. As he looked at Ji Jin’s face, he thought to himself that maybe this person had unstintingly used an enormous amount of true essence and spirit and transferred it to Zhong Hui.
“I’m thinking the same as you, but the problem is that it’s just a bit too wasteful.” Gou Hanshi walked over. He had seen Chen Changsheng’s expression and could guess what he was thinking. “Senior Ji Jin consumed, at the very least, half of his true essence, but Zhong Hui can only maintain it for half a day. After that, the true essence will disperse from his body.”
Chen Changsheng replied. “But you can still remember the sensations. At different realms of cultivation, what the eyes see in the monolith inscriptions will naturally be different.”
Gou Hanshi nodded in agreement. “If it’s to forcefully increase comprehension speed, then this course of action would actually make some sense.”
There were some people around the monolith hut that had taken note of Chen Changsheng’s arrival. Seeing him converse with Gou Hanshi caused their expressions to subtly shift.
In the eyes of those people, the discussion taking place was far too calm and collected. There was no sense of anxiety whatsoever. There were even some people who began to grow anxious on their behalf. Tang Thirty-Six and Zhexiu calmly watched Chen Changsheng. Guan Feibai and the other two from Mount Li calmly watched Gou Hanshi. None of them said anything, but their meaning was crystal clear: It’s time for you two to start working harder!”
Su Moyu said, “Breaking into Ethereal Opening and then successfully comprehending the monolith. If this really is what Zhong Hui did, then you from Grass Hut Seven will unavoidably be a little embarrassed.”
Chen Changsheng was taken aback by those words. “What is this Grass Hut Seven?” he asked in confusion.
Su Moyu looked at the group of seven and explained, “Amongst this year’s examinees, you seven are the ones that have received the most attention. After all of you entered the mausoleum, all of you ended up staying in the same grass hut. Some people feel that you separated yourselves from the rest of us on purpose. Some people feel that you’re all arrogant and aloof. I don’t know who started it, but this name has already begun circulating.”
Tang Thirty-Six proudly said, “Let them be jealous.”
Guan Feibai indifferently said, “To not cause jealousy in others is mediocrity.”
The two glanced at each other, then suddenly felt that something was not right. They turned their faces away from each other than simultaneously said, “But don’t think we’re on the same track.”
This humorous dispute did nothing to dispel the mood around the monolith hut. Those people, whose gazes rested on the group of seven, held rather complex emotions.
Chen Changsheng clearly felt that Ji Jin had used that one night’s time to allow Zhong Hui forcefully break through, so that Zhong Hui would comprehend the monolith faster than him and Gou Hanshi. The Divine Empress’ words that Tang Thirty-Six had used last night essentially had no effect. To become the first among this year’s examinees to comprehend a monolith, that was the greatest glory.
Right then, something happened in front of the monolith hut. Ji Jin lightly moved over to Zhong Hui’s, gave a shout to wake him up, then stuck a pill in his mouth. Then, his hand began to path Zhong Hui’s back.
Gou Hanshi’s expression was somewhat apprehensive. “Scholartree Manor’s Crossing Heaven Pill?’”
Chen Changsheng did not know what this ‘Crossing Heaven Pill’ was, but the vast majority of the people in front of the monolith hut did. Hearing Gou Hanshi’s words, their faces could not help but change color. To think that Scholartree Manor would use such a precious medicine to help Zhong Hui break through. It was easy to see how much Scholartree Manor valued this youthful scholar, and it was also because of Ji Jin’s intense desire to see Chen Changsheng and the others thwarted.
Zhong Hui swallowed the pill, then used the true essence that he had obtained from Ji Jin to digest the pill. In a flash, his face took on a deep red complexion, then after a moment returned to normal. The mist that pervaded his body grew much darker. Then, like smoke returning to the mountaintop, it slowly made its way back into his body.
An extremely pure breath of Qi appeared around the monolith hut.
The oil lantern that was hung up on the tree had long since gone out, but now it suddenly began to sway back and forth. A cool breeze was blowing from some unknown place, and the flowers and plants around the Reflecting Monolith swayed with the wind.
Zhong Hui opened his eyes and stood up. He slowly turned around and looked at the crowd around him. His gaze seemed much more serene, much more profound than usual.
A Scholartree Manor student happily shouted, “Congratulations to senior for breaking through!”
Those monolith viewers that had stayed in the mausoleum voiced their agreement. One of them said, “Scholartree Manor’s hidden reserves are truly profound. Excellent, excellent!”
Zhong Hui was very tranquil. His handsome face bore not a hint of ecstasy and not a trace of arrogance. He clasped his hands in salutation to the crowd, his manner and behavior both unhurried.
One of the old timers praised, “Although he had outside help, in the end he still entered a new realm. To break through into a new realm after viewing only the first monolith is by no means an easy feat.”
“Many thanks to Martial Uncle for his assistance.” Zhong Hui turned to Ji Jin, clasped his hands, and bowed down to the ground, his voice filled with sincerity.
Ji Jin’s pale face showed a hint of red. He lightly stroked his hair and said nothing, extremely satisfied.