Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8543: The ruler (1)

Cheng Wanchun gradually opened his eyes, releasing a deep sigh. His session of cultivation had just wrapped up. In that instant, admiration filled him for the Ghostwind bandits' leader. The method he practiced before wasn't poor at all. It stemmed from a minor sect's inheritance and qualified as a solid technique. Still, his advancement rate was painfully sluggish, demanding relentless effort from him. Yet, the results stayed minimal. Plainly, he lingered in the Dharma cultivation realm.

But after adopting the song of righteousness Qi, it felt like his innate talent for cultivation burst forth unexpectedly. His progress turned astonishingly swift, almost unnerving him. A full month had passed since he began this new Qi practice. His power level now hit the Dharma usage realm, outpacing his earlier projections by two whole months.

This day marked the moment for selecting his ritual implement. At the thought, a spark of delight crossed Cheng Wanchun's face. He rose to his feet, straightened his attire, and stepped outside. Upon reaching the front yard, he encountered numerous fellow cultivators. Each one offered greetings, which he returned warmly. Evidently, over the past month of intense cultivation, he'd forged connections with plenty of people.

In truth, Cheng Wanchun had gotten acquainted with many individuals. He grasped the academy's layout well too. Thousands pursued cultivation within its walls, overseen by multiple headmasters. Lu Yongde served as just one, handling the academy's daily operations.

From conversations with others, Cheng Wanchun learned their mountain range academy boasted fewer members than the branches on nearby peaks. This revelation deepened his grasp of the Ghostwind bandits' formidable might. He'd even witnessed a Heavenly Tribulation right there. The sight had stunned him utterly. That was a Heavenly Tribulation! It signaled a cultivator ascending to Island Lord level. How could he not feel awestruck? An Island Lord expert ranked as a distant, untouchable giant in his eyes.

Yet, the reactions around him stayed nonchalant. Inquiries revealed that Heavenly Tribulations occurred periodically. They claimed over a thousand experts surpassed the Island Lord level. The sheer figure left Cheng Wanchun reeling in shock.

Still, this discovery ignited hope within Cheng Wanchun. He dreamed of someday enduring his own Heavenly Tribulation, rising to Island Lord status, or perhaps securing a spot in the top three teams. Only those elite groups could elevate someone to true fame among the realm's cultivators. Such achievements meant everything to aspirants like him.

Through offhand talks with peers, Cheng Wanchun discovered the top three teams. These elite units included the Ghostwind team, the Blood Ghost Team, and the Divine Arms Battalion. Renowned as the pinnacle forces, they enjoyed superior training regimens, cultivation methods, and magical treasures. Even the Ghostwind bandits' boss occasionally instructed them personally. Consequently, their prowess stood unmatched. The cultivator he'd observed facing the Heavenly Tribulation belonged to one of these top three teams.

As a result, the top three teams had evolved into legendary entities across the realm. Cheng Wanchun encountered their reputation for the first time and yearned to join them someday. For now, though, he could merely harbor the ambition, channeling it into furious cultivation efforts.

Reaching the front yard, Cheng Wanchun headed directly to Lu Yongde's quarters. He rapped softly on the door and announced in a resonant tone, "Cheng Wanchun seeks an audience with Headmaster Lu!" Beyond cultivation this past month, he'd delved into Confucian sect texts, refining his manners considerably.

"Wan Chun, you've arrived—enter," Lu Yongde's voice responded. Cheng Wanchun acknowledged and pushed the door open. Stepping inside revealed a spacious living area. Opposite the entrance sat a lengthy table bearing a bowl of tea. Flanking it were two chairs, one occupied by Lu Yongde on the left side.

To Lu Yongde's left stood another chair, separated by a small side table, oriented toward the door. The right side mirrored this setup. Both rows of seats faced inward. The room exuded refined elegance overall. Hanging on the wall across from the entrance was a bold inscription of the word "Dao". In his left hand, Lu Yongde clutched a book, gazing at Cheng Wanchun with a grin. He appraised the young man and remarked, "Excellent, truly impressive. Wan Chun, I never anticipated you'd attain the magical usage realm so swiftly in just one month. You've surpassed the expected timeline splendidly. Well done, but stay vigilant—press on with diligence."

Cheng Wanchun bowed in agreement, and Lu Yongde pressed on smilingly, "A month has flown by. Today marks your ritual implement selection. Since you've embraced a fresh technique, the prior implement no longer fits. With this period of practice, your method has transformed—you understand its nature now. So, proceed to pick your ritual implement. I'm confident the one you select will align perfectly with you. Come along." Rising then, he tucked away the book and guided Cheng Wanchun outside. Cheng Wanchun hurried after him toward the academy's rear. Entering a courtyard, he spotted a teleportation formation.

Beside the array stood a modest chamber. An individual emerged from it, eyeing Lu Yongde silently. Lu Yongde clasped his fists in salute and stated, "Greetings, Lord Sun. This is Cheng Wanchun, who joined our mountain range Academy a month back. I've brought him today to select a Dharma artifact."

Lord Sun eyed Cheng Wanchun briefly and gave a nod. Wordlessly, he pivoted and retreated to his room. Cheng Wanchun and Lu Yongde approached the teleportation array. A burst of white light enveloped them, depositing the pair in a vast cavern. Its precise location escaped them. Sealed entirely, the cave permitted access solely via the teleportation array—no other exits existed.

Shelves lined the cavern, laden with diverse Dharma artifacts. Volumes, scrolls, brushes, inkstones, and peculiar ink substances filled them. Stranger items Cheng Wanchun couldn't identify dotted the collection. He even noticed two alms bowl-like objects. But now he recognized them as brush baths, not alms bowls.

Lu Yongde instructed Cheng Wanchun, "Wan Chun, select one that calls to you. Remember, just a single choice this time. Follow your instincts, and check for harmony with your mana. Proceed." Cheng Wanchun assented and started browsing.

As Cheng Wanchun navigated among the ritual implements, he sensed their auras. True to Lu Yongde's advice, he sought the one that resonated deepest with him. Advancing further, a sudden tug in his heart halted him. His gaze locked onto a particular object on a nearby shelf.

Approaching closely, he examined it. The pair wasn't flashy. Each measured roughly a foot in length and an inch across, clearly matched. They gleamed in a brassy yellow hue, not golden, about a finger's breadth thick. They resembled plain copper bars. Yet, each bore an intricately carved, ferocious tiger that sent chills through the viewer.

Before, Cheng Wanchun might have overlooked their significance, but now he knew better. Though plain-looking, these copper bars held fame. Known as copper rulers, scholars employed them to secure paper during writing. They ranked among standard scholarly tools.

A profound affinity drew Cheng Wanchun to this pair of copper rulers from the outset. Without hesitation, he lifted them. The connection deepened, feeling like an extension of his own body. Inhaling deeply, he fondled them appreciatively. Moments later, clutching the copper rulers, he returned to Lu Yongde.

Standing before Lu Yongde, Cheng Wanchun presented the copper ruler and saluted, "Sect master, I've made my choice—this pair of copper rulers." He lifted them up. They carried substantial weight in his grasp, yet Cheng Wanchun relished the heft.

Eyeing the copper ruler in Cheng Wanchun's hold, Lu Yongde nodded approvingly. "Fine choice. These are the Twin Tiger suppression rulers. Their exact functions remain a mystery for now. Once back, explore them gradually. Right, time to leave." With that, he ushered Cheng Wanchun toward the teleportation formation. Instantly, white light flared, returning them to the courtyard.

Materializing in the courtyard, they found Lord Sun already positioned, awaiting them. The duo promptly saluted him. Lord Sun inclined his head, then produced a jade slip and declared, "You've selected the Twin Tiger suppression ruler, so this jade slip belongs to you. The sect leader entrusted it to me, instructing that whoever picks the Twin Tiger suppression ruler receives it. Here." He extended it to Cheng Wanchun.

Both Cheng Wanchun and Lu Yongde stood stunned. They recognized the sect master Lord Sun referenced, which amplified their surprise. Never had they imagined Zhao Hai preparing a jade slip in advance. Notably, he hadn't done so for other magical tools, yet this copper ruler warranted one. The anomaly astounded them.

Lu Yongde recovered first, glancing enviously at the jade slip before addressing Cheng Wanchun. "Wan Chun, accept the jade slip. Choosing this ruler proves your bond with it. Redouble your efforts from here. Grab it—we must return." "Yes, sir!" Cheng Wanchun replied with thrill. He accepted the jade slip, saluted Lord Sun, and bowed. Lord Sun paid him no mind, withdrawing to his room. The pair departed the courtyard and headed back.