Chapter 74: Silver Radiance Art
Wang Jie attempted once more, but it was still futile. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. “I asked you to buy these sword tassels, but you never asked me for money?”
Cheng Qian respectfully replied, “Accompanying Lake Residence is allocated funds by the Empire. It is sufficient.”
Wang Jie nodded. There were indeed such benefits—he could truly enjoy them.
“My Lord seems preoccupied?”
Wang Jie sat down, sipping an unfamiliar drink. It was cold upon entry, sweet with a hint of sourness—quite enjoyable. “I’m researching some information, but unfortunately, I can’t find anything.”
“What information does My Lord seek? I can assist.”
“Information regarding the light black seal.”
Cheng Qian was momentarily startled. “My Lord wishes to learn how to enhance a ten-seal imprint to a light black seal?”
Wang Jie glanced at him. “Correct.”
Cheng Qian said, “In that case, there is no need to research further. Such information cannot be found in records. To deepen an imprint to a light black seal requires a powerful cultivation technique or method. Such things are almost impossible to acquire in the outside world—only major forces possess them, such as the Frost Splendor Sect.”
Wang Jie frowned. “Are you saying even the Silver Radiance Empire lacks one?”
Cheng Qian nodded.
Wang Jie was troubled. “It’s just a ten-seal cultivation, yet it already involves major powers?”
Cheng Qian sighed. “The path of cultivation is built step by step. The lower the realm, the more essential it is to lay a solid foundation. This is common knowledge in the cultivation world. Some techniques, even if only applicable within the ten-seal realm, are so effective that their value far surpasses techniques for higher realms. This is normal.”
Wang Jie grew curious. “How do you know so much?”
“I once served the previous Emperor in the Imperial Palace, so I know a bit more.”
“So, in the entire Frost Radiance Star Chain, only the Frost Splendor Sect has such a technique?”
Cheng Qian sighed. “Actually, our Silver Radiance Empire once had one too. It was called the Silver Radiance Art. This technique was ineffective in the Star-Breaking Realm and Full Star Realm, becoming increasingly useless as the realm rose. Yet within the ten-seal stage, its effects were unmatched—it could deepen an imprint to a light black seal.”
“Throughout the entire Eighth Star Chain, or rather, the Frost Radiance Star Chain, the only comparable technique was Frost Splendor Moon.”
“It was also the foundation of our Silver Radiance Empire’s establishment. Unfortunately, it was lost. Since then, our empire has declined to its current state.”
“At our peak, our territory was ten times its current size.”
Wang Jie was puzzled. “How did it get lost?”
Cheng Qian revealed a bitter smile. “It is said that someone came to seize it. The Emperor of that era had a fiery temper—he burned the Silver Radiance Art right in front of them.”
Wang Jie was stunned. That was truly an explosive temperament.
“No backups?”
“If there had been, how could it have deceived the enemy? The Silver Radiance Art was truly gone.”
Wang Jie was speechless. This was the definition of sacrificing a thousand to wound a hundred.
Did he need a powerful cultivation technique? It seemed reasonable. Otherwise, if a few Slaughter Stones were all it took, anyone could deepen their imprint to light black, making it practically worthless.
Especially someone like Insect Xuan—with the vast amounts of cataclysm materials gathered in an Insect Tide, what couldn’t he accomplish?
Just as Wang Jie was about to ask another question, his personal terminal suddenly rang.
He glanced at it. Hm? A mission?
Cheng Qian respectfully withdrew, not daring to pry.
Wang Jie stared at the personal terminal. This mission was directly issued by the Contribution System:
Mission: Proceed to the designated coordinates and rendezvous. Follow the captain’s orders.
Wang Jie had no idea who had assigned him this task. He had no interest in going. There was no other reason—if this was indeed war, then neither the Frost Splendor Sect nor the Silver Radiance Empire had anything to do with him. He had no intention of risking his life for others.
Going to the battlefield now would make him no different from a war slave.
With that thought, he immediately contacted Jun Hua.
“Did you receive a mission?” Jun Hua was evidently unaware. After Wang Jie explained, she told him to wait.
Elsewhere, Jun Hua turned to Yu Dong. “Jin Chu bypassed us and directly assigned a mission to Wang Jie.”
Yu Dong’s eyes flickered. “She wants him to go to the Ninth Star Chain?”
Jun Hua nodded.
“What do you think?”
“Wang Jie does not wish to go.”
“Then let’s ask Senior Sister Jin Chu.”
Jun Hua immediately contacted Jin Chu and received the response that Wang Jie was simply the most suitable candidate. They needed a ten-seal expert to infiltrate the Ninth Star Chain, one who had never stayed in the Frost Splendor Sect or had extensive contact with its disciples.
Jun Hua cited Wang Jie’s frequent interactions with them as a reason to decline the mission on his behalf.
Jin Chu was indifferent. He was just a minor ten-seal cultivator. There were plenty of candidates, so she agreed.
At Accompanying Lake Residence, Wang Jie sighed in relief. For those high-ranking figures, war was an opportunity for merit. For him, it was simply a gamble with his life. If he could avoid it, he would.
“Thank you, Emperor.”
Jun Hua replied, “It’s nothing. Just focus on assisting the Formation Daoist. That’s all.”
“Wait.”
“Something else?”
“If I want to deepen my ten-seal imprint to a light black seal, must I join the Frost Splendor Sect to learn Frost Splendor Moon?”
Jun Hua paused before saying, “Even if you joined, you wouldn’t obtain Frost Splendor Moon. That technique is reserved for Star Force cultivators, who must apply for it. And even among them, most—including a large portion of inner sect disciples—do not qualify to access it. That includes me.”
Wang Jie had expected as much, but the reality was even more troublesome than anticipated.
“Has your ten-seal imprint already reached dark gray?”
“Yes.” Wang Jie had no reason to hide it.
Jun Hua praised, “Not bad. You’ve already surpassed most cultivators. Achieving a deep gray imprint isn’t just about having sufficient Seal Power; otherwise, the empire could easily cultivate a multitude of deep gray imprint practitioners.”
“For ordinary cultivators, their bottleneck lies at light gray. To reach deep gray, one must possess both talent and the right physical constitution. Don’t pursue too much. Even Senior Sister Yu Dong and I only cultivated to the Star-Breaking Realm with light gray imprints.”
Wang Jie was astonished. “Even the Emperor only has a light gray imprint?”
Jun Hua smiled. “There’s little difference between light gray and deep gray. Spending time on it only delays progress. Most people prefer breaking through with light gray, as it makes entering the Star-Breaking Realm easier. Only those confident in reaching a light black imprint will take the time to achieve deep gray.”
“You’ve already surpassed the majority.”
There was one thing she didn’t say—Lock Force cultivators found it easier to deepen their imprint color because they had no future, no need to consider long-term progress. Ten Seals were their limit. Star Force cultivators were different; they looked further ahead and had to manage their time wisely. This was why Jun Hua wasn’t surprised that Wang Jie had reached a deep gray imprint.
Wang Jie hadn’t expected this explanation. In truth, his goal wasn’t the Frost Splendor Moon. “I understand. Thank you, Emperor. Then, does our Silver Radiance Empire have cultivation techniques?”
“Are you aware of the Silver Radiance Art?”
“I’ve heard of it.”
“The Silver Radiance Art has been lost. My father, the previous Emperor, painstakingly created a technique based on it. Unfortunately, it falls far short of the original. If you want it, you may access it directly. It’s called the Silver Radiance Force, and your Accompanying Lake Residence access is sufficient to obtain it.”
Wang Jie was grateful. “Thank you, Emperor.”
Wait—Silver Radiance Force? That name sounded familiar. He immediately checked his Storage Ring and found it. Silver Radiance Force.
This was obtained from the Slaughter Stone Planet, from the only Star Force cultivator in that slaughtered group. At the time, he hadn’t paid much attention, assuming it was just a Combat Technique. Could it really be this?
As he flipped through Silver Radiance Force, he realized that the cultivator who possessed it must have acquired it from Jun Tang.
So that person served Jun Tang? The technique must have helped them absorb Star Force from planets more efficiently.
After a brief read, Wang Jie considered cultivating it immediately but hesitated. He knew Jun Tang’s character—cunning and treacherous. That group had clearly been used. Could this technique be a counterfeit?
It was entirely possible that Jun Tang had given them a fake Silver Radiance Force.
Rising to his feet, he left. Since he had the access rights, he would check the real one.
From the beginning, Cheng Qian had mentioned that the Royal Library was fully accessible to him, including its top-level secrets. At the time, Wang Jie hadn’t cared, but now, he realized its value.
The Royal Library was grand. Using his clearance, Wang Jie ascended to the highest level. He expected it to be empty but was surprised to find an acquaintance—the Old General.
The Old General was equally surprised to see Wang Jie.
Wang Jie bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Senior.”
The Old General scrutinized Wang Jie. “I’ve seen you before. If I remember correctly, you’re one of Jun Tang’s people. It seems Jun Hua planned ahead.”
He assumed Wang Jie had been planted as a spy within Jun Tang’s fleet by Jun Hua.
Wang Jie didn’t explain. The Old General was one of the few figures in the Silver Radiance Empire who could interfere in the imperial power struggle. Saying too much might lead to mistakes.
He simply bowed again and, when the Old General paid him no further attention, quietly searched for the technique.
Silver Radiance Force.
After searching for a long time, Wang Jie finally spotted it—in the hands of the Old General.
He had no choice but to wait.
Time passed. At last, the Old General set the Silver Radiance Force down and looked at him. “Are you looking for this?”
Wang Jie answered respectfully, “Yes.”
The Old General tossed the book to him, and Wang Jie caught it. “Thank you, Senior.”
“Deep gray? Few pursue it. Only Lock Force cultivators, seeing no future, deepen their imprint.”
The Old General gazed at Wang Jie. “But if you think this Silver Radiance Force will help you achieve a light black imprint, that’s impossible.”
Wang Jie smiled wryly. “I just want to try. I also want to experience the empire’s most treasured power.”
The Old General’s gaze turned complex. “The Silver Radiance Art is lost. This Silver Radiance Force can’t even replicate its appearance. How can it be called a treasure?” With a shake of his head, he left.
Once the Old General was gone, Wang Jie carefully examined the Silver Radiance Force.
Comparing it with the one in his Storage Ring, he found them identical. Both were real. That meant he could cultivate it.
Come to think of it, this would be his first time cultivating a true Cultivation Technique.
During the Armor One Sect Trial, the Martial Hall projections only allowed cultivation of Combat Techniques. Though some included Cultivation Techniques, it was impossible to truly learn them. Those who claimed to have done so were actually referring to Combat Techniques.
Combat Techniques guided the operation of Lock Force and Star Force.
Cultivation Techniques, however, enhanced the absorption and utilization of Lock Force and Star Force.
Lock Force cultivators didn’t require Cultivation Techniques—they could directly absorb Cataclysm Materials. Only Star Force cultivators needed true cultivation.
Silver Radiance Force wasn’t difficult to cultivate. It simply required circulating Seal Power within the body in a special manner, accelerating its absorption of Cataclysm Materials, much like a water pump extracting water. The superior the Cultivation Technique, the more effectively it could extract Seal Power.
Thus, deepening the imprint color was inherently linked to the unique operation of Cultivation Techniques.
Within the Accompanying Lake Residence, Wang Jie opened his eyes. Everything around him blurred, and beneath his feet lay a field.
Sitting in the field, he cultivated Silver Radiance Force.
Before long, the first plot of land sprouted green buds—three in total.
Wang Jie exhaled in relief. It worked. Even Cultivation Techniques could be planted.
Reaching out, he touched one of the green sprouts. His expression changed, and he quickly touched the second, then the third.
Three green sprouts, exactly like when he cultivated the Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger.
And the technique he had cultivated—wasn’t Silver Radiance Force.
It was Silver Radiance Art.
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