Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 144 Three Choices
"Yes! Captain!"

Two people immediately emerged from the fan-shaped formation behind this person.

These two were actually cultivators at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining Realm, each possessing a powerful aura.

The two men stood on either side of Li Yunjing, their presence clearly more of a surveillance tactic than a guide.

"Strange! What good things does the 'Seven Star Palace' have that warrants such seriousness?"

Li Yunjing pondered for a moment, but dared not ask any more questions. He followed Hongshan and Qin Ping into the "Seven Star Palace".

The "Seven Star Palace" is not a single palace, but a large complex of palaces.

Half-hidden in the thick fog, it resembled a celestial palace.

The main avenue inside the "Seven Star Palace" is very wide, and the ground is paved with a white jade material, which gives a cool feeling when you step on it.

However, Li Yunjing felt a sense of dread, as if he were stepping on a pile of "Divine Thunderbolts".
Correct!
That's what it feels like!

Li Yunjing's legs went weak at the thought of this.
Could it be that the road paved with the "Seven Star Palace" is filled with deadly weapons?

Li Yunjing didn't know that this white jade was not ordinary jade, but a second-tier material. In the cultivation world, it would be a precious material that people would fight tooth and nail to obtain.

These white jade pieces can be used to refine magical artifacts and set up formations, but now, on the ground of the "Seven Star Palace," they are being used to pave roads.

This demonstrates the wealth of the "Seven Star Palace".

From the outside, the "Seven Star Palace" stands majestically, no different from other fairy mountains; but once inside the "Seven Star Palace", it is a completely new world.

The streets are laid out in straight lines, and the buildings stand densely on both sides, making it seem like a small town.

Even as he walked through the "Seven Star Palace," Li Yunjing felt that its area was even larger than the "Ten Thousand Swords City" he had visited!
"What's going on? Seven Star Peak shouldn't have such a large space. What's going on?"

"Is the entire Seven Star Palace located within a space as small as a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru?"

Li Yunjing became increasingly shocked, even somewhat terrified, as he walked.

Fortunately, along the way, we could see quite a few disciples coming and going.

These people could travel freely together, chatting and laughing, without ever feeling oppressed.

Li Yunjing even saw many shops on a street corner. Inside the "Seven Star Palace", there was actually a market.
However, among the five major markets of the sect, there has never been a "Seven Star Palace" market!

Is this a special market within the "Seven Star Palace"?
Li Yunjing's guess was correct; this really was the market of the "Seven Star Palace," specifically serving the array masters of the "Seven Star Palace."

The array masters devoted almost all their energy to arrays, so they naturally had no time to go out and find resources. The upper echelons of the "Seven Star Palace" felt that they should better help the array masters below.

So he set up a market, exclusively for internal use, and never for external use!
Of course, this market mainly sells materials, and in terms of price, it is the market with the lowest prices in the entire Southern Continent.

This is a unique benefit of the "Seven Star Palace"—a complete treasury, an internal perk.

Li Yunjing was unaware of this at the moment, as he followed Hongshan and Qinping as they moved through the streets.

The two remained silent throughout the journey. Seeing that they had no intention of talking, Li Yunjing naturally didn't want to make things awkward, so he took the initiative to ask a question.

It wasn't until fifteen minutes later that the three of them arrived in front of a pavilion.

This seven-story pavilion is unusual, exuding an austere atmosphere.

Around these pavilions and towers, many inner disciples were stationed to guard the area.

Even more outrageous is that there is a corner tower in each of the four directions: east, west, south, and north, and each corner tower is guarded by a Foundation Establishment Realm expert!

Those Foundation Establishment experts made no attempt to conceal their auras, their divine senses scanning over Li Yunjing.

This was the first time Li Yunjing had ever seen such a heavily guarded place.

Since entering the "Seven Star Palace", Li Yunjing has seen five Foundation Establishment Realm experts on duty!

This was something he had never heard of or seen before; it was truly an eye-opener for him.

Li Yunjing and his two companions arrived at the entrance and were not questioned; instead, they were allowed to enter smoothly.

This is the "Council Hall" of the "Seven Star Palace". With Qin Ping and Hong Shan leading the way, and given Li Yunjing's low cultivation level, there were naturally no problems.

Upon entering, Hongshan coldly said, "Wait a moment, I'll go report!"

Qin Ping followed Li Yunjing closely, never leaving his side, his surveillance almost undisguised.

Li Yunjing shook his head slightly, feeling a bit annoyed. What was this all about?
Do they think I'm a thief?
Damn it, aren't we all inner disciples?

Why treat me like this?

If it weren't for the fact that the "Seven Star Palace" was quite unique, Li Yunjing would have already considered leaving in a huff.

However, he is stubborn and ruthless. The more you act like this and make it all mysterious, the more I will establish myself here and thrive, and completely uncover the secrets of the "Seven Star Palace"!

Fifteen minutes later, Hongshan returned and said to Li Yunjing, "Come with me to the third floor!"

Li Yunjing was angry, but he didn't respond; he just nodded.

As for Qin Ping, he stayed where he was, waiting for Hongshan and Li Yunjing to return.

From the lobby on the first floor to the third floor, Li Yunjing felt a sense of trepidation. Along the way, he was scanned by the divine senses of at least six Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In just half an hour, Li Yunjing had been examined by a total of eleven Foundation Establishment Realm experts!

Soon, Hongshan led Li Yunjing to one end of the third-floor corridor.

"Boom boom boom!"

He knocked gently on the door, and a gentle voice came from behind the heavy wooden door, "Please come in."

After receiving permission, Hongshan pushed open the door and gestured for Li Yunjing to go in, while he stood at the doorway, ready to take his post.

"Tsk tsk! So strict!"

Li Yunjing shook his head slightly and strode into the room.

This is a 1,000-square-meter room, a huge room filled with all sorts of furnishings, extremely luxurious.

Everywhere you look, there is a dazzling brilliance, and none of the ornaments are ordinary!

A middle-aged man was sitting behind a table directly in front of him, watching him.

"Disciple Li Yunjing greets Senior! Are you perhaps an Elder of the Void Realm?"

Li Yunjing bowed and asked cautiously.

"Yes! It's me! Elder Liu has already told me about your situation. For such an outstanding disciple as you, 'Seven Star Peak' will naturally take good care of you. What position are you looking for?"

Without any formalities, Xu Wuyi asked directly.

"This... this disciple does not know, could you please enlighten me, Elder Xu?"

This straightforward conversation caught Li Yunjing off guard, and he asked in return.

"Do you want a position with real power, a leisurely position, or a lucrative position?"

Xu Wuyi remained completely formal and spoke directly.

"With my low cultivation level, it would be difficult for me to obtain a position with real power, wouldn't it?"

Li Yunjing was taken aback, then asked in return.

Clearly, Li Yunjing had figured it out along the way: those on duty at "Seven Star Peak" were all inner disciples.

The leaders and squad leaders in charge of the inner disciples are all Foundation Establishment cultivators.

For Li Yunjing to gain power would be an impossible task.

"Um……"

Xu Wu nodded slightly, without any regard for Li Yunjing's feelings.

"hehe!"

Li Yunjing gave an awkward laugh.

Along the way, he saw at least eleven Foundation Establishment Realm experts on duty. He wanted real power; wasn't that courting death?
Even if he were given power, would he be able to control his subordinates?

That's simply impossible!

Li Yunjing was self-aware.

"What do you mean by a lucrative position?"

Xu Wuyi acted very businesslike, and Li Yunjing, having figured out his style, asked directly.

"Being responsible for collecting all sorts of materials needed by the Seven Star Palace is a lucrative job!"

"Of course, if you go too far, you'll inevitably have to go through the Divine Prison. We can't waste the spirit stones of my 'Seven Star Peak' on parasites."

Xu Wuyi continued.

"I understand!"

Li Yunjing nodded. Xu Wuyi's words were not contradictory; he understood their deeper meaning.

Li Yunjing worked in procurement in his previous life. If he doesn't even understand this basic principle, how could he possibly survive in society?
"What about a leisurely job?"

However, Li Yunjing wanted to hear about the next option.

"A leisurely job means almost no tasks. You can focus on your cultivation and learn about array formations. Once you're capable, you can serve my Seven Star Peak!"

Void continued its explanation.

"Forehead……"

Li Yunjing was taken aback, then a thought struck him: This isn't bad!
He thought for a moment before saying, "Can the last two choices be made simultaneously?" "Tch..."

Xu Wu chuckled. This kid is fucking greedy!
However, I like it!

"That depends on how smart you are!"

"I will first arrange a place for you to stay in the 'Seven Star Palace'. In addition, the contents of this jade slip are the rules of conduct in the 'Seven Star Palace'. You must memorize them. If you can figure out the 'Seven Star Palace' on your own, then you will have entered the sect."

As he spoke, Xu Wu raised his hand, and a jade slip flew towards Li Yunjing with a "whoosh".

Li Yunjing took the jade slip and immediately examined it with his divine sense. He found that it was covered with runes. After examining it, he discovered that it was a map.

All the information about the various buildings in the "Seven Star Palace" is contained within the mysterious runes.

If one cannot decipher these runes, this map is almost useless.

Only array masters can decipher and comprehend its meaning; this is one of the secrets of the "Seven Star Palace".

Fortunately, Li Yunjing had read the "Array Formation Record" and carefully examined it three times. He actually found his residence from these runes!

"Alright! You can leave now! This jade slip represents your identity as a disciple of 'Seven Star Peak.' Within the 'Seven Star Palace,' sect identity tokens are useless; only our own identities will be recognized by our own people!"

At first, Xu Wu tried to drive people away, but then said, "Have Hong Shan take you to your place."

"Hehe! No need! I've already found my address, I'll go myself! No need to trouble anyone else!"

Li Yunjing sneered, "Who are you trying to fool?"
Everyone in the "Seven Star Palace" seems quite arrogant, even claiming that their sect's identity tokens are useless here.

Let's see if I can thrive here!
"Hmm? You found your place to stay?"

Xu Wuyi seemed somewhat surprised and looked at Li Yunjing seriously for the first time.

This kid seems to have quite a bit of talent?
Or perhaps you learned some knowledge about array formations before?

"Hehe! What's so difficult about that! It's just the way of formations! If you can't even understand runes, why are you learning formations?"

"Why would I come to Seven Star Peak?"

Li Yunjing sneered repeatedly.

"Kid! You're arrogant enough! Very well! You've passed the first test. Now I'd like to see you demonstrate something amazing in the art of formations!"

Xu Wuyi was not offended by Li Yunjing's arrogance.

Inside the "Seven Star Palace," many array masters were incredibly arrogant. Even though they were completely ignorant about arrays, they were ridiculed by some old fogies.

In the "Seven Star Palace," strength is paramount. If your array formation skills are profound, you will have status. If you are nothing, then I'm sorry, you are just an ant, to be trampled underfoot!

Are you highly skilled and strong in combat?

Aren't they just some rough guys on duty?

No matter how powerful you are on your own, once the formation is activated, it will instantly turn you into ashes!
That's how it is in the "Seven Star Palace". Li Yunjing recognizes the runes and can find his own place without anyone's help. That's his ability, and he has the right to be arrogant!
People like Shen Yuehua, whom Li Yunjing knew before, were not qualified to enter the "Seven Star Palace".

It's not that they're disloyal, nor that they're weak!

It's because they lack the ability to comprehend formations!

You are not worthy to be a formation master!
If you can't even become a formation master, then you're not qualified to enter the city.

Just find a place to stay at the foot of "Seven Star Peak" and collect the salary they issue from "Seven Star Peak"!

Below the summit of "Seven Star Peak", almost all personnel are outsourced!

These are the rules of the "Seven Star Palace"!

Even the important figures of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" must abide by this rule!
Why?
It's all thanks to the contributions of the "Seven Star Palace"!

Most of the formations in the entire "Shenxiao Dao Sect" originated from the "Seven Star Palace".

The teleportation array that Li Yunjing frequently used was also set up by the "Seven Star Palace"!

The arrays developed by the "Seven Star Palace" are numerous and varied, including fixed, mobile, portable, and warship-mounted formations. The "Divine Firmament Dao Sect" cannot do without the "Seven Star Palace".

With the "Seven Star Palace," the Divine Firmament Dao Sect was able to stand firm and conquer the Southern Heaven Continent.

This is strength!
You can't do without me!

The Shenxiao Dao Sect naturally treasured the array masters of the Seven Star Palace.

Li Yunjing is unaware of the special status of the "Seven Star Palace" yet; he will gradually understand these things in the future.

"By the way! Steward Xu, are we allowed to have outsiders come and visit?"

Li Yunjing thought for a moment and then asked, "If someone comes to me for help, can they enter the 'Seven Star Palace'?"

"It's difficult for friends to visit! Strict vetting is required; the 'Enforcement Hall' personnel will conduct their own investigations!"

After thinking for a moment, Xu Wuyi answered Li Yunjing's second question, "If someone comes to you but doesn't have the cultivation of array formations, then forget about it!"

“You can arrange for your followers to live at the foot of Seven Star Peak, hire them as your helpers, and have them responsible for acquiring materials and earning cultivation resources! Such people can be considered as unofficial staff of Seven Star Peak and will not enjoy the benefits of Seven Star Peak.”

"Ah……"

Li Yunjing was stunned. This Void One Deacon was really damn realistic!
This level of reality is something Li Yunjing has never seen before.

What secrets does the "Seven Star Palace" hold that make it so strict, with even fellow disciples being investigated by the "Enforcement Hall" when they visit each other?
This is terrible!

It's likely that Li Yunjing's friends wouldn't want to visit his new home.

Who the hell can stand being investigated by the "Enforcement Hall" people when they visit a friend?!

Isn't it all right?

How are the salaries of non-permanent staff calculated?

Undeterred, Li Yunjing continued to ask.

Many inner disciples wanted to join him, including geniuses like Su Guo and Jin Shouyun.

Such geniuses are within reach, easily attainable, so Li Yunjing naturally doesn't want to give them up because of the rules of the "Seven Star Palace".

Jin Shouyun and Su Guo, on the other hand, didn't have any talent in array formations; they were all good at fighting and killing.

In order to win over these two, Li Yunjing needs to get some preferential treatment from Xu Wuyi.

"Ok!"

Xu Wuyi had never encountered such a problem before, after all, it was a remarkable achievement for someone to become a disciple of the "Seven Star Palace".

Moreover, they were all obsessed with formations, so they had no time to form cliques.

It's perfectly normal for a prodigy like Li Yunjing to have followers.

Since the Seven Star Palace wants a genius like Li Yunjing, it's natural to give geniuses special treatment and preferential treatment.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Wuyi said, "We will pay the middling salary according to the standards for inner disciples! There will be extra rewards for completing missions!"

This is already the optimal condition given by Void One!

This is Li Yunjing; anyone else would be better off getting the hell out of here!
"Thank you, Steward Xu!"

Li Yunjing was delighted. The treatment was quite good, and he didn't need to be on duty every day, which met his needs.

Jin Shouyun and Su Guo must be very happy to receive a salary without having to work.

"However, given your current lack of achievements, you can only recruit three assistants!"

Xu Wuyi changed the subject and continued speaking.

"All right!"

Li Yunjing nodded, showing no dissatisfaction; three spots were enough.

Moreover, just as Xu Wu said, he did not display any extraordinary abilities, so it was indeed difficult for him to negotiate with the "Seven Star Palace".

With three spots available, Li Yunjing can assign Jin Shouyun, Yue Zhouwang, and Su Guo.

As for whether there will be any changes, it depends on who among the acquaintances cultivates faster.

In Li Yunjing's mind, these three people were probably the acquaintances who broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining the fastest.

With these three people arranged, it will be easier to arrange the rest of the people who break through their cultivation levels.

Given enough time, Li Yunjing was confident that he would thrive in the "Seven Star Palace" and that his power would rise sooner or later.

At that time, Li Yunjing will be able to obtain more power from the "Seven Star Palace".

With enough power, Li Yunjing could naturally place more of his own people in positions of authority.

At that time, this "Seven Star Palace" will be considered his own "territory".

"Do you have any more questions?"

Xu Wuyi continued to ask.

"That's all! Elder Liu said I can rest for half a month?"

Before leaving, Li Yunjing asked.

"Take a break! It's time. Come to me, and I'll arrange for you to learn the basics of formations, identify commonly used formation materials, and their prices."

Xu Wuyi was very easy to talk to. After arranging everything properly, he signaled to Li Yunjing that he could leave.

(End of this chapter)