Spirit Seal

‘Spiritual Seals are, in essence, methods for harnessing spiritual energy,’ the Instructor elucidated to her disciples.

‘These seals are crystalline formations, born from the condensation of spiritual energy within the body. Once forged, a Spiritual Seal can unleash its power with a mere influx of spiritual energy.’

‘For instance…’ With a subtle flick of her left hand, the Instructor conjured a delicate lotus of ice crystals, which blossomed gracefully in her palm.

‘Oh, wow…’ A collective gasp rippled through the disciples, their eyes wide and glittering with awe.

While the uninitiated gazed upon the spectacle, the discerning eye of an expert perceived the underlying technique. Shangguan Xue thoughtfully stroked her chin.

‘A Skyfrost Profound Ice Lotus, its consumption and power both reduced to a mere one percent? Her control is truly exceptional. Unleashed at full strength, this technique could undoubtedly freeze everyone to their very core.’

The Instructor then casually set the ephemeral ice lotus upon the podium.

‘Spiritual Seals manifest in myriad forms,’ she continued. ‘For instance, Body Forging Spiritual Seals inherently strengthen as one progresses in cultivation.’

Shangguan Xue nodded in agreement. ‘I’ve cultivated it myself,’ she mused. ‘It’s arduous to master, yet undeniably potent.’

‘Then there are Combination Spiritual Seals, intricate constructs formed from multiple individual seals. Each additional seal woven into the pattern augments its power further.’

Shangguan Xue nodded once more. ‘They demand an exceptionally high level of talent,’ she thought. ‘The challenge of condensing each new Spiritual Seal is double that of the preceding one. Only a true prodigy, like Sister Dong, could ever hope to master them.’

‘Next, we have Formation Spiritual Seals, which are deployed externally to guide spiritual energy and construct intricate spiritual arrays.’

Shangguan Xue nodded emphatically. ‘Qingmei frequently employs these,’ she observed internally. ‘The Ink Pavilion is renowned for its mastery of this particular type.’

‘Finally, there are Consumable Spiritual Seals,’ the Instructor explained. ‘These shatter after a single use, requiring one to re-condense them anew for subsequent application.’

Shangguan Xue nodded yet again, a silent thought. ‘Yanzi possesses a few of these. Her two mothers hold positions within the Violet Mist Tower; while their ranks may not be exalted, they nonetheless provide her with considerable assistance.’

All these observations, of course, remained confined to her thoughts; had she voiced such constant interjections, she would have undoubtedly been ejected from the classroom long ago.

As for the absence of any mention of Jia Nan, it was simply because demon beasts operate on an entirely different system from humans, rendering Spiritual Seals irrelevant to their cultivation.

Retrieving the ice lotus from the table, the Instructor offered a gentle smile.

‘Each Spiritual Seal bears distinctive annular patterns,’ she explained. ‘The more potent the seal, the greater the number of these intricate rings.’

‘A Spiritual Seal with a single ring, the minimum, corresponds to the Body Tempering realm; conversely, an eight-ring seal, the maximum, signifies mastery of the Heaven-Reaching realm.’

‘Many Body Forging Spiritual Seals, alongside certain other varieties, possess the capacity for growth, progressively adding rings as one’s cultivation deepens.’

‘Incidentally,’ she added, ‘this lotus I’m holding is the manifestation of a five-ring Spiritual Seal.’

‘Hardly “incidental”; she brought it up quite deliberately,’ Shangguan Xue mused inwardly, a faint chuckle escaping her.

A murmur of discussion spread through the disciples.

‘How incredibly powerful…’

‘A five-ring Spiritual Seal, that corresponds to the Enlightenment of Death realm, doesn’t it?’

‘Indeed, our Instructor herself is a practitioner of the Enlightenment of Death realm.’

‘Instructor,’ one disciple ventured, posing a question, ‘is there no nine-ring Spiritual Seal that corresponds to the Creation realm?’

‘I cannot say for certain,’ the Instructor admitted, shaking her head with a hint of resignation. ‘It is widely believed that none exist. Perhaps, once you yourselves achieve the Creation realm, you might return to enlighten me, yes?’

The assembled disciples erupted in good-natured laughter.

Shangguan Xue, too, offered a small smile, her thoughts flowing internally:

‘Those in the Creation realm do not rely on Spiritual Seals; instead, they wield divine abilities.’

‘Divine abilities are unique, composite powers, forged through the profound integration of one’s spiritual techniques, spiritual seals, martial prowess, physical constitution, innate treasures, and myriad other capabilities.’

‘Consequently, each divine ability is inherently singular and without peer.’

‘Naturally, not all in the Creation realm possess the capacity to wield divine abilities… take, for instance, Luo Jin—no, pardon me, Hao Jin’s two girlfriends.’

‘That young man, Hao Jin, boasts three romantic partners; beyond Yan, he has two esteemed young ladies from the Xiye Dynasty. These two, having merely ridden the coattails of fortune to achieve minor completion in the Creation realm, regrettably lack the innate comprehension required to grasp divine abilities.’

‘Even the Son of Fortune himself, it must be noted, lacks sufficient inherent comprehension; his ability to grasp divine abilities is entirely predicated upon sheer luck.’

At this thought, she cast a fleeting glance at Luo Jin, a cold sneer involuntarily curling her lips as she inwardly declared, ‘Birds of a feather flock together.’

****

‘You have now been with the academy for ten days,’ the Instructor announced, her demeanor suddenly turning grave. ‘Tomorrow, you shall undergo your initial assessment.’

‘What?!’

The classroom instantly erupted into a cacophony of startled cries, reminiscent of a chorus of startled marmots.

Shangguan Xue, a headache already beginning to throb, wearily massaged her temples.

‘There are moments when I truly yearn to draw my Hegemon Blade…’ she mused, a wry thought following. ‘Should I, perhaps, consider myself fortunate that this isn’t, at the very least, a “settling in” exam right at the start of the term?’

‘Silence!’ the Instructor commanded, her voice rising sharply and imbued with a subtle, palpable pressure. The classroom immediately reverted to a state of absolute, profound quiet.

The Instructor observed them in silence for several seconds before finally breaking the stillness to elaborate:

‘This is not the rigorous assessment you might be envisioning,’ she clarified. ‘It is merely a straightforward evaluation of your cultivation progress. You are not required to perform any actions whatsoever.’

‘The two individuals who demonstrate the most rapid cultivation progress will be appointed as student aids.’

‘Essentially, they’re selecting class representatives…’ Shangguan Xue comprehended, a flicker of understanding crossing her features.

‘During normal academic periods, student aids are expected to foster unity among their peers. Later, when you embark on external training expeditions, these aids will assume the crucial responsibility of guiding their fellow students.’

‘Furthermore,’ the Instructor added, deliberately pausing for several breaths, allowing anticipation to mount before she revealed, ‘those among you who have successfully attained the Body Tempering realm will be eligible to receive a complimentary Spiritual Seal tomorrow.’

A fresh wave of excited chatter and exclamations immediately swept through the classroom.

‘What?’

‘Instructor, about this…’

‘Will we still be able to claim a Spiritual Seal if we achieve the Body Tempering realm at a later date?’

‘Certainly,’ the Instructor affirmed, addressing the final query. ‘Every disciple, upon reaching the Body Tempering realm, is entitled to claim one complimentary Spiritual Seal.’

The distinction, of course, was that those receiving theirs tomorrow would be the very first batch. While this carried no tangible benefit, the prestige associated with it was undeniable.

Shangguan Xue let out a soft chuckle, discerning the academy’s underlying strategy.

It was a clever ploy: using a sense of honor to entice these impressionable twelve and thirteen-year-old youths. The more diligently they cultivated, the sooner they would be able to claim their prize.

‘Nevertheless, it’s hardly a detrimental development… and the role of student aid, I imagine, could prove advantageous to me.’

‘I shall achieve my breakthrough this very night.’

Shangguan Xue, naturally, would never concede that her true motivation was merely a desire to assert her capabilities…

That evening, upon returning home, she immersed herself in a medicinal bath infused with Blood-Burning Elixir, diligently circulating her spiritual energy and spiritual sense to absorb the potent effects of the Immortal Essence Pill.

“You’re merely seeking an opportunity to show off, aren’t you?” Jia Nan’s voice drifted in from beyond the door, a teasing lilt to her words. “You’re probably thinking, ‘How could I, a formidable Martial Saint, possibly allow myself to be outshone by these mere children?'”

“Jia Nan, do cease your incessant chatter,” Shangguan Xue retorted, casting an exasperated glare at the bathroom door.

Jia Nan let out a soft ‘Hmph.’ “Are you truly intending to undergo your tribulation within a wooden tub?” she inquired, amusement evident in her tone.

“Most certainly not,” Shangguan Xue declared, clad in vibrant red as she abruptly flung open the door. “To the courtyard we go.”

“Have you even bothered to wash those garments?” Jia Nan questioned, regarding her with an unconcealed look of disdain.

Shangguan Xue gave a dismissive flick of her sleeve.

“This is a spiritual treasure, mind you—a transcendent, first-grade spiritual treasure!” she proclaimed. “It is a precious garment, untouched by dust and impervious to both water and flame! Even the assaults of a minor completion Creation realm cultivator would prove utterly ineffectual against it!”

“I am perfectly aware,” Jia Nan retorted, a slight curl to her lips. “However, you are undeniably too indolent to actually wash your clothes, aren’t you?”

Despite being entirely called out, Shangguan Xue maintained a righteous indignation. “And what if I am?” she challenged. “It never gets soiled, so there’s no earthly reason to wash it.”

“I may not experience hunger, yet I still partake in meals,” Jia Nan remarked offhandedly, her demeanor then shifting to one of seriousness. “Are you prepared?”

“Naturally.”

Shangguan Xue drew a deep, centering breath before settling herself in the courtyard. She then activated her martial art, allowing spiritual energy to surge and course through every fiber of her being.

In the very next moment, her spiritual energy swelled, ascending to the threshold of the Body Tempering realm. With this ascent, the Body Tempering Tribulation inevitably descended.