"Boom!"
The world once again turned into a hazy grey, and all things became simple lines. Gu Yuan's vision continued to develop, as if he could see through all things in heaven and earth.
Even the grand array of the Cyan Peak Daoist School couldn't block Gu Yuan's gaze.
The miraculous nature of the Stone Liquid needed no further words.
Gu Yuan dared to use the Stone Liquid directly in the Daoist School because he believed the artifact's wonders had surpassed the mortal realm and wouldn't be detected.
Everything was incredibly clear.
"Huh!"
Not only that, Gu Yuan discovered that the distance he could see this time seemed clearer and farther than before, with even glimmers appearing on the outskirts of the Nine Rivers Marsh.
"Could the distance the Stone Liquid can detect be related to my cultivation?"
Gu Yuan speculated in his mind.
This exploration was no different from before, the only change being that his cultivation had broken through from Qi Refining Fourth Layer to Qi Refining Fifth Layer, gaining Spiritual Sense.
"It's certainly a good thing. The specific reason will be clear by the next breakthrough."
Gu Yuan didn't waste time pondering this but focused on searching for opportunities.
But this time, the opportunities were few.
Bailu Island, Cyan Peak Mountain, in such vast territories, there wasn't even a single white light point in sight, let alone the blue light points.
If not for the world in his vision turning into grey lines, Gu Yuan would've doubted if the Stone Liquid had failed.
"Not even one?"
Unwilling to give up, Gu Yuan looked around the surroundings of the Daoist School.
Consuming the Golden Core, no, getting accepted under the Golden Core Sect, is it really that hard?
Not even a single white light point, not the slightest bit of opportunity?
But everything around appeared like a fog, with not a single point of light.
"Is this opportunity to be wasted like this?"
Gu Yuan felt extremely disappointed.
Though he knew deep down it was a long shot, he couldn't help but hold a sliver of hope, only to find disappointment in the result.
A Stone Liquid opportunity wasted for nothing.
"Wait, is that really a blue light?"
Just when Gu Yuan was about to give up, he suddenly noticed a faint blue light flickering at the edge of his vision on an island.
This blue light was extremely blurred and at the limit of his sight. Had Gu Yuan not been attentive, he might have missed it.
"Why is it so dim?"
Gu Yuan couldn't help but frown slightly.
In the past, opportunity light points had always been incredibly clear. Even the least noticeable white light point shone brightly in the grey world.
The blue light points were even more dazzling, noticeable at a glance.
Yet this time, the light point seemed like a faded painting, blurred like a shadow, dim and silent.
This was the first time Gu Yuan encountered such a situation.
"A blue light point is already a significant opportunity, so why is it like this?"
For a moment, Gu Yuan was somewhat hesitant.
But in the next instant, he found his "hesitation" amusing.
"Either way, it's just within the Daoist School's territory, better to take a stroll and find out than ponder endlessly!"
Having been in seclusion for a month, Gu Yuan felt a bit bored, and this was a perfect chance to walk around the Daoist School.
Mimicking his thoughts with actions, Gu Yuan didn't hesitate, packed away the stone bottle, activated the array, and left the Cave Mansion.
Before leaving the Cave Mansion, Gu Yuan's Spiritual Sense extended out and took a special look at the message tower in front of the mansion.
While a cultivator is in seclusion, the Cave Mansion's grand array activates automatically; unless summoned by the Sect, no one or message can enter the mansion and will remain in the message tower outside.
"No Golden Book Decree, looks like Lan Tianlu has somewhat matured, not seeking an absolute contest with me."
Gu Yuan initially thought Lan Tianlu, after leaving Cold Prison, might head to the Law Enforcement Hall again to request a Golden Book Decree, challenging him.
Had that been the case, Gu Yuan wouldn't have minded resolving it once and for all.
But now it seemed Lan Tianlu had matured a little, realizing that after Gu Yuan refined the Spirit Water, their differences had evened out, thus avoiding rashness.
"I wonder if he has broken through to Qi Refining Fifth Layer? If the Lan Family didn't prepare Spirit Water for him, perhaps, he could still be squeezed for resources."
Thinking this, Gu Yuan's mood brightened, and he took to the air with the Cloud-Stepping Shuttle issued by the sect, heading west.
...
...
The Cyan Peak Daoist School was vast indeed.
Apart from the majestic Cyan Peak Mountain, overlooking all, there were seven Spirit Peaks soaring into the clouds, radiant with spiritual light.
Among them was a Spirit Peak, snowing year-round, with cold winds blowing, creating a northern landscape. Spiritual springs atop the mountain were frozen, covered in a silvery blanket, a splendid sight.
This peak was one of the main seven veins of Cyan Peak Mountain, Jade Pot Peak!
Even from afar, Gu Yuan couldn't help but marvel at the peak's unique beauty.
To reside there, with fragrant company and tea brewing in the snow, would be quite the idyllic pleasure.
But he merely glanced from afar and moved on.
The opportunity shown by the Stone Liquid wasn't there but on Silverfish Island, some distance from Jade Pot Peak.
This island, under the jurisdiction of the Pill Furnace Hall, was famed for the silverfish it produced. The fish was delectable and spiritually rich, making it a substantial supplement for Qi Refining cultivators.
Moreover, the island produced Silverfish Spirit Water, a high-grade Spirit Water good for breaking through the Spiritual Sense Pass. Though just average among high-grade waters, it was still a high-grade Spirit Water, always eagerly sought after whenever available.
The opportunity pointed by the Stone Liquid was at the island's center.
Since the island belonged to the Pill Furnace Hall's jurisdiction, those not from this hall weren't allowed entry.
Hence, before arriving, Gu Yuan had accepted a task at the Karma Hall.
With a task assigned, he could slip into the island and seize the chance to observe and uncover the opportunity.
Just like wearing worker's clothes in the previous life, blending into various establishments.
"Who trespasses on Silverfish Island?"
As Gu Yuan's escape light was about to land on the island, a burly man with a face full of ferocity resembling a cook more than a Daoist came forward.
Before the man arrived, a heat wave of fiery magical power seemed to scorch Gu Yuan's face.
"Such an overwhelming Fire Technique, could it be the cultivation of the Five Elements True Wheel Diagram?"
Looking at the eight emerald leaves on the man's sleeve, Gu Yuan was involuntarily amazed.
Qi Refining Eighth Layer, one step away from Five Elements Perfection, reaching Qi Refining Ninth Layer.
"Which vein's disciple?"
The man's gaze was as domineering as flames, fixed on Gu Yuan.
"Greetings, Steward Senior Brother. I am Gu Yuan, a disciple from the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, here by decree of the Karma Hall to feed the silverfish!"
With cupped hands, Gu Yuan demonstrated respect.
The silverfish on Silverfish Island had a very discerning palate, refusing any food other than Water Deer Grass Tips.
However, Water Deer Grass was as valuable as the silverfish, if not more so. Such a spiritual grass couldn't possibly be fed to silverfish; it would be putting the cart before the horse.
Moreover, they only ate Water Deer Grass Tips.
Nevertheless, silverfish were valuable and capable of producing Spirit Water, beneficial for sect inheritance, so the experts of the Pill Furnace Hall devised a plan.
The Fish Confusion Technique.
Using Illusion Technique to alter the five senses, normal fodder is presented, deceiving the silverfish into believing it is Water Deer Grass Tips.
Thus, the silverfish grew plump while the spiritual grass remained intact.
It was truly a win-win situation.
After all, having a picky taste doesn't mean silverfish would die from normal fodder.
Yet the leaders of the Pill Furnace Hall were exceedingly busy, incapable of feeding fish daily.
So they bestowed a special Dharma Seal on selected disciples for use in deceiving the silverfish.
This seal, however, could only be employed by disciples who had consumed Water Vein Spirit Water.
Recently, though, there seemed to have been a change, requiring consumption of high-grade Spirit Water for it to work, leading to a scarcity of personnel on Silverfish Island.
Gu Yuan happened to catch the opportunity.
"Feeding the silverfish?"
"Quickly, follow me!"
The burly, ferocious-faced man was initially full of menace, but after hearing Gu Yuan, he was overjoyed, and instantly grabbed Gu Yuan's arm, leading him to a large lake on the island.