Chapter 81: Disciples of the Thousand Techniques (To be released on May 14)

"My name is the Judge. For what purpose have you come?"
The Judge's voice echoed through the vast, empty hall, making Zhou Bai and his companion's ears ring painfully.
When they did not reply, the Judge repeated, "For what purpose have you come?"
This time the voice was somewhat softer. Zhou Bai snapped out of his daze and answered tentatively, "I've come to apply for a promotion."
The Judge nodded faintly, raised a finger, and beckoned. The token Zhou Bai held flew from his arms and hovered in midair.
"Your contributions are sufficient. At your current cultivation, you may be promoted to the rank of True Seventh Grade, Banner of Blossoms. There must be half a year between each promotion. Do you wish to be promoted?"
Since Zhou Bai intended to contend for the position of Hangdu's resident officer, he planned to await mastery of his true form and then be promoted directly to Acting Seal-Bearer. Thus, he declined.
The Judge glanced sideways at Daoist Hou, who immediately explained his intention to join the Division of Nether Records.
Unexpectedly, the Judge did not hesitate. A brand-new token flew directly into Daoist Hou's hand.
Zhou Bai was a little surprised. Was it really so easy to join the Division of Nether Records?
Sensing his doubts, the Judge spoke again: "There is no need for concern. This is the Nether Street. Those harboring impure intentions toward the Division of Nether Records cannot enter."
Only then did Zhou Bai realize that there were vast numbers of people across the Nine Provinces who possessed various supernatural abilities. If the Division's screening process were too strict, many would become unmanageable.
After these words, the Judge waved his hand sharply. A violent wind swept Zhou Bai and Daoist Hou toward the great doors.
Fortunately, once outside, the wind lessened considerably, so the two were not left too disheveled.
Near the prison stood a crowd. As Zhou Bai and his companion exited, newcomers filed in, and the area bustled with life.
The old ox waiting in the clearing spotted them and ambled over at once. At the same time, other giant beasts, eager to compete for business, hurried over as well.
Luckily, the old ox was prepared. Though he was not swift, he was the first to react and succeeded in ushering Zhou Bai and Daoist Hou onto his back ahead of the others.
"Gentlemen, are we heading to acquire new cultivation techniques this time?"
"Yes," Zhou Bai replied softly.

Daoist Hou, eager beyond measure, added, "Take us to the shop on Nether Street with the largest selection of techniques."
"There are several shops selling techniques on Nether Street," the old ox explained as he walked. "One is called 'The Thousand Methods Sect.' It has the greatest variety of foundational arts, but opens only once every twelve hours, and each opening lasts twelve hours. As it happens, it's open now."
This journey was a bit longer than before, so Zhou Bai seized the chance to extract more information from the ox.
The ox had even forgotten his own true name. He had dwelled on Nether Street for over a century—ever since losing control of his true form. Fortunately, his wits had survived, though he could only appear as a demon-beast.
Zhou Bai also learned something important: the Division of Nether Records had grown ever more powerful in recent years, as more and more people across the Nine Provinces awakened strange supernatural powers.
With more people awakening these powers, the number losing control of their true forms had increased proportionally, forcing the Division to maintain strict oversight at every level.
As they conversed, the old ox brought them before a low, shabby house, its bricks aged and overgrown with creeping vines—quite unlike the clean, orderly buildings nearby.
The shop's signboard was crooked, the characters for "The Thousand Methods Sect" scrawled across it.
Zhou Bai and Daoist Hou leapt from the old ox's back. The street nearby was crowded, so they continued on foot.
They approached the shop and glanced around; in just a short while, many had entered before them.
Once they stepped inside, they found the interior to be a world of its own. The space was dozens of times larger than it appeared from outside.
Twenty or thirty bookshelves stood in the center, densely packed with manuals and scrolls of all kinds.
A few people browsed among the shelves, but Zhou Bai and his companion drew little notice as they entered.
Just as they prepared to search for texts, an elderly man approached, his appearance suggesting he was well over a hundred years old. He wore fine robes and had every finger adorned with jade rings.
"My surname is Yan. Call me Shopkeeper Yan. Are you here at the Thousand Methods Sect seeking a method for breakthrough?"
Daoist Hou gave him a quick once-over and was about to answer when Shopkeeper Yan continued, "Young man, your face is ashen—surely a sign you haven't yet taken the first step on the Ghost Path."
"Indeed, elder—do you have any recommendations?"
Daoist Hou immediately struck up a conversation, both men veterans of the trade, their words full of subtle probing.
Once Shopkeeper Yan learned a little of their situation, his enthusiasm waned. "Wait here," he said coldly, "I'll fetch an anthology of the Ghost Path. You can browse through it yourself."

Then he turned to Zhou Bai, and upon seeing the hidden depths of yin energy within him, slapped his own forehead. "Ah, I see now—the real customer is this young man. You've already taken the first step—are you looking for a method to master your true form?"
"There's no need for a method to master the true form. Do you have a general introduction to demon-path techniques?"
According to Yu Jun, Zhou Bai could seek out Old Rat Li for a method to master his true form, as Li was widely informed and could help perfect the Celestial Tribulation technique.
Shopkeeper Yan looked a little disappointed. Methods for mastering the true form were expensive; foundational arts for demons and ghosts, however, were worth little.
"Wait here a moment, I'll be right back."
With that, he disappeared behind the counter to rummage.
After a short wait, Shopkeeper Yan returned, carrying two heavy tomes.
"Here you are, browse at your leisure—one is for the Ghost Path, one for the Demon Path. Let me know when you've made your choice."
With that, he turned away again. Such minor transactions over foundational arts hardly interested him.
Daoist Hou curled his lip and spat on the floor. "Curse that old monkey—no profit and he shows his true colors."
Zhou Bai thought to himself, Aren't you the same? If a client doesn't pay enough for a ritual, you look just as sour.
Ignoring Daoist Hou, he bent over the book. Though it was thick, Zhou Bai's keen eyes skimmed through at lightning speed, covering it from start to finish in moments.
Looking over at Daoist Hou, he saw the man had only just begun and was muttering as he flipped the pages: "Not powerful enough... Too risky... Lacks a touch of immortal grace..."
"You should pick something suited to your situation. Your biggest problem is that the Ghost Path supernatural power affects your whole body, so your technique ought to address that."
Daoist Hou grinned sheepishly and nodded, resignedly starting again from the beginning, this time with greater seriousness.
Zhou Bai rubbed his forehead in exasperation and, from the Demon Path anthology, selected three techniques, each with its own merits—but for the moment, he could not decide which to choose.