My construction materials are weird

"How do you feel, fellow cultivator?"

In front of the White Bone Pagoda, a crowd gathered, watching a young cultivator stagger out.

The young man's face was pale, covered in sweat. Even though it was late autumn, his clothes were soaked.

He staggered as he walked, and after exiting the White Bone Pagoda, he still looked back at the pagoda with lingering fear in his eyes.

Suddenly hearing the inquiries from the crowd guarding the entrance, he was startled.

He was clearly still not recovered.

"It's..." The young man wanted to say 'terrifying,' but he held back: "It's okay, quite okay! It lives up to its reputation as a trial that costs ten points to experience. It's very good inside and greatly helps in tempering one's will. I gained a lot."

He was clearly incoherent, unable to organize his words, only saying it was very helpful.

He was afraid of being laughed at. Who knew what he had experienced?

It was simply a descent into the bizarre, where his entire skeleton was uncontrollably compressed and crushed.

Temper will? Temper what?

Due to his lack of experience, he only suffered this time. There was no tempering of will.

After the trial began, he couldn't control his will at all, so how could he temper it?

It seemed that tempering one's will required a certain level of willpower. First, you couldn't panic; you needed to steady your mind.

If you panicked as soon as you entered, you couldn't do anything but suffer and gain nothing.

A loss, a loss!

The young man shouted in his heart.

But was it really a loss?

Not really. At least he knew what kind of 'thing' he was. He was too inexperienced, and his will was too weak.

He couldn't control it directly, so how could he temper it?

It seemed that the direction was clear: he needed to temper his will, at least to the point where he wouldn't lose control as soon as he entered.

"Fellow cultivator, please tell us more..."

The crowd asked.

"It can only be understood implicitly, not explained in words. Everyone needs to enter the trial themselves. I can only say that those who understand, understand. Those who don't understand don't need an explanation. When one is inside the tower, just..."

Suddenly, his language became aggressive, with a pungent smell that was strangely familiar.

"If you don't gain anything after entering, can you only say that you haven't worked hard these years? Why hasn't your will increased? Have you thought about your own problems? Complaining that the points are expensive? It's already very cheap, okay? If your will hasn't increased after so many years, and you can't even exchange for points, you can only blame yourself. You need to reflect on your own problems..."

It became even more aggressive, making the crowd want to hit him.

A burly man asked, "May I ask for this fellow cultivator's esteemed name?"

The young man said, "I'm afraid that if I say it, I'll be..."

"Hateful, who is this person? He didn't share any experience but instead spouted nonsense, giving me the feeling of returning to the time before the resurgence of the bizarre, with those experts' quotes," the burly man said dejectedly.

His words resonated with the crowd.

"Who says it isn't? His words are too harsh. Don't I know whether I've worked hard or not? I risked my life to achieve what I have today, yet he says I haven't worked hard. Is it really my problem? I've outcompeted so many fellow cultivators, and this is still the result."

"Alas, nothing has changed. We rogue cultivators are ultimately just韭菜. Even with the resurgence of the bizarre, the major forces are still the ones enjoying the good life. Our individual efforts are too insignificant."

"Therefore, the emergence of Azure Cloud Mountain is a miracle. I must continue to work hard. I must do tasks. I must obtain points. I will definitely rise up!"

The burly man swore.

After speaking, he went straight to the task distribution office to see if there were any points he could exchange and tasks suitable for him.

"..."

"What are they doing over there? Why is this pagoda so strange? The power of the bizarre? But there's no chaotic feeling of the bizarre?"

Xu Ruyi, who arrived as scheduled, asked Gao Jian, the deputy curator who was receiving him.

"Minister Xu, this is the Trial Pagoda recently refined by Mystic Master. Entering it can temper one's will and requires points to enter... Perhaps someone has entered the trial, and the others are asking about their experience?"

Gao Jian guessed.

"A pagoda for tempering will? Mystic Master is truly erudite. In such a short time, he has created a method that uses the bizarre as an aid. If the bizarre can all be refined into treasures that can advance humanity, then the world will change."

Xu Ruyi was pleasantly surprised.

He had to use his other advantages, such as his management skills.

Using his strengths to compensate for his lack of talent in cultivation.

After Sun Hui and the others are summoned, cultivation will be their top priority from now on.

Managing Azure Cloud Mountain will require Li Tongnian, Gao Jian, Xia Qing, and others.

...

Xu Ruyi and Gao Xiaolan agreed with Gao Jian's words.

Looking at Azure Cloud Mountain, which had changed drastically in just one day, they felt curious everywhere.

"Why do I feel that the bizarre I control has become dormant after entering Azure Cloud Mountain?"

Gao Xiaolan asked the group's doubts.

"Have you all seen that giant tree?"

Gao Jian pointed to the towering Jianmu tree in the Xuanhuang Courtyard not far away.

"We saw it?" Gao Xiaolan replied, "Oh, it's so familiar. Isn't that the previous bizarre Corpse Tree? I heard that Mystic Master sealed it and took it away, and it even changed its appearance."

Gao Xiaolan continued, "Sure enough, the gloomy and terrifying appearance from before is gone, and instead... instead, it's lush with greenery. Hmm... there's also a kind of indescribable cycle of life and death? Am I seeing things?"

Gao Xiaolan asked uncertainly.

"Minister Gao has great insight! It was indeed suppressed and changed by Mystic Master. I heard that it was also re-cultivated and cultivated into something similar to a spiritual root of heaven and earth. This tree is called Tongtian Jianmu, taken from the mythological Jianmu prototype. This tree can regulate chaotic spiritual energy and remove toxic spiritual energy."

Gao Jian said to the group, "The ten-mile radius of Azure Cloud Mountain has stable and non-distorted heavenly secrets. This may be the reason why the bizarre in your spiritual masters' bodies is dormant, because the heavenly secrets here are complete. The bizarre that is born from chaos naturally becomes dormant."

"This?"

Hearing Gao Jian's words, the spiritual masters were shocked.

Didn't this mean that if they wanted to take action in Azure Cloud Mountain, they had to be at least higher than the Jianmu tree's level?

Those lower than the Jianmu tree's level would be suppressed.

Even with a strong outburst, they wouldn't be able to reach their due strength.

"Worthy of being Mystic Master, his methods are divine and unparalleled. I look forward to the upcoming exchange even more."

As a conclusion, Xu Ruyi said.

The bizarre Heart of Corruption in his body was not dormant, but even more active, seemingly disliking this place very much.

After all, Xu Ruyi of the Heart of Corruption was a second-tier expert.

The Jianmu tree, at the peak of the first tier, even with the help of the small world's will, could not suppress the Heart of Corruption into dormancy.

Every tier was vastly different.

"Haha, Mystic Master has been waiting for Minister Xu for a long time," Gao Jian immediately said.

"Let's go!"

Xu Ruyi walked expectantly towards the Xuanhuang Courtyard.

They saw that Xuanhuang was already waiting at the entrance.

"Minister Xu, fellow cultivators."

"Mystic Master!"

The crowd called out Mystic Master, which was acknowledged by the other three masters.

"Please come in, everyone."

Xuanhuang turned and waved, guiding the spiritual masters into the courtyard.

Although it was said to be spiritual masters, there were only five people.

Xu Ru, the Minister, Gao Xiaolan, the Deputy Minister, and three others, two men and one woman, all First-Order Spirit Masters.

Dong Xingbao didn't come, probably because he didn't dare to.

It's said that after returning yesterday, he was distraught, lamenting that he was old and planning to resign from the position of Deputy Minister.

… …

"Since yesterday, I've been amazed by the profound cultivation of the Mystics. I didn't expect to gain new insights after just one day. The Mystic seems to possess endless Taoist methods, truly dazzling."

"You're too kind, too kind. Minister Xu adheres to benevolence, works diligently, and has made contributions to Nan City… …"

It started with mutual flattery.

After the mutual praise, the main event began.

Xu Ru said, "I wonder how the Mystic views the Anomalies?"

Xuan Huang said, "Crisis and opportunity coexist. They are both a great danger and a rare opportunity."

"Oh? Could the Mystic elaborate? This is the first time Xu has heard that Anomalies are an opportunity."

Xuan Huang nodded and said, "Why is it a crisis? I don't need to say much, everyone knows, just like our current situation."

He added, "As for how Anomalies are formed, I believe Minister Xu is also very clear, so I will talk about the opportunity aspect."

No mistake, one song, one release, one inside, one content, one exists, one look!

"We are all ears!"

Xu Ru said solemnly.

Since they were being open and honest, Xuan Huang didn't beat around the bush: "The so-called opportunity is my discovery after transcending the ordinary. For example, the Tongtian Jianmu that Minister Xu saw, the White Bone Pagoda, etc., these are the opportunities I'm talking about. Once you can truly suppress an Anomaly and turn it from waste into treasure, the Anomaly will be an invaluable treasure."

Hearing this, Xu Ru looked at the Tongtian Jianmu in the courtyard. He nodded in agreement but said, "The Mystic's methods are profound and can turn waste into treasure, but for the general public, it is a disaster. I wonder if the Mystic has any guidance?"

"Guidance is too much to ask, let's talk about experience… …" Xuan Huang said, "There may be something unpleasant to say, I don't know if I should say it or not?"

"Please speak freely!"

Xuan Huang nodded and said, "Controlling Anomalies is a last resort, a very undesirable way of dealing with things… It's not that I'm criticizing or being ungrateful, forgetting the previous protection of the Spirit Masters, but speaking factually."

Xu Ru didn't get angry and said, "That can be said, I know the Mystic doesn't mean that. Mystic, please continue."

"Okay." Xuan Huang continued, "Controlling Anomalies is a method, but it cannot become the mainstream method. It's not advisable, the advantages and disadvantages are too obvious. Before, there was no other way but to resort to this method for self-preservation, but now there is a new situation. I dare not say that the method I created can save the world, but it is a new attempt… including the Spirit Masters."

Hearing this, Xu Ru seemed to grasp the key point.

He tentatively asked, "What does the Mystic mean by 'including us'?"

"Yes."

Xuan Huang smiled and said, "Speaking of which, it's also luck. Yesterday, when I was refining magical artifacts, I was fortunate enough to gain something. Minister Xu, take a look at this bead."

Xuan Huang took out a pitted glass bead.

Xu Ru solemnly took it.

"Hmm?"

Upon touching and testing it, he immediately discovered the mystery.

"My divine soul… no, the part of my divine soul that was eroded by the Anomaly has been absorbed by it?"

Xu Ru said in surprise.

"What?"

"How is that possible?"

Hearing Xu Ru's words, the other four members of the Town Evil Department, who had been listening without saying a word, stood up abruptly.

"Minister Xu is right, this bead indeed has this ability."

Xuan Huang affirmed. He added, "Coincidentally, the treasure used to refine the bead was obtained from the assassin Qi Long, whom Jia Zhengyi hired. After I refined it, it gained a new ability."

Hearing this, the Town Evil Department was a little embarrassed.

After returning yesterday, they conducted a rectification movement, severely cracking down on the remaining bad habits left by Jia Zhengyi.

Many of the high-level officials who previously belonged to Jia Zhengyi's faction were almost all weakened.

"Everyone, try it."

Xuan Huang didn't hold onto it and immediately changed the subject.

Xu Ru also passed the glass bead to the other four.

The four of them took turns testing it. The Anomalies, which were already suppressed and dormant by the Jianmu, had almost no reaction.

Therefore, the divine souls eroded by the Anomalies were easily absorbed.

The four of them immediately felt a sense of ease.

Their distorted divine souls were eroded by the Anomalies within their bodies. They couldn't be erased before and could only watch as the distorted divine souls grew stronger.

Now that the chronic illness was gone, they felt refreshed.

It had been a long time since they felt this relaxed.

Ever since they merged with the Anomalies, they had been on guard at all times.

Guarding against being eroded by the Anomalies, leading to loss of control, or even directly turning into Anomalies.

"Mystic, I have discovered a new way for us to cooperate."

The happy Xu Ru said to Xuan Huang.

"If it's about conditioning the divine souls of the Spirit Masters that have been eroded by Anomalies, I agree. Any Spirit Master who feels pressured can come here to clear their distorted divine souls."

Xuan Huang naturally agreed. This was how he planned it yesterday.

After several people took turns experimenting, the pitted bead had regained its original appearance.

The Great Millstone of Guixu could continue to be used.

"Really?"

The people of the Town Evil Department said in surprise.

"Of course, it's true. Everyone, take a look at the bead," Xuan Huang said with a smile.

"Eh?"

"How did it become smooth as jade? It was still pitted just now."

Xuan Huang said, "It's also beneficial to me. This bead can recover by absorbing distorted divine souls, so we have a win-win situation. I also gain something."

Xuan Huang was open and honest and could have hidden it, but he disdained to do so.

"Good, good, good ah."

Xu Ru said with a smile, also infected by Xuan Huang's integrity.

He immediately felt that Xuan Huang was a person worth making friends with, a man of integrity.

"Since everyone is satisfied, let me tell you something else that will make you happy," Xuan Huang added.

Xu Ru hadn't been this happy in a long time. It seemed that seeing Xuan Huang dispelled people's worries.

"Mystic, please speak."

The remaining four also changed their attitudes and became more respectful.

Xuan Huang said, "Regarding what I just said, there is still a chance for Spirit Masters to be saved, but I can't guarantee it."

"Boom!"

The few people had just sat down when they quickly stood up again upon hearing this.

How many times had these few been excited?

Xuan Huang's previous demonstration made the Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist practitioners' heads ache.

It seemed that history was repeating itself, and today, the shocked Spirit Masters' butts were aching.

This chair was impossible to sit on, better to stand and listen, saving them from having to stand up excitedly all the time.

"If a Spirit Master regrets merging with an Anomaly and abandons it, what will happen?" Xuan Huang asked.

"Hmm?" Xu Ru pondered for a moment and said, "Certain death."

Xuan Huang nodded and asked again, "What if the abandoned Anomaly is immediately sealed?"

Xu Ru added, "Still certain death."

"Oh?" Xuan Huang asked, "Is it because they have merged with an Anomaly and therefore formed a 'Anomaly-attracting physique', so any Anomaly that appears will follow the trail?"

"Yes!"

Xu Ru nodded solemnly.

… …