Following after Shen Junan, they passed by multiple chambers, clearly used for something, and also engraved with a multitude of winding circular patterns. As Ren looked into them, curious about their function, Zhi Mu began to explain their uses. "Those are cultivation chambers, Brother Ren. You can see the different lines drawn on the ground, walls and even the ceiling, building a formation to raise the concentration of spirit for a short frame of time." The Adept said without preamble, pointing at the different chambers while his wooden stick was still slung over his shoulder.

This gave Ren pause, and countless questions began to gather in his mind. He asked the question, to him, most obvious first.

"Why only for a short time, instead of constantly having them running?" Ren asked, not quite seeing the point. And after considering for a moment longer, even added on. "And isn't there enough spirit in the air? Would more even do anything for us? I thought that better rooms for cultivation would have some other effects, like clearing your thoughts, or pushing you in interesting ways, like the stone in the body division."

Zhi Mu looked at him like he encountered a hailstorm in the midst of summer, while the others were only in different states of mild amusement. Xin Jing even let her hand comb through her hair while having a pained expression on her face.

Nonetheless, Zhi Mu began his explanation. "It is not like it wouldn't be better to keep the cultivation chambers running all the time. Sadly, it is impossible for these particular ones. Firstly, to power the formations that run the chambers multiple spirit stones have to be used up, though, that is not the true problem. Secondly, the formations that are either drawn or carved will be corroded by the spirit running through them, and to combat this inevitability the sect would have to get one of the best formation masters of the alchemy division to set up formations that combat this corrosion by renewing their own lines."

Before Zhi Mu could continue, Han Ting actually interrupted him. "But why are there almost no such formations on the mountain, Brother Mu?"

The young Adept looked slightly peeved at being interrupted, and not by the one who asked in the first place, but continued once again. "I was getting to that, Brother Ting." He gave the boy an admonishing look, making the taller boy scratch his head in embarrassment. "As I was saying, there are experts in our sect who can set up cultivation chambers that can keep on running. Why then do we not encounter them everywhere in the sect?" He made a small dramatic pause, and gestured at one of the rooms with his stick. "The answer to this question is actually quite simple and twofold. There are maybe a handful of people on the mountain capable of setting them up. The formations consume far more spirit stones, and despite their reputation of resisting corrosion, they still need to be checked on periodically, which of course can only be done by someone who would be able to set them up in the first place, unfortunately. Did this satisfy your first question, Brother Ren?" Zhi Mu said, his arms crossed and his trusty stick leaning against his shoulder casually.

Ren nodded in appreciation. "Yes, that was more thorough than I expected, but you still didn't answer why it would even be needed to increase the density of spirit on the mountain. I could see a Master or strong Adept benefitting from it, but I assume those are not the ones to use these cultivation chambers, Brother Mu." Ren said.

Zhi Mu considered how to best answer Ren, putting a hand to his chin and humming to himself.

"You are constantly cultivating, are you not, Brother Ren?" The Adept asked him, to which Ren only nodded, not quite seeing where the older boy was going with this. "Most practitioners do not have this talent, as you surely must have noticed at some point. While you cultivate every waking hour, straining and improving your body and cultivation base, not seeing the point in more spirit as if it was denser you would have to simply decrease the speed of your circulation to compensate, right?"

Once again, Ren could only nod, the thought that others might not be able to do these things not once having crossed his mind.

Zhi Mu, seeing him agree, continued. "Others try to compensate by using these rooms at night, or when they feel that they do not progress as fast as they'd like. The four of us are obviously similar to you in this regard, using every moment to cultivate, but it is important to also understand the struggles of those who can not."

Zhi Mu gave him a significant look, almost searching for something in Ren's expression. After an uncomfortable moment that stretched on for multiple seconds, Zhi Mu had apparently found what he was searching for and made a satisfied noise while taking a step to move on. "Oh, and one more thing, for the practise of certain arts an environment of extremely dense spirit can be exceedingly beneficial, even for us, but with more experience you will come to know more about this aspect of cultivation." The boy said, almost dismissively, turning his head slightly to face Ren.

The five of them continued their trip, with Ren making up the rear end, while Shen Junan and Zhi Mu walked in front.

While he was still lost in thought, his mind on the possible uses of cultivation chambers, and how other formations were not corroding as fast, he listened to the conversations of the others.

"So, Brother Junan, whatever are these mysterious competitive formations that you talked about, surely you can tell us now?" Xin Jing's voice rang out, clear and playful. She had both hands crossed behind her head and gave off an air of casualness.

The bespectacled boy seemed to be struggling, but ultimately decided to explain what awaited them. "All right, I guess there is no reason to beat around the bush any more. When attempting the competitive formations, those who simultaneously try them will be cast into different illusions not dissimilar to what one could expect from the stone in the body division."

"That doesn't sound original at all, Brother Junan, I thought there was going to be a grand reveal." This was Han Ting, talking with puzzlement clouding his voice.

Shen Junan looked a little irritated and added on. "It is not only about this. Sure, you get graded and compared to your peers, but what sets it apart is the ability to influence others who take on the formations at the same time, as up to ten formations can be connected to each other, weaving illusions to hinder their competitors and taking themselves to the top."

The boy looked both smug and satisfied after he finished his explanation, but upon seeing that the others were not truly seeing the same appeal in it, Ren not even being completely focused on him, faltered slightly.

"When you experience it for yourselves, you will surely see why I think so highly of it. Usually there are many disciples gathering to observe the happenings." He said in a slightly less enthusiastic voice.

"Don't worry about it too much, Brother Junan, I am sure it will be fine either way." Xin Jing encouraged him, seeing his downtrodden look.

Walking for another five minutes, Ren noticed the paths taking on a lighter shade and the lighting turning far brighter, increasing visibility.

They also, to Ren's surprise, started hearing a cacophonie of laughter echo through the halls.

All of them started looking at Junan, not knowing what to make of the situation.

He only waved them off, a grin back on his face and eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"That, my fellow Brothers and Sister, is certainly originating from our destination for this fine day. Let's go!" He said, with gusto and a spring in his step.

They followed after the now enthusiastic boy who walked straight onto an ornate double door that was decorated in an almost deafening tone of red and gold with some lines drawn in silver resembling formations snaking themselves over it. To their general surprise, not only the top corner edges, but also the bottom corners were rounded to a ridiculous degree, even shortening the entry.

Not wanting to ruin the surprise of finally seeing the inside of this elusive room that seemingly brought Shen Junan so much joy, Ren reared in his senses to not pass the portal.