SFS Chapter 5 Choosing a Cultivation Method
Chapter 5 Choosing a Cultivation Method
"Being able to freely choose cultivation methods is a good thing."
"If even my cultivation techniques are restricted because of my spiritual root, it will be even more difficult for me to rise above others in this lifetime."
Lu Qingyun pondered, hoping to choose a suitable cultivation method to successfully guide Qi into his body.
The Gongfa Pavilion wasn't far, and we arrived quickly following the black-robed steward.
In front of the quaint pavilion, Li Erniu was leaving with a group of servants from the punishment hall.
Li Erniu was very happy, and a strange look appeared in Lu Qingyun's eyes. It seemed that he had obtained the cultivation technique he wanted.
The pavilion was built of a type of sandalwood, with seven or eight stories and a height of more than twenty meters. The eaves were decorated with unfamiliar and exotic animals.
An old man sat with his eyes closed in front of the attic.
The black-robed deacon took out a talisman and showed it to the old man.
The old man nodded.
The boys lined up and entered one by one, with ten people in each line, and each had half an incense stick's time.
Lu Qingyun joined the middle of the line, looking unremarkable as he blended into the crowd. Before long, it was his turn to choose a cultivation technique.
Looking at the eager young men, each hoping to choose a powerful cultivation technique that would grant them the strength to soar through the heavens and descend into the earth, Lu Qingyun shook his head.
In this world,
He did not seek magical battles or opportunities; he only sought immortality.
If he could, he would choose the option that his instincts would allow him to live longer.
The young man in front of him entered the attic, and Lu Qingyun, having stopped thinking, followed behind him.
but,
Just as he stepped into the attic, the black-robed steward suddenly transmitted his voice, which left no room for argument.
"Lu Qingyun, your spiritual root is primarily metal with wood as a secondary element, so choose the 'Green Wood Transformation Sword Technique'."
Lu Qingyun turned around and saw the black-robed steward standing there, still cold and unmoving.
It seems that the telepathic transmission just now was just an illusion.
However, when Lu Qingyun turned his head, he felt the other person's gaze again.
previously,
Thanks to the black-robed deacon's advice, he avoided falling into the trap of choosing a large spiritual field and instead chose a spiritual field that the other party had previously cultivated.
It's clear that the other party has some goodwill towards him.
However, Lu Qingyun did not jump to conclusions.
It's not too late to make a decision after seeing the cultivation method.
He remembered the black-robed deacon telling them...
As a monk, caution is paramount.
……
Lu Qingyun followed the example of the black-robed steward and gave a slight bow to the old man in front of the building.
The other party seemed not to hear and did not respond.
Lu Qingyun didn't pay attention.
Indifference is the privilege of the wise.
As the weaker party, all he could do was be courteous and avoid giving anyone a handle to use against him.
Enter the library.
The torches illuminated the library, and although they were only allowed to search on the first floor, it would probably take several days to read all the techniques on that floor.
There are over a hundred books of basic, attribute-free martial arts techniques, such as the "Childhood Heart Sutra" and the "Glassy Fist".
Lu Qingyun's gaze did not linger, but moved toward the direction of the wood-attribute cultivation technique.
His spiritual root is primarily wood with secondary metal, so even if he doesn't choose the one recommended by the black-robed deacon, he will still have to choose from among these.
Looking at the dozens of cultivation manuals in front of him, Lu Qingyun found the one the black-robed steward had asked him to choose: "The Green Wood Sword Transformation Manual".
Looking at the manual in front of him, Lu Qingyun fell into thought.
"Azure Wood Sword Transformation Technique" is a low-level wood-based cultivation method. By using one's own body as material and absorbing the energy of azure wood, one can refine oneself into a superior sword material. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one can then cultivate "Azure Wood Myriad Swords Technique" to forge an azure wood sword body.
"The Azure Wood Sword Body repels all evil; its sword light is boundless, making it invincible among those of the same level."
"This technique is indeed excellent, but unfortunately, it seems it cannot grant immortality."
Lu Qingyun shook his head. This Sword Transformation Technique was indeed well-described, but the sword body within it could only be forged after Foundation Establishment.
The black-robed deacon's cultivation level was only at the late stage of Qi Refining. Even the other party couldn't establish a foundation. How could he dare to hope for it in this life?
"not to mention..."
"The idea in this manual to refine oneself into a superior sword material doesn't seem like a good thing."
In his previous life, he traveled among the common people of Liang Kingdom in search of immortality.
When the salt officials of Liang Kingdom first took office, they were mostly arrogant and smug.
But as time went on and he amassed a fortune through embezzlement, the emperor sent men to kill him and seize all his wealth.
Those few salt officials who survived were all cautious and restrained their greed.
The wealth of a salt official is already coveted, let alone a cultivator who cares nothing for anything but his practice.
Even if it might offend the black-robed deacon, Lu Qingyun was unwilling to increase his own risk for the sake of currying favor in the short term.
"On the contrary, this book, 'The Ancient Tree Longevity Technique,' seems quite good."
Lu Qingyun picked up the slightly thicker cultivation manual next to "Green Wood Sword Transformation Technique".
The bell in the attic rang, signaling the time was almost up. He hadn't seen the full text, only the first annotation at the beginning of the technique...
"Those who cultivate this skill, though easy to begin with, progress is slow. Even if their lifespan far exceeds that of their peers, it does not align with the path of competition we should take."
Easy to learn? Lifespan far exceeds that of its peers?
Is this for real?
Lu Qingyun did not hesitate. This cultivation method was both immortal and simple, making it a perfect match for him.
With a thought, Lu Qingyun followed the instructions of the black-robed steward, gripped the jade slip containing the cultivation technique, and imprinted the technique's memory into it.
*Thump!*
The bell in the attic rang, and Lu Qingyun followed the crowd out.
……
"Lu Qingyun, which cultivation technique did you choose?"
After recording the choices of the young man, the black-robed butler stood smiling in front of the pavilion and asked Lu Qingyun.
"Reporting to the steward, Qingyun has chosen the Ancient Tree Longevity Technique."
Lu Qingyun cupped his hands in greeting.
"Ancient Tree Longevity Technique?"
The black-robed deacon's face stiffened, his smile freezing: "This cultivation method is slow; why did you choose this one?"
None of the previous teenagers dared to disobey him, but unexpectedly, something unexpected happened with Lu Qingyun, whom he considered the most certain to succeed.
"Sir, it's not that I don't want to choose other cultivation methods, but apart from this 'Ancient Wood Longevity Technique,' the other cultivation methods all seem to be extremely difficult to understand. I have always been dull-witted and do not want to be abandoned by the sect, so I had no choice but to choose this one, which is said to be the simplest."
Lu Qingyun smiled wryly, looking quite sincere.
"Always stupid? What a fine example of 'always stupid'!"
The black-robed deacon stared into Lu Qingyun's eyes and, seeing that Lu Qingyun remained calm, suddenly felt the air around him grow colder.
Could it be that Lu Qingyun is backed by a senior brother?
The black-robed deacon was filled with doubt. If it was true, why had no one mentioned that he needed to be taken care of?
The other party did not reply.
Lu Qingyun felt helpless and added:
"Qingyun is deeply ashamed of the great kindness shown to him by his superiors. However, when Qingyun was born, his parents were already very old, and he was extremely afraid of dying when they were old. When he saw that this cultivation method could prolong life, he was confused and made this choice."
"A moment of confusion?"
He couldn't figure out whether Lu Qingyun was the work of one of his senior brothers, but it was better to be safe than sorry, and it wouldn't hurt to give up a piece of spiritual material.
The black-robed deacon took a deep breath, his smile returning as if nothing had happened. He patted Lu Qingyun on the shoulder and said, "It's alright. It's only natural to cherish one's life and fear death."
"If you regret it, you can come to me anytime."
"Thank you for your kindness, Deacon!"
Lu Qingyun thanked him again.
Seeing this, the young men beside the black-robed deacon were filled with disdain and sneered, believing that Lu Qingyun had missed a great opportunity.
Despite being highly regarded by the deacon, he treated him with such disdain and failed to win the deacon's favor.
Lu Qingyun retreated into the crowd, ignoring the gazes of the teenagers.
However, when the boy beside him told him that the other boys around the black-robed deacon all had wood as their primary element and metal as their secondary element, he was surprised to learn that their spiritual roots were actually wood.
They chose the "Green Wood Sword Transformation Technique" and were treated differently by the steward.
Lu Qingyun became even more wary.
I will remember the faces of those boys deeply.
Perhaps his guess was not wrong.
……
Half an hour later,
The black-robed deacon regained his aloofness and led the group to a sacred mountain.
Lingfeng Peak rises into the clouds, its scenery endless, with all sorts of strange peaks and rocks. Above it are plots of well-defined spiritual fields, the fragrance of grass and trees carried by the wind down the mountain, making each breath sweet and refreshing.
What a blessed land!
This was the location of their assigned spiritual field, which would also be their future place of cultivation. Lu Qingyun felt a little more relaxed.
The black-robed deacon's voice came from beside him.
"Spirit rice ripens once a month. Half a month later, when the weather warms up, it's time to plant spirit rice. Unless you successfully guide qi into your body, if you fail to deliver spirit rice twice, you will be demoted to a mortal."
"In other words, if you want to do your best to avoid planting spirit rice, you have a total of two and a half months of cultivation time."
His gaze swept across everyone's faces, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Or perhaps, try to hand over the spirit rice to extend the cultivation period."
try?
How can we find a way?
As soon as the words were spoken, the boys felt a chill run down their spines.
This seems to imply that they are being encouraged to steal other people's spiritual rice...