Chapter 121: Selecting the Cultivation Technique

Liu Qingxian felt like hitting someone. What kind of statement was that? Even a Yellow-grade cultivation technique would take at least three to five years to achieve some proficiency. But to Jiang Fan, practicing a cultivation technique sounded as easy as drinking water. She admitted that Jiang Fan had extremely high spiritual roots, but spiritual roots only determined the speed of cultivation. Mastering a cultivation technique also involved comprehension.

"I think you're getting ahead of yourself," Liu Qingxian gave him a sidelong glance.

Jiang Fan shrugged and said, "I just want to know if the reward counts."

"Of course it does!" Liu Qingxian replied. "That's a rule that's been in place since the beginning of time. Furthermore, the Azure Cloud Sect's library is guarded by the Grand Elder. Even my father wouldn't have the authority to stop you, even if he wanted to."

Jiang Fan looked puzzled. "There's a Grand Elder too?"

Liu Qingxian looked at him speechlessly. "Is that so strange? Otherwise, did you think all the past sect leaders and elders died?"

"Uh..." It was then that Jiang Fan realized he had only seen the superficial strength of the Azure Cloud Sect. As powerful martial artists, their physiques were several times superior to ordinary mortals, and their lifespans were also significantly longer. Often, upon reaching a certain age or cultivation realm, they would dedicate themselves to studying martial arts, leaving the sect's affairs to younger generations. Otherwise, a sect established for hundreds of years like the Azure Cloud Sect couldn't possibly have only a group of middle-aged sect leaders and elders. Those elders had merely retired; they hadn't died out. His mind was suddenly enlightened.

Accompanied by Liu Qingxian, he arrived at the library. The library was located halfway up the Sect Leader's Peak, a grand hall carved out from within the hollowed-out mountain belly. The area in front of the hall was deserted. An old man in a wrinkled gray robe was squatting on the ground, teasing a mottled local dog. He occasionally grinned, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth.

"Senior Huang," Liu Qingxian bowed respectfully. In front of outsiders, Liu Qingxian was always solitary and aloof. Yet, facing this old man, she showed immense respect. The elder before them was Huang Zhantian, the previous elder of Carefree Peak, who had since retired to the library, spending his days poring over ancient texts, trying to find a way to break through his bottleneck.

Hearing them, he didn't even lift his head, saying, "You've brought the newcomer from the Ancestor Worship Ceremony, have you?"

Liu Qingxian cupped her hands. "That's right! Please make an exception for us, Senior Huang."

Only then did Huang Zhantian raise his head and size up Jiang Fan. "What's your name?"

"Jiang Fan."

Huang Zhantian showed a hint of surprise. "So you're the Jiang Fan that scoundrel Wuji kept mentioning? You actually managed to take first place among the newcomers. No wonder he couldn't stop talking about you and came complaining to me when he was drunk. You truly have some skill." Winning first place among newcomers despite having no spiritual roots—Huang Zhantian could discern Jiang Fan's impressive abilities.

He then looked at Liu Qingxian. "But what are you doing here? I've never seen you personally escort new disciples before. Could it be that you've reached a certain age and are feeling the stirrings of love?"

This made Liu Qingxian uncomfortable, and she gave a wry smile. "Please don't joke, Senior Huang. Jiang Fan is just my junior brother, nothing more."

Huang Zhantian teased her. "You have so many junior brothers, but when have you ever shown any of them such favor?" Then he mischievously added, "Young Jiang, you're quite lucky with women. The most beautiful woman in the nine sects has taken a liking to you; don't miss your chance."

"Senior Huang!" Liu Qingxian's face turned red, and she stamped her foot in annoyance.

Huang Zhantian laughed heartily. "Alright, alright, I won't say any more. Young Jiang, go on in and pick any cultivation technique you like. You have the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep. Girl, you stay outside; you can't go in."

Jiang Fan nodded and stepped inside.

Only then did Huang Zhantian say, "I want to see just how remarkable this kid is. Finding good cultivation techniques in the Scripture Repository isn't that easy."

Liu Qingxian couldn't help but worry. Although the Scripture Repository contained a dazzling array of cultivation techniques, with everything imaginable, their quality varied greatly. There were both extremely excellent techniques and inferior ones. The former constituted only a small minority. They were all mixed together. Finding an excellent technique within the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep was no easy task. Among the disciples who had visited the Scripture Repository in the past, very few managed to find truly outstanding techniques. Liu Qingxian helplessly said, "We can only hope for his good fortune."

Huang Zhantian, however, said meaningfully, "Good fortune is only part of it; one's personal discernment is crucial. A seemingly excellent cultivation technique might not be truly excellent, and a seemingly ordinary one might not actually be ordinary."

Liu Qingxian was stunned, not immediately understanding his meaning.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan had already entered the Scripture Repository. Dense rows of bookshelves crisscrossed, forming a labyrinth. On these shelves, cultivation techniques lay flat, one by one. Each technique was protected by a restriction, preventing it from being opened inside; it could only be taken out and unlocked by Huang Zhantian outside. This prevented visitors from secretly memorizing multiple techniques.

Jiang Fan went to the sword techniques section, which had the most bookshelves—a dozen or more—and the time allotted was only enough for a quick glance through. "Yellow-grade High-level Sword Technique: Nine Blazing Sun Forms!" "Profound-grade Low-level Sword Technique: Dragon-Snake Dance!" "Profound-grade Mid-level Sword Technique: Ice Heart Sword Art!" "Profound-grade Mid-level Sword Technique: Azure Lotus Sword Song!" Numerous cultivation techniques flashed before Jiang Fan's eyes. Among them, there was even a Profound-grade High-level Sword Technique called "Demonic Sword Art," which greatly tempted Jiang Fan. Profound-grade High-level: This was the highest-grade cultivation technique in the Azure Cloud Sect.

After a brief consideration, he decisively gave it up. This was because its description detailed the drawbacks of this sword art: while its power was undoubtedly immense, performing it easily led to mental confusion. Jiang Fan always believed that calmness was an extremely critical factor during life-and-death battles. If one lost rationality, no matter how strong they were, they could easily be counter-killed by their opponent. Therefore, he reluctantly gave it up.

The time for a cup of tea to steep was almost up, and Jiang Fan still hadn't chosen the sword technique he wanted. Suddenly, his gaze landed on a Profound-grade Low-level cultivation technique titled "Sword Heart Meteor Engraving." Next to it was a line of introduction: "This technique was carved on a meteorite from outside the heavens. It is difficult to cultivate, and its sword moves are ordinary. Its only advantage is that when performed, it can produce a slight tremor effect. Its enemy-killing effect is mediocre. Choose with caution."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. From the description, its power seemed very ordinary, only warranting a Yellow-grade classification. However, due to the difficulty of cultivation, it was exceptionally classified as a Profound-grade technique. Who would choose something like this? Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt something was amiss. "That doesn't add up. If the sword moves are ordinary, how can they cause a tremor effect?" He believed he had cultivated the Yellow-grade High-level "Seven Stars Sword Art" to its peak, yet he had never experienced any so-called spatial tremor. "Could it be that the people who tried this sword technique didn't grasp the correct sword forms?"

As he hesitated, Huang Zhantian's voice came from outside. "Time's up! Bring the chosen technique out."

Jiang Fan gritted his teeth, picked up "Sword Heart Meteor Engraving," and then went out to the hall.

Huang Zhantian, with a hint of anticipation, extended his hand. "Come, come, let this old man see the discernment of the junior Wuji thinks so highly of."

As Jiang Fan handed over the cultivation technique, Liu Qingxian glanced at the title and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no, Jiang Fan! Why did you pick this one? This... this is a useless cultivation technique! Many people didn't believe it and chose it, but after practicing, the result was exactly as described!"