18: Chapter 18 Receiving Resources

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone path.

Lin Xuan pushed open the courtyard gate and took a deep breath of the air, which carried the fresh scent of bamboo leaves.

The thirty-six streams of Thunder Spiritual Energy flowing steadily within his Dantian made his footsteps feel lighter than usual.

After nearly a year of torment and struggle, he had finally truly stepped into Level 1 Qi Refining. This feeling was like a heavy boulder that had been pressing on his heart being shifted aside slightly.

The General Affairs Hall of Emerald Bamboo Peak remained quiet.

The Deacon Disciple with the stern face was still on duty inside the hall, his head bowed as he flipped through a ledger.

Hearing footsteps, he didn't even look up. "What is it?"

"Disciple Lin Xuan, I have reached Level 1 Qi Refining and have come to update my cultivation registration." Lin Xuan handed over his identity Jade Slip with both hands.

Only then did the Deacon Disciple look up, take the Jade Slip, and inject a trace of spiritual energy with his fingertips to investigate.

The originally faint spiritual light on the Jade Slip had indeed become much more stable, and the cultivation information recorded inside also needed to be updated.

He nodded expressionlessly, took out a palm-sized square Formation Plate, and placed the Jade Slip on it.

The Formation Plate emitted a faint white light, and several runes flowed across it. A moment later, the spiritual light on the Jade Slip turned pale white, which was clearly one level brighter than the previous glimmer.

"Level 1 Qi Refining, confirmed." The Deacon Disciple said in a flat tone and handed the Jade Slip back. "With this Jade Slip, you may accept Sect missions below Grade C, and your monthly benefits have changed. Go to the side hall to collect them."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

In the side hall, an elderly Cultivator was dozing, half-leaning on a recliner.

Lin Xuan explained the purpose of his visit. The elderly Cultivator stood up slowly, took out a set of items from the cabinet behind him, and pushed them over one by one.

A long sword about three feet long, with a cyan-gray body, the blade unadorned and slightly heavy in the hand—it was a standard Low Grade qingyun sword.

A set of light cyan robes, the fabric cool to the touch, embroidered with simple dust-repelling and cold-resistant runes; it was also Low Grade.

A small cloth bag containing ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones—five more than before. A jade bottle containing three round qi gathering pills.

"Put on the robes yourself. Drip your blood on the qingyun sword to recognize it as your master; although it is only a standard issue, it is still stronger than the Sharp Weapon of the mortal world." The elderly Cultivator yawned. "Remember to come and collect your monthly allowance on the first of every month. Alright, go."

Lin Xuan thanked him, walked to a secluded spot outside the hall, and first changed into the robes.

Once the clothes were on, he immediately felt refreshed all over, and even the humidity in the mountains was blocked out to some extent.

He then held the qingyun sword in his hand and forced out a drop of blood onto the hilt.

The blood seeped in, the blade vibrated slightly, and a faint connection was established in his mind.

"Finally, I have a decent Magical Artifact." Lin Xuan gently stroked the blade; although it was only the lowest-grade item, it was rare for him.

He did not return immediately but turned toward the inconspicuous two-story bamboo building on the other side of Emerald Bamboo Peak—the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

Compared to the General Affairs Hall, the Dharma Transmission Pavilion appeared even quieter.

The building was guarded by a One-armed Elder, who was said to have damaged his Foundation while fighting others in his early years and was now spending his retirement here.

Lin Xuan showed his Jade Slip, and the elder's cloudy eyes swept over it. "Level 1 Qi Refining, you may choose one main Cultivation Technique for free, and additionally select two Level 1 Spells. The Cultivation Technique is only provided up to Level 9 Qi Refining; subsequent parts must be exchanged with contributions after Foundation Establishment. Remember, you must fully learn the selected Spells, and only after I verify them can you choose new ones."

"Disciple understands."

The layout of the first floor of the pavilion was distinct. On the left was the Cultivation Technique area, with several old bookshelves, the number of Jade Slips significantly fewer than in the Spell area on the right.

On the wooden shelves to the right, hundreds of Spell Jade Slips were neatly arranged, each with a brief description beside it.

Lin Xuan first walked to the Cultivation Technique area. The labels on the bookshelves were simple and direct: 《Sanyang Technique》, 《Thick Earth Formula》, 《Departing Fire Scripture》, 《Green Wood Canon》, 《Sharp Metal Manual》... These were all mainstream Cultivation Techniques of the various peaks of Sanyang Sect, mostly of the second or third grade, which could be cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Stage or Golden Core Stage.

He stopped in front of a dusty bookshelf at the very back.

There were even fewer Jade Slips here, only a dozen or so, and the handwriting on the labels was somewhat blurred.

《Thunder Origin Secret Record》, 《Purple Lightning Heart Sutra》, Nine Heavens Response Thunder Method Fragment》... Most were second or third-grade Thunder-attribute Cultivation Techniques, or fragments.

Lin Xuan's gaze fell on a purple Jade Slip on the top shelf. Electric arcs faintly flowed on the surface of the Jade Slip, and four ancient characters were written on the label—Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art.

He carefully took it down and injected a trace of Divine Sense to view the introduction.

"Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art, a fourth-grade incomplete Thunder-Dao Cultivation Technique, can be cultivated to Golden Core Perfection, fourth-grade incomplete, awaiting completion.

This method does not prioritize the quantity of Spiritual Root attributes, but rather Heart-Nature, Comprehension Ability, and perseverance.

Practitioners must endure the pain of thunder Body Tempering, refining the body with thunder and nourishing the soul with thunder; every step is difficult, yet the Foundation is solid, and combat power at the same level is outstanding. Choose carefully."

Fourth-grade Cultivation Technique! Can be cultivated to the Nascent Soul Stage!

Lin Xuan was shocked. As a Nascent Soul Stage Sect, the core Legacy of Sanyang Sect was naturally Nascent Soul-level Cultivation Techniques, but those would never be easily passed on to Outer Sect Disciples.

Being able to see an incomplete fourth-grade Cultivation Technique here was already an unexpected joy.

More importantly, this Cultivation Technique did not prioritize Spiritual Root attributes! It only required Heart-Nature, Comprehension Ability, and perseverance!

"Thunder Body Tempering, refining the body with thunder..." Lin Xuan murmured these words, and the light in his eyes gradually brightened.

He possessed the spirit control tower and had the assistance of the thunder-attracting vine, so his tolerance and affinity for thunder were already far beyond that of ordinary people.

The cultivation method of this Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art was simply tailor-made for him!

Without hesitation, Lin Xuan gripped the purple Jade Slip tightly.

When he walked to the elder at the door to register, the elder glanced at the Jade Slip, his one arm paused slightly, and he looked up to carefully examine Lin Xuan before saying slowly: "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art? Kid, did you read the introduction clearly?"

"Disciple has read it clearly." Lin Xuan said respectfully.

"It doesn't prioritize Spiritual Root attributes, but it does prioritize Heart-Nature and perseverance." The elder's voice was hoarse. "It means that even if your Spiritual Root attributes are low, as long as you are willing to endure hardship and can bear the pain of thunder Body Tempering, you can practice it.

But that kind of pain... Heh, of the Disciples who have chosen this Cultivation Technique over the years, nine and a half out of ten came back crying to change their Cultivation Technique within three months."

He paused and stared at Lin Xuan: "What is your Lightning Spiritual Root attribute?"

"Thirty." Lin Xuan said frankly.

"Thirty..." The elder shook his head. "With low attributes, cultivation is already slow, and if you choose this masochistic Cultivation Technique, your progress will probably be as slow as a turtle's crawl. Go change it to 《Thunder Origin Secret Record》; it's a third-grade Cultivation Technique, enough for you to use until the Golden Core Stage, and cultivation will be much gentler."

"Disciple wishes to try." Lin Xuan said in a calm tone. "The path of cultivation is inherently difficult. If I can exchange pain for a solid Foundation, Disciple is willing to endure it."

The elder looked at him for a long while, then suddenly grinned, revealing his toothless gum: "Interesting. Fine, since you have decided, I won't stop you."

He took out a black stone tablet and touched it against the Jade Slip, unlocking the surface Restriction. "You may keep the Cultivation Technique Jade Slip for a long time, but it must not be passed on to others. The contents of the Qi Refining section can now be read. Go, I hope to see you again in three months, and don't come back to change the Cultivation Technique all battered and bruised like those other kids."

"Thank you, Senior." Lin Xuan solemnly put away the Jade Slip.

After putting away the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art Jade Slip, Lin Xuan walked toward the Spell area. He looked through them row by row.

Fireball Technique, 《Water Arrow Technique》, 《Earth Wall Technique》, 《Gold Blade Technique》, 《Vine Technique》... These were the most basic Five Elements attack and defense Spells, and also the first choice for the vast majority of Disciples.

Wind Control Technique, 《Light Body Technique》, 《Treading Snow Without Trace》... Movement techniques.

《Eye Opening Technique》, 《Qi Discrimination Technique》, Breath Concealment Technique, Earth Listening Technique... Auxiliary investigation types.

Lin Xuan's gaze lingered on Breath Concealment Technique and Earth Listening Technique for a long time.

The former could conceal one's own aura and reduce one's presence, serving as the basis for concealment and stealth; the latter could significantly enhance hearing, perceiving subtle movements, and was crucial in complex environments.

"For attack Spells, I have Lightning Strike Technique, which is sufficient for now, and Golden Armor Technique can also hold for a while. On the contrary, this investigation and concealment are more useful for exploring dangerous lands and avoiding danger." Lin Xuan had already made up his mind.

He took down the Jade Slips for Breath Concealment Technique and Earth Listening Technique and walked to the elder again.

The elder used the black stone tablet to unlock the Restriction as well. "Spell Jade Slips can only be read three times, and the content will automatically be imprinted into your mind. After three times, they will automatically be destroyed and must not be passed on to others. Go."

"Thank you, Senior."