18: Differences in martial arts

Li Feng changed the subject and whispered to Han Yi and the other two, "The reward for this mission has increased, and I rushed here overnight to specifically warn you not to reveal this matter to anyone else, understand?"

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts and echoed their agreement.

"It seems the Sect is planning something big and is afraid of the news leaking out and alerting the enemy..." A thought arose in Han Yi's mind.

"Alright, alright, don't just stand here. Disperse. It's good that you know about this. We'll go on the mission after Wang Meng's injuries recover in a few days," Li Feng said, waving his hand.

Exchange Office

Han Yi looked at the dense array of items, feeling a bit dazzled.

'Vajra Blade', 'Bone-Mending Paste', 'Body Strengthening Pill', 'Golden Body Art'...

From weapons to equipment, and then to Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, and martial arts, there was everything imaginable!

And at the very top of the exchange list was none other than the Inner Sect Cultivation Technique—'Huoyuan Skill'.

"Han Yi, don't think about it. This 'Huoyuan Skill' is only placed in the exchange items to motivate us Disciples to complete missions," Wang Meng, who was beside him, said with a slight sigh as he watched Han Yi staring at the 'Huoyuan Skill'. "I haven't heard of anyone accumulating 1000 contribution points in all my time in the guard team!"

"Not just Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples also need contribution points to maintain their daily Cultivation.

If you want to improve your cultivation, you take on missions, earn contribution points, then exchange them for resources, and then go complete more missions. This is a well-designed trap.

Those old geezers in the Sect are all too shrewd! They use contribution points to keep us constantly striving, to maximize the entire Sect's profits."

Pan Sheng's curses reached Han Yi's ears.

"However, there's no need for you to exchange and Cultivate Cultivation Techniques like 'Golden Body Art', 'Tiger Subduing Skill', or 'Clear Mind Art' on this exchange list."

"Why is that?" Han Yi raised an eyebrow. He had just taken a liking to this 'Tiger Subduing Skill'.

The 'Tiger Subduing Skill' description said that Cultivating it to Major Achievement would increase one's Strength by at least that of a tiger, and it only cost 40 contribution points. Han Yi had just received 45 contribution points, so he could afford it.

"Being in the same team can be considered fate," Pan Sheng sighed. "Today, this brother will thoroughly explain the Dao to you."

"Do you know why 'Golden Body Art', 'Tiger Subduing Skill' on this exchange list, or the 'Yang Yuan Skill' you Cultivate, are considered Mortal Grade, low-tier Cultivation Techniques?"

Before Han Yi could answer, Pan Sheng continued, "Because these Cultivation Techniques don't have subsequent fundamental visualization diagrams..."

"Fundamental visualization diagram?"

Han Yi was a bit confused by this unfamiliar term. He felt as if he was touching upon the core content of a Martial Artist's Cultivation!

"A fundamental visualization diagram is also called an Entering Vigor visualization diagram. A Martial Artist can only comprehend the specific operational path of Qi and Blood transforming into Strength through the visualization diagram that accompanies the Cultivation Technique, and only then will they have a chance to clear the blocked Meridians within their body, thereby generating Strength!

Only by generating Strength and achieving the Tongmai Stage Realm can one be respectfully called a 'Martial Master' by others!"

At this point, Pan Sheng's face showed a look of fervent longing. Clearly, he had yearned for the Connecting Vessels Realm for a long time.

"Yes, as long as you become a 'One-Jing Martial Master', you'll be qualified to serve as a Sect steward, or even become a great figure at the Elder level!"

Wang Meng, who was usually quiet, could not hide the longing on his face at this moment.

"Although Cultivating multiple Cultivation Techniques before Entering Vigor won't cause conflicts," Pan Sheng, having come back to his senses, patiently explained to Han Yi, "only Cultivation Techniques like 'Huoyuan Skill' that have subsequent visualization diagrams are worth Cultivating."

This is precisely what is commonly said: Cultivation Techniques are easy to obtain, but diagrams are hard to find!

"Conflicts?" A few glints flashed in Han Yi's eyes, and he suddenly asked, "What happens if one Cultivates multiple Cultivation Techniques of the same grade after Entering Vigor?"

"This, this I'm not too sure about," Pan Sheng said vaguely. "I also vaguely heard the teaching Elder mention that after becoming a One-Jing Martial Master, the Strength will carry the unique attribute of the Cultivation Technique, hence the saying 'Dao cannot be cultivated together'!

So, the 'Yang Yuan Skill' you are currently Cultivating is considered High Grade among Mortal Grade Cultivation Techniques. Instead of wasting time Cultivating other Cultivation Techniques, it's better to choose a martial art well and improve your Strength."

"But this 'Huoyuan Skill' requires 1000 contribution points..." Han Yi hesitated.

"Sigh, 1000 contribution points is indeed a bit unrealistic..." Pan Sheng sighed and whispered, "So I suggest you first use your contribution points to exchange for some Medicinal Pills that increase cultivation, or martial arts that can quickly improve your Strength. In a few months, it will be the annual Sect Grand Competition, and all Outer Sect Disciples can sign up to participate."

"If you can enter the top ten and be promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple, you can choose to Cultivate 'Huoyuan Skill' for free..." He shook his head, clearly not optimistic about Han Yi.

After all, there were thousands of Outer Sect Disciples in the Crimson Flame Sect, and among them, there were certainly many talented and hardworking individuals. Every year, there were Outer Sect Disciples in the Lianxue Stage appearing in the Sect Grand Competition!

Therefore, the difficulty of competing for ten spots among thousands of people was imaginable.

Of course, in addition to achieving a ranking in the Sect Grand Competition, if one could make great contributions to the Sect or gain the favor of a Sect Hall Master or Elder, they could naturally also easily enter the Inner Sect.

After Pan Sheng finished speaking, he left the exchange office. According to him, the items exchanged by the guard team were too low-level and not very useful to him; he didn't even bother to look at them.

Han Yi and Wang Meng could only smile bitterly and look at each other. This was the benefit of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. The Cultivation Techniques, martial arts, and Medicinal Pills that Outer Sect Disciples yearned for were just 'low-level items' to Inner Sect Disciples.

After looking at the exchange list for a while longer, Wang Meng exchanged for a few bottles of 'Bone Strengthening Pills'. According to him, he was already at the Late Stage of Refining Bone and was preparing to try to Breakthrough and become a 'quasi-Martial Master' of the Lianxue Stage after his injuries fully healed!

Han Yi, however, was still browsing the exchange list, undecided.

"Although Pan Sheng believes that Cultivating multiple Cultivation Techniques is a waste of time, I can quickly improve the Cultivation Technique Realm through the System's stat allocation, and I still have a full 45 points of vitality. If I exchange for a Mortal Grade Cultivation Technique and quickly improve it, will my cultivation..."

From the moment he first saw that Cultivation Techniques could be exchanged, he had this thought and wanted to verify it. Now, this thought grew even stronger!

"I'll give it a try. At most, I'll just lose a few points of vitality!" Han Yi gritted his teeth and made up his mind.