18: Chapter 18: Cultivation Techniques and Sword Manuals (Read at your leisure)

Scripture Pavilion.

Library Elder Liao Jianshu suddenly put down the book in his hand, sat up straight, and his originally gentle and calm gaze suddenly turned sharp, landing heavily on Yu Xiu.

"Life Spring!"

"How did he enter the Life Spring Realm!"

Yu Xiu had only been in the Inner Courtyard for a short time—not even a full month—so Library Elder Liao Jianshu naturally remembered him.

Especially since the Cultivation Technique Yu Xiu had chosen at the time was the difficult Chi Xing Sword Scripture, Liao Jianshu had an even deeper impression.

Logically speaking, a Disciple cultivating the Chi Xing Sword Scripture, assuming similar Aptitude and Comprehension Ability, would only be slower than others because this sword Cultivation Technique was more difficult and also stronger.

But...

Less than a month, how did he enter the Life Spring Realm?

This is unreasonable!

Liao Jianshu knew better than anyone how difficult the twenty volumes of Qi Sea Realm Cultivation Techniques were. In the decades he had guarded the Inner Courtyard Scripture Pavilion, the fastest he had ever seen someone cultivate to Perfection in the Qi Sea and enter the Life Spring Realm had taken half a year.

He was seeing someone enter the Life Spring Realm in less than a month for the very first time!

"With such Comprehension Ability, how could he have stayed in the Outer Courtyard for three years?"

"Could it be that he suddenly had an epiphany?"

He was filled with doubt and suspicion, staring at Yu Xiu for a long time before asking: "How did your Qi Sea cultivation progress so quickly?"

He hadn't wanted to ask, but entering the Life Spring Realm in less than a month was simply too shocking, leaving him no choice.

Fortunately, Yu Xiu had the foresight to use the Sword Heart Concealing Edge to hide the Life Spring formed by his five hundred years of lifespan; otherwise, his Life Spring would have been even more eye-catching.

Yu Xiu was silent for a moment before replying: "Disciple feels that the Qi Sea Realm Cultivation Technique is not difficult, so the cultivation went a bit faster!"

"Not difficult?"

"Is this what you call not difficult?"

"Others are crawling like turtles in the Qi Sea, but you are flying!"

How could it be explained by just saying it was not difficult!

More importantly, the Sword in the Hand lineage of the Qingwei Sword Sect integrated Cultivation Techniques into sword arts, relying on Comprehension Ability and one's affinity with the sword.

If Comprehension Ability was insufficient, the Cultivation Technique could not reach Perfection, the Realm could not be improved, and even the best Heaven And Earth Treasure would have no effect if consumed!

"Or could it be that he has a treasure that enhances Comprehension Ability?"

"Or perhaps there is a high-level expert from the Sword Sect secretly guiding Yu Xiu?"

Thoughts flashed through Liao Jianshu's mind; several times he even felt the urge to keep Yu Xiu by his side to study him carefully.

But in the end, he held back and only asked: "Are you willing to cultivate by my side for a period of time? All expenses during this period will be covered by me."

"If he truly had an epiphany, then his Comprehension Ability is high enough."

"But if there is external help, Yu Xiu would never agree in order to keep his secrets, then..."

Liao Jianshu's suppressed heart finally showed a ripple!

Even though he had cultivated his mind for many years, at this moment, he could hardly hold it together!

He actually hoped that Yu Xiu would choose to refuse!

But unexpectedly, after thinking for a moment, Yu Xiu agreed immediately: "Cultivating by the Elder's side for a period of time is not impossible, but I can cover all expenses myself..."

Liao Jianshu's gaze tightened, his heart fluctuating, but he quickly suppressed it: "What do you want?"

Yu Xiu smiled sheepishly: "I want to read more books in the Scripture Pavilion; I ask the Elder to make things convenient for me."

"Read books?" Liao Jianshu pondered for a moment: "If it is just reading, while you cultivate by my side, you can browse through the Cultivation Techniques, sword arts, and so on in the Scripture Pavilion as you please."

On his turf, he could open the door of convenience at will, and the Sect would not interfere much. As long as there was no loss, and as long as Yu Xiu did not spread the Cultivation Techniques, even the higher-ups would turn a blind eye.

"Truly?" Yu Xiu's eyes lit up.

If he could read in the Scripture Pavilion for a few days, his Comprehension Ability would surely skyrocket!

He was excited, but he also knew what the Library Elder wanted.

However, this was destined to disappoint the Library Elder, because his Comprehension Ability was just that high!

"For such a small matter, I wouldn't bother lying to you." Liao Jianshu picked up the book he had put aside earlier and waved his hand: "Go choose your Cultivation Techniques."

Yu Xiu took the opportunity: "Disciple will cultivate with you starting today; can I read more books?"

Liao Jianshu's breathing paused, as if he were choked, and finally, too lazy to speak, he just waved his hand, presumably meaning, "Suit yourself."

Yu Xiu was overjoyed, bowed, and walked into the pavilion.

He first picked a Life Spring Realm Cultivation Technique, the twenty volumes of the Huanyang Sword Art, and then chose a Life Spring Realm sword art, the "Cold Phase Sword."

Only then did he begin to ponder.

The basic Cultivation Techniques and Leakless Realm Cultivation Techniques at the beginning of cultivation were all for Body Refining, so it didn't matter how many you practiced; there would be no conflict.

But after reaching Qi Circulation, internal Qi is generated, and one cultivates internal Qi. Different Cultivation Techniques produce different types of internal Qi, and there is the concept of compatibility. If one practices two Cultivation Techniques at the same time, the internal Qi will conflict.

In other words, he could improve his Comprehension Ability, but he could not cultivate many techniques above the Qi Circulation Realm. Reading them was useless because he couldn't practice them, and naturally, he couldn't reach Perfection, nor could he increase his Comprehension Ability or lifespan.

Unless one day, Yu Xiu's Comprehension Ability became so high that he could reach Perfection in a technique just by looking at it without practicing, then he would be able to read those techniques.

As of now, what he should mainly look at were Life Spring Realm sword arts, movement techniques, footwork, and so on. He could also read and learn basic Cultivation Techniques, sword scriptures, Leakless Realm Cultivation Techniques, and sword scriptures.

Thus, he selected another Life Spring Realm agility technique, "Eight Steps Ascending the Void." This agility technique was suitable for long-distance raids, and the speed burst in short bursts would also be extremely fast.

There was also a Life Spring Realm movement technique, "Seven Star Wandering Body Steps." This technique was adept at maneuvering and changing positions in small areas, focusing on lightness and versatility.

But that wasn't all; he picked ten more agility techniques, ten more movement techniques, and ten sword arts, all at the Life Spring Realm level.

When he took this pile of Cultivation Techniques, sword arts, and movement techniques to find the Library Elder Liao Jianshu to exchange for the Complete Manuals.

Liao Jianshu was silent for a long time, and finally, he couldn't help but remind him: "Meals must be eaten one bite at a time. I think you should understand the principle that greed leads to poor digestion."

He paused: "Furthermore, although I can open the back door for you, can you not be so conspicuous?"

The Scripture Pavilion had its rules. Although these rules were in the hands of the Library Elder Liao Jianshu, he wouldn't trample on them too blatantly.

Yu Xiu smiled sheepishly and put back more than twenty books, choosing only the Cultivation Techniques, sword arts, and five or six agility and movement techniques.

Liao Jianshu gave him the Complete Manuals.

Yu Xiu was not polite and took them into the pavilion to read carefully.

[Huanyang Sword Art, Volume 1: Introductory (468 / 800)]

"Just by looking at it once, I've already reached 468 in the introduction!"

This kind of Comprehension Ability was already very impressive!

But soon, his Comprehension Ability would welcome an even greater explosion and elevation.

Yu Xiu believed that when his Comprehension Ability broke through one thousand, or even two thousand, he would probably be able to reach Minor Achievement, or even Major Achievement, in a Life Spring Realm Cultivation Technique just by reading it once!