14: First experience of cultivation

Gu Changan walked out the door, feeling somewhat unwilling in his heart.

Before the test, he had wondered if he might be a Heavenly Spiritual Root? Even an Earthly Spiritual Root would have been fine!

As it turned out, the test revealed a Low-grade Five-Element Spiritual Root!

But thinking about it, it made sense. If his Spiritual Root talent had been outstanding, his predecessor wouldn't have barged into the Ancient Forbidden Land and lost his life there.

Gu Changan composed himself; since there were no surprises, he would just have to take it one step at a time.

He arrived at the outer city, intending to find a place to stay and ponder his next plans.

After all, there were still 10 days left before heading to Tianji City.

He could use these 10 days to enhance his strength a little, enrich his experience, or at the very least, increase his inventory of items.

That way, when he really needed them in the future, he wouldn't be caught helpless!

He found a secluded Inn and spent two Spirit Stones to rent a room.

There were no Spiritual Qi Formations inside, but the furniture and decorations were a grade higher than those in Desolate Heaven Small Town!

Gu Changan began sorting through his miscellaneous items, remembering that the Storage Pouchs of those 100-plus Cannon Fodder likely contained Cultivation Techniques.

Before, he wasn't sure of his Spiritual Root attribute and didn't dare to Cultivate recklessly, fearing he would waste time.

Now, however, it was fine; with a Low-grade Five-Element Spiritual Root, he could Cultivate Cultivation Techniques of any attribute.

He found a book titled "Basic Qi Refining Technique" and flipped through it, only to discover it was a non-attribute Cultivation Technique.

Wouldn't this just be a waste of time?

If he had known it was a non-attribute Cultivation Technique, he would have Cultivated it long ago.

But it wasn't too late. Suddenly, Gu Changan wanted to see what this "Basic Qi Refining Technique" would become after a successful upgrade.

Would it turn into a Five Elements Cultivation Technique, or some other type?

If it were a Five Elements Cultivation Technique, he wouldn't need to go out and specifically buy one to upgrade.

He placed it into the treasure gathering basin, and Crimson Treasure Qi swarmed in. The "Basic Qi Refining Technique" actually transformed into a Jade Slip.

Gu Changan was overjoyed. He held the Jade Slip against his forehead: "Top-grade Qi Refining Technique."

He was a little disappointed, but it was alright; at least it was much stronger than the "Basic Qi Refining Technique."

The entire Cultivation Technique could be Cultivated up to the tenth layer of Qi Refining, so at least he wouldn't need to look for another Cultivation Technique during the Qi Refining Stage.

As the Jade Slip transmitted the information, the Cultivation Technique appeared in his mind.

"Guide Qi into the body, absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, circulate it through the limbs and bones, nourish the Physical Body, open the Meridians, and gather it in the Qi Sea..."

Gu Changan began to operate according to the description in the Cultivation Technique, and the Cultivation Technique in his mind corresponded to the various Acupoints in his body.

He absorbed the Spiritual Qi from the outside world, passed it through his Acupoints, circulated it around his body to form a cycle, and finally settled it into his Qi Sea.

Perhaps because his predecessor had already Cultivated, Gu Changan succeeded quite easily.

He sensed the Spiritual Qi around his body, slowly flowing into his body through his skin and various Acupoints.

The process was exceptionally slow. He wondered what kind of Cultivation scene an Earthly Spiritual Root or Heavenly Spiritual Root would experience?

Without realizing it, Gu Changan spent an hour moving all the Spiritual Qi from various parts of his body into his Qi Sea.

According to the description in the Cultivation Technique, he had roughly reached the first layer of Qi Refining!

Gu Changan felt a bit emotional; he really wondered what layer of Qi Refining his predecessor had been at?

When he died, all the Spiritual Qi dissipated. The remaining Spiritual Qi stored in the body, now collected, only amounted to the first layer of Qi Refining cultivation.

Fortunately, Gu Changan had a large quantity of top-grade qi gathering pills, which had no medicinal toxins and could be consumed in large amounts.

He took out a top-grade qi gathering pill; it had 12 pill patterns on it, looking like a beautiful piece of art.

He swallowed it, and violent energy surged through his body.

Gu Changan immediately composed his mind and sat cross-legged.

He carefully guided the Spiritual Qi within his body, nourishing his body, widening his Meridians, and solidifying his Physical Body.

Finally, it gathered in the Qi Sea. After the last trace of Spiritual Qi returned to the Qi Sea...

Gu Changan shuddered and woke up. By this time, it was already bright outside.

Unknowingly, digesting one top-grade foundation establishment pill had actually taken the whole night.

One could imagine just how vast the Spiritual Power contained within it was.

If he were Cultivating normally, it might have taken several months or even a year.

Due to the scarcity of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, people's Spiritual Roots differing, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi varying from place to place.

If it were Gu Changan's Low-grade Five-Element Spiritual Root, without using any Medicinal Pill to Cultivate, it would have taken about a year.

Now, it was done directly with one top-grade qi gathering pill!

Gu Changan stretched his muscles and bones, intending to go out for a stroll.

It was better to learn more about this world during the day; he could Cultivate at night!

Gu Changan went out with his cultivation at the 2nd layer of Qi Refining. This level of cultivation in Wenxing City was essentially at the very bottom.

Therefore, he didn't appear out of place at all.

He wandered around the outer city like this, moving between the stalls of various Loose Cultivators.

If he saw something he was interested in, or something that wasn't in his treasure gathering basin.

He would spend spirit fragments to buy it; of course, he would also take out some miscellaneous items to offset the cost.

Unknowingly, he arrived beside a disheveled and dirty Cultivator.

The Cultivator had graying hair and wore a black Daoist robe, with unknown oil stains on the chest and cuffs that made them shine greasily.

The skin on his face sagged, revealing a single large yellow tooth, while the rest of his teeth had disappeared.

His eyes were dim and lifeless, showing an unhealthy yellow tint.

When Gu Changan came to his stall, the old man just looked up and glanced at him before ignoring him again.

Gu Changan, however, observed the old man's items with great interest.

The stall was not large; on a piece of tattered cloth of about 1 square meter, various unknown items of all sizes were displayed.

Among them were unknown grass sprouts! Unknown Ore!

There were also some fragments that looked like weapons, and a short blade.

Below were some bottles and jars, and on the right were various books.

What attracted Gu Changan the most was the book on top of a stack of books on the right: "Five Elements Qi Refining Technique."

Through his Treasure Qi, he discovered that most of these items carried Crimson Treasure Qi.

Those few unknown weapon fragments actually carried Orange Treasure Qi.

Gu Changan mused to himself, these must be Magical Artifact fragments from the Foundation Establishment Stage!

If he bought them, could he absorb the Treasure Qi within them?

As for why he didn't just take them and absorb it directly?

Gu Changan was still a bit afraid; this old man being able to sell these things meant there was a high probability he was a Foundation Establishment expert.

If he could discover that Gu Changan could absorb the Treasure Qi from his items, wouldn't Gu Changan be like an old man hanging himself—tired of living?

He might just slap him to death!

To be safe, he should just buy them!

He gathered his thoughts: "Senior, how much for this Cultivation Technique?"

The old man looked at Gu Changan in surprise, then grinned.

Revealing a large yellow tooth: "200 Spirit Stones!"

Gu Changan gasped. He had thought Cultivation Techniques were expensive, but he hadn't expected them to be this expensive!

If he took out the upgraded Cultivation Technique and sold it, wouldn't he make a fortune?

But thinking about it, that would be completely making enemies for himself!

If these people used his Cultivation Technique to deal with him later, wouldn't that be aiding the enemy?

After thinking it over and over, he decided against it!

He possessed the treasure gathering basin, so how could he be short of Spirit Stones?

But should he buy the Cultivation Technique in front of him or not?