8: Chapter 8: Reading Miscellaneous Essays on Various Arts to Determine the Path to the Future

Days slipped by quietly amidst the turning of pages and the silent sweeping of dust.

Ye Qing still appeared at the first floor of the Library Pavilion punctually every day, wearing that worn grey robe, his spiritual energy fluctuations weakly and steadily maintained at the level of the Qi Refining Stage 2 Early Stage.

This was the result of him using the space to assist in precisely controlling the Qi inside his body, deliberately suppressing and restraining it.

His cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage 3 was firmly locked deep within his Dantian; unless a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage deliberately investigated, others would find it impossible to detect.

Old Liu still dozed at the entrance every day, seemingly completely unaware of this slight change in the only living thing inside the pavilion.

One day, while organizing the bookshelves, Ye Qing discovered a batch of newly delivered Jade Slips.

These were not miscellaneous notes recording personal insights, but rather systematic, introductory teaching Jade Slips for the "Hundred Arts" that had been phased out by the Sect.

"Basic Alchemy Primer (Introductory Chapter)", "Basics of Artifact Refining Material Processing (Abridged Version)", "Key Points of Talisman Drawing (Qi Refining Chapter)", "Overview of Formation Principles (Volume 1)", "Essentials of Spirit Plant Cultivation (Common Species)", and "Common Knowledge of Beast Taming and Low-Level Spirit Beast Rearing".

All in all, there were probably no fewer than twenty or thirty of them.

The Jade Slips themselves were of ordinary material, being the lowest grade of "Image-Recording Jade." Their storage capacity was limited, and the content was relatively shallow, only covering the most superficial theories and introductory operations.

For Disciples aspiring to delve into a certain field, these things couldn't even be considered appetizers; they could only be regarded as "table of contents summaries."

But for Ye Qing, this was an excellent opportunity to systematically understand the "side professions" of cultivation.

"The Hundred Arts..."

He picked up a "Basic Alchemy Primer," pressed the Jade Slip against his forehead, and sank his Divine Sense into it.

A large amount of text, diagrams, and even some dynamic image fragments flooded into his mind.

It mainly introduced the basic principles of Alchemy, the types of Pill Furnaces and key points of fire control, Pill Formulas for common Grade 1 Medicinal Pills (listing only names and main Materials), as well as the most basic techniques for handling medicinal herbs.

The content was indeed superficial, with many key steps described vaguely. It was more like a "guide to dissuasion," telling you how expensive Alchemy was, how much it relied on talent, and how easily it could lead to an exploding Pill Furnace.

But Ye Qing read it very seriously.

Under the transcendent Comprehension Ability brought by the space, those fragmented pieces of information were quickly summarized, organized, and understood.

"The core of Alchemy lies in the combination of 'Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy,' precise control of the heat, and grasping the timing during the Fusion of medicinal properties... The difficulty lies in experience, perception, and resources."

He then picked up the "Basics of Artifact Refining Material Processing."

This time, it mainly covered basic techniques for the initial identification, purification, smelting, and shaping of various low-level Ores and Yao Beast Materials. It was equally superficial, but it described the tediousness and time-consuming nature of Artifact Refining vividly.

"Artifact Refining emphasizes the understanding of Material properties, control over the introduction of spiritual energy, and the preliminary application of Formation Talismans... It is equally money-burning and time-consuming."

The "Key Points of Talisman Drawing" emphasized the delicate control of Divine Sense, the precise understanding of Talisman structures, and the properties of the carrier Materials.

The "Overview of Formation Principles" was like a heavenly book; a pile of concepts such as basic Talismans, spiritual energy nodes, and the connections of fields made one's head spin.

Ye Qing browsed through them one by one.

He was not fast, but after reading each one, he would close his eyes to digest it for a while, cross-referencing the key points with the knowledge from other classics he had read before.

The space within his body flowed slightly, making his mind clear, his memory deep, and his understanding more thorough.

"The entry into the Hundred Arts requires a significant amount of time, energy, and resources, and there are certain requirements for talent. For an ordinary Qi Refining Disciple, mastering one field is already difficult; being too greedy will only lead to poor results."

"But I seem to be... a little different."

Ye Qing put down the last Jade Slip about low-level Spirit Beast rearing, his fingers tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop unconsciously.

He had the space.

The space could enhance his Comprehension Ability, allowing him to learn, understand, and memorize this knowledge with half the effort.

The space could absorb and convert energy; in the future, it might be able to purify Materials, accelerate the growth of Spirit Plants, and indirectly solve some resource problems.

The space itself seemed to contain some prototype of "Creation" and "Refining," which vaguely shared similarities with certain principles of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and even Formation Talismans.

"I don't need to become an Alchemy Great Master or an Artifact Refining Grandmaster immediately."

Ye Qing's train of thought gradually became clear.

"But at least, I must understand."

"Understand how to distinguish good from bad Materials, understand basic medicinal property combinations and Ore properties, understand the simplest Talisman principles and Formation common knowledge, and understand how to Cultivate and care for Spirit Plants..."

"There is no need to be proficient in everything, but I must understand the principles and essentials of everything."

"In this way, no matter what resources, Legacies, or situations I encounter in the future, I will be able to understand and utilize them faster, or even draw inferences, and find the development path most suitable for myself."

"Moreover, the Hundred Arts are not completely independent. Alchemy requires understanding medicinal properties, Artifact Refining requires understanding Materials, and Formation Talismans require understanding the flow of spiritual energy and Talisman construction... They are interconnected and mutually verifying. Only with a comprehensive understanding can one build a more solid and comprehensive cultivation Foundation."

"This, perhaps, is the 'miscellaneous studies' path most suitable for me."

A glimmer of enlightenment flashed in Ye Qing's eyes.

He did not seek to immediately enter the inner sanctum of a certain skill; that would require massive resources and time, which was currently unrealistic.

What he wanted was "knowledge reserve" and "underlying cognition."

With this Foundation, no matter how the space develops in the future or what opportunities he encounters, he will be able to get started faster and utilize them better.

"Start with the theory. Thoroughly digest and memorize all this most basic introductory knowledge."

"Then, when conditions permit, carry out the lowest-cost practical attempts."

"For example, practice basic Ore purification techniques using the most ordinary common iron? Try the most superficial 'medicinal property Fusion reaction' using the sap of plants found everywhere? Draw the most basic Spirit Gathering Talisman on the ground to feel the flow of spiritual energy?"

"The purpose of practice is not success, but to verify theory, deepen understanding, and accumulate the most primitive experience."

A clear and steady learning plan took shape in his heart.

In the following days, Ye Qing's reading focus quietly shifted to this batch of "Miscellaneous Treatises on the Hundred Arts" Jade Slips.

He no longer pursued rapid browsing but read carefully and thoroughly, pondering repeatedly.

When encountering difficult points, he would combine them with other relevant classics, or even mobilize the transcendent Comprehension Ability brought by the space to deduce and simulate from different angles.

Occasionally, he would also "use public office for private gain."

For example, when practicing the precision control of the Dust Removal Technique, he would deliberately simulate the delicate control of heat during Alchemy.

When organizing books back to their places, he would secretly ponder the differences in "Material properties" and "Talisman bearing" corresponding to books of different Materials.

He would even observe the movement of light and shadow outside the window and the trajectory of the wind blowing through leaves, associating them with the similarity between the flow of spiritual energy and the changes in fields within a Formation.

These associations and simulations might just look like a Utility Disciple spacing out to others.

Only Ye Qing himself knew that his brain was building a vast and detailed "basic knowledge network" about the Hundred Arts of cultivation in an efficient and unique way.

This process actually consumed quite a bit of mental energy.

But whenever he felt tired, the space within his body would feed back a wisp of cool energy, nourishing his Divine Soul and allowing him to quickly recover his clarity.

And as his understanding of the basic theories of the Hundred Arts deepened, Ye Qing vaguely felt that his connection with the space inside his body also seemed to have become more delicate and profound.

It was as if the space itself was undergoing some unspeakable, positive change through the "watering" of this knowledge.

That evening, Ye Qing put back a Jade Slip about basic Spirit Plant grafting techniques to its original place and rubbed his brow.

The sunset outside the window was just right, gilding his profile with a layer of pale gold.

"That's about it... The basic theories of this batch of Jade Slips have been initially mastered. Next, I need to integrate them more systematically with the other knowledge I have learned before."

"Perhaps, I can try to use blank Jade Slips to organize a more systematic and personalized 'Hundred Arts Basic Outline' myself?"

This thought popped into his mind.

The content of the Jade Slips provided by the Sect was scattered, shallow, and carried obvious "dissuasion" and "screening" purposes.

What he wanted was pure knowledge integration.

This required time, and it also required a more covert way.

"I can't record it here. I must find a way to get some of the cheapest blank Jade Slips, or... use mundane paper and pen to outline the framework first?"

Just as Ye Qing was pondering, Old Liu's vague yet clear voice came from the door.

"The time has come, kid."

Ye Qing regained his senses and hurriedly replied: "Yes, Old Liu. I'll clean up right away."

He quickly put the read Jade Slips back in place, checked the bookshelves and the floor, confirmed everything was correct, and then picked up the broom by the door—although it was basically useless, he still had to keep up appearances—and walked toward the door.

When passing by Old Liu, the old man's eyes, which seemed to never wake up, slightly lifted a slit, and his turbid gaze swept over him.

Ye Qing felt a shiver in his heart, but his expression remained as usual, and he respectfully saluted: "Disciple will take his leave."

"Hmm." Old Liu's nasal sound was heavy; he closed his eyes again and hugged his purple clay teapot tightly.

Walking out of the Library Pavilion, the evening mountain wind carried a chill.

Ye Qing looked back at the pavilion that appeared exceptionally quiet in the twilight.

He knew that in the puzzle of his steady development, the key piece regarding "knowledge reserve" and "future path" had already quietly fallen into place here.

Next, it was time to continue consolidating his Foundation while making more detailed preparations for future "practice" and "resource acquisition."

The night grew darker, and the starlight began to appear.

Ye Qing, stepping with the Light Body Technique, moved at a pace slightly faster than an ordinary Utility Disciple but definitely not conspicuous, disappearing at the end of the path leading back to the Servant Quarters.

His aura remained steadily at the Qi Refining Stage 2 Early Stage.

Like the water in a deep pool, the surface was calm and waveless, but inside, it was already accumulating unimaginable power.