122: Chapter 122 Cultivating the Fire Serpent Technique

As he spoke, he flipped open the Fire Shield Technique book, his gaze slowly scanning the pages, his expression becoming a bit more solemn.

A moment later, he closed the Secret Manual and placed both books together on the stone table. His tone carried a hint of sincere advice: "However, this Fire Shield Technique, although it is a Fire Spell for defense, has a clear shortcoming."

"Its defensive strength is insufficient; it can only withstand the attacks and low-level Spell onslaughts of ordinary Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators. If one encounters a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator or above, or bombardment from high-level Spells, this Fire Shield Technique is simply unable to withstand a single blow."

Elder Qingxuan paused and added: "You have just reached Foundation Establishment, and your Foundation is still shallow. You are in greater need of a powerful defensive Spell for self-preservation."

"The defense of this Fire Shield Technique is too weak. You might as well return to the Scripture Pavilion and exchange it for an Earth-type defensive Spell."

Elder Qingxuan's words were sincere, entirely out of care for the Sect's Disciple.

He had been stationed at the Scripture Pavilion for many years and had seen many Disciples who stumbled on their path of Cultivation due to improper selection of Spells.

However, faced with Elder Qingxuan's sincere suggestion, Qin Changsheng remained unmoved.

For ordinary Cultivators cultivating the Fire Shield Technique, perhaps it was truly as the Elder said, with weak defense. But he possessed the Golden Trait: Fire Spells, which could reduce damage from Middle and High-level Fire Spells;

coupled with the [Flame Amplification] trait, which could increase the Spiritual Qi condensation Speed and defensive strength of the Fire Shield Technique, even this seemingly ordinary Fire Shield Technique, under the enhancement of the Golden Trait, could have defensive power far exceeding other Spells.

To him, the Fire Shield Technique was by no means a shortcoming.

Therefore, Hu Nan simply bowed slightly: "Many thanks for the guidance, Elder Qingxuan, but this Disciple has a naturally high affinity for Fire Spells and prefers the Dao of Fire Cultivation."

Elder Qingxuan shook his head gently, a faint look of regret appearing on his face.

He had intended his advice out of kindness, but since Hu Nan had already made up his mind, it was not appropriate for him to persuade him further.

The path of Cultivating Immortality requires one to make their own choices. Only by experiencing the pros and cons personally can one truly understand them. No matter how much others remind you, if you cannot listen, it will ultimately be useless.

"Fine, fine." Elder Qingxuan waved his hand, his tone returning to indifference. With a wave of his hand, a wisp of Spiritual Qi was injected into the two Secret Manuals, leaving a faint Sect mark, and then he handed the Secret Manuals back to Hu Nan.

"Since your mind is made up, then so be it. Remember, when cultivating Spells, one must not be impatient for success; one must proceed step by step. Even if you prefer Fire Spells, you must also take care of your own Foundation. Do not go astray due to stubbornness."

"Return these two Spells to the Scripture Pavilion in one month!"

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan to quickly receive the Secret Manuals with both hands, bowed and saluted again, his tone respectful.

Elder Qingxuan nodded slightly, said nothing more, and closed his eyes to rest again. The aura around his body became steady and restrained once more, as if he had returned to his previous state of ignoring worldly affairs, no longer paying any attention to Hu Nan.

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan to carefully put away the two Secret Manuals, placing them into the Storage Pouch, and bowed to Elder Qingxuan once more before walking away into the distance.

Elder Qingxuan's gaze also followed the departing Hu Nan.

Even until Hu Nan's figure disappeared, Elder Qingxuan's gaze did not retract, still staring in that direction.

A flash of elusive, inexplicable light flickered in his eyes.

The light was very faint, seemingly regretful, seemingly expectant, and seemingly hiding a hint of an expression that no one could understand.

It is unknown how much time passed before Elder Qingxuan slowly came back to his senses.

He slowly raised his hand and carefully took out a book from the wide sleeve of his Dao robe.

Elder Qingxuan flipped to a blank page, took out a bamboo pen from his bosom, dipped the tip in a little thick ink, paused his wrist slightly, and stroke by stroke, with clear and powerful handwriting, slowly wrote on the paper: Hu Nan is cultivating Fire Snake Technique and Fire Shield Technique.

...

Outer Sect courtyard.

After Qin Changsheng took the Fire Snake Technique and Fire Shield Technique out from the space of the Storage Pouch, he began to Cultivate.

For ordinary people to Cultivate the Fire Snake Technique, they need to carefully guide Spiritual Qi into their bodies and refine it step by step; the slightest carelessness would lead to chaotic Spiritual Qi.

But Qin Changsheng was completely different. He possessed the Golden Trait [Fire Spells]; this trait was like a natural affinity for Fire, giving him extreme control and absorption power over Fire-type Spiritual Qi.

When Spiritual Qi entered his body, there was no need for deliberate guidance; it automatically flowed along the Meridians toward the Dantian, quickly transforming into his own Spiritual Qi, and then, following the Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Fire Snake Technique, circulated to the Dantian.

In just a short half-hour, Qin Changsheng had already mastered the basic essentials of the Fire Snake Technique and was already able to condense tiny flickers of fire in his hand. This Speed far exceeded the hard work of ordinary Cultivators over several days or even months.

One must know that even for some Geniuses, when cultivating the Fire Snake Technique for the first time, it often takes several days to even draw out Fire-type Spiritual Qi, let alone condense fire flickers. Yet, with the enhancement of the Golden Trait, Qin Changsheng's path of cultivation was smooth sailing; Spiritual Qi absorption, Mind-Cultivation Technique operation, and Spell condensation—every step was shockingly fast.

"Hah!" Qin Changsheng let out a low shout, his eyes suddenly opening. A trace of crimson light flashed in the depths of his eyes, and his hand suddenly reached forward.

In an instant, the fire flickers lingering in his hand suddenly surged, transforming into a half-foot-long crimson fire snake. The fire snake was burning with raging flames throughout its body; its snake scales were clearly visible, and it spat out scorching tongues of fire from its mouth, emitting a "sizzling" burning sound.

The air around him was baked until it twisted and became scorching hot, and even the nearby leaves curled slightly, seemingly unable to withstand this force of scorching heat.

The power of this Fire Snake Technique had long exceeded the basic level. The fire snakes condensed by ordinary Cultivators for the first time were weak and thin, with limited burning power.

However, the fire snake condensed by Qin Changsheng was not only larger in size and more realistic in form, but the Fire-type power it contained was also several times stronger. Even a piece of hard bluestone, when licked by this fire snake, would be instantly scorched with charred marks or even directly shattered.

Qin Changsheng looked at the stone not far away that had been destroyed by the Fire Snake Technique, and his mood was very good.

He could clearly feel that the Golden Trait not only accelerated his cultivation Speed but also subtly amplified the power of the Fire Snake Technique, allowing this ordinary Fire Spell to radiate a completely different combat power.

Just having barely entered the introductory level, it was already more powerful than the Fire Snake Technique of those Cultivators at the Major Achievement or even Perfection levels.

After cultivating the Fire Snake Technique to the introductory level, Qin Changsheng looked at the Mind-Cultivation Technique for the Fire Shield Technique.

Very quickly, Qin Changsheng discovered that cultivating this Fire Shield Technique was even easier than the Fire Snake Technique.

Without needing his deliberate control, the Fire-type Spiritual Qi flowed orderly along the Meridians and steadily merged into the Mind-Cultivation Technique.

For ordinary people to Cultivate the Fire Shield Technique is most mentally exhausting; it requires precise control over the density and circulation rhythm of Spiritual Qi. The slightest deviation would make it impossible to condense a complete fire shield. Even if barely condensed, it would dissipate in an instant, and it often takes a month of effort to just touch the threshold of entry.

But with the enhancement of the Golden Trait, Qin Changsheng's path of cultivation had no obstacles. The refinement of Spiritual Qi, the operation of the Mind-Cultivation Technique, and the condensation of the fire shield—everything was logical and smooth, and the Speed was shockingly fast.

In less than a short half-hour, Qin Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, a golden light flashing and disappearing in the depths of his eyes, and then he let out a low shout: "Condense!"

As the voice fell, his palm suddenly lifted upward. The crimson Fire-type Spiritual Qi lingering around his body suddenly surged, quickly gathering above his palm, layering and compressing. In an instant, a four-foot-square, completely crimson fire shield was condensed.

Faint flames burned on the surface of the fire shield, and the patterns on the shield body were clear, as if formed by the interweaving of countless tiny fire patterns. It emitted a vigorous and scorching aura, steadily floating in front of Qin Changsheng, revealing a sense of indestructible heaviness.

Qin Changsheng's gaze condensed. He raised his hand and swung a palm at a half-person-high piece of bluestone beside him. The bluestone received the force and rushed toward the fire shield. With a muffled "bang," the bluestone slammed hard onto the fire shield.

The expected dissipation of the fire shield did not happen. Instead, the bluestone was instantly scorched with charred marks by the flames on the surface of the fire shield, followed by a "crack" as it shattered. Gravel flew everywhere, while the fire shield only shook slightly, the flames on its surface dimmed a bit, and then it immediately returned to normal, still floating steadily, without any damage.

Qin Changsheng was delighted. He had seen many Mysterious-grade Low Grade defensive Magical Artifacts; although their defensive power was solid, it was far inferior to the fire shield he had condensed at this moment.

This fire shield could not only withstand physical impact but also rely on its own flames to burn enemies. Its defensive strength far exceeded ordinary Mysterious-grade Low Grade defensive Magical Artifacts. Clearly, this was another surprise brought by the enhancement of the Golden Trait.