110: Chapter 110 In the Scripture Pavilion, choosing a cultivation technique

The light screen would ripple, revealing layers of suspended Cultivation Technique Jade Slips or phantoms of ancient books for selection.

The interior of the entire Scripture Pavilion was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

There was only a faint, ethereal sound, like ancient Buddhist chanting or Daoist music, gently echoing and making one unconsciously calm down.

Ye Chen took a deep breath, suppressed the waves in his heart, and walked to the center of the hall.

There was a half-person-high cyan stone tablet here, its surface as smooth as a mirror.

He pressed the hand order given by Elder Li onto the stone tablet.

The stone tablet lit up slightly, and several lines of golden text appeared:

"Token Holder: Ye Chen."

"Authority: True Inheritance Seed Candidate, temporary access to the third floor, limited to twelve double-hours."

"Selectable Cultivation Techniques/Martial Skills: Three (no grade limit, one Earth Rank Incomplete Manual may be chosen)."

"Reminder: Compatibility is key; greed is useless. Once selected, they must be branded with the Divine Soul and must not be shared; violators will be severely punished."

Twelve double-hours, three Cultivation Techniques or Martial Skills, which could include an Earth Rank Incomplete Manual.

This authority could not be considered small.

One must know that many Core Disciples might not be able to accumulate enough contribution points to exchange for a single Profound Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique in a year, let alone an Earth Rank Incomplete Manual.

Ye Chen withdrew the hand order, bowed to the stone tablet, and then walked toward a light screen marked with the character "Three".

He pressed the hand order onto the light screen again.

The light screen rippled like water, and the scene inside instantly became clear.

He saw countless light orbs of various colors and sizes, like stars, floating and bobbing slowly in the endless void behind the light screen.

Each light orb represented the Legacy of a Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill.

The deeper the color of the light orb and the brighter its glow, the higher the grade or the stronger the Concept it contained.

Ye Chen concentrated and slowly extended his Divine Sense into the light screen.

Immediately, a massive stream of information flooded into his mind, though it wasn't the specific contents of the techniques.

Instead, it was summary information such as the names, introductions, grades, attribute requirements, and cultivation difficulty of countless Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills.

Heavenly Dipper Demon-Subduing Sword Art (Profound Rank High Grade, Metal and Lightning attributes, requires fierce True Essence, sword momentum is vast and righteous, extremely difficult to Cultivate)

True Explanation of the Purple Sun (Profound Rank High Grade, Fire attribute, balanced and peaceful, can be cultivated to the Dao Palace Realm)

Profound Ice Soul-Shattering Palm (Profound Rank High Grade, Ice attribute, palm force is cold and gloomy, carries a Divine Soul attack)

Green Wood Longevity Art (Profound Rank Medium Grade, Wood attribute, focuses on healing, recovery, and life extension)

Swimming Dragon Startled Swan Step (Profound Rank High Grade, Movement Technique, agile and swift, suitable for small-range maneuvering)

Great Sun Visualization Method (Incomplete, Earth Rank Low Grade, visualize the great sun to temper the Divine Soul and condense the intent of Pure Yang; severely incomplete, extremely high risk)

Void Sword Escape (Incomplete, Earth Rank Low Grade, contains space mysteries for evasion and assassination sword techniques; incomplete, extremely difficult to start)

Hunyuan Dao Scripture (Incomplete, suspected Earth Rank Medium Grade, ancient Legacy, obscure content, suspected main Cultivation Technique, more than half missing, no one has successfully practiced it)...

There were all sorts, no fewer than several thousand kinds!

From offense to defense, from movement techniques to Divine Soul cultivation, from the Five Elements attributes to rare mutated attributes, everything was available, making one's eyes dazzled.

Ye Chen was in no hurry to choose; instead, he calmed his mind and carefully browsed and compared them.

He currently did not lack offensive methods; "Hunyuan Return to Void" and "Ice-Fire Annihilation" had infinite potential, and he also had three sword styles taught by Bai Chen to comprehend.

For defense, he had the "Hunyuan Defensive Wall" and his continuously strengthening Physical Body.

The movement technique "Phantom Step" was also sufficient.

And compared to Profound Rank High Grade movement techniques like the "Swimming Dragon Startled Swan Step," it wasn't necessarily worse; it just had a different focus.

What he truly lacked was a systematic main Cultivation Technique that could solidify his Foundation and guide his future path.

As well as secret methods that could effectively temper and strengthen his Divine Soul, and trump cards for life-saving or finishing blows at critical moments.

Although the Hunyuan One-Qi Art was an Incomplete Manual, its conception was extremely high and it was very compatible with him.

Furthermore, he had already cultivated Hunyuan True Essence and touched upon the Concepts of "Return to Void" and "Annihilation," so it was impossible to switch to something else.

What he needed were other "Primal Chaos" type techniques that could supplement, perfect, or even be verified against it, or secret arts that could assist in its cultivation.

Regarding the Divine Soul, although the "Soul-Shocking Spike" was powerful, it had a high consumption and the risk of backlash; he lacked systematic methods for nourishing and strengthening it.

The Great Sun Visualization Method was an Earth Rank Incomplete Manual; if it could be completed, its value would be immeasurable, but it was severely incomplete and high risk.

Moreover, it was of the Pure Yang attribute, and it was still unknown whether it would be compatible with his path of dual ice and fire cultivation and Primal Chaos unification.

As for a life-saving trump card, the "Void Sword Escape" looked good and contained space mysteries.

Whether for escaping or assassination, it was extremely practical, but it was also an Incomplete Manual and extremely difficult to start.

Ye Chen's gaze swept back and forth between several Earth Rank Incomplete Manuals: the Hunyuan Dao Scripture (Incomplete), the Great Sun Visualization Method (Incomplete), and the Void Sword Escape (Incomplete).

As well as several Profound Rank High Grade secret arts for Divine Soul cultivation and special evasion techniques.

"Earth Rank techniques, even if they are Incomplete Manuals, far surpass the Profound Rank. But the risk is also great; if I can't get started or if they conflict with my own path, the loss will outweigh the gain. Profound Rank High Grade is stable, but the potential is limited."

Ye Chen weighed his options in his heart.

Ultimately, he made a decision.

With a thought, his Divine Sense locked onto three light orbs.

The first was that Hunyuan Dao Scripture Incomplete Manual.

It wasn't that he expected to be able to directly Cultivate this technique that was more than half missing.

Rather, he wanted to comprehend more mysteries of the "Primal Chaos" Dao from it and verify them against his own Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Perhaps there would be unexpected gains, or he might even be able to fill in some of the missing parts of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

This was a choice to solidify his Foundation and clarify his path.

The second was the Great Sun Visualization Method Incomplete Manual.

Although his main Cultivation Technique wasn't Pure Yang, he had the fire of vitality like the Dark Red Ember within his body.

The Ice Lotus Imprint also contained a hint of Pure Yang vitality (Chaos) within extreme Yin; perhaps he could try to visualize the great sun to temper his Divine Soul and balance ice and fire.

He might even prepare for the Pure Yang power he might encounter in the future.

More importantly, a strong Divine Soul was the Foundation for performing all methods and was also one of his current shortcomings.

The risk was great, but it was worth a shot.

For the third one, he hesitated repeatedly before giving up on the Void Sword Escape.

He chose a Profound Rank High Grade special evasion technique—Blood Shadow Escape.

This evasion technique was not space-based; instead, it used the burning of essence blood as a price to instantly burst forth with speed several times one's own, used for escaping or desperate counterattacks.

Although the price was not small, it was fast to activate and did not require too high a level of comprehension, making it a life-saver at critical moments.

While the Void Sword Escape was good, it involved space and was extremely difficult to start.

In the crisis-ridden Falling Star Lake and the future Netherworld Ruins, he might not have the time or Opportunity to slowly comprehend it.

Having selected the three, Ye Chen no longer hesitated and used his Divine Sense as a guide to communicate with those three light orbs.

The light orbs trembled slightly and turned into three streaks of light, flying out from the light screen.

They fell into Ye Chen's hands, turning into three Legacy Jade Slips of different Materials.

One was ancient and heavy, emitting a chaotic aura (Hunyuan Dao Scripture).

One was fiery and bright, warm to the touch (Great Sun Visualization Method).

The last one was dark red, with a faint smell of blood (Blood Shadow Escape).

At the same time, he felt the Sect Master's hand order in his hand grow slightly warm.

The "three techniques" quota recorded on it changed to "zero".

"Thank you, Senior."

Ye Chen bowed toward the light screen and the direction of the guarding Elder.

Then he carefully put away the three Jade Slips, turned, and left the Scripture Pavilion.

He did not directly examine them inside the Scripture Pavilion; there were too many people and eyes here, and it wasn't a good place to comprehend Cultivation Techniques.

Returning to his Ziyun Peak Immortal Cave, he activated the Restriction.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged and first took out the Jade Slip containing the Hunyuan Dao Scripture Incomplete Manual.

His Divine Sense sank into it.

In an instant, a flood of information far more ancient, vast, and fragmented than the Hunyuan One-Qi Art poured into his Sea of Consciousness.

The content recorded in the Jade Slip was indeed severely incomplete; in many places, the sentences were nonsensical, the Dao patterns were broken, and the Concepts were blurred.

However, the supreme Dao charm revealed within—that of "Chaos beginning to open, evolving all things, encompassing everything, and also returning everything to the void"—

Caused Ye Chen's heart and soul to shake violently, as if he were seeing the magnificent sight of the creation of heaven and earth and the birth and death of all things.

The conception of this Hunyuan Dao Scripture seemed even more distant and grand than the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

The Hunyuan One-Qi Art was more like one of its branches, or a version that was simplified and focused on "Qi" and "Return to Void".

Whereas the Hunyuan Dao Scripture Incomplete Manual vaguely involved more fundamental things like "Spirit," "Form," "Dao," and "Reason" in addition to "Qi".

It was just a pity that most of it was missing.

Ye Chen hungrily comprehended those few words and fragmented Dao patterns that he could barely understand.

He verified them against his own insights from cultivating the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Many places in his previous cultivation that were blurred, where he knew the 'what' but not the 'why', suddenly became clear at this moment.

He gained a deeper understanding of the operation and control of Hunyuan True Essence, and the essence of the "Annihilation" and "Return to Void" Concepts.

He even found something from some fragmented discussions about "Chaos turning into Yin and Yang, and Yin and Yang giving birth to the Five Elements."

He had new ideas regarding the balance of the Ice Fire True Essence within his body.

This session of comprehension lasted for a full three days.

...

Three days later, Ye Chen opened his eyes. A flash of chaotic color flickered through them, and his aura became even more steady and restrained.

Although his cultivation hadn't increased, his understanding of his own path had become much clearer and more resolute.

The value of this Incomplete Manual of the Hunyuan Dao Scripture was immeasurable!

He didn't immediately begin comprehending the Great Sun Visualization Method. Instead, he first took a Medicinal Pill and adjusted his breathing to recover his spent mental energy.

One must be extremely cautious when comprehending an Earth Rank Incomplete Manual.

Two days later, once his state had returned to its Peak, Ye Chen solemnly picked up the Jade Slip containing the Great Sun Visualization Method.

His Divine Sense sank into it.

"Boom!"

It was as if a real, tangible blazing sun had exploded within his Sea of Consciousness!

Infinite light and heat, filled with a majestic power of destruction and creation, instantly flooded his Divine Soul!

Ye Chen felt as though his Divine Soul was about to be completely incinerated, purified, and evaporated by this blazing sun!

"Ah!" He let out a muffled groan as blood seeped from his seven orifices simultaneously. His face turned deathly pale, and he felt a splitting headache.

The overbearing nature of the Great Sun Visualization Method far exceeded his imagination!

Just a preliminary contact with the visualization diagram had nearly caused damage to his Divine Soul!

He hurriedly focused his mind and circulated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Hunyuan True Essence protected his Sea of Consciousness while he simultaneously activated the Ice Lotus Imprint, which emitted a cool Qi to guard his spiritual platform.

The Dark Red Ember within his Wheel Sea also seemed to be stimulated, flickering slightly and emitting a trace of warm, peaceful vitality.

It merged into his Divine Soul, resisting that overbearing Pure Yang burning.

The balance of ice and fire, neutralized by Primal Chaos, played a crucial role at this moment.

That Pure Yang blazing sun intent, which seemed ready to incinerate everything, was tempered by the inclusivity of the Hunyuan True Essence, the coolness of the ice lotus, and the vitality of the Dark Red Ember.

Finally, it was no longer so violent and began to be slowly adapted to and accepted by Ye Chen's Divine Soul.

Enduring the intense pain, he began to attempt to visualize that "Great Sun" according to the incomplete technique in the Jade Slip.

Instead of directly visualizing a complete sun, he started with a single wisp of "Pure Yang Light."

He imagined its characteristics: warmth, brightness, the dispersal of all evil, and the nourishment of all things.

He slowly introduced it into his Divine Soul for tempering and purification.

This process was extremely slow and painful, like using a red-hot iron to sear and hammer the Divine Soul bit by bit.

But for every moment he persisted, Ye Chen could feel that his Divine Sense seemed to become a bit more refined.

His perception became clearer, and his comprehension of light, heat, and "Yang" deepened.

Deep within his Divine Soul, some subtle hidden injuries left behind by multiple uses of the Soul-Shocking Spike and the Ice-Fire Annihilation Trigger...

...actually showed signs of slowly healing under the illumination of this Pure Yang Light.

"It really is effective!"

Ye Chen's spirits rose. Enduring the pain, he continued his visualization.

He knew this was a tempering of the Divine Soul and also an Opportunity. If he could reach the entry level...

...not only would his Divine Soul strength increase significantly, but it would also be of immense benefit for future cultivation of fire-attribute techniques and balancing the ice and fire within his body.

It would even be of great help in comprehending Concepts like "Light" and "Yang."

It took a full seven days before Ye Chen managed to complete the first layer of the Great Sun Visualization Method.

He had achieved some proficiency in the introductory step of "Drawing Yang into the Soul."

Although he was still far from condensing the phantom of the "Great Sun Visualization Diagram," his Divine Soul's refinement and strength...

...had clearly improved. His Divine Sense detection range and control precision had increased by nearly thirty percent!

Moreover, his Divine Soul was more stable, faintly carrying a trace of Pure Yang aura, and his resistance to evil Divine Soul attacks had also strengthened.

"An Earth Rank Incomplete Manual is indeed extraordinary. However, this cultivation process is truly perilous."

Ye Chen ended his visualization and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling both lingering fear and joy in his heart.

If he hadn't possessed several unique traits, he probably would have been burned into an idiot by that Pure Yang intent in the very first step.

Finally, he picked up the Jade Slip recording the Blood Shadow Escape.

This High Grade Profound Rank movement technique was relatively easy to understand.

The core was to use a special method to instantly burn a portion of one's essence blood, stimulating potential to explode with a speed several times faster than normal.

The duration and explosive speed were related to the amount of essence blood burned and the strength of the practitioner's Physical Body.

The side effect was falling into a state of weakness for a short period; the loss of essence blood required time to replenish.

Ye Chen carefully comprehended it, memorizing the circulation method and the key points of burning essence blood.

This was a life-risking technique that wouldn't be used unless absolutely necessary, but it had to be mastered proficiently.

After gaining a preliminary grasp of the three newly acquired Cultivation Techniques and secret arts, more than half a month had passed.

Ye Chen emerged from seclusion, feeling that his state was better than ever before.

His injuries were completely healed, and his cultivation was stable at the Peak of the Early Stage of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, ready to Breakthrough to the Middle Stage at any time.

His Divine Soul was refined, and his Divine Sense was powerful.

His understanding of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art and his own path had become even more profound.

He had also mastered the Blood Shadow Escape as a life-saving trump card.

It was time to make the final preparations for the upcoming trip to Falling Star Lake.

Ye Chen first went to the Sect's "Trade Market" and used some Spirit Stones and unneeded Materials...

...to exchange for some high-quality healing, detoxification, and True Essence recovery Medicinal Pills.

He also got some special Talismans and Formation Plates specifically for toxic miasma, mist, and spatial turbulence.

The environment of Falling Star Lake was treacherous, so he needed to be thoroughly prepared.

Afterward, he went to Danding Peak to visit the Liu siblings.

Liu Yurou had already adapted to life on Danding Peak and had begun learning basic alchemy; her complexion looked much healthier.

Liu Mingxuan had also become a bit more lively, following behind his sister like a little tail.

Elder Li took quite good care of them, which put Ye Chen at ease.

Leaving Danding Peak, Ye Chen thought for a moment and decided to visit Zixia Peak.

For the Falling Star Lake trip, Murong Bai was the person in charge, and Leng Ningshuang might also be going along.

He needed to learn some information in advance, and perhaps they could exchange some cultivation insights.

When he arrived at Zixia Peak and announced himself, he was told by the female Disciple guarding the Peak...

...that Leng Ningshuang was currently in death seclusion, attempting to break through to the Dao Palace Realm, and was not seeing anyone.

"Before Senior Sister Leng entered seclusion, she left word that if Senior Brother Ye visited, I should give this item to him."

The female Disciple took out a pale purple Jade Slip and handed it to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen took it and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

Inside was Leng Ningshuang's cold voice.

"Junior Brother Ye, the trip to Falling Star Lake is exceptionally dangerous. Senior Brother Murong Bai's cultivation is unfathomable and his thoughts are hard to predict; you must be careful. I've attached a report I compiled regarding the toxic miasma, Yao Beast characteristics, and countermeasures for the outskirts of Falling Star Lake; it may be of use. I hope for your safe return."

The second half of the Jade Slip indeed contained detailed information about the danger zones of Falling Star Lake.

It was even more detailed than what the Sect provided, clearly intelligence unique to Leng Ningshuang or Zixia Peak.

Ye Chen felt grateful and put the Jade Slip away.

Leaving Zixia Peak, Ye Chen strolled along the mountain path back to Ziyun Peak, his mind contemplating his next plans.

There were still more than ten days before departure; he could try to push for the Middle Stage of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

And further familiarize himself with his newly acquired Cultivation Techniques and secret arts.

As he was walking, at a bend in the mountain path ahead, a figure in white stood with hands behind his back, seemingly having been waiting there for a long time.

The mountain wind blew his robes, making him look somewhat desolate yet carrying a kind of indifference that suggested nothing in the world could bother him.

It was Murong Bai.

The mountain wind swept past, bringing the fresh scent of plants.

Murong Bai turned around, still possessing that gentle and calm appearance that made one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

With a faint smile on his face, he looked at Ye Chen.

"Junior Brother Ye, it's been many days. Your grace is even greater than before," he spoke first, his tone gentle.

Ye Chen was alert in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward a few paces and cupped his hands.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Murong. Is Senior Brother here waiting for me?"

"I was idle with nothing to do, so I came here to watch the mountains and admire the clouds. Meeting Junior Brother Ye here can be considered fate."

Murong Bai smiled slightly. His gaze lingered on Ye Chen for a moment, and a trace of hard-to-detect surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Ye's cultivation has improved again, your aura is condensed, and there's a hidden sharpness within. It seems this seclusion has brought you significant gains."

"It's just some lucky insights; I cannot compare to Senior Brother Murong."

Ye Chen said modestly, though he was secretly on guard.

For Murong Bai to see his improved cultivation and hidden sharpness, his discernment was clearly extraordinary.

And, a chance encounter?

There was no such coincidence.

He must have been waiting here specifically.

"Junior Brother Ye is too modest. To possess such combat power and potential at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, you are one of the few in the Inner Sect."

Murong Bai waved his hand and changed the subject.

"In ten-odd days, it will be time to head to Falling Star Lake. I will be in charge of this investigation, and several Core Disciples and Inner Sect elites will be coming along. I wonder how Junior Brother Ye's preparations are going?"

"I am currently preparing; I still need to purchase some Medicinal Pills and Talismans," Ye Chen answered truthfully.

"Mm, it's always good to be prepared." Murong Bai nodded, pondered for a moment, and said.