Chapter 37 - 35: Finally Obtained a Cultivation Technique

Chapter 37: Chapter 35: Finally Obtained a Cultivation Technique

After some questioning, it was revealed that the Xu family servant, Xu Changqing, was the culprit.

After Chen Feiyang obtained the Pill Furnace Pig, he had stored all the spirit medicine produced from its droppings because he simply couldn’t stomach eating them. He didn’t know where Xu Changqing had gotten the news, but the man had broken into his house, devoured the "medicinal residue" right in front of him, knocked him out, and stolen his pig. Watching someone else eat his "treasure" had left Chen Feiyang feeling both disgusted and furious. Thus, he had come to seek Su Tan’s help.

When Su Tan heard the news, his jaw practically dropped to the floor in sheer astonishment. To think there was actually a weirdo in this world who would rob someone just to eat *that*... it was truly a rare sight. Of course, he wasn’t just shocked by Xu Changqing’s robbery; he thought much deeper into the matter.

He wondered about the Xu family’s attitude. The Xu family had obviously already submitted to him. Yet they still dared to allow their servant to run rampant and steal? What did this mean? Were they looking down on him? Su Tan prepared to teach them a lesson.

"Xu Changqing absolutely has nothing to do with the Xu family anymore! Recently, we have been purging traitors and spies from our ranks. Xu Changqing was a spy for the Yang family. After being exposed, he fled in a panic. We never expected him to do such a thing while on the run! It’s truly despicable!" The Xu family naturally did not want Su Tan to doubt them, so they quickly explained the situation.

Half-doubting their words, Su Tan prepared to use his Divination Skill to calculate Xu Changqing’s hiding place and confront him face-to-face. However, something even more unbelievable happened. The incident involving Xu Changqing actually exceeded the scope of Su Tan’s divination. It was higher than a Level 1 event. Just a mere Xu Changqing, yet his matter exceeded a Level 1 event. One had to know that even Xu Xiuwu’s affairs only fell under Level 1. Why would Xu Changqing be involved in such a high-level event? Su Tan silently made a mental note of this man. He had to be on guard!

At least this matter had an explanation. Ultimately, Chen Feiyang did not embark on the path of cultivation. At the end of the day, his Dao heart simply wasn’t resolute enough, as he genuinely couldn’t bring himself to eat a pile of pig droppings.

Since Xu Changqing couldn’t be found, Su Tan didn’t dwell on it too much. After all, the Xu family was still useful to him right now. Moreover, judging by their reaction, they truly had been in the dark. Thus, the matter was temporarily set aside.

Su Tan continued his routine, treating Xu Xiuwu every day. The Xu family didn’t sit idle either; they began paying Su Tan his remuneration. The Xu family had quite the fortune, and they offered much more than just silver taels.

"Could I exchange the silver taels for cultivation and martial techniques, or weapons, armor, books, and the like?" Su Tan asked.

"Why would you want those low-level cultivation techniques, Sir?"

"I just want to browse through them and do some research," Su Tan replied.

He couldn’t exactly admit that he needed them for his own cultivation. In the eyes of the Xu family, he was a figure of mysterious and profound origins; surely he wouldn’t lack common, run-of-the-mill cultivation techniques? What they couldn’t have guessed was that Su Tan genuinely didn’t have a single one.

"Have you encountered a bottleneck, Sir, and wish to draw upon various sources to see if you can gain some enlightenment?" Xu Xiuwu guessed. He figured that a supreme expert would never be interested in low-level techniques for their own sake. There had to be an ulterior motive!

"Mhm!" Su Tan gave a noncommittal hum. If Xu Xiuwu wanted to misunderstand, then let him misunderstand. It wasn’t like he could tell the guy the truth.

"Then... what exactly are you researching, Sir?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Xiuwu realized his mistake. This was not something he should be asking. His expression changed drastically as a profound sense of dread washed over him. "I was too presumptuous... Please forgive me, Sir!" he quickly apologized, realizing he had violated a taboo among martial artists.

"It’s fine," Su Tan waved his hand casually. "It’s just some casual research, nothing worth mentioning."

Assuming Su Tan was just being modest, Xu Xiuwu puffed out his chest. "Rest assured, Sir, leave it to me!"

Cultivation method manuals were exceedingly rare. Even a clan like the Xu family only possessed a handful. After weighing his options, Xu Xiuwu ordered his men to first deliver a few non-core cultivation techniques to test the waters before deciding whether to offer up their most guarded ones. Although he suspected Su Tan would look down on the Xu family’s crude cultivation and martial techniques, he couldn’t just casually hand over their lifeblood to an outsider.

The Xu family operated with impressive efficiency. Just a few days after Su Tan made his request, specialized guards escorted several horse-drawn carriages to the front of his courtyard. Silver notes, books, armor, swords and blades, medicinal ingredients, martial arts manuals... there was a bit of everything.

"Sir, the items have been delivered."

Su Tan kept some of the silver taels for himself and gave the rest to Village Chief Chen so he could further develop Chen Family Village. The remaining items were brought into Su Tan’s room. Jiu personally introduced each item to him. After spending the better part of the day, Su Tan had a clear grasp of his new inventory, which consisted mostly of an assorted hodgepodge of goods.

"Sir, here are the cultivation and martial techniques you requested. Please accept them!" Jiu retrieved four bound books from his robes. He solemnly opened the wrapping and handed them over. His careful movements clearly conveyed just how highly the family valued these secret manuals.

"Oh?" Su Tan’s greatest interest naturally lay in the cultivation method manuals. These were authentic cultivation techniques! Once he practiced them, he could unleash ice and fire just like a superhuman. He was buzzing with excitement on the inside.

"There are four books in total: two cultivation techniques, one martial technique, and one alchemy book!" Jiu explained.

Cultivation techniques dictated the methods of acquiring Qi—or the methods of cultivation. Martial techniques dictated the methods of utilizing Qi. And the alchemy book detailed the methods of alchemy.

"Of the two cultivation techniques, one is for the Body Refinement realm, teaching one how to temper the physical body. It’s called the Beginner Water Element Technique, a body refinement method for a Water Attribute Physique. The other is a Qi Condensation technique called the Anomalous Fire Qi Condensation Technique, a Fire Attribute Qi Condensation Method," Jiu elaborated in detail.

"The martial technique is called the Mountain Lean Strike. It only has three moves!

"The alchemy book is an introduction to the most basic alchemy methods—an entry-level guide. In the appendix, it includes the pill formulas for three of the most basic elixirs!"

These three basic elixirs were known by every alchemist in the world and were hardly a secret.

"We only brought these four," Jiu added. "The family didn’t dare transport all our precious secret manuals together for fear of being robbed by evildoers."

Su Tan nodded. Compared to these four secret manuals, the other items in the room seemed entirely negligible. He didn’t mind that the manuals were of a low tier. After all, secret manuals were incredibly difficult to come by. He had asked Village Chief Chen to search for so long, yet he hadn’t been able to purchase a single one!

Encountering cultivation techniques for the first time was equivalent to truly coming into contact with the profound mysteries of this world. Su Tan was quite thrilled.

"I understand. You can leave the items here. I’ll research them on my own," Su Tan said.

In truth, he didn’t need to do much research. If he wanted to use them, he could just directly equip them.

"Then I shall not disturb you further, Sir!" Jiu bowed, set the items down, and exited the room.

Finally, Su Tan was alone. Only after confirming that everyone had left the courtyard did he pick up the four books.

"DING~ Shoddy Body Refinement Technique."

"DING~ Shoddy Qi Condensation Technique."

"DING~ Shoddy Martial Technique."

"DING~ Basic Alchemy Knowledge."

"Because the quality of these four books is extremely poor, it is recommended that the Host carefully consider whether to equip them!"

Su Tan was speechless.

He wondered if the system only issued warnings for items that were either exceptionally good or exceptionally terrible.