Chapter 265 : 【Scripture Repository: Lv1】

Ji ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yuan: “???”

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍building effect seemed somewhat vague.

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍latter part was easy enough to understand. Using it together with the 【Enlightenment Room】 produced better results, much like the combination of the 【Cave Dwelling】 and the 【Spirit Vein】.

But ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the first part...

What ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍exactly did it mean by increasing cultivation technique proficiency?

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍problem was that his cultivation already had proficiency, didn't it?

The more he cultivated, the more proficient he became with the cultivation technique.

Yet since the panel had created an entirely separate building for it, and it was a Level 1 building that already required a Second-Tier Demon Core.

Moreover, the initial upgrade alone required one hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.

That was certainly not cheap.

Ji Yuan clearly remembered that when the other buildings first reached Level 1, they had only required a few Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.

That fact alone was enough to prove that the 【Scripture Repository】 was extraordinary.

No matter what, he'd upgrade it first.

Once it reached Level 1, he'd naturally understand what the effect actually was.

Immediately afterward, Ji Yuan swept his Divine Sense through the entire 【Scripture Repository】.

Ten Foundation Establishment techniques were already enough.

After all, demonic cultivation techniques also counted as cultivation techniques.

There were thirteen Foundation Establishment techniques in total, but there was only one Golden Core technique.

Therefore, if he wanted to upgrade it, he would still have to find additional Golden Core techniques.

Ji Yuan naturally wasn't too worried about that.

He would first ask Dong Qian, then a few of his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, then Hua Yaoyue.

One way or another, he would certainly gather enough.

If all else failed, he could simply go to the Li Family.

If Li Changhe wasn't around, asking Li Gang would work just as well.

Since he had decided, Ji Yuan immediately sent a message to Dong Qian.

There was no need to stand on ceremony with Senior Sister Dong.

He directly asked whether she possessed any Golden Core cultivation techniques.

The answer was no.

However, what she said next left Ji Yuan rather shocked.

“Is Junior Brother in urgent need of one? How about we find a suitable Core Formation Cultivator? I'll take Six-Tail with me, and we'll kill them and seize their treasures.”

Ji Yuan: “That really won't be necessary. I merely wish to compare a cultivation technique against some insights I've recently gained. Since Senior Sister doesn't have one, I'll go ask my Master instead.”

Putting away Dong Qian's Messaging Talisman, Ji Yuan took out Feng Zhi Tao's.

Although asking Hua Yaoyue would certainly solve the problem...

The 【Scripture Repository】 definitely wouldn't stop at Level 1.

It would need to continue upgrading afterward.

If a Level 1 【Scripture Repository】 already required two Golden Core cultivation techniques, then what about Level 2?

Ji Yuan estimated that it would require at least five Golden Core techniques.

Perhaps even ten.

So naturally, the more the better.

“Senior Sister, are you on Fire Phoenix Island? I have something I'd like to ask you. If you're there, I'll come over directly.”

“Of course I am. Just as Second Senior Brother said, you only visit when you need something. Hmph! Hurry over. I just hunted a Second-Tier Demon Beast. Let's secretly have a little hotpot together.”

Feng Zhi Tao's reply arrived almost immediately.

Putting away the Messaging Talisman, Ji Yuan swept his Divine Sense through his Storage Pouch and quickly decided what gift to bring.

As always, it would be Runjade Fat, which Feng Zhi Tao needed most.

After all, since he was asking for a favor, it wouldn't be right to arrive empty-handed.

Originally, Ji Yuan had intended to contact Ran Kui and Yun Qianzai beforehand.

However, since Feng Zhi Tao had mentioned hotpot, it clearly wouldn't end anytime soon.

He could only deal with Feng Zhi Tao first.

His Flying Boat headed east.

More than half a day later, Ji Yuan saw Forgotten Worry Island in the distance before arriving at Fire Phoenix Island beneath him.

The shape of Fire Phoenix Island resembled a fire phoenix spreading its wings in flight.

Feng Zhi Tao's Cave Dwelling had been built at the very heart of the phoenix, where Fire Fortune was at its richest.

Truthfully, this was one of the reasons Ji Yuan seldom visited Fire Phoenix Island.

As an ice cultivator, he always felt somewhat uncomfortable here.

“Little Junior Brother, hurry up! I've already sliced the meat. We're just waiting for you!”

The moment Ji Yuan landed, Feng Zhi Tao, dressed in a bright red gown, was already happily waving toward him.

Ji Yuan glanced at the small pavilion beside the Fish Pond.

Not only had a hotpot already been prepared, but all the side dishes had been arranged as well.

The highlight was naturally the Second-Tier Demon Beast.

The Wind-Stepping Unicorn Deer.

It was a rather rare species, and its meat truly was delicious.

“Then today I really have Senior Sister to thank.”

Ji Yuan smiled as he took out a small jade box from his Storage Pouch and handed it over.

Feng Zhi Tao accepted it suspiciously and opened it.

“Junior Brother, Runjade Fat has become much more expensive lately.”

“Especially over at Shang Mountain.”

“Demand is incredibly high.”

She took out the two liang of Runjade Fat from the jade box and casually cut it into two equal portions.

“I only need this much.”

“You keep the rest.”

To say Feng Zhi Tao was polite...

She very naturally stored one liang of Runjade Fat into her Storage Pouch.

To say she wasn't polite...

She had returned half of it to Ji Yuan.

“Alright then.”

Ji Yuan accepted it and sat down beside her.

To eat.

Having hotpot with just the two of them was much more relaxing.

There was no Ran Kui or Yun Qianzai nearby competing for the food.

Thus, halfway through the meal, Ji Yuan casually brought up the real purpose of his visit.

“Senior Sister, do you have any Golden Core cultivation techniques?”

“Golden Core cultivation techniques?”

After swallowing the venison in her mouth, Feng Zhi Tao picked up a white silk cloth beside her and gently wiped her lips.

“You mean cultivation techniques that can reach the Golden Core Realm?”

“I do.”

“What do you need them for?”

As she spoke, she took out a jade slip and placed it upon the table.

“I killed a Second-Tier White Ape Demon Beast once.”

“I found this inside its stomach.”

“I think it's called the 《Endless Wu Earth Art》.”

“It's an earth-element cultivation technique.”

“It isn't useful to me.”

“If you want it, just take it.”

A cultivation technique that led all the way to the Golden Core Realm...

Feng Zhi Tao simply offered it away.

If this were outside, countless Foundation Establishment families would probably fight each other to the death over such a thing.

If auctioned...

It would easily begin at several thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.

“No, no.”

“I'll simply make a copy.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan took out a blank jade slip from his Storage Pouch.

“Suit yourself.”

Feng Zhi Tao casually waved her hand before returning to the plate of meat before her.

After obtaining the Golden Core cultivation technique, Ji Yuan no longer had much interest in eating.

His entire attention focused upon the cultivation technique.

He first infused it with a thread of Spiritual Energy.

After comprehending the technique within, he copied it onto the blank jade slip.

After spending the time it took to burn a stick of incense, and confirming that nothing had gone wrong, Ji Yuan returned the jade slip to Feng Zhi Tao.

“I figured that cultivation technique was the real reason you came.”

Feng Zhi Tao accepted it and, without even looking at it, stored it back into her Storage Pouch.

“Hehe. Senior Sister truly is wise.”

Ji Yuan laughed.

“I happened to gain some insights during cultivation and urgently needed a few Golden Core cultivation techniques for comparison.”

“So I had no choice but to ask my Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters for help.”

“If it's for cultivation, then that's no problem.”

“I'll contact First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother for you as well.”

“First Senior Brother should have some.”

“As for Second Senior Brother...”

“The Yun Family has operated Linhai City for over a thousand years.”

“They've definitely collected plenty of Golden Core cultivation techniques.”

“The only question is whether he's willing to part with them.”

As she spoke, Feng Zhi Tao took out two Messaging Talismans and began transmitting messages.

Seeing this, Ji Yuan could not help but feel touched.

He immediately stood up and deeply bowed toward Feng Zhi Tao.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

He spoke sincerely.

“You really...”

“I've told you so many times.”

“Since you already consider us family, stop being so polite.”

Ji Yuan smiled after straightening up.

“The matter is rather urgent.”

“I'll go ask Master as well to see whether she has any Golden Core cultivation techniques.”

“Alright.”

“Go ahead first.”

“I'll come over shortly.”

As she spoke, Feng Zhi Tao picked up another white silk cloth and leisurely wiped her mouth.

“Very well.”

Ji Yuan wasted no further time.

After nodding, he summoned his Flying Boat and departed Fire Phoenix Island.

Forgotten Worry Island was located quite close to Fire Phoenix Island.

He merely needed to head slightly north.

The moment Ji Yuan's Flying Boat rose from Fire Phoenix Island...

A passage silently opened within the formation surrounding Forgotten Worry Island.

...Master has been watching this place the entire time?

Ji Yuan could not help thinking so.

His Flying Boat entered without the slightest obstruction.

Yet just after entering, Hua Yaoyue's voice transmission reached him.

“I'm home.”

Hua Yaoyue's home naturally referred to the pavilion residence atop the mountain.

Ji Yuan had visited before and was already familiar with it.

His Flying Boat landed before the residence.

A delicate lotus pond lay directly ahead.

Protected by a small formation, lotus flowers bloomed throughout all four seasons.

Walking along the bluestone path, Ji Yuan arrived before the small residence.

Rarely, Hua Yaoyue was painting indoors.

Thus, Ji Yuan stopped at the doorway without entering to disturb her.

However...

He glanced inside once more.

Unexpectedly, Hua Yaoyue had changed clothes.

Although she still wore a white gown, compared to the previous one, this outfit had an additional layer of white gauze.

As she moved, faint radiance shimmered across it.

It was a Spiritual Robe.

Or perhaps even a treasure-grade protective robe.

At the very least, it was no longer the ordinary clothing she had previously worn.

‘So, Master... are you guarding against me?’

Ji Yuan could not help thinking that.

Yet while he felt relieved...

Why did he also feel just a little disappointed?

He quickly threw such improper thoughts out of his mind.

“Come in.”

Inside the room, Hua Yaoyue set down her brush and spoke casually.

“Yes.”

Ji Yuan bowed and entered.

“This disciple greets Master.”

“Mhm.”

“What is it?”

Hua Yaoyue had apparently already grown accustomed to Ji Yuan's habit of never visiting without a reason.

She picked up the painting in her hand and gently blew across it.

The wet ink instantly dried.

Ji Yuan also caught sight of the painting itself.

Within the painting stood a woman dressed in flowing white robes upon a towering cliff.

The mountain wind stretched her skirts far into the distance.

So...

The woman in the painting...

Was Hua Yaoyue herself?

Just as Ji Yuan was considering asking about it, Hua Yaoyue picked up another brush.

Dipping it into red ink, she gently added several strokes upon the woman's body.

Instantly...

A painting of an immortal maiden admiring the scenery transformed into one of an immortal maiden covered in blood.

“Master...”

Ji Yuan spoke subconsciously.

“Mhm?”

Hua Yaoyue turned around and looked at him questioningly.

“N-Nothing.”

Ji Yuan took a deep breath before retrieving another jade slip from his Storage Pouch and respectfully presenting it with both hands.

“Master, please have a look at this.”

With a gesture, the jade slip flew into Hua Yaoyue's hand.

The moment her Divine Sense entered it...

Her expression immediately changed.

“Another Divine Soul cultivation method?”

“Exactly.”

The cultivation method Ji Yuan presented was naturally the 《Divine Severance Technique》 he had obtained from Ye Zhiqiu.

He couldn't casually give such a thing to others.

But giving it to Hua Yaoyue posed no issue.

Besides, he had already given her the even more precious 《Nine Chambers Soul-Suppressing Scripture》 earlier.

One more technique made little difference.

“In critical moments...”

“This truly can save one's life.”

After reading through it, Hua Yaoyue sighed softly.

Compared with staying alive...

Whether one's cultivation advanced or not was no longer all that important.

Furthermore, many cultivators eventually reached a point where their cultivation simply could not advance further.

“I've truly accepted quite the favor from you.”

“Both Divine Soul cultivation methods came from you.”

“Master, you overpraise this disciple.”

Ji Yuan cupped his hands once more.

“And to be honest, I did come today because I hoped Master could help me with something.”

“So that's why.”

“I wondered why you immediately gave me a cultivation method the moment we met.”

“So this is a trade.”

Hua Yaoyue clasped her hands behind her back and walked toward the doorway.

Ji Yuan smiled awkwardly and hurried after her.

“It's like this.”

“This disciple has encountered a bottleneck in cultivation.”

“I need several Golden Core cultivation techniques for comparison.”

“I've already obtained one from Senior Sister.”

“But I'm afraid it won't be enough.”

“Golden Core cultivation techniques?”

Standing before the lotus pond, Hua Yaoyue came to a stop.

“That's simple.”

Remaining where she stood, she took out a blank jade slip from her Storage Pouch.

After only a few breaths...

She took out a second one.

Then a third...

Half the time it took to burn a cup of tea later, Ji Yuan stared at the growing pile of jade slips in her hands.

...Master.

Just how many cultivation techniques do you actually know???

A little while later, after imprinting another jade slip, Hua Yaoyue finally stopped.

After thinking briefly, she said,

“That should be about all.”

“I can't be bothered remembering the others.”

“Take these back.”

“See whether they're enough.”

“Enough!”

“More than enough!”

Ji Yuan accepted the jade slips with both hands.

Sweeping his Divine Sense over them, he counted twenty-four.

Which meant...

There were twenty-four Golden Core cultivation techniques here!

‘Master really is incredible.’

‘As expected of someone from another continent.’

‘Her foundation is truly astonishing.’

‘If she possesses this many Golden Core cultivation techniques...’

‘Then what about Nascent Soul cultivation techniques?’

Just as Ji Yuan was about to ask, Hua Yaoyue seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.

She spoke first.

“Cultivation techniques above the Nascent Soul Realm all require dedicated inheritances.”

“Even if I know them...”

“I cannot pass them on to you.”

That made sense...

Ji Yuan recalled how he had learned the 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》 from the Li Family.

He had only mastered it after receiving its inheritance.

“With these Golden Core cultivation techniques alone, this disciple is already deeply grateful.”

Ji Yuan cupped his hands respectfully.

Nor was he merely being polite.

With so many Golden Core cultivation techniques...

At the very least, he would not have to worry about the 【Scripture Repository】 before Level 3.

“Master! Master!”

Feng Zhi Tao's voice echoed from beyond the island.

Hua Yaoyue opened the formation, allowing a streak of red light to fly inside.

The first thing Feng Zhi Tao said upon seeing Hua Yaoyue was,

“Master! First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother will be coming later too!”

“Let's all have hotpot together!”

Ji Yuan: “...”

“What?”

“You weren't full earlier?”

“You want a second meal?”

Hua Yaoyue smiled faintly.

Feng Zhi Tao looked embarrassed at first.

Then she immediately stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Hua Yaoyue's, and said coquettishly,

“Uh...”

“It just wasn't enjoyable without Master.”

Ji Yuan suddenly understood.

“This disciple will go prepare everything right away.”

Hua Yaoyue also enjoyed eating.

Moreover, it was rare for everyone in the same lineage to gather together.

So...

They ate.

About two hours later, Ji Yuan had nearly finished preparing all the food.

Yun Qianzai arrived.

This time, however, he made no flashy entrance.

Instead, he honestly flew over aboard a Flying Boat.

“Little Junior Brother.”

“Our Yun Family possesses four Golden Core cultivation techniques.”

“They're all here.”

“Take them and have a look.”

“Second Senior Brother...”

Ji Yuan felt that the four jade slips in his hands had suddenly become incredibly heavy.

“It's fine.”

“No need to get emotional.”

“Just grill a little more barbecue for me.”

“You know my taste.”

“Extra hemp pepper.”

“Extra spicy.”

Yun Qianzai patted Ji Yuan on the shoulder before turning around and walking away.

Watching this, Feng Zhi Tao covered her mouth and laughed.

“Second Senior Brother.”

“If your Yun Family Patriarch knew you traded away your family's Golden Core cultivation techniques for a single barbecue meal...”

“What do you think would happen?”

Without turning around, Yun Qianzai clasped his hands behind his back and sneered.

“Hmph.”

“I am now the Yun Family Patriarch.”

“Who would dare object?”

“I would!”

Ran Kui descended from the sky with booming laughter.

“Little Junior Brother.”

“I have six Golden Core cultivation techniques.”

“Though most are demonic cultivation techniques.”

“I wonder whether they'll be of any use to you.”

“They will!”

“They absolutely will!”

Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly.

At that very moment...

He clearly realized the advantage of belonging to a powerful lineage.

Had he not become Hua Yaoyue's disciple...

Even with all his Spirit Stones, he would never have been able to gather so many Golden Core cultivation techniques.

The ones Yun Qianzai had brought, for example, were secret treasures of the Yun Family.

They would never have circulated outside.

Everything afterward became much simpler.

Ji Yuan happily enjoyed a hotpot meal together with his Senior Brothers and Senior Sister.

Afterward, everyone had originally intended to leave.

In the end...

Only Ji Yuan actually departed.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai once again fell into Ran Kui's hands.

Their First Senior Brother declared that he would help both of them form their Golden Cores as soon as possible!

More than half a day later.

Ji Yuan returned alone to Wuyou Island.

The moment he arrived, he headed straight for the 【Scripture Repository】.

One after another, he placed all the Golden Core cultivation techniques he had obtained from his fellow disciples onto the bookshelves.

In truth, the panel had already displayed the words “Upgradeable” after he placed the very first one.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

Only after arranging every cultivation technique did he look again.

The second and third bookshelves were now almost completely filled.

Ji Yuan summoned the panel and glanced at it.

Without much hesitation...

After taking out one hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones and three Second-Tier Demon Cores...

A thought crossed his mind.

Upgrade.

Upgrading from Level 0 to Level 1 naturally produced no extraordinary phenomenon.

Everything remained plain and ordinary afterward.

Ji Yuan intended to experience firsthand what it meant to increase cultivation technique proficiency.

However...

No matter how carefully he sensed...

He could detect no difference whatsoever.

Only...

After walking out from behind the bookshelf...

Did he notice two lines of text upon the wall beside the 【Scripture Repository】.

【《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》】

【Proficiency: 74/100】

The two lines were white.

Exactly the same color as the words 【Scripture Repository: Lv1】 floating overhead.

In other words...

Only he could see them.

Yet the word “Proficiency” left Ji Yuan utterly astonished.

‘So...’

‘Damn it.’

‘This 【Scripture Repository】 is actually a miniature proficiency panel?’

With that thought in mind, Ji Yuan immediately began cultivating and comprehending his cultivation technique on the spot.

He also discovered that the 【Enlightenment Room】's building effect could be activated while inside the 【Scripture Repository】.

He cultivated like this for over twenty days.

Then, upon opening his eyes once more...

He suddenly noticed the number upon the wall shift slightly.

【Proficiency: 75/100】

At the same time...

A new piece of information surfaced within his mind.

Once the cultivation technique's proficiency reached eighty...

He would be able to condense the eighth Flying Sword Embryo.

Once the proficiency reached one hundred...

It would signify that he had reached the absolute limit of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

After confirming that he could truly see the progress bar of his cultivation...

Ji Yuan suddenly felt...

The future was full of promise.

Do it!

Grind!

As long as he could see the progress bar...

What was there to fear?

He just had to keep farming experience!

For a moment...

Ji Yuan only regretted that he had not constructed the 【Scripture Repository】 sooner.

Otherwise...

Why would he have suffered for so long?