40

"Senior brother, my name is Qing Chen, a newly initiated disciple. I've come here to choose a cultivation technique. This is my identity token."

Qing Chen spoke earnestly, bowing to a disciple in gray robes who was on duty at the Scripture Pavilion.

The gray-robed disciple looked up, revealing a slightly sallow face.

He took the token, examined it carefully several times, and then tossed it back to Qing Chen, his voice a little hoarse:

"Well, new disciples have one chance to advance to the next level, but only one hour. If you don't choose well within the time limit, this opportunity is forfeited, and you'll have to spend ten contribution points to come back next time."

Qing Chen caught the token, a thought flashing through his mind.

He'd just heard Senior Brother Gao mention the value of contributions, but didn't know exactly how valuable they were.

He discreetly circulated his spiritual energy and took out a Qi-Nourishing Pill from his storage pouch.

While the disciple was looking down at the wooden plaque, he flicked it lightly, the pill sliding down the disciple's sleeve and landing perfectly on the inside of his wrist.

"This junior disciple isn't very familiar with the mysteries of the Scripture Pavilion. Senior Brother, could you explain the situation to me in detail?"

The disciple paused, touched his sleeve, and a smile instantly appeared on his lips. His voice warmed: "Junior Brother Qing knows the rules. My name is Qin Zigu, you can just call me Senior Brother Qin."

He glanced around, lowering his voice, "This level's spots are extremely valuable for outer sect disciples. Ten contribution points aren't easy to earn.

You could do menial tasks, washing medicine pots for a month, and only get a little. A single spirit stone wouldn't even buy you a single contribution point. Do you think that's valuable?"

Qingchen replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Qin. I'll definitely hurry."

"Don't just focus on choosing techniques," Qin Zigu added. "Even after you've chosen, take a look at a few more.

Next time you need more techniques, just go to the Transmission Hall, give your name, and you'll only lose contribution points. It'll save you from spending ten points to come in again.

There's nothing good on the first floor. The Xuan-level techniques are all on the second floor, and only inner disciples can enter. What's stored here is mostly Huang-level, but it's better than what's outside; most are high-grade or top-grade."

Qingchen's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Senior Brother Qin, have you heard of the *Changchun Inner Landscape Technique*? What level is that? And... is there really not a single Xuan-level technique on the first floor?"

Qin Zigu frowned, pondered for a moment, and glanced at Qingchen.

His gaze held a mixture of scrutiny and hesitation. After a moment, he spoke:

“The *Changchun Inner Landscape Technique*? The Scripture Pavilion doesn't accept that. That's a low-grade Yellow-rank technique practiced by independent cultivators outside; it's not even qualified for entry-level training.”

He glanced around the Scripture Pavilion again, making sure no one was paying attention, before lowering his voice:

“It's not that there aren't Xuan-rank techniques, but… they all have major flaws. Practicing them can easily lead to qi deviation, at best ruining one's foundation, at worst dying in the cave.”

Qing Chen's heart tightened. Indeed, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

"Our sect is neutral, emphasizing 'human control over cultivation techniques.' As long as it doesn't violate the laws of nature, flawed techniques aren't prohibited."

Qin Zigu sighed. "Those problematic Xuan-level techniques are piled up on the shelf in the west corner of the first floor, covered in dust; nobody looks at them.

I advise you not to touch them. Choose a top-tier Huang-level technique, like the 'Indestructible Body' from the back row; that's safer. Don't risk your life for a Xuan-level technique."

Qingchen thanked him repeatedly and exchanged a few more polite words: "If I have time in the future, I'll definitely invite Senior Brother Qin to the Immortal Pavilion for a cup of immortal wine and a stroll through the Immortal Pavilion."

Qin Zigu smiled and waved his hand: "Alright, hurry up and go in, it's almost time."

Qingchen stepped into the Scripture Pavilion, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, he felt a numbness in the back of his neck.

It felt like a needle was pricking his skin, as if a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows.

He turned around sharply, but only saw Qin Zigu bowing his head and tracing the wooden plaque at the entrance. Everyone inside was looking down at jade slips, ignoring him.

"Is it a protective barrier?" Qingchen wondered to himself.

He composed himself and walked inside. The pavilion was quiet, except for the clinking sound of jade slips.

Rows of jade slip shelves stood before him, each bearing a handwritten wooden plaque:

"Mid-grade Yellow Rank - Escape Techniques"

"High-grade Yellow Rank - Body Refinement Techniques."

Qing Chen didn't linger in the front rows, heading straight to the back.

Following Senior Brother Qin's directions, he searched for the shelves containing High-grade and Top-grade Yellow Rank jade slips.

"Seven Fiends Heart Sutra – Wood attribute, Yellow rank top-grade, draws fiendish energy into the body, with a secret technique for transforming fiendish energy into form."

"Demon-Trapping Escape Technique – No attribute, Yellow rank upper-grade, excels at escape, with a method for trapping and killing."

"Blazing Inferno Technique – Fire attribute, Yellow rank top-grade, powerful magic, with a burning technique."

"Indestructible Vajra Body – Earth attribute, Yellow rank top-grade, primarily focuses on body refinement, with astonishing defense."

Qing Chen picked up the jade slip containing the Indestructible Vajra Body Sutra. As his fingers touched it, the synopsis of the technique instantly appeared in his mind:

"Drawing earth spiritual energy into the meridians, tempering the skin and flesh daily, upon mastery, one can withstand high-grade magic weapons..."

A thought struck him: if he practiced this, he could endure longer in dangerous situations.

He picked up the jade slip containing the *Seven Fiends Heart Sutra* again, channeling spiritual energy into his mind, yet it carried a faint, malevolent aura:

"The malevolent energy of heaven and earth, whether born in mass graves or accumulated on battlefields... must be tamed with willpower. A slight misstep, and the malevolent energy will attack the heart, driving one to madness..."

Qing Chen frowned.

This technique was powerful, but also risky.

He paced back and forth in the back row for half an hour, clutching five or six jade slips, comparing them repeatedly.

The *Spirit Turtle Technique*, a water-based technique, was suitable for prolonged battles; the *Spirit Wood Life-Giving Technique* could heal itself, but was too gentle, resulting in a slow cultivation speed;

The *Indestructible Vajra Body* was the safest option, while the *Seven Fiends Heart Sutra*, though dangerous, was significantly more powerful than the *Indestructible Vajra Body*.

Considering his mid-grade five-elemental root body, both techniques were suitable for him.

"If only there were a Xuan-level technique..." A thought suddenly occurred to Qing Chen.

What if he could actually master those flawed Xuan-rank techniques that Senior Brother Qin mentioned?

He recalled his time on Juexian Island, from refugee to Zuo Sima—every step was a gamble.

If he only chose a safe, top-tier Huang-rank technique, even if he reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining within eight years, what good would it do?

It certainly wouldn't compare to the help provided by a Xuan-rank technique!

He gritted his teeth, placed the jade slip back on the shelf, and walked towards the western corner.

The further he went into the corner, the cooler the air became. A thin layer of dust covered the shelves, indicating that few people frequented them.

On the top shelf were several jade slips wrapped in black cloth, embroidered with the character 'danger'.

Qingchen decided to take a look first, his finger reaching towards the black cloth.

He took a deep breath, lifted the black cloth, and revealed the jade slip inside.