Chapter 457 - 336: Creating a Cultivation Technique
Nearly fifty years after its founding, the Qingyuan Sect’s disciples had reached an age of orderly succession. The older generation of Qi Cultivation Disciples had, for the most part, become the sect’s pillars, while the new generation was thriving. There were even some Immortal Seedlings currently receiving their education.
In theory, these three generations—old, new, and nascent—were each more brilliant than the last. However, one problem always loomed before Fang Qingyuan: the Qingyuan Sect lacked a Sect’s Foundation Scripture of its own.
The highest-level scripture the Qingyuan Sect currently possessed was the *True Manual of the Five Spirits Refining Form and Dispelling Malice*, which Fang Qingyuan himself practiced. But this scripture could only be cultivated after reaching Foundation Establishment, and among the sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only Liu Xun was practicing it besides Fang Qingyuan.
As for the others, like Jiang Wanqin, she was cultivating the *True Scripture of the Grand Primal Water Marsh Essence*, taught to her by Jiang Kui. This was a fundamental Cultivation Technique that led directly to the Nascent Soul realm, and its origins could be traced back to the main branch of the Jiang Family in Qi Yun.
Chen Huicheng had also brought his own skills to the sect; by the time he joined Qingyuan Sect, he had already learned a suitable Cultivation Technique from the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect.
The Guest Ministers, Qi Wenchu and Jiuyan, were another matter entirely. They had joined as Foundation Establishment Cultivators and naturally had no connection to the sect’s internal Cultivation Techniques.
For many years, most of the Qingyuan Sect’s disciples had been practicing cultivation scriptures sourced from the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect. However, without the unique environment of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, the disciples’ success rate was not very high.
Furthermore, Fang Qingyuan’s *True Manual of the Five Spirits Refining Form and Dispelling Malice* was incredibly powerful, but it also demanded a vast amount of resources to cultivate. Most disciples, therefore, did not choose it as their primary Cultivation Technique for the future.
It was no wonder that in the nearly fifty years since its founding, the Qingyuan Sect had produced a pitifully small number of homegrown Foundation Establishment Disciples. On one hand, most disciples had yet to reach the age to attempt a breakthrough. On the other, the sect was missing a true Foundation Scripture suitable for them to practice.
This kind of scripture determined the future of a sect; it could not be taken lightly.
A Sect’s Foundation Scripture could be acquired in several ways. One was through ancestral inheritance. Another was for a future, exceptionally brilliant disciple to leave behind their life’s work and insights to be passed down.
As for purchasing or collecting one from the outside world, that could only serve as a supplementary aid and could never become the true foundation of a sect.
But now, after surviving his tribulation, Fang Qingyuan felt an idea taking shape. Within the celestial expanse of his Immortal Mansion, constellations had manifested among the stars, and Divine Techniques had formed on their own.
’Perhaps I can create a Cultivation Technique myself for the disciples to practice,’ he thought. ’More importantly, it would allow me to test the theories forming in my mind.’
’I’m a Golden Core Cultivator, after all. I should be qualified to create my own Cultivation Technique. Even if its power is mediocre, with my Cultivation Realm as a foundation, it surely can’t be worse than a common Qi Cultivation technique, can it?’
However, Fang Qingyuan had never created a Cultivation Technique before. So, he summoned Liu Xun to discuss the matter and find five disciples around the Third-Layer Qi Cultivation to assist him with some tests.
Liu Xun accepted the order and departed. He hadn’t sensed that Fang Qingyuan was now a Golden Core Cultivator, and Fang Qingyuan had no intention of telling him. ’As long as the Cloud-Clawed Lizard isn’t dealt with, and as long as Bear Wind hasn’t signed a contract with Lechuan, I must keep this news quiet to prevent it from leaking.’
Of course, Fang Qingyuan estimated he couldn’t hide it for much longer. He could deceive those below the Golden Core realm, but if he were to encounter a peer, the surging Magical Power he now possessed would be impossible to conceal.
During his tribulation, perhaps because his Immortal Mansion had absorbed too much Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi at the final moment, Fang Qingyuan’s Cultivation Realm had advanced by leaps and bounds in a single instant. He was now at the Third-Layer Golden Core realm.
Fortunately, a bottleneck between the Third-Layer and Fourth-Layer Golden Core was holding him back. Otherwise, he would have already become a Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator.
Rapid advancement had its benefits, but it came with drawbacks. The most significant of these was that Fang Qingyuan’s foundation now felt somewhat unstable.
Although the instantly absorbed Spiritual Qi had been converted into his Magical Power and elevated his realm, how could it compare to the power he had earned through painstaking cultivation? In other words, Fang Qingyuan felt this easily acquired Magical Power was not pure enough.
Some Cultivators might not care about such things, believing that sheer strength was all that mattered. But Fang Qingyuan believed that impure Magical Power would eventually become a hidden trap he had set for himself.
There was already a tangible problem: circulating his Magical Power was not as smooth as he would like. When he channeled it, it lacked its previous agility.
This was a problem that would require him to enter seclusion and resolve it through patient, meticulous refinement. But right now, time was something Fang Qingyuan sorely lacked.
That afternoon, Liu Xun brought five Early-stage Qi Cultivation disciples to Fang Qingyuan. Looking at the youths, who were only seventeen or eighteen, Fang Qingyuan adopted a kind and gentle tone.
"Which families are you from?"
The five youths answered respectfully. They had only seen Fang Qingyuan, the founding ancestor of their sect, a few times in their entire lives.
The group consisted of three young men and two young women, each possessing a Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Spirit Root, respectively. In terms of aptitude, all were of Middle-grade.
This alone was a testament to the Qingyuan Sect’s resources. Disciples with Middle-grade Spirit Roots would be groomed as future Sect Leaders in any other small sect, yet here in the Qingyuan Sect, five had been gathered at a moment’s notice.
The Qingyuan Sect currently had over one hundred and fifty disciples, and that was without counting the affiliated Independent Practitioner Guests. The total number would be much higher if they were included.
Ten years ago, the Qingyuan Sect had received a windfall from the Pill Alliance. With that wealth, the sect’s development over the past decade had been booming.
That was how the world worked: money made everything easier. With ample support in the form of Spirit Stones, the Qingyuan Sect had been steadily climbing, one step at a time.
Although the sect’s territory had not expanded, in the eyes of the surrounding powers, its control and influence made it the undisputed local hegemon.
If they were to learn that Fang Qingyuan had already achieved Core Formation, many sects would likely flock to him seeking protection, offering their allegiance without the Qingyuan Sect even needing to lift a finger.
After all, life was difficult for everyone in this Land Realm of the Far East. Otherwise, why had not a single Golden Core Cultivator emerged here in fifty years? Was it truly that no one had the talent, or was there some power that did not wish to see it happen?
This part of the Far East was far too close to the Li Huo Alliance.
Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Fang Qingyuan returned his focus to the disciples before him. These five had only been cultivating for a few years, so changing their Cultivation Technique now would be relatively easy.
If they were to attempt it during the Late-stage Qi Cultivation, it would be far more troublesome. After all, the differences between two techniques could be immense, and the slightest misstep carried the risk of qi deviation.
"I am about to impart a Cultivation Technique to you. This technique was created by me, your Sect Leader, and you will be the first to practice it. If any of you are unwilling, speak now so I can find a replacement. It will be much more difficult to handle if you decide to withdraw after you have already begun."
Fang Qingyuan gave this warning gently. He could have simply ordered them to practice it without explanation, but they were his own disciples, and he couldn’t bring himself to be so tyrannical.
He also felt it was far better for the disciples to understand their task than to remain in the dark. At the very least, it would kindle their desire to improve.
Not one of the five disciples backed down. For one, they didn’t want to lose face. For another, they feared being punished if they returned. And for a third, they trusted that Fang Qingyuan would not bring harm to his own people.
Seeing that no one flinched, Fang Qingyuan nodded in satisfaction. The disciple at the front of the group then asked,
"If I may ask, Ancestor, what is the name of this Cultivation Technique?"
Fang Qingyuan narrowed his eyes, considering the results of his deductions and how they related to the Qingyuan Sect. He then announced,
"This Cultivation Technique is called the *Qingyuan Scripture of Stellar Awakening in Five Directions*. The Five Directions Star Realm reflects the heart of heaven; it awakens the spirit, borrows its power, and refines the soul. Now, open your minds and allow me to instill its essence within you."
The moment he finished speaking, Fang Qingyuan unleashed his Mind Divine Techniques, pouring his thoughts and insights directly into the five disciples’ minds. This was a feat he could never have accomplished before Core Formation. But now, to transmit such a vast amount of information without harming their fragile souls was a clear testament to the power of his Divine Techniques.
And so, Fang Qingyuan’s first transmission of a self-created technique began.