Chapter 409 - 406: Exchanging for Grandmaster-level Inner Power
Early in the morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the Quiet Chamber’s carved wooden window, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the blue-brick floor.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on a cattail cushion, his aura as calm and still as water.
After a long while, he slowly concluded his cultivation and opened his eyes. A glint of deep cyan, almost black, light swirled within them before quickly fading away.
’My improvement has slowed down drastically!’
Instead of standing up immediately, Fang Han remained on the cushion, his brow slightly furrowed.
After breaking through to the Third Grade, his cultivation speed with the Profound Wind Technique had slowed considerably.
It wasn’t a problem with the Cultivation Technique itself. Rather, after the Third Grade, the purity and condensation of Inner Qi increased significantly, far surpassing the Fourth Grade.
The result was that the time required to generate even a single wisp of Inner Qi had increased dramatically.
If he continued to cultivate at this pace, his cultivation progress would undoubtedly slow down.
’I can continue to cultivate the Profound Wind Technique, but the speed is just too slow.’
Fang Han opened his eyes, a contemplative look flashing within them.
A Top-Grade Inner Power technique was sufficient at the Fourth Grade, but its limitations were completely exposed after reaching the Third Grade.
The Grade of the Cultivation Technique itself determined the efficiency and upper limit of Inner Qi condensation.
Even with his astonishing Root Bone Talent and its two-hundred-fifty-six-fold amplification, he couldn’t change the intrinsic limitations of the technique.
Switching to a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique was now an urgent necessity.
’Fortunately, my current contributions are enough to exchange for another Grandmaster Level Technique.’
Fang Han’s brow relaxed.
He had earned one minor merit as a reward for the mission to hunt down the Black Crow Thieves.
For killing You Xin, the Sect had also awarded him a minor merit.
Adding the one minor merit he had left over, that made exactly three minor merits, which could be combined into one major merit—enough to exchange for a Grandmaster Level Technique.
’However...’
Hesitation arose in Fang Han’s mind.
His Body Technique, Wind and Cloud Escape, had already reached the Great Success Realm and was only a step away from Perfection.
If he reached Perfection without a Grandmaster-level Body Technique to follow it up, his cultivation in the path of body techniques would stagnate.
Should he use these three minor merits to exchange for a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique now, or save them and wait until Wind and Cloud Escape reached Perfection to get a Grandmaster-level Body Technique?
He closed his eyes, weighing the options over and over in his mind.
Inner Power was the foundation, determining the upper limit of his cultivation and the quality of his Inner Qi.
Body Technique was supplementary, determining his initiative in battle and his ability to survive.
Both were indispensable.
’After all, I still have a few months!’
Fang Han opened his eyes, having already made his decision.
The slowdown in his cultivation speed would inevitably impact his cultivation progress, and by extension, his overall strength.
The importance of exchanging for a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power Heart Method was self-evident.
As for his Body Technique, Wind and Cloud Escape had only recently reached Great Success. It would be at least several months before it reached Perfection.
In those few months, it wasn’t impossible for him to earn more merits. Although merits were hard to come by, opportunities were not entirely absent.
’I’ll go now!’
His mind made up, Fang Han no longer hesitated. He stood up and pushed open the door of the Quiet Chamber.
The courtyard was rich with the feeling of spring. The bamboo grove was lush with leaves, rustling in the morning breeze.
After eating the breakfast Qiu Lan had prepared, Fang Han straightened his robes, left his courtyard, and headed for the Library Pavilion.
The Library Pavilion still stood as imposing as ever, with its upturned eaves and interlocking brackets, exuding an ancient charm.
Fang Han passed through the first-floor hall and ascended the familiar, spiraling wooden staircase, arriving at the fourth floor shortly after.
At the entrance to the fourth floor, Elder Mo’s familiar figure was still leaning against a sandalwood desk, holding an ancient scroll, engrossed in reading.
Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting a faint, warm golden sheen on his graying hair and beard.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly looked up. Seeing it was Fang Han, a trace of warmth passed through his world-weary eyes.
"Fang Han, you’ve come."
Elder Mo set down the scroll, his voice old yet resonant.
"Elder Mo."
Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed respectfully.
Elder Mo nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Fang Han for a moment as a flicker of imperceptible surprise crossed his eyes.
Although he couldn’t sense Fang Han’s specific Realm, he could clearly feel that Fang Han’s aura was even stronger than the last time he had visited.
’Truly a prodigy the likes of which the Qingxuan Sect hasn’t seen in centuries. Every time I see him, his strength has grown.’
’No wonder he was able to kill You Xing, the senior disciple of the Netherworld Pavilion who was ranked sixth on the Celestial Pride List.’
"What brings you here today?"
"Elder, I have come today to exchange for a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power Cultivation Technique that suits me."
Fang Han cupped his hands slightly.
"A Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique?"
Elder Mo raised an eyebrow slightly, pondered for a moment, and then spoke slowly.
"Our Qingxuan Sect has a collection of three Grandmaster-Level Inner Power Cultivation Techniques."
Fang Han listened quietly, waiting for him to continue.
"However, none of these three Inner Power techniques are of the Wind Attribute."
Elder Mo looked up at Fang Han.
"None of them are Wind Attribute?"
Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly.
Not a Wind Attribute.
This meant he wouldn’t be able to exchange for a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique that was compatible with his Sky-Splitting Sword Technique’s attribute.
Elder Mo took in the change in Fang Han’s expression, and a hint of warmth flashed in his old eyes.
"You need not be disappointed."
He began to speak slowly, his voice calm.
"An Inner Power technique and a Martial Technique don’t necessarily need to have the same attribute. As long as their attributes don’t clash, you can cultivate them."
"Although you’ll miss out on the same-attribute bonus, that bonus is far smaller than the benefits brought by an increase in the Cultivation Technique’s Grade."
Fang Han was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
What Elder Mo said was reasonable.
A same-attribute bonus was nice, but compared to the increase in cultivation speed and Inner Qi quality from a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique, it was indeed insignificant.
"Please, Elder, tell me about these three Grandmaster-Level Inner Power techniques in detail."
Fang Han said, cupping his hands.
Elder Mo nodded slightly and slowly stood up.
He didn’t begin his explanation immediately. Instead, he walked to the window with his hands behind his back and gazed out at the verdant mountain forest, as if gathering his thoughts.
A moment later, he turned around, a thoughtful light glinting in his old eyes.
"The first is called the ’True Scripture of Profound Ice.’"
Elder Mo spoke slowly.
"This technique belongs to the path of frost. The Inner Qi it cultivates is bone-chillingly cold, and when circulated, it can freeze an opponent’s blood and qi, slowing their movements."
"Its power is extraordinary, but this technique is more suitable for Martial Artists who practice Ice or Water Attribute Martial Techniques."
"If someone who doesn’t practice those two types of techniques cultivates it, the freezing effect of the Inner Qi will be greatly diminished."
Fang Han didn’t react much.
’This kind of freezing effect needs to be paired with a corresponding Martial Technique to display its proper power.’
’If I were to cultivate this technique, the Inner Qi I produced would only be useful for bullying Martial Artists weaker than me.’
’Against a Martial Artist of the same level or higher cultivation, it would immediately become useless.’
Elder Mo continued.
"The second is called the ’Raging Flames Heaven-Burning Technique.’"
"This technique belongs to the path of raging fire. The Inner Qi it cultivates is fiercely domineering, and when circulated, it can incinerate an opponent’s Inner Qi. Its power is astonishing."
"Similar to the ’True Scripture of Profound Ice,’ it’s suitable for Martial Artists who practice Fire Attribute techniques."
"If someone who doesn’t practice Fire Attribute Martial Techniques cultivates it, the incinerating effect of the Inner Qi will be greatly diminished."
Fang Han still showed no reaction.
’Similar to the "True Scripture of Profound Ice," the incinerating Inner Qi produced by the "Raging Flames Heaven-Burning Technique" would also be quite useless to me.’
Elder Mo glanced at Fang Han before continuing.
"The third is called the Cyan Profound Technique."
He spoke slowly, his voice growing more solemn.
"This technique is different from ordinary Inner Power techniques. The Inner Qi it cultivates has no attribute, but it possesses an extremely rare characteristic—purity."
"Purity?"
Fang Han raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That’s right."
Elder Mo nodded slightly.
"The Inner Qi cultivated by this technique is purer and more condensed than that of other techniques of the same grade, and thus more powerful."
"At the same level of cultivation, using the same move, the power unleashed—not considering attribute damage—will be greater than that of a Martial Artist cultivating other Grandmaster-level Inner Power techniques."
Fang Han’s heart stirred.
’Inner Qi purer than other techniques of the same grade... This characteristic is an extremely good fit for me.’
’My swordsmanship excels in its ferocity, already pursuing the ultimate sharpness and prioritizing power.’
’If I can pair it with even purer Inner Qi, its power will surely rise to another level.’
Most importantly, this technique had no attribute requirements. Of the three Grandmaster-Level Inner Power Cultivation Techniques, it was the most suitable one for him, a practitioner of Wind Attribute Martial Techniques.
"Thank you for the introduction, Elder. I’ve decided to exchange for the Cyan Profound Technique."
Fang Han cupped his hands in thanks and stated his decision.
"Wait here."
Elder Mo wasn’t surprised by Fang Han’s choice. He nodded slightly and said.
He turned and walked toward the stairs leading to the higher floors.
His figure soon disappeared around the corner.
Fang Han stood where he was, his hands clasped behind his back.
The fourth floor was very quiet, with only the occasional birdsong from outside the window and the faint sound of distant bells.
After a short while, the sound of footsteps came from the stairwell.
Elder Mo walked down slowly, holding a booklet bound in some kind of pale yellow animal hide.
The booklet was about two fingers thick. There was no writing on the cover, only a few lines that seemed casually drawn yet held a profound mystery, resembling flowing clouds or perhaps mountain ranges.
"This is the manual for the Cyan Profound Technique."
Elder Mo handed the booklet to Fang Han, his voice solemn.
Fang Han accepted it with both hands. It felt slightly heavy, and a smooth, warm sensation spread through his palms.
"A Grandmaster Level Technique is a matter of great importance. According to the Sect’s rules, you are only permitted to read it in a designated area within the pavilion. You may not take it out, and you are strictly forbidden from copying it."
Elder Mo continued.
"I understand."
Fang Han nodded in acknowledgment.
He found a seat by a window and sat down. Taking a deep breath to clear his mind of stray thoughts, he fixed his gaze on the pale yellow booklet resting on his lap.
He opened the first page.
What met his eyes were densely packed, fly-head-sized characters, supplemented by several extremely complex diagrams of the human meridians.
The characters were archaic and profound, with every sentence containing deep principles of Inner Power cultivation.
The diagrams showed intricate, swirling lines, depicting the paths of Inner Qi circulation through the meridians and the key acupoints for each Circulation of the Heavens.
Fang Han’s gaze slowly swept across the first line of text.
’As expected, a Grandmaster-Level Inner Power technique is truly profound.’
The methods for circulating power, the paths for the Circulations of the Heavens—they were countless times more complex than those of the Top-Grade Inner Power technique, the Profound Wind Technique.
If it were an ordinary disciple faced with such profound content, they would probably feel like they were trying to read a heavenly scripture, with no idea where to even begin.
However, he was no ordinary disciple.
His two-hundred-fifty-six-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification gave him a comprehension of Inner Qi Cultivation far beyond that of ordinary people.
His gaze continued to move down the page as his mind gradually became immersed in the text.
In his eyes, the words were no longer mere characters but had transformed into traces of flowing Inner Qi, coursing, intertwining, and taking shape in his mind.
In his eyes, the diagrams were no longer static lines but had transformed into figures in cultivation, practicing, transforming, and deducing the technique within his mind’s eye.