"I see."
Lin Changheng nodded. 'It seems I really have to keep strengthening my life-saving measures and improving my Cultivation. Otherwise, I won't even dare to leave the clan, and too many opportunities will slip through my fingers.'
But this was a side effect of his cautious approach. He was mentally prepared for it and ready to accept the consequences.
Before long, a few Cultivators from the clan came over to ask about the price of his Elixirs.
The price Lin Changheng quoted was a forty percent discount.
It wasn't because he was kind-hearted, but because the Xu Family had a rule: when selling things like Elixirs and Talismans to clan members, the price could not exceed the clan's buy-back price, which was a thirty percent discount.
So he might as well just give a forty percent discount!
Lin Changheng wasn't hurting for the extra money. On the contrary, he used this opportunity to make a name for himself and attract some attention.
Sure enough, as soon as the price was announced, many people rushed to buy, and the Elixirs were sold out in an instant.
And they all got to know this unfamiliar Pill Master.
Seeing that the time was right, Lin Changheng cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Everyone, I wish to fully master a Pill Formula and also have plans for Talisman Making, so I need a certain amount of Demon Beast Essence Blood. If any Fellow Daoist can provide a stable supply of a specific type of Essence Blood, I can continue to sell Genuine Pills to them at a low price. You can also pass this message along to your friends and relatives; there will be a Brokerage Fee in it for you."
"Is that true?" someone asked, their eyes lighting up as they sought confirmation.
"Of course. It's no joke. If you have any news, you can find me at Tingchao Dojo."
The crowd dispersed, but no one stepped forward.
Lin Changheng watched this scene calmly, his expression serene.
He never expected immediate results; he was merely planting a seed in everyone's mind.
'Perhaps one day, it will take root and sprout?'
...
「Another half-month passed.」
In his small courtyard, Lin Changheng, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, ended his session. The Spiritual Qi that had gathered around him dispersed.
A hint of frustration appeared on his face.
'My Cultivation speed is just too slow.'
Although he had already advanced his Flowing Fire Technique to the Minor Achievement Realm, which gave him an acceptable Cultivation speed in the Early Stage Qi Cultivation, it was clearly proving inadequate now that he was in the Middle Stage, becoming increasingly slow.
'The level of the Cultivation Technique is too low.'
He concluded after some thought.
This meant it was time to change his Cultivation Technique.
He had originally thought that the high level of Minor Achievement could compensate for the inherent deficiencies and built-in flaws of this Lower Grade Technique.
But as it turned out, he had been too optimistic.
Inherent shortcomings were difficult to overcome, just like a person's Spirit Root. If it was inferior, it couldn't be compensated for with mere diligent Cultivation.
Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, fortuitous encounters, or even Wisdom of Heart and Nature—having just one of these might not be enough.
However, with his current status as a Named Honored Guest, he had the right to exchange for a Middle Grade Technique. Plus, he had accumulated a good number of Contribution Points over the years. Finding a suitable Fire Element Technique shouldn't be too difficult.
「Early the next morning.」
Lin Changheng arrived at the clan's core, the Gui Feng Dojo. The Scripture Hall was located at the edge of the Dao Field, heavily protected by a Tier One Upper Grade array that could not afford any mishaps.
Using a special Token to enter, Lin Changheng stated his purpose directly.
He wanted to exchange for a Middle Grade Fire Element Technique.
After verifying his identity, the tall, thin Steward decisively took out three Jade Scrolls for Lin Changheng to choose from.
They were the Burning Fire Technique, the Flame Breath Technique, and the Warm Sun Scripture.
Lin Changheng hadn't expected this, and a look of surprise flashed across his face. For a Qi Cultivation Clan to have so many Middle Grade Techniques of a single element was quite impressive.
Their collection could be considered quite extensive.
He immediately pressed the Jade Scrolls to his forehead one by one and found that they only revealed an introduction and the first few sections of the Cultivation Technique.
The rest was shrouded in a fog-like Restriction, preventing him from prying further.
After a while, Lin Changheng made a decision in his heart, but still asked casually, "Senior, I was wondering, are there any other Fire Element Techniques?"
Who would have thought that upon hearing this question, the tall, thin Steward would visibly freeze for a moment?
Lin Changheng happened to see it and paused as well.
'I just asked, and there actually is another one?'
"Wait here."
The tall, thin Steward said this, then turned and busied himself for a moment. He soon returned carrying an old, dusty booklet, which he handed to Lin Changheng. As he did, he explained,
"This is a heavily damaged Upper Grade Fire Element Technique. It's categorized with the Middle Grade ones, but I wouldn't recommend you choose it. The entry barrier is higher, and you'll probably have to switch techniques later on."
Lin Changheng nodded, thanking the Steward for his kind reminder, and opened the book.
Night Illuminating Fire.
The three large words of the title caught his eye.
'The name certainly has a Mysterious ring to it,'
was Lin Changheng's first impression. Unlike the previous names—"Burning Fire," "Warm Sun," "Flame Breath"—this one wasn't so straightforward and bland; it had depth.
Reading on, the introduction explained that a late elder of the family had obtained it from the outside world in his early years. The complete technique could be cultivated to the Early Stage Foundation Establishment, but he had fought with someone over it, and each ended up with only half, making it incomplete.
This half could only be cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer!
The path forward was cut off. In the future, one would either have to switch techniques or find the other half to continue. Those were the only two options.
"I'll choose this one,"
Lin Changheng said to the Steward with a light laugh, stating his decision.
"You won't reconsider?"
the tall, thin Steward reminded him again, still trying to be helpful.
"This technique can be cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, and given the limitations of this junior's Spirit Root, I will most likely stop there anyway. I might as well spend my time cultivating a more powerful one. Who knows, a miracle might happen,"
Lin Changheng gave his reason, insistent on the exchange.
"Very well."
The tall, thin Steward stopped trying to dissuade him. He removed the Restriction on the old booklet's content and copied it onto a Jade Scroll. "It will cost three hundred Contribution Points. You also need to make a Daoist Oath to never leak its contents."
"Alright."
Lin Changheng did as he was told.
By the time he emerged from the Scripture Hall, the Contribution Points he had accumulated over the past two years from Alchemy and processing Wasted Pills were almost completely gone, with only a little over twenty remaining.
But it was worth it. In fact, he had gotten more than his money's worth!
'An Upper Grade Technique is in my hands!'
'A damaged Upper Grade Technique is still an Upper Grade Technique!'
'As for the Flame Breath Technique I was going to choose before... sorry, never heard of it!'
Lin Changheng's heart burned with excitement.
As for the so-called difficulty of mastering the technique, it wasn't a major problem for him, not with the comprehension boost from his [First Layer Origin Treasure Seed].
And as for the technique being a dead end... it would be many years before he reached the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. Who knew what could happen in the meantime?
'Worrying about it in advance is pointless.'
'Just have to train!'
...
It took Lin Changheng less than three days to reach the Entry-Level of the Night Illuminating Fire technique.
Cultivating in the same Spirit Gathering Array, he discovered that the refinement rate of each spiritual energy Circulation was a sliver faster than even his Minor Achievement Flowing Fire Technique.
"An Upper Grade Technique is truly in a class of its own,"
Lin Changheng sighed with deep emotion. Its foundation was indeed profound.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
A knock on the door signaled a visitor.
The only people Lin Changheng interacted with frequently were a few fellow initiates from his year; there was no one else.
He got up to open the door and was greeted by the sight of a tall, graceful figure exuding an air of nobility.
"Fairy Tantai, long time no see."
Tantai Feiyue gave Lin Changheng a charming eye-roll. "And isn't it all thanks to you, Brother Lin, that it's been so long?"
Seeing that he remained standing in the doorway, she couldn't help but ask quizzically, "Are you planning to block the door forever, Brother Lin, and not let me in? Or is this... your way of treating a guest?"