Chapter 9: The Plan for the Future
As Fa Ma meditated in the training room, he began contemplating his future path. His greatest advantages were his foresight and the Journal Simulation Space, which allowed him to have a broader vision and quickly learn new skills. While he was confident in his ability to reach the top, he understood that the journey could be significantly shortened if he made the right choices. Currently, as an alchemist, resources came easily to him, but he anticipated that this would slow down once he reached Battle Venerable. Xiao Yan had advanced rapidly due to countless rare opportunities such as the Saint Ruins, Dragon Phoenix Fruit, and the Chilling Bone Flame—many would be fortunate to encounter even one. To gain such opportunities or at least knowledge of them, he needed a strong network. Realizing that his vision and knowledge were comparable to that of a Battle Ancestor's, Fa Ma decided to establish his foundation at Canaan Academy. This institution offered the chance to interact with the world's geniuses and leverage their connections to access more resources and knowledge. He aimed to spend approximately eight years at the academy before venturing out into the wider world.
For now, he set three main goals: create an earth-level technique integrating fire, wood, sun, moon, and stars; achieve perfection in the mortal soul realm; and join the law enforcement team to enhance his combat experience.
With a rough outline for his life at the academy sketched out, he took a much-needed rest to rejuvenate his spirits.
The following morning, Su Mu sent his son to escort Fa Ma to the library. Meeting Su Qian proved more interesting than expected—he turned out to be a somewhat eccentric middle-aged man, often recounting escapades to brothels and tales of being disciplined by his father. He was a refreshing change compared to characters in the Jia Ma Empire who were overly serious or too pragmatic. Upon arriving at the library, the imposing sign still exuded a strong aura, a testament to Dean Mang Tianchi's legacy as a formidable Battle Venerable.
Su Mu walked quietly beside him and introduced the sign, "This inscription was left by the Dean to remind students of the long journey ahead in this world."
"Old Su, once I surpass the Dean, I'll replace this sign with a new one," Fa Ma responded spiritedly.
Su Mu chuckled softly, aware that the Dean hailed from one of the eight ruling clans of this realm, the Thunder Clan. Stepping into the library, Fa Ma was awestruck by its immense size. The vast collection of skills and knowledge within made his mouth water. For him, the most fulfilling aspect of this life was creating new skills and techniques.
In the Profound Rank section, he focused on unconventional skills like Sound and Sealing due to their rarity outside. He selected three high-ranking skills and techniques:
"Mystic Ape's Echo": A Sound skill capable of rendering enemies unconscious, its effectiveness depending on the user's soul level.
"Vitality Stealing Seal": A Wood attribute Sealing Skill that gradually drains the vitality of its target.
"Blazing Inferno Seal": A Fire attribute Sealing skill designed to restrain soul entities.
"Blood Vines Usurpation": A fast practice technique that can steal the vitality of others to practice. However, if you steal too much vitality, it could make one's essence mottled.
"Evergreen Forestry": A slow accumulation technique that strives to cultivate a pure Battle Qi that is nourishing, healing, and has some purification properties.
Additionally, he discovered a fifth-grade beast fire, the "Lunar Firescale Python," renowned for its potent illusions that could even trouble Battle Ancestors—a testament to the Thunder Clan's vast wealth.
In the Earth Rank section, he finally found the techniques he sought:
"Emberheart Refinement": A Fire attribute technique that ignites the inner fire of the heart, using the heart's origin fire energy to slowly refine Battle Qi over time.
"Eternal Blossom Mirage": A Wood attribute technique inspired by the mysterious Eternal Blossom tree, cultivating an ethereal wood attribute Battle Qi capable of confusing opponents' senses.
"Trisolaris Tri-Seal - Celestial Annihilation": A Sealing attack skill featuring three seals: Solar Incineration seals the essence, Stellar Confinement seals Battle Qi while shattering surroundings, and Lunar Extinction seals the soul while quietly obliterating. When combined, they create a Seal that encompasses or a devastating divine light that destroys. The skill requires opening acupoints to store Sun Qi, Moon Qi, and Star Qi.
With these acquisitions, he knew he would be occupied for a long while integrating them into his repertoire. Exiting the library, Su Mu led him to the Alchemy Department and introduced him to Elder Li, a fifth-grade peak alchemist who was also a Battle Emperor. Elder Li warmly introduced him around and asked him to publicly refine a fourth-grade pill the next day. He even appointed Fa Ma as the successor of the Alchemy Department on the spot and opened the library fully to him, sparing him the need to use merit for access. The following day, Fa Ma successfully refined another Sun Three Pattern Green Spirit pill, which he kept for when he advanced to fourth-star Battle Grandmaster.
Subsequently, he received offers to be a guest Alchemist at various Chamber of Commerces, but he planned to meticulously research them before making a decision. With everything in place, he readied himself for another year of hard work before the inner courtyard competition to enter the inner courtyard.