Chapter 08: Myriad Technique Pavilion.

"Come, disciples, we will go to our final destination before you can all rest up in your outer disciple courtyards" Elder Xiao beckoned, leading them towards the Myriad Technique Pavilion. "It is here that you will choose which cultivation technique you wish to learn."

The Myriad Technique pavilion was a colossal edifice crafted from polished jade and ivory-white stone, adorned with intricate carvings depicting legendary cultivators in various martial poses. Twin dragon sculptures guard the entrance, their scales shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence. Upon approach, disciples are greeted by a pair of grand doors, each inscribed with ancient symbols representing the myriad paths of cultivation.

"Here, you will find cultivation techniques, martial skills, and foundational knowledge," deacon Xiao Shirong explained, sweeping his arm across the vast expanse of scrolls and books that lined the shelves. "Choose wisely, for the cultivation techniques you select will shape your destiny. as a person with spiritual root, you can sense spiritual Qi, but in order to absorb and refine the spiritual Qi you must have a cultivation technique" he continued, "Aside from that you can also choose a single martial technique, be it for offense, defense, or a movement technique. You have one hour to choose your cultivation technique and martial technique, and you are only allowed to browse through the techniques on the first floor. But I must warn you that if you try to move to the second floor without permission, you will be heavily punished."

Luo Tian heard his words but didn't respond. Xie Fang who had become his only friend by now saw this and took his hand, which shook Luo Tian out of his thoughts.

"Let's go brother Luo Tian, we need to hurry up," said Xie Fang as he pulled Luo Tian's arm along with him.

The two dashed straight to the first floor. As soon as they climbed up the stairs, they saw a spacious carpet in front. To their right side were shelves lined with booklets and scrolls that held various cultivation techniques while other martial techniques were placed on the left side of the carpet.

Luo Tian could feel a surge of excitement coursing through his veins, as if the strength of a thousand dragons were stirring within him.

"Let's go! Xie Fang exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with anticipation, like an eager child who can hardly wait for Christmas day. He charged towards the shelves lined up with booklets filled with different techniques.

"Wait!" Luo Tian shouted out, grabbing onto Xie Fang's shoulder with one hand and shaking him gently to try and calm him down. "There is no need to rush things, if you are too excited then you might miss something important," he said in a stern voice. "Take your time, read through the techniques carefully and choose the one that best suits you." 

He paused for a moment and sighed before continuing. "I know it's hard to contain yourself when you see so many promising techniques, but trust me, this will be a decision you will have to live by." Luo Tian said sternly.

His words seemed to have an effect on Xie Fang as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself.

"Thanks, brother Luo Tian", he spoke with a mellow voice as the excitement left him, "I must've gotten too carried away after seeing all these cultivation techniques. The thought that we will become cultivators soon is just so exciting for me." His voice was still cheerful, but the emotions were slightly calmed now. 

"You aren't the only one who is ecstatic about the idea of becoming a cultivator," Luo Tian said. "We are all equally excited, but you need to think and ponder carefully before choosing a cultivation technique. This is very important, understood?

Luo Tian's serious gaze made Xie Fang nod in agreement. "Yes, I understand brother Luo Tian," he replied.

Luo Tian stared at Xie Fang, his eyes a storm of emotion. "Good, then," he said finally. "You said that your spiritual root is wind type? Go to the section of wind elemental cultivation techniques."

He turned his gaze towards the bookshelves in front of them. Luo Tian knew very well that there were five elements - wood, fire, water, earth, metal - and there were also variants such as wind and thunder, the element of their spiritual root was showed when they took the spiritual root assessment before coming to the profound Sword Palace. He realized that for someone with one spiritual root, it was easier to focus their energy and cultivate faster than those with two elements in their spiritual roots. Those people would have a harder time cultivating since they had to separately train both elements.

If they wanted progress quickly, they had two possibilities: give up on one element and focus only on the other or find a rare cultivation technique that could cultivate both elements simultaneously. These kinds of techniques were extremely rare and allowed the cultivator to absorb two types of spiritual Qi at once.

Xie Fang was blessed with the rare variant element wind. His luck had turned out to be good after all.

If he were to cultivate using any Cultivation technique and martial techniques related to the wind element, his comprehension and power behind each attack would be doubled compared to those without the wind elemental spiritual root, his foundation would also be very solid.

Xie Fang liked swords, and this made perfect sense for a swordsman. The swiftness of the wind seemed like it was tailor-made for him.

Luo Tian on the other hand did not seem so fortunate, when his spiritual root grade settled at peak Mortal grade, and his spiritual root turned out to be a five elemental spiritual root instead of a single one. Although he could absorb and refine the spiritual qi of all five elements, it would take five times longer than usual for him to breakthrough in his cultivation, if he chose one single element for cultivation. The alternative option was to find an incredibly difficult-to-acquire cultivation technique that allowed him to cultivate all five elements in one go--a task virtually impossible due to such cultivation techniques being as rare as phoenix feathers and Qilin horns.

Luo Tian's piercing red eyes scanned the ancient booklets lining the dusty shelves, his focused gaze betraying a hint of desperation. He knew the truth about his complex spiritual root; it was both a gift and a curse, granting him potential for greatness yet making his progress agonizingly slow if he couldn't find the right cultivation technique. His fingertips grazed across the worn spines of countless books, few of them promising power and mastery over one or two elements, but none that encompassed all five – wood, fire, water, earth, and gold.

Continuing his search for the elusive five-element technique, Luo Tian's disappointment weighed heavily upon him. The library seemed to stretch endlessly before him, a veritable sea of knowledge that only served to mock his futile efforts.

"Is this truly destined to be my fate?" Luo Tian wondered, his thoughts swirling like autumn leaves in a storm. "Must I relinquish my dreams and settle for mediocrity?"

"Is this really worth it?" Luo Tian muttered under his breath; his voice laced with frustration as he entertained the idea of giving up four elements for faster progress. But deep down, he knew that would only limit his true potential. A sigh escaped his lips, the sound lost amidst the silence that permeated the ancient library. "I must find a way…"

As he pondered these questions, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A gust of wind had seemingly breathed life into the once-stagnant air, sending a shiver down Luo Tian's spine as it caressed his face. Guided by an unseen force, he found himself drawn towards a forgotten corner of the Myriad Technique Pavilion, where an inconspicuous shelf stood shrouded in shadows.

"Could it be...?" Luo Tian whispered, hope clinging to each syllable. His gaze fell upon a dusty cultivation technique, its cover adorned with intricate patterns of wood, fire, water, earth, and gold, yet its pages were almost worn out. The title was inscribed in resplendent calligraphy: "Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis."

"Finally," Luo Tian exclaimed, his heart swelling with pride. He reached for the book, his fingers trembling with anticipation. As he traced the ornate glyphs, his mind raced with possibilities.

"Let us see what this cultivation technique has in store," he muttered to himself, carefully leafing through the ancient pages. Each word seemed to leap off the page, embedding itself within his very soul. It spoke of a cultivation method that would allow unprecedented dominion over all five elements, fusing them into a harmonious whole.

"Wood shall grant me strength and resilience," Luo Tian musingly read, his voice barely audible. "Fire, the power to incinerate my enemies and light my path. Water will bestow adaptability and fluidity, while earth provides unyielding stability. And gold… with gold, I shall forge a legacy that will endure through the ages."

Luo Tian's fingers grazed the spine of the ancient booklet, the residual energy from the "Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture Supreme Synthesis" pulsing through his fingertips. As he grasped the book firmly in his hand, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He could feel an inexplicable pressure bearing down on him, as if he were being scrutinized by a pair of unseen eyes.

Luo Tian trusted his instincts, this was instinct he raised after going through many life and death struggles in his past life, "Who's there?" Luo Tian whispered, his voice barely above a breath, as he scanned the shadowy corners of the Myriad Technique Pavilion.

From the dim recesses, an elderly figure emerged, shrouded in an aura of mystery that seemed to ripple through the air like a hazy mist. The old man's silver hair and beard contrasted sharply with his piercing yellow eyes, which seemed to bore into Luo Tian's very soul.

"Ah, young man, I see you've stumbled upon one of the interesting techniques in the Myriad Technique Pavilion," the old man remarked, his voice carrying a note of intrigue.

"Who are you?" Luo Tian asked cautiously, hiding the book protectively.

"I am but Merely an old man who has spent many years observing the comings and goings of this Myriad Technique Pavilion," the elder replied cryptically, closing the distance between them with leisurely strides. "And it seems my patience has been rewarded, for it is not often that one witnesses a disciple choosing such an enigmatic cultivation technique from here."

Luo Tian's heart raced as he tried to decipher the old man's intentions, his mind racing with questions. What did this mysterious elder know about the cultivation technique he chose? And why had he chosen to reveal himself now?

"Your interest in this cultivation technique intrigues me as well," Luo Tian admitted, deciding to probe for more information. "What can you tell me about it?"

"Ah, the Five Elements Sovereignty-Scripture Supreme Synthesis... A rare gem indeed," the old man mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "It is said that this cultivation technique was developed by an ancestor of the Profound Sword Palace many generations ago. The complexity and difficulty of its mastery proved too great for those who came after, and thus it fell into obscurity. Yet, few have ever been able to harness its full potential."

Luo Tian furrowed his brow, intrigued by the elder's words. "So, it's true value has been underestimated?"

"Exactly." The old man nodded sagely. "In the right hands, the potential of this cultivation technique is immeasurable. It could easily be placed on the top floor of the pavilion, were it not for its inherent challenge."

"Challenge does not deter me," Luo Tian stated firmly, his eyes burning with determination. "I will eventually master this cultivation technique and unleashing its true power."

The old man smiled, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Then perhaps you are the one this cultivation technique has been waiting for. The one who can finally unravel the mysteries of this ancient scripture."

Reaching into the depths of his voluminous robes, the elder produced a scroll, its exterior adorned with intricate designs that seemed to dance beneath Luo Tian's gaze. "Allow me to present this martial technique as well," he said, offering the parchment to Luo Tian. "It is said to be closely related to your chosen cultivation technique, and I believe it will greatly aid you in the future."

Luo Tian hesitated for a moment before accepting the scroll with a reverent nod. His mind raced with curiosity, eager to uncover the secrets contained within this unexpected gift.

"Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude. "I will not take this opportunity lightly."

Luo Tian, his gaze fixed on the elegant scroll in his hands, addressed the mysterious elder with a cautious tone. "Esteemed Senior, your generosity is truly unparalleled. However, I can't help but wonder about your identity. Your aura is unlike any I've encountered before."

The old man chuckled softly; his eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom as he appraised Luo Tian. "You possess sharp instincts, young one. While it is not my intention to reveal too much, let's just say that I am someone who has served the Profound Sword Palace for countless years."

As the conversation unfolded, Luo Tian subtly observed the elder's every move. The way he carried himself and the aura of authority that surrounded him hinted at a deep connection with the Profound Sword Palace, far beyond that of an ordinary elder.

"Very well," the old man said, his gaze lingering on Luo Tian for a moment longer before he turned away. "Then I shall be watching your progress with great interest."

And with those parting words, the mysterious elder vanished into the shadows once more, leaving Luo Tian with a newfound sense of purpose as he clutched the ancient booklet even more tightly, determined to master the Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis and unlock its untold power.

In Actuality Luo Tian wasn't shocked seeing the old man, this place held every single cultivation technique, martial techniques, and boundless knowledge gathered by the Profound Sword palace over the course of tens of thousands of years, it would be strange if they didn't place a powerhouse to safeguard this heaven of knowledge.

The only part that startled him a little was that this old monster who should supposedly be in the core of the myriad technique pavilion appeared here on the first floor instead.

In front of him nonetheless 'Coincidence, I don't think so. Whatever the case maybe I doubt that old man wants to harm me, or he would've done so by now, with his strength and status it would be simple as pinching an insect to make me disappear.'

Luo Tian carefully unrolled the scroll, his eyes widening in awe as he took in the intricate diagrams and detailed explanations of this unique martial technique. Elemental Mirage Swordplay was a marvelous blend of illusion and reality, seamlessly weaving together the essence of wood, fire, water, earth, and gold.

With a deep breath, Luo Tian delved further into the mysteries of Elemental Mirage Swordplay. The technique was like a symphony of elements, each one harmonizing with the others to create a dazzling display of power and finesse. As he perused the ancient text, the images came alive in his mind, painting vivid scenes of battle that showcased the multifaceted nature of this extraordinary martial art.

Elemental Mirage Swordplay was much more than a simple fusion of the five elements; it was an intricate dance between illusion and reality. By harnessing the essence of wood, fire, water, earth, and gold, a cultivator could create lifelike mirages that confounded and ensnared their opponents. At the same time, the user could wield the raw power of these elements to launch devastating attacks, leaving their enemies guessing where the next strike would come from.

Luo Tian marveled at the strategic depth offered by Elemental Mirage Swordplay. He could already see how the convergence of tangible and ethereal elements would allow him to outmaneuver, deceive, and ultimately vanquish even the most formidable adversaries.

"Mastering these cultivation technique and martial technique will be no easy feat, but I also have my own ways to master it," Luo Tian resolved, his eyes blazing with determination.

… 

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