Choosing a Cultivation Scripture

Maximus shook his head and moved on to the next one, after glancing over many scriptures Maximus came to a conclusion.

There were mainly 6 elements,

1) Fire

2) Water/Ice

3) Wood

4) Lightning

5) Wind

6) Earth

The elements oppose each other in the following manner,

Water/Ice suppresses Fire

Fire suppresses wood

Wood suppresses water/Ice

Lightning suppresses Wind

Wind Suppresses Earth

Earth suppresses Lightning

Most of the Spirit Beast possesses a single element, but some rare ones can possess 2 elements.

Cultivation Scripture: Six Element Chaotic Art

Description: A rare Soul art that uses Six elements Chaotic Energy to temper the soul.

Special Effect: Small increase in affinity with all Spirit Beasts.

Note: 50% chance for cultivation backlash when practicing this art. Severe cases may lead to death.

"This.."

Although this art was just what he was looking for he hesitated when he saw the note. A 50% death rate was almost saying that one would die most of the time. He did not want to take such an unfavorable gamble.

Maximus shook his head and looked for more scriptures. After some thinking, he decided to choose one of these three scriptures,

Cultivation Scripture: Heaven and Earth Treasure Soul Art

Description: A rare Soul art that uses energy from Heaven and Earth treasures to temper the soul.

Special Effect: Small Increase in perception towards Heaven and Earth treasures.

Cultivation Scripture: Jade Soul Art

Description: A rare Soul art that uses the energy from precious minerals to temper the soul.

Special Effect: Small Increase in perception for underground minerals.

Cultivation Scripture: Earth Fiend Soul Art

Description: A rare Soul art that uses Earth element Energy to temper the soul.

Special Effect: Small Increase in affinity with Earth element Spirit Beast.

The reason he picked these three was beacuse he found them unique. Also, he was as poor as one could get and needed money. Increasing his perception of Heaven and Earth treasures or Minerals could help him earn some money. But, after some thinking, he decided on Earth Fiend Soul Art because he thought that it would boost his defense and increase his Survival ability. It also did not seem as harmful as the Lightning Soul Art. Of, course if he wanted to just survive he would have chosen a Wind element Soul Art which would increase his speed. But, if he kept on running away he would never make it to the trial. Strength was what mattered in the trial.

After picking the Earth Fiend Soul Art he quickly went to the reception where the Old man was still reading the book. Maximus hesitated but decided to wait for the Old man to finish. Maximus stood to the side and waited.

After some time the Old man put down the book and looked at Maximus with an interested expression,

"Boy, it seems that you have some manners. So, which Scripture did you choose?"

Maximus had a smile on his face and greeted the Old man,

"Of course, I have been taught to respect the Elderly. The scripture I picked is the Earth Fiend Soul Art"

The Old man nodded his head and started fiddling with his Desktop and asked for his ID, which Maximus quickly handed over, the Old man then went inside the back door and got something from there.

"Alright, I have already registered the Scripture under your name. Usually, you would have just gotten a copy of the Scripture but since you are so polite I'll do you a favor."

Saying that the Old man took out something like a Jade Slip and beckoned Maximus to come forward.

Maximus had no idea of what was going on but he thought that the old man would not harm him at least not so openly.

"Don't move"

The old man then pressed the Jade Slip on his forehead, Maxius felt a bit of a sting, and all kinds of Information flooded his brain causing him to feel a bit nauseous.

"Oh?"

"I thought you would react more since it's your first time, seems like your soul strength is higher than normal"

The Old man did not ask for more and waved his hand while saying,

"I have directly imparted the Earth Fiend Soul Art into your soul. Make use of this opportunity and do well in the trial"

Maximus had mostly recovered from his state and felt grateful towards the old man, although he had acted in that way in order to get some benefits he did not think he would really get such a huge surprise. He thanked the Old man and left quickly, he wanted to start cultivating as soon as possible.

The Old man looked in the direction Maximus left with a profound gaze and muttered,

"Almost double the Soul strength of a mortal, interesting..."

...

After asking someone where the dorms were he quickly found the dorms for freshmen.

He did not bother about anyone else and quickly entered his room and locked the door.

Maximus looked at the clock and it was 12 pm, he quickly calmed down and went to his bed, and sat cross-legged. Memories regarding Earth Fiend Soul Art flowed continuously in his head.

The Earth Fiend Soul Art was an Earth Element Soul Art as mentioned in the description.The Earth element was abundant in most places. It was not like the Lighting element which needed a special environment to be produced. This is also one of the reasons he chose Earth Fiend Soul Art.

If he wanted to cultivate this art then he needed to absorb the Earth element energy in the air and strengthen his soul which in turn would give feedback to his body and mind. Most Scriptures did the same thing. What was different here was that as long as he was in contact with the ground then his recovery would be faster and even his injuries would heal quickly. After making a contract with an Earth element Spirit Beast the true power of this Art would show.

Throwing away his distracting thoughts, he quickly started sensing the Earth element energy according to the method given in the scripture. Within a minute he could see countless brown particles around him, but he did not get distracted and used his soul strength to attract the particles towards him. The result was immediate, a vortex was formed around him and he imagined a black hole that sucked in everything and greedily devoured the particles. The particles entered through his nose, ears, skin and a faint earthen glow became visible around Maximus. Maximus was unaware of this change and continued to use the particles to nourish his soul, His soul which looked like a blur started absorbing the brown particles and started getting some kind of form.

Suddenly, there was a crack and the outer part of the soul seemed to have broken off and spread throughout the body and mind strengthening it further.