[Level 7 Qi Gathering]
Upon arriving in his small courtyard, Jian Ning immediately began to learn the martial techniques he had just received.
[Ding, congratulations on comprehending the Asura Body physical cultivation technique and advancing to the Iron Level.]
[Ding, congratulations on learning the first layer of the fragmented Divine Wind Swordplay technique to the initial state.]
[Ding, congratulations on comprehending....]
...
Jian Ning eventually mastered all the techniques after more than four hours, thanks to his talent. A normal person would take at least a week to reach the initial level of a single profound-ranked technique, not to mention a fragmented saint-ranked technique and a physical cultivation technique.
Fortunately, Jian Ning also managed to embark on the path of physical cultivation, which is a significant advantage, as most cultivators disdain physical cultivation and practice spiritual cultivation instead.
Physical cultivators are generally weaker than spiritual cultivators, and this gap widens as they progress on the cultivation path.
"I must manage my time better now that I have so much to do. Let's start by cultivating until I reach the innate level," Jian Ning thought before assuming the lotus position and beginning to cultivate.
Jian Ning didn't plan to use pills for now, as it wouldn't be beneficial. Even with his talent, taking too many pills, even perfect-ranked ones, could leave severe sequelae on his body and cultivation.
Moreover, pills only artificially increase qi, requiring personal purification, which takes more time. For example, if I take a pill that gives around 10,000 cultivation points, it would take me 30 minutes to purify it, whereas with my talent, I could cultivate faster without pills.
[Ding, Ling has detected that the host is about to start cultivating and asks if you want to change the distribution method of cultivation gains.]
The sudden cold voice of Ling interrupted Jian Ning, who was about to start cultivating.
"Explain yourself better, please, Ling," Jian Ning said, frowning slightly.
[Ding, in response to the host, due to your previously low rate of W.E. gains, Ling had decided alone how to distribute the cultivation gains. Ling passively helps the host gain W.E. Thus, it decided to double the W.E. gains during cultivation, at the risk of slowing down the host's cultivation speed], Ling explained.
"So, you're telling me that you decided to double the W.E. every minute because my speed was too slow. And now that my current W.E. gain rate is fast enough, I can change the distribution method, right?"
[Ding, in response to the host, that is correct. You can either triple the number of cultivation points gained per minute while keeping the W.E. gains the same, or quadruple the cultivation points gained per minute and stop gaining W.E. during cultivation.]
Jian Ning quickly understood the concept. According to Ling's logic, he could also quadruple the W.E. gained per minute during cultivation, which would be very useful for rapidly increasing a technique or artistic conception. However, Jian Ning now needed to increase his cultivation.
"Then triple the cultivation points and leave the W.E. as they are," Jian Ning ordered before beginning to cultivate.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for cultivating for one minute, +1,500 W.E., +4,500 cultivation points.]
[Ding, congratulations to the host for cultivating for one minute, +1,500 W.E., +4,500 cultivation points.]
[Ding, congratulations to the host for cultivating for one minute, +1,500 W.E., +4,500 cultivation points.]
...
~~ 18 minutes later ~~
[Ding, congratulations to the host for breaking through to level 7 Qi Gathering [4,000 / 240,000], 1,500 W.E. / minute → 1,502 W.E. / minute.]
[ATTENTION, Ling detects instability in the host's cultivation.]
[Ling advises not to break through in the next three days and to stabilize your cultivation realm as much as possible, refining the foundation.]
The sudden messages from Ling turned Jian Ning's intense joy into a feeling of imminent crisis.
"Even though I have Ling that can help me, in the end, we cannot violate the rules of cultivation. I already felt the qi in my body and blood becoming a bit chaotic, and I had some difficulty controlling it. This breakthrough was the last straw. Fortunately, it's not too serious, but if I continue to cultivate and break through today, the problem will be much more severe, and only high-ranking pills or heaven-and-earth treasures could help me," Jian Ning thought to himself, considering the best choice to stabilize his cultivation foundation.
According to what the elders taught him when he was a child, to stabilize a realm, one must mainly use martial skills to deplete the qi and learn to better control it. Therefore, they mainly advise fighting opponents, using martial techniques, and practicing the art of their main weapon, which for Jian Ning, is the sword.
"With my current cultivation level, martial techniques, and power, although my realm is not very stable, I can still fight against level 9 Qi Gathering cultivators. So, I might as well try my luck in the War God Arena," Jian Ning thought, referring to the legendary War God Arena, where Qi Gathering realm cultivators and above can fight for money.
"There should be a branch of the War God Arena in the capital, just a 10-minute walk from the sect," Jian Ning thought, intending to head to the capital.
"I could use my opponents as whetstones to sharpen my martial techniques and test my new martial arts," Jian Ning thought, becoming increasingly excited about his idea.
"But I must first report to my master," Jian Ning said as he headed towards his master's courtyard.
<Thunder Step>
Jian Ning used his new martial technique for practice, and suddenly, small arcs of lightning condensed around his feet before he began performing various complex movements with his legs.
Fouush!
Like a violet lightning bolt, Jian Ning dashed towards his master's courtyard.
[Ding, comprehension of <Thunder Step>, +100 points.]
Since his master's courtyard was not far away, he couldn't use it for long.
Arriving at Wen Tong's house, Jian Ning softly called out, "Master, the disciple has come to visit."
Before Jian Ning could understand, Wen Tong stood before him with a slight smile on his lips.
"Since you're here, I just finished cooking. Come in quickly! I want to know which martial arts you chose," Wen Tong declared with a teasing smile. He obviously knew the martial techniques Jian Ning had chosen. In fact, he knew everything Jian Ning did because his spiritual sense enveloped the entire sect.
Hearing Wen Tong's invitation, Jian Ning didn't hesitate and quickly entered, then sat on a futon in front of him. It was already 1 p.m., and although cultivators can survive on Bigu pills, eating remains tempting for most. Cultivators can survive without eating after breaking through to the revolving core level and can live without sleep at the innate level.
"Reporting to Master, I chose the martial techniques... and also... and a physical cultivation technique called..., as well as a fragmented technique...," Jian Ning explained, eating elegantly and gracefully.
'I remember leaving the Asura Body technique and Divine Wind Swordplay in the library specifically for him. It seems his eyes are very good, and he has enough courage to want to start fragmented or missing techniques,' Wen Tong thought with appreciation.
"I don't think you came here just to tell me that, did you?" Wen Tong asked.
'You asked me to tell you. I was just going to ask for permission to go to the capital and for two swords to fight with,' Jian Ning complained inwardly.
"Yes! I came to ask Master for permission to go to the capital to train in the War God Arena. The disciple feels he needs to stabilize his realm and better practice the martial techniques he has just obtained," Jian Ning said, referring to himself in the third person.
"Alright, I agree, but you must absolutely win the title of War Commander before breaking through to the innate level," Wen Tong demanded.
"That was already in the disciple's plans," Jian Ning nodded.
"The disciple would also like to ask the master for two swords, as I only have a low-grade yellow sword," Jian Ning explained, showing his low-grade yellow sword, which he kept precious.
"Alright! These two swords are called Blood Frozen Wind swords," Wen Tong replied simply, taking out two high-grade profound swords. The swords were not very long, measuring 1.1 meters long and only a few centimeters wide. They were quite slender, both encased in straight, long black sheaths with fine silver lines resembling strange runes.
"But before you go, I'll give you this. I hope you can start a profession, as it remains important," Wen Tong said, pulling Jian Ning out of his joy.
With a wave of his hand, several books emerged from Wen Tong's spatial ring. The covers read: <Introduction to the Profession of Formation Master>, <Introduction to the Profession of Blacksmith>, <Introduction to the Profession of Alchemist>, <Introduction to the Profession of Talisman Master>, <Introduction to the Profession of Puppeteer>...
"Take the time to read them and test to see what you have the most talent for, then choose your own path," Wen Tong said, handing Jian Ning a lower-grade spatial ring.
"In this ring, there are enough materials for you to practice," Wen Tong concluded before starting to head towards the library.
"I hope this child can rise sufficiently not to fall too hard when he fights against the geniuses of the holy force," thought Wen Tong, contemplating his next moves and how to guide Jian Ning well.