Choices Choices

Inside, the air holds the scent of parchment and ink. Rows of ancient scrolls and manuals line the shelves, arranged by category—body refinement, elemental techniques, combat arts, and more. Li Wei scans the shelves methodically, his eyes moving between titles inscribed with gold.

Many manuals display detailed diagrams of Qi circulation and rune arrays. Li Wei flips through them, his mind focused. This is his chance. By copying the techniques into his system, he can avoid repeated visits and conserve his resources.

He picks up a manual titled Bone Renewal Art and flicks through it, trying to get to the system message as quickly as possible.

[Detected cultivation technique 'Bone Renewal Art'. A foundational technique to stimulate bone regeneration and strengthen skeletal integrity. Requires controlled Qi flow through bone meridians.]

[Modification Suggestion: Ingest bone essence before using the technique to strengthen the new bone growth and endure extreme pain. This attracts the bone essence into the growth, enhancing durability slightly.]

Li Wei leaned back, absorbing the information. Ah, same old Modification Suggestion, he thought, noticing the repetitive nature of the instructions. The system definitely only works on cultivation techniques, not combat ones.

He approaches the meditation techniques section. Manuals promising breakthroughs line the shelves, their spines worn from frequent use.

He pulls out a manual and flips through it quickly for the system message.

[Detected cultivation technique 'Fire Mind Technique'. Meditate in flames to channel qi, enhancing mental focus.]

[Modification Suggestion: Meditate in an area of intense heat, such as a fire pit or volcanic terrain. Visualise flames surrounding your dantian and spreading to your meridians, focusing your Qi into a singular, sharpened flow. Use during full daylight hours for maximum fire energy alignment.]

"Fire?" He slams the manual shut and grabs the next one.

[Detected cultivation technique 'Forest Harmony Technique'. Blend with nature to enhance overall Qi flow and stability.]

[Modification Suggestion: Meditate in a dense forest, preferably near ancient trees, while placing freshly gathered leaves in a circle around you. Breathe in synchrony with the rustling of the leaves, focusing on aligning your Qi flow with the rhythm of the forest. Use during early morning for optimal forest energy alignment.]

"Wood affinity?" He slams the manual shut and grabs the next one.

Li Wei continues browsing. Time is limited, and he only needs an earth-based meditation technique to complement Bone Whisper Art.

He scans the remaining manuals but finds no earth-related techniques. Instead, he encounters a series of mediocre methods that fail to meet his needs. Determined to avoid wasting time, he makes a mental list of the next seven techniques, none of which are earth-based or sound particularly useful:

Shadow Veil Technique

Storm Caller Technique

Moonlight Serenity Technique

Lightning Surge Technique

Mist Walker Technique

Wind Whisper Technique

Sunflare Radiance Technique

"All crap," Li Wei thinks, shaking his head.

As his eyes sweep the shelf, he pauses on a title: Stone Mountain Technique. The name immediately catches his attention as an earth manual. He pulls the manual free, the aged parchment cool under his fingers.

[Detected cultivation technique 'Stone Mountain Technique'. Reinforce skeletal density and strengthen structural Qi channel efficiency.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create an 'Earth Resilience Rune Array' using two basalt stones inscribed with Tet and Vav runes. Improve Qi assimilation by 55%, while the square array stabilises Qi flow distribution across the body. direct energy from the earth into your skeletal structure. Visualise the Qi reinforcing microfractures within your bones, densifying internal channels to withstand higher Qi pressures. Maintain slow, deliberate breaths to maximise resonance with your foundation.]

Li Wei reads the instructions carefully, considering its potential. He notes the requirements and the benefits it offers. This technique aligns more closely with his needs.

Li Wei sits at a wooden table in the library, surrounded by stacks of open manuals. He methodically scans each title, noting the elemental affinity indicated: Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal. He continues this process, methodically flipping through each manual and reviewing each technique. As he reads, he sets aside any techniques linked to elements he does not control and those that do not address his current needs. This continues until he has examined around one hundred techniques. From the remaining entries, he identifies nine techniques tied to the earth element. He separates these nine from the others, preparing to focus on them.

Earth Spirit Technique

Desert Soul Technique

Mountain Root Technique

Stone Mountain Technique 

Granite Fortitude Technique

Quarry Endurance Technique

Soil Binding Technique

Clay Form Technique

Rockheart Technique 

"Choices, choices," Li Wei murmured, contemplating which cultivation technique would best.

Li Wei goes through all nine manuals. He skims each one. He does not read every detail, focusing on the system messages. 

[Detected cultivation technique 'Earth Spirit Technique'. Connect with earth energies to enhance Qi flow and stability.]

[Modification Suggestion: Arrange four stones in a square around your meditation area. Sit firmly on the ground. Direct your Qi through your dantian into each stone sequentially, then draw it back into your body. Repeat this cycle ten times to enhance Qi flow and stability.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Desert Soul Technique'. Heighten Qi skeletal density and Increase structural Qi channel efficiency.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Desert Soul Rune Array' using 2 sandstone stones inscribed with Tet and Resh runes. improves efficiency by 85%, ] take qi from the remnants of ancient life transferring Desert Qi through the runes into your meridians. Focus on stabilizing your Qi channels and synchronize your internal Qi with the pervasive Desert Qi using deep and consistent breathing techniques]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Mountain Root Technique'. Anchor Qi flow through mountain energies to absorb Qi.]

[Modification Suggestion: Sit in a stable position and place your feet firmly on the ground. Draw Qi from your dantian directly into the earth beneath you, focusing on maintaining a steady breath. Perform a sequence of Qi circulation exercises, directing Qi through your legs, torso, and back to your dantian. Repeat this process fifteen times to anchor your Qi flow.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Stone Mountain Technique'. Reinforce skeletal density and strengthen structural Qi channel efficiency.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create an 'Earth Resilience Rune Array' using two basalt stones inscribed with Tet and Vav runes. Improve Qi assimilation by 55%, while the square array stabilises Qi flow distribution across the body. direct energy from the earth into your skeletal structure. Visualise the Qi reinforcing microfractures within your bones, densifying internal channels to withstand higher Qi pressures. Maintain slow, deliberate breaths to maximise resonance with your foundation.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Granite Fortitude Technique'. Enhance physical strength and bone durability through granite energies.]

[Modification Suggestion: Perform a series of physical exercises such as squats and lunges while focusing on channeling granite energy into your bones. Visualise the granite's Qi strengthening your muscles and bones with each movement. Complete three sets of ten repetitions to enhance physical strength and bone durability.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Quarry Endurance Technique'. Boost endurance and resilience through quarry energies.]

[Modification Suggestion: Stand in a stable stance and visualise quarry rocks surrounding you. Direct your Qi from your dantian into the rocks, then draw it back into your body. Repeat this process fifteen times to boost endurance and resilience.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Soil Binding Technique'. Bind Qi flow through soil energies to absorb Qi.]

[Modification Suggestion: Kneel on the ground and press your palms into the soil. Direct your Qi from your dantian into the soil through your palms, then draw it back into your body. Repeat this cycle ten times to bind your Qi flow.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Clay Form Technique'. Shape Qi flow through clay energies to enhance flexibility and resilience.]

[Modification Suggestion: Manipulate clay with your hands while focusing on directing your Qi through it. Press and shape the clay, aligning your Qi flow with the clay's energy. Continue this process for fifteen minutes to enhance flexibility and resilience.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Rockheart Technique'. Fortify Qi channels and enhance resistance to internal stress.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Rockheart Rune Array' using two granite stones inscribed with Tet and Vav runes. Enhances Qi compression efficiency by 60%, while the rune array distributes absorbed energy evenly throughout the body. Focus on integrating Qi compression into your skeletal framework, reinforcing its elasticity and resilience. Controlled, steady breathing ensures optimal energy flow and stress resistance.]

Three manuals prominently feature runes, and give a percentage increase in efficiency, immediately capturing his attention. He pauses, recalling his previous encounters with runes on significant objects: the cauldron used for sect assessments, Zhao Feng's cauldron for alchemy, and the bone oath inscribed at the sect gates. These runes had always been indicators of advanced power and hidden knowledge. Li Wei considers the implications, concluding that the techniques incorporating runes are likely to possess greater potency and contain deeper, more intricate secrets. Determined to unlock these advanced methods, he selects the three rune-inscribed manuals for closer study. He reads through each one again.

[Detected cultivation technique 'Desert Soul Technique'. Heighten Qi skeletal density and Increase structural Qi channel efficiency.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Desert Soul Rune Array' using 2 sandstone stones inscribed with Tet and Resh runes. improves efficiency by 85%, ] take qi from the remnants of ancient life transferring Desert Qi through the runes into your meridians. Focus on stabilizing your Qi channels and synchronize your internal Qi with the pervasive Desert Qi using deep and consistent breathing techniques]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Stone Mountain Technique'. Reinforce skeletal density and strengthen structural Qi channel efficiency.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create an 'Earth Resilience Rune Array' using two basalt stones inscribed with Tet and Vav runes. Improve Qi assimilation by 55%, while the square array stabilises Qi flow distribution across the body. direct energy from the earth into your skeletal structure. Visualise the Qi reinforcing microfractures within your bones, densifying internal channels to withstand higher Qi pressures. Maintain slow, deliberate breaths to maximise resonance with your foundation.]

[Detected cultivation technique 'Rockheart Technique'. Fortify Qi channels and enhance resistance to internal stress.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Rockheart Rune Array' using two granite stones inscribed with Tet and Vav runes. Enhances Qi compression efficiency by 60%, while the rune array distributes absorbed energy evenly throughout the body. Focus on integrating Qi compression into your skeletal framework, reinforcing its elasticity and resilience. Controlled, steady breathing ensures optimal energy flow and stress resistance.]