Arrays of Immortality

Chapter 17: Cultivation Techniques

Instructor Yan said, "The breathing technique the sect taught before is similar to a cultivation method. It can cultivate spiritual energy but is very basic and only suitable for cultivators up to the third level of Qi Refining. After reaching the third level, you must choose a proper cultivation technique. Of course, you can continue using the breathing technique, but your progress will be much slower…"

"This is the catalog of cultivation techniques provided by the sect for outer disciples. It lists the names of techniques, suitable spiritual roots, required spirit stones, resources for breaking through bottlenecks, and their benefits. Take a look for yourselves."

Instructor Yan handed out the catalogs, and each disciple received a copy, including Mo Hua.

The catalog was thin, only about ten pages, but densely recorded dozens of techniques and their details.

"If you have any questions, you can ask me," Instructor Yan said.

The disciples were silent for a moment before one of them raised a hand and asked, "Instructor, are cultivation techniques also divided by attributes and grades, like spiritual roots?"

Instructor Yan gave the disciple a cold glance and said, "You've reached the third level of Qi Refining and are still asking such a simple question. It seems you weren't paying attention to Instructor Zhou's classes. Copy Introduction to Cultivation once and submit it to me in three days."

The disciple froze as if struck by lightning, then lowered his head in regret, saying, "Yes, sir." Internally, he scolded himself for carelessly speaking up in front of the strict Instructor Yan.

Instructor Yan surveyed the group and said sternly, "Instructor Zhou is older and more lenient, and you don't always take his classes seriously. However, selecting a cultivation technique is extremely important. I'll explain again—listen carefully and don't find it boring."

The disciples sat up straight and listened attentively.

"A cultivator's spiritual root has both attributes and grades, and so do cultivation techniques.

"The primary attributes of spiritual roots are the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Some roots are purely one element, some are mixed, and others are five-element roots, either small or large. Beyond the five elements, there are also rare mutated roots, such as ice, thunder, wind, and yin-yang roots. These are rare and difficult to encounter.

"Spiritual roots are further divided into nine grades, from the lowest to the highest: lower-lower, lower-middle, lower-upper, middle-lower… up to upper-upper grade. The higher the grade, the better the talent and the greater the capacity for spiritual energy in the Qi Sea.

"Cultivation techniques are categorized similarly by attributes and nine grades. Choosing a technique must match your spiritual root—its attribute and grade determine what you can learn."

He continued, "The attribute of your spiritual root defines the nature of your spiritual energy, and rarer roots grant more unique power. The grade of the root determines your potential for cultivation. Higher-grade roots grant superior talent."

A student timidly asked, "Are rarer spiritual roots always better?"

"Not necessarily," Instructor Yan explained. "For disciples from prominent clans or sects, this is an advantage. However, for common cultivators, rarer roots mean fewer cultivation techniques to choose from. In some cases, there may be no suitable techniques at all, which is hardly a good thing."

"What happens if a cultivation technique doesn't match your spiritual root's attribute?" another student asked.

"You simply can't cultivate it," Instructor Yan replied. "For example, a cultivator with metal-water spiritual roots cannot learn wood-earth techniques."

"Is there no exception?"

Instructor Yan raised an eyebrow and said, "At least, in the 20,000 years of Daoist records, there's no such case. If you discover one, let me know—I'd love to see it."

The student shrank back, not daring to ask more.

"What if the grade of the cultivation technique exceeds the grade of your spiritual root?" another student asked.

Instructor Yan said, "Higher-grade roots can practice lower-grade techniques, but lower-grade roots cannot practice higher-grade techniques."

"Why would someone with a high-grade root choose a lower-grade technique? Wouldn't their spiritual energy be weaker?" a student questioned.

Instructor Yan explained, "Higher-grade techniques require far more spirit stones and precious materials to cultivate. If you choose a high-grade technique and realize halfway that you can't afford it, it will be too late to regret it."

"What if someone with a low-grade root tries to practice a high-grade technique?" the same student asked.

"According to the Cultivation Techniques Compendium, if the technique's grade exceeds the root's capacity, the cultivator will typically damage their Qi Sea due to absorbing excessive spiritual energy. In severe cases, their Qi Sea may collapse, their cultivation will be destroyed, or they may even suffer a fatal qi deviation."

"Some suffer a qi deviation," another disciple muttered, eyes lighting up, "but does that mean some don't?"

Instructor Yan gave him a meaningful look and said, "Don't assume you're special. The records are filled with blood-soaked lessons. If you insist on gambling with your life, don't be surprised when you find yourself dead."

Hearing this, many disciples became wary, realizing how dangerous such thoughts were.

"These are not isolated cases but lessons learned over 20,000 years of cultivation history. Ignoring the wisdom of your predecessors can easily lead you astray. Once a cultivator takes the wrong path, they may never recover," Instructor Yan said, with a hint of melancholy in his tone. Mo Hua noticed that the instructor seemed troubled but said nothing further.

Pointing at the Cultivation Techniques Catalog, Instructor Yan concluded, "Based on what I just explained, choose a technique that suits you. Remember, cultivating isn't about chasing grandeur—what fits you best is what's most valuable."

The disciples began flipping through the catalog.

Mo Hua understood the importance of this decision and started browsing as well. His root was of lower-middle grade, meaning he could only practice lower or middle-grade techniques. However, his curiosity led him to first examine the higher-grade techniques.

Flipping to the end of the catalog, he saw some upper-grade techniques:

"Heaven and Earth Profound Technique": Upper-lower grade, suitable for earth spiritual roots. Allows cultivation of 120 cycles of spiritual energy. Achieving perfection in the Qi Refining stage requires refining 5,000 spirit stones and resources like Xuanhuang Grass, Bitterwater Root, and Heavenly Xuan Stone.

"Gentle Water Technique": Upper-lower grade, suitable for water spiritual roots. Allows cultivation of 130 cycles of spiritual energy. Requires 5,200 spirit stones and resources like Hundred-Year Rootless Water and Silver Serpent Blood.

"Five Elements Absorption Technique": Upper-lower grade, suitable for five-element roots. Allows cultivation of 150 cycles of spiritual energy. Requires 6,000 spirit stones and resources like Golden Essence Stone, Molten Fire Stone, and Hundred-Year Earth.

…

Mo Hua was stunned. "At least 5,000 spirit stones to reach perfection, and that's just the refining cost! Not to mention the resources needed to break through bottlenecks. Some of these rare materials alone would cost even more…"

It had taken Mo Hua an entire month to earn just 50 spirit stones. The sheer expense of these techniques made his scalp tingle.

He had heard that most unaffiliated cultivators, even with upper-grade spiritual roots, simply couldn't afford to practice upper-grade techniques.

If they insisted on doing so, they had only two options:

First, join a powerful sect as an inner disciple, binding themselves to the sect for life.

Second, marry into a wealthy family and let them support their cultivation, though this often meant abandoning their name, lineage, and past entirely.

Either choice amounted to sacrificing personal freedom, even if cultivation success became possible.

No wonder cultivators often said, "Destiny first, luck second, and environment third."

A cultivator's fate is determined twice: once by their spiritual root and once by their birth.

Trying to defy destiny was easier said than done.

Mo Hua let out a long sigh.

(End of Chapter)