Heart Of A Cultivator [X]

Zhang Li Qiang and his grandson went through the techniques in the white manuscript but couldn't find any other suitable hand techniques. Hence, they settled for the Shifting-Heavens hand technique. It wasn't elemental affiliated, but should be enough until he would find one with the acquired affinities.

But as for the swords technique, they couldn't find one for him to learn due to his elemental affinities. It was a known fact that for a cultivator to become a true mythical artist later in life, the martial and mystical arts must be combined together to form the mythical arts. For this reason, a cultivator must learn the martial arts related to the awakened elements to achieve that feat.

"When these techniques are powered by Chi, their true powers will become manifest. Remember, the sword techniques take longer to master. So, that means you'll let your heart be patient and you must train harder."

As Zhang Li Qiang watched Ju Feng, he knew the only way for his grandson to learn an affiliated hand and swords technique would be to join a sect. Remembering the reasons why they were living a quiet life in their new cave, he knew it would be difficult convincing the others of that, if not impossible. Although the utterances of the oracle were clear, he wouldn't blame them for ignoring the words.

Who wouldn't? Nonetheless, he would still bring up the idea. But for now, Ju Feng would have to make do with the generally known sword moves.

"The thing with any weapon technique is the elemental affinities of the owner."

In one swift move, Zhang Li Qiang produced his own sword, Skyflame.

"This sword was made from white nephrite and the core of a white sky wyvern. As you already know, Ju Feng, sky wyvern are fire beasts. Just like the sky dragons. Therefore, I could use the core of a sky wyvern to make my sword. Apart from normal creatures with no awareness, every other thing with perpetuity has a core.

A martial artist's sword must be made to bring out the full power of the artist's elements. You, as a light and lightning affiliate, will need a sword made with the core of either light or lightning sentience. Or even both."

Zhang Li Qiang stopped and smiled when he saw the determined expression on Ju Feng's face. Facing the practice dummies, he slashed the sword forward, horizontally. A raging fire briskly attacked the dummies before slowly dispersing.

"As I've told you before, Ju Feng, cultivation, martial and mystical arts are all connected. Cultivation gathers Chi essence for immortal advancement, mystical arts use the Chi essence to produce elementals, and martial arts use the Chi imbued mystical arts to power their moves. All will become a true one when you form your nascent soul.

In the world of combats, artists strive to combine their martial and mystical arts together to form the mythical arts. And the power of your mythical arts will depend on your cultivation level. Now, let me show you the hand technique."

Zhang Li Qiang transmitted the ancestral hand technique to his grandson and showed him the moves. Immediately after the transmission, Ju Feng stood in a complete trance as the fundamentals of the techniques were permanently engraved in his soul. From then on, he would need to continuously practice it which could take an eternity to fully master.

It took Ju Feng several minutes to regain himself and quickly bowed to his grandfather who nodded in acceptance.

"For the first time, it's always like that. Now , it's forever in your memory."

For the next two hours, he continued to practice the basics of the Shifting-Heavens hand technique under the supervision of his grandfather. The hand technique had three stages —[The Mortal Hand], [The Eternal World ] and [The Shifting Heavens].

After training for a while, Zhang Li Qiang received a mindvoice from his daughter which made him signalled a halt to his grandson's practice. The antique dealers would be opening soon. And he was already thinking of the possibilities of finding martial arts techniques for Ju Feng. Although he greatly doubted that.

"Ju Feng, we'll stop here for now. The market will be opening for the antiques now. The others will be waiting for us. By the way, your grandmother and I, have decided to follow the two of you to the market. Maybe we can find interesting things too. You'll continue with your training later."

Leaving the training centre, they headed towards the cave where they found Zhang Wang Jing and Zhang Xiu Ying by the entrance of the cave. Few minutes later, they all left for the market place which was quite a distance due to the fact that their cave was at the extreme outskirt of the village. With their stage of advancements, they could have flown but decided to walk using the generally known flash-steps. Walking made them feel the comforting peace of nature.

The market was already arranged in folding stalls by the antique dealers. Every five years, the nine villages cherished bargaining of the rare items. Of the nine neighbouring villages, it was the turn of the people of Sky-Spring village to welcome the merchants.

The village was buzzing with a high number of people. With many coming from other villages and nearest towns that couldn't wait for their turn to host the antique dealers, flooding the market area with activities, Really, it was a lively and busy place.

The Zhang family decided to split up, to make the experience more enjoyable. Ju Feng was checking the stalls when he came upon a stall of different archaic talismans. Seeing the owner —an elderly man who wore a blue and white robe of the well known and trusted Wandering Merchants— Ju Feng swiftly raised his cupped hands to him with a slight bow.

"Greetings, senior."

The old man returned the greetings before nodding .

"Welcome, young man. Please take a look at the items. All are of good values. My words on them."

With brows knitted in utter concentration, Ju Feng glanced at the items.

"Anything you are looking for in particular, young man?"

"Senior, do you have martial arts manuscripts?"

"Martial arts manuscripts?".

"Yes, senior. I need techniques for light and lightning affinities."

"Hm, those must be your affinities. Congratulations, young man."

"Thank you, senior."

"You see, martial arts techniques are of the utmost values in the martial world. At great prices, you can find lower grade martial arts techniques in an open market like this. But from the medium ones and above, they are extremely valuable to the owners and are highly protected. You can only get one from your clan or a martial master. But if not, the other option for you is to join a sect."

"A sect?"

"Yes. They'll teach you the arts and weapons techniques you seek. Some of them even have ancient techniques too. I think it's the best place for you to learn, if you really want to. That's the cultivation world for you, young man."

"Thank you, senior."

Ju Feng's shoulders sagged as he gave a slight bow to the old merchant. He had thought it would easier for him to find the techniques.

Seeing the looks on Ju Feng's face, the antique dealer raised a frail looking hand.

"Wait, young man. As you are just starting on the road to immortality, you can have this protection talisman. Although it's a low-grade Dragon-Shield seal, I believe it'll be of help to you."

"Okay senior. How much is it?"

"Consider it my gift to you, young man."

"A gift?"

Ju Feng stared in astonishment at the talisman. He got an antique as a gift? He glanced at the old man who nodded in confirmation. After recovering from the shock, he quickly bowed with his cupped fist.

"Thank you, senior."

Leaving the stall, Ju Feng's spirit became considerably lifted. At least, he got a protection talisman. Low grade or not, it was a gift to him. With the words of the senior merchant on his mind, he didn't bother checking the other stalls as he went looking for his family. He was trying to see which direction to take when a hand gently touched his shoulders.