Breakthrough I

The scrolls Hector showed were both of the fourth shelf, just below the top shelf.

The first was an all-rounder method, the Blossoming Qi Realization Method. Although it had no great advantage, the disadvantages it brought were mostly negligible. You could say it was a method with no drawbacks, because of that it was actually one of the most used method.

The second one was the Gravebreaker Method. If the Blossoming Qi Realization Method was an all-rounder, the Gravebreaker Method was a suer specialised method. One basically had to forgo any other path, because this method would only leave one way forward.

Guihu Luixing gave his honest opinion.

"Brother Schmitt, your physique is one of a warrior. You are as big as an eight years old even though you are just five, like me. Unlike me that is more inclined to have a lean build, your peak form seem to be a very muscular one."

Hector also understood that, he always looked older he actually was because he was naturally bigger than the other children his age.

"Combined with that" Guihu Luixing continued "Your perfect compatibilities with the gold and the earth elements, make you a natural melee fighter. The Gravebreaker Method serves you perfectly. However, I understand your indecision. This method is really risky, and you need to decide your path much sooner than any other."

The Gravebreaker Method required one to literally break out from a grave. First one would have to dig a hole at least 10 meters deep. Then they would have to mix the soil they had dug out with treasures that had Earth Qi. Then they would have to find a metal coffin incrusted with Metal Qi treasures, or the coffin to be a Metal Qi Treasure itself. Then they would lower the coffin into the hole.

The last part was obvious. They would have to lay down in the coffin and bury themselves with the mixed soil. After a couple of days, they would have broken through, if they survived.

Another point of concern of this method was thatit cut off any other path. Unless one found a heaven-defying treasure, their elemental affinity with elements other than metal and earth would gradually decrease. To a Qi cultivator, this was not good news.

Guihu Luixing supplemented his explanation "I believe that, if I was in your situation, I would pick the Gravebreaker Method and become a Body and Qi cultivator. That way you would be using your assets to the best of their capabilities. But you should think for yourself. There's no need to decide now. You can always seek advice from a senior or a teacher."

It was then that Guihu Luixing noticed that Hector was looking at him with an amazed look.

"Wow, Brother Guihu, you are so smart. You talk just like an adult. Thank you for your help. I'll take this Gravebreaker Method like you suggested."

"Let's go then. The ghosts seem to be getting impatient."

Hector answered with a nod and they returned to the reception, where Swift Mist was waiting.

"Oh, you are back. How was it? Did you decide a method already? Or do you need to sleep on it?"

Hector unhesitatingly stepped forward, handing the scroll he picked "Yes miss Swift Mist, we've already decided. This is the one I picked."

"Ohhh, Gravebreaker Method? This is a strict one, but it should suit you well. If you can, try to find a protector, they can dig you out in any sign of trouble." She advised.

"Thank you for the advice, miss Swift Mist."

"What about you Young Master?" She turned towards Guihu Luixing "What did you pick?"

"This one."

As soon as he handed over the scroll, Swift Mist's expression froze.

"Young Master, could you have picked the wrong scroll?"

"No miss Swift Mist, I indeed picked the Six Senses Method." Guihu Luixing answered without hesitation.

She sighed "Young Master, the Six Senses Method is said to be not only the most ancient method but also the most primitive. To directly ingest multiple Qi Stones, as a mortal human, is tantamount to suicide. I can't forbid you from choosing this method, but are you sure you want to pick this one? Even if the benefits are great, it has no meaning if you're dead."

Hearing the method Guihu Luixing chose, Hector was appalled. He immediately tried to change his mind.

"Brother Guihu, miss Swift Mist is right. There are so many methods back there, don't you want to take another look?"

Though Guihu Luixing was glad they were concerned about him, he didn't change his mind.

"There's no need. I understand the risk, and I still chose this method. Thank you for your concern."

Seeing his expression, Swift Mist understood it was meaningless try to convince him otherwise. With a sigh, she allowed him to takenthe scroll.

"Very well. But I'm reporting this to your father."

Guihu Luixing bodded, took the scroll and left. Dark Moon who was already awake, followed him with a worried face.

"Moon, I want you to be my protector. Can you do that for me?"He asked her, trying to alleviate her worries.

When she hears this, Dark Moon was ecstatic. She could finally be of use to Guihu Luixing.

Following her father's advice, Dark Moon spent all the time since she left her father's office in the library. Wanting to be helpful to Guihu Luixing and knowing he would go attempt a breakthrough soon, Dark Moon focused on studying about them.

She answered witha a loud bark.

"Wao!"

"Thanks Dark Moon. I knew I could count on you."

They soon arrived at his house. His father and mother were waiting for them.

"Luixing, do you know why are we here?" The headmaster asked.

"Yes, father. It's about the method I chose. The Six Senses Method." Guihu Luixing answered.

"Are you certain of your decision? Even with a protector, there aren't any guarantees of getting out unharmed." The headmaster pressured.

"Just stop him. There's no need for him to put himself in so much danger." Protested Guihu Luixing's mother.

"Clara, even though he's young, our son is still a cultivator. He has to make the decisions about his own future." Reprimanded the headmaster.

His wife was not one bit conformed, even though she understood.

"It's alright, father, mother. I know what I'm doing." He said a half-truth.

"Then, do as you wish. Here are the Qi Stones. Do you have a protector?" Asked the headmaster.

"Yes."

"Very well. You can use my seclusion room." said the headmaster before dragging his wife, who was glaring at him, away.

"Let's go, Moon."

"Kon!"

The boy and pup pair soon arrived at the seclusion room. It was round, made of stone, each piece looking so heavy, it could easily crush him.

The room had very few furniture. A bed a corner, a table with papers, pen and ink in another, and a cultivation mat in the center.

There wasn't much to see, nor any reason to waste more time, so Guihu Luixing started instructing Dark Moon.

"Moon, this is the method I'll be using. Basically you'll only need to step in in case you feel the Qi from the Qi Stones is causing a negative reaction in my body." Guihu Luixing said as he handed the fox the scroll for her to read.

This version of the scroll was much more complete, showing that Guihu Luixing's hypothesis was likely to be correct.

As soon as Dark Moon finished reading Guihu Luixing started the process.

"Let's go!"