Bone Whisper

Li Wei listens carefully, absorbing every word. He flips through the pages, each one more overwhelming than the last. The ingredients required for these potions are fantastical, almost otherworldly, their properties detailed in a way that makes the process seem both daunting and fascinating.

Zhao Fenge sighs, crossing his arms in front of him. "Even my success rate is only 54% on a strength potion. When you start, it'll be in the single digits."

A wave of apprehension washes over Li Wei, but he forces it aside. His gaze locks onto a section of the book detailing foundational establishment elixirs. The ingredients are rare and powerful—Golden Phoenix Feather, Obsidian Serpent Scale, and Spirit Blossom Nectar. The elixirs promise to fortify one's cultivation base, offering immense potential, but the recipe is daunting.

Zhao Feng notices Li Wei's interest and smirks. "Those elixirs are not for beginners," he says dismissively. "Start with producing strength potions; they're the easiest."

Li Wei nods, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He understands that mastering this skill will be crucial to advancing within the sect. The challenge is great, but so too is the reward.

Zhao Feng's expression hardens. "I need a Grade 1 Bone Pill every month from you. I'll also accept a strength potion in exchange for 2 years of contributions voided." His tone leaves no room for negotiation. "That is all. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll leave first," he says, turning to exit the cave. His footsteps echo off the walls as he walks away.

"Thank you for guiding me, Senior," Li Wei says, his voice measured and respectful.

As the echoes of Zhao Feng's departure fade, Li Wei is left alone in the quiet of his new cave. The book remains open in his hands, the pages heavy with promise and peril.

Li Wei takes a careful inventory of the items scattered around the cave, remnants of the last unfortunate resident who occupied this space. There's a variety of apparatuses scattered about, their purpose not immediately clear to him, though he suspects they are related to potioneering. The thought crosses his mind that the previous occupant might have been in the same position he now finds himself in—was he simply no good at his craft, or did he anger Elder Guo? These questions remain unanswered, hanging in the air like a warning.

He turns his attention to a stack of books left behind, flipping through them with measured curiosity. Among the titles, he finds some covering the basics of potioneering, each more complex and challenging than the last. But what surprises him most is the discovery of a few manuals, techniques likely abandoned by their previous owner. He takes note of the titles: Basic Fireball, Skeletal Gale, Bone Whisper, and Bone Mist.

Li Wei carefully examines each technique, his gaze lingering on the intricate details of Bone Mist, which describes how to create a mist of bone dust to obscure vision. Although the technique could be useful, it's not something he's particularly keen to attempt right away. Skeletal Gale catches his attention more—this technique involves unleashing a gale of skeletal fragments to slice through enemies, a brutal and straightforward method that aligns more with his current needs. However, it is Bone Whisper that truly captures his interest.

Bone Whisper is not just a technique for combat; it's a meditation method that allows the practitioner to sense vibrations through skeletal structures, identifying nearby presences and discerning the physical states of living beings. Li Wei considers the potential of this technique and its applications.

As he contemplates Bone Whisper, the system activates.

[Detected cultivation technique: 'Bone Whisper'. Current method: Use qi to sense vibrations through the skeletal structure, identifying nearby presences and discerning physical states of living beings. Develops spiritual sense.]

[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Death Qi Gathering Array' using five fingertip bones inscribed with Liu, Jing, Yan, Xun, and Rui runes. Cultivate in an area saturated with death qi. This method enhances the sensitivity and range of the Bone Whisper technique, allowing for more precise detection of presences and deeper insights into physical states. The array increases the speed of cultivation by 40%, depending on the grade of bone used for the array.]

He realises that obtaining a manual for runes is now a top priority. The potential this technique offers could be a game changer in his survival and progress within the sect.

Li Wei reflects on the Bone Whisper technique, considering its potential compared to Elder Guo's Silent Void Art. "Bone Whisper," he muses, "doesn't sound as fancy or prestigious as the Silent Void Art." The name alone lacks the gravitas of a technique that commands respect and fear. He recalls Elder Guo's advice about finding a meditation technique that complements his affinity. The question now lingers in his mind: does Bone Whisper truly align with his earth affinity? Can it be as powerful as the techniques wielded by higher-ranking disciples?

Doubt gnaws at him. The technique seems useful, but its true potential remains uncertain. The system's modification made it more promising, yet the uncertainty about its alignment with his affinity raises concerns. "Is this really the right path for me?" he wonders. 

He ponders the possibilities. If Bone Whisper doesn't align with his earth affinity, he might be wasting valuable time and resources. But what if it could be adapted or improved further? The questions pile up, leaving him uncertain about his next steps. Should he continue down this path, or should he seek out a more prestigious, earth-based meditation technique that might offer greater benefits in the long run?

Li Wei quickly dismisses his doubts, recognizing that worrying about things he cannot yet understand or control is futile. His mind refocuses on the task at hand: potioneering. The names of various materials float through his thoughts, each a vital component in the complex art he must master. With a determined mindset, Li Wei dives back into the potioneering manual, scanning through the information rapidly. Although much of the content is difficult to fully grasp, he knows that practical experience will be his true teacher. "Knowledge is gained through experience, not just reading," he reminds himself.

One particular elixir stands out among the rest: the Foundational Establishment Elixir. This potion promises to directly enhance a cultivator's progress, a rare and invaluable asset. The manual claims that for a 9th-level Qi cultivator, success in advancing to Foundation Establishment is nearly assured. Even those who have already reached Foundation Establishment can benefit from this elixir, pushing their cultivation from the early stages up to the mid-stage.

However, the introduction of new concepts within Foundation Establishment—early, mid, and presumably late stages—confounds Li Wei. This is a shift from the Qi Cultivation realm.

Determined, Li Wei continues to study the manual in earnest. 

Li Wei stares at the pages for a long time, his initial excitement giving way to a daunting realisation. The more he reads, the more aware he becomes of his limited knowledge. The names of the herbs and materials are largely unfamiliar. Occasionally, he recognizes a herb he learned about in the pill hall, but these moments are rare. He estimates that he knows less than 1% of what is listed.

The brewing methods of these elixirs are also peculiar. Some elixirs require specific types of fire to properly unlock the properties of the ingredients. The book details various exotic fires, each with its unique characteristics and uses.

Bone Fire is only one that he is familiar with, having seen it used to refine bone pills. But others, like Ghost Flame, a pale, flickering fire said to be drawn from the spirits of the deceased, and Phoenix Ember, a brilliant flame with a golden hue that supposedly enhances the potency of any concoction, are completely new to him. There is also the Void Spark, a cold, almost invisible flame used for rare, ethereal ingredients that Li Wei can barely comprehend.

He realises that mastering these techniques will require not only knowledge but also the ability to harness and control these various fires, each demanding a different approach and skill set. The challenge is immense, but the potential rewards are equally great.

Li Wei flips through the pages, his eyes narrowing as he examines the success rates of various potions. The numbers are discouraging. Even with a master potioneer's skills, many of these concoctions have a success rate hovering around 40-50%. However, some potions are truly abysmal—one in particular, a rare concoction called the Nightshade Extract, has a success rate of just 3%. The thought of wasting precious resources on such an uncertain outcome frustrates him. The potential rewards of these elixirs are immense, but the risks are just as significant.

Shaking his head after this disappointment, Li Wei refocuses—the bone slave manual. Ever since he first witnessed the bone slaves at the sect assessment, their eerie presence and undeniable utility left a deep impression on him. Now, the idea of having his own bone slave, bound to his will, feels not only advantageous but crucial. These creatures clearly hold great importance for Bone Ash Sect cultivators.