Celestial Expansion Scripture

Mo Hua read through the description of the technique again. There were only a few lines, stating that this technique had no restrictions on spiritual root grade or attributes. The spiritual power cultivated by this technique tended to be low, with the bottleneck being in spiritual consciousness. It was not suitable for practitioners who were not adept at formations.

Although it didn't specify the required spiritual items, these descriptions carried a strange undertone.

How could there be a technique without any restrictions on the spiritual root? It was understandable that the cultivated spiritual power would be modest, considering it didn't require a specific spiritual root. This meant even those with inferior roots could practice it, resulting in less profound spiritual power.

But what did it mean for the bottleneck to be in spiritual consciousness? And why was it unsuitable for non-formation practitioners?

Mo Hua furrowed his brow, lost in thought. He didn't know how much time had passed until Mr. Zhuang opened his eyes.

"Have you made your selection?" Mr. Zhuang asked.

Mo Hua snapped back to attention. "Disciple has made a selection, but I'm unsure which one would be more suitable."

"Let me see them," Mr. Zhuang requested.

Mo Hua respectfully handed over the chosen techniques to Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang went through each one with a calm expression, though he felt somewhat unhappy inside.

All the techniques Mo Hua had chosen were picked by Kui Lao. None of Mr. Zhuang's picks had made the cut, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

It wasn't until he reached the last jade slip that Mr. Zhuang's eyes lit up.

Carved on the ancient and plain pale jade slip were the three characters of "The Celestial Expansion Scripture."

This was one of the "unique" techniques that Mr. Zhuang had selected.

Mr. Zhuang was highly satisfied, thinking that Mo Hua had a good eye. "This child is indeed teachable."

Seeing Mr. Zhuang's attention focused on "The Celestial Expansion Scripture," Mo Hua asked the question that concerned him the most, "Master, the 'Celestial Expansion Scripture' doesn't list the required spiritual items. Does that mean it doesn't require any rare spiritual treasures to practice?"

"Correct," Mr. Zhuang nodded.

Mo Hua was overjoyed, but then he quickly calmed down. "In cultivating the Dao, one reaps what one sows. If it doesn't require celestial and spiritual items, does that mean there might be other difficulties in practicing this technique?"

Mr. Zhuang looked approvingly at Mo Hua and slowly replied, "This is an ancient technique."

"An ancient technique?" Mo Hua was puzzled. "What's different about ancient techniques?"

"Some are different, some are not. Ancient people practiced techniques, and contemporary people do too. They are all methods for seeking immortality and enlightenment, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. They cannot be generalized..."

"Some ancient techniques have been improved by generations of cultivators and have become more stable with fewer bottlenecks, making them the main techniques practiced in the cultivation world today. Others are obscure and strange, difficult to cultivate with lackluster results, gradually abandoned..."

"Some techniques are cruel and sinister, easily causing practitioners to lose their sanity and become demonic cultivators, leading to their prohibition by the Dao court. There are also techniques that can defy fate and change destinies, with extremely strict conditions for practice, often fought over by major cultivators, damaged, lost, and eventually only remaining as legends passed down among cultivators..."

"Are all ancient techniques unrestricted by spiritual roots?" Mo Hua asked.

"Not entirely. Most techniques restrict spiritual root attributes. Only a few do not restrict the grade of spiritual roots—whether upper-upper, or lower-lower, everyone can practice it, but they are few in number."

"The regulation of spiritual roots and the categorization of techniques were promoted by the major families and sects after the unification of the Dao court across the nine continents. On one hand, it was to standardize the diverse and extensive techniques in the cultivation world, making it easier for cultivators to practice. On the other hand..."

It was for the monopoly of technique inheritance...

Mr. Zhuang's gaze slightly hardened, but he didn't continue. Instead, he said, "You'll understand in the future."

"Oh," Mo Hua nodded, seemingly understanding, and then asked, "Master, what kind of ancient technique is this 'Celestial Expansion Scripture'?"

"It should belong to the category of obscure and peculiar techniques."

Mr. Zhuang paused, then continued, "This cultivation method was studied by some in the past, and learning it is quite simple, requiring only the refining of spirit stones. However, the bottleneck during breakthroughs is quite peculiar. For other cultivation methods, the bottleneck usually lies in the meridians or the sea of qi, requiring the refinement of spiritual objects from heaven and earth to break through. But for this method, the bottleneck is in the sea of consciousness. The sea of consciousness is elusive and difficult to grasp, with very few spiritual objects that can assist, making it uncertain whether one can break through."

"Even if spiritual objects are rare, there are always ways to obtain them. It's just a matter of the cost. But encountering issues with the sea of consciousness makes it difficult, sometimes even impossible to know where to begin. Additionally, the spiritual power cultivated by this method is weak and lacks any other effects, so gradually fewer people practiced it."

Mo Hua listened quietly, then asked one last question, "What does 'unsuitable for non-array masters to practice' mean? Do you have to become an array master to practice this technique?"

"No," Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "It doesn't mean you have to become an array master to practice this technique. Rather, among the myriad paths of cultivation, only array masters expend the most spiritual energy. Their use and understanding of the sea of consciousness surpasses that of other cultivators. The bottleneck of 'Celestial Expansion Scripture' lies in spiritual energy, making it most suitable for array masters to practice. If array masters couldn't practice it, other types of cultivators would find it even more impossible to do so."

"I see..."

Mo Hua pondered silently, then made a decision.

Seeing this, Mr. Zhuang asked, "Have you decided which cultivation method you want to pursue?"

"I have," Mo Hua nodded, "Teacher, I want to cultivate 'Celestial Expansion Scripture'."

Mr. Zhuang felt somewhat relieved, sensing that Mo Hua seemed to resonate with him more than he initially thought, unlike that puppet, whose taste in cultivation methods was so mundane.

Mr. Zhuang intended to hand Mo Hua the jade slip of 'Celestial Expansion Scripture'. However, after hesitating for a moment, he sighed deeply and asked solemnly,

"Mo Hua, have you really thought this through?"

Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang with some doubt.

"Although this cultivation method is simple to practice, the variability during breakthroughs is too great. Moreover, whether in cultivation or combat, the spiritual power it cultivates is weak, placing one at a disadvantage."

Despite some reluctance, Mr. Zhuang pointed to the remaining cultivation methods,

"While these methods may not be extraordinary, they are stable and practical. The spiritual power cultivated in their cycles is also considerable. Though some spiritual objects may be troublesome, they are not particularly expensive and can generally be acquired."

Mo Hua remained resolute, "I have made up my mind. My spiritual roots are mediocre, and I cannot compare with others. I only hope to make some progress in array formations and not disappoint master's teachings. Since I wish to become an array master, spiritual energy is naturally the most important. The quantity of spiritual power matters little to me."

"The bottleneck for array masters lies in spiritual energy, and 'Celestial Expansion Scripture' also faces the same bottleneck. For me, it's essentially the same. As long as I focus on studying array formations and strengthen my spiritual energy, it will be fine. Cultivation itself is not an easy path; success lies in destiny, and effort lies in oneself."

Mr. Zhuang was slightly stunned but nodded, "You're right. It's rare for someone your age to have such strong determination."

Mo Hua felt uncomfortable with such praise and said modestly, "Disciple's determination is not that strong..."

Mr. Zhuang looked surprised.

"Mainly, I can't afford to cultivate other methods, and this method doesn't require spiritual objects, so I can only choose it..."

Mr. Zhuang: "..."

Mo Hua also felt helpless.

The issue with spiritual energy can generally be resolved, but those 'troublesome spiritual objects', worth thousands of spirit stones each, are truly beyond Mo Hua's reach as a wandering cultivator.

When one is poor, determination naturally becomes steadfast. Without being steadfast, one cannot survive.

(End of the chapter)