Chapter 16: The Myriad Arts of Cultivation

In Pinger's mind, as soon as she obtained spirit stones, her first thought would definitely be to convert them into her own cultivation level.

In the early stages of Qi Refinement, the speed of cultivation improvement is the most important.

However, she didn't know.

He Song was completely different from her and other cultivators.

Cultivators struggle against the heavens, and to live long, they must convert everything that can be transformed into cultivation into their own cultivation level.

If they fail to break through and extend their lifespan before their life limit arrives, they will perish.

Thus.

Under the threat of death, cultivators generally invest all the resources they obtain into improving their cultivation level.

Only by continuously improving their cultivation can they gain greater power and a longer lifespan.

This is why cultivators often say things like "My fate is determined by me, not by the heavens," "Defy the heavens," and "Cultivators must strive or die."

Their lifespans are set.

If they don't strive, they will die.

However.

He Song is different from them.

Already immortal and with endless lifespan, death is no longer his shackle.

Knowing that he has an infinite lifespan, although He Song still hopes his cultivation can grow rapidly.

In reality, it's not that urgent.

He Song naturally knows that using spirit stones can increase his cultivation speed.

But knowing is one thing.

Actually doing it is another matter entirely.

The Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market is very safe.

The area under the control of the Thick Earth Sect has not seen any large-scale conflicts among cultivators.

Although there was an incident where a mineral vein was discovered nearby, and a group of Foundation Establishment families fought fiercely, after the Thick Earth Sect intervened, the dispute quickly subsided.

From this, it can be seen.

The four immortal cities under the control of the Thick Earth Sect, as well as the immortal markets under these four cities, are generally quite safe.

In a relatively safe environment, He Song's idea of saving spirit stones and prioritizing the purchase of introductory books on the myriad arts of cultivation to earn more spirit stones is completely reasonable.

He Song and Pinger each view the issue from their own perspectives.

Neither is wrong.

But Pinger finds it difficult to understand He Song's current thoughts.

Therefore.

After leading He Song into the VIP room and serving him a pot of good tea, Pinger left with a belly full of doubts to prepare what He Song needed.

The VIP room was small in space, but the various furniture inside was exceptionally exquisite.

He Song could even sense faint spiritual energy fluctuations from these pieces of furniture.

This indicated that the materials used to make these furniture were all spiritual materials. Although they didn't seem to be of high age, spiritual materials are spiritual materials, and compared to ordinary wood, they are infinitely more precious.

Gently rubbing the surface of the table in front of him with his fingers, He Song's eyes showed a hint of envy.

When would he be able to use furniture made from spiritual materials?

The Spirit Skill Pavilion is really wealthy.

Picking up the teacup in front of him, He Song took a small sip.

Good tea!

He Song's eyes lit up.

This tea, once swallowed, transformed into strands of spiritual energy that integrated into his body, giving his cultivation a slight boost.

If he could drink this kind of tea over a long period, He Song felt his cultivation speed would be much faster than before.

He just didn't know what this tea was called.

If he had the spirit stones, he would definitely buy some in the future.

Having made up his mind.

He Song sipped his tea while waiting for Pinger to return.

He didn't have to wait long.

Soon.

Pinger returned with a tray filled with various books and placed it beside He Song.

Putting the tray on the table, Pinger casually picked up the book closest to her and said.

"This is the Introduction to Alchemy, containing three pill formulas: Fasting Pill, Qi Nourishing Pill, and Minor Spirit Ascension Pill, as well as various common knowledge about alchemy."

"This is the Introduction to Artifact Refining, containing the refining methods for one offensive and one defensive magical tool, as well as various common knowledge about artifact refining."

"This is the Introduction to Talisman Making, containing the production methods for three talismans: Thick Earth Talisman, Golden Sword Talisman, and Divine Movement Talisman, as well as various common knowledge about talisman making."

"This is the Introduction to Formation Setting, containing the layout diagrams for three formations: Spirit Gathering Formation, Five Elements Formation, and Lost Path Formation, as well as various common knowledge about formation setting."

"This is the Introduction to Beast Taming, containing methods for attracting, luring, and taming beasts, as well as the production methods and common knowledge for items needed to lure demon beasts."

"This is..."

Listening to Pinger's pleasant voice as she explained, He Song's gaze swept over the books one by one.

The Introduction to Alchemy contained three pill formulas: the Fasting Pill, which is ungraded; the Qi Nourishing Pill, used by early Qi Refinement cultivators to increase their cultivation; and the Minor Spirit Ascension Pill, used to help cultivators break through the bottleneck to mid-Qi Refinement.

But the things needed for alchemy were far too many.

Alchemy furnaces, various precious medicinal herbs—He Song simply couldn't afford them, so he immediately dismissed it.

He Song also dismissed the Introduction to Artifact Refining.

Artifact refining also required refining furnaces and various precious minerals, which He Song still couldn't afford.

The Introduction to Talisman Making, however, seemed promising to He Song.

The Thick Earth Talisman for protection, the Golden Sword Talisman for offense, and the Divine Movement Talisman for escaping—perfect!

But... the talisman brush, talisman ink, and talisman paper made He Song hesitate.

He couldn't afford them!

The Introduction to Formation Setting was something He Song considered.

Not for any other reason, but because learning formations didn't require spending too many extra spirit stones.

Setting up a formation involves carving formation patterns on spirit stones or other carriers, then using special techniques to place them in specific positions, thus creating the formation.

Once a formation is set up, it only needs regular replacement of spirit stones to keep it running.

Additionally, setting up formations doesn't require purchasing various expensive materials for learning.

Thus, He Song also had some interest in the Introduction to Formation Setting.

As for the Introduction to Beast Taming, as soon as He Song heard about the various materials needed for attracting, luring, and taming beasts, he already had his answer.

Luring demon beasts also requires special materials.

And since beast taming is quite common in the cultivation world, these special materials are also quite expensive.

To truly complete a beast taming, the spirit stones spent could probably buy a beast token from the Spirit Beast Pavilion.

The Spirit Beast Pavilion is a place dedicated to capturing demon beasts and selling their beast tokens.

As long as you have the beast token, the life of the demon beast is in the hands of the cultivator, with no fear of rebellion.

Without interrupting Pinger.

He Song continued to listen.

He soon gained some understanding of the introductory books on the myriad arts of cultivation.

After a long time.

When the voice beside him suddenly stopped, He Song looked up at Pinger and saw her looking at him with a resentful expression. After some thought, He Song handed her a cup of tea.

"Ahem, thank you for the explanation, Fellow Daoist Pinger. Have a sip of tea to moisten your throat."

(End of Chapter)