Chapter 17: Cultivation Traps

After the delay caused by Wu Youwei, Liu Shanhe, who had originally planned to check on the genius Sun Ju, decided to put that on hold for the time being.

A few days of cultivation wouldn't be a problem.

Liu Shanhe then decided to have Wu Youwei bring out the map. He pointed to a red line already drawn on it and, after thinking for a moment, circled a few spots near the red line.

Liu Shanhe's Instructions:

"The Border Mountain Range has complex terrain, with spiritual energy flowing unpredictably. The red line marks a boundary that should not be crossed. Inside this boundary, there will be beasts roaming, drawn by the abundant spiritual energy."

"Outside the red line, only residual spiritual energy remains, and no beasts will enter. The task to hunt spirit creatures is located outside the red line."

"If you wish to hunt beasts and add some marks to your black robe, you can make your own decision. But avoid these circles at all costs."

Liu Shanhe spoke seriously, feeling that the map had been carelessly drawn before. With a few additional markings, it became much easier to understand.

Wu Youwei looked at the map and then at Liu Shanhe, a puzzled expression on his face. He wondered whether a cultivator at the Dan Sea Realm would really know these details. Even someone at the Golden Body Realm or a common Celestial Realm expert might not have such detailed knowledge.

Wu Youwei suddenly realized that this seemingly ordinary steward, who had arrived just a year ago, was even more mysterious than he had thought.

Liu Shanhe noticed Wu Youwei's gaze and casually explained, "I served in the military before, guarding the borders. Naturally, I had to be aware of all external threats. The military would conduct thorough investigations of the Border Mountain Range."

Wu Youwei immediately understood. No wonder the old man never spoke of his origins. It turned out to be like this.

The Border Prison Division and the military had always been distinct and separate. As the two most powerful factions in Qingyun Country, they had to maintain a certain distance from each other. If one turned a blind eye to things, everything would be fine. But if they got involved, even the smallest issue could become a big deal.

In the inn, Chang Qing was still enjoying the view by the window. On the table lay two books: one was a cultivation method for the Qi Condensation Realm, and the other was a martial technique that Sun Lin had just sent over.

Cultivation Method: Explosion Flame Art Martial Technique: Wind Gathering Sword

Although Dongfang Lan knew that Sun Ju had the intention of using him before discarding him, she still couldn't help but feel dissatisfied when she saw these methods and techniques.

"Explosion Flame Art accelerates the flow of true qi inside the body, but it's difficult to control. Cultivating it could injure the tendons." "Wind Gathering Sword causes true qi to leak uncontrollably, and once it goes out of control, it could damage more than just one's foundation." "Both of these have fast results, but if one doesn't care about their future cultivation, they could unleash powerful effects." "On their own, they might only harm oneself, but combined together, they'll hurt both the enemy and the cultivator equally."

Dongfang Lan, with her advanced knowledge, had only seen inferior techniques like these in her life. As the third princess of Qingyun Country, she was accustomed to using the highest-level methods and techniques, such as Qingyun Kung Fu, Qingyun Sword, and Qingyun Step.

These two techniques were the worst she had ever seen.

She couldn't help but voice her opinion, "Chang Qing, although these hidden dangers are not a concern for you, these are trash methods and techniques. They are not worthy of being integrated into the Qingyun Kung Fu or Qingyun Sword."

"I'll provide you with the highest-level techniques and methods in the future..."

However, Chang Qing turned around and gave her a surprised look.

Dongfang Lan continued, "I've seen your character, and you are willing to help me, so this small matter..."

"Wait," Chang Qing interrupted with an odd expression. "You don't think that only by integrating higher-level techniques into Qingyun Kung Fu, Qingyun Sword, or Qingyun Step will they become stronger, do you?"

Dongfang Lan was stunned for a moment. "Isn't that obvious?"

Chang Qing glanced at the books on the table and said, "Although the techniques are low-level, their purpose is to provide development directions for Qingyun Kung Fu, Qingyun Sword, and Qingyun Step. There are two paths for integration."

"One path is to continuously strengthen Qingyun Kung Fu and Qingyun Sword. The other is to use the characteristics of Qingyun Kung Fu and Qingyun Sword to reject the low-level techniques and martial skills that are integrated."

"The first path is easier to cultivate. In fact, the worse the techniques, the easier they are to cultivate. But you need enough comprehension; otherwise, they truly are trash." "The second path is more difficult but the most reliable. However... there is a limit."

Dongfang Lan's breathing quickened. She felt as if she had touched on something crucial—a threshold she had never noticed before.

She sank into thought. She realized that Chang Qing's comprehension could no longer be described as "genius." It was beyond that.

Had Chang Qing just realized this? It hadn't even been long, and he had already understood so much?

Dongfang Lan knew her limits. Even if she had returned to her physical body and regained the Extreme Spirit Body, her comprehension could never compare to Chang Qing's.

The two paths Chang Qing mentioned—the first one, even for her, didn't require much thought.

But Dongfang Lan still gained a lot of insight.

Because now, she understood what the second path was all about.

Qingyun Kung Fu had always been considered the ultimate foundational technique, combining the advantages of all other techniques. However, because the distinction between these two paths hadn't been made clear, she often found herself lost in vague confusion while cultivating.

On one hand, she wanted to integrate various techniques into Qingyun Kung Fu. On the other hand, she wanted to enhance Qingyun Kung Fu by strengthening its integration with other techniques.

Without this distinction, she remained uncertain.

Dongfang Lan had always thought that this confusion stemmed from the characteristics of Qingyun Kung Fu, Qingyun Sword, and Qingyun Step.

But now, Chang Qing had revealed the truth with a single sentence, clearing away all the fog.

"I don't need to integrate too many techniques..." Dongfang Lan's eyes brightened. "I only need to enhance the strongest technique! In this way, what I cultivate won't be called Qingyun Kung Fu anymore—it will be a new, stronger technique, surpassing the best one!"

Dongfang Lan was so excited she could hardly contain herself.

She couldn't help but sigh in awe.

Everyone thought that the more techniques you learned, the stronger you became.

In fact, that was true for the first path Chang Qing mentioned!

Once you learned Qingyun Kung Fu, even with limited resources and talent, you'd always think that learning more techniques would be better.

Cultivators often didn't focus on just one method. Some compromised on their resources and focused on consolidating their foundation with specialized techniques.

Even if one didn't deliberately learn more techniques, those they already knew would inevitably be integrated into Qingyun Kung Fu!

If that wasn't a trap in cultivation, then nothing else was!

At this moment, Dongfang Lan wished she could immediately return to her physical body and start cultivating again.

Chang Qing, on the other hand, didn't understand why Dongfang Lan seemed almost emotionally unstable. He asked, "What's wrong? Isn't this how you've been cultivating?"

Dongfang Lan was momentarily speechless, her face turning red.

She quickly shifted the topic in her mind, "But isn't the second path, focusing on one technique, even stronger?"

"Why do you say that?" Chang Qing asked.

Dongfang Lan rolled her eyes, thinking: If I knew the answer, would I be asking you?

Now, Dongfang Lan was fully in a questioning mode, eager to learn from Chang Qing, whose comprehension was beyond compare.