The third layer of Qi Refining was a threshold.
For the majority of Mount Mao disciples, reaching the third layer of Qi Refining allowed them to leave the mountains and head out to garrison and guard a region.
However...
For personal disciples of various halls and pavilions like Zhong Bai, they needed to reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining before they could descend the mountain and establish a Daoist practice.
Therefore, opportunities to enter the Scripture Repository Pavilion to select arts were granted at both the third layer of Qi Refining and the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
Yet for personal disciples, they felt somewhat unenthusiastic; biting off more than one could chew was a mistake, and the vast majority of personal disciples only cultivated a single divine ability prior to the Foundation Establishment realm.
A very small minority would select auxiliary divine abilities, such as the Wooden Stake Great Art that paired with the Lightning Thunder Fist.
Frequent use of thunder and lightning would damage the vitality within the body, whereas the Wooden Stake Great Art could restore that vitality.
Yet the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art cultivated by Zhong Bai had no such troubles.
Consequently, True Immortal Qianyuan was also uncertain whether Zhong Bai needed to select a new divine ability art.
Hearing that he actually had the opportunity to learn a new divine ability, Zhong Bai immediately beamed with smiles.
That joy was undisguised.
Master, this disciple needs it!
With just a single sentence, Zhong Bai made his stance clear.
In response, True Immortal Qianyuan did not refute him, instead remaining very calm and relaxed.
Disciple, your Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art is currently completely sufficient for slaughter and offense; the divine abilities you lack are nothing more than those used for defense and everyday traveling.
The defensive divine ability your master cultivates is the Golden Light Divine Incantation, one of the eight major Daoist incantations.
The traveling divine ability your master cultivates is an incomplete version of the major divine ability Shrinking the Ground into Inches.
If my disciple takes a fancy to them, your master can pass both to you!
Of course, my disciple, you may also head to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to make a careful selection.
It could be said that True Immortal Qianyuan truly held nothing back, basically exposing his own background and bottom line.
And at that moment, hearing about the Golden Light Divine Incantation and the incomplete Shrinking the Ground into Inches, it would be false to say Zhong Bai felt no yearning inside.
Yet... possessing the Exorcism Panel, Zhong Bai felt that he might perhaps be able to try something difficult.
This disciple understands Master's meaning, but this disciple would rather go to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to select a cultivation method that can refine the physical body...
Huh????
Upon hearing Zhong Bai speak thus, True Immortal Qianyuan immediately felt somewhat puzzled and uncomprehending.
After pondering for a moment, he still spoke up: If you only wish to enhance your physical body, in truth my disciple need not select any other cultivation methods.
Disciple, your master knows that ever since your Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art reached minor accomplishment, you have completely ignored it.
In truth, there is one point: the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art is merely the foundational portion of the Supreme Clarity Dragon Elephant Art.
Speaking of this Supreme Clarity Dragon Elephant Art, a millennium ago it was a resounding physical cultivation method!
In the past, there was a Patriarch who attained the Spirit Transformation Realm through the Supreme Clarity Dragon Elephant Art; with sheer brute force he broke ten thousand techniques, and in the state of Embodying Heaven and Earth, his majestic pressure filled the world.
Of course, such a miracle is impossible to appear nowadays, but using it to strengthen the physical body is still more than sufficient.
Hearing these words, Zhong Bai also became somewhat dazed. Ever since the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art reached minor accomplishment, he truly had not continued cultivating it, instead pouring heart and soul into the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art.
The reason was very simple: at that time he did not possess the Exorcism Panel, so where would he find the idle time to cultivate a Body Forging Art when he had no idea when it would yield results?
And now, prompted by his own master, Zhong Bai's expression, which had already been stirred up, grew even more fervent.
Master, then this disciple will enter the Scripture Repository Pavilion to select this Supreme Clarity Dragon Elephant Art!
Hearing this, True Immortal Qianyuan simply could not hold back and knocked Zhong Bai right on the head.
Somewhat exasperated, he said: You're truly bewitched and muddle-headed. The Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art isn't even at great completion yet you're already thinking of getting your hands on the Supreme Clarity Dragon Elephant Art?
Isn't that a waste!
When your master said those things, it was to keep you from rushing to select a physical body cultivation method, and to have you practice the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art first. Right now, the important thing is to select a traveling divine ability!
You wouldn't happen to think that right now you could learn your master's Shrinking the Ground into Inches, would you?
Heh heh, I'm not even afraid of you laughing at your master—your master has possessed this Shrinking the Ground into Inches cultivation method for decades.
To this day, your master has still only learned the surface fur; taking steps of dozens of meters is the limit.
You had better obediently select a simpler traveling divine ability first!
Ugh...
It was quite awkward. Zhong Bai lowered his head, his complexion somewhat flushed, while Liu Gang, who had been watching the show from the side, was full of smiles. Not to mention, this master and disciple pair were both top-tier characters—ah, what fine melons.
However, Zhong Bai, remember not to lose the greater for the smaller; the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art remains the most important thing for you.
Mm, this disciple knows this principle and will not lose one thing to gain another.
That's good. Go to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to select a traveling divine ability; your master will not accompany you this time.
Understood, Master. This disciple takes his leave!
Outside the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
When Zhong Bai arrived at the Scripture Repository Pavilion, the grand doors opened automatically. Without a second thought, Zhong Bai stepped inside.
Disciple Zhong Bai pays respects to Martial Great-Uncle Ming!
May Martial Great-Uncle be blessed with boundless fortune and peace!
Zhong Bai offered a greeting. Amidst the boundless sea of ancient texts, Ming Wanqian's smile did not reach his eyes; watching the aura fluctuations radiating from Zhong Bai, he could not help but nod repeatedly.
Good brat, just how little time has passed, yet you've reached the third layer of Qi Refining. I wonder if it's because your natural talent is extraordinary, or if this Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art shares a profound affinity with you.
Yet in the past, although those who cultivated the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art progressed somewhat quickly, they never reached this extent.
It truly is difficult to fathom...
As Ming Wanqian walked out, Zhong Bai felt somewhat nervous while simultaneously glancing sideways with raised eyebrows.
There was no help for it; his cultivation speed was truly a bit too fast, and wanting to hide that under the very eyelids of this Martial Great-Uncle was utterly impossible.
Martial Great-Uncle, this disciple owes it to Martial Great-Uncle's blessings. Martial Great-Uncle does not know, but ever since meeting you, Martial Great-Uncle, this disciple has had exceptional motivation in his cultivation!
All Zhong Bai could do now was change the subject.
Look, the moment I had an opportunity to select a spell and divine ability, this disciple came to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to visit Martial Great-Uncle.
Bah, you little slickster, spare me that routine.
Clearly, Ming Wanqian did not take the bait. He was not some three-year-old child; did Zhong Bai really think he could hoodwink him with a few words?
Yet Ming Wanqian also chose not to investigate any further. Everyone possessed secrets of their own; as long as Zhong Bai did not rely on violating sect rules to accelerate his cultivation, Ming Wanqian would not bother with it.
Alright, the purpose of your coming to the Scripture Repository Pavilion has already been transmitted to this old Daoist by your master: to select a divine ability used for traveling.
Hmm... That old fellow Qianyuan's Shrinking the Ground into Inches truly is unsuited for you at present.
However... this old Daoist actually does know of a traveling divine ability that suits you!
After finishing these words, Ming Wanqian lowered his gaze and spoke no further.
Uh, Zhong Bai, who had just pricked up his ears intending to listen closely, froze instantly.
Martial Great-Uncle?
Martial Great-Uncle?
After calling out several times in succession, the Martial Great-Uncle before him showed not the slightest movement, looking for all the world like an aged sculpture of wood.
Sigh! Since Martial Great-Uncle knows what kind of traveling divine ability suits this disciple, yet now pretends not to hear and toys with this disciple so, this disciple's heart is broken...
Finished speaking, Zhong Bai squatted down in a corner, his gaze turning vacant.
One old and one young, they out-acted each other, neither giving ground, until Ming Wanqian let out an "Aiya."
Ahem, I truly am old; my lower back hurts terribly, pulling on the nerves, and the whole person couldn't hear a thing. What was it you wanted to say just now, brat?
No, why are you making that expression, looking all aggrieved? It's just a divine ability.
Traveling divine abilities are a dime a dozen, but the only one that suits you is...
Hm? Zhong Bai, who had just perked up his ears intending to listen carefully, felt a sharp pain in his ear the very next second.
Aiya, Martial Great-Uncle, go easy, go easy!
Humph humph, brat, playing around with this old Daoist like that, you're the very first!
Before you continue