Astonishing Talent

For many years,

the issue of spirit roots had plagued Li Chang'an.

His low-grade spirit root aptitude had made his path of cultivation crawl forward at an agonizing pace.

"After more than ten years of cultivation, I've never heard of any method to improve one's spirit root."

Li Chang'an pondered.

If such a method truly existed, it would most likely have caused a sensation throughout the Cultivation World long ago.

"Spiritual beast bloodlines are the same, so how did this Profound Water Turtle's bloodline improve?"

Li Chang'an stared intently at the little fellow, holding it up and examining it for a long while.

Judging by its appearance alone,

it was no different from an ordinary Profound Water Turtle.

In fact, after hatching, even its aura had become utterly unremarkable.

"The stall owner said that by that great lake, he only found this nest of Profound Water Turtle Eggs and nothing else."

Li Chang'an thought it over again and again.

He even entertained the idea of visiting the Secret Realm to take a look.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Secret Realms were far too dangerous.

He could not rashly enter one for something so uncertain.

"It is said that many of these Secret Realms were blessed grotto-heavens from Ancient Times. Later, a great war took place, leaving these Secret Realms abandoned."

Li Chang'an recalled all sorts of rumors regarding these Secret Realms.

Could it be

that in Ancient Times, there had been methods to improve spirit roots and bloodlines?

Unfortunately, there were almost no records left from that era.

"I should keep a closer eye on news of Secret Realms from now on."

Li Chang'an was deep in thought

when suddenly,

he sensed

an incredibly faint thread of Water Element mana trying to merge into the meridians throughout his body.

"Huh, what's going on?"

Li Chang'an froze for a moment.

This Water Element mana was extremely compatible with him.

It had clearly been released by the Little Turtle.

After entering his meridians, it actually merged with his own mana, causing his mana to temporarily increase by an exceedingly tiny amount.

"Water gives rise to Wood?"

In an instant, Li Chang'an thought of the Five Elements Mutual Generation described in the Lesser Five Elements Escape Technique.

He looked at the Little Profound Water Turtle.

An idea that he found unbelievable arose in his mind.

"Is this your Innate Spell?"

Li Chang'an asked.

But the Little Profound Water Turtle had only just hatched, so communicating with him was rather difficult.

Afterward,

man and turtle gestured at each other for quite some time.

Li Chang'an finally confirmed his suspicion.

What had just happened

was precisely this Little Profound Water Turtle's Innate Spell—Borrowing Method!

He could lend a portion of his own mana to his companion, temporarily increasing that companion's mana.

Moreover,

Li Chang'an possessed a Wood Spirit Root, while the Little Profound Water Turtle was a Water Element spiritual beast.

Because of the Five Elements Mutual Generation principle that Water gave rise to Wood, this Borrowing Law Technique was remarkably effective on Li Chang'an.

"Such a heaven-defying talent actually exists?"

Li Chang'an was deeply shaken, scarcely able to believe it.

He had never heard of such a thing before.

Even Beast Tamers could only command spiritual beasts; they could not obtain mana from them.

"Ordinary Profound Water Turtles only possess innate spells like Rain Calling Technique, Water Ball Technique, and Water Escape Technique."

Li Chang'an took a deep breath, doing his utmost to calm the shock in his heart.

This Little Profound Water Turtle's Borrowing Law Technique—

if outsiders learned of it,

it would certainly cause a tremendous uproar!

It might even draw the attention of Foundation Establishment Ancestors, or even Golden Core Sects, ultimately bringing a fatal disaster upon Li Chang'an!

"You may only use this spell on me in the future. Do you understand?"

Li Chang'an's expression was solemn as he earnestly instructed him.

The Little Profound Water Turtle nodded, indicating that he understood.

After that,

man and turtle tested it many more times, confirming that the Borrowing Law Technique was extremely effective on Li Chang'an.

"He's still young. As he grows stronger, the mana he can lend me will only increase."

Li Chang'an calculated silently.

His greatest problem at present was insufficient mana.

For that reason,

although both the Puppet and Talisman arts had High-grade First Tier legacies, he could only remain at the Mid-grade First Tier for the time being.

Once this Profound Water Turtle reached the First-tier Mid-stage,

and lent his mana to Li Chang'an,

the combined mana of the two of them might temporarily allow Li Chang'an to approach the late Qi Refining stage!

"It seems I'll need to find some treasures that can help him grow faster."

This Profound Water Turtle possessed an Earth-grade bloodline, after all.

His aptitude utterly crushed Li Chang'an's low-grade spirit root.

So long as resources were not lacking, his growth rate would definitely far surpass Li Chang'an's.

That afternoon,

Li Chang'an made another trip to the Marketplace's Trading Area.

He searched for treasures suitable for the growth of turtle-type spiritual beasts.

But after wandering around the Trading Area for nearly an hour, he gained little.

"How much is this Azure Jade Flower?"

Li Chang'an arrived before a Beast Tamer's stall and asked.

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to raise a Water Element spiritual beast?"

The stall owner saw through his intentions.

He told Li Chang'an, "Although Azure Jade Flower is a Water Element spiritual medicine, it is not suitable for every Water Element spiritual beast. What type of creature are you raising, Fellow Daoist?"

"A turtle-type spiritual beast."

Li Chang'an did not hide it.

After all, he had changed his aura and was using a false identity.

The stall owner pondered briefly, then said,

"For Water-type Turtle spiritual beasts, when first raising them, it is best to use mild Water Element herbs such as Green Wave Grass and Sky Blue Star, supplemented by the flesh of various low-tier spirit fish."

Having said that,

he lightly patted his storage pouch.

All kinds of mild Water Element spiritual medicines, along with a large quantity of low-tier spirit fish, appeared before Li Chang'an.

Then, he handed Li Chang'an a small booklet.

"These are my notes on raising Water-type Turtle spiritual beasts. It isn't worth much, so I'll give it to you, Fellow Daoist."

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!"

Li Chang'an cupped his hands in thanks and accepted the booklet.

The stall owner was extremely proactive.

He continuously spoke of his own experiences raising turtles.

Li Chang'an did not disappoint him either, purchasing quite a few of the things he recommended.

After the transaction was complete,

the stall owner added, "Actually, there is a High-grade First Tier spiritual medicine called Turtle Spirit Fruit that is most suitable for newly hatched Water-type Turtle spiritual beasts."

"Oh? Do you have any for sale here, Fellow Daoist?"

"No."

The stall owner sighed.

There was a trace of regret in his tone.

"Turtle Spirit Fruit is exceedingly rare. Not long ago, I was fortunate enough to see one, but I simply lacked the ability to obtain it."

"Why was that?"

Li Chang'an's heart stirred as he questioned him in detail.

The stall owner then explained.

A few days earlier,

he had gone fishing at Bright Moon Lake and accidentally discovered a Turtle Spirit Fruit that was about to mature. He had originally intended to pick it.

"But beside that Turtle Spirit Fruit was a First-tier Early-stage Green Scale Fish guarding it."

As the stall owner recalled the incident, he found it increasingly regrettable.

"When that Green Scale Fish spotted me, it immediately cast a spell and fled far away with the Turtle Spirit Fruit. I simply couldn't catch up."

Green Scale Fish were Water Element spiritual beasts with excellent evasion techniques.

It was only natural that he could not catch up.

"By my estimate, that Turtle Spirit Fruit is about to mature. It will most likely end up in that Green Scale Fish's belly."

"So that's how it is. Thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist."

Li Chang'an's expression remained unchanged, but several thoughts arose in his heart.

A First-tier Early-stage Green Scale Fish's Water Escape speed was only barely faster than that of a Human Cultivator who had cultivated Water Escape Technique to great mastery.

It could not compare to Li Chang'an as he was now.

"Perhaps I can get my hands on it."

Li Chang'an pondered.

But he did not act immediately.

Instead, he returned first and quietly waited until nightfall to see what the Hexagram Image would reveal.