The Ziyang Sect's Scripture Repository stood at the center of the outer sect, a seven-story pavilion. Countless cultivation techniques and classics were stored within, from low-grade to high-grade—everything one could want.
Outer Sect Disciples could enter the Scripture Repository once each month, select one cultivation technique or classic, and borrow it for a month.
Shen Hao arrived at the entrance of the Scripture Repository and bowed to the Repository Elder. "Disciple Shen Hao has come to borrow a cultivation technique."
The Repository Elder wore a Green Daoist Robe, his beard and hair both white. He glanced at Shen Hao, nodded, and handed him a wooden token. "Go in. Remember: do not damage the techniques or classics within, and do not take them out of the repository without permission. The borrowed technique or classic must be returned after one month."
"This disciple understands." Shen Hao answered respectfully.
He accepted the token and entered the Scripture Repository.
The first floor of the Scripture Repository held only low-grade cultivation techniques and classics. Shen Hao's gaze swept across the manuals on the shelves before finally settling on a technique called Meridian Tempering Art.
Meridian Tempering Art was a low-grade cultivation technique. After cultivating it, one could use spiritual energy to temper the meridians, increasing their resilience and width. This was precisely the technique Shen Hao needed.
Shen Hao picked up Meridian Tempering Art and began to read it carefully. Its contents were exceedingly detailed, recording how to use spiritual energy to temper the meridians bit by bit, from the fingertips to the arms, and from the arms to the entire body.
Delighted, Shen Hao took Meridian Tempering Art to the Repository Elder. "Elder, this disciple wishes to borrow this Meridian Tempering Art."
The Repository Elder nodded, registered it in the records, then handed Meridian Tempering Art to Shen Hao. "Remember to return it after one month."
"This disciple understands." Shen Hao accepted Meridian Tempering Art and turned to leave the Scripture Repository.
After returning to Room C, Shen Hao shut the door and sat cross-legged on the bed. He took out Meridian Tempering Art and studied it closely.
The cultivation method of Meridian Tempering Art was exceedingly complicated. It required spiritual energy to wash through the meridians bit by bit, and every washing brought heart-piercing pain. Yet as long as one persevered, the resilience and width of the meridians would greatly improve.
Shen Hao took a deep breath. Following the records in Meridian Tempering Art, he mobilized the spiritual energy within his Sea of Qi and began washing his meridians.
Spiritual energy flowed slowly along his meridians. When it washed over the meridians in his fingertips, piercing pain instantly swept through Shen Hao's limbs and bones.
Shen Hao clenched his teeth as cold sweat streamed down his body. He forcibly endured the pain and continued washing his meridians with spiritual energy.
Once, twice, three times...
After an unknown number of washes, the meridians in his fingertips finally became somewhat tougher. Shen Hao let out a breath and stopped.
He could clearly feel that the meridians in his fingertips had widened by a thread compared to before. Though it was only a thread, it was an enormous improvement to him.
"Sure enough, there are no shortcuts on the path of cultivation," Shen Hao muttered.
He knew that tempering the meridians was a long and painful process. Yet he did not shrink back in the slightest. He had to persist. Only by tempering his meridians until they were incomparably tough could he withstand the pressure brought by the Spirit Devouring Vortex and the Companion Jade Pendant, and raise his cultivation faster.
After resting for a while, Shen Hao mobilized his spiritual energy again and began washing his meridians.
Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, quietly spilling over the earth. Within Room C, Shen Hao's figure appeared especially resolute beneath the moonlight.
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