The problem was, both separating and absorbing Spiritual Qi were extremely difficult.
Moreover, guiding Spiritual Qi to temper the body and Dou Qi took a tremendous toll on the mind.
So even though the Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art was reputed to be the Ling Clan's best Foundation Establishment Cultivation Method, few people ever practiced it.
Even among the clansmen who had cultivated this method, none had become anyone of note.
"Although my disciple's bloodline grade is low, his cultivation talent is still quite decent."
Ling You smiled as he spoke.
"Since that's the case, why not let him give it a try?"
"If that's settled, then follow me."
Ling Yang watched Ling You for a while, and after confirming he wasn't joking, led the two of them into the Dou Skill Pavilion.
The instant Ling Xi stepped inside the Dou Skill Pavilion, the system's notification rang in his ears once more.
[ Ding! Host has arrived at the sign-in location: East Ling City's Dou Skill Pavilion. Complete sign-in? ]
"Sign in!"
[ Signing in. Sign-in will take ten minutes. Host, please do not leave the sign-in location during this time. ]
Ling Xi followed behind Ling Yang and Ling You without changing his expression.
As soon as they entered the Dou Skill Pavilion, the light dimmed considerably.
Rows upon rows of wooden shelves came into view, filled with scrolls of varying thickness.
"Everything here has been sealed. Don't touch anything."
Ling Yang gave a reminder, then led the two of them upstairs.
The Dou Skill Pavilion had four floors. The first three housed cultivation methods and Dou Techniques of the Yellow, Black, and Earth grades, respectively.
As for the Ling Clan's Heaven-grade Dou Techniques, they were all kept in the Ling Realm, and only core direct clansmen of the Ling Clan were permitted to learn them.
The three of them climbed all the way to the fourth floor before stopping.
The fourth floor of the Dou Skill Pavilion wasn't large. Apart from a crystal orb placed in the middle, there was nothing else.
"This is our clan's Inheritance Crystal. It contains the method for cultivating the Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art, as well as the experience and insights of the ancestors who practiced it."
Ling Yang pointed at the crystal ball, which gave off a faint glow, and spoke to Ling Xi.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and thank Elder Ling Yang!"
Seeing Ling Xi standing there frozen, Ling You couldn't help giving him a smack on the back of the head.
"Oh, thank you, Elder Ling Yang."
Only then did Ling Xi come to his senses. He hurriedly bowed to Ling Yang.
The benefits of this kind of secret inheritance were far greater than those of inheriting a cultivation method through a scroll.
It would not only let him master the method's circulation pathways quickly; with the experience of his predecessors, he would also avoid many unnecessary detours.
"The Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art is our clan's highest-grade Foundation Establishment Cultivation Method. It's extremely difficult to cultivate. We'll see what fate has in store for you."
Ling Yang waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted Ling Xi upright.
"Remember, only those with Ling Clan blood can cultivate this method. Otherwise, your meridians will surely rupture, and you'll die."
"This junior will remember."
Ling Xi's expression turned solemn.
"Go on. Inherit the method as soon as you can. I still have plenty to teach you."
Ling You spoke up as well.
"Yes!"
Ling Xi took a deep breath, then stepped forward slowly and placed both hands lightly on the crystal.
[ Congratulations, host. Sign-in successful. You have received an Eight-star Reward: Devouring Ancestral Symbol. ] [ Would you like to fuse with it now? ]
The moment Ling Xi placed his hands on the crystal ball, the system's notification rang in his mind.
"Not yet."
What a joke. There were two old monsters at the Dou Venerate level right beside him.
If they noticed anything suspicious, would he even survive?
Just after Ling Xi gave the system the command, a massive flood of information surged into his mind.
As he struggled to process the information in his head, the crystal ball in front of him suddenly burst into brilliant blue light.
The glow was so intense that it lit up the entire fourth floor of the Dou Skill Pavilion.
"Gasp!"
Ling Yang drew in a sharp breath.
"Your disciple has such a talent for this method?"
Besides passing down cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, the Inheritance Crystal could also test the aptitude of those who cultivated them.
If someone had a high aptitude for a cultivation method or Dou Technique, the Inheritance Crystal would glow.
Ling Yang had never heard of anyone cultivating the Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art and making the Inheritance Crystal shine so brightly.
"When I first met him a few days ago, his talent didn't seem this high, did it?"
Ling Yang thought back carefully, and his brow furrowed.
"If he's so talented, why is he only a one-star Dou Practitioner at his age?"
"Who cares? As long as he's a Descendant Citizen of the Ling Clan, isn't that enough?"
Ling You shook his head, his words carrying an unspoken meaning.
"Regardless, it's always good to discover a promising talent."
"True. Some people's talent improves considerably after their bloodline awakens, even if their bloodline grade is low."
Ling Yang didn't dwell on it. After all, Ling Xi's family background and past were as clear as a blank sheet of paper.
Besides, although such things were rare, they weren't unprecedented in the Ling Clan.
"How much longer do you think you can hold on?"
"I don't know. Less than five years, I'd say."
Ling You gave a bitter smile, then raised a hand to clutch his chest.
"Those bastards from the Soul Clan grievously wounded me when I was subduing a Heavenly Flame. Making it to this day has been hard enough."
"The Soul Clan is too powerful. Aside from the Ancient Clan, none of the other Ancient Races are strong enough to stand against them."
"Even the Xiao Clan, once at the height of its power, was wiped out by the Soul Clan."
Ling Yang sighed as well, his expression complicated.
"I'm afraid I can only let you suffer this loss for nothing."
"It's fine. I killed the Soul Clan powerhouse who ambushed me back then, so you could say I avenged myself right there and then."
Ling You waved a hand, his expression turning puzzled.
"I just don't know why the Soul Clan is so eager to collect Alchemists' souls."
"What are they trying to do?"
Ling Yang didn't answer. He only shook his head.
The Soul Clan was the most mysterious of the Ancient Races to begin with.
No one knew what they were doing or what they wanted.
"This child is exceptionally talented, but his low bloodline grade will hold him back. If he only cultivates within the clan, he'll never achieve much in the future."
Looking at Ling Xi, who was still receiving the cultivation method with his eyes closed, a complicated look flashed through Ling You's eyes.
"I'll teach the child everything I can over the next few years. Once I'm dead, let him leave the Ling Clan."
"Leave the Ling Clan?"
Ling Yang's voice rose unconsciously.
"You'd let a talent like him leave the Ling Clan?"
"The so-called Ancient Races are nothing more than great cages. And the so-called Dou Di Bloodline isn't all that noble."
Ling You sneered.
"Let's not even talk about what happened to Yao Chen of the Yao Clan back then."
"Even as an Eighth-grade Alchemist, my standing in the Ling Clan is still beneath those useless fools who have higher bloodline grades than me, yet far less strength."
"The clan records list this child as no more than a Descendant Citizen with a First-grade Bloodline. Letting him leave the Ling Clan shouldn't be difficult for you, should it?"
"We've been friends for so many years. Consider this my one and only dying wish."
Before you continue