Bi Xiao could not help sending a voice transmission to Zhao Gongming.
"Big Brother, you truly chose the perfect time to pass on the Shangqing Gongfa. From what I can see, Junior Brother Xuandu has gained tremendously from this insight."
Satisfaction also appeared on Zhao Gongming's rugged face. Stroking his beard, he nodded and replied through voice transmission:
"This child's comprehension is indeed astonishing."
"Although a Cultivation Technique Inheritance can instantly impart knowledge, whether one can quickly understand, digest, and make it one's own depends on individual comprehension."
"To have initially integrated the essence of the technique into the circulation of his own mana in such a short time, refining his aura to this extent, is truly no easy feat."
"No wonder Uncle-Master Taiqing took a liking to him. He truly is extraordinary."
His evaluation of Xuandu rose by several degrees.
About the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed.
The Pure and Bright Immortal Light circulating around Xuandu slowly withdrew, and the surging fluctuations of mana gradually calmed.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Divine light shone within them, clear and deep, as though they could pierce through all illusion.
Compared to before, he now carried an additional air of calmness and depth.
He let out a long breath of turbid air.
The breath condensed without dispersing, unexpectedly transforming into an illusory little sword about an inch long in midair. It gave a ringing hum before slowly fading away.
Sword Qi had arisen on its own!
A sharp glint flashed through Zhao Gongming's eyes. He clapped his hands and laughed.
"Good! Junior Brother Xuandu truly possesses extraordinary talent!"
"Having just begun studying the Shangqing Gongfa, you can already stir your mana and manifest the rudimentary form of Sword Qi. It seems you also share no shallow affinity with the sword dao of our Jie Sect!"
Xuandu hurriedly rose and gave Zhao Gongming a deep bow.
"It is all thanks to Senior Brother's kindness in imparting the technique!"
He then turned to Bi Xiao.
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your recommendation!"
At this moment, his heart was filled with gratitude and excitement.
To him, the Shangqing Gongfa was undoubtedly timely help in the snow.
Not only had it solved his problem of controlling his strength, but it had also pointed out the direction of his future path of cultivation and laid an incomparably solid foundation.
This was no small favor.
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily and stepped forward to help Xuandu up.
"Junior brother, no need for formalities. Among fellow disciples, helping one another is only right."
The more he looked at Xuandu, the more pleasing he found him.
Diligent, polite, highly perceptive, and seemingly of good character as well.
He was far better than those disciples who relied on their exceptional origins and looked down on everyone else.
"You have already gained an initial grasp of the technique. From now on, you must practice diligently, step by step, and never slacken."
Zhao Gongming instructed him:
"If there is anything you do not understand, you may come ask me at any time, or seek guidance from the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."
"We Jie Sect Disciples are not the sort to shut ourselves away and muddle through alone."
Xuandu nodded seriously.
"Xuandu will remember Senior Brother's teachings."
Bi Xiao smiled as well.
"It seems Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's neglect instead brought Junior Brother an opportunity."
"If he had followed the usual order and taught you some ordinary methods, Junior Brother might not have come into contact with the essence of the Shangqing Gongfa so quickly."
Xuandu smiled faintly but offered no comment.
Yet his impression of Chang Er Ding Guang Xian worsened further.
He would remember this matter.
As if recalling something, Zhao Gongming added:
"Besides a foundational cultivation technique, divine abilities to protect the Dao are also indispensable."
He pondered for a moment.
"I see that your aura is upright and your foundation robust. Perhaps you can try cultivating a sword art."
"Master once said that the sword dao places the greatest emphasis on slaughter, and it also tests one's temperament and control the most."
"It would be of great benefit in stabilizing your realm and tempering your combat power."
As he spoke, he raised two fingers like a sword and pointed into the air.
Another smaller but more condensed and piercing point of light shot forth and entered Xuandu's glabella.
"This is the Shangqing Sword Art, a rather exquisite sword-controlling offensive technique of our Jie Sect."
"Study it well. If you achieve even minor mastery, few among those of the same realm will be your match."
Xuandu sank his consciousness inward and instantly sensed an incomparably profound method of sword control.
All manner of exquisite sword techniques came flooding in.
The grade of this sword art was clearly extremely high.
Though it was not a sect-defending Divine Ability, it was certainly not something ordinary disciples could access.
Zhao Gongming's gesture was truly a generous gift.
"Senior Brother, this..."
Xuandu hesitated slightly. This gift seemed too heavy.
Zhao Gongming waved a hand, cutting him off.
"Techniques are dead, but people are alive. Divine Abilities can only display their value when passed to those with affinity."
"Since you have entered the Jie Sect and were personally accepted by Master, you are qualified to cultivate it."
"I hope you will make good use of this art and spread the Jie Sect's Prestige."
With matters having reached this point, Xuandu no longer declined. He said solemnly:
"I will certainly not disappoint Senior Brother's high expectations!"
Warmth surged through his heart.
This Jie Sect seemed to have a little more human warmth than he had expected.
At least from Senior Brother Gongming, he felt pure forthrightness and goodwill.
It stood in stark contrast to the likes of Chang Er Ding Guang Xian.
Next, Zhao Gongming briefly explained some of the Jie Sect's rules and precepts, as well as matters requiring attention on Golden Ao Island.
Which places could be visited, which required caution, and what principles should be followed when interacting with fellow disciples, among other things.
Xuandu committed every detail to memory.
Compared with Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's perfunctory introduction, Zhao Gongming's explanation was undoubtedly far more detailed and sincere.
As the sun set, the evening clouds cast Luofu Cave in a magnificent glow.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xuandu rose to take his leave.
"Many thanks to Senior Brother and Senior Sister for your guidance today. Xuandu has benefited greatly."
Zhao Gongming smiled.
"We are brothers of the same family, no need to be polite. Come visit often in the future."
Bi Xiao also smiled sweetly.
"Junior Brother Xuandu, cultivate well. Do not squander your talent."
Xuandu bowed once more, then turned and walked out of the cave mansion.
After leaving the area around Zhao Gongming's cave mansion, Xuandu did not return directly to that desolate dwelling.
With a slight movement of thought, his figure flickered several times before arriving in a secluded, uninhabited mountain forest.
After confirming that no one was nearby, he slowly raised his right hand.
Following the method of the Shangqing Sword Art, he mobilized a thread of mana within his body and condensed it at his fingertips.
A strand of extremely condensed Sword Qi, flickering with a pure and bright radiance, extended and contracted from his fingertips.
Though only an inch long, it emitted an incomparably sharp aura, slicing the surrounding air with hissing sounds.
His thoughts shifted again.
The Sword Qi flew from his finger like a streak of azure lightning, instantly crossing a distance of a hundred zhang.
Without a sound, a smooth, mirror-like fissure split open through the center of a hard bluestone several people tall in the distance.
Then the entire boulder silently turned into powder and scattered with the wind.
Joy flashed through Xuandu's eyes.
"The power has indeed increased by more than several times!"
"And controlling it feels as natural as moving my own arm, incomparably precise."
Previously, no matter how much brute force he possessed, he could never have handled such immense power so effortlessly or controlled it to such an exquisite and minute degree.
This was the difference between having a systematic cultivation technique and not having one!
He was full of confidence in the road ahead.
With the Shangqing Gongfa and the Shangqing Sword Art, along with the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak mana hidden within his body.
As long as he was given time to grow familiar with them and develop, he would surely secure a place for himself in this Great Wilderness World!
Xuandu did not hurry back to that desolate cave mansion.
After several flickers of his figure, he silently appeared in a remote valley deeper within Golden Ao Island.
Cloud mist coiled through the valley, strange rocks stood in abundance, and a Spirit Spring flowed gently past, producing clear, tinkling sounds.
He needed to sort out his thoughts and plan the road ahead.
His cultivation had already reached the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak. This was a heaven-defying opportunity bestowed by the system.
But the next step was of the utmost importance.
Golden Immortal of the Origin, or Quasi-Saint?
These were almost the two paths laid before every Great Wilderness Mighty One.
A Golden Immortal of the Origin could Transcend Heavenly Dao, form its own laws, and remain free and unfettered. It was true great freedom and great transcendence.
A Quasi-Saint, though possessing immense power, still had to Entrust to Heavenly Dao and remain subject to Heavenly Dao Restraint. When a calamity descended, there would still be the danger of perishing.
Xuandu's goal was naturally the more transcendent path of the Golden Immortal of the Origin!
However, the Hunyuan Dao was incomparably difficult, with requirements for one's origins, comprehension, and opportunities so harsh they were nearly extreme.
Though he now possessed Zenith Heaven Peak mana, his original roots were merely those of an ordinary Human Race member.
Without the system, even stepping onto the Immortal Path would have been unimaginably difficult for him, much less attaining Hunyuan.
Xuandu silently called out in his heart:
"System."
"How do I unlock the next function, Root Sum Feedback?"
Before you continue