Spirit Qi Purification

The next day, Zhou Er woke up early. After practicing the Guide Technique three times, he left his courtyard and prepared to go to the Mission Hall.

Remembering that he had agreed with Lin Shiyu to go together, he walked to Lin Shiyu's house, which was more than ten meters away, knocked on the door, and called out to Lin Shiyu.

"Junior Sister, what did you choose for your free opportunity to select a cultivation technique?"

Zhou Er asked.

Outer Sect disciples could choose one cultivation technique for free.

Now that he had his Identity Token, he could use his opportunity to choose a low-level cultivation technique.

When he returned from the Mission Hall later, he could conveniently go to the Scripture Pavilion to use that opportunity.

"I have a Fire-attributed Low-grade Spirit Root, so I chose a fire-attributed cultivation technique, the Red Flame Technique."

Lin Shiyu said.

The Red Flame Technique could be cultivated until Foundation Establishment.

Zhou Er hesitated, wondering whether to determine the attribute of his cultivation technique now.

He had no Spirit Root, so he could cultivate techniques of all attributes.

He wondered if it was good or bad to determine his future cultivation development direction too early.

There was no need to rush this matter. After worrying for a while, Zhou Er temporarily put the matter aside and decided to go to the Mission Hall first.

Arriving at the Mission Hall, the first thing he saw was various mission light projections.

Those above Outer Sect disciples could receive missions here, while those above Deacon could not only receive missions but also issue them.

The missions were diverse. After choosing a mission, one would remember the mission number and then go to the senior brother in charge of this place to register and accept the mission.

The rewards for missions were diverse, mainly focusing on Spirit Stone rewards and Contribution Point rewards.

Contribution Points could be exchanged for rewards at the Merit Hall or used to exchange for cultivation techniques at the Scripture Pavilion.

Zhou Er browsed for a long time and found that most of the missions here had cultivation requirements and cultivation technique requirements.

Disciples like Zhou Er, who had low cultivation and no special characteristics, could basically not find any good missions. They could only accept tasks similar to those of a handyman, such as finding spirit pets or doing miscellaneous chores.

After looking at many missions, Zhou Er still couldn't find a suitable one.

Instead of wasting time on those miscellaneous tasks and obtaining meager cultivation resources, Zhou Er would rather seize the time to cultivate. Once his cultivation improved, he could take on better missions.

Zhou Er did not find a suitable mission, but Lin Shiyu was much luckier. Her cultivation had reached the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and her magic power had been completely converted into Red Flame Technique magic power, which was relatively pure. She could accept missions related to these.

Then she saw an Alchemy Hall Elder recruiting a Fire Control Attendant to ensure the stability of the alchemy furnace's fire. She perfectly met the requirements.

"Senior Brother Zhou, how is it? Did you find a suitable mission?"

Lin Shiyu walked up to Zhou Er and asked.

"No, my cultivation is too weak right now. I'll just cultivate honestly. Once my cultivation is a bit higher, I'll come back to the Mission Hall!"

Zhou Er shook his head. There was no need to rush to earn Spirit Stones and Contribution Points. Now was the time to improve himself.

"What about you?"

Zhou Er looked at Lin Shiyu.

"An elder from the Alchemy Hall is recruiting a Fire Control Attendant. I can go try."

Lin Shiyu said.

Although the benefits of this mission were not high, only eight Low-grade Spirit Stones per month, she could observe the Alchemy Hall elder refining pills and learn from him. Perhaps in the future, Lin Shiyu would also have the opportunity to learn alchemy skills.

"Then congratulations, Junior Sister Lin."

Zhou Er said with a smile.

"I haven't gone for the interview yet. No one knows if I'll succeed?"

Lin Shiyu was a little unsure. She was afraid she wouldn't pass the assessment.

"Junior Sister Lin will definitely succeed."

Zhou Er encouraged her. After all, words of comfort were free.

Lin Shiyu accepted the mission. After participating in the assessment by the Alchemy Hall Elder surnamed He tomorrow, she could become a Fire Control Attendant. Of course, she had to pass this interview-like assessment first.

"Senior Brother Zhou, can you accompany me to Elder He's assessment tomorrow?"

Lin Shiyu asked, feeling a little uncertain herself.

"Sure!"

It just so happened that Zhou Er would have nothing to do after practicing the Guide Technique, so he could accompany her.

After all, they were neighbors and had a good relationship. Zhou Er already considered her a friend. Accompanying a friend for an interview was no big deal.

"Junior Sister Lin, I'm going to the Scripture Pavilion to choose a cultivation technique now. Will you go back first, or shall we go to the Scripture Pavilion together?"

Zhou Er asked.

"I'll accompany Senior Brother Zhou for a bit!"

Lin Shiyu said with a smile.

"Alright!"

Zhou Er nodded. It was fortunate that Lin Shiyu had experience, and he could ask her.

"Senior Brother Zhou, what is the attribute of your spiritual root? I can recommend a cultivation technique for you." Lin Shiyu asked.

"I don't know. However, I don't want to decide on the attribute of my cultivation technique just yet." Zhou Er shook his head.

"Senior Brother Zhou, do you have multi-attribute spiritual roots? If you don't want to decide on the attribute of your cultivation technique so early, you can cultivate the Qi Gathering Technique first. This technique doesn't have any attribute requirements and can be cultivated to Foundation Establishment." Lin Shiyu said.

Although multi-attribute spiritual roots were not particularly common, she had seen many. Generally, people with such multi-attribute spiritual roots would cultivate a technique of the attribute corresponding to their best spiritual root quality, maximizing the effect of their spiritual roots.

Zhou Er's eyes lit up upon hearing Lin Shiyu's words. He didn't want his cultivation technique's attribute to limit him now. It was perfect that he could cultivate the attribute-less Qi Gathering Technique and wait for future opportunities. This way, if he encountered a good cultivation technique later, it would be convenient to switch.

With a goal in mind, Zhou Er went to the Scripture Pavilion and didn't waste any time. He directly asked the senior brother in charge to find the Qi Gathering Technique and exchanged for a copy.

Even though it was a copy, Zhou Er could still equip it and place it in his Equipment Slot.

[Qi Gathering Technique: A cultivation technique without any distinguishing features.]

[Equipping grants the attribute: Spirit Qi Purification (White)]

[Spirit Qi Purification (White): Purifies the Spirit Qi in the body, filtering out a small amount of impurities.]

[Solidification Condition: Use the Qi Gathering Technique to circulate Spirit Qi through the body 360 times.]

[Equip?]

Zhou Er wanted to equip the Qi Gathering Technique, but the three items currently in his Equipment Slot were all very important. Taotie was an extremely overpowered attribute, its effect far superior to purifying Spirit Qi. The Qi Induction attribute was Zhou Er's fundamental for cultivation; without it, he couldn't even sense Qi, let alone cultivate. As for Longevity, it was the basis for Zhou Er being able to survive right now, and it was absolutely immovable.

"Anyway, it will only take another half a month for the Qi Induction attribute to complete its solidification. Waiting another half a month won't be too late. I can use this time to thoroughly study the Qi Gathering Technique."

Zhou Er thought.

Of course, if he could eat the Tiger Liver earlier, his first equipment slot would be freed up.

But this was a bit difficult for Zhou Er right now.

However, Zhou Er wasn't facing any life-threatening crisis at the moment. He was cultivating safely in the Outer Sect and didn't need to rush about these ten-plus days.

Returning to his Courtyard, Zhou Er practiced the Guide Technique three times as usual before immediately resting.

The next day, before dawn, Zhou Er got up again and practiced the Guide Technique three times. The sky also began to brighten.

Lin Shiyu found Zhou Er, and they went together to Elder He Lin's alchemy room to participate in Elder He's assessment.

Zhou Er was accompanying her; he was not participating.

"Senior Brother Zhou, what if I don't pass?"

Junior Sister Lin asked nervously.

"Junior Sister Lin will definitely pass."

Zhou Er, having lived two lives, knew that Junior Sister Lin wasn't really asking what to do if she failed, but rather seeking comfort.

"Mhm! I can definitely do it."

Junior Sister Lin also cheered herself on.

Elder He Lin was an elder who looked young. She expressionlessly interviewed several people, eliminating all the male disciples and leaving only five female disciples. She then selected three who were young and beautiful. The entire assessment ended quickly, without even letting them formally operate anything.

"I can't believe I actually passed."

On the way home, Junior Sister Lin said with some disbelief.

"I told you you could do it."

Zhou Er said with a smile. He had figured it out: that Elder was biased against men, and all the male disciples had been driven away.

For the next three days, Elder He trained the three Fire Control Attendants in their fire control skills. These three could then start working in shifts.

In reality, Lin Shiyu and the other two were like security guards. They just needed to sit in front of the alchemy furnace and ensure the fire didn't go out. Their task would be completed.

The alchemy furnace used Earth Fire, which was fire drawn from deep within the earth veins for alchemy. It didn't require much manipulation from them.

In fact, they didn't even need to use the Fire Control Technique that Elder He Lin taught them.

In short, the work content was very leisurely; it just required someone to be present to watch.

After Lin Shiyu started working as a Fire Control Attendant, she became busy every day. Because she lived far away, she had to walk for half an hour to reach Elder He Lin's Cave Mansion.

If one could wield a magic artifact, their speed would naturally be much faster, but Lin Shiyu hadn't reached Late-stage Qi Refining yet and couldn't afford one at all.

Zhou Er didn't pay much attention to Lin Shiyu. He began cultivating as if in seclusion, while also paying attention to the Elder explaining the Qi Gathering Technique.

Whenever these Elders went to the Lecture Platform to Discuss Dao, Zhou Er would go to watch.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.

[Name: Zhou Er]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining First Layer (28.97%)]

[Equipment Slot (3/3): Five Animals Health Technique, Guide Technique, Bigu Pill.]

[Unsolidified Attributes: Five Animals Health Technique (Perfection), Longevity, Taotie (White).]

[Solidified Attributes: Qi Induction, Strength Increase (White).]

Zhou Er had successfully solidified the Qi Induction attribute and could now remove the Guide Technique from his equipment slot.

After removing the Guide Technique, Zhou Er immediately equipped the Qi Gathering Technique.

Upon equipping the Qi Gathering Technique, Zhou Er gained the Spirit Qi Purification attribute.

[Spirit Qi Purification (White): Purifies the Spirit Qi within the body, filtering out a small amount of impurities.]

[Solidification Condition: Use the Qi Gathering Technique to circulate Spirit Qi within the body for three hundred and sixty cycles.]

Spirit Qi Purification, unlike Qi Induction, wasn't immediately effective upon equipping. It was a gradual influence that would take time to show results.

Over the past half month, Zhou Er had spent his free time studying the Qi Gathering Technique and had gained a considerable understanding of it.

The Qi Gathering Technique was essentially a higher-tier cultivation method than the Guide Technique. It circulated heavenly and earthly Spirit Qi within the body to enhance control over magical power and temper the body.

Furthermore, the magical power from the Qi Gathering Technique, like that from the Guide Technique, was unadulterated heavenly and earthly Spirit Qi, without any specific attributes. Zhou Er didn't need to convert his magical power; he could directly switch cultivation methods.

Now that the Qi Induction attribute was solidified, Zhou Er no longer practiced the Guide Technique. He began cultivating according to the circulation method of the Qi Gathering Technique.

Zhou Er carefully guided his magical power through the meridians of his body. He found it much smoother than when he cultivated the Guide Technique previously.

Although the Qi Gathering Technique was more complex than the Guide Technique, Zhou Er managed to circulate his magical power through a minor cycle within half an hour.

[Spirit Qi Purification (White): Purifies the Spirit Qi within the body, filtering out a small amount of impurities.]

[Solidification Condition: Use the Qi Gathering Technique to circulate Spirit Qi within the body for three hundred and sixty cycles. (1/360)]

The progress of Spirit Qi Purification also increased slightly.

After cultivating two more times consecutively, Zhou Er's mastery of Spirit Qi circulation became even more proficient. He concluded his practice.

It takes sixty days for Zhou Er to solidify the Spirit Qi Purification attribute by circulating it six times daily, which is a bit long.

However, it is very necessary.

The purer the Mana and Spirit Qi, the faster the casting speed and the stronger the spell power will be.

Furthermore, the purity of Spirit Qi greatly aids in breaking through bottlenecks.

Those cultivators stuck at cultivation bottlenecks will try every means to purify their cultivation.

"There are bottlenecks between each cultivation realm. The bottlenecks between Qi Refining Layer Four and Five, and Layer Eight and Nine are the most obvious for Qi Refining cultivators. It would be best if this Spirit Qi Purification attribute could help me bypass these bottlenecks," Zhou Er thought.

Bottlenecks deal a great blow to cultivators. Many cultivators go mad precisely because they cannot break through bottlenecks.

Zhou Er cultivates diligently every day and doesn't have much free time. Occasionally chatting with Lin Shiyu, time passes quickly.

In the blink of an eye, two months have passed.

[Name: Zhou Er]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Second Layer (3.14%)]

[Equipment Slot (3/3): Five Animals Health Technique, Qi Gathering Technique, Bigu Pill.]

[Unsolidified Attributes: Five Animals Health Technique (Perfection), Longevity, Taotie (White).]

[Solidified Attributes: Spirit Qi Purification (White), Qi Induction, Strength Increase (White).]

Zhou Er's cultivation successfully broke through to Qi Refining Second Layer, and he also solidified the Spirit Qi Purification attribute.

Now at Qi Refining Second Layer, Zhou Er has the thought of learning spells.

After all, without spells to rely on, how can one go far in the Cultivation World?

Coincidentally, Zhou Er has accumulated eight Low-grade Spirit Stones, just enough to find someone to teach him.

In the empty equipment slot, Zhou Er had previously intended to equip a Low-grade Spirit Stone.

After equipping it, he discovered that his current Mana limit had not yet reached the level of a Low-grade Spirit Stone.

According to Zhou Er's observation, to reach the Mana limit of a Low-grade Spirit Stone, one's cultivation must at least reach the Late-stage Qi Refining level, which is Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

After all, although this Low-grade Spirit Stone is only the size of a pigeon egg, it contains incredibly pure Spirit Qi, enough for a Qi Refining cultivator to cultivate for a long time.

Reaching such a level of Mana limit is not a simple matter.

However, fortunately, Zhou Er is not currently fighting with others and does not particularly need the Mana Abundance attribute brought by the Low-grade Spirit Stone.

What he needs now are various attributes that can quickly improve his cultivation. Improving his Mana limit can wait.