The Proper Way to Use the System

That was probably true.

After all, the cultivation techniques given to new disciples were all exceptional techniques that could be cultivated up to the Dao Foundation Realm, while the entry-level Dao Techniques were even top-tier Dao Techniques.

The Azure Cloud Realm was only a Small Thousand World. Advanced Dao Techniques were already as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, let alone top-tier ones.

Back to the point.

Chen Xuan soon began testing his ability to cultivate Dao Techniques.

The system really hadn't let him down. Although the Flowing Cloud Technique was cultivating on its own, it didn't interfere with his learning Dao Techniques.

The Flowing Cloud Technique's cultivation didn't affect him, and his use of spiritual power didn't disrupt the Flowing Cloud Technique either.

Nice, nice.

After three days, Chen Xuan successfully reached the entry level in Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms.

Within the Cloud Sea Sect, Chen Xuan could only be considered average in talent. But across the Azure Cloud Realm as a whole, his talent was actually quite good; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to join the Cloud Sea Sect.

With Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms successfully reaching the entry level,

Chen Xuan went outside into the courtyard, intending to give it a try.

This was an extremely versatile Dao Technique.

The core of Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms lay in the word "change."

Using clouds as its foundation, it adapted to every kind of battle by changing shape.

When it needed to attack, clouds became blades and swords; when it needed to defend, clouds became shields and walls; when it needed to restrain, clouds became chains; when it needed to confuse, clouds became illusions.

Chen Xuan activated the Dao Technique, and a long sword formed from clouds dropped into his hand.

He swung the sword in his hand. It felt just like a real sword. This Dao Technique was truly wondrous.

"As expected of a top-tier Dao Technique..."

Chen Xuan couldn't help but marvel.

Next, Chen Xuan tried transforming it into other objects.

It really was useful in all sorts of ways.

The Cloud Sea Sect really spared no effort for its disciples. New disciples were given a technique that could be cultivated up to the Dao Foundation Realm, along with the top-tier Dao Technique Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms.

The other Dao Technique they received was no slouch either. It was an advanced Dao Technique called Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping, a movement-type Dao Technique.

On top of that, every new disciple received three mid-grade magical artifacts.

They were a long sword engraved with the words "Flowing Cloud," a cloud-shaped flying artifact, and a Storage Bag.

Though they were all standard-issue artifacts, with every Cloud Sea Sect disciple receiving one of each, it was still incredibly generous.

Chen Xuan summoned the system panel.

[Host: Chen Xuan]

[Realm: Qi Gathering, First Layer]

[Spirit Awakening Points: 4]

[Cultivation Technique: Flowing Cloud Technique (Spirit-Awakened)]

[Dao Techniques: Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms · Entry Level (Not Spirit-Awakened)]

He wondered what use Spirit Awakening would be for a Dao Technique.

Probably it could cultivate on its own too, improving its proficiency.

Dao Technique proficiency was divided into five levels.

Entry, proficient, minor mastery, major mastery, and perfection.

Without a moment's hesitation, Chen Xuan used a Spirit Awakening Point on Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms.

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" looked down on your Cultivation Technique "Flowing Cloud Technique."]

[What kind of low-level cultivation technique is this? The spiritual power you've cultivated just doesn't taste right.]

[Your Cultivation Technique "Flowing Cloud Technique" is furious. It is elbowing your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms."]

[Without the spiritual power I cultivate, even if you were the Supreme Dao Technique, you'd be nothing!]

[Your Cultivation Technique and Dao Technique are fighting.]

Chen Xuan: "..."

What the hell did it mean, his Cultivation Technique and Dao Technique were fighting?

Couldn't the two of them get serious and start competing already?

He'd wanted to see them compete with each other, not get into some damn fight!

[Your Cultivation Technique suppressed your Dao Technique.]

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" is furious. A low-level cultivation technique that has only just come into being actually dared to forbid it from using spiritual power.]

[It secretly swore to itself that it would repay today's humiliation a hundredfold someday!]

[Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not bully a poor young man!]

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" has begun cultivating like mad!]

[Once my Dao Technique reaches perfection and condenses a Dao Seal, I'll beat this low-level cultivation technique until it's bowing and calling me Daddy!]

[Your Cultivation Technique "Flowing Cloud Technique" is utterly disdainful.]

[My defeated foes have never been worthy of being my opponents. I'll give you time to catch up, until you can no longer even see my back.]

[Your Cultivation Technique "Flowing Cloud Technique" has begun cultivating like mad!]

6...

That worked too?

He'd figured it out: there was definitely something wrong with this system.

It had caused both his Cultivation Technique and his Dao Technique to develop a few little problems after Spirit Awakening.

They were full of snarky remarks, and both had pretty sharp tongues.

But... come to think of it.

Even if the two of them had a few minor issues, at least they'd both started cultivating.

The result was still good.

Everyone was happy.

You two cultivate diligently. I'll go get some rest.

Well... of course, the "rest" part was a joke.

He still had a Dao Technique he hadn't learned yet.

He couldn't let it go to waste. He needed to learn it and Spirit-Awaken it as soon as possible.

Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping might only be an advanced Dao Technique.

But if he couldn't quickly turn his Spirit Awakening Points into strength, then hoarding them would be pointless.

Only by becoming stronger quickly could he acquire resources faster, grow stronger still, and keep earning Spirit Awakening Points.

Once he mastered Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping, he really would be able to rest.

After that, everything would be up to his three "big brothers."

Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping was easier to master than Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms.

Chen Xuan spent just two days reaching the entry level.

Then it was time to Spirit-Awaken Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping.

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping" is announcing its arrival.]

[Clouds leave no trace, the moon bears no shadow—I am Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping!]

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" is launching a heavy punch at your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping."]

"Wait... why are they fighting this time?"

Chen Xuan was speechless. What a problem child.

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping" has been beaten into submission. It is forced to acknowledge your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" as its big brother.]

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" feels like it's on top of the world again.]

[Your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms" has led your Dao Technique "Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping" in a group beating against your Cultivation Technique.]

[Your Cultivation Technique suppressed your Dao Techniques.]

Chen Xuan: "..."

"If you're weak, train more. Why are you so bad and still so eager to mess around?"

Chen Xuan couldn't help but tease them.

[Your Dao Techniques heard what you said and are fuming.]

[Your Dao Techniques have begun cultivating like their lives depend on it!]

Chen Xuan smiled. Now he could rest easy.

His Cultivation Technique and Dao Techniques could cultivate on their own.

And they cultivated much faster than Chen Xuan could on his own.

For the next while,

Chen Xuan led a very relaxed life.

Every day, he drank tea and read books, and occasionally tended the medicinal fields in Hundred Herb Valley.

As it happened, the Cloud Sea Sect had many medicinal gardens, and Hundred Herb Valley was the worst of them.

That was why no one wanted to go there.

Just how bad was Hundred Herb Valley?

Put it this way: the sect didn't even require Hundred Herb Valley to hand over its spiritual herbs.

In fact, this place had once been rich in spiritual energy.

But many years ago, for reasons no one could explain, its spiritual energy dispersed and never recovered.

Most of the herbs that could be grown here now were unranked. There were only a few first-rank spiritual herbs.

The sect didn't even care for them.

So the spiritual herbs grown in Hundred Herb Valley were entirely at the disciples' disposal.

They could hand them in for Contribution Points or sell them themselves for cultivation resources.

This counted as a small compensation for the disciples of Hundred Herb Valley.

After all, the spiritual energy here was so thin that the disciples assigned to this place were basically being banished to the frontier.

The Cloud Sea Sect was pretty considerate of its people.