Li Ling spent the whole of January in the Snail Shell Sanctuary.
During that time, he successfully improved the Breath-Freshening Tea and acquired more knowledge of the Incense Path associated with it.
Naturally, he also saw all manner of spirit materials and treasures, steadily enriching his foundation.
Madam Zhao, however, examined his Myriad Wonders Incense Transformation Art closely and pointed out, "Your art seems to be missing something. With a Foundation Establishment cultivator's capabilities, it should be able to do far more than this."
Li Ling admitted frankly, "This is merely an art I chanced upon while I was in the Qi Refining Realm. Back then, there was only so much I could study and imitate, and I haven't had time to improve it since."
"You created it in the Qi Refining Realm?" Madam Zhao was slightly surprised. She had assumed Li Ling had only devised it after reaching Foundation Establishment.
Li Ling said, "It is indeed a Qi Refining Realm art. It contains some conjectures about later realms and the functions it ought to possess, but those are still castles in the air. I haven't actually built them yet."
Madam Zhao sighed with a smile. "Creating an art through talent and conjecture? Honestly, you might be better off without this art!"
She spoke the truth. Since ancient times, there had been countless people with exceptional gifts, born with the ability to control water and fire or wield various other divine abilities.
These were all powers they understood from birth, requiring neither study nor improvement. At most, their later efforts merely produced a few additional variations once they became proficient in using them.
Only after the Spell Dao arose and began analyzing the various arts did these develop into material that later generations could cultivate, with Five Elements arts being