"So that was how it was."
Lin Changheng nodded. It seemed he really needed to keep strengthening his means of survival and advancing his cultivation. Otherwise, he would not even dare leave the Lineage grounds, and far too many opportunities would slip past him.
But that was also a side effect of playing it safe. He had prepared himself for it and would bear it.
Before long, several cultivators from the Lineage came over to ask about the pills' prices.
Lin Changheng quoted sixty percent of the usual price.
It was not because he was kindhearted. Rather, the Xu Family stipulated that pills, talismans, and the like sold to fellow Lineage members could not exceed the Lineage's buyback price, which was seventy percent of the usual price.
Then he might as well make it sixty percent!
Lin Changheng was not short of that little bit of money anyway. Instead, he could use the chance to show his face and draw some attention.
Sure enough, once word of the price spread, people flocked over to buy, and his pills sold out in an instant.
They also became acquainted with this unfamiliar Pill Master.
"Everyone, since I want to thoroughly understand my pill formulas and also intend to make talismans, I need a certain amount of Demon Beast blood essence. If any fellow cultivator can provide a steady supply of one particular kind, I can continue selling genuine pills to them at a low price."
Seeing that the moment was ripe, Lin Changheng cleared his throat and announced loudly, "You can also pass the word on to your friends and relatives. If a deal goes through, there will be a finder's fee for you as well."
"Is that really true?" someone asked, eyes lighting up.
"Of course. If you have any news, you can find me at the Tide Listening Dojo."
The crowd dispersed without a single person stepping forward.
Lin Changheng remained composed, watching the scene calmly.
He had never sought immediate returns. He was merely planting a seed in everyone's minds.
Perhaps one day, it would take root and sprout?
Another half month passed.
In the small courtyard, Lin Changheng, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, ended his cultivation session. The spiritual energy gathered around him dispersed.
A trace of frustration appeared on his face.
His cultivation was simply progressing too slowly.
Although he had advanced the Flowing Flame Art to minor attainment, giving him an acceptable cultivation speed during early qi refining, it had clearly failed to adapt after he reached mid-qi refining, growing slower and slower.
"The cultivation method is too low-grade."
After some deliberation, he reached that conclusion.
This meant it was time to change cultivation methods.
He had originally thought that the relatively high mastery of minor attainment could compensate for this low-grade cultivation method's innate shortcomings and inherent flaws.
Reality had proved that he had been overthinking it.
Innate shortcomings were difficult to remedy, much like a person's spiritual roots. If they were inferior, a little diligent cultivation could not make up for it.
Even possessing one of the following-heavenly treasures, fortuitous encounters, or wisdom and strength of character-might still be far from enough.
However, his current status as a Registered Guest Advisor gave him permission to exchange for mid-grade cultivation methods. Finding a suitable fire-element method should not be too difficult.
Early the next morning.
Lin Changheng arrived at the Returning Peak Dojo, the heart of the Lineage grounds. The Scripture Repository Hall stood at the dojo's edge, protected in particular by a Superior-Grade First-Tier formation. Nothing could be allowed to go wrong there.
Using a specially made token to enter, Lin Changheng immediately stated his purpose.
He wanted to exchange for a mid-grade fire-element cultivation method.
After verifying his credentials, the tall, thin steward promptly took out three jade slips for Lin Changheng to choose from.
They contained the Burning Flame Art, the Flame Breath Technique, and the Warm Sun Scripture.
Lin Changheng had not expected this, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. For a qi-refining Lineage, having so many mid-grade cultivation methods of a single element was quite impressive.
Its collection could be considered fairly extensive.
He immediately held the jade slips to his forehead and examined them one by one. He found that each revealed only an introduction and part of its opening content.
The rest was sealed by restrictions, like a layer of mist that prevented him from peering inside.
After a while, Lin Changheng made his decision, but still casually asked, "Senior, might there be any other fire-element cultivation methods?"
Unexpectedly, the tall, thin steward visibly froze at the question.
Lin Changheng happened to catch it and was taken aback as well.
I only asked on a whim. There really is another one?
"Wait here."
After leaving him with those words, the tall, thin steward turned away and busied himself for a while. Before long, he returned carrying an old booklet with its dust brushed off and handed it to Lin Changheng, explaining as he did so,
"This is a high-grade fire-element cultivation method with a substantial portion missing, so it is classified among the mid-grade methods as well. But I would not particularly recommend choosing it. The threshold for beginning it is higher, and you will probably have to switch methods later."
Lin Changheng nodded, thanked the steward for his kindly warning, and opened the book.
Li Fire Night-Illuminating Guide.
Five large characters met his eyes.
The name does have a touch of mystery to it.
That was Lin Changheng's first impression. Unlike Burning Flame, Warm Sun, Flame Breath, and the others, it was not blunt and bland, devoid of deeper meaning.
Reading further, he learned from the opening introduction that a deceased elder of the Lineage had obtained it elsewhere in his younger years. Originally, it could have supported cultivation up to the foundation establishment early stage, but a struggle with someone else had left each of them with half, preventing either from obtaining the complete text.
This half only supported cultivation up to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer!
The road beyond was severed. Later, he would have only two options: switch methods or find the original text to continue.
"I'll choose this one."
Lin Changheng chuckled and told the steward his decision.
"Won't you reconsider?"
The tall, thin steward still offered a well-meaning reminder.
"This method can support cultivation up to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. With the limitations of my spiritual roots, I will most likely stop there anyway. I might as well spend a little more time cultivating something stronger. Perhaps a miracle will happen."
Lin Changheng found an excuse and insisted on exchanging for it.
"Very well."
The tall, thin steward stopped trying to dissuade him. He removed the restrictions on the old booklet's contents and copied them onto a jade slip. "It costs three hundred contribution points. You must also swear a Dao Oath never to divulge its contents."
"All right."
Lin Changheng did as instructed.
By the time he emerged from the Scripture Repository Hall, the contribution points he had accumulated over the past two years by refining pills and processing defective pills had been almost completely spent. Only a little over twenty remained.
But it was worth it. He had even gained more than he had hoped for!
A high-grade cultivation method was now in his hands!
An incomplete high-grade cultivation method was still a high-grade cultivation method!
As for the Flame Breath Technique he had previously decided to exchange for... Sorry, do I know you?
Lin Changheng's heart burned with excitement.
As for the supposed difficulty of getting started with the method, it was hardly a major problem given his comprehension, now enhanced by the [first-tier origin treasure seed].
As for the method's severed path... he still had many years before reaching the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Who knew what changes might occur in the meantime?
Worrying and fretting in advance was inadvisable.
Just cultivate it!
It took Lin Changheng less than three days to get started with the Li Fire Night-Illuminating Guide.
Cultivating within the Spirit Gathering Array as before, he discovered that the refinement rate of each circulation cycle was a shade faster than even the Flowing Flame Art at minor attainment.
"As expected of a high-grade cultivation method."
Lin Changheng sighed deeply in admiration. Its foundations were truly substantial.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock sounded at the door. Someone had come to visit.
Aside from a few fellow immortal seedlings from his intake year, Lin Changheng had no one else he associated with closely.
He rose and opened the door, revealing a tall, graceful figure suffused with an air of nobility.
"Fairy Tantai, it's been a long time."
Tantai Feiyue gave Lin Changheng a charming roll of her eyes. "And whose fault is it that it's been so long, if not yours, Brother Lin?"
Seeing that he did not move, she could not help asking in surprise, "Brother Lin, do you intend to keep blocking the doorway and refuse to let this young lady in? Could it be... that this is how you treat your guests?"