Switching cultivation methods

Once they had gotten a little acquainted, Xiao Xun'er raised her own question. (While she was staying with the Xiao Clan, she would temporarily be called Xiao Xun'er.)

"Then I'll call you Brother Chen like the others. My situation is a little unusual. Every time I cultivate Dou Qi, I feel pain. Brother Chen Cang, do you know why? Lots of people my age have already started cultivating Dou Qi, but none of them have this problem."

Xiao Xun'er was clever enough not to tell lies that would burst at the slightest poke. The problem she raised was real.

Chen Cang looked the girl up and down, outwardly appearing deep in thought. In truth, he had finally seized a chance to tap into the treasure trove of memories he had coveted for so long.

To keep his behavior looking normal, Chen Cang did not greedily read all her memories at once. That would have taken quite some time.

After just two or three minutes of contemplation, Chen Cang returned to his senses.

"Honestly, this is the first time I've encountered something like this, but I don't think it's a major problem. The pain is simply because your meridians are fragile. You're absorbing Dou Qi faster than your meridians can withstand. Looking at it that way, your talent must be quite impressive, Xun'er. If you could soothe and gently nourish your meridians to strengthen them, the pain might disappear."

Answering a question with the answer key in front of him was no challenge at all.

In fact, Chen Cang knew that the golden emperor burning heaven flame hidden inside Xiao Xun'er was the root cause of her unusual condition. He simply could not say so.

At that thought, Chen Cang could not help wanting to criticize Gu Yuan again. The man really did not act like a human being!

If he had a daughter like her, he would have wanted to cradle her in his palms and spoil her to the heavens. Yet Gu Yuan had actually had the heart to send the girl before him to the Xiao Clan.

He dressed it up as wanting to give her a perfect childhood while searching for the Tou She Ancient God Jade along the way.

But what was the reality? Xiao Xun'er could not enjoy any warmth here at all. Even making a genuine friend was difficult.

All Chen Cang could say was that, as a normal person, he utterly failed to understand Gu Yuan's actions and thinking.

"Gently nourish my meridians? Would that really work? Besides, I remember that our bodies are too fragile at the Dou Qi stage to withstand the impact of medicinal pills."

"Medicinal pills won't work, of course, but you could have someone use Dou Qi to soothe them. The results might not be dramatic, but it would at least be useful. Keeping at it over the long term would still help to some extent. Of course, this method carries risks. If you decide to do it, Xun'er, make sure you choose someone you can trust completely."

The subject reminded Chen Cang of just how absurd it was that Ling Ying had stood by and let Xiao Yan do it in the Original Timeline.

Fine, they were both children. He could set aside the distinction between boys and girls.

But as the young lady of the Gu Clan, Xun'er's importance was beyond question. If Xiao Yan had developed malicious intentions during the process, or simply failed to control his Dou Qi properly, it would have been an absolute disaster for her.

With such a hidden danger present, Ling Ying had still watched without intervening. That was truly fucking remarkable.

There was no way Ling Ying had been entirely unaware.

After all, in the Original Timeline, Xiao Yan had done it for three whole years!

Returning to the matter at hand, Xiao Xun'er nodded slightly upon hearing Chen Cang's proposed solution. Young as she was, she understood the seriousness of the issue.

"I understand. Thank you, Brother Chen Cang. If I have questions in the future, may I come ask you?"

"Of course, provided they're within my capabilities."

"Mhm~"

Both Chen Cang and Xiao Xun'er were pleased with the results of their first encounter.

As for nourishing Xiao Xun'er's meridians himself, Chen Cang had not offered today, nor would he ever offer in the future.

When Xiao Yan did it, those stubbornly defending him could explain it away with "he was young, so it wasn't that complicated." But if Chen Cang did the same, there really would be no explaining it.

Admittedly, he was an ordinary man too, and the thought of living off a woman had crossed his mind. But at the very least, he would only act on it after Xiao Xun'er had grown up.

If he laid hands on her now, that would be rather perverted. He would practically be less human than the Soul Hall.

That night.

Chen Cang sat cross-legged on his bed, but he was not cultivating.

He was sorting through the day's gains.

Because time had been limited earlier, he had selectively read only a portion of Xiao Xun'er's memories, focusing on the things he needed most at present.

What did he need?

Cultivation methods, without a doubt!

Cultivation methods were also one of the key reasons Chen Cang now cultivated more slowly than before.

The Mid Black Tier cultivation method, Crimson Fire Refinement, was adequate for a Da Dou Shi, but that was all.

A higher-tier cultivation method would inevitably improve his cultivation speed!

That was why Chen Cang had gone straight for cultivation methods today.

The results had not disappointed him.

Although Xiao Xun'er had only recently begun Qi refining and had not yet met the requirements for practicing a cultivation method, Gu Yuan had clearly planned for a long stay when he sent her to the Xiao Clan. He had already prepared cultivation methods and Dou Techniques for her later use.

Chen Cang was fortunate, because Xiao Xun'er had read through the cultivation methods.

And not just one.

Heavenly Flame Art, a Low Earth Tier cultivation method.

Two Poles Flame Spirit Method, also Low Earth Tier!

"As expected of an Ancient Race. They're practically dripping with wealth. A little scraped from beneath their fingernails is already the greatest haul I've had in over a decade."

He had to admit that reincarnation was an art. Some people's starting points were heights others could struggle their entire lives to reach.

Moreover, Chen Cang knew perfectly well that Low Earth Tier was nowhere near the Gu Clan's limit. The only reason Xiao Xun'er did not have a higher-tier cultivation method was that, after forming her Dou Qi vortex, this would be the highest tier she could practice. Anything more would exceed what her meridians could withstand.

"She might have other Low Earth Tier cultivation methods she hasn't read yet, but anything higher... that's unlikely."

The same reasoning still applied: Gu Yuan could give them to her, but there was no need.

After all, Xiao Xun'er would not stay with the Xiao Clan forever. She would eventually return to the Gu Clan.

Besides, Chen Cang remembered that, while at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan had obtained a Mid Earth Tier cultivation method and passed it on to Xiao Xun'er. When she accepted it, she had said she could use it as a temporary stepping stone.

That also indirectly proved that the cultivation method Xiao Xun'er was practicing then was below Mid Earth Tier.

As for why Chen Cang remembered it so clearly?

It was because that cultivation method was one of the few things Xiao Yan had given Xiao Xun'er in the Original Timeline. Naturally, it had left a deep impression.

The sooner I switch, the sooner I can enjoy the benefits. There's no need to get greedy over other cultivation methods.

Having made his decision, Chen Cang immediately began comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the two cultivation methods.

Both were Low Earth Tier, so their quality went without saying. It was simply a matter of which suited him better.

Soon, Chen Cang reached a conclusion.

Heavenly Flame Art was more forceful.

Two Poles Flame Spirit Method was comparatively gentler.

Considering his preference for weapons such as spears and battle halberds, with their wide, sweeping attacks, Chen Cang already had his answer.

"You're the one!"

Without any further hesitation, he began switching cultivation methods immediately!