On the third day.
This time, Han Xuanji chose the task of cleaning the Scripture Repository.
Among the Thirteen Peaks of Divine Mystery, Spirit Elegance Peak now ranked near the bottom in strength, but it had once enjoyed great prosperity. Its foundations remained, and quite a few top-tier cultivation methods and Law Techniques could be found in its Scripture Repository.
Han Xuanji knew without thinking that this place was rich in Dao resonance, and that its Dao resonance was substantial.
As Han Xuanji cleaned by the entrance, he called out in his mind:
System, sign in!
[Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in at the Scripture Repository of Spirit Elegance Peak. You have obtained the cultivation method "True Scripture of Ascension."] [You may sign in at this location repeatedly.]
In an instant, countless memories flooded into Han Xuanji's mind like a torrent.
He immediately mastered the cultivation method and received its complete inheritance.
"A heaven-grade cultivation method?"
Han Xuanji was filled with wonder.
Cultivation methods were naturally divided into four grades: heaven, earth, mystic and yellow.
A method like the Divine Profound Qi Refinement Method was only yellow-grade. Once a cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, they had to switch methods.
A heaven-grade cultivation method, on the other hand, was profound beyond compare and could serve as the core inheritance of any sect. Each one had its own unique features.
Normally speaking,
methods were not to be passed on lightly.
Even among the Divine Profound Sect's True Disciples, few possessed the complete inheritance of a heaven-grade cultivation method. Yet he was only in the Qi Refining Realm and already had a complete heaven-grade inheritance that led straight to the Immortal Ascension Realm.
I'm invincible.
Han Xuanji was wild with joy.
The True Scripture of Ascension was exceptionally powerful even among heaven-grade cultivation methods. Cultivating it could improve one's physique, Root Bone and comprehension, while the spiritual power it refined was far stronger than that produced by ordinary methods.
Its only drawback was its extremely high aptitude requirement. Ordinary people might struggle even to grasp the basics, making it impossible to spread or popularize. Even when practiced by disciples usually called geniuses, the results left much to be desired.
But for Han Xuanji, who possessed the very best cultivation talent, it could not have been more suitable.
Back in his room,
Han Xuanji eagerly began circulating the True Scripture of Ascension. His Immortal's Aptitude and the memories transmitted by the system made his cultivation go very smoothly.
A long while later.
"This heaven-grade cultivation method really is badass."
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, a flash of delight in his gaze.
The Divine Profound Qi Refinement Method was decent, but it fell far short of a heaven-grade cultivation method.
It was completely outclassed in every respect.
No wonder the genius disciples of major sects could easily challenge opponents above their level.
Han Xuanji finally understood.
It was all stats and mechanics.
Time passed.
Over the next month, Han Xuanji signed in at various places rich in Dao resonance across Spirit Elegance Peak. Not only did his cultivation reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, but he also obtained quite a few treasures.
At an artifact forge, for example, he signed in and obtained a supreme-grade flying sword of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
At a medicinal garden, he signed in and obtained a hundred-year-old spirit fruit. After he ate it, its effects proved even better than those of a supreme-grade Qi Condensation Pill, allowing him to break through a whole layer at once.
After signing in for so long, however, Han Xuanji found that the Scripture Repository still had the strongest Dao resonance. Not only could he sign in repeatedly, but the rewards were all quite good.
He had obtained several heaven- and earth-grade cultivation methods through signing in.
Of the many methods, the strongest was the heaven-grade Flying Immortal Sword Instruction. It was profoundly wondrous, and although Han Xuanji had grasped some of its moves, his cultivation was too low to use them. So he had deliberately learned several mystic-grade sword instructions instead, and their power was quite good too.
Among the Movement Methods was a supreme earth-grade technique called the Heaven-Treading Step. At a profound level of mastery, one could tread upon the heavens in a single step and roam the world free and unfettered.
Among the body refining methods was the Undefeated Golden Body. Although it was only an earth-grade body refining method, its cultivation requirements were simple and it needed no particular treasures. Once mastered, its defense was astonishing, and the strength of one's fleshly body could rival that of a Spirit Transformation Demon Beast.
Of all the methods, the one that satisfied him most was an earth-grade Secret Method, the Myriad Phenomena Instruction.
It was a cultivation method for concealing one's cultivation.
Few people on Spirit Elegance Peak learned it, because it did little to improve combat strength and was as difficult to cultivate as a heaven-grade method.
After looking into it, however, Han Xuanji found that it truly had unique qualities worthy of its rating as an upper earth-grade cultivation method.
It could teach one to control one's power perfectly, down to the finest detail. At a profound level, one could even understand the power of all things. Hiding one's cultivation went without saying; one could also conceal one's presence or imitate that of others.
He had to admit, it was well suited to his Dao of lying low.
One day.
While carrying out a menial task, Han Xuanji overheard some disciples talking.
"I heard someone in the outer sect gained an insight in front of the Dao Comprehension Stele and broke through three realms on the spot. He amazed an inner-sect elder, and his outstanding comprehension earned him an exceptional promotion to inner disciple."
"That's incredible. If only I had comprehension like that."
"Yeah. His aptitude was already good, and his comprehension is that high too. How are the rest of us supposed to live?"
"Is the Dao Comprehension Stele really that amazing?"
Han Xuanji couldn't help coming over to ask.
An older disciple soon explained:
"Of course. The Dao Comprehension Stele has quite a history. One of our patriarchs brought it back from a secret realm dating to High Antiquity. An unparalleled genius from another sect once came here and contemplated the Dao for seven days, then comprehended an unparalleled cultivation method."
The Dao Comprehension Stele... sounds like its Dao resonance is substantial.
Han Xuanji thought this to himself, then asked where the stele was.
"You want to try too? It's right in front of the Instruction Hall. But in the past hundred years or so, hardly anyone has managed to comprehend anything worthwhile from it."
The disciple didn't laugh at Han Xuanji, but readily pointed out the location.
Han Xuanji nodded slightly and thanked him.
Come to think of it, he had asked some senior brothers before. Perhaps they had misunderstood him, because they had kept directing him to strange places, leaving him somewhat speechless.
He was a respectable person!
Before long, Han Xuanji arrived at Spirit Elegance Peak's Instruction Hall.
Whether because of the earlier rumors or not, quite a crowd had gathered around the Dao Comprehension Stele, trying to comprehend something from it.
Unfortunately, no one present had comprehended anything useful.
Everyone knew it was extraordinary, but without enough comprehension, they couldn't make sense of it even with it right in front of them.
Han Xuanji went over as well. The stele was a slab of green jade nearly two meters long, though he didn't know what material it was made of. It gave off an ancient, profound presence, and a line of text was carved into it.
"Profound arts endure ten thousand years, inheriting the righteous Qi of heaven and earth; the Dao's lineage spans a thousand ages, forging an immortal foundation that shall never perish."
"That's imposing!"
Han Xuanji marveled inwardly, then called out in his mind:
System, sign in.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in before the Dao Comprehension Stele. You have obtained the trait "Transcendent Comprehension."] [Transcendent Comprehension]: [Your comprehension is exceptionally high. When studying cultivation methods and Divine Abilities, you can see directly into their essence and complete what is missing.]
Incredible. Comprehension is perhaps the rarest talent in the cultivation world. In a sense, it even surpasses a Spirit Root.
Han Xuanji was overjoyed.
He knew very well how formidable geniuses with exceptional comprehension could be. Many people with originally mediocre aptitude had risen against the heavens precisely by relying on their comprehension, and the inheritances of some great experts also had high comprehension requirements.
It could be said that without sufficient comprehension, one couldn't even grasp the basics of certain powerful cultivation methods.
With Transcendent Comprehension, cultivating methods or Law Techniques would be much easier for him in the future.
The only pity was that he couldn't sign in here again.
Han Xuanji then spent some time studying the Dao Comprehension Stele. With his Transcendent Comprehension, he immediately discovered what made it extraordinary.
Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi Heart Instruction...
Han Xuanji recited the name silently.
Those who cultivated immortality must cultivate their hearts.
This cultivation method was quite profound. Although it did not help with combat strength or cultivation speed, it could improve one's State of Mind.
Just what I needed.
Han Xuanji also realized that everyone comprehended something different from the Dao Comprehension Stele.
He lacked neither resources nor cultivation methods, so he really ought to improve his State of Mind.
Because Han Xuanji gained his insight so quickly, the others noticed nothing unusual.
When they saw Han Xuanji leave, they all assumed he was just another disciple who had come to try his luck.
People like that were all too common; there was nothing unusual about them.
That afternoon.
Han Xuanji came to a cultivation peak with many spacious training grounds. Protective formations could be raised around the grounds to make cultivation convenient for the disciples.
Quite a few people came here to practice swordsmanship or Law Techniques, or to spar.
Most of those who came, however, were outer-sect disciples and menial disciples.
Han Xuanji soon spotted a place where a large crowd had gathered.
In the training area, Han Xuanji saw a young man practicing with a sword. The man wore blue robes with cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, the mark of an inner disciple.
Every swing of the long sword in his hand sent sword shadows whirling in a dazzling flurry, carrying an intangible sharpness. The disciples watching stayed well back, not daring to approach.
The crowd began to discuss it:
"Senior Brother Lin Dong really is impressive. He's already mastered the Wind Shadow Sword Instruction and reached the embryonic Sword Intent stage. He shouldn't be far from minor mastery of Sword Intent."
"Remember, the Wind Shadow Sword Instruction is a mystic-grade sword instruction. With mastery of it and Sword Intent on top, his strength is no small matter."
"Senior Brother Lin made a special trip here to demonstrate it. He's really put a lot of thought into this."
Sword Intent?
Han Xuanji was quite surprised.
It seemed Spirit Elegance Peak did have some genius disciples after all.
Sword cultivators were known for having the strongest attacks, and their attainment in the Sword Dao was divided into many levels.
The most basic was condensing Sword Qi. Many Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators could achieve this through diligent practice.
The next step was condensing Sword Force, which was quite profound. Most people were stuck at this stage.
Only after comprehending Sword Intent could one be said to have entered the halls of the Sword Dao.
Everyone's Sword Intent was different. Some comprehended the Dao of heaven and nature and followed the path of Five Elements Sword Intent, while others comprehended special kinds of Sword Intent and named them themselves. No Sword Intent was inherently higher or lower than another; there was only a difference in strength.
Even an ordinary Sword Intent of Geng Metal's sharpness, if comprehended to a profound enough level, might well cleave through the void and sweep everything aside.
A Golden Core Stage sword cultivator who could comprehend embryonic Sword Intent was already considered a genius. The power of their Sword Qi would increase greatly, and their attack power would rank among the best in their realm.
That was also why comprehension became increasingly important in later cultivation.
The Dao of cultivation contained many things of unfathomable mystery. Without comprehension, one might struggle to understand them in an entire lifetime.
But somehow, I don't think it's that hard.
Han Xuanji fell into thought. He then left and went to an uninhabited peak to cultivate on his own.
He replayed the swordsmanship Lin Dong had demonstrated in his mind, then quickly reproduced it. Before he knew it, he had grasped the key to Lin Dong's swordsmanship and, in passing, understood the true essence of his Sword Intent.
Sword Intent of Wind, graceful and nimble.
Is this Transcendent Comprehension?
Han Xuanji was secretly excited.
As things stood, his dream of becoming a sword immortal did not seem hard to achieve.
Over the course of the afternoon, Han Xuanji's Sword Dao attainment rose rapidly. He already possessed the inheritance of a heaven-grade sword art, and soon comprehended Sword Force.
Not long after,
he comprehended embryonic Sword Intent of his own.
Sword Intent was divided into several stages: embryonic Sword Intent, minor mastery, major mastery, perfection, profound mastery, domain formation and world creation...
So this is what it's like to be a genius?
Han Xuanji couldn't help marveling.
In the past, he had merely cultivated quickly. Even when the system transmitted the essentials of cultivation to him through sign-ins, he still had to spend time practicing and thinking them through.
Now he was truly an unparalleled heavenly genius. Things he had been unable to understand before became clear in an instant, and he could draw inferences from one example.
But I shouldn't lose myself in this. Cultivation is still the key.
Han Xuanji reminded himself to stay alert.
His own strength was what mattered, and his realm was the foundation.
It was time to start preparing for Foundation Establishment.
Although it required no tribulation, he couldn't be careless and had to treat it seriously.
He had heard that Foundation Establishment was the first step in cultivating immortality, and that preparing excellent spiritual items for it could put one a step ahead of others.