Shu He spent the next half an hour considering his choices, he went ahead and looked over the Water, Fire and Normal technique sections to see what options he had available there, each element had its own specialties so he did see many techniques that he would like to acquire in the future, fire type techniques focus on power and destruction generally but he could see a lot of use for fire in general, so he would definitely pick one up later when he had the points to spare, water on the other hand focuses on freedom of flow, resistance from abundance, it's a more neutral element that is very adaptive.
In the end Shu He decided to stick with the Wood element, its nature of growth and binding stimulates the ideas of his mind, and he feels it's very suited for him and his archery, plus since it's his highest compatibility he would have the easiest time learning it.
He discussed even more with the stone faced elder that still hadn't given his name, although it was hard to get him to answer he soon realised whenever he asked important questions about cultivation he received some great information.
'I thought he was just a grumpy old man, but he's incredibly generous with his help! No wonder they have him stationed here in the techniques depository' He thought as he asked questions with joy.
After much debate, he ended up choosing Vernal Growth as his first technique; The more he learned about it from the old man the more he realised it was a technique with a low skill floor, but the ceiling was almost limitless, what mattered was how he decided to use it and what materials he would use.
He already had a clear idea in mind, but he would need a lot of practice to put it in to action, he wasn't sure if he would make it in time for the tournament in a little less than a months' time, but he decided he would give it a good shot.
'Since that's decided, I need a cultivation technique' He moved over to the other section on the first floor, like the combat techniques the cultivation techniques were sorted in to the 5 elements and a neutral category, but the difference was the overwhelming majority sat in the neutral category; That and the amount of cultivation techniques overall was far less than the amount of combat techniques.
He had discussed them more with the elder as well.
"Why do we need cultivation techniques? I've been cultivating fine just through meditation without one" He asked curiously.
The elder shook his head "Ignorant, all you've needed to do so far is absorb Qi without much direction; Cultivation techniques can provide a much better way of absorbing Qi, new ways to extract Qi and grant unique boons that could help you in various ways, you'd be crippling yourself if you went without one".
"Then why didn't we get given one before Meridian Awakening?"
"Simple, the control and externalisation granted through that stage are required to use the techniques" He explained.
Shu He's eyes lit up in realisation.
'Right, that's why he said all we did was absorb qi, we didn't direct it outside of initially awakening the meridians'.
The elder walked over to the shelf filled to the brim with scrolls and picked one up.
"This is a popular method that a lot of disciples use". He held out a white scroll.
'A neutral element?' Shu He took it from him and looked at the name.
''Two Celestials Method'? sounds impressive' he unfurled the scroll until it locked itself and read the brief description that said –
Absorb the light from the two celestials, the Moon and Sun, converting it to a powerful source of Qi while creating wellsprings of Yin and Yang energies inside your body.
"It seems quite simple… I can see why people use this, the Yin and Yang energies would be useful in the 4th stage of cultivation no?" He mentioned, hoping to get confirmation from the elder.
The elder nodded, a look of approval rested in his eyes "It seems you know already, very good; Will you choose this technique?"
Shu He looked at the scroll in his hands but felt apprehensive "I think I'll look at my choices first, I want to know what my options are" He placed the scroll back its position for now.
"Very well, I've helped you enough for now so you should be able to make a choice on your own." The old man began walking away to return to his desk.
"Thank you for your help! If I may so ask, Senior, what is your name?" He said while he had the chance.
The elder looked back at him with a raised brow before chuckling slightly "Wu Zhong" he calmly spoke before taking a seat at the desk and picking up a scroll, unfurling it to read leaving Shu He on his own.
Shu He looked back at the shelved and began skimming the scrolls – Like before he was only looking at the Wood element techniques and the neutral element ones, he didn't even consider Fire or Water this time because a cultivation technique was different from a combat technique, they could affect his body permanently, so he needed to choose the most suitable one.
After a while he managed to pick out three that seemed to be the most useful.
'Nature's Blessing Method calls upon the surrounding vegetation and steadily absorb the Qi inside of it'.
'Bountiful Harvest Method, consume plant life and converting it to Qi, increases benefits brought about by consuming specific plants'.
'Withering Grasp Method, wilt and absorb the energy of plant life you touch, converting it to Qi and Wood Qi.'
The three were similar at a glance, the first is a rather neutral method that specifically absorbs extra Qi from surrounding plant life to bolster your cultivation.
The second is a rather expensive method since you will need to consume the plants, it's likely not too pleasant either depending on the material but it seems it could bring about unique benefits.
The third is probably the most expensive overall since you'll be completely destroying the plants, but the benefit is producing Wood Qi from them which would help for those that use Wood techniques and don't have a special cultivation method to convert their core flame.
However, Shu He frowned.
'These methods don't really seem to provide much outside of Qi absorption, the rest are all fairly basic like these ones as well, is it because this is the first level?' He put the three he had picked up back, he didn't really feel like using them over the Two Celestials Method Elder Wu had shown him.
The neutral section wasn't much better, there was a technique that turned great amounts of food in to Qi, unusual Qi compression and attraction methods that used unique materials, surprisingly he even found a method that used a recipe similar to the Qi Absorption Paste he had learned to make back when he was a child, he couldn't see the whole thing but he assumed it would be slightly different based on your level of cultivation so that did interest him.
'It's looking more and more like the Two Celestials Method is the best… seems the Elder clearly knows what he is talking about'.
However, just at that moment his eyes skimmed past a scroll that caught his attention.
'Sacred Body's Grand Cycle Method' The long title was one of the reasons he became interested, but the name mentioning the word body was the other.
He picked it up out of curiosity and read the short description –
Turn one's body into a sacred receptacle for elements, compress ones Qi according to the method and infuse it into your body, once a cycle is completed your Qi flow, capacity and absorption rate will increase; There is a chance for your elemental compatibility will improve after each cycle.
Shu He stared at the words finding it hard to believe that such a unique technique was here, so much so that he walked over to the desk with it and placed it in front of the Elder with questioning eyes.
"What's wrong with this technique?" He asked, believing it was too good to be true.
Wu Zhong looked up from the scroll he was reading and glanced at the name on the scroll Shu He put down before shaking his head "Absolutely nothing, we wouldn't store faulty techniques here".
"But it seems so much more… useful than the other techniques, it must have a disadvantage" Shu he replied, still filled with doubts.
"A disadvantage is not a fault, there's a good reason why it's here on the first level; It takes too much time" The stone faced elder replied.
"Too much time?" Shu He repeated, his face filled with confusion.
'Isn't cultivation meant to take time?' He thought to himself.
"The Sacred Body is the saying we use for those we title 'Children of the Elements', you've heard this before right?" Wu Zhong asked.
Shu He paused and scoured his mind before answering with doubt "I.. think? Elder Su might have mentioned it during our exam".
He barely managed to recall it since it was a fleeting discussion, but he eventually recalled it was a title for those that have reached 'Divine' compatibility with an element.
"This technique was named after that, the main aim is to increase ones compatibility and the other benefits are just a side effect from the process, however the amount of time that is needed to complete a cycle is incredibly excessive and there are no benefits until a cycle is completed."
"How long are we talking exactly?" Shu He asked cautiously.
"A couple of years for the first cycle at the earliest usually, subsequent cycles take increasingly longer, this is the reason few people try it" The elder stated which made Shu He pause, finding the time frame hard to accept.
'Such a long time with no results… it's no wonder people avoid it' His eyes flittered over the scroll.
It would make perfect sense for him to abandon the technique.
But…
The sense of wonder Shu He felt when reading the description, the promise of great benefits, and most of all; Shu He wasn't in a rush, he had a long-term goal when it came to his life, but it wasn't going to run away from him, he had no goal to complete in short term.
A technique that took long to cultivate didn't actually dissuade him that much.
'But the Two Celestials Method will prove useful for breaking through to Balance Attainment…' He became anguished as his mind was split between the two techniques, struggling to decide.
He heard a sigh as he looked up to the elder.
"If you can't decide between them, then just pick one now and get the other later".
Shu He's eyes widened "They can be used together?!"
"These two yes, as long as their use doesn't clash cultivation techniques can be simultaneously cultivated" He explained.
Shu He almost jumped in joy, his decision had been made for him; He ran back to the shelf and picked up the scroll for the Two Celestials Method and placed it on the desk along with the scroll for Vernal Growth.
"I'll take these two then!"
'Since the other is a long-term method, it makes sense to pick up the one that provides benefits on the short term'.
The Elder put the two scrolls on to a metal plate that flashed with colours then asked for his token, flashing that as well.
"Done".
Shu He happily stashed the two scrolls in his robe before thanking the elder.
"Do you know how much the other scroll costs?" Wu Zhong asked him, causing him to pause in place as sweat began dripping down his back realising he didn't even bother to check that.
He stumbled over and saw a small number on the corner of the scroll for the Sacred Body's Grand Cycle Method.
His eyeballs almost popped out of his sockets.
'2000 points?!!!!!!' He almost fainted on the spot, looking over at the elder.
"C-can I switch?" He asked meekly.
"The transaction is complete" The elder denied him.
He felt a tear fall from his eye for the future points he would have to spend here.
'Or… I can win 1st place; I'll be able to get it for free then!' He became filled with renewed vigour as he went back to plan for the tournament.