The shopkeeper could clearly see through Ang's lies. He saw many youngsters overestimating themselves and losing their cores, only to start everything from scratch. He did try to warn him, but the youngster before him was outright lying. Since this would only be a loss of money and time for the cultivator, he decided to sell the pills to him. "After all, what is the worth of showing kindness if others do not receive it well?" he thought to himself.
After he showed the pills to Ang, he explained the basics needed for Ang to decide on the pills he wanted to buy.
Ang examined the pills carefully while simultaneously recalling his memories. Mastering one element can be beneficial in the short run, as it would make him extremely compatible with that element. As a result, no one with a diverse elemental Qi could match him at the same level, but there are many limitations. His proficiency would decrease with all other elements. One can absorb any Qi with a natural core, but as one leans towards a specific Qi element, the core also slowly becomes a Qi-specific core and loses the ability to absorb other forms of Qi. This means if one cultivates a Fire Qi core, then they need to be near hot places with a lot of Fire Qi, or their cultivation will slow down by a huge margin. However, this does not apply to Air/Wind Qi, as it is present everywhere. Although it has its own drawbacks, this is the closest element to the natural state of the core. So, cultivators usually lean towards the Air Qi path once they start cultivating.
The cultivators also do not have any other option, as maintaining the natural state requires a lot of time and effort. One needs to collect all types of Qi in one's body to break through. If one needs to break through to the next level in a natural state, then their core should contain equal amounts of Qi that belong to all the Qi elements. This is a lot harder as one needs to constantly move between places that contain these types of Qi. It is a lot easier to collect the wind Qi, which is always around them.
As Ang examined the pills, he discovered two that caught his attention. He pointed at them and asked the shopkeeper for details.
Shopkeeper: The dark Multi-colored pill blends all four natural elements almost equally. It is the best choice to follow the true natural path, and this will cost you 1000 gold. The bright white pill is made from 95% pure Air Qi heard. This is the choice of the cultivators to go for, and this will cost you 1500 gold.
Ang was taken aback usually, the blend of all four elements must be costlier as they are rare pills, but this shop keeper is selling them for cheaper.
The shopkeeper understood perplexed reaction from Ang and replied, "Even though the four-element blend pills are rare, the ingredients are easy to find as the required Qi of each element is only 25%, which can be achieved by mixing multiple herbs available normally in the market. But to make a pill of a specific Qi element, one needs to have rare herbs. Although the quality and rarity might change based on the tier and age of the pill."
Ang was surprised for a moment. "Doesn't that mean the major pill makers are shaming the buyers?" he asked.
"Not really. The demand for them is so low that many small pill makers don't even bother stocking up on them. So whoever has a stock sells them at a high price. I think it is normal. My price is low because I already have a couple of customers who buy them regularly, and I want to retain them, " said the shopkeeper with a smile.
His smile might be genuine, but due to the dark circles and bone-like body frame, it looked really creepy.
"Thank you for the clarification", said Ang.
"If that is the case, I think i can follow the natural path without any issues.", thought Ang.
System: I would not suggest that.
Ang: Why, isn't it better than following the Air Qi?
System: theoretically, yes. But practically, it is impossible to follow the natural state of Qi.
Ang was surprised and asked, "What do you mean by impossible? Although few have obtained mastery over all four elements."
System: Unlike what many think, the natural state doesn't just include the four elements of Water, Air, Land and Fire. They are just physical elements. The natural state also includes elements like darkness, light and many others. The world will create a natural state core containing all types of Qi that exist. It is to provide a choice for the cultivator. It gives a cultivator the ability to follow whichever path he chooses. Every cultivator eventually realizes the limitations and starts to focus on one or two Elements.
Ang was even more surprised by this information. "Doesn't that mean its pointless to try and maintain a natural core?"
System: Yes, it is pointless. Even though one can control many elements in nature with multiple Qi states at their core, their effectiveness is greatly diminished. The more Qi states forming a core, the weaker the cultivator actually is. That is also the main reason why apprentice warriors are very weak.
Ang: Then I guess I just escaped from a misfortune. Thank you, System.
System: ...
Ang: Then should i go with an Air Qi Pill?
System: Even though it is fast when compared to cultivating all elements, the cultivation speed is slower that other elements.
Ang: Then what is it that you suggest?
System: Please find the below information:
1) Fire Cultivation: It gives an added advantage to the use of fire arts. Cultivation speed is the highest compared to other elements. One can only cultivate in the presence of heat.
2) Water: It gives an added advantage to the use of water arts. Its cultivation speed is moderate compared to that of the fire element. One can only cultivate in the presence of moisture.
3) Land: It gives an added advantage to the use of ground arts. Its cultivation speed is slower than that of the fire and water elements. One can cultivate aslong as they are in contact with land.
4) Air: It gives an added advantage to the use of wind arts. Its cultivation speed is slower than that of other elements. One can cultivate as long as one can breathe.
Ang: Hmm... considering the elements, I could say that each has its own advantages. In my past life i followed the path of Fire, combined with the blood of beasts. This made me one of the strongest grand masters in the continent but it did not end well. Since I want to follow a different approach this time, I will let the path of fire pass.
System: The path one chooses also affects one's temperament. In the case of Fire, it's anger and Rage.
Ang: I guessed that much. But what about the other path of Qi.
System: Each element has its own preferences, so when one tunes in to their preferences, they tend to support them more than usual. As such, cultivators usually change their temperament based on the paths they choose.
Fire: Anger or Rage. If a cultivator is under immense Anger or Rage, they obtain an immense burst of power.
Water: Calm and flexible. If one can maintain this state of mind, their control over water element Arts and their cultivation speed will increase.
Land: Stable and Resolute. If one can stick to one's beliefs and act upon them with absolute confidence, then one's control over the Ground element Arts and cultivation speed increase.
Air: Path to freedom. One needs to stay unrestrained and unbound to obtain complete control over Air element Arts and increase their cultivation speed.
System: If mastered completely, every element is equally powerful. So you don't need to worry about lack of power in the long run. Instead, focus on the type of path you want to choose.