The pavilion stood tall and graceful before Xuan, its tiered levels blending seamlessly into the mountain landscape. The railings were adorned with understated patterns. Simple yet refined, its design reflected the sect's long history and commitment to cultivation.
At the base of the pavilion, a modest counter was tucked beside the grand entrance. Behind it sat an elder, his posture relaxed as he leafed through a worn book. His black robes, lined with subtle silver embroidery, identified him as a senior member of the sect. Every so often, disciples passing by would pause to display their tokens, some offering a brief nod of respect, while others moved past in silence.
As Xuan approached, he nodded politely and presented his sect token—a small, polished medallion bearing the insignia of a coiled spider etched in silver. On the back side, his name, "Xuan," was engraved in sharp, precise lettering, marking the token as uniquely his.
The elder glanced up from his book, his eyes narrowing briefly as they flicked to the token. "Core disciple?" he asked, his tone curious but not unfriendly. His gaze lingered for a moment on Xuan's figure—particularly his missing arm. "I don't think I've seen you before," he added thoughtfully. He would definitely remember a one-armed core disciple.
"It's my first visit." Xuan replied, his voice calm.
The elder nodded, setting his book down and gesturing toward the pavilion's entrance. "Two hours, that's the time limit for everyone—core disciple or not. You're allowed to choose one cultivation manual to take with you. I'll register it under your name when you leave."
Xuan nodded his thanks, but the elder wasn't finished. Leaning back slightly, he gestured toward the towering pavilion. "Since it's your first time, here's how it works. The pavilion has four levels. The first floor houses Low Mortal-grade manuals. The second floor holds Mid Mortal-grade manuals, and the third floor is for High Mortal-grade ones. Finally, the fourth floor contains the Earth-grade manuals."
He paused, his sharp eyes meeting Xuan's. "As a core disciple, you're permitted to access the fourth floor."
---
As Xuan stepped through the entrance of the pavilion, his footsteps echoed faintly against the polished stone floor. The interior was expansive, with an open design that revealed the spiraling staircases leading to higher levels. Shelves lined the walls, each meticulously arranged with jade slips and scrolls. The faint hum of activity greeted him as he glanced around, taking in the scene on the first floor.
Here, servant disciples moved quietly, their plain robes marking them as the lowest rank within the sect. They scanned the shelves with focused expressions, some whispering to one another as they examined jade slips. The manuals on this floor were Low Mortal-grade. These manuals were designed to guide cultivators through the earliest realms, providing a structured foundation for those who had recently unlocked their dantian.
Manuals were categorized into grades, which determined how far they could guide a cultivator through the cultivation realms. Broadly, they were divided into Mortal-grade and Earth-grade, with each grade further split into Low, Mid, and High tiers.
A Low Mortal-grade manual offered guidance through the first true realm of cultivation: the Spiritual Vein Realm. While the Qi Sensing and Node Unlocking Realm served as the starting point for all cultivators, they were not considered a proper cultivation realm, as they merely utilized unrefined 'wild' qi. In contrast, the Spiritual Vein Realm marked the beginning of true cultivation. At this stage, wild qi was drawn into the dantian, refined into a cultivator's own qi, and circulated through newly formed pathways, strengthening the body's ability to guide and control energy.
Higher-class manuals, such as Mid Mortal-grade manuals, extended beyond the Spiritual Vein Realm. These manuals not only guided cultivators through the refinement and circulation of qi but also provided techniques to progress into the next cultivation realm. Similarly, each successive grade of manual unlocked access to additional realms, offering cultivators a structured path to greater power.
However, the grade of a manual was only part of its value. Equally important was its level, which determined the quality and potency of the qi it refined. Manuals were classified into three levels:
The first level refined Primary Qi, indiscriminately absorbing all elemental qi from the environment. This resulted in weak and unfocused energy. While accessible to nearly all cultivators, this lack of refinement made it inefficient for combat or advanced cultivation.
The second level refined Elemental Qi, filtering the absorbed energy to focus exclusively on a specific element, such as fire, water, or earth. This purification process yielded significantly stronger and purer qi, enhancing the effectiveness and power of techniques. Manuals at this level were prized by cultivators with strong elemental affinities.
At the pinnacle, the third level refined Unique Qi, transforming the specialized elemental qi into a distinct form tied to the manual's principles. This transformation produced potent, concentrated qi with unique properties, granting power far superior to those of lower levels. However, such manuals demanded a solid foundation and precise elemental compatibility to be cultivated effectively.
These distinctions made choosing a cultivation manual a deeply personal decision. Simply picking the highest-grade or highest-level manual wasn't always the best choice. For example, a Level 2 Low Mortal-grade manual specializing in fire qi could still be less effective for a cultivator without fire affinity than a Level 1 Low Mortal-grade manual. A poorly matched manual would hinder progress, forcing the cultivator to spend excessive time refining qi or struggling to harmonize with it.
But choosing a manual wasn't a permanent decision. In fact, switching cultivation methods, as Xuan had read in the notes left at his quarters, was common practice among cultivators as they progressed. However, the process came with significant challenges. All previously refined qi had to be painstakingly converted to match the properties of the new manual, requiring both time and effort. During this transition, cultivators were often left temporarily weaker and vulnerable.
Additionally, switching was only feasible between manuals with similar elemental properties. For instance, transitioning from a fire-based manual to a water-based one was nearly impossible. Because of this, most cultivators chose manuals that closely aligned with their elemental strengths, ensuring smoother progress and avoiding unnecessary setbacks.
Xuan ascended the spiraling staircase, the details from the information he'd studied at his quarters swirling in his mind. Step by step, the echoes of activity from the lower floors faded into the background.
Reaching the fourth floor, he paused for a moment, taking in the stillness. The space was eerily quiet, the air heavy with the weight of the knowledge stored here. Shelves sparsely lined with jade slips containing Low Earth-grade manuals stretched before him, their faint glow hinting at the power within. Unlike the bustling second floor, filled with outer disciples, or the third, where inner disciples moved with focused intent, this floor was completely empty—save for him.
Xuan took a deep breath, stepping further into the quiet, almost reverent atmosphere of the fourth floor. His eyes scanned the shelves, mentally counting the jade slips as he moved along. Eleven manuals in total were spread across the shelves—each one glowing faintly with its own distinct energy.
He noticed the breakdown almost immediately: two Level 3 manuals, eight Level 2 manuals, and a single Level 1 manual. But the rarity of Level 1 manuals at this grade didn't surprise him; most cultivators didn't see the value in further developing such basic techniques, considering their inherent inefficiency.
Naturally, Xuan's attention was drawn to the Level 3 manuals first:
Blazing Ascension Method
Grade: Low Earth
Level: 3 (Unique Qi)
Element: Fire
This manual refined fire qi into "Inferno Qi," a volatile and aggressive form designed for overwhelming force, emphasizing sheer power. The qi produced was capable of incinerating enemies in an instant. However, its volatile nature demanded precise control, and it drained qi reserves at an alarming rate.
Mountainhold Scripture
Grade: Low Earth
Level: 3 (Unique Qi)
Element: Earth
This manual transformed earth qi into "Bastion Qi," a dense and unyielding form of qi that excelled in defense. The manual's qi boasted unparalleled resilience, allowing cultivators to endure attacks far beyond their normal limits. However, its slower qi circulation made it less suited for agile or offensive strategies.
Xuan considered the manuals carefully, his mind running through the affinities he had displayed during testing. While he had shown incredible compatibility with both fire and earth qi, neither method felt right. Both manuals required specialized approaches—fire for its high precision and aggression, earth for its methodical resilience—but neither seemed to fully match his wishes.
He hesitated for a moment longer before turning toward the other shelves.
Xuan's thoughts returned to the testing orbs from the pavilion. The wind and water orbs had shattered under the strain of his simultaneous absorption and refinement, proving that his affinities for those elements were far beyond ordinary. Clearly realizing, that that was where his strength lay, he began searching the shelves for manuals specializing in wind or water qi.
One by one, he examined the jade slips, skimming their descriptions. None seemed to stand out at first—each focused solely on a single element, which left him wanting more. However, as his eyes moved further down the row, one manual caught his attention.
Frozen Gale Codex
Grade: Low Earth
Level: 2 (Elemental Qi)
Elements: Wind and Water
This manual uniquely combined wind and water qi, refining them into a seamless flow of energy. Its qi was characterized by incredible agility and adaptability, capable of shifting between explosive bursts of power and a steady, unyielding flow. The manual's qi emphasized balance, utilizing the complementary nature of wind and water to overwhelm opponents with speed and versatility.
Xuan's gaze lingered on the jade slip. Wind and water—his most exceptional affinities. The method seemed almost tailor-made for him. However, as he held the manual, he couldn't help but glance back toward the section of Level 3 manuals.
He weighed his options carefully.
Level 3 manuals, such as the {Mountainhold Scripture} or {Blazing Ascension Method}, were on an entirely different level of refinement. They didn't just enhance elemental qi; they transformed it into something completely unique. The {Mountainhold Scripture}, with its impenetrable Bastion Qi, could make a cultivator virtually unbreakable in defense. The {Blazing Ascension Method}, with its volatile Inferno Qi, could unleash devastating power capable of overwhelming even seasoned cultivators in moments. The qi from these manuals carried properties that could redefine a cultivator's combat potential, granting unparalleled strength that no Level 2 manual could hope to match.
On the other hand, while the {Frozen Gale Codex} was only Level 2, its synergy with his unique affinities made it an ideal fit for him. It promised fluidity and versatility—qualities that resonated with the style he envisioned for himself.
For a moment, he stood in silent contemplation, the two paths diverging before him. Finally, he took a deep breath and made his decision.