Mortal: Starting by joining the Falling Cloud Sect

Fairy Yaoyin rose, led Zhou Qing away from the waterside pavilion, and dismissed Song Yu.

The two went to Fairy Yaoyin's library one after the other.

On the way, Fairy Yaoyin asked Zhou Qing what type of cultivation technique he wanted to choose.

As is widely known, the cultivation techniques practiced by cultivators in this world can be divided into three categories based on their power and effects.

Each of these types of exercises has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The first type of cultivation method results in a slightly slower rate of improvement in magical power, but these methods often come with powerful supernatural abilities and methods for defeating enemies. Therefore, cultivators who practice this type of method are often very strong in combat, and sometimes they can still defeat their enemies even if their cultivation level is lower.

The second type of cultivation method is the opposite. It is easy to learn and practice, and cultivators who practice this type of method can improve their magical power very quickly. However, one cannot have both fish and bear's paw. This type of method also has its drawbacks, namely, it basically lacks any powerful self-defense methods, and the power of its supernatural abilities is pitifully small. Therefore, cultivators who choose to study this type of method often suffer in combat.

Even so, many cultivators still choose to practice this kind of technique, because practicing it gives them a sliver of hope of advancing to the Core Formation stage.

Zhou Qing believed that if he were an ordinary cultivator, he would also choose to cultivate this type of technique.

Even if you can't beat a cultivator of the same level, you can still fight against a lower-level cultivator. There has never been a tradition in the cultivation world that requires equal combat.

Moreover, the outcome of a battle often depends on many factors. If external objects such as magic weapons, formations, and talismans are used properly, they can also help defeat the enemy.

The third category of cultivation methods consists of top-tier cultivation techniques sought after by many cultivators. These top-tier methods not only possess the advantage of rapid cultivation speed but also contain numerous incredibly powerful and unpredictable supernatural abilities.

However, cultivating these methods is also difficult. Not only are there numerous restrictions and difficulties in obtaining them, but the process is also often extremely dangerous. Unless one believes themselves to have exceptional talent or is a descendant of a high-level cultivator, they generally dare not easily cultivate such methods. Therefore, most ordinary cultivators both love and fear them.

Zhou Qing believed that although his talent could not compare to those favored by heaven with heavenly spiritual roots, extraordinary spiritual roots, or special physiques, he possessed a powerful tool that even these chosen ones did not have. Therefore, if he could encounter a top-tier cultivation technique that suited him, he would never miss it.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing carefully considered his words and expressed his wishes to Fairy Yaoyin in a rather tactful way.

After listening, Fairy Yaoyin didn't show much reaction on her face, she just nodded lightly.

The two walked through a corridor and arrived at the outside of a small attic.

Fairy Yaoyin stopped and unleashed a burst of spiritual energy in front of the pavilion, instantly creating a large array in front of Zhou Qing.

A moment later, the formation revealed an opening, and the two of them followed the opening into the pavilion.

Upon entering the pavilion and going straight up to the second floor, Fairy Yaoyin led Zhou Qing through another barrier before finally entering the library.

This library, though small in size, is decorated with great elegance. A low table is paired with a plain-colored cushion, and on each side is a display shelf, filled with all kinds of jade slips, pages, books, and bamboo scrolls, shimmering with different colors of light.

"Zhou Qing, you have both fire and wood spiritual roots. You can choose any of those cultivation techniques that are covered in red and cyan light. The cultivation techniques you want are basically on the left shelf." After saying that, Fairy Yaoyin waved her sleeve, and those cultivation techniques covered in red and cyan light floated out of the antique shelf and floated in the air.

After doing all this, Fairy Yaoyin sat on the futon, while Zhou Qing walked to the antique shelf on the left and reached out to pick up a jade slip covered with a red glow.

Zhou Qing possesses dual spiritual roots of fire and wood, allowing him to choose between fire-attribute and wood-attribute cultivation techniques.

However, he still preferred fire-attribute techniques.

This jade slip contains a fire-attribute cultivation technique called "Ten Chapters of Crimson Flame," which can be cultivated to the early Nascent Soul stage and belongs to the second category of cultivation techniques.

Therefore, the supernatural power of this technique is not particularly mysterious; it can only condense a flame armor with raging flames, which will damage any swords or magical artifacts that come into contact with it, and can also slightly heal one's own injuries.

It's a little trick to save your life.

Zhou Qing didn't like the manual and quickly put it back in its original place, turning to grab another page.

The cultivation technique on this page is called "Great Sun True Fire Technique." Its content is significantly more profound than the previous "Ten Chapters of Crimson Flame," with a full thirteen levels. It can be cultivated to the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, making it a truly top-tier cultivation technique.

The supernatural abilities attached to it are also very powerful. One of them, called Crimson Flame Thorn, can compress and hammer the spiritual flame controlled by a cultivator into a finger-sized spike. Once fired, it is unstoppable. Moreover, the stronger the spiritual flame controlled by the cultivator, the more powerful the spike will be.

Another supernatural ability called Flying Flame Stepping Through the Sky allows cultivators to condense a cloud of flames around their bodies, which not only increases their flight speed but also protects them.

Zhou Qing considered this technique as a potential option and temporarily set it aside.

Next, Zhou Qing looked at seven or eight more cultivation techniques. Although they were all good, they were all inferior to the "Great Sun True Fire Technique".

When Zhou Qing saw a fiery red jade slip, his gaze was completely drawn to it.

The jade slip looked somewhat ancient, suggesting it was quite old. However, what caught Zhou Qing's attention even more was that this jade slip was noticeably longer than the others.

This unusual sight immediately reminded Zhou Qing of the jade slip he had obtained from the ancient cultivator's storage bag. It was also much longer than the ordinary jade slips of today, except that one was emerald green and the other was fiery red.

But that emerald green jade slip has a hidden secret; the jade slip is merely an external disguise. Since it is a disguise, the color becomes less important.

Just because the two jade slips are exactly the same length, can we be sure that there is a secret involved?

Zhou Qing couldn't guarantee it.

"Should I take the gamble?" Zhou Qing asked himself, pondering for a while before finally making up his mind. "I'll gamble! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If it doesn't work out, I can always find another cultivation method."

After making his decision, Zhou Qing probed the jade slip with his divine sense. Sure enough, there was a hazy, wall-like structure within the jade slip.

However, this time the wall was inscribed with a lot of information, which was a cultivation technique.

After carefully reading it, Zhou Qing discovered that this cultivation technique was actually a top-tier technique, second only to the "Great Sun True Fire Technique" compared to the techniques he had seen before.

This situation gave Zhou Qing even more confidence.

If the jade slip contains only a very ordinary and simple cultivation technique, the cultivator who obtains it will not care about it at all, and may even discard it over time.

It is precisely because it contains a top-tier cultivation technique that the cultivators who obtain this jade slip cherish it greatly.

Zhou Qing remembered that he had used his divine sense to break through the restriction and his spiritual power to destroy the jade slip before he discovered the silk hidden inside.

Thinking about it this way, the person who made this jade slip wanted it to be passed down, but also didn't want the truth within it to be easily discovered.

It has a sense of a wise and enlightened person leaving behind a legacy, seeking a destined person to receive it!

After making his choice, Zhou Qing took the red jade slip and walked towards Fairy Yaoyin.

"Master, I've made my choice. This is the cultivation technique I want."

Upon hearing this, Fairy Yaoyin glanced at the jade slip in Zhou Qing's hand, her brows furrowing. She said, "Zhou Qing, I've never liked interfering with my disciples' choices before, but now I have to say a few words. I previously took in two disciples whose aptitudes were similar to yours, and one of them even possessed a special physique. However, when choosing cultivation techniques, they, like you, opted for top-tier techniques. Unfortunately, the results were unsatisfactory, and both passed away prematurely."

After saying that, she sighed deeply and asked seriously, "I'll ask you one more time, are you really going to choose this top-tier cultivation technique?"

"Thank you for your instructions, Master. I have made my decision and will choose this cultivation technique!" Zhou Qing replied respectfully. He could sense Fairy Yaoyin's deep meaning, but he had his own convictions and would not give up easily.

"Alright. I hope you cultivate carefully and don't repeat the mistakes of your two senior sisters." With that, Fairy Yaoyin led Zhou Qing out of the pavilion.