Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Thick Earth Technique: Earth Attribute. Cultivates a stable and heavy Inner Qi, excelling in defense with immense power, though it lacks some agility.

Red Sun Skill: Fire Attribute. Cultivates a scorching and ferocious Inner Qi with extreme explosive power and a fierce offense, but it places a heavy strain on the meridians.

Flowing Heart Skill: Water Attribute. Cultivates an enduring and flexible Inner Qi, granting strong stamina for prolonged battles and possessing some healing properties, but its Attack Power is relatively weak.

Geng Metal Technique: Metal Attribute. Cultivates an incomparably sharp Inner Qi with extreme penetrating power, but its cultivation is accompanied by the side effect of pain.

Changchun Skill: Wood Attribute. Brimming with vitality. Cultivators can prolong their lives and have strong recovery abilities, but it is mediocre in both offense and defense.

Cold Ice Technique: Ice Attribute. Cultivates a bone-chillingly cold Inner Qi that can slow an opponent’s movements and even freeze their qi and blood, but it requires an environment of ice and snow to achieve the best cultivation results.

Thunder Shocking Technique: Thunder Attribute. Cultivates a swift and fierce Inner Qi that possesses both speed and explosive power. The cultivation difficulty is extremely high, and improper cultivation can easily lead to bodily harm.

...

Fang Han read through them carefully. Considering his own proficiency in Swordsmanship and Step Techniques, as well as his pursuit of speed and agility, he focused on Cultivation Techniques that leaned toward lightness and swiftness.

Finally, his gaze landed on the description of a Cultivation Technique called the Xunfeng Technique.

"Xunfeng Technique, patterned after the wind. A Middle Grade Inner Qi Cultivation Technique. Characteristics: Light, Swift."

"The Inner Qi cultivated from this method is pale green in color and pure in quality. When circulated, it flows like a gentle breeze, making the Cultivator’s Body Technique lighter and their attacks faster."

"Advantages: Provides a significant bonus to swift-style Martial Techniques such as Step Techniques and Swordsmanship. True Qi consumption is relatively low, making it suitable for prolonged, mobile combat."

"Disadvantages: Its defensive properties are relatively weak."

"Cultivation Requirements: None"

"Evaluation: A speed-type Cultivation Technique with considerable potential. An excellent choice for Martial Artists who follow paths such as Body Techniques, Hidden Weapons, and Fast Sword."

"Required Contribution Points: Two hundred."

***

"This is it!"

Fang Han made his decision.

The characteristics of the Xunfeng Technique were extremely compatible with his Xunfeng Swordsmanship and Startled Swan Step, as if it was tailor-made for him.

As for its relatively weak defensive properties, that drawback had little effect on him. Since his style already focused on lightness and agility, he didn’t rely heavily on Inner Qi for defense anyway.

He closed the digest, walked to the counter, and said to the middle-aged Steward,

"Steward, I am a new disciple. I have one opportunity to borrow a Middle Grade Inner Qi Cultivation Technique for free, and I would like to use it to check out the Xunfeng Technique."

The middle-aged Steward glanced up at Fang Han and said impassively, "Identity Jade Token."

Fang Han hurriedly handed over his new disciple Identity Jade Token.

The middle-aged Steward took it and placed it on a black, inkstone-like object on the counter, its surface engraved with complex patterns. The object flashed faintly before the light died out.

"Wait here. Do not enter without permission."

After confirming the information, the middle-aged Steward handed the Jade Token back to Fang Han.

With that, he stood up, pushed open a small door behind the counter, and walked into the inner rooms of the library.

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn later, the middle-aged Steward returned. He was holding an age-worn booklet made from some kind of animal hide, with the title Xunfeng Technique written on the cover in a simple, ancient script.

"Take it."

The middle-aged Steward handed the Cultivation Technique booklet to Fang Han, warning him in a stern tone.

"According to Sect rules, Cultivation Techniques are for your personal study only. It is strictly forbidden to copy them privately or teach them to others. Violators will have their Cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Sect. In severe cases, they will be executed without question! Do not forget this!"

"I will remember and never dare to disobey!"

Fang Han accepted the Xunfeng Technique with both hands. Feeling the substantial weight of the booklet, his heart thrummed with excitement as he gave his solemn promise.

After thanking the middle-aged Steward, Fang Han, his heart filled with joy, turned and went downstairs. He left the Library Pavilion and retraced his steps back to his residence in the Sub-Branch.

Back in his room, he shut the door and eagerly took out the Xunfeng Technique manual.

He sat formally at his desk and began to carefully read and memorize the contents.

As a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique, the Xunfeng Technique was far more complex and profound than the Low Grade Pure Yuan Skill.

Not only were its circulation paths more intricate, involving a greater number of meridians and acupoints, but it also had extremely precise requirements for the speed, rhythm, and mental guidance of the circulating Inner Qi.

Fang Han was completely absorbed, studying every word and phrase while repeatedly simulating the complex circulation paths in his mind.

After more than four hours, Fang Han had finally committed the complete circulation paths, key principles, and precautions of the Xunfeng Technique to memory, ensuring he hadn’t missed a single detail.

’I can begin converting my technique now.’

He took a long, deep breath to calm his mind. Then, he sat cross-legged on his bed in the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, centered his focus, and slowly closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into his body. He first began to guide the wisp of pale white Inner Qi within his Dantian. This energy, cultivated from the Pure Yuan Skill, was relatively neutral and peaceful. He carefully started circulating it along the entirely new path prescribed by the Xunfeng Technique. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Because he had not cultivated the Pure Yuan Skill for long, his Inner Qi foundation was not considered deep, so the conversion process was smoother than expected.

However, the differences between the old and new circulation paths, along with the change in the Inner Qi’s nature, still caused some resistance and a slight, throbbing ache.

Fang Han maintained his focus, remaining calm and patient as he guided his Inner Qi to flush through and adapt to the new meridian paths.

More than two hours later, the aura around Fang Han’s body trembled slightly. The wisp of Inner Qi in his Dantian had completely transformed from pale white to a more vibrant and ethereal pale green.

It now circulated like a babbling brook, without the slightest hint of obstruction.

’The conversion was a success!’

Fang Han opened his eyes, and a flash of pale green light flickered in their depths before vanishing.

He gently clenched his fist. He could feel the pale green Inner Qi within him; although its volume hadn’t increased, it was clearly purer, more refined, and carried a distinct sense of ethereal lightness. A satisfied expression appeared on his face.

Although his Cultivation Realm was still the Early Stage of Ninth Grade, this leap in the quality of his Inner Qi would undoubtedly make it more effective at enhancing his body and his Martial Techniques.

If he went to test at the Martial Arts Stele now, he was confident that his rank would definitely rise by several places.

’I wonder how fast my Cultivation is now?’

A look of anticipation flickered in Fang Han’s eyes.

Without hesitation, he closed his eyes again, cast aside all distracting thoughts, and began his first formal cultivation session after the conversion.

He fully activated the Xunfeng Technique, and his Inner Qi began to slowly travel through his body along its complex circulation path.

After one full Circulation was complete, Fang Han slowly concluded his practice and eagerly perceived the changes within his Qihai Acupoint.

He immediately discovered a huge difference!

Previously, when cultivating the Pure Yuan Skill, a single Circulation resulted in a minuscule increase in Inner Qi, barely a faint wisp.

But now, after one Circulation of the Xunfeng Technique, the pale green Inner Qi in his Qihai Acupoint had increased by a visible amount.

The increase was about five times greater than what he achieved when cultivating the Pure Yuan Skill!

’Five times... my Cultivation speed is now five times what it was?!’

Even though he had been mentally prepared, Fang Han was still deeply shocked by this terrifying cultivation speed.

A fivefold increase in speed—what did that even mean?

What originally would have taken half a year to achieve could now be done in just over a month.

And this wasn’t an increase from the baseline of an ordinary Inner Qi Realm Martial Artist; it was an amplification of his own, already superior, rate.

Even before, his cultivation speed was already several times faster than that of a typical Inner Qi Realm Martial Artist.

To increase his already fast cultivation speed by another five times... just how absurd would the result be?

’This is the result of two factors combined!’

There were two reasons he was able to achieve such an outrageous cultivation speed.

On one hand, it was because his Inner Qi Cultivation Technique changed from Low Grade to Middle Grade, which had a higher cultivation efficiency.

On the other hand, it was because his Root Bone Talent Amplification had increased from the original eightfold to sixteenfold, drastically enhancing his innate Talent.

The combination of these two factors had produced such an astounding effect.

’At this rate, it won’t take long at all to break through to the Middle Stage of Ninth Grade, or even the Late Stage!’

Fang Han couldn’t contain the joy in his heart.

With this cultivation speed, even though each stage within the Inner Qi Realm required a massive amount of accumulation, he was confident he could break through to the Middle Stage of Ninth Grade in a short time.

’Coming to the Qingxuan Sect was the right decision!’

Fang Han took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

If he were still cooped up in Liangshui City, he never would have achieved this kind of cultivation speed.

The Qingxuan Sect was truly a much vaster world. Coming here had been the right choice.

...

「Evening in Liangshui City.」 The lanterns were just being lit, draping the small city in a warm, orange halo.

「Inside Tingyu Pavilion at the Fang Mansion.」

"Mama, when is Big Brother coming home? He promised he’d bring me the biggest, sweetest sugar figurine!"

Fang Ying picked at her rice, lifting her small face to look at Lin Wan with wide eyes.

She hadn’t seen her brother for several days.

The hand Lin Wan was using to pick up food paused slightly, and she exchanged a glance with her husband, Fang Zheng, who sat across from her.

She forced a gentle smile and softly stroked her daughter’s head.

"Be a good girl, Ying’er. Your brother... your brother went away on a trip for the family. He’ll be back in a few days, and he’ll bring you lots of tasty treats."

"Oh..." Fang Ying nodded, only half-understanding. She mumbled quietly, "Then he has to come back soon..."

Fang Zheng lowered his head and silently pushed the rice around in his bowl, sighing inwardly.

’I wonder if Han’er’s journey went smoothly. Did he pass the assessment and join the Qingxuan Sect?’

Just then, the sound of footsteps and servants’ greetings came from outside the courtyard.

A moment later, the figure of the Patriarch, Fang Lingyuan, appeared at the entrance of the dining hall, a rare, warm smile on his face.

"Enjoying your meal?"

Fang Lingyuan walked in with a smile, and a servant followed behind him, holding a sizable package.

"Patriarch!"

Fang Zheng and Lin Wan quickly stood up to greet him, and Fang Ying also obediently hopped off her chair and followed behind them.

"No need for formalities."

Fang Lingyuan said, beaming.

"I’ve come to deliver something to you. These are gifts Fang Han bought for you in Qingxuan City. He can’t return for the time being, so he asked me to give them to you."

As he spoke, he had the servant present the package.

Lin Wan took the package and opened it.

Inside was high-grade rouge for her, a fine set of ink and brushes for Fang Zheng, and assorted candies and pastries for Fang Ying. Everything was beautifully packaged, and one could tell at a glance that they were quite valuable.

She caressed the box of rouge and said in a low voice,

"This child... buying such expensive things..."

Fang Zheng also picked up the set of ink and brushes, admiring it fondly as he asked,

"Patriarch, Xiaohan... was his journey successful?"