Bai Zisheng immediately said, “When Zixi and I first began our cultivation, we already started learning cultivation techniques. It’s naturally best to learn them as early as possible and, moreover, from a continuous line of transmission. Otherwise, the greater the differences in the techniques learned at different stages, the easier it is to suffer from cultivation deviation.”
Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
Bai Zisheng suddenly thought of something and exclaimed in surprise, “Don’t tell me you haven’t learned a cultivation technique yet.”
Mo Hua shook his head and said, “No, it’s not easy for a loose cultivator to choose a cultivation technique.”
“As difficult as it may be, it’s not to the extent that you don’t even have a cultivation technique…”
Mo Hua gave him a sidelong glance and said, “That’s being oblivious to other people’s situations.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means you’re speaking without understanding the struggle.”
Bai Zisheng scratched his head and said, “It’s a pity that the techniques from our clan can’t be shared externally, otherwise, I’d secretly give you a few scarce and high-quality techniques.”
Mo Hua asked in confusion, “But isn’t the grade of a cultivation technique determined by a cultivator’s spiritual root? With a mid-lower grade spiritual root, one can only learn mid-lower grade techniques. If it’s mid-lower grade, can there be much difference in quality? Surely they can’t be better than high-grade techniques, right?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Some special techniques have unique effects. Some are cultivated faster, some focus on body refinement, and others are suitable for alchemy…”
“Of course, the grade of the technique is still the most important, as the strength of a cultivator is mainly judged by the abundance of spiritual power. However, since one’s spiritual root is predetermined and cannot be changed, there’s not much to discuss there.”
Scarce cultivation techniques with unique effects…
Lost in thought for a moment, Mo Hua shook his head and said, “Even if there are scarce techniques, I wouldn’t be able to cultivate them. If a technique is scarce, then naturally, the spiritual objects required are also rare. If I can’t gather these objects for the rest of my life, won’t my cultivation remain stagnant forever…”
“That’s true, I forgot you’re from a loose cultivator background and can’t gather those rare heaven and earth spiritual objects…” Bai Zisheng frowned and then said, “How about you go ask Mr. Zhuang?”
After pondering for a moment, Mo Hua shook his head, “I’m already gratefully indebted to Mr. Zhuang for teaching me formation techniques. How could I be so greedy as to ask him to teach me cultivation techniques as well?”
Bai Zisheng nodded and said, “Good, that’s the spirit! Only someone like you deserves to be my little brother.”
Mo Hua corrected him, “I’m not your little brother.”
Bai Zisheng said, “How come you’re not? I’m older than you, so you have to call me big brother. Zixi, isn’t that right?”
As Bai Zisheng spoke, he turned to look at Bai Zixi, who kept her head down, engrossed in her book, and ignored him.
“Zixi is older than you too, so you should also call her Sister Zixi,” Bai Zisheng added.
Bai Zixi gave a slight start, and her dark eyelashes gently lifted as her eyes sparkled.
Mo Hua snorted coldly, “Keep dreaming.”
“So many people want to be my little brother, and I’m not even interested,” Bai Zisheng said, puffing up his chest.
“Who’s keen on that? I’m not taking you to see the monster beasts anymore,” Mo Hua retorted.
“Alright then,” Bai Zisheng said indignantly, “you’re not keeping your word. If we agreed on something, how can you go back on it?”
After a bout of bickering, Bai Zisheng agreed not to make Mo Hua call him big brother, and Mo Hua agreed to take him to see the monster beasts at the end of the month, bringing their disagreement to an end.
As everyone continued with their cultivation and reading until the evening, it was time to part. Bai Zisheng then asked, “So what are you going to do about your cultivation technique?”
“Hmm…” Mo Hua pondered and said, “I’ll go back and ask my parents. I intend to become a Formation Master anyway, and a Formation Master relies on Divine Sense rather than spiritual power, so having an adequate technique will suffice.”
“How can it just ‘suffice’? We’re all Mr. Zhuang’s apprentices. If your cultivation is lacking, wouldn’t that make me lose face?” Bai Zisheng said huffily, “I’ll look for a suitable technique for you when I get back, one that isn’t closely guarded by the clan. You can secretly learn it.”
Having said that, he then went back with Bai Zixi.
Mo Hua shook his head helplessly, but feeling the warmth from Bai Zisheng’s good intentions, he picked up his things and went home as well.
Meanwhile, Mr. Zhuang, resting in the bamboo room, opened his eyes. His pale, slender fingers tapped the armrest of the bamboo chair as he muttered to himself:
“A cultivation technique, huh…”