Chapter 5: The Cultivation Technique
Chapter 5: The Cultivation Technique
Chu Ning stepped out of the house and saw a middle-aged man with a rotund figure standing outside the courtyard. He quickened his pace and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, senior brother."
The man, with a smile on his face, introduced himself, "I'm Zhuang, Zhuang Yunde. I'm in charge of managing the disciples in District Ding."
A managing disciple? Chu Ning had never heard this term before but guessed that this man was probably a disciple assigned by the Hundred Arts Hall to oversee this area.
So, he bowed again and said, "Chu Ning greets Senior Brother Zhuang."
As the saying goes, one can never be too polite. Senior Brother Zhuang's smile widened at Chu Ning's respectful demeanor.
He took out a package from his storage bag and handed it to Chu Ning, along with a booklet, which he passed over solemnly, "This is the foundational wood-attribute technique of our Qingxi Sect. Although it's only a lower-grade Yellow Tier technique, it has been perfected over generations by our predecessors. You must take good care of it, junior brother."
Chu Ning listened eagerly and quickly accepted the items. On the cover of the booklet were five words: Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique.
So, this was a cultivation technique!
Chu Ning felt a mix of anticipation and excitement, but this time he didn't suppress it and instead let it show on his face.
Senior Brother Zhuang didn't find this strange at all. Instead, he felt that Chu Ning's reaction was quite normal. After all, most newcomers to the cultivation world reacted similarly when they received their first technique.
If Chu Ning had been completely calm and indifferent, then he would have found it strange.
After letting his slight excitement show appropriately, Chu Ning immediately asked, "Senior Brother Zhuang, you mentioned that this is a lower-grade Yellow Tier technique. What are the different tiers and grades?"
Perhaps it was Chu Ning's polite and respectful attitude that left a good impression on Senior Brother Zhuang, as he patiently explained, "Cultivation techniques are categorized into four tiers based on the Four Symbols of Heaven and Earth. Each tier is further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades."
Chu Ning nodded in understanding. So, a lower-grade Yellow Tier technique was the most basic of the basics.
However, Chu Ning didn't mind. He was currently just a menial laborer and was content to have a cultivation technique to practice.
Moreover, this technique was a wood-attribute one, which was exactly what he needed.
"Well, I still have to deliver items to others," Senior Brother Zhuang said as he turned to leave.
But halfway through his turn, he paused and glanced at the courtyard again.
"I recall this courtyard belongs to Cao Dongxin, right? Are you his disciple?"
Chu Ning nodded, and Senior Brother Zhuang shook his head, "That guy has a rather peculiar personality and isn't easy to get along with. Your luck doesn't seem too good in that regard."
With that, Senior Brother Zhuang turned and left.
Chu Ning watched him depart, sighing inwardly. It seemed his initial impression of Cao Dongxin was correct—his reclusive personality must be well-known.
Putting that matter aside for now, Chu Ning looked at the small booklet in his hand and headed back into the courtyard, making his way to his room to examine the Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique.
Just then, the sound of a door opening interrupted him. Cao Dongxin emerged and instructed, "Go make something to eat in the kitchen."
Chu Ning was slightly taken aback. It was still early, and even if they ate dinner earlier than usual, it wouldn't be for another half an hour. Why was Cao Dongxin asking him to start cooking so soon?
Moreover, Cao Dongxin had chosen this particular moment to emerge—just as Chu Ning was about to examine the Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique. Chu Ning couldn't help but feel that his senior brother's timing was deliberate.
With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning quickly replied, "Yes, senior brother. I'll go right after putting away my things."
As he spoke, Chu Ning quickly entered his room and placed the package inside. He kept the booklet, Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique, close to his chest.
In the kitchen, Chu Ning noticed the rice jar and opened it curiously.
"I heard cultivators eat spirit rice. But this is just ordinary rice," he mumbled to himself, then chuckled. No doubt, even the laborer disciples wouldn't get to eat spirit rice so casually.
Fortunately, his body retained the memories of its previous owner, so these tasks weren't difficult for him.
After adding the rice and water to the pot and preparing two simple dishes in the kitchen, Chu Ning picked up the booklet to read while he waited for the food to cook.
As it was designed for new disciples, the manual was very basic and detailed. It introduced the entire cultivation technique and included foundational knowledge about meridians and spells.
Chu Ning found it fascinating and gained a deeper understanding of the technique.
The Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique was a lower-grade Yellow Tier wood-attribute technique with a total of three layers.
Each layer corresponded to different stages of Qi Refinement: the initial, middle, and late stages, which were further divided into three sub-layers each.
However, there was no corresponding technique for the tenth layer of Qi Refinement or the Foundation Establishment stage that followed.
Moreover, only the first layer of the technique had been given to Chu Ning.
The technique also included a spell called the Verdant Spring Wood Art, which was extremely beneficial for cultivating spiritual plants. It not only promoted growth but also refined their essence and improved their quality.
One could say that the Verdant Spring Wood Art was an essential spell for any Qingxi Sect disciple involved in planting spiritual plants, and the proficiency in this spell reflected one's strength to a certain degree.
"This technique includes a spell? I wonder what other spells these senior disciples will teach me."
Chu Ning was slightly puzzled but didn't dwell on it.
Suddenly, he remembered something and quickly checked his mind. Indeed, the prompt had changed.
【Nine Yin Body Tempering Technique (100/100)】
【Talent: Yin Wood Spirit Body】
【Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique (Lower-grade Yellow Tier), First Layer (0/300)】
"As expected, the progress for the Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique is here. Hmm, why isn't the spell included?"
Chu Ning was a little confused but decided not to think too much about it. Just like with the Nine Yin Body Tempering Technique, he would figure it out as he practiced.
However, now wasn't the right time to start cultivating. Glancing at the food, Chu Ning put the booklet away and started scooping the rice into a steamer. He then stir-fried two dishes.
Once everything was ready, Chu Ning went to call Cao Dongxin for dinner.
Chu Ning ate quickly, but he had to wait for Cao Dongxin, who ate at a leisurely pace. After they were done, Chu Ning cleaned up the bowls and utensils and washed them.
Just as he was about to return to his room, Cao Dongxin stopped him once again.
"Clean and tidy up the courtyard."
Although Chu Ning was cursing inwardly, he didn't show any sign of dissatisfaction. He followed Cao Dongxin's instructions and cleaned the courtyard.
Then, at Cao Dongxin's behest, he did some odd jobs.
Finally, when Cao Dongxin seemed to have tired of giving him tasks, Chu Ning took a bath and returned to his room.
Recalling the events of the day, Chu Ning could somewhat understand Cao Dongxin's intentions.
To put it bluntly, Cao Dongxin's long-term presence in the lower rungs of the sect had likely made him psychologically reclusive, even a little twisted. Even without any grudge against Chu Ning, he enjoyed tormenting others to satisfy his vanity.
Or perhaps he just couldn't stand to see others doing well?
As Zhuang Yunde had said, Chu Ning's luck didn't seem to be very good.
In the neighboring courtyards, everyone had returned to their rooms to cultivate.
Chu Ning made up his mind to endure for the next three months. He would pretend to be a simpleton who didn't understand anything, hoping that Cao Dongxin wouldn't become even more ruthless.
Having made this decision, Chu Ning quickly put the matter aside. He sat cross-legged on his bed, ready to begin cultivating the Evergreen Wood Vitality Technique. According to the talent reward "Yin Wood Spirit Body," he should have a significant advantage in cultivating wood-attribute techniques and spells.
"I should have an edge in cultivating this technique!"
(End of Chapter)
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