Chương 7: The Hundred Arts of Cultivation

"Do you have a profession in mind?" Elder Bai asked Lin Yi. He thought about his answer for a few moments and replied.

"I had originally planned to apply for a position at the Spirit Stone Refinery. I read in some texts that refining spirit stones in shape, even as a first stage cultivator, will improve my Qi control."

"But, as I now know that I can choose a branch myself, I don't think it's the best option anymore. After all, I would have the chance of practicing one of the four great immortal arts." Lin Yi bowed slightly and said.

"Please advise me, Elder Bai!" Elder Bai smiled and nodded.

"The Spirit Stone Refinery would be a good choice, in that you are correct. As a Mortal Spirit Root, you have the unique benefit of not being constricted to certain attributes. While Five Element Spirit Roots have the same lesser advantage, their attributes are not pure enough to capitalize on it."

"Refining spirit stones would not only help you with Qi control, but also allow you to understand your Spirit Root in more depth." He paused for a moment.

"That would be the case if you do not possess Innate Spirituality." Lin Yi listened carefully to these words. Elder Bai had spent decades in the sect and the immortal world of cultivation. His experience was beyond what Lin Yi could imagine, and as a teacher, he wouldn't harm him. Elder Bai had a teacher's smile on his lips as he instructed him.

"You already had the lecture about Innate Spirituality and other extraordinary talents connected to the Spirit, right?" Understanding what Elder Bai wished from him, Lin Yi answered. His newly supernatural brain collected the needed information seamlessly.

"Yes, Elder. Innate Spirituality not only gives me a higher amount of spirituality before entering cultivation, but also allows me to grow my spirituality and later my Purple Mansion more easily, separate from the standard method of growth by cultivation." Elder Bai responded in satisfaction.

"That is right. This is where your advantage lies and the slight chance of Foundation Establishment." He continued in a slightly wistful tone.

"The boundary to the Foundation Establishment Realm and becoming a Dao Master is great. Thousands after thousands of disciples tried to reach that realm, but how many of them could truly reach it? Even I have no chance at it in this lifetime." Lin Yi didn't know what to say and could only feel the melancholic presence in the room.

"But this is also the reason one should pursue the best suitable cultivation path. How many talented disciples, with One or Two Element Yellow Spiritual Roots, overestimated themselves. They thought reaching Foundation Establishment was only a matter of time and thus pursued alongside it one of the four great immortal arts." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Only after they cultivated in the Purple Mansion Stage for several years did they realize that the last three levels of Qi Condensation would take too long to cultivate. How many hours a day did they waste in their profession that could have been used for cultivation?" Elder Bai sighed, as if he knew these experiences firsthand. Lin Yi frowned.

Not just in his past life's novels, but also in this current life, he often heard about the supremacy of alchemy, artifact refinement, talisman creation, and formations, and how even mastering one a little bit would bring great honor and face. Confused by this, he questioned the elder before him.

"Elder Bai, from what you said, I understand that the four great arts and the other hundred arts are not worth pursuing?" Elder Bai shook his head.

"You are right, but also wrong. For most cultivators at the Qi Condensation Realm, any of the great four arts are too much of a hurdle, but the Charging Bull Sect and other sects and factions would not just feed their disciples for free, so everyone is forced to take up at least a minor profession. These can often even be helpful, as long as they don't take too much time away from cultivation."

"Only those few truly talented that have great affinities with the four great arts should practice them in the Qi Condensation Realm. The arts do not just hinder those people but even support them." Lin Yi understood. Some immortal dao texts did mention that once one had reached a high amount of mastery on any topic, and if their cultivation path was compatible, they might give some kind of mysterious feedback that allows faster cultivation and fewer bottlenecks.

The question was now which of the hundred arts of immortal cultivation he should choose.

"Thank you, Elder Bai, for the explanation. What immortal art should I choose, in your opinion?" He sighed again and told Lin Yi.

"Each cultivator's path is unique, and they should choose their profession carefully. I can only share my perspective, but only you can make the final decision. Lin Yi nodded and waited with expectant eyes for the elder to continue.

"The trait of Innate Spirituality allows you to harness your feelings, emotions, experiences, state of mind, and more to grow your spirituality with greater efficiency than others."

"Choosing a profession, immortal art, and sect division that would boost this efficiency to the greatest degree would be the best."

"A few of them are where you fight often, like the Law Enforcement Division or the Fierce Beast Hunting Groups. The pressure of battle would temper your spirituality to a high degree." Lin Yi's mood sank a little bit at these words. He had no real interest in constantly fighting enemies, and maybe even being in life-and-death situations. In his past life, he was also more of an introvert, staying at home reading his books. He perked up. That thought brought him an idea.

"Elder Bai, forgive this disciple. I dislike fighting and would like to avoid a great amount of conflict. I read that the sect has a Scripture Pavilion and even grounds for dao heart tempering. Would these be suitable too?" Elder Bai smiled wryly and shook his head playfully.

"Sigh, most young disciples would be full of righteous animation, enforcing the virtuous rules and banishing evil. Tch, tch, tch." Yes, yes. Most would die horribly and at a young age. A steady life and steady cultivation are much better. Lin Yi muttered inwardly, as his conversation partner proceeded.

"But, yes. While the Dao Heart Grounds do not have tasks for new disciples, only Sect Elders are stationed there, the Scripture Pavilion has some open positions. Though they are not lucrative, so not many disciples want to work there."

"Regarding its help for your spirituality, it exists. The working hours are not much, and during your shift you can browse through the freely accessible classics of cultivation and minor cultivation methods. Indeed, it would widen your horizon." Lin Yi brightened at these words.

He could already imagine his future, working his hours in Scripture Pavilion, rummaging around the immortal dao texts and studying cultivation scriptures, methods and arts, while in his cave abode he would be striving towards the greater heights of cultivation. He was fully convinced.

"Elder Bai, I would like to choose the Scripture Pavilion!" Elder Bai sighed, waved his hand, and answered calmly.

"Do not be hasty. You still have some days to think about it. Before the month ends, you can tell me your decision." Lin Yi nodded and agreed, but inwardly he had already decided.

"Do you have any other questions, Disciple Lin Yi?" He thought about it for a moment and remembered about his problem in cultivation. Without hesitation, he asked the elder.