"Master, you mentioned another method to remedy my 'problem.' Could you shed light on it?" Ning hadn't forgotten his master's initial words.

Pills, as his master had stated, constituted the second method. Therefore, there must be a first method, and Ning was not one to box himself into a singular path; he liked to keep his options open.

"Oh! That's true, but this method might not be suitable for you..." Ling Huang's voice wavered on the precipice of indecision.

"Master..." Ning didn't hesitate to employ the puppy-dog eyes he had learned from his senior sister.

While his own may only ever hope to achieve the level of mastery his senior sister had, it was effective nonetheless. A sadist, his master may be, but he was also the one who encouraged growth in his disciple.

"Fine!" As expected, Ling Huang eventually yielded. "Back in my days, when I was an elegant and free-spirited cultivator, the former sect leader and I visited a ruin. During the excavation, I was fortunate enough to acquire an unknown incomplete technique that slightly strengthens one's soul."

"A soul-related technique? Master, you are truly awesome." Ning's eyes shone with admiration as he naturally stroked his master's ego.

"That I am." Ling Huang nodded in satisfaction before continuing, "While I agree that this will certainly be useful for you, this technique is extremely difficult to start with. I only managed to do so in the latter half of my life."

"This technique is different." Ling Huang's golden eyes gleamed slightly. "Your time is limited, so instead of focusing on myriad things, you should specialize in a few. That's why I wanted to make you the pill as well, so that your cultivation would not be delayed any further." Ling Huang advised sternly.

"That does make sense, but..." Ning paused between his words and looked straight at his master. "I want to give it a try, master."

Ling Huang sighed. He knew Ning was more stubborn than he looked, so instead of trying to persuade, he took a more realistic approach. "I don't mind giving you the technique, but you have to pay for it. Incomplete as the technique may be, it is, after all, a soul-related technique."

"That's true..." Ning mumbled, troubled slightly.

He had quite a lot of goodies, but nothing could be traded lightly. Ning finally resolved himself. Gritting his teeth, he took out something from his space pouch.

"Master, how about this jade box?" Ning presented the jade pill box looted from a corpse. This box could safely preserve a peak tier-three medicine without any leakage, making it quite an artifact.

"Oh! This is?" Ling Huang's eyes scrutinized the box carefully. "Such a shine! A box made of winter crystal jade? You have taken out something intriguing indeed, fourth!"

Hearing these words, Ning grew hopeful. "So?"

"Add another three thousand spirit stones! While the box is quite good, its value is still nowhere near the technique." Ling Huang assigned a price to Ning.

Although he knew that his master had already given him a considerable discount, Ning still felt a little heartache. With a mental command, he drew out the spirit stones. They clattered and piled up into a small mound in front of Ling Huang.

"Here it is, master. So, please..." Ning didn't hesitate at this moment. Soul techniques held a special allure for him, especially after the recent events.

Ling Huang was quite surprised by the mound in front of him, and his lips twitched. "Fourth, you truly are full of surprises. First, the jade box, now this; it seems you have earned quite a lot after entering the sect."

Listening to that, Ning grew a bit tense, but thankfully, it seemed his master didn't pry any further into it.

Ling Huang sighed, "Fine! The trade is established. Here,"

Ning caught a jade slip thrown by his master. "Is this?"

"Yes, just press the jade slip to your head." Ling Huang advised.

Ning pressed the slip to his forehead, parting his long hair.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

In just a few breaths, thousands of words and complex images flooded his mind.

"Haa..." Ning took a deep breath and closed his eyes, digesting everything.

After a minute or two, he opened his eyes and glanced at the jade slip in his hand with much intensity.

So much knowledge contained in a single slip... To think, the true jade beauty was hidden among us all along.

...

Ning didn't leave immediately after gaining the soul cultivation technique; there was another matter that needed to be discussed.

"Master, since I have reached the fourth stage, do I need to change my cultivation technique?" Ning inquired.

Having already cultivated the Pure Qi Sutra to its maximum potential, the logical next step was to transition to a different cultivation technique.

"Hmm? I almost forgot about that. Just show this jade to the pavilion elder, and you can select a new cultivation technique," Ling Huang replied, tossing a jade toward Ning.

Ning caught the jade and expressed his gratitude, saying, "I understand. I won't trouble you any longer, Master."

With that, Ning hurriedly left.

Watching his disciple's retreating figure, Ling Huang couldn't resist a playful comment, "Not even a thank you, huh?"

...

Ning didn't waste any time and headed straight for the scripture pavilion. After exchanging greetings with the elder there, he swiftly made his way to the second floor.

Unlike the diverse martial arts section, the cultivation techniques section appeared somewhat lacking, with only a few dozen books.

However, considering this was a beginner sect in a backward region, it made sense that advanced cultivation techniques to build the foundation would be rare.

Ning wasn't disappointed. He perused the introductory sections of the available cultivation techniques.

[Flowing River Technique: "Qi Flows like a river, abundant and endless. Enhances Qi flexibility and quantity."]

"It's a pity; I can't choose this." Ning passed through the technique, not because it was bad, but because it conflicted with his identity.

As someone with the fire and wood attribute outwardly, choosing a water cultivation technique would raise too many questions.

The next technique was not any better.

[Blazing Fire Technique: Burn Everything. Burn the Qi in your body to achieve explosive power. Fire is Power. Burning is the essence. Incinerate Heaven and Earth, blaze through everything.

P.S.: Fire is Amazing. Problems that can be solved with fire are not a problem.]

Ning's lips twitched looking at this technique.

This technique gave him a strong sense of sight. Just like that chunibyou girl with a weird name who keeps spamming explosions, the senior who made this technique seemed to have a love for fire.

Well, it's not like I can't understand it; after all, watching the world burn seems quite interesting indeed.

"Sounds good, but still doesn't fit my needs. In the end, I can only choose that technique." Ning sighed and picked another technique from the shelf.

[Golden Heaven Stream: Refine Qi with heaven and earth, turn everything into a canvas, and attach an 'attribute' to your Qi to form the golden heaven Qi. Prerequisite: Pure Qi]

...

As usual, the pavilion elder was basking in the sun.

"Elder Shen, I've chosen this cultivation technique," Ning declared, handing the manual to the laid-back elder who seemed to be enjoying his old age a bit too much.

"Hmm? You've chosen this one? You do know you need pure Qi to practice it," Elder Shen spoke, his eyes shining as he observed Ning.

Ning, once again, had the feeling of being seen through.

"I see, your Qi is indeed pure enough for this technique. Moreover, this level of purity can only be achieved through the Pure Qi Sutra. I didn't expect you to have such comprehension." Elder Shen spoke as if having verified something.

"It's thanks to Master's guidance," Ning humbly deflected the praise to his master. But inwardly, he couldn't help but complain.

There is truly no privacy in this world. Everyone can just see through the little old me. I need to find some way to block their senses; it's getting kinda creepy.

If only there was an advanced technique for Turtle Breathing...

Ning's thoughts moved quickly, but his face never twitched, even when slandering the elder in his heart. This was the most basic ability of a transmigrator.

"Kid, while your Qi meets the requirements, I'd advise against choosing this technique. It's a bit of a pitfall," Elder Shen said, his face darkening saying the last few words.

Ning became intrigued by this warning, but Elder Shen seemed reluctant to continue.

Not again. Why do these old men only like to talk about something important only to stop halfway?

With no other choice, Ning took out some wine from his pouch and handed it to the elder. "I'd be grateful for your guidance, Elder Shen."

Elder Shen accepted and savored the wine, remarking, "Tastes sweet." He then continued, "As I was saying, this technique is a bit tricky. Its core involves transforming your pure Qi into golden Qi, which requires tempering your Qi with various materials from heaven and earth to create corresponding Qi within your body. Afterward, you'll convert these different types of Qi into golden Qi. All these require spirit stones, a lot of spirit stones."

Elder Shen spoke in one breath before sipping the wine once more. He studied Ning, who still appeared interested, and sighed as he continued, "Aside from the Nascent Soul Master, I doubt anyone else has successfully cultivated golden Qi. So, the way to practice this technique is burning money, so I suggest you reconsider."

Under the elder's expectant gaze, Ning resolutely... shook his head.

"Elder, I still want to pursue this technique."

Elder Shen had no choice but to relent. After all, the final decision lay with Ning. Furthermore, as an alchemist's disciple, Ning might be able to bear the significant cost if he could successfully become an alchemist.

"It seems I can't dissuade you. Very well, take this as well. It contains some insights into this technique," Elder Shen said, tossing a scroll to Ning, who caught it.

"Thank you, Elder," Ning expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow.

It seems that bribing - no, respecting this old man was still quite useful.