Chapter 23: The Precepts of a Senior

“I have indeed improved upon the previous training method,” Qiuci nodded.

“Improved?” Huo Zhentian couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “You mean... you can modify cultivation techniques?”

“Ah, yes! Is there a problem with that?”

Hiss...

For a moment, not only Huo Zhentian but all the elders collectively drew a breath. Modifying a cultivation method! Every sect’s techniques are traditionally passed down from their ancestors, and to alter or create a new method requires not only a deep understanding of the original technique but also comprehensive knowledge of similar systems. Even a slight deviation could lead to disastrous consequences, causing internal damage or spiritual deviation.

Therefore, anyone capable of modifying a technique is invariably a great master in their own right. Even Yu Xuan, at the Nascent Soul stage, wouldn’t dare claim the ability to casually revise a cultivation manual.

“May I have a look?” Yu Xuan asked excitedly, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted it. Such a request was akin to treasure hunting. The method Qiuci painstakingly modified was already shared with only Feng Ting and herself out of respect for past ties—what right did he have to see it?

“Of course.” Unexpectedly, Qiuci agreed without hesitation, then looked behind him. “Feng Ting, please return the book I gave you earlier.”

“Oh, okay!” Feng Ting nodded obediently and carefully took out a book from her bosom.

Qiuci handed it over to Yu Xuan.

“Th-this is...” Yu Xuan stared in disbelief but couldn’t resist temptation and accepted the book. “Thank you, Daoist Chu.”

Even the elders behind strained their necks, eager to glimpse the cultivation method, but due to their positions, they only saw the cover—a small blue booklet that looked familiar.

Isn’t that the manual issued to new disciples? It only contains basic techniques for guiding energy. How much could it really be improved?

Yu Xuan flipped through it carefully and confirmed it was indeed the sect’s standard energy-guiding method, spanning just a few pages. Yet, the pages were filled with intricate lines and annotations of large and small circles, and the original text had been altered beyond recognition.

It was hard to read, but after finishing, he followed the instructions experimentally. Immediately, he noticed the speed of spiritual energy flow had increased significantly. It felt as if the energy was entering the body spontaneously, without forced guidance.

“T-this...” Yu Xuan’s eyes widened. This was just a preliminary trial; if one followed this method from the start, “It truly is extraordinary! Daoist Chu is a genius!”

Yu Xuan was amazed. He then pointed to one part and asked, “Normally, the Great and Small Circulation entails passing through twenty-four acupoints. Why does the method you wrote open seventy-two acupoints? What is the meaning behind this?”

“There are originally seventy-two acupoints!” Qiuci replied directly. “The Great and Small Circulations are simply different ways of channeling spiritual energy. Having more acupoints means more spiritual energy can be stored.”

“True, but wouldn’t opening all those acupoints at once waste a lot of energy?” Yu Xuan pressed further.

“Do you think energy would be lacking if you followed this method?” Qiuci countered.

Yu Xuan paused, recalling his earlier experience. The answer was clear: No. Not only was it sufficient, but the energy flowed so actively into the body that there was no shortage at all.

“This... a genius! You truly are a genius!” Yu Xuan was so excited he almost jumped. He hadn’t expected such modification even in a basic energy-guiding technique.

If all disciples trained this way, wouldn’t the Xuantian Sect...

After a moment of excitement, Yu Xuan calmed himself and returned the book respectfully. Although valuable, it belonged to Daoist Chu, and being allowed to view it was already a great fortune.

“Don’t want to keep it?” Qiuci, surprised by the elder’s reaction, then handed it to the sect leader Qi Hong behind him. “Here, you have more disciples.”

“Ah? Ah!” Qi Hong was stunned and took a moment to understand the implication. He was overjoyed and trembled as he spoke, “S-s-senior, do you mean... to gift this method to our sect? Will other disciples be able to learn it as well?”

“Yes!” Qiuci nodded and gave Qi Hong a sharp glance. Speaking in such clipped phrases—is that tradition in your sect? No wonder Jing Hong has social anxiety.

“R-really?”

“Mm, anyone in the sect who needs it can have it!” Feng Ting, who had already memorized the content and no longer needed it, added. Moreover, her cultivation level warranted a new technique anyway.

Not just the sect leader but all the elders were thrilled, bowing respectfully again, “We are deeply grateful, senior!”

“No need for thanks.” It was just a book; no need to get so excited.

Only Feng Ting pouted quietly. It wasn’t stinginess, but the book was a gift from Sister Xiao Ci, and she was reluctant to part with it. Couldn’t they just copy another one? Yet she was too shy to speak up.

“Sister Xiao Ci doesn’t just modify cultivation methods; she also healed Senior Jing’s injury!” Zhen Yi couldn’t help but mention.

“Jing Hong is better?!” Qi Hong suddenly realized his disciple might indeed be different. He hurried forward, grasped Jing Hong’s wrist, and carefully took his pulse. His eyes grew wider and wider, disbelief etched on his face. “Truly... truly healed! The meridians... all fully restored. Senior... thank you for saving my disciple!”

Qi Hong’s mouth split into a wide grin. If receiving the cultivation method was a pleasant surprise, now he wanted to kneel and thank Qiuci on the spot. Jing Hong had been his disciple since childhood and was thought to be ruined, yet fate had taken a remarkable turn.

Other elders stepped forward to examine Jing Hong, and Yu Xuan also checked. All were astonished.

“Truly healed!”

“And the meridians seem even stronger than before.”

“The flow of spiritual energy is much faster too!”

“A miracle, simply a miracle!”

“As expected of Senior Chu.”

Jing Hong was surrounded by everyone, expression unchanged—still the same cold, stern demeanor he had maintained for ages, seemingly indifferent to their scrutiny.

Only Qiuci noticed the subtle stiffening of his body and the trembling fingertips beside him. Though outwardly unchanged, it felt as though the person was about to break.

This severely socially anxious man was on the verge of collapse.

๑乛◡乛๑

“Ahem! Um...” Qiuci cleared his throat, “After all, she’s been tending to him for a few days. If those five don’t take care of it soon, they really will be done for!” He pointed to the five members of the Immortal Alliance recently dug out, still lying on the ground like corpses.

Only then did everyone react. Qi Hong clasped his fists, “We were negligent. Since you are occupied, we won’t disturb you further. We’ll take our leave now and formally visit again another day.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

Qiuci nodded, and the elders lifted the five figures and swiftly departed.

Yu Xuan did not leave but seemed lost in thought. He turned to Qiuci as if wanting to say something.

“Elder Yu, do you have something to ask?”