Chapter 140: Switching Cultivation Techniques and Experimentation

The sky was filled with twinkling stars; below lay clouds thick as the earth itself.

From a high enough altitude, one could see the stars every night; on city streets, one might need a bit of luck.

Su Lin sat on the rooftop of Wangshu Pavilion, his left leg hanging naturally, his right knee slightly bent and raised, his right hand resting on his knee, silently observing all that floated above.

It was about time to seriously think about his future path.

Lao Lu's earlier words held merit: to attain inner peace, one must either have a good mindset or be strong enough.

When standing at the peak of this world, the winding valleys and sheer cliffs below become nothing more than scenery.

He knew roughly where the other group members stood, but his own path remained uncertain—yet was this not being ungrateful? Or was greed always inherent in humanity, ever seeking more?

Greed, delusion, anger, pride, and doubt constantly manifested in one's actions and thoughts.

He who had worried over initial points just last year now possessed Jin Dan Stage cultivation and nearly nine hundred thousand system points in savings—his future seemed brilliantly bright.

But the system store's mechanics gave him real unease; he couldn't fully relax—perhaps the waters of this world ran far deeper? Was it possible he had been swimming only near the shore or in shallow waters, with true depth lying ahead?

Su Lin wasn't constantly dwelling on this—after all, one must enjoy when it's time to enjoy; endless worrying served no purpose.

"Still, one must strive when it's time to strive," Su Lin sighed. If he could confirm this world had no major issues, he could just give up entirely.

A white crystal floated out of his storage bag; Su Lin caught it—the compressed file he'd received from Lao Lu—his greatest gain, second only to the authority over sky and wind.

The crystal's contents were indeed plentiful.

Including 【Taiwei Jianyun Lu】, 【Wuxiang】, 【Tunyue Songjing Fa】, 【Xiaoyaozi Yunqing Gong】, totaling one thousand three hundred and ninety-two cultivation techniques, of uneven quality, some even not belonging to the Foundation Establishment or Jin Dan systems.

In essence, they were all methods of modifying and strengthening life forms, aimed at achieving evolutionary advancement in the level of life.

Half an hour later, Su Lin selected a technique: 【Chilun Lingxiao Zhen Lu】.

Its compatibility matched Gu Tianwang's—no need to dissipate power and restart; he could begin cultivation directly from the Jin Dan Realm.

Su Lin thought for a moment, then summoned books of varying materials from the system, and used his spiritual power to transcribe each technique onto the books; while transcribing, he had to trace meridian pathways with spiritual energy as ink—and some techniques destroyed the books the moment he put brush to page.

Su Lin paused. Judging by the crystal's knowledge, these techniques seemed to possess extremely high rank, requiring specific materials as vessels—so under Tianyi's blessing, Su Lin forcibly inscribed the high-rank techniques onto the books.

Then came the spells.

After a night of labor, Su Lin watched the sun rise over the horizon and nodded in satisfaction, setting aside the dozen or so top-tier techniques and spells, and depositing the rest throughout Wangshu Pavilion.

Su Lin checked his phone's location: Shuijing Peak had arrived directly above his hometown county—he'd even saved on transportation costs. Cultivation truly was convenient.

Tonight was New Year's Eve; on the second day of the new year, he'd have to visit relatives.

His storage bag held many spiritual fruits resembling ordinary fruit; he planned to give some away—low in spiritual energy, but still good for strengthening the body.

After all, he'd farmed for a year; bringing back some local specialties was perfectly reasonable.

After organizing everything, Su Lin began posting in the group chat.

Su Lin: "Wangshu Pavilion's technique library has been updated. Take what you need."

He was addressing the old group members who had left teleportation gates on Shuijing Peak; newcomers weren't barred, but they should notify him first—though for Pizi Long, he probably wouldn't dare come, and Su Lin wouldn't easily approve his request.

When he first acquired Shuijing Peak, Su Lin had already shared its internal techniques; now, he wouldn't distinguish between old and new members.

Next, he would begin cultivating 【Chilun Lingxiao Zhen Lu】. Gu Tianwang, don't contact me—I'm afraid 【Chilun Lingxiao Zhen Lu】 might misunderstand.

Then again—

"I'm only Early Jin Dan Stage—what's there to fear?"

Better to first advance to Late Jin Dan Stage before learning it; mastering a new technique takes time anyway.

Han Li: "My Nascent Soul Tribulation is imminent—I'll come after I've crossed it."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: 【Image】

Yi Leina: "Who is this? Pitch black."

Su Lin: "This guy looks familiar—he looks almost cooked."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "Yun Leng came sneaking into my Xiao family. He's gone to great lengths for the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "I barely made it in time this time—no disaster occurred. I must return to Yunlan Sect and demand an explanation."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan glared fiercely at Yun Leng in his hand; three other Dou Wangs were bound on the ground.

These men never imagined they'd be defeated by a Dou Ling.

Ye Fan: "It depends on whether your 'explanation' is legitimate."

Lu Mingfei: "I'd almost forgotten about this."

Han Li: "Brother Xiao, please don't let emotions cloud your judgment."

Su Lin: "Han Li's 'don't let emotions cloud your judgment' has double meaning. Please answer as an examinee."

Zhang Chuang: "What does that mean?"

Song Shuhang: "I think there are two meanings: first, don't act impulsively; second, don't let emotions toward Yun Yun influence you—Yun Yun is the current sect leader of Yunlan Sect, and she once had a… cough… relationship with Brother Xiao in the Demon Beast Mountains."

Song Shuhang had involuntarily joined the conversation inside his villa—just now, Bai Qian and King Dou Dou had captured the Xiaokuihua from Wuji Demon Sect and the Tang Shaoshu from Kongkong Gate.

Su Lin: "Full marks. Has Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gone offline again?"

Su Lin watched Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's name dim again, with "offline" displayed after it.

Ye Fan: "In a way, he's even more cowardly than Lu Mingfei."

Lu Mingfei: "Why am I the benchmark now?"

Ye Fan: "Forget that—how's Weigong Shilang's alchemy coming along?"

Lu Mingfei: "I heard today they switched to Constantine as the instructor. Lately I've been dealing with Caesar's father and the headmaster's duel—I haven't been to Dawn Island normally."

Ye Fan: "Our Zhetian Trading Association is about to upgrade. I heard your side's Spear of Fate carries causality and has a one-time replica—send your brother or Lao Lu over for business when you have time."

Ye Fan: "Let's make money together."

Lu Mingfei: "Got it."

————————

"Thank you so much, Professor Norton!" Weigong Shilang bowed deeply to Lao Tang, then turned to the child beside him: "Please guide me, Professor Constantine!"

Constantine looked at his brother in confusion, wondering why his brother seemed to be avoiding this human.

"Constantine's alchemical skills are no less than mine—you must seize this opportunity," Old Tang said solemnly. "Constantine, this task is yours. This is a friend of that winged big brother—ensure you impart the essence of alchemy to him."

Constantine nodded obediently; he owed his reunion with his brother entirely to that one, and he felt deep gratitude.

But he was puzzled: "But brother, aren't you coming with me?"

"I have a most arduous task," Old Tang said seriously. "The Supreme One needs me."

At the mention of the Supreme One, Constantine's face showed fear.

"Alright, I'll do my best."

Old Tang gave Constantine a look full of encouragement and expectation, then turned and walked away, pulling out his phone to compose a message.

Bronze and Fire Dragon King: "Virtual Reality Center Unit 03, Glory, Green Forest Dungeon—come quickly."

As Old Tang was sending the message on his phone, he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Can't you watch where you're going?" he was about to complain, but when he looked up, he saw Old Lu.

"Come with me," Old Lu smiled warmly. "I need your help with something."

"Wait, I'm busy right now."

Old Lu dragged Old Tang outward; soon, the two arrived at an open field.

"What the hell is this?"

Old Tang stared blankly at the giant robot before him—it was gray-white, with a long, pointed horn on its head.

"It's the red packet I gave Su Lin," Old Lu patted the robot's foot, and a heavy metallic sound echoed. "It's my return gift—I put some effort into crafting it quickly."

"You should add some alchemical matrices to it."

Old Lu shoved a blueprint into Norton's hands; it was densely marked with which alchemical matrices to place where, even specifying that mental energy must be input to enhance the mech's kinetic power.

Old Lu clapped Old Tang on the shoulder and turned to leave, composing a message on his phone: "Sword Art Online, Floor 77, room B entrance—meet here."

End of chapter