Chapter 93: Fundamental Cultivation Method

After hearing about Zhang Lai's battle record, Yan Buji stepped out of the Hundred Treasures Shop and was immediately stared at by many cultivators.

Perhaps because the aura of the Spiritual Stones was sensed by them, everyone knew Yan Buji carried a lot of Spiritual Stones.

Yet a squad of Fire Bear Sect cultivators in red robes with bear-head insignia on their chests stood nearby, and no one dared to cause trouble.

Yan Buji walked to the stall he had just noticed, squatted down and asked:

"Fellow Daoist, how much for this spirit herb?"

"Ten Spiritual Stones?"

"Huh? Is this a Second‑Tier Spiritual Material? So pricey!"

"Since you asked, you can see this is a very rare Jie Ming Grass. Though it's a First‑Tier Spiritual Material, it's also needed for many spirit pills and elixirs. Moreover, look closely! The grass veins number seven, and a seventy‑year‑old Jie Ming Grass would cost me ten Spiritual Stones—I'd be at a loss!"

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes and examined it carefully.

Indeed, this Jie Ming Grass, which looks much like the ones growing in fields, bears the characteristic veins: one vein represents ten years, so ten veins would indicate a hundred‑year‑old Jie Ming Grass, qualifying as a Second‑Tier Spiritual Material.

But Yan Buji confirmed that the seven veins on this plant, according to the records of the Hundred Herb Gate, appear increasingly close as the plant ages, like tree rings growing toward the sun. The veins here are unusually uniform; older Jie Ming Grass would not display such neat veins.

Yan Buji laughed, "Fellow Daoist, do you think I know nothing? This Jie Ming Grass has at most fifty years of medicinal potency; those two extra veins must be your masterpiece, right?"

"You! Finally met an expert, eight Spiritual Stones!"

"At most five."

"No, seven!"

In the end, the fifty‑year‑potency Jie Ming Grass was taken by Yan Buji.

Yan Buji is not a miser; the Jie Ming Grass is a primary ingredient for refining Clear‑Sight Eye Elixir, and the rest can be collected later.

The Sanhua Tong Secret Method can perceive the effects of aura, which is of little use to ordinary cultivators but may be far more valuable to Yan Buji, a Martial Dao practitioner.

Even now, he cannot sense any aura emanating from the Spiritual Stones in his bosom!

That already points to a huge problem!

Either he lacks any cultivation talent, or it is truly as he suspects…

Martial Dao and Magical Cultivation are contradictory!

For Yan Buji, that is an absolute thunderbolt!

Yet he cannot be content to idle away his days; he still wishes to ascend higher and see more beautiful scenery.

With a displeased heart, Yan Buji passed the archway and entered the second street.

Seeing cultivators hawking all sorts of books and jade slips along the main road, Yan Buji examined them one by one and bought several key volumes.

"Cultivation Miscellany," "Eight Paths Geography," and "Hundred Mutant Spectrum."

Two of these books are jade slips, one is an ordinary book; Yan Buji had to carry a bag to take them.

Quite inconvenient!

"If only I had a Storage Accumulation Device like Zhang Lai's!" Yan Buji thought.

Regarding the Accumulation Device, Yan Buji understands it as a treasure forged by cultivators through material accumulation, possessing various mysterious functions.

But how crucial it truly is, he'll have to read those three books sometime to comprehend.

Soon, Yan Buji's Spiritual Stones dwindled to nine.

Glancing at the largest bookstore here, Yan Buji entered.

The shop owner was reading a book; upon seeing Yan Buji arrive, he instantly lost the desire to attend to customers.

"What are you looking for?"

The owner's tone was harsh; Yan Buji bowed and smiled, "I am a wandering mountain‑field cultivator; may I ask whether the Fundamental Cultivation Method is available for purchase?"

"Yes, there are plenty of basics, but the lowest price is eight Spiritual Stones. Do you have that?"

"Good fellow, I happen to have one left."

Yan Buji's face twitched, "Alright, please recommend one."

The owner pointed to dozens of jade slips on the front shelf, "Find it yourself."

It seemed he wasn't even afraid of Yan Buji pilfering anything, and he returned to his reading at the counter.

Yan Buji took a deep breath.

Is a cultivation method really that easy to obtain?

Even in the mundane world, an internal‑skill martial technique isn't simply displayed for you to pick and pay for.

After three years of entry‑level training and ten years serving a master, you still need the master's willingness to pass on the skill—that's the everyday reality of sects and gangs.

But the cultivation world is vastly different!

Even the most basic cultivation method, for a rookie like Yan Buji who has no footing, is incredibly convenient!

Yan Buji picked up a jade slip, projected his spiritual awareness, and sensed each one:

【(Pure) Spiritual Fire Technique: Can convert a cultivator's magical power into fire element; after mastery, one can nurture personal Spiritual Fire…】

【(Pure) Planting Wood Technique: Balanced and peaceful, prolongs lifespan…】

【(Pure) Golden Wheel Skill: After mastery, can affix sharp golden aura onto the Accumulation Device, dealing great damage…】

Yan Buji read through them; each method only had a brief description, but every one bore the character "Pure," which reminded him of the shop owner's talk about the distinction between purity and turbidity.

"Owner, may I ask why the methods are prefixed with 'Pure'?" Yan Buji asked curiously.

The shop owner looked puzzled, "Don't you know the separation of pure and turbid arts? For us ordinary cultivators, we pursue a clean, free path, seeking the Dao of immortals, thus we uphold purity; the turbid arts belong to those unrestrained, reckless demonic cultivators—I don't sell those!"

Yan Buji was a bit confused, "Pure versus turbid? Can a single method affect a cultivator's nature?"

"Heh, you're not stupid. Indeed, cultivators who follow pure arts are generally normal, observing rites and not overstepping; demonic cultivators consider themselves cultivators yet ignore all formalities, inevitably leaning toward Chaos. In terms of magical power, pure cultivators wield bright, balanced energy; turbid cultivators have muddied, reckless power." The owner chuckled lightly.

"But even as cultivation methods, pure arts seem disadvantageous in ordinary combat, right?"

"They're not great, but they provide a solid foundation; even when facing stronger turbid cultivators, you can at least hold your own. Moreover, you know turbid cultivators inevitably encounter worldly turbid things. Those turbid things may be strong but can only wreak havoc briefly; they never endure, for they are not the righteous path!"

"Oh, I see, thank you for the clarification." Yan Buji bowed.

The boss waved his hand: "Have you decided?"

Just this Planting Wood Technique.