Chapter 9

Xiang Yun flew swiftly to the east, with Zhou Yi riding on the cloud, propelled by the palm force of Wenshi Zhenren. Even with the basic cloud-riding technique, it displayed an extraordinary speed.

Zhou Yi examined the attribute panel, sitting on the cloud, carefully analyzing the current cultivation techniques and skills he had obtained, and made some adjustments.

*Cloud-Riding Technique*: A first-stage technique, with three levels in total. Currently at level one, it is a basic cloud-riding technique for a Qi Practitioner, with a flight speed of 350-500 and a mana consumption of 5 points per second.

The Cloud-Riding Technique is just the most basic method of cloud-riding and mist-walking, with limited room for upgrading. Although it still needs to be equipped, he adjusted the experience ratio.

The current experience bar has been divided into three parts: the system default is 40% for human experience, and 30% each for *Cloud-Riding Technique* and *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wuxing Lianqi Jue*.

Removing *Cloud-Riding Technique* from the experience bar, Zhou Yi continued to read.

*Shangqing Xiaoyan Wuxing Lianqi Jue*: A third-stage Daoist scripture, with nine levels in total. Currently at level one; requirements: full Bone Meridian attribute, and a Yin-Yang and Earth Virtue Body; written by a Shangqing unnamed Qi Practitioner, it is the foundation of Qi cultivation for mortals, capable of controlling the five elements to lay the foundation for the Dao.

"Lay the foundation for the Dao?"

The introduction was brief, but the words "lay" and "foundation" immediately caught Zhou Yi's attention. In both his past and present life, based on the information he had, the only cultivation realm available during the test phase was the Sword Immortal lineage, with only a few cultivation realms like the famous Out-of-Body Soul and Golden Core Path being open.

It wasn't until the official launch that the cultivation realms were fully opened, and with careful exploration, one could discover that the words "lay the foundation" were indeed quite tempting to Zhou Yi. Although the realm quests were difficult, whether or not they were completed did not affect development, but to walk the path of a strong cultivator, it was a necessary threshold to cross.

This was an unexpected gain. The bird from Zhongnan Mountain once said that the Taiqing lineage had a method for mortals to cultivate and lay the foundation, which was considered the best technique within the third stage, with a cost-effectiveness comparable to the *Baiyang Tujie*. Now, what Zhou Yi had obtained was a technique from the Shangqing lineage, which was likely a new variable. He didn't take it to heart but thought that the value of "laying the foundation" would not be much less than the *Baiyang Tujie*, especially with the requirement of full Bone Meridian.

However, Zhou Yi believed that what he had obtained should be of the same nature as what the bird had mentioned, as both were obtained from Wenshi Zhenren, and the cultivation requirement was the same: a Yin-Yang and Earth Virtue Body.

A Yin-Yang and Earth Virtue Body refers to the constitution, which is divided into five categories: Taiyin, Shaoyin, Pinghe, Shaoyang, and Taiyang. Each category is divided into five levels, with a full value of 40. The central value is Yin-Yang and Pinghe, with the Earth Virtue being the fifth element.

Zhou Yi's constitution was 17, which fell into the Yin-Yang and Earth Virtue Body category, from 17 to 24. This was something he had already considered when adjusting his attributes.

"Let's quickly check the attributes of the first-level basic techniques. I believe they won't differ much and should be of a small supreme quality."

Zhou Yi continued to read:

First-level derivative spells:

*Small Xiaoyan Gengjin Flowing Light*: Spell damage 80-100, mana consumption 10 points, range 100 zhang, 3% chance to cause a defense-breaking effect, 100% chance to ignore defense and mark the target with a Wuxing mark, which increases the target's vulnerability to Water spells by 5% for 5 seconds, no cooldown, spell effect improves with the level of the cultivation technique.

*Small Xiaoyan Gui Shui Flowing Light*: Spell damage 80-100, mana consumption 10 points, range 100 zhang, 3% chance to cause an ice seal effect, 100% chance to ignore defense and mark the target with a Wuxing mark, which increases the target's vulnerability to Wood spells by 5% for 5 seconds, no cooldown, spell effect improves with the level of the cultivation technique.

*Small Xiaoyan Qingmu Flowing Light*: Spell damage 80-100, mana consumption 10 points, range 100 zhang, 3% chance to cause a paralysis effect, 100% chance to ignore defense and mark the target with a Wuxing mark, which increases the target's vulnerability to Fire spells by 5% for 5 seconds, no cooldown, spell effect improves with the level of the cultivation technique.

*Small Xiaoyan Lihuo Flowing Light*: Spell damage 80-100, mana consumption 10 points, range 100 zhang, 3% chance to cause a burning effect, 100% chance to ignore defense and mark the target with a Wuxing mark, which increases the target's vulnerability to Earth spells by 5% for 5 seconds, no cooldown, spell effect improves with the level of the cultivation technique.

*Small Xiaoyan Hou Tu Flowing Light*: Spell damage 80-100, mana consumption 10 points, range 100 zhang, 3% chance to cause a dizziness effect, 100% chance to ignore defense and mark the target with a Wuxing mark, which increases the target's vulnerability to Metal spells by 5% for 5 seconds, no cooldown, spell effect improves with the level of the cultivation technique.

"Hmm..."

After digesting the explanations of the spells, Zhou Yi exclaimed in surprise, "Not bad, not bad! Indeed, they are of a small supreme quality. The Qi Practitioner's technique is purely dominant, with pure elemental spell attacks. With the 80 base spell damage added by the cultivation technique, combined with the *Jiuku Tianzun Liangyi Fumo Tujie*, the damage is comparable to a third-stage supreme flying sword, and the spell effects have great potential for improvement!"

Thinking about this, Zhou Yi checked the experience required to reach the second level of *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wuxing Lianqi Jue*, which was a staggering 100,000 experience points, causing him to draw a sharp breath.

"100,000 experience points! My comprehension is the lowest, and even if I adjust the Daoist scripture experience ratio to 100% and focus on upgrading its levels, it will take ages to reach the second level..."

With a determined heart, Zhou Yi removed *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wuxing Lianqi Jue* from the experience bar. With the lowest comprehension, he closed the method of leveling up the Daoist scripture through grinding experience. However, the *Pianyan* world was vast and boundless, and there were always other methods. Zhou Yi was not worried and decided to let it be for now.

"Seems like I forgot something..."

After closing the attribute panel, Zhou Yi sat on the cloud, thinking about some things. He felt that he had missed something, so he opened the attribute panel again and looked it over, finally discovering something new.

*Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang*: A non-spell technique, created by a Shangqing unnamed Qi Practitioner, a method to control elemental spells to subdue demons, with 36 basic forms, containing myriad wonders and infinite uses.

For ordinary players, the core of Daoist scriptures and techniques was the spells and attribute bonuses. For Zhou Yi, who was always a technical player, the true value was in the usage, as this was the core of spell duels.

Complementary to the cultivation techniques and spells, this was a scarce resource. It could maximize the value of the Daoist scripture, enhance the skillfulness of spell duels, and, with proper combination, develop many valuable techniques. *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang* was clearly such a scarce resource. Zhou Yi carefully watched the demonstrations of various techniques, and the system prompt followed:

Do you want to create a quick chain of techniques?

"No!"

He rejected it without hesitation. Without practical combat, he couldn't see which techniques could be combined with the current spells and which could be combined with the higher-level spells of the cultivation technique. Moreover, leaving the outcome to the system was not his style.

"No, just watching these demonstrations won't get to the essence, and I can't distinguish which techniques are used with higher-level derivative spells. I need to try them out myself. There are 36 forms, and the cultivation technique has nine levels, so each level should have four fixed techniques on average."

Closing the technique demonstration, Zhou Yi looked around from the cloud. In no time, he had reached the eastern ridge of the Xiaoshan Mountains. He checked the new techniques he had learned and thought, "Since I have the core output techniques, why not take on some challenges? The forum has already posted videos of a level 18 Emei player challenging a level 30 elite monster. My cultivation technique is no worse than theirs, so why not give it a try?"

Zhou Yi was quite confident. In his past life, the cultivation of martial veins was the most difficult path, and he had reached the level of a saintly body, which showed his skill. Moreover, this was not his first time dealing with Qi Practitioners, and he had confidence in his abilities.

Feeling that Wenshi's push had disappeared, Zhou Yi's mana began to drain at a rate of 2 points per second. If it weren't for the Qi Practitioner's attribute of regenerating 3 points of mana per second, the drain would have been faster. He immediately canceled the Cloud-Riding Technique and fell rapidly from the cloud.

"After unsealing my mana, I get 200 mana points at my inherent level, plus 100 from the cultivation technique, totaling 300 points. I should save them for challenging elites!" Zhou Yi planned, enjoying the thrill of the free fall. As the mountain range below became clearer, he could see the monsters roaming in the vast forest.

"Rise!"

Just before hitting the forest, Zhou Yi flipped in the air, and a cloud appeared beneath him, allowing him to glide low over the forest. He saw many level 8 to 15 monsters and even some player teams deep in the forest, but he didn't stop, continuing to search for suitable opponents.

Looking around, the mountains were vast and majestic, and the forest was dense. Zhou Yi continued to wander until he heard the roar of wild beasts in the forest. He landed on a tree canopy, climbed to a branch, and scanned the area, spotting a Xiaogui tearing apart a gray wolf and devouring its corpse.

Xiaogui, a level 15 elite monster, with 3000-5000 HP, extremely fast speed, powerful attacks, double physical defense, low spell defense, and the ability to double its movement speed and shatter rocks with its bare hands when enraged.

Recalling the general information about this monster, Zhou Yi smiled. It was perfect for practicing his skills.

Standing on a branch, he waited for his mana to fully regenerate. With a wave of his hand, a thick Gengjin light instantly pierced a hole in the giant tree, and the flowing light shot down, causing the Xiaogui to retreat in alarm, dodging the Gengjin light.

Unexpectedly, just as it retreated, it was hit by a second flow of light, causing intense pain and a bone-chilling cold to spread through its body. It let out a fierce roar, startling many birds, and lunged at Zhou Yi. Just as it took its first step, it was hit by a Qingmu light on the head.

-Miss

-150

-200

Red numbers floated up as he used both hands to cast the *Xiaoyan Wuxing Flowing Light* in a cycle of the five elements, rapidly draining his mana.

The Xiaogui moved quickly, and Zhou Yi couldn't hit it with every attack, but he could predict and control its movements, keeping it within a limited range. Elite monsters, unlike ordinary monsters, had higher intelligence and would choose more suitable ways to fight based on their advantages.

For example, the Xiaogui, with its speed advantage, would dodge attacks appropriately. However, Zhou Yi's predictions were not to be underestimated, and he tightly sealed the Xiaogui's movement.

After taking six hits, losing about 600 HP, the Xiaogui realized its disadvantage and roared in anger, its body swelling to a height of ten feet. It roared and charged at Zhou Yi, moving so fast that it was instantly under the tree. It leaped up, breaking the tree trunk with one claw and swiping at Zhou Yi with the other.

Zhou Yi's pupils dilated, and his body froze in the 36 forms of *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang*. The approaching giant claw grew larger in his vision, and the demonstration of *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang* in his mind was crystal clear. He suddenly jumped to the right, his limbs emitting a faint blue light, dispersing like smoke and reappearing on the Xiaogui's right side.

In that moment, both were in a floating state. The Xiaogui's attack had been fully unleashed, and it was in a hard lock state, unable to react instantly without a spell. Zhou Yi, however, used *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang*, summoned a Gengjin light in his hand, which transformed into a golden light sword, and slashed down at the Xiaogui.

-340

The Xiaogui's massive body crashed to the ground, sending dirt flying and exposing large patches of soil. The golden light sword disappeared, and a system prompt appeared:

*Hui Guang Light Sword*, formed from the sixth and eighth forms of *Shangqing Xiaoyan Wanxiang*. *Hui Guang* evasion is the starting form, which can remove hard lock status and leap up to 100 zhang, summoning a Wuxing light sword with a 30-zhang range, pushing back enemies and triggering a 100% Wuxing debuff on the target. The light sword consumes 10 points of mana from the Wuxing flowing light, appearing only once when activated, regardless of whether it hits or not.

"Defense broken!"

Facing an elite monster, Zhou Yi could not afford any hesitation. As soon as the *Hui Guang Light Sword* disappeared, he immediately activated the *Jiuku Tianzun Liangyi Fumo Tujie*.

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