The Science of Cultivation-Chapter 241: Decidedly Uncertain

Li Lang fell silent as he pondered the relationship between the talent of cultivating multi-attributed techniques and spiritual roots. From what he learned, Foundation Establishment cultivators had an easier time absorbing and manipulating Qi of the same attribute as the cultivation technique they practiced. He theorized this was due to the techniques affecting their spiritual roots.

In the Energy Gathering Realm, one of the main jobs of spiritual roots was to act as a Qi filter. They filtered out toxins from the ambient energies entering the body. The other role was to be the muscle that exerted control over Qi.

If Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could exert greater control over specific attributes of Qi, then changes to the spiritual roots would naturally be the most likely conclusion.

“Li Lang?” Sima Xue asked upon seeing the young man frozen in place.

“Oh, sorry. I wanted to ask what kind of tests your master had you do to see if you were talented in cultivating multi-attribute techniques.”

“It’s not that complicated. He had me absorb the two types of Qi our technique had an affinity with.”

“Hmm, so you need the assistance of someone who already cultivates that particular Qi type, then?”

“It’s not mandatory. Master said special Qi stones or heavenly materials can do the same thing.”

“So if I want to test my affinity for fire and water, I just need resources that contain that type of Qi and absorb it?”

Sima Xue nodded. “That’s right.”

“And just to be clear, this talent you are talking about is simply being able to control both energies at the same time?”

“Yes. It’ll make more sense once you’ve tried it. By doing so, you’ll also be able to test out how the Qi of different attributes will interact. Consider it a trial period, to see how it is before committing to it, though I can’t say much on that matter. As you can tell from our organization’s name, the core of our techniques lies in the synergy between the night and the moon. It is a variant of the concept of yin and yang, where the two energies feed into each other.”

The vagueness of how this talent was measured got Li Lang thinking, but he quickly shelved those thoughts and continued asking questions.

“So technically, there isn’t a limit to how many attributes a technique encompasses, right? If Nightmoon Valley’s techniques are derived from yin-yang, doesn’t that mean there is room for a lot of other concepts, like the three phases of water, or even the five main elements?”

“Umm, yes, but I’ve never heard of anyone talented enough to split their attention to so many different attributes. Some have tried practicing techniques with three attributes, but either fail or end up weaker than the average cultivator of their rank. Being too ambitious isn’t a good thing, Li Lang.”

“I know. It’s not like I’m jumping at the opportunity of trying it out. I just want to learn more about various possibilities and, if possible, a plethora of different techniques to compare how they work.”

“Well, that’s everything I know. Can we just hurry up and finish breakfast and head out already? I don’t want to stay here all day.”

As much as Li Lang wanted to say no and continue his investigation, he nodded. Sima Xue, along with Jian Beiyun, had come here first thing in the morning to greet them. It would be too rude, even for Li Lang, to question them all morning. They were here to take them around Sword Saint Isle, and that worked out fine for Li Lang, too.

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The group soon finished their food and departed from the inn. Under their hosts’ guidance, Li Lang’s group began touring the city once more. Just as they suspected from the previous day’s outing, there wasn’t too much to see in the city. It was more accurate to call the place a small town, owing to the lack of amenities, but that wasn’t entirely true either.

Once they’d had their fill of the area by their inn, Jian Beiyun took them around the sword-shaped mountain. Flying on a Skyrunner, the group could easily spot the large arena in the middle of a thick forest. It stood out like a sore thumb.

“This here is the venue for The Dark Sea Arena. They had finished constructing it before I even got here, so that visitors from afar could inspect the grounds ahead of time. Many already use it as a gathering place with their fellow cultivators and conduct constructive exchanges. There should be quite a few people down there sparring already.”

The venue wasn’t anything fancy like the coliseum back in Spirit Grove Sect. There was a large clearing at the center, with some elevated platforms surrounding it. Any decent formation master could’ve built this within a day.

“Don’t underestimate this place just because it looks so simple,” Jian Beiyun explained, having read the group’s expression. “You see those four pillars around the arena? Those are the work of a powerful three-star formation master. No one under the Violet Core Realm could ever hope to damage the barrier.”

“That’s perfect!” Long Yi shouted. “I can observe fights up close without having to worry!”

The adults from Nightmoon Valley simply nodded at his words.

The group soon landed by the arena and spectated the ongoing fights taking place. There were nine platforms in total within the area the four pillars surrounded. The barrier Jian Beiyun mentioned could be easily seen by focusing Qi into their eyes. A dome enveloped each platform. Whenever any stray attacks from the participants dueling made contact with this dome, it instantly disappeared without a trace.

Three of the nine platforms were currently occupied, with a small crowd around each one. The spectators all noticed Li Lang’s group immediately and began whispering to each other. It didn’t take long before Li Lang realized all their gaze was drawn to their guides.

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“Your organization sure is popular around here,” he commented.

“Oh no, it’s not us that they’re so interested in,” Sima Xue defended. “It’s Senior Jian in particular. He’s famous throughout the entire Violet Isle as one of the strongest cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm! They even came up with a moniker for him. He’s called Slithering Shadows!”

The man in question shook his head, and they continued to walk closer to the active platforms. “It’s undeserved. Numerous talented cultivators exist throughout our Luminescent Domain and beyond. I don’t doubt there are many hidden talents that are much better than me.”

“No need to be so humble, Senior Brother! Your reputation is good enough as it is.”

Instead of replying, Jian Beiyun quickened his pace, leading the group to the fight with the most spectators. While many people continued to stare at the head disciples of Nightmoon Valley, the fighters in the ring remained focused on their fight.

Their figures could barely be seen as their silhouettes flickered like phantoms, constantly vanishing from view. All Li Lang could make out was that a spear-wielder was facing off against a cultivator proficient in fire Qi arts.

“I heard from Senior Zhu and Ma that you guys experienced some difficulties on your way here,” Jian Beiyun stated casually as he watched appreciatively at the ongoing battle. “Witnessing a life-or-death battle is definitely an invaluable experience, but the spars you’ll be able to spectate for the next few weeks are just as important.”

“I have no objection about that,” Long Yi said. “The variety of techniques I’ll be able to witness will definitely give me a lot of inspiration for how I want to proceed!”

“It’s not only that. Unlike fights in the mortal realms, the attribute of the techniques you practice will matter a lot. One must learn about the potential matchups you may face and how to deal with each of them. I suggest you pay more attention to cultivations of the same affinity as you. While your techniques will not be the same, the tactical thinking in most situations will be similar.”

All the talks regarding attributes made Li Lang thoughtful. His companions and students who had broken through so far had decided on an attribute with no issue. Only he was undecided after so much time had passed. The more he learned, the more uncertain he was.

It was the result of him not excelling in any particular areas of combat, combined with the anxiety of realizing he would be at a disadvantage no matter what he picked. Those with more spiritual roots could exert greater power. With only five spiritual roots, he was so lacking that no matter what he chose, he would only gain an edge in the most perfect matchups.

Is there a way I can make up for my lack of power?