Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

“I don’t possess the complete Mountain Sea Realm Techniques. However, I am familiar with a soul technique suitable for cultivating the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, but I have already made a vow imprinted on my soul. If it were to be disclosed, my soul would shatter,” Xiang Qianling explained.

After purchasing the Blood Lotus Pill, Chen Fei inquired about the Mountain Sea Realm Techniques.

Within the Thousand Feathers Alliance, there was no need to even consider the Mountain Sea Realm Techniques because there were only three individuals at the Mountain Sea Realm. None of them would divulge the Mountain Sea Realm Techniques to Chen Fei.

But here in the Black Divine Domain, almost everyone hailed from the Boundless Sea. The resources and environment they possessed were far superior to those of the Thousand Feathers Alliance. There might not be any Mountain Sea Realm techniques among them, although the possibility was extremely slim.

However, asking wouldn’t cost him anything.

“Does that technique you mentioned lack an imprint on the soul?” Chen Fei asked.

Within a sect, not to mention soul techniques, even some Combined Aperture Tempering realm inheritances couldn’t be disclosed. Otherwise, the consequences would be extremely severe.

Soul techniques, which slightly touch upon one’s own soul and enable cultivation of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, were even more confidential to a sect. Non-core disciples had no chance of encountering them.

After all, possessing a soul technique would slightly increase the success rate of breaking through to the Mountain Sea Realm.

Perhaps it was only a slight increase, but the value was immeasurable.

“He only possesses half of the technique obtained from a certain cave. It’s difficult to evaluate how effective it still is.”

Xiang Qianling stopped in front of a stone house, turned to Chen Fei, and said, “I’ve informed you about the situation with this technique. Whether you want to purchase it in the end is for you to decide.”

By temporarily exchanging unused resources from the Qiankun Bag for five contribution points, Xiang Qianling’s mood improved considerably, which is why she kindly brought Chen Fei over.

“Thank you for the reminder!” Chen Fei expressed his gratitude with a bow.

Given the choice, Chen Fei would prefer the Mountain Sea Realm Techniques. In his eyes, this soul technique seemed somewhat lacking.

However, within the Black Divine Domain at this moment, everyone was at the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, and practitioners at this level simply couldn’t obtain Mountain Sea Realm techniques because even if they obtained them, they wouldn’t be able to cultivate them.

Those with backgrounds of Mountain Sea Realm experts naturally had no need to know about the contents of Mountain Sea Realm techniques in advance.

Just like Xiang Qianling, despite having a Mountain Sea Realm expert in the Xiang family, she wouldn’t possess those techniques.

Chen Fei could only make do with obtaining the soul technique.

Recently, he had been continuously refining spiritual treasures, comprehending the faint imprints automatically emanating from them. In Chen Fei’s sea of consciousness, there were already some vague insights resonating.

However, these insights had not yet reached a critical threshold, so the system panel couldn’t organize them into a specific technique.

Nevertheless, if Chen Fei could obtain a soul technique, even if it was only half, combined with his own vague insights, perhaps he could compile a practicable soul technique.

Seeing that Chen Fei had no objections, Xiang Qianling nodded and turned to knock on the door of the stone house.

After a moment, the door of the stone house opened, revealing a person with a clear and even somewhat gaunt appearance standing before Chen Fei.

Upon seeing the visitor, Chen Fei couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly. This person’s vitality and spirit didn’t resemble what one would expect from someone at the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

Although everyone’s cultivation realms were sealed within the Black Divine Domain, reduced to the state of ordinary people, sometimes one could still faintly discern a person’s true cultivation from their demeanor.

However, the person before him seemed as if they were on the brink of death at any moment.

“What happened to you?” Xiang Qianling’s brow furrowed slightly upon seeing the visitor, indicating that the two were already familiar with each other.

“I was just idling around and decided to practice that technique. As a result, because of the seal, I almost sucked myself dry,” Xiao Guangji chuckled softly, then turned to look at Chen Fei.

“Who is this?” Xiao Guangji asked, puzzled.

“You were interested in contribution points, right? This friend here intends to make a purchase. You can negotiate the price yourselves; I won’t interfere,” Xiang Qianling briefly introduced, then turned to leave.

She was still a bit short on contribution points and wanted to exchange them for what she needed at the Black Divine Temple.

At this moment, Xiang Qianling naturally wanted to hurry back to set up her stall and accumulate enough contribution points.

“Do you have an interest in the soul technique?” Upon hearing Xiang Qianling’s words, Xiao Guangji’s expression suddenly became enthusiastic.

“Yes,” Chen Fei nodded.

“The soul technique is a confidential matter that no faction would easily disclose. If it weren’t for being in the Black Divine Domain, I wouldn’t even consider selling it,” Xiao Guangji said solemnly.

“Your soul technique is only half complete, isn’t it? Can it still be cultivated?” Chen Fei remained unmoved by Xiao Guangji’s words.

From what Xiang Qianling had mentioned earlier about the technique being only half complete, coupled with Xiao Guangji’s current appearance, Chen Fei already had a rough idea about this technique.

Or rather, the fact that Xiao Guangji dared to openly sell a technique hinted at many things.

Those who truly possessed a complete soul technique would keep it a secret and cultivate it quietly.

It was only those incomplete ones that would seek to maximize their value, such as by finding an opportunity to pass it on to someone of higher status.

“Of course, it can be cultivated!”

Xiao Guangji’s expression brightened, and a faint fluctuation emanated from his forehead. Compared to the fluctuations of Gong Shiyuan from the Black Divine Sect, Xiao Guangji’s technique was indeed considerably weaker.

However weak it might be, at least it showed the semblance of a soul technique. This alone indicated that Xiao Guangji was not lying.

But judging by Xiao Guangji’s current appearance, cultivating this soul technique might result in some considerable side effects, despite its weaker effectiveness.

“What’s the price?” Chen Fei asked.

Even if there were many side effects from cultivation, Chen Fei could use the panel to simplify and bypass some of them. In terms of value, this soul technique still had some merit.

“Ten contribution points!” Seeing Chen Fei’s interest, Xiao Guangji quoted a price.

“I’ll pass!” Chen Fei nodded slightly and turned to leave directly. The price was simply outrageous; Chen Fei would rather continue refining spiritual treasures and comprehending imprints to compile a technique in the end.

“Hey, don’t go, we can negotiate the price!” Xiao Guangji quickly stopped Chen Fei.

“That price is too high.” Chen Fei halted his steps and looked at Xiao Guangji.

“Then, name your price.” Xiao Guangji didn’t argue, instead throwing the question back at Chen Fei.

Chen Fei thought for a moment and said, “One contribution point, and I must verify the technique first.”

“That price is too low. This is a soul technique, and you don’t have…”

“Hey, I haven’t finished yet, hold on a moment,” Xiao Guangji said, seeing Chen Fei about to leave again, and stopped him with some frustration.

“That price is really too low,” Xiao Guangji said, looking at Chen Fei.

“Can I see part of the technique first?” Chen Fei didn’t respond to Xiao Guangji’s comment.

“Sure.” Xiao Guangji thought for a moment, then nodded and took out a jade slip.

Chen Fei looked at the jade slip, focused his mind, and gently probed into it.

After a moment, Chen Fei withdrew his consciousness, his eyes showing a hint of contemplation.

Compared to Elemental and Mental techniques, this type of soul technique was something Chen Fei encountered for the first time. The method of cultivation involved in it was also vastly different from the previous two.

“How about it? Selling a technique like this for only one contribution point is too little,” Xiao Guangji said.

“You don’t mention any side effects in your technique at all,” Chen Fei chuckled softly.

“You can’t expect to delve into the soul without bearing any consequences,” Xiao Guangji smirked.

“Two contribution points, but I won’t make any vows. If you agree, I’ll buy it,” Chen Fei said after some thought.

The soul technique certainly had value. Even if it was only half complete and had severe side effects, this couldn’t conceal its essence of being able to cultivate a bit of soul power.

Of course, whether cultivating this bit of soul power could ultimately increase the success rate of breaking through to the Mountain Sea Realm was uncertain. There was a high probability that it couldn’t.

After all, many complete soul techniques only allowed Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators to touch their own souls slightly. The effectiveness of such a flawed and severely side-effect-laden soul technique could be easily imagined.

“Alright, deal!” Xiao Guangji hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

There simply weren’t any other buyers for this soul technique. Those who had the means weren’t interested, and those who were interested couldn’t afford the price. It was an extremely awkward situation.

Chen Fei’s face lit up with a smile. He transferred the agreed contribution points to Xiao Guangji and received another jade slip from him.

Chen Fei read through it on the spot, and after a moment, a new message appeared on the panel.

[Technique: Soul-breaking Technique (Incomplete)]

This was the information about the soul technique. Seeing the message appear on the panel, Chen Fei transferred the remaining contribution point to Xiao Guangji.

He nodded to Xiao Guangji and then turned to leave.

A smile played on Xiao Guangji’s face as well. Though he hadn’t sold it for the desired price, at least he had managed to make a sale, which wasn’t too bad.

Instead of returning to the stone house, Chen Fei continued toward the market. Half an hour later, he had spent his contribution points until only ten remained, then he headed towards the Black Divine Temple.

The purchasing power in the market with his contribution points was quite strong. Chen Fei bought a bunch of resources for cultivation, some of which were rarely seen even in the Thousand Feathers Alliance. He practically cleared out the available stock.

With ten points remaining, Chen Fei wanted to purchase the teleportation ability.

This was an essential divine skill for everyday use. With the ability to teleport, he could escape when encountering opponents or beasts he couldn’t defeat.

The exchange price at the Black Divine Temple was nine contribution points. The only thing that made Chen Fei somewhat wary was that there seemed to be some special manipulation involved in all the exchanges at the Black Divine Temple.

He suspected that he might be contaminated if abilities were directly attached to him.

The only solution Chen Fei could think of was to quickly discard the ability when it was implanted into him at the Black Divine Temple.

When the information was recorded on the panel, Chen Fei could also avoid the worst contamination. After all, even if the Black Divine Temple wanted to contaminate people or beasts, they couldn’t do it all at once, as that would be too obvious.

As long as the ability remained on him, this contamination would progress gradually, like boiling a frog in warm water, making him gradually controlled without realizing it.

Before the statue of the deity, Chen Fei looked at the well, about to make the exchange, when suddenly, the entire Black Divine Domain began to tremble slightly.

Chen Fei instinctively looked up. Since there was no obstruction above the well, he could see the sky. At this moment, ripples began to appear in the sky.

The ripples grew denser, as if someone were tearing apart the sky..