*It was the transformation brought about by the Soul Searching Technique of the Returning to Nature Level.*
Ning Daoran uttered a contemplative murmur.
*As he became more proficient in the Soul Searching Technique, his mental strength grew increasingly stronger, eventually leading to a qualitative change from its quantitative build-up.*
*When the Soul Searching Technique reached the supreme realm of Returning to Nature, it unexpectedly led to the formation of Divine Sense ahead of time!*
*Possessing Divine Sense at the Qi Refining Middle Stage was absurd, but due to the Returning to Nature aspect of the Soul Searching Technique, it seemed quite reasonable.*
His Divine Sense began to frantically scan Qiongbi Peak!
At Spirit Field No. 78, Ma Quanyou was picking his feet while admiring his mountain-like muscular chest in the copper mirror.
At Spirit Field No. 79, Granny Yun Cui was cooking her favorite rice porridge for Chen Weimo.
At Spirit Field No. 80, Hong Ming and Zhong Yan... hmm, indescribable.
At Spirit Field No. 81, Huang Shan was practicing, seemingly cultivating some kind of Wood Attribute Technique, but due to his poor aptitude, he was terribly anxious and sweating profusely.
...
*It was said that the Divine Sense of an Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could scan a range of several dozen feet, but Ning Daoran was able to scan beyond a hundred feet. Did this imply that his Divine Sense strength was even stronger than that of the Early-stage Foundation Establishment?*
*Absurd, but acceptable!*
Quickly, he retracted his Divine Sense. *The thrill of the first experience was enough; he couldn't be too arrogant.*
*If he were discovered by a great power within the sect while scanning with his Divine Sense and they came over, that would be truly dangerous.*
*Therefore, something like Divine Sense should be kept hidden, and used only when necessary.*
*Days continued to pass one by one.*
*During this period, Han Bing visited multiple times. With the resources of an Inner Sect Disciple, she had broken through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage a year ago, and now she was already at the Fifth Layer. Ning Daoran always felt that Han Bing's future realm might possibly surpass his own.*
...
"Junior Brother Ning!"
Outside the Small Cloud Mist Array, a familiar voice was heard.
It was Lin Sheng, a disciple from the Inner Fire Feather Hall!
Although Lin Sheng was rash and believed in being "courageous and diligent," he was still respectful. He would never forcefully enter the Small Cloud Mist Array if Ning Daoran didn't respond, even though... in the eyes of someone like Lin Sheng in the Late-stage Qi Refining, the defensive effect of this Small Cloud Mist Array was practically nonexistent.
To him, entering the Small Cloud Mist Array was like pushing open a creaky, shaky door.
"Senior Brother Lin!"
Ning Daoran activated the array and said with a grin, "Come in quickly!"
Lin Sheng strode into the small courtyard, as usual, taking a cursory glance around before smiling and saying, "Junior Brother, it seems your cultivation hasn't made much progress... it's causing a lot of worry for your brother!"
In his left hand, he carried a jar of spiritual wine, and in his right, a crucian carp weighing at least two pounds. The fish's tail fin shimmered with gold, and it exuded a strong presence of spirit energy.
"Spirit fish?"
Ning Daoran was taken aback.
"Oh, you recognize it? I thought you wouldn't know."
Lin Sheng laughed heartily, "This spirit fish is a great thing. I bought it from a vendor for four spirit stones. Come on, let's cook it well, and the three of us brothers will have a drink!"
"Alright!"
Ning Daoran promptly grabbed the spirit fish, "Old Lu, make it braised!"
Soon after, a table full of dishes was laid out, with the centerpiece being the spirit fish, its flesh tender and infused with rich spiritual energy that could enhance blood Qi and elevate one's cultivation.
"Senior Brother Lin,"
Ning Daoran poured the wine and said with a smile, "Do you have good news?"
"Indeed."
Lin Sheng grinned widely, "To be honest with you, Junior Brother, I just broke through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. I've been promoted to a deacon at the Inner Fire Feather Hall, and now have a dozen or so brothers under my command. The recent tasks I've completed for the sect have been of high difficulty, and I've earned quite a bit of contribution."
"That's great, Senior Brother Lin!"
Ning Daoran clinked glasses and said, "As your junior brother, I'm proud!"
"That's why I came to tell you about this."
Lin Sheng said, "Junior Brother, you're always locked away, and the tasks you take from the Outer Sect are the simplest ones. When will you gather enough sect contribution?"
He raised an eyebrow slightly, exuding heroic spirit, "Tell me, which technique from the Contribution Hall do you want? The three True Inheritance Techniques are not for exchange, and the Inheritance Technique can only be learned by the Senior Master Sister, so let's not mention those. Just tell me, and I'll exchange it for you."
"Huh?"
*Ning Daoran's mind buzzed; exchanging for a proper sect technique required a significant amount of contribution, and Lin Sheng wanted to help him get one, truly treating him like a brother...*
"Never mind."
He smiled, "Senior Brother's contributions are earned at great risk, and you need resources for your own cultivation. It's better to use them to exchange for advancement elixirs instead."
"Ning Daoran,"
Lin Sheng's expression suddenly grew cold, "Are you saying you don't treat me like a brother?"
"How could I..."
*Ning Daoran felt his scalp tingle.*
"Then spare the nonsense. Just tell me which technique you want. As long as it's not the True Yang Furnace Technique or Purple Cloud Sword Technique, I can get it for you!"
"Alright then."
Ning Daoran saw that Lin Sheng was really going to get upset, so he said, "Senior Brother, if I'm fortunate enough to enter the Qi Refining Middle Stage, I plan to choose techniques with both Wood and Fire attributes. The two complement each other, with Wood aiding advancement and Fire aiding combat, so..."
"Understood."
Lin Sheng chuckled, "Evergreen Technique or Flame Sun Skill, which one do you want?"
The Chaotic Sect wasn't some grand sect, so there weren't many techniques suitable for Qi Refining cultivation. Evergreen Technique for Wood attribute, and Flame Sun Skill for Fire attribute, but both required reaching the Qi Refining Seventh Layer to be eligible for one copy from the sect, and only one copy.
Wanting more meant relying on sect contribution for exchange.
"Then the Evergreen Technique."
Ning Daoran said, "I've heard that cultivating the Evergreen Technique deeply can increase lifespan..."
"Hang on one moment!"
Lin Sheng, like a whirlwind, turned and rushed out of the Small Cloud Mist Array, riding his sword away!
Less than half an incense stick later, Lin Sheng returned.
He tossed a jade scroll containing the Evergreen Technique to Ning Daoran, and the food hadn't even cooled yet!
'Wow...'
*Ning Daoran exclaimed repeatedly in his heart, Senior Brother Lin Sheng was impressive, acting with decisiveness and speed!*
He quickly tucked the jade scroll into his robe and raised his cup, "Senior Brother, let's continue drinking, I won't forget this!"
"Sure, why be so formal with your brother?"
Lin Sheng laughed heartily, "Junior Brother, as long as this Evergreen Technique works for you, my contributions haven't been wasted. Come, drink more of this spiritual wine and breakthrough soon, don't let me wait for you at the Foundation Establishment Stage for too long!"
"I'll do my best, hahahaha~~~"
*Ning Daoran had already made up his mind. Lin Sheng, this brother, was genuinely good to him, and he would never disappoint him.*
*Even if it entailed some cause-and-effect repercussions, or risk, he would never let Senior Brother Lin down!*
...
Once satiated with food and drink, Lin Sheng departed.
Ning Daoran descended into the secret chamber twenty feet underground.
"Hic~~"
*After a satisfied belch, he carefully retrieved the jade scroll from his robe, bearing in mind that it was exchanged by Lin Sheng with a substantial amount of contribution, making it incredibly valuable to Ning Daoran.*
*The jade scrolls with techniques copied by the sect were one-time-use. Once a cultivator opened it with their spiritual sense, it was accessible only to them.*
*If a second person tried to open it with their spiritual sense, it would trigger the jade scroll's self-destruct prohibition.*
Infusing it with Divine Sense, the jade scroll opened, and the Evergreen Technique recorded within was incorporated into the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit System.
*Currently, there's over ten thousand years of Refining Time. Should he use a bit now?*
*Then accumulate a few more years to prepare to advance the Returning to Nature Level Body Tempering Technique?*
*He hesitated briefly but ultimately decided to cultivate first.*
*This Evergreen Technique was reputed to be extremely slow in cultivation speed but exceptionally stable, and it was said that cultivating it to an extremely high realm could enrich Wood Attribute Spiritual Power, ultimately replenishing the physical body and enhancing lifespan.*
*However, there were very few in the Chaotic Sect who cultivated the Evergreen Technique.*
*There was no other reason except that it consumed excessive cultivation time and offered limited improvements for combat. Without mastering Offensive Type techniques, one could become a mere mascot, no matter how high in cultivation the Evergreen Technique reached.*
*A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator unfamiliar with combat might struggle against an Early-stage Foundation Establishment who cultivated Gold and Fire attributes!*
*It was said that many in the Chaotic Sect once chose the Evergreen Technique as their primary technique, only to regret it later!*
*Most of these individuals remained stuck in the Qi Refining Stage, and even the few with higher talents who entered the Foundation Establishment Stage were among the weaker ones.*
*Typically, those who cultivated the Evergreen Technique eventually turned to alchemy or became Spirit Plant Men, achieving little success.*
*But for Ning Daoran, this wasn't a concern. It was merely spending some Refining Time.*
*Once the Evergreen Technique reached a sufficiently high level, it would not only increase his lifespan and alleviate lifespan anxieties, but because wood strengthens fire, a deeply cultivated Evergreen Technique could nurture the Flame Sun Skill or even the True Yang Furnace Technique he intended to cultivate later.*
*Ning Daoran's cultivation plan was already clear: when he reached the Late-stage Qi Refining, he would acquire a copy of the Flame Sun Skill and first learn the Fire Attribute Technique.*
*And the sect had a rule that once a sect disciple entered the Foundation Establishment Stage, they could choose one of the three True Inheritance Techniques, and Ning Daoran's goal was the True Yang Furnace Technique.*
*Ever since he saw Lin Sheng perform the True Yang Furnace Technique once, it left him with a vivid impression of an iron-blooded and passionate true man. At that moment, he felt that his supreme path had to be like that, a true man cultivation journey in the glory of the sun!*
...
Sitting cross-legged, he slowly closed his eyes, channeling Refining Time into the technique.
*[Fourth Year, you gazed upon the Evergreen Technique, feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if this technique was meant for you. Your Wood Attribute Spirit Root began stirring restlessly]*
*[Evergreen Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (First Layer)]*
*[Nineteenth Year, after repeatedly reviewing the Evergreen Technique and appreciating its intricacies, your Wood Attribute Spirit Root grew increasingly robust, and your internal Wood Attribute Spiritual Power became denser]*
*[Evergreen Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Second Layer)]*
"Huh?"
*Ning Daoran was somewhat puzzled. This quickly? Was he extraordinarily talented, so compatible with the Evergreen Technique?!*
*Given this, he decided to continue practicing; after all, plenty of Refining Time remained, and the Returning to Nature Level Body Tempering Technique, well, could wait!*