"This isn't just like a cheat; this is a cheat!" Although this function was useful to her, she knew it was only good for identifying things. If she planned to do anything with those things, she would most likely have to study.
More importantly, many things couldn't be identified with just a picture, so this function was more of an aid when gathering raw materials or shopping. She was very happy about this feature and already had many ideas for how to use it!
Then, she checked out the spells and techniques. Both categories contained a variety of books that explained different methods and spells. There was also a search bar, and she could filter results just like in the literature tab. Since these were materials for later study, she chose not to delve too deeply and instead turned to cultivation arts.
When she pressed the cultivation arts section, it split into three categories: [Physical Cultivation], [Spiritual Cultivation], and [Soul Cultivation]. In the world of cultivation she knew, these were often further divided into Righteous, Demon, and even some Evil techniques. However, it seemed that these distinctions were merely factions in the eyes of the inheritance, not worthy of separate categories.
Below these three categories, there was a single book titled [Jade Awakening]. She had heard a bit about this from her ancestor, so she quickly opened it and started reading.
As she read, she understood what jade awakening entailed. To awaken the characteristics of jade—akin to the innate talents of beasts and a special bloodline ability exclusive to direct descendants—she would have to master the three foundational arts corresponding to the three aspects of cultivation.
The requirement for unlocking the jade inheritance was relatively simple in this regard, but it was divided into three awakenings. Only after the third awakening would one gain full access to the inheritance. These three awakenings occurred at the first, fourth, and seventh stages of cultivation. She couldn't read about the later awakenings yet, but the first awakening was accessible.
Like all things related to jade, the awakenings corresponded to three key aspects: Nourishment, Purity, and Wisdom. The first awakening focused on nourishment. When one awakened this aspect, they would receive a continuous enhancement in a certain way, nourishing their abilities throughout their life.
There were different levels of awakening, as some things could be nourished externally, some only through cultivation, and others could not be actively changed at all.
Yu Lingshe was enlightened and eager to perform the jade awakening, so she read through the three foundational arts. The Jade Heart Sutra was the first art that every person with a jade bloodline could learn, and it aligned with nourishment.
The other two were the Jade Purity Technique and the Jade Enlightenment Mantra, corresponding to purity and wisdom, respectively. The Jade Enlightenment Mantra was a chant that needed to be imprinted in the soul. When learning spells and techniques, this mantra would activate, heightening comprehension.
The Jade Purity Technique, on the other hand, automatically purified spiritual power within the dantian, increasing its quality while also boosting effectiveness.
Together, these three arts strengthened the body, soul, and spiritual power of any cultivator.
Yu Lingshe wanted to begin cultivating immediately, but considering she had spent the entire day in the treasury and had already troubled her grandfather to stay awake for so long, she decided to return to her room to continue.
She stood up, looking at her grandfather with a smile. "Grandfather, I will return to my room. There are still things I haven't fully comprehended and need more time to go through. Please tell Father and the others not to disturb me for the coming week."
Her grandfather nodded and replied, "Don't worry, just focus on the inheritance. Take these two with you as well. As for other matters, leave them to your grandfather! Now that I feel young again, there is no need to trouble the next generation!"
They left contentedly. The guards outside looked at them curiously, especially at the jade crown and wooden box in which Lingshe carried the two inheritance items. Naturally, they didn't ask any questions—all servants in the Yu clan were highly disciplined.
When they arrived at the ancestral hall, Lingshe bowed one last time to her grandfather before heading to her courtyard, a short distance away.
She walked to her bedroom, ignoring the questioning look from her attendant. Sitting on her bed, she closed her eyes and focused on her screen once more. She noticed a small button in the corner of the book on the respective pages describing the technique and mantra.
Pressing the button, a warm current spread from the center of her forehead throughout her entire body. As it coursed through her, she recognized it as the pattern of the Jade Purity Technique.
'Wow, this inheritance is like cultivating on easy mode. No wonder people adore strong teachers! A good teacher can do even more than just this inheritance treasure. If disciples still fail to reach great heights despite all this help, then they are truly useless.'
She halted her wandering thoughts and focused entirely on following the current, slowly cultivating.
The outside world seemed irrelevant. Even as two days passed with her sitting in stillness, no disturbances arose. Her attendants appeared even happier the longer she remained in seclusion, with her closest one practically jumping for joy every hour.
After two days, Lingshe finally completed imprinting the technique into her meridians. This meant that whenever she practiced, regardless of the method, her spiritual power would flow automatically in a certain rhythm, cleansing itself as it moved. Through this process, the technique continuously purified her body.
This cleansing effect was even more thorough than what occurred during cultivation. A foul-smelling, black-grey residue coated her body, thick and sticky like sweat. Calling for her attendants, she had them prepare a bath. After washing away the impurities and changing into fresh clothes, she felt completely refreshed.
Returning to her room, she focused on the Jade Enlightenment Mantra. Using her spiritual power, she formed a thin sheet of paper inside her sea of consciousness. Normally, she wouldn't even be able to access this level of technique. The cultivation mantra was something jade root cultivators typically only attempted in the late stage of Qi Refining, but the inheritance treasure had greatly nourished her, accelerating her progress.
With the sheet formed, she began reciting with all her mind. "Pure as jade—"
The moment she uttered the first few words, an overwhelming exhaustion hit her. However, she saw the sheet imprinting the words.
Calming herself, she tried to relax. It took a shocking two hours to recover. Before she could dwell on it, realization struck her. This wasn't about her body; it was her soul!
At this stage, her soul was barely stronger than the weakest cultivators, still within the realm of mortals, not true cultivators. The fact that she had even managed to imprint part of the mantra was an achievement. Attempting more would be reckless, so she slowed down considerably. It took her a full four days to complete the four lines of the mantra.
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Pure as jade, clear as water, deep as wisdom, full of light.
Mind still, sight bright, all flows, all is right.
What is known, let it grow. What is clouded, let it go.
Shape by time, shine by truth, unbroken, unfading, forever anew.
___