Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Blood Flame Demon Technique
"Excellent. Don’t worry, one at a time. You’re all Cultivators. The poison is agonizing, but it won’t kill you—not yet. First, tell me about your Cultivation levels and the Cultivation Techniques you practice," Zhang Chi said with a satisfied nod.
"I practice the Cyan Wood Technique and have reached the Peak of the Qi Cultivation Third Layer. I have the first three layers of its Qi Cultivation Chapter, which I am free to teach," Old Xu immediately interjected.
"I also primarily practice the Cyan Wood Technique. I’m at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer and have the Early Stage techniques. While I can’t pass on the Cultivation Technique itself, I’ve studied it in-depth. I can share all of my Cultivation Experience with you. Besides, I’m an excellent teacher."
Not to be outdone, the other roommates also rushed to speak, one of them practically shouting.
"I’m also at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer! I practice the Water Spirit Technique and have the complete Cultivation Technique for the Early Stage. I can teach it to you!" another roommate added.
"I’m at the Peak of the Qi Cultivation Second Layer, and I practice the Earth Element Technique. I’ve signed a Spirit Contract, so I can’t pass on the Cultivation Technique itself. But I can also share my Cultivation Experience. And give me time, I can absolutely procure a Cultivation Technique for you—whatever kind you want."
Though somewhat dejected, the last roommate was still trying his best to make a case for himself.
Although Zhang Chi wanted not just a Cultivation Technique but also Magic, the former was clearly more important.
If their offer was accepted, their chances of survival would increase dramatically. None of them wanted to miss this opportunity.
’Earth Element Technique, Water Spirit Technique, Cyan Wood Technique? All of them are Low Grade, and only cover the Qi Cultivation Early Stage?’
Zhang Chi was very disappointed to hear this.
In this world, anyone who wishes to pursue Immortal Cultivation must undergo a Spirit Root assessment before their eighteenth birthday.
This assessment is also a spirit-opening ceremony, only after which does the Spirit Root manifest.
Spirit Roots are graded by quality, simply divided into Pseudo, Low, Middle, Upper, Top, and Celestial Grades.
Among these, a Top Grade is also called an Earth Spirit Root, while a Celestial Grade is known as a Celestial Spirit Root.
The vast majority of Cultivators possess all Five Elements, but have different affinities. The more a single element stands out, the better the Spirit Root.
Zhang Chi himself possessed a Middle Grade Spirit Root, with his best affinities among the Five Elements being Earth, Gold, and Fire.
His Fire affinity was the highest, reaching a Middle Grade level.
Gold was next, at a Low Grade Peak level.
Earth was the weakest, only slightly better than a Pseudo-Spirit Root.
As for Water and Wood, his affinities were merely at the Pseudo Grade level.
Therefore, the ideal Cultivation Technique for Zhang Chi would be a Fire Element one—the higher the grade, the better.
Failing that, a Gold Element one would be the next best thing.
Besides, this was a mine. The Metal Qi was exceptionally abundant, making it a perfect fit.
A Cultivator with a high enough Cultivation level practicing a Gold Element Cultivation Technique could even ignore, or perhaps even absorb, the Gold Fiend Qi here.
Unfortunately, it was clear that none of the four men’s Cultivation Techniques were suitable for him.
It was as if they had perfectly managed to miss every single one of his affinities.
The Earth Element Technique was a barely acceptable option, but since it couldn’t be taught, it was immediately out of the question.
As for having these four find a Cultivation Technique for him, that was obviously unrealistic.
"Er, we’re all Loose Cultivators. Just getting our hands on a Low Grade Cultivation Technique for the Qi Cultivation Early Stage is already a huge accomplishment. As for anything better, those are all controlled by powers like Sects and family clans," Old Xu hurriedly explained.
"That’s right. Even if a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique were for sale, we couldn’t possibly afford it. I had to scrimp and save just to buy my Low Grade Cultivation Technique one layer at a time!" the roommate who practiced the Earth Element Technique added in agreement.
The other two remained silent, but nodded their heads vigorously.
"Fine. I’ll choose the Cyan Wood Technique."
Zhang Chi accepted the reality of his situation. He wasn’t discouraged, though, and quickly put the matter aside.
’Besides, there are plenty of Mining Slaves here.’
’I’ll just pick any Cultivation Technique to get started. Once my Combat Power increases, I can just grab other Mining Slaves and ask them.’
’The only problem is, I might not be able to use this strange snake trick again.’
’The other Mining Slaves won’t be as easy to lure over as these four were.’
’And with several Mining Slaves getting into trouble at once, the Guards will definitely investigate. I’ll have to keep a low profile for a while.’
’That period will be the perfect time to practice the Cyan Wood Technique.’
The reason for choosing the Cyan Wood Technique over the Water Spirit Technique was simple.
Two of the men here practiced it. By choosing this one, he was sure to gain more Cultivation Experience.
"Alright, I’ll recite the Cultivation Technique now. Young... Fellow Daoist, listen carefully."
Old Xu was ecstatic.
Zhang Chi gave a slight nod and dragged over several large, millstone-sized rocks he had prepared earlier, planning to carve the Cultivation Technique onto them with his pickaxe.
Seeing this, Old Xu and the others fell silent, now more certain than ever that they had fallen into his trap long ago.
Then, Old Xu prepared to begin.
But just then, the roommate who practiced the Water Spirit Technique gritted his teeth and, unwilling to give up, cried out, "Wait! I have another Cultivation Technique, one that is sure to suit you, Fellow Daoist!"
"What Cultivation Technique? Let’s hear it."
Everyone was stunned, and they all immediately looked at Zhang Chi.
But Zhang Chi, far from being angry that the man had held back, was actually filled with anticipation.
"This Cultivation Technique is called the Blood Flame Technique. I have the first three layers. Although it’s also Low Grade, it’s incredibly powerful, easy to learn, and allows for rapid Cultivation. It’s absolutely superior to the Cyan Wood Technique," the Water Spirit Technique roommate continued.
"A Fire Element Cultivation Technique?"
Zhang Chi’s eyes lit up.
"Heh heh, the Blood Flame Technique? Don’t get your hopes up, Fellow Daoist. He’s trying to get you killed," Old Xu suddenly sneered.
"What do you mean? Is there a problem with this Cultivation Technique?" Zhang Chi’s gaze turned cold.
"The Blood Flame Technique is actually a type of Demonic Cultivation Technique. While it has many benefits—it’s even said that once you condense the Blood Flame, you can perform Refinement on all sorts of Exotic Spiritual Qi..."
"But the side effects are immense! It’s incredibly easy to suffer a cultivation deviation while practicing it. Over time, it will corrupt your mind and turn you into a bloodthirsty monster."
Old Xu had intended to drag out the explanation, but the roommate who practiced the Earth Element Technique jumped in and answered first.
"That’s right. Those two side effects can be managed in the short term, if you’re careful, have strong willpower, and supplement with some Elixirs to Clear the Heart and Calm the Qi."
"But condensing the Blood Flame is where the true danger lies. It will inevitably summon a Heart Demon. A single misstep will cause you to exhaust your Essence Blood, and your soul will be obliterated. Not even one in ten Cultivators who try succeeds."
Old Xu shot the Earth Element Technique roommate a glare and quickly continued the introduction.
"You could choose not to condense the Blood Flame, but then the Cultivation Technique still has drawbacks. Your Cultivation speed will be much slower, and its Mighty Power will be greatly reduced. At that point, it’s worse than an ordinary Low Grade Fire Element Cultivation Technique—it might not even be as good as the Cyan Wood Technique!" the other roommate who practiced the Cyan Wood Technique immediately supplemented.
He also wanted Zhang Chi to choose the Cyan Wood Technique. That way, he could contribute his Cultivation Experience, and his contribution would be second only to Old Xu’s.
"Is that really so?"
Zhang Chi looked toward the roommate who practiced the Water Spirit Technique.
"Yes. But I truly wasn’t trying to harm you. I was just about to explain the drawbacks myself, but they cut me off. I only brought up this Cultivation Technique to give you another option to consider, Fellow Daoist," the Water Spirit Technique roommate said, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Hmph, who knows what your real intentions are? You have every reason to want him dead!" Old Xu and the other roommate sneered.
"They’re right. And this Cultivation Technique is even more dangerous than they’re letting on."
The Earth Element Technique roommate seized the chance to make a good impression.
"You..."
The Water Spirit Technique roommate started to panic.
"Alright, I’ll choose this one," Zhang Chi said, suddenly smiling.
’The moment I heard the name, I knew this Cultivation Technique was probably unorthodox.’
’But with the help of the Jade Pendant, I couldn’t care less.’
’In fact, this kind of Cultivation Technique might even be more suitable for me.’
’If these roommates weren’t all lying, then even without condensing the Blood Flame, this Cultivation Technique is still better for me than the Cyan Wood Technique or the Water Element Technique.’
’And if I succeed in condensing the Blood Flame, I’ll be even more powerful.’
’I could make full use of the Metal Spiritual Qi in this mine!’
