Chapter 755: 755. Speedrun Cultivation Again
After joining the Dark Forest Society, Tyler didn’t immediately return to cultivate. Instead, he rested for a short while inside his newly acquired cave before heading toward the Scripture Pavilion. Since he knew almost nothing about the cultivation system of this world, obtaining a suitable cultivation technique was naturally his highest priority.
The Scripture Pavilion stood near the center of the Outer Manor. It was a five-story pagoda built from dark wood and black stone, giving it an ancient appearance. Many disciples entered and exited the building, yet the surroundings remained surprisingly quiet. What truly caught Tyler’s attention, however, wasn’t the pagoda itself but the guardian sitting outside.
A giant skeleton was seated cross-legged before the entrance.
It looked nearly three meters tall. Faint spiritual light flowed through its bones as it sat there reciting Buddhist chants in a low voice. The strange combination made Tyler pause for a moment. A corpse cultivating Buddhist scriptures wasn’t exactly something one saw every day.
The moment Tyler approached, the skeleton slowly turned its skull toward him. Its empty eye sockets locked onto him before one massive skeletal hand extended forward.
Tyler immediately understood.
Taking out his disciple token, he placed it on the skeleton’s palm.
A stream of pale light flowed from the skeleton’s fingers into the token.
"New disciple."
The skeleton’s voice sounded dry and hollow.
"You may enter the first floor. Higher floors are prohibited."
The light faded shortly afterward.
Tyler retrieved his token and cupped his hands politely.
"Many thanks, Senior."
The skeleton returned to its chanting while Tyler entered the pavilion.
The moment he stepped inside, the scent of old books and scrolls greeted him. Rows upon rows of bookshelves filled the spacious hall. Jade slips, bamboo scrolls, ancient manuals, and various records occupied nearly every corner. The atmosphere was peaceful and quiet, making it difficult to associate this place with the gloomy Dark Forest Society outside.
Tyler casually picked up a jade slip from a nearby shelf.
The contents immediately appeared within his spiritual sense.
It was a fire-attributed cultivation technique capable of reaching the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm.
After browsing several more manuals, Tyler quickly understood the arrangement.
"The first floor is dedicated entirely to Qi Refining techniques and skills."
That wasn’t surprising.
Outer disciples rarely required anything more advanced.
After confirming this, Tyler began searching through the wood-attributed section. His spiritual roots were primarily Yin Wood, so selecting a compatible cultivation art would greatly increase his cultivation speed.
The sect naturally didn’t allow disciples to freely browse complete techniques. Most jade slips contained only introductions, cultivation requirements, advantages, disadvantages, and brief descriptions. The actual techniques remained sealed.
Tyler didn’t mind.
The information was already enough.
He slowly examined one manual after another.
Some focused on combat.
Some specialized in healing.
Others emphasized longevity or support abilities.
A few techniques appeared powerful at first glance, but the requirements were ridiculous. One required disciples to cultivate while buried underground. Another demanded the blood of specific spiritual beasts every month.
Tyler silently returned those manuals to their shelves.
As time passed, he narrowed his choices to several Yin Wood techniques and carefully compared them.
Two hours later, he finally found one that caught his attention.
Moon Wood Technique.
The technique wasn’t particularly famous. In fact, the introduction repeatedly emphasized that its offensive power was mediocre and its cultivation speed average. However, one warning immediately drew Tyler’s attention.
Requires large quantities of cultivation resources during later stages. Poor disciples are advised not to choose this technique.
Tyler couldn’t help smiling.
Wealth? The Last thing Tyler cares about.
Most cultivators avoided this technique because of its expensive requirements. To Tyler, that simply meant stronger growth potential. Otherwise, why would it consume so many resources?
Without hesitation, he selected it.
Before leaving, Tyler walked toward the staircase leading upward. A transparent barrier blocked the path. Although invisible at first glance, faint fluctuations became visible when he observed carefully.
Tyler studied it for a moment.
As a former formation master, he quickly understood the principle behind it.
The restriction wasn’t based on cultivation. It was based on disciple permissions.
Unless one’s disciple token contained the appropriate authorization, entering higher floors was impossible.
Satisfied that his curiosity had been answered, Tyler returned to the entrance carrying the jade slip.
The giant skeleton slowly opened its eyes when it saw him approaching.
"You have chosen?"
Tyler handed over the jade slip.
The skeleton examined it briefly before nodding. A beam of pale light shot from its eye sockets and entered the jade slip.
Immediately, the seals restricting the technique disappeared.
Then, before Tyler could react, the skeleton pressed the jade slip directly against his forehead.
Boom.
A slight tremor echoed within his mind. Countless lines of information surged into his consciousness.
The cultivation method and it’s instructions. The circulation pathways and The breathing techniques. The various stages and precautions.Everything poured into his sea of consciousness at once.
For ordinary mortals who had never cultivated before, this process often caused headaches or even temporary dizziness. Many newcomers would collapse onto the floor after receiving their first cultivation technique.
A few moments later, he calmly opened his eyes.
The giant skeleton seemed slightly surprised. Most new disciples needed several minutes to recover. Tyler looked perfectly normal.
"You possess strong mental strength." The skeleton nodded slowly before withdrawing its hand.
Tyler cupped his hands respectfully.
"Many thanks, Senior."
With the Moon Wood Technique now firmly imprinted within his mind, he finally had everything necessary to begin cultivation.
The next step was simple.
After returning to his cave, Tyler immediately began cultivating according to the Moon Wood Technique. Like every beginner cultivator, his first task was to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. He sat cross-legged on the stone bed, regulated his breathing according to the technique, and slowly entered a meditative state. The process was far more tedious than Tyler expected. Again and again he followed the breathing patterns described in the cultivation art, attempting to sense the faint spiritual energy hidden within the surroundings. Time gradually passed while he remained completely focused.
Only after an unknown amount of time did Tyler finally feel something.
A faint stream of energy.
It was weak and difficult to describe, yet the moment he sensed it, he immediately knew it was spiritual qi. The sensation felt similar to a cool breeze brushing against his skin, except it wasn’t touching his body but his consciousness.
Tyler slowly opened his eyes.
The cave had become much darker.
Looking outside, he discovered that night had already arrived.
"It took me almost an entire day just to sense spiritual energy?"
Tyler shook his head.
"Too slow."
If other disciples heard those words, they would probably cough blood from anger. Many people required several days or even weeks before successfully sensing spiritual energy for the first time. Yet Tyler genuinely felt dissatisfied.
Unfortunately, sensing spiritual qi was merely the first step. According to the Moon Wood Technique, he now had to repeatedly sense and interact with spiritual energy until his body gradually adapted to it. Only after reaching that stage could he guide spiritual qi through his meridians and acupoints. After completing multiple circulation cycles, he would finally be able to gather qi within his spiritual roots and officially step into the First Level of Qi Refining.
Calculating the required time, Tyler frowned.
"At this speed, it will take at least six months."
Six months from mortal to cultivator was considered excellent by ordinary standards.
Tyler still felt it was too slow.
His stomach suddenly growled.
After cultivating for an entire day, hunger finally reminded him that this body was still mortal.
Tyler left the cave and headed toward the sect cafeteria. The Outer Manor provided free meals during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, the food was only meant to keep disciples from starving. Nobody visited the cafeteria because they enjoyed the taste.
After arriving, Tyler glanced at the ordinary meals before walking toward another counter.
"I’ll take one Spirit Chicken Bun."
The disciple behind the counter nodded.
"One contribution point."
Tyler paid without hesitation.
A steaming bun was quickly handed over.
The bun looked ordinary, but Tyler could faintly sense traces of spiritual energy contained within it.
Holding the bun, he casually left the cafeteria and began walking back toward his cave. Along the way, he quietly placed the bun into the copper pot hanging at his waist.
By the time he reached a quieter path, he reached inside and pulled a Spirit Chicken Bun out.
Taking a bite, Tyler carefully observed the changes.
The spiritual energy contained within the bun wasn’t particularly rich. In fact, it was quite weak. However, the moment he swallowed it, he felt a familiar sensation spread through his body. It was similar to the feeling he experienced while sensing spiritual qi earlier.
Tyler’s eyes brightened slightly.
Interesting.
The bun itself wasn’t valuable.
The spiritual energy inside it was the important part.
As he continued eating, he silently calculated several possibilities in his mind.
Meanwhile, two outer disciples sat atop a nearby tree while drinking wine. From their position, they could clearly see Tyler returning toward the cave area.
"New disciple?"
One of them narrowed his eyes.
The other glanced toward Tyler and nodded.
"He should be."
A smile gradually appeared on his face.
"Then for joining the sect, he should treat us a meal."
The first disciple laughed.
"Then we should properly welcome our junior brother."
The second disciple licked his lips and nodded in agreement.
Among outer disciples, it was common for newcomers to treat their seniors after entering the sect. Of course, whether the newcomer volunteered willingly was another matter entirely.
The two exchanged knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, Tyler remained completely unaware that someone had already set their sights on him.
After entering his cave, he finished the Spirit Chicken Bun and casually took out another one from the copper pot. As the second bun disappeared into his stomach, the faint spiritual energy slowly spread through his body.
Tyler closed his eyes and carefully examined the changes.
Originally, the adaptation process described in the Moon Wood Technique would likely take at least a week.
Now, however, things seemed different.
Feeling the traces of spiritual qi accumulating within his body, a faint smile appeared on Tyler’s face.
"Looks like I won’t need a week after all."
He took out another bun.
