Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 42 Wu Liang, the Know-It-All

Ordinary new disciples only receive one hundred merit points, but the top scorer in the sect entrance examination is awarded one thousand merit points.

Wu Liang bowed to Zhou Li and said, "These five merit tokens are my apology to Junior Brother Zhou and your two fellow disciples. I only hope to establish a good relationship. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"

The speed and intensity of this change of expression left Xia Minghui and Shen Qing speechless.

Zhou Li waved his hand: "We won't shortchange you on the merits, but tell me, what else can you do?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Liang knew that a real business had come his way, and he immediately perked up: "Junior brother, please excuse me. I'm just a middleman, and I've been hanging around Zongde Hall for a long time."

"The three of you have come today to choose your techniques. The scriptures on this Stele are vast and numerous, numbering in the tens of thousands. As new disciples, we cannot discern their merits or demerits. This is the first hurdle in your cultivation; how can we not be cautious?"

"As for me," he said, patting his chest, "I have some knowledge of various supernatural abilities and techniques, saving you the risk of blindly groping your way and going astray!"

"If this deal goes through," Wu Liang rubbed his hands together, his smile turning mercenary again, "you only need to give me a tiny bit of my trouble fee, hehe, it'll be absolutely worth it."

Xia Minghui was speechless with astonishment, exclaiming, "My goodness, you've memorized so many ancient texts?"

Wu Liang laughed and said, "This is the kind of business I make. My title of 'Know-it-all Wu Liang' is well-deserved."

"Hmph, whether it's true or not is unclear, but it's truly unscrupulous." Shen Qing crossed his arms, still brooding over the five merit points from earlier.

Zhou Li pondered for a moment. Wu Liang had been mingling here for a long time, and the information he possessed was indeed valuable, which would save him a lot of trouble. He then nodded: "Alright, I'll do this deal."

"Alright!" Wu Liang was overjoyed. "This way, please, distinguished guests!"

Xia Minghui looked at the two of them and sighed inwardly, "As expected... having money means you can do whatever you want."

The group stood before the Sun-shaped Stele, and Zhou Li channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into it.

Suddenly, Zhou Li's consciousness arrived in a strange space, where the Milky Way was upside down, the light was like a woven tapestry, and countless ancient books and jade slips swirled around him endlessly.

Looking through the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), one finds various classic texts offering their own descriptions, some extremely detailed, others only a few sentences, or merely a vague verse. Even if one spent ten or fifteen days without guidance, let alone a single day, it would be impossible to make a clear choice.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Li's mind stirred slightly, and he slowly withdrew his consciousness from this bizarre and fantastical space.

Wu Liang's voice rang out beside him: "If you all trust me, you can frankly tell me what kind of cultivation techniques you practice, and I will recommend a few suitable techniques to you."

Xia Minghui spoke first: "Senior Brother Wu, I am practicing the 'Serpent Swallowing Clouds True Technique,' but I don't know which technique I should choose?"

"The Serpent Swallowing Clouds True Technique," Wu Liang's eyes lit up. "Junior Brother has good taste. This technique may be inferior to those domineering high-level techniques in fighting against others, but when used to hunt demonic beasts, it is comparable to the Xuan-level technique."

"The remarkable thing about this technique is that once the true energy enters the body of a demon beast, it will gnaw at its life force like a maggot clinging to its bone. Junior brother, the technique you have chosen should focus on defense and entanglement, and wait for it to exhaust its strength."

Wu Liang pondered for a moment and said, "There is a profound-level technique called 'Heavenly Gang Armor Seal,' which draws the power of stars to transform into armor that is indestructible. It is especially compatible with metal-elemental spiritual power, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort."

Shen Qing, who was standing to the side, bit her lower lip and asked, "Senior Brother Wu, Junior Sister cultivates the 'Heavy Water True Method,' so what technique should she pair it with?"

Wu Liang's expression became more solemn: "The True Method of Heavy Water... Junior Sister, this technique is a lineage of the Great Dao of Water, which is the result of accumulated knowledge and skill. Once mastered, heavy water can transform into profound mystery, and a single drop can weigh a thousand pounds. However, it takes a very long time, and only those with great perseverance can fathom its depths."

He recalled, "I once saw a senior sister from Hanxijian use this skill, which she paired with a spell that was quick to develop in the early stages. Junior sisters can also choose such spells, such as the offensive 'Nine Abyss Devouring Spirit Curse' or the defensive 'Heavenly Rain Technique'."

Xia Minghui and Shen Qing both fell into deep thought.

At this moment, Zhou Li's mind was racing. The Five Elements Painting Technique he cultivated contained all five elements of spiritual power, which at first glance gave him much more freedom in choosing his spells.

However, this technique is profound and requires gradual advancement. Upon reaching the first stage of observing the tides, one can only mobilize the spiritual power of water. As for the other four elements, one must cultivate to a higher level to access them.

Zhou Li pondered: "Currently, my cultivation is not yet able to complete the Great Circulation, and the flow of spiritual energy is sluggish, hindering both cultivation and recovery. If there is a technique that can compensate for this, that would be the best option."

"Senior Brother Wu," Zhou Li looked up and asked, "among water-based spells, are there any that can increase cultivation speed?"

"Junior Brother wants to find a supplementary cultivation technique?" Wu Liang frowned slightly, somewhat surprised. "There are very few techniques that can enhance cultivation. Even if they occasionally appear in the world, they are definitely Heaven-rank divine abilities that all cultivators fight over."

"Not to mention that Qi Refining stage disciples have no way of getting their hands on Heaven-rank divine abilities, even if they could, today's new disciples are limited to choosing techniques below Earth rank, and if they were to exchange them using cultivation points, the cost would be astronomical."

Undeterred, Zhou Li asked again, "Then... is there a water-based method that can accelerate the recovery of spiritual power?"

After a moment's thought, Wu Liang said, "Hmm... it seems there is a technique called Mist Manifestation of Heaven, which can capture dissipated spiritual energy and replenish itself."

"However," he changed his tone, with a hint of disapproval, "within the sect, it is mostly used to confuse the enemy, and its restorative effect is minimal. I haven't seen many people practice it seriously."

Zhou Li's heart stirred, and he focused his mind on the Sun Stele again. Before long, he locked onto a jade slip with a dull color, named "The Wondrous Method of the Mist and the Evolution of Heaven".

This is a water-based auxiliary spell, with ancient inscriptions clearly visible: condense water into mist to confuse the enemy's senses, and can also subtly absorb the enemy's spirit to nourish oneself, slightly increasing the power of water-based spells.

This technique is only at the Yellow Rank, making it one of the lowest ranks among all techniques. However, upon careful consideration, Zhou Li realized that its ability to devour spirits and replenish them was perfectly suited to his current situation.

My master said that spells should not be judged by their rank, but by whether they are suitable for the user. If I were to enter the Tide-Watching Realm, the enhancement this spell would provide to my water-based spells would be an unexpected bonus.

With this in mind, Zhou Li made a decision.

After some thought, Xia Minghui made his decision, but Shen Qing remained undecided, her brows furrowed.

Her family had a long tradition of martial arts, and she looked down on these kinds of magical arts, always feeling that they were inferior to the sword in her hand, so she was somewhat hesitant.

Seeing that the time was right, Wu Liang smiled and said, "If you have thought it through, then please follow me to the Scripture Pavilion."

Having said that, he turned around first, leading the three through the hall, across the corridor door, and along a long corridor, where a magnificent pavilion stood quietly.

The flying eaves and brackets pierce the sky, and the ancient bronze bells hanging from the eaves tremble gently in the clouds, emitting clear and melodious sounds. Each sound seems to cleanse the soul and lead everyone's mind to this place where the Changtian Sect stores its scriptures and treasures.