With a sigh, Yan Ge looked at Chi Miao with heartfelt pity, like a benevolent elder.
“Ah, seeing how pitiful you are… I’ll just give you this guide for free.”
Chi Miao appeared flustered by the unexpected favor, waving her hands repeatedly. “No, no, that’s really not necessary. I’d feel too embarrassed… Taking something from others for nothing would torment me more than death.”
Yan Ge pushed the guide toward her. “No, no, you shouldn’t feel that way. It’s my fault for bringing up painful memories – this is what I ought to give you!”
Chi Miao: “But this guide probably won’t be much use to me anyway. Although I’ve reached Qi Refining mid-stage now, my foundation is unstable! I still have to rely on luck for everything.”
Yan Ge suddenly realized she was right about that.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then took out a pill and a secret manual from his spatial ring.
“Your consecutive breakthroughs have indeed left your foundation unsteady. This Grade Two Solid Essence Pill can help stabilize your realm, but you should suppress further advancement for now. While higher realms are desirable, the path of cultivation requires solid step-by-step progress. Though you’ve reached Qi Refining mid-stage, your foundation isn’t firm – you might even be worse off than early Qi Refining practitioners.”
“Also, this cultivation method is called the Profound Origin Skill – the most suitable Profound-Rank Middle-Grade Skill for your Qi Refining Stage. It has three levels total, enough to help you handle dangers in the Sword Cemetery. Given your urgent situation, I’ll personally teach you part of it. How much you comprehend will depend on your own aptitude.”
Hearing this and seeing these two items, Chi Miao was stunned.
Huh?
Wait, elder, are you some kind of living bodhisattva?
A Grade Two pill and a Profound-Rank Middle-Grade Skill.
Even if she had truly joined Nine Sword Mountain, she wouldn’t have received treatment this good, right?
Gou Shi System: “You’ve really encountered a living bodhisattva. Not only is he generous with gifts, but his advice hits all the right points. In your current state, you truly don’t resemble a Qi Refining mid-stage cultivator – too weak.”
“If you take this Solid Essence Pill and practice this Profound Origin Skill, with your innate talent, you’ll definitely rank among the top combatants at Qi Refining mid-stage and stand a much better chance in the Sword Cemetery trials.”
After listening, Chi Miao’s eyes grew determined.
She immediately dropped to one knee and performed a respectful salute.
“Thank you for your assistance, senior! Such great kindness is beyond words!”
Seeing Chi Miao finally willingly accept his help, Yan Ge felt immensely pleased.
You little rascal, with all your stubborn pride and strong will?
Still ended up accepting obediently, didn’t you?
Heh heh heh!
“Come, do as I say. I’ll teach you how to take the pill to maximize its effects.”
Chi Miao obediently followed Yan Ge’s instructions, taking the Solid Essence Pill and immediately beginning to meditate.
Soon, she felt the chaotic spiritual power within her body gradually stabilizing. The constant discomfort she used to feel completely disappeared, replaced by a nourishing sensation like seeds receiving water.
“This girl… such fast absorption?”
Yan Ge was shocked by her speed.
Pill absorption rates vary depending on individual constitution.
Chi Miao’s stabilization speed was exceptionally fast – partly due to the Solid Essence Pill’s effects, but also because… Chi Miao’s own absorption rate and innate talent were remarkably good.
The Cultivation World values talent, innate constitution, and comprehension ability.
Clearly, Chi Miao’s first two attributes were absolutely top-tier.
Having cultivated to the Transformation Stage himself, Yan Ge’s talent was naturally not bad… but if compared to a little monster like Chi Miao, there was simply no comparison – he’d be completely outclassed.
As the saying goes.
When God opens a door for you, He closes a window.
He had seen too many imperfect geniuses.
This little girl’s comprehension probably wouldn’t be too great.
“Next is the Profound Origin Skill. This technique emphasizes using softness to overcome hardness, borrowing force to strike force. The first layer is Transforming Force, the second is Flowing Force, and the third is Limitless.”
“I will demonstrate it once for you. How much you can learn from me depends entirely on your own comprehension.”
With that, Yan Ge mobilized his spiritual power and slowly began demonstrating the Profound Origin Skill before Chi Miao.
He had obtained this technique after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage and had used it all the way until the Golden Core late-stage. It was one of the key factors that made him famous in his youth.
Although it was only a mid-grade Earth rank technique, its cultivation difficulty was extremely high. If one could cultivate it to the third layer, it would be comparable to a high-grade Earth rank technique!
Back in the day, he had used this technique to challenge opponents beyond his level countless times.
Now, imparting it to Chi Miao was both an acknowledgment of her talent and pity that such talent had been delayed for so long!
As Yan Ge demonstrated the Profound Origin Skill, Chi Miao watched with increasing focus.
Although Yan Ge’s movements were extremely slow, afterimages appeared around his entire body, forming a purple tornado. The surrounding spiritual power, leaves, and various other things were all absorbed and spun around by this purple tornado.
The power was profoundly mysterious.
“The first layer of the Profound Origin Skill is white, the second is blue, and the third is purple… Each breakthrough can stump countless people. Some even remain stuck at the first layer for decades.”
It was indeed extremely difficult, but in Chi Miao’s eyes, these movements seemed to be broken down into individual forms, deeply imprinted in her mind.
After Yan Ge finished the entire set, he looked at Chi Miao with an expression that seemed to want praise: “How much do you remember? I know it’s difficult, but if you have any questions, you can ask me. I’ll answer everything I know.”
Chi Miao: “I’ve learned it.”
Yan Ge: “Huh?”
Chi Miao: “I said I’ve learned it.”
Yan Ge laughed: “How is that possible? I’ve never seen anyone learn the Profound Origin Skill just by watching it once. Don’t try to show off, kid.”
Chi Miao: “Then you’re seeing it today.”
Yan Ge: “…Fine, show me. Let me see how you’ve ‘learned’ it.”
He had seen people with high comprehension before, but who could learn a technique just by watching someone demonstrate it once?
If that were possible, what would be the point of secret techniques in this world! If anyone could record and learn any technique just by seeing it once, wouldn’t that mean one person could master everyone’s unique skills!
Chi Miao nodded and slowly began to perform the Profound Origin Skill.
Her figure was thin and small, but her movements didn’t lack power.
Yan Ge: “It actually looks quite decent.”
Slowly, a white vortex appeared in Chi Miao’s hand.
“???” Yan Ge was stunned.
Wait, this…
Before he could process it further, the white vortex in Chi Miao’s hand gradually transformed into blue.
Yan Ge was completely dumbfounded: “Wait… wait wait wait wait wait!”
Chi Miao stopped her movements and looked at Yan Ge with confusion: “What’s wrong?”
Yan Ge: “Have you really never practiced the Profound Origin Skill before?!”
Chi Miao nodded: “Never, and no one gave me the manual either.”
This time, Yan Ge remained silent for a very, very long time.
He couldn’t help but look up at the sky.
Then he slowly cursed.
“Fuck.”
God! I’m not calling you God anymore! Is this how you treat us NPCs?!
Who in their right mind has both supreme innate talent and supreme comprehension?!
Is there a Goddess of Heaven? Perhaps the Goddess of Heaven is kinder to him.
He suddenly held his forehead again with a bitter smile, hiding his black sea urchin in his sleeve.
Why is he suddenly acting strange?
Could this person have something wrong with his brain?
Chi Miao asked with some concern, “Sir, are you alright?”
Yan Ge smiled again, “It’s nothing. I just find it amusing when I think about how people praise me as having unparalleled talent for taking three years to reach the second layer of the Profound Origin Skill.”
“Oh…”
So it turns out I was the one who discouraged him.
Chi Miao muttered again, “Actually, I feel like I might be beyond the second layer.”
Yan Ge: “???”