However, the jade scroll is different.
It is itself a special spiritual material, where a cultivator can directly imprint their divine sense insights and the essence of cultivation techniques onto the jade scroll.
Those who come after can explore it with their divine sense and experience the profound mysteries of the techniques.
They receive all the information perfectly, avoiding any errors or ambiguities that might come from textual interpretations.
"I see... The higher the grade of the cultivation technique, the more complex and profound its essence, far beyond the limits of words, requiring a medium like the jade scroll for complete inheritance."
Chen Ye clicked his tongue.
No wonder high-tier cultivation techniques are so rare in the cultivation realm, difficult to spread widely.
While Qi Cultivation stage techniques are as common as street goods, found everywhere.
The limitation of the inheritance medium itself is a very high barrier.
He temporarily set the jade scroll aside.
Spiritual power can only initially explore its information; to deepen cultivation, one must wait until late-stage Qi Cultivation, after developing divine sense.
But this is of no concern; by the time he needs to cultivate Foundation Establishment content, he will already be at late-stage Qi Cultivation.
Chen Ye carefully put away the jade scroll version of the Frost Splendor Record, then sorted through the other cultivation techniques in Kong Hongxuan’s storage bag.
He actually found two Tier One Upper Grade water series spells!
Conveniently, one was offensive and the other defensive.
Which is reasonable; an ordinary late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator would typically learn one offensive and one defensive technique.
One was called the Water Element Shield, a Tier One Upper Grade defensive magic.
Once activated, it can condense a steam shield for protection, with great resilience, adept at dissipating and neutralizing impacts.
The other was called the Ice Condensation Needle, a Tier One Upper Grade offensive magic, the very method Kong Hongxuan had once used to attack him!
It can gather water spiritual power from the surrounding heaven and earth to form ice cones, making it hard to defend against!
"At least it wasn’t all for nothing."
Chen Ye put the jade scroll away, feeling quite happy.
Cultivation techniques, spells, and spirit stones—all accounted for.
This complete eradication yielded substantial gains!
The total number of spirit stones reached one hundred and thirty!
Along with the priceless Heart-Protecting Jade and the yet unsold Tier One Middle Grade Magic Sword.
Chen Ye’s current assets would be considered substantial for a late-stage Qi Cultivation loose cultivator.
"It’s a pity... Kong Hongxuan’s treasure armor is nowhere to be found."
Chen Ye was a bit disappointed.
The most valuable thing Kong Hongxuan had was his treasure armor.
But for such a valuable item, it’s no wonder Luo Heng wouldn’t let the now-reduced Kong Hongxuan take it away.
...
The next morning.
[Heavy Body Technique Perfection: 1/400]
Almost at the moment the panel refreshed, Chen Ye felt the muscles and bones throughout his body emit a dense, continuous series of pops like frying beans.
A tremendous force surged from the depths of his limbs and bones, filling his entire body.
Chen Ye was sleeping soundly, suddenly startled awake by the changes in his body.
"This... Has it reached perfection?"
Even Chen Ye was somewhat surprised.
He had never deliberately practiced this cultivation technique.
But by carrying a heavy iron sword for a long time and continually consuming demon beast meat, he inadvertently pushed this technique to perfection.
Chen Ye could clearly feel his five senses becoming sharper, the subtle sounds of wind and snow outside the courtyard, and the cold fragrance of plum blossoms were clearer than ever before.
The energy and blood within him surged like a river, brimming with vigorous vitality.
"Fortunately, I didn’t become a muscle-bound freak."
Chen Ye went to the courtyard and stretched his body.
Every muscle seemed to have been tempered a thousand times, incredibly resilient yet subdued and refined, without any sign of bulkiness.
This made Chen Ye sigh in relief.
Moderate fitness is attractive to the opposite sex; excessive fitness is just...
"Creak..."
The door was unknowingly pushed open a crack.
A white furred ball rubbed her eyes, sleepily poking her little head out, yawning slightly:
"Uh... Qing Jun has to work hard!"
The little girl, with her short legs, went into the courtyard to practice her stance, half-opening her eyes, not realizing her master was still there.
Chen Ye couldn’t help but stroke her furry head as he watched her clueless expression.
Qing Jun was mumbling the Heavy Body Technique mantra in her drowsiness.
Suddenly she felt a shadow over her head and instinctively spoke up: "Don’t disturb Qing Jun!"
But the next moment, when her half-squinted eyes finally focused and saw who was in front of her, she was abruptly shocked:
"Master!!?"
The little girl instantly woke up, her whole body stiffening in place.
Her small mouth opened slightly, and her big eyes widened in shock.
Oh no!
How did Master catch me!
She still remembered that just a few days ago she had deliberately acted as though she wasn’t interested in cultivation at all.
But being discovered secretly working hard by her master...
Yet Qing Jun immediately forgot her embarrassment.
She discovered that her master seemed to have changed again!
Qing Jun blinked her big eyes, uncertainly tilting her head to scrutinize Chen Ye.
Her master’s brows seemed less burdened and worn, with a touch of indescribable clarity and virility?
But she couldn’t quite pinpoint what specifically had changed.
Just a feeling that her master, full of spirit and vitality, seemed very powerful!
The little girl stared blankly, momentarily forgetting the awkwardness of being caught secretly practicing.
Just then, the courtyard gate was knocked on with a "knock, knock, knock."
Chen Ye raised his brows slightly, gesturing for Qing Jun to return inside, while he went to open the door.
Standing outside was a familiar figure dressed in a sky-blue Taoist robe.
It was Li Qiuyun, an outer disciple of the Lingyin Sect.
Unlike previous meetings, today Li Qiuyun looked haggard, with fatigue etched between her brows.
Yet her sharp and gallant demeanor was still undeniable.
Her eyes, sharp as an eagle, were scrutinizing Chen Ye as he opened the door.
Chen Ye felt a hint of tension but maintained an unperturbed expression, cupping his hands:
"So it’s Taoist Friend Li. I wonder what business brings you here today?"
Li Qiuyun’s expression remained cold, her tone icy:
"Under sect orders, investigating the case of Kong Hongxuan, the Hall Master of Nifeng Hall in the Jade Lizard Association, and his sibling Kong Hongyou’s murder. Last night, Kong Hongxuan’s residence in the western district caught fire, both perished in the blaze. Taoist Friend Chen, have you ever had contact with Kong Hongxuan?"
Since being teased by the little demoness Bai Susu at Pill Master Hu’s courtyard about how she and Chen Ye were "well-matched in looks,"
these past few days she had faced no shortage of jests from the other outer disciples.
Those who had been somewhat acquainted with her would always give a knowing look and mention "Senior Chen" whenever they saw her, leaving her both shy and angry, adding a dash of resentment towards the not-yet-well-acquainted Chen Ye.
Yet Shunshui Street was indeed within her patrol area, and now that she had been assigned to investigate the case of Kong Hongxuan, she had no choice but to interact with him again.
One can easily imagine how awful Li Qiuyun’s mood must have been.
Inside, Chen Ye felt a ripple of unease, but his face remained calm, even showing a perfectly timed hint of surprise:
"Hall Master Kong fell victim? This... Indeed, I had encountered Hall Master Kong some time ago when Senior Luo Heng of the Jade Lizard Association invited me to the Cloud Clothing Pavilion, and Hall Master Kong was present. But since then, I’ve had no further interaction. As for his sibling, I’ve never even met them personally..."