Zhao Ya was taken aback upon hearing this.
Did he really burn through a hundred sect contribution points so quickly?
But then he thought about how, besides practicing martial arts with Guo Luming, he had spent most of his time in the library recently, so it wasn’t surprising that the points were used up so fast.
He nodded, "Alright, I understand."
Afterward, he hurriedly finished reading the last few pages, albeit rather hastily, before reluctantly closing the secret manual and putting it back on the shelf.
When he retrieved his sect contribution token, he indeed saw a series of records on it, showing that he had only two or three points left on his last day.
Now that he’d completely run out, Zhao Ya could only put away the token and head downstairs.
At this time, Guo Luming had just finished his work and was a bit surprised to see Zhao Ya coming down.
"Why are you coming down so early today?"
"No choice, I’m out of sect contribution points," Zhao Ya said with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, Guo Luming couldn’t help but chuckle, "Then there’s nothing I can do for you. Sect contribution points can’t be transferred or lent out, so you’ll have to figure it out yourself."
Zhao Ya nodded, "I understand. I’ll head to the Contribution Department later to see if there are any suitable tasks available."
Even though Zhao Ya and Guo Luming’s relationship was not quite like that of mentor and disciple, Zhao Ya received no special treatment regarding sect contribution points.
However, Zhao Ya didn’t have any complaints. In fact, he thought this was the correct approach.
After all, if he could receive special treatment just because he was close to Guo Luming, then elders like Xia Jiye would definitely find loopholes, and this final sanctuary would eventually fall as well.
"Actually, sect contribution points aren’t only obtained by completing sect tasks," Guo Luming said.
"Oh? Are there other methods?"
"Of course, for example, donating valuable books. This is also an effective way to earn contribution points. Otherwise, do you think our Azure Dragon Temple’s library collected all these books by itself?" Guo Luming reminded.
Zhao Ya’s eyes lit up.
Yes!
Although techniques like the Eight Vajra Longevity Skill and Star-devouring True Power can’t be disclosed, he could record techniques like the Little Five Paths Chasing Soul Leg, and the Golden Body Technique of Concealing Breath to earn some contribution points.
Seeing this, Guo Luming knew Zhao Ya understood and couldn’t help but remind him, "And it doesn’t have to be a complete secret manual. Given your current proficiency in fist and sword techniques, creating your own cultivation technique would also hold considerable value."
Zhao Ya nodded solemnly, "I understand."
"Haha, there’s no rush for this. How’s your Azure Dragon True Power practice going these days?" Guo Luming inquired.
The main hall on the ground floor was empty at this time. With the year-end approaching, even the most diligent disciples were slacking off.
Only someone like Zhao Ya, who was obsessed with martial arts, would come every day without fail.
"Thanks to your daily guidance, I feel I’ve progressed well. I estimate that by the end of the year I can successfully cultivate a True Power Seed at the latest," Zhao Ya replied honestly.
Guo Luming’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, "Oh? So soon? Let me see your hand."
Zhao Ya obediently extended his hand, and Guo Luming grasped his wrist.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya silently channeled the Azure Dragon True Power in his dantian, while keeping his Star-devouring True Power hidden.
Initially, Zhao Ya was worried Guo Luming might discover his secret.
However, after several attempts, Zhao Ya realized that as long as he intentionally concealed it, even someone as powerful as Guo Luming wouldn’t detect anything abnormal.
After a while, Guo Luming released his hand, nodded approvingly, and said, "Not bad, you indeed show signs of success. At this rate, you might even cultivate a True Power Seed in a few days."
Zhao Ya felt a stirring in his heart and, following the topic, asked, "So Elder, when the time comes to open the meridians, which meridian should I choose first?"
Guo Luming glanced at Zhao Ya and said, "Even if your True Power Seed is successfully cultivated, it will need to be nurtured for a long time before you start opening meridians. Otherwise, not only will you fail to open them, but you may also harm yourself."
"So don’t get ahead of yourself."
Zhao Ya smiled bitterly in his heart.
Although the Azure Dragon True Power wasn’t ready, his Star-devouring True Power had been nurtured adequately, so Zhao Ya had been pondering the opening of meridians.
But he dared not ask before, fearing Guo Luming would reprimand him for being too ambitious, until today when the conversation naturally led to it, only to be rejected again.
"Yes, I will heed the teachings," Zhao Ya replied without any resentment and sincerely offered his gratitude.
After all, Guo Luming had his best interests at heart, and Zhao Ya wouldn’t be ungrateful.
Seeing this, Guo Luming felt increasingly satisfied.
This Zhao Ya not only had talent, but also a steady and mature character, able to see the bigger picture—truly a rare talent.
"Opening meridians is a cumbersome and complex process, and it’s best not to attempt it without direct guidance from a teacher. However, I can give you a few pointers in advance."
At this point, Guo Luming’s expression turned solemn, "In the world, there are two kinds of meridian opening. The first, and most common, is the practical approach."
"With this kind of meridian opening, the initial choices are generally those, such as Hand Shaoyang, Hand Taiyang, Hand Yangming, Hand Taiyin, Hand Jueyin, Hand Shaoyin, or the Three Yang Meridians of the Foot, and the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot among the Twelve Main Meridians."
"The advantage of this approach is that once you open a meridian, you immediately gain combat power. The downside is that its growth potential is limited."
"And what about the other kind?" Zhao Ya asked attentively.
"The second one follows a different path than the first, focusing on accumulating potential instead of immediate practical effects."
"In this kind of meridian opening, there’s only one choice, and that’s opening the Ren and Du Meridians."
"Opening the Ren and Du Meridians?" Zhao Ya shivered and couldn’t help but repeat.
"Exactly, the Ren Meridian leads the blood as the sea of Yin meridians, and the Du Meridian manages Qi as the sea of Yang meridians. Together, they form the grand bridge of Qi and blood circulation in the human body. If you can open them, there will be endless benefits to your cultivation."
Zhao Ya was somewhat dazed.
The name Ren and Du Meridians was incredibly familiar to him.
After all, these were the meridians that often appeared in martial arts novels as being opened by experts.
Seeing Zhao Ya’s expression, Guo Luming couldn’t help but laugh, "This isn’t something you should consider at the moment, and although the Ren and Du Meridians are powerful, their complexity is incomparable to the Twelve Main Meridians. A slight mistake could lead to fatal consequences, so you mustn’t try lightly without assurance."
"Yes," Zhao Ya nodded in agreement.
After helping Guo Luming organize some books, Zhao Ya took his leave.
He originally planned to visit the Contribution Department to check for suitable tasks, but after listening to Guo Luming, Zhao couldn’t stop mulling over it in his mind and had no inclination to think of anything else, hurrying back home.
Once home, Zhao Ya shut the door and windows, then sat on a cushion to begin meditative breathing exercises.
Even though it wasn’t nighttime, as his cultivation deepened, Zhao Ya could practice his Star-devouring True Power even during the day, albeit at a slower pace.
After meditating for a while, Zhao Ya felt the starlight in his dantian still blazing like the sun, almost to the point of bursting.
His heart was stirred, and he then gently guided the starlight downwards from the dantian.
The dantian, located three inches below the navel, includes the Qi Sea, Stone Gate, Guan Yuan, Shen Que, and Life Gate – it’s the repository of life.
At this moment, as the Star-devouring True Power moved downwards, it soon encountered its first obstacle, the Middle Cavity Acupoint.
A sense of stagnation surfaced, but before Zhao Ya could guide it with intention, the vigorous Star-devouring True Power surged downwards, instantly disintegrating the stagnation.
However, that was the extent of it, as the initially aggressive Star-devouring True Power weakened significantly after passing through the Middle Cavity Acupoint, eventually halting in front of the Qu Bone Acupoint below.
Even so, Zhao Ya was extremely surprised.
Especially when he opened the attribute panel and saw the Human Body Outline Map with the Middle Cavity Acupoint below the dantian illuminated by starlight, his heart was filled with surprise and joy.
[Middle Cavity Acupoint Refinement Successful]
At the same time, the system notification finally arrived.