Chapter 59 Changing Cultivation Methods

The Frost Torrent Prison Scripture, an Earth-tier intermediate technique.

Cultivating this technique not only massively enhances the might of one's ice-attribute Dou Qi, but it also allows the practitioner to condense all the Dou Qi within their body into an Ice Soul Talisman to be stored for future use!

To put it more simply and straightforwardly, it is equivalent to gaining a hidden mana bar.

Imagine fighting an evenly matched opponent where both of you are completely exhausted, and suddenly you burst forth with a fully recharged mana bar. Just picturing that scene brings an involuntary smile to one's face.

As Chen Xiao flipped through the description of the technique, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion at how truly wondrous and boundless the world was.

This Frost Torrent Prison Scripture clearly belonged to that exceptionally unique category of cultivation techniques.

Chen Xiao was satisfied with it from the bottom of his heart.

Except for the name!

"Let's just abbreviate it as the Prison Scripture from now on. The senior who created this technique had novel ideas and was quite a remarkable figure, but unfortunately, naming things does not seem to be their strong suit."

With a faint smile, Chen Xiao temporarily tucked it into his pocket.

Turning his gaze toward the four people who were still busy, Chen Xiao, in high spirits, did not just stand by and watch. When he saw a light sphere emitting a brilliant glow burst out from the energy barrier, he casually reached out and intercepted it.

Time ticked away second by second. Soon, only about ten minutes remained until the allotted time was up. The speed at which the energy barrier spat out light spheres slowed down abruptly. It was as if it were constipated, coughing out a sphere only after a long while, which was enough to make one anxious just watching.

Fortunately, after such a long period of screening, the five expectant individuals had all gained something.

Mu Boshan had not found the earth-attribute cultivation technique or defensive Earth-tier Dou Technique he desired, but he had obtained an almost transparent silken armor.

The defensive power of this silken armor was astonishing. From Chen Xiao's limited perspective, even a Dou Wang expert would likely find it difficult to damage it in the slightest.

Ji Riyang had acquired an aggressively powerful Earth-tier Dou Technique.

Cao Hui had also achieved his wish, obtaining a Tier 7 medicinal pill formula treasured by Canaan College, named the Zongyuan Pill.

This pill could accelerate the cultivation speed of Dou Zong-level experts by a full thirty percent, and its rarity was evident.

The three individuals above were all very satisfied with the harvest of this trip. Only Fu Tong, who desired something to extend her life, had slightly dimmed eyes. Failing to achieve her wish, she could only retreat to second best and choose an Earth-tier low-grade cultivation technique.

"Don't be too discouraged. From what I know, medicinal herbs capable of directly extending lifespan are extremely rare to begin with, so it's reasonable that this Scripture Pavilion doesn't have any. However, certain medicinal pills can also prolong life. Besides, from what you've said, your friend ended up in this condition due to severe injuries. Why not try a different approach and start from the perspective of healing?"

Cao Hui spoke up to offer comfort.

Hearing this, Fu Tong gave a bitter smile and nodded. How could she not have considered such an approach?

"Thank you, I will keep it in mind."

Chen Xiao and the others did not probe too deeply into Fu Tong's personal affairs.

Sharing deep words with a recent acquaintance was a major taboo.

However, this person Cao Hui had aroused their curiosity.

"Are you an alchemist?" Mu Boshan, with his honest appearance, asked bluntly.

"No. If I were, I wouldn't have said earlier that I wanted an Earth-tier Dou Technique. Talented alchemists never have to struggle with these things. I chose to take away the Zongyuan Pill formula simply because this formula can bring greater benefits to me and my family."

A trace of loneliness flashed across Cao Hui's brows, but it quickly returned to normal as he smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I must thank Chen Xiao. The light spheres earlier dazzled me so much that I didn't even notice it, and purely relying on myself to break through the energy layer would have been extremely difficult."

Chen Xiao calmly shook his head. "We agreed to look out for each other. Before I obtained this technique, you guys also helped me intercept several light spheres."

Although those light spheres turned out not to be what he desired after he broke through their energy layers, it was still the thought that counted.

Precisely because they honored the agreement, Chen Xiao gave them a helping hand after obtaining the Prison Scripture.

Ji Riyang, who had remained silent the entire time, ended the conversation with a single sentence.

"Time is almost up. Shall we head out first?"

...

Creak...

The tightly sealed ancient heavy doors slowly opened, and five figures walked out from within.

The grey-robed old man sitting cross-legged on the right side of the entrance flickered his sleeves slightly. Immediately afterward, Chen Xiao and the others sensed a vast and boundless formless energy sweep across their bodies. The sheer strength of that energy caused a wave of shock to rise in their hearts.

However, this formless energy seemed to be merely scanning them without any malice, so after lasting for a mere ten seconds or so, it receded like a receding tide.

"You may all leave. Remember this: you are not to reveal a single trace of what happened here today, including any information from inside the Scripture Pavilion, to anyone."

A hoarse, aged voice lingered around the entrance.

Following that, the Scripture Pavilion slammed shut with a resounding thud.

Just as Chen Xiao and the five of them were about to bow and acknowledge the command, they were astounded to find that the Hu Bai Elders, who had been within arm's reach just a moment ago, had vanished into thin air like ghosts, as if everything they had experienced previously had been nothing more than a clear dream.

Ahem~

Vice-Dean Hu Gan gave a light cough in the open space ahead, snapping the five of them out of their daze as they quickly strode away from the Scripture Pavilion.

"You all made some gains, right?" As the five approached, Hu Gan asked in a low voice.

Chen Xiao and the others smiled and nodded.

Even Fu Tong, whose outcome could not be called perfect, was no exception.

An Earth-tier cultivation technique, if placed within the Black Flame Region, would be enough to trigger a bloody battle. Being able to obtain it so easily was naturally a major harvest.

"That's good. Remember what you heard just now. Elders, Hu Gan will not disturb your quiet cultivation any longer. Farewell."

Cupping his fists toward the void, Hu Gan waved his large sleeve and immediately led the five back along the original path.

Half an hour later.

Returning to the familiar study, Hu Gan relaxed completely, plopping down onto a comfortable soft chair before looking at the five of them with a smiling expression.

"You have already received your top-five rewards. Regardless of what you obtained, the academy will not interfere. Next, you just need to peacefully wait for two days. Two days from now will be the day you enter the Inner Academy. Come to the open space downstairs to wait at that time.

"However, as the most responsible Vice-Dean in history, I must remind you that the Inner Academy is not as peaceful as the Outer Academy. On your way to the Inner Academy, you will encounter obstruction from certain people. I can't say much about the specifics; you just need to remember that if you run into them, roll up your sleeves and beat them to death... Uh, well, don't actually beat them to death.

"In short, the harder you fight, the greater the benefits!"

Hearing this, Cao Hui and the other three were dumbfounded.

Chen Xiao wore a look of utter skepticism.

No, upon careful reflection, it seemed Hu Gan wasn't wrong either.

It was just that his posture of fanning the flames made Chen Xiao feel a bit of a contrast.

Normally speaking, as the Vice-Dean, knowing the difficulty of the Fire Energy Hunting Contest for newcomers, he should logically remind them that it would be best to form teams and so on.

Suddenly, Chen Xiao recalled Mentor Xiwen mentioning previously that Vice-Dean Hu Gan had smiled very cunningly upon learning of his situation.

In an instant, Chen Xiao understood everything.

This Vice-Dean was a devotee of joy!

He clearly just wanted to watch the show!

"Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Vice-Dean."

Having seen through the truth, Chen Xiao did not expose it. He nodded and thanked him along with the four companions beside him, then left the study under Hu Gan's encouraging gaze.

In the Scripture Pavilion, each of them had made gains, and all five were eager to return and carefully examine their items, especially since they weren't particularly close to begin with.

Therefore, upon exiting the study, the five exchanged brief farewells and each returned to their respective 'homes'.

Returning to his quarters, Chen Xiao locked the door tightly and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Because he had acquired the Prison Scripture relatively early, he had already read through it several times while still in the Scripture Pavilion.

Thus, without any hesitation at this moment, he began transitioning his cultivation technique.