Chapter Thirteen: The All-Attribute Playstyle

The Sect’s Scripture Repository was three thousand miles from Xu Chen’s residence; taking a flying beast cost six spirit coins. Sitting atop a Spirit Wind Bird, Xu Chen wore an expression tinged with pain.

“Twelve spirit coins for a round trip—such extravagance. I should go out less often in the future.”

He gazed at the various streaks of light speeding across the distant sky and couldn’t help but feel envious; at least their travels didn’t cost spirit coins.

“My lord, if you find it expensive, you could ride ground beasts. They’re slower, but far cheaper,” the Spirit Wind Bird remarked, its wings fluttering as if it had become a breeze in the world.

“Not much cheaper, four spirit coins. Might as well pay a bit more to fly.”

“Living in the sect is truly no easy thing,” Xu Chen sighed.

At that moment, a delicate scent of jasmine wafted to him. Turning his head, he saw a female disciple riding a Spirit Wind Bird not far away, her path also leading toward the Scripture Repository.

The Flower Spirit Clan looked no different from humans; the only distinction was the ever-present floral fragrance emanating from them. Because she wore a dress, the Flower Spirit Clan girl sat side-saddle on the bird, facing Xu Chen directly.

Her delicate features and oval face lent her a gentle and approachable air. The green long dress she wore, along with glimpses of slender white legs beneath the fabric, stirred something within Xu Chen.

Separated by less than ten yards, both could clearly see each other’s expressions given their cultivation.

The two Spirit Wind Birds flew side by side toward the Scripture Repository, but neither spoke during the journey.

The Great Stream Sect’s Scripture Repository stood at the heart of a mountain valley. Rising over three hundred yards and comprising ninety-nine floors, it was imbued with spatial and heavenly array formations, making it almost a world unto itself.

The plaza before the Repository was paved with spirit jade tiles, each inscribed with formations to quiet the heart and still the mind.

As Xu Chen stepped onto the plaza, a cool sensation replaced the clutter in his mind.

“The art of cultivating blood and qi is fundamental. It’s on the first ten floors of the Repository.”

“I’ll review those before looking at cultivation techniques.”

With that thought, Xu Chen strode toward the Repository.

The Flower Spirit Clan girl nearby glanced at him in surprise. From her past experience, the male disciple she'd met in midair should have greeted her, yet he hadn’t.

Inside the Repository, Xu Chen felt as though he’d entered another realm.

Here, the blood and qi cultivation arts were not simple books, but displayed like exhibits in a museum.

Each display featured figures formed of light and shadow, demonstrating and explaining the methods.

Xu Chen didn’t hesitate; he walked straight to the first blood and qi cultivation method.

“The Five Element Body: awaken the power of the five internal organs to nourish vigorous blood and qi. There are forty-nine movements, and upon achieving unity of form and intent, one attains the strength of nine tigers, enters the Treasure Body stage, and masters the arts of the Five Elements.”

Upon the platform, a man with indistinct features demonstrated the Five Element Body method. The forty-nine movements dazzled Xu Chen.

Yet he understood one thing: even at the unity of form and intent, it only granted the strength of nine tigers—slightly less than the Saint Ape Six Movements.

Xu Chen took out a small notebook and hastily recorded his observations, then moved to another display.

“The Nine Methods of Hidden Spirit, Sacred Body Three Transformations, Hundred Beasts Roar, Vajra Nine Turns, Spirit Wind Body, Saint Ape Nine Movements, Saint Ape Sixteen Movements, Night Wandering Three Spirits, Hidden Earth Five Transformations…”

Within the first ten floors, Xu Chen spent a full month reviewing every blood and qi cultivation method.

This experience ignited his ambition; all these methods were closely linked to the cultivation techniques and mystical arts he would pursue in the future.

Some blood and qi methods, even when mastered, wouldn’t immediately boost strength; yet in later stages, when cultivating mystical arts, their subtle benefits would become apparent.

From among tens of thousands of methods, Xu Chen devised a comprehensive approach.

“Pagoda Linglong Body, Nine Methods of Hidden Spirit, Five Element Body, Heaven’s Evolution Seven Movements, Spring of Spirit’s Return—these are for mystical arts.”

“Night Wandering Three Spirits, Three Cuts of Sacred Soul, Four Aspects of Treasure Soul, Spirit Spring Sacred Heart, Soul Nine Turns—these focus on spiritual and soul cultivation.”

“Saint Ape Six Movements, Twelve Layered Waves Body Cultivation, Vajra Nine Turns, Fish-Dragon Dance, Blood God Three Bodies, Yin-Yang Six Turns.”

“And finally, the Star Body Cultivation method my good friend gave me—sixteen methods in all.”

He carefully recorded these in his notebook and breathed a long sigh of relief.

For a month, he had labored in the Repository, sorting through countless methods, eating only fasting pills when hungry.

“I’ll look at cultivation techniques later. After laying a solid foundation, I’ll consider them.”

Feeling the state of his body, Xu Chen decided to postpone studying techniques and return home for a proper sleep.

Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out.

“Junior brother, judging by your bone age, you’re twelve or thirteen, right? Still dreaming about picking blood and qi methods—isn’t it a bit late?”

“If you want to cultivate any method, just tell me. I’ll teach you for only a thousand spirit coins—guaranteed mastery,” said a male disciple, slightly taller than Xu Chen, with a mischievous grin.

“Hello, senior brother.”

“Goodbye, senior brother.”

Xu Chen offered polite greetings, put away his notebook, and made for the exit.

Outside the Repository, the plaza was bustling, and countless flying spirit beasts waited atop nearby peaks for passengers.

Xu Chen raised his disciple token, and several flying beasts rushed over, eager for his business.

In the end, a Cloud Sparrow won out and landed before him.

After giving his destination, the Cloud Sparrow’s eyes sparkled.

“Six spirit coins. Let’s go!”

Xu Chen nestled into the bird’s feathers and, without realizing it, drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, dusk had fallen, and the Cloud Sparrow had landed by a small river near his home.

“My lord, seeing you asleep, I slowed down a bit. Did you rest well?” the Cloud Sparrow asked, flattering him.

Without a word, Xu Chen tossed seven spirit coins to the bird.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Delighted, the Cloud Sparrow flew off, while Xu Chen passed through the mist array and returned home to sleep once more.

He slept a full day and night. Upon waking, Xu Chen felt his blood and qi abundant, his mind refreshed and clear.

“I’m in good form—and it’s morning. Time to cultivate.”

He practiced the Twelve Layered Waves Body Method, each movement ingrained in his bones; the final strike unleashed six layers of sonic booms.

“Excellent, I’ve improved again.”

Seizing the moment, Xu Chen repeated the method six times.

Afterwards, noon had passed, and the fasting pill’s effects had faded.

His stomach rumbled loudly.

“Hungry.”

He glanced at the kitchen but thought better of it, stepped out of the courtyard, and whistled toward the distant forest.

Before long, an old monkey dressed in coarse linen ambled over.