"Yu’Er! Slow down!"
Pan Yu was about to run upstairs and had just set foot on the staircase when Can ng Daoist called out to her.
"You’re still injured. You mustn’t move around so much, or you’ll risk lasting complications. You’ll truly regret it then."
Her tone was gently chiding, but it was clear that Can ng Daoist’s affection for Pan Yu ran deep.
She pulled Pan Yu back and made her sit down again.
"However, Yu’Er does have a point. That was my oversight; I failed to consider your opinion, Fellow Daoist."
She glanced at Yang An apologetically.
Yang An was caught in an awkward position, his hand half-extended and frozen in mid-air, unsure whether to accept the offered items or not. When he saw Can ng Daoist look his way, he quickly retracted his hand and let out a noncommittal laugh.
He was actually already pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of elixirs before him. The collection included most of the essential types, useful in nearly any situation.
But since Pan Yu had won him sothing more, he wasn’t about to refuse.
’It’s better for everyone to be straightforward,’ he reasoned. ’Beating around the bush and feigning reluctance would just seem insincere.’
"While Sansong Mountain has its most abundant reserves in various elixirs, we also have a collection of treasured Artifacts and Spiritual Objects. Please, Fellow Daoist, feel free to ask for what you want. Sansong Mountain will do its utmost to et your request."
Since that girl, Pan Yu, had already spoken up, not following through would make them seem stingy. So, Can ng Daoist simply handed the initiative to Yang An, allowing him to ask for whatever he wished.
The implication was clear: if they had it and Yang An deed it worthy, it was his for the asking.
It wouldn’t matter even if Yang An made an exorbitant demand. He had saved Pan Yu’s life twice; that was a heavy debt of gratitude for Sansong Mountain, one that couldn’t be repaid with a few trivial items.
Hearing Can ng Daoist’s words, Yang An sank into thought.
’It wasn’t in his nature to make an exorbitant demand,’ he thought. ’There was no point in taking sothing useless. The right item for the right purpose would be far more valuable.’
’And what did he need most right now?’
’Naturally, it was a new Technique to serve as the foundation for his Dao of Destiny Technique.’
’Without a suitable Dao of Destiny Technique, his progress would stall, even though his Mana had already reached the Perfection stage of his current realm.’
’Only a Dao of Destiny Technique could provide the greatest boost to his power, and it was what he craved most.’
"I’ve always enjoyed studying Techniques," Yang An began, "and recently I’ve taken a particular interest in those that can affect Demon Fiends from a distance. If Sansong Mountain has any Light-based Techniques that you would allow to study, I would be endlessly grateful!"
Yang An stated his request, only to see the others, including Can ng Daoist, stare back at him, startled.
"That’s... a rather unique interest, Fellow Daoist Yang," Pan Shi said with a wry smile.
"Is there sothing amiss?" Yang An asked, looking at Pan Shi and the others in confusion.
"It’s not that, exactly. Perhaps you’re just unfamiliar with this category of Techniques, Fellow Daoist. Allow to explain."
"You should know, Fellow Daoist, that we Cultivators and Demon Fiends share the sa origin. If we’re talking about which type of Technique is most damaging to Demon Fiends, it would naturally be those of the purest Yang and greatest intensity—and among those, Light-based Techniques are supre.
Take Buddha’s Radiance, or the thods of Golden Radiance, or even the legendary Technique of the Great Sun. The damage these Techniques inflict on Demon Fiends is virtually unmatched by any other type. And naturally, the sa applies to us Cultivators."
"For that very reason, Cultivators who practice this category of Techniques are exceedingly rare. The few who do typically only master superficial, minor arts."
"Let’s say an ordinary Technique inflicts 100% damage on a Demon Fiend. The Caster bears the cost, but suffers no other ill effects.
But with Light Magic, even if it inflicts 120% damage on a Demon Fiend, the Caster not only has to bear the cost, but they also suffer damage and suppression from the Technique itself. They can only bring 70% of their true strength to bear."
"That’s why most of us Cultivators have no interest in this category of Techniques."
"No matter how powerful such a Technique is, it’s a case of ’injure the enemy by a thousand to injure yourself by eight hundred.’ It’s better not to use it at all."
Pan Shi ticulously laid out all the pros and cons he knew about these kinds of Techniques for Yang An.
As Yang An listened, realization dawned.
’No wonder the Techniques I’ve mastered—the Lighting Technique, the Extre Day Divine Aspect, and even the Bone Relic Buddha Radiance—are all so astonishingly effective,’ he thought. ’They’ve even allowed to kill powerful enemies who were caught completely off guard.’
’Just like Daoist Kong Shuai, whom I encountered on the way to the Xiyue River, and the Jade Elephant Daoist, whom I managed to kill with a preemptive strike in the Golden Sun Pavilion.’
’Even back when I was just an ordinary person, I was able to kill those Demon Fiends in Jiunan Town.’
’I always thought I was able to kill those enemies because I got the drop on them or seized the right opportunity. I never imagined there was this other factor at play.’
’In other words, based on my experints on that isolated island in the Xiyue River, does my Purification Ability not only allow to bypass any cost, but also make immune to the suppression and self-harm from Light Magic?’
’No, that’s not quite right!’
Thinking this, Yang An suddenly had a realization.
’Everyone else, whether Cultivator or Demon Fiend, is fundantally of the sa origin. This is inextricably linked to the fact that everything in this world cos with a cost.’
’But I don’t have to bear any costs, which naturally makes an anomaly. The fundantal reason I’m not suppressed or hard by my own Techniques is that I’m different from everyone else.’
’To put it bluntly, both Cultivators and Demon Fiends are like a pool of filthy water. The essence of their cultivation could be called demonic; it’s certainly not so righteous path.’
’But if everyone else is an Evil Demon, what does that have to do with ?’
’I don’t have to bear any costs! That makes a pool of clear water!’
’Looked at this way, after getting that inheritance from the old geezer, my choice to make this category of Technique my Dao of Destiny Technique... I fucking stumbled onto the perfect path by accident!’
’I already liked doing things this way... now I love it!’
Seeing the sudden grin spread across Yang An’s face, Pan Shi, who had just finished explaining the technique’s drawbacks, was left completely baffled.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
’Could it be that Fellow Daoist Yang is just into this sort of thing?’
’As expected of Fellow Daoist Yang!’
In Pan Shi’s mind, Yang An remained as profound and unfathomable as ever.
"This category of Technique is extrely rare everywhere. Any copies we might have are probably gathering dust in so forgotten corner, having not seen the light of day for years.
But if you want them, Fellow Daoist Yang, I’ll go find them for you right now! I’ll be sure to satisfy your request!"
Pan Shi said with great enthusiasm.
"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Fellow Daoist Pan."
Yang An nodded his thanks. Precisely because this kind of Technique was so rare, he couldn’t afford to be modest.
Each one he could obtain was an imnse boon for him.
Soon, Pan Shi was hurrying back up to the upper floors of the Tree House, leaving Yang An to make idle small talk with Can ng Daoist.
After the ti it takes to drink a cup of tea, Pan Shi ca back down, a look of delight on his face and a fair amount of dust on his clothes.
"Found them!"
He held two wooden boxes in his arms. He walked briskly over to Yang An and placed them both on the tea table beside him.
"My apologies, Fellow Daoist, I could only find these two. If you’d like to see other Techniques, I can go look for more."
"This is more than enough! Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pan!"
Though there were only two, it was already more than Yang An had expected. Unable to contain his anticipation, he thanked Pan Shi again and eagerly opened one of the wooden boxes.
Inside the box lay a relatively thin book, perhaps only a few dozen pages long, its cover caked in a thick layer of dust.
Yang An lifted the book from the box. Though an information panel imdiately appeared in his vision, he still made a show of flipping through the pages.
「[One Qi Dao Guang thod]: Hails from the One Qi Sect. The One Qi rules; the body manifests the Light of the Dao. Ghosts and demons lose their nerve; spirits and monsters lose their form.
Cost of Use: The Light of the Dao consus the body; flesh and blood feel as if pierced by a thousand needles. When the One Qi is exhausted, the physical shell crumbles to dust.
Status: Purification available!」
Seeing the information on this Technique, Yang An understood imdiately. This was a classic example of what Pan Shi had described: a Technique that would "injure the enemy by a thousand to injure yourself by eight hundred," while also suppressing the user’s own power.
The Technique itself was rather ordinary, rely allowing the Caster to generate Dao light within their body, but it possessed the power to exorcise ghosts and destroy demons.
’If I could eliminate the cost, though, it wouldn’t be diocre at all,’ he thought.
Yang An set the One Qi Dao Guang thod aside and opened the other wooden box. Inside was another book.
「[Qi Guang Technique]: From the Endless Techniques Record - Miscellaneous Techniques Chapter. This Technique is dual-purpose, with a ’release’ and a ’retract’ function, switchable at will. Releasing light protects the self, illuminates all creation, purges evil, and executes demons. Retracting light allows one to fight like a battle Kui, using light to wield Mystical Power, so fearso that even gods and immortals would hide their nas.
Cost of Use: One wields light with the body; light is infinite, but a man’s life is finite. During the switch between release and retraction, the human soul scatters, irreparable by any ans.
Status: Purification available!」
’The Endless Techniques Record?’
After reading the information on the second Technique, one particular detail imdiately caught Yang An’s attention.
’I can’t believe this Daoist Technique actually cos from the Endless Techniques Record.’
’If I rember correctly, the Three Vein Beast Transformation Technique I got from Daoist Hei i also ca from the Endless Techniques Record.’
’What in the world is the origin of that book? Don’t tell it’s so kind of encyclopedia of Techniques?’
Having reviewed both Techniques, if Yang An were to give an assessnt, he’d say the first was rather common. However, considering how rare Light Magic was in the first place, it was still a valuable find.
The second one, based on its description, seed to be a versatile Technique for both close-quarters and ranged combat, making it more practical.
But either way, both were rare treasures that one could only hope to stumble upon, not actively seek out.
"If you like them, Fellow Daoist, then consider these two Techniques a gift," Can ng Daoist said, seeing his interest. "Besides these, Sansong Mountain has other treasures. You needn’t be so reserved. Feel free to ask."
"Thank you, Senior. Gifting these two Techniques is already an imnse treasure. I cannot be insatiably greedy. I am more than satisfied."
Yang An placed the books back in their boxes as he spoke politely.
’To get this many elixirs and now two Techniques that I desperately wanted... if I asked for anything more, that would truly be an exorbitant demand,’ he thought.
’I only ca to Sansong Mountain by accident. I’m already satisfied with gaining so much.’
’In all things, one must know the proper limits. Maintaining a sense of proportion is the key to lasting relationships.’
"Fellow Daoist Yang, you mustn’t worry on our account! Our sect has plenty of good things. Just say what you want, and I’ll have my brother go find it for you."
Seeing that Yang An had only taken two books that were, to them, completely unimportant—items left to gather dust in so forgotten corner—Pan Yu beca anxious.
From the look on her face, she was terrified that Yang An was getting short-changed.
’This woman... sothing’s off with her!’
Yang An’s intuition flared.
’Ever since we left the Illusion Realm, Pan Yu has been like a completely different person. She’s being far too generous.’
’It makes no sense to just give away your own sect’s treasures like this. How could she be so willing? Don’t tell she’s been possessed by so evil spirit?’
He shot Pan Yu a wary glance. But they were in the Real World now. Even if there was sothing wrong with her, it wasn’t his place to help; Sansong Mountain would handle its own affairs.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pan Yu, but I am already perfectly content. To ask for more would be shaless."
Seeing that Yang An truly didn’t want anything else, Pan Yu couldn’t insist and reluctantly dropped the matter.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the group, Yang An stored everything in his at Burial Talisman. He decided he would study them properly after he went to Yulan City, finished the task the old geezer had given him, and returned to Corpse Saliva Valley.
Just as they were exchanging pleasantries, a figure walked in slowly from outside the Tree House. The newcor was none other than Jing Yan Daoist.
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