Cultivating in Different Professions

"Senior Brother Su, wait a moment."

After leaving Wan Qing, Su Mu was about to head back to his residence when Luo Anning suddenly called out to him.

"Is something wrong, Junior Sister Luo? You’re not planning to ask for the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow back, are you?"

Su Mu stopped and said, looking back.

Luo Anning had been the one to bring the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow to the Outer City. In principle, if Wuling City wanted it back, they would most likely approach the person who took it in the first place—which was Luo Anning.

"It’s not that."

Luo Anning shook her head. "No one in Wuling City can use it anyway, so it’s better off with you for now, Senior Brother Su. If anyone comes asking for it, I’ll handle them for you."

Miss Luo had always been a very responsible young woman.

"Senior Brother Su, I have something to give you," Luo Anning continued.

As she spoke, she took a scroll from within her robes and handed it to Su Mu.

"What is this?"

Su Mu accepted it and asked casually.

"A Li Fire Realm Map," Luo Anning replied.

"Hm?"

Su Mu was somewhat surprised.

Even though he was far more powerful than before, an item like a Mental Realm Map wasn’t something he could just casually obtain.

"I know you’ve been looking for martial arts techniques recently, Senior Brother Su."

Luo Anning explained, "I think, with your level of insight, Senior Brother Su, learning ordinary martial techniques would be a waste. It’s better to go straight to the source and comprehend a Mental Realm directly."

Martial techniques are, in reality, a shortcut.

One practices various forms and stances to grasp an Aura, and from there, comprehend a Mental Realm.

In a way, the entire purpose of learning martial techniques is to comprehend a Mental Realm.

Once a Mental Realm is comprehended, the external forms and stances become unimportant. A Martial Artist who has reached this stage can turn even a flower or a leaf into a deadly weapon; every single move they make possesses infinite power.

Therefore, someone with enough insight can skip the step of practicing martial techniques entirely and comprehend a Mental Realm Map directly.

Once you comprehend a Mental Realm, a single casual move will far surpass any martial technique.

Looking at the Mental Realm Map in his hand, Su Mu was deeply moved. Then, he inwardly grumbled, ’Miss Luo, I’m afraid you have the wrong idea about me.’

’I don’t rely on talent; I’m the hard-working type.’

"Why a Li Fire Realm Map?" Su Mu asked curiously.

"Didn’t Master Wan say he was getting the Divine Phoenix Rebirth Technique for you? From what I know, the Divine Phoenix Body you cultivate with it gives you a chance to comprehend a Physical Divine Technique that makes you impervious to fire."

"So I thought, if you could comprehend the Li Fire Realm, Senior Brother Su, it would surely make cultivating the Divine Phoenix Rebirth Technique much easier and more effective," Luo Anning explained seriously.

Looking at her earnest expression, a smile touched Su Mu’s lips.

"I understand."

Su Mu smiled. "Thank you."

He had indeed been trying to pick a martial technique recently. He’d been hesitating over which of the Original Eight Meridians to focus on, but now the choice was clear. He would go with the Li Fire Lineage.

After parting ways with Luo Anning, Su Mu went to the Wuling Taiping Bureau’s Library Pavilion and selected three martial techniques from the Li Fire Lineage.

He had gained certain privileges within the Wuling Taiping Bureau ever since he repelled the Tier Five Demon Tide.

For example, an ordinary Taiping Captain would have to spend merits to learn a technique from the Library Pavilion.

But Su Mu didn’t have to.

According to Wan Qing, Su Mu’s merits from defending the city were enough to redeem anything in the Wuling Taiping Bureau.

With the exception of items that had to be requested from the Headquarters, Su Mu was free to take whatever he wanted.

Su Mu disliked special privileges, but when he was the one receiving them, he had to admit: it felt pretty damn good.

’Sun-Eroding Blade Technique, Red Lotus Flame Saber Technique, and Starfire Blade Technique.’

Su Mu set the Li Fire Realm Map aside and began to flip through the three martial technique manuals he had just borrowed.

Comprehending the Mental Realm Map directly was too difficult; he decided to take the shortcut after all.

He would first master several Auras from the Li Fire Lineage and then build on that momentum to comprehend the Li Fire Realm.

When he later went to comprehend the Mental Realm Map, he would also save a considerable number of Points needed for the upgrade.

’Miss Luo was right. Comprehending the Li Fire Realm first would likely make cultivating the Divine Phoenix Rebirth Technique easier later on.’

With a thought, Su Mu summoned his system panel.

[Name: Su Mu]

[Identity: Silver-faced Killer (Concurrent), Taiping Captain (Seventh-Rank)]

[Points: 6500]

[Realm: Blood Transformation Realm (Body Tempering Extreme Realm)]

[Divine Techniques: Indestructible Golden Body]

[Cultivation Technique: Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique (Perfection)...]

[Martial Arts: Kan Water Realm (Major Accomplishment), Xun Wind Realm (Major Accomplishment), Gen Mountain Realm (Major Accomplishment), Archery (Perfection)]

He had accumulated 6,500 Points during this time.

He had originally planned to save them for his Rebirth Technique, but since it would be some time before he obtained it, he decided he might as well master the Li Fire Realm first.

......

「Wuling City, Inner City.」

Within a lavishly decorated mansion, music and dance created an atmosphere of peace and prosperity.

A few men drank and toasted, their joyous songs and laughter filling the air.

Dai Jin occupied the host’s seat, while a slender middle-aged man sat in the guest’s seat.

"I didn’t expect Junior Brother Shi to deliver the Fireproof Shield in person this time."

Dai Jin raised his wine cup, smiling at the middle-aged man. "I toast you, Junior Brother."

"You’re too kind, Senior Brother Dai."

Shi Ji replied, overwhelmed by the gesture, and drained his cup.

He had joined the sect as an already-established master. So, while he was older than Dai Jin and the others, he was not a core disciple, and his status was far inferior.

Despite Shi Ji not being a core disciple, Dai Jin didn’t look down on him in the slightest.

Shi Ji had joined as an established master; his fame had spread far and wide even before he joined the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect.

Although his cultivation was currently only at the Rebirth Realm, he was highly regarded by the Sect Leader. Given time, his power would not necessarily be beneath Dai Jin’s.

"Sir, with the establishment of the Inspection Bureau, this is a prime opportunity for you, as its regional director, to truly make your mark."