Chapter 96: Chapter 83: Choose a Secret Technique Again, Gain Strength Through Hardship

Flying Rock Peak, Book Collection Tower.

Since Zhou Chun became the Clan Leader’s secretary, the frequency of his visits to the Book Collection Tower had greatly decreased.

He only came occasionally, when he found some spare time.

But that wasn’t to read books; it was to visit the Green Wood Spirit Ape that guarded the Book Collection Tower.

The experience of getting help from the Green Wood Spirit Ape to capture the Emerald Crown Flying Serpent had given Zhou Chun a great deal of inspiration.

Creatures such as the Green Wood Spirit Ape, unique to the Zhou Family, could prove extremely helpful if a good relationship was established. In the future, asking for their assistance would be much easier than persuading a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and there would be no favors owed in return.

However, his visit to the Book Collection Tower today was merely in passing—to pay a visit to the Green Wood Spirit Ape. His true intention was to go up to the second floor and select a secret technique for cultivation.

The Five Elements Spiritual Armor Technique he had chosen a few years ago was now mastered, and he could easily use it at will.

The Hidden Cicada Breathing Technique, which he had acquired from slaying a Bandit Cultivator, was also successfully cultivated.

Now was the time to cultivate yet another secret technique.

Secret techniques, after all, simply required time for cultivation, and having many at one’s disposal was never a burden.

Especially since, unlike Spells, the power of secret techniques was not so easily capped and would increase with the Cultivator’s advancement in cultivation level.

The same Five Elements Spiritual Armor Technique, used by Zhou Chun, amounted to a first-tier high-grade defensive spell, but used by a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, the defensive effect could compare to a second-tier defensive spell.

Therefore, secret techniques cultivated in the Qi Refinement Realm could still be of use in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

“Same rules as before, you go up and pick a secret technique by yourself, then bring it down to me,” Elder Zhou Daoquan said, after he lifted the spell restricting access to the second floor, and gestured for Zhou Chun to go up by himself with a sweeping motion of his hand.

Zhou Chun, however, didn’t hurry up after hearing his words.

Instead, he bowed respectfully and said, “Elder’s discernment shines through. In the past, I represented our family in the martial arts competition among the five major Cultivation clans and was rewarded with the opportunity to choose a secret technique. After being promoted to a core clan member, I should also be granted an opportunity to select a secret technique. Therefore, this time, I would like to choose two secret techniques at once!”

“Choose two secret techniques at once? Do you have that much time to cultivate them all?” Elder Zhou Daoquan asked, slightly astonished, looking at Zhou Chun with surprise in his voice.

Zhou Chun had anticipated such a question and immediately replied, “I no longer need to perform various chores, and I’ve gradually become familiar with handling various clan affairs. The time available for cultivation each day should suffice to support the cultivation of two secret techniques.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhou Daoquan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he exclaimed, “Good lad, it seems you really have what it takes!”

Then, waving his sleeve grandly, he said, “Fine then, you’re granted permission to choose two secret techniques for cultivation.”

“Thank you, Elder,” Zhou Chun replied with thanks and immediately stepped towards the second floor.

After a short while, he returned to the ground floor with two chosen secret techniques in hand.

During his last selection, Zhou Chun chose the Five Elements Spiritual Armor Technique because he lacked sufficient defensive methods.

This time, the two secret techniques he selected were both meant to enhance his offensive capabilities.

Xinjin Sword Qi, an offensive secret technique, can only be cultivated by those with a Metal Attribute Spiritual Root. It has two layers: once the first layer is formed, a stream of Xinjin Spiritual Power can be condensed within the Greater Yin Lung Meridian of the right hand and used as Sword Qi to strike the enemy; the second layer allows for another stream of Xinjin Spiritual Power to be condensed within the Greater Yin Lung Meridian of the left hand.

Blood Burning Spirit Conversion Technique, a supplementary secret technique, upon successful cultivation, allows one to burn one’s own vital blood to convert it into Mana.

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“Boy, are you planning to fight someone to the death? Why would you choose these two secret techniques?” Elder Zhou Daoquan couldn’t help but roll his eyes and asked with an incomprehension, looking at Zhou Chun after reviewing the two secret techniques Zhou Chun had brought.

No wonder he couldn’t understand.

Both secret techniques could harm the user before hurting the enemy.

It goes without saying for the Blood Burning Spirit Conversion Technique; the vital blood of a Cultivator burned is difficult to recover. Burning too much could not only be lifethreatening, but even surviving by a fluke could greatly reduce one’s lifespan.

As for Xinjin Sword Qi, to successfully cultivate it and increase its power, one needs to use a secret technique to absorb the Taibai Gold Power from Spirit Gold veins, converting it into Five Elements Gold Qi.

This process not only causes severe pain, but the Cultivator must also endure torture-like agony at all times. The slightest carelessness could damage the right hand’s meridian, and in severe cases, it could lead to lifelong, incurable injuries.

Moreover, what makes this secret technique most feared is that after each use, to condense the Taibai Gold Power in the arms again, one must once more endure the agonizing pain of the Golden Qi invading the body.

Although most Cultivators, in pursuit of strength, are able to endure hardships that ordinary people cannot bear,

someone like Zhou Chun, who was already far ahead of his peers, didn’t need to suffer like this at all!

So, Elder Zhou Daoquan was very puzzled.

Seeing this, Zhou Chun could only explain, “Elder has misunderstood; I chose these two secret techniques only because I value their potential to save lives and turn the tide in emergency situations.”

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“Compared to my life, what does a bit of suffering count for!”

By the end, his expression also showed unwavering determination.

He was not afraid of hardship.

As long as it made him stronger, that was all that mattered!

However, after hearing his explanation, Elder Zhou Daoquan’s expression suddenly turned strange.