On the Proficiency Panel, the Ninth Level of the Turtle Spirit Technique started to blur and, after a moment...

The Turtle Spirit Technique disappeared, replaced by: [Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy Tenth Level (Uninitiated)].

A surge of memories of new cultivation techniques flooded into his mind.

The Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy was a product of the combination of the Turtle Spirit Technique and the Xuan Shui Technique. Both discarded their dross and merged into one.

The Turtle Spirit Technique was optimized into the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy. This new strategy currently had ten levels. The first nine were the same as the previous Turtle Spirit Technique, representing Qi Refinement from the First Level to the Ninth Level.

The tenth level of the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy is a Cultivation Method for the Foundation Establishment Stage, capable of reaching the peak of the early Foundation Establishment Stage.

Perhaps due to the incompleteness of the Xuan Shui Technique, or perhaps because the breakthrough potential of techniques was inherently limited, only the tenth level of this technique could be obtained.

I was originally worried about being limited by cultivation techniques after my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

Skill Breaking Points are truly miraculous!

Sects use cultivation techniques as restrictions. They want you to join them to get the complete techniques, and it's not easy. Sects would definitely impose limits, compelling Cultivators to dedicate their lives to serving them. If you want to obtain subsequent cultivation techniques, you have to faithfully follow the rules set by the Sect and dedicate yourself to their cause.

Those who are not Sect-born Foundation Establishment Cultivators find it hard to gain the Sect's trust. They receive far less attention and resources. They also face ostracization from Sect Disciples and cannot enter the core decision-making circle. The cons far outweighed the pros.

Jia Ren did not wish to join a Sect and endure such humiliation.

Jia Ren had previously inquired with the Market Master at the Great Wilderness Market about obtaining Foundation Establishment techniques. He desired to break free from the Cultivation World's shackles on Loose Cultivators and was unwilling to be constrained by Sects through their cultivation techniques. Alas, the Xuan Shui Technique he obtained was also incomplete, perhaps intentionally so by the Market Master. After reaching Foundation Establishment and cultivating the Xuan Shui Technique, wouldn't the only outcome be to join the Pill Cauldron Sect, which possessed the Xuan Shui Technique?

This was a clever move.

It ensured that even if the meat spoils, it would do so in one's own pot.

Without the chance to inherit cultivation methods, Jia Ren would have been trapped in a 'cage'. Skill Breaking Points allowed him to step off the chessboard, exempting him from being constrained by Foundation Establishment techniques for the time being.

Do I still need the Xuan Shui Technique in the future?

Through breaking the limits of cultivation techniques, Jia Ren realized that the breakthrough function of the Proficiency Panel was, to a certain extent, linked to his own understanding. He was unclear whether the second breakthrough of the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy would encounter problems without the subsequent Xuan Shui Technique as a reference. This was crucial, as it would affect future cultivation.

After contemplating for a moment, Jia Ren decided to play it safe and make an effort to acquire the Xuan Shui Technique...

There's no rush for this matter; I will consider it after my breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Jia Ren eagerly looked at the new cultivation method, barely concealing the astonishment in his eyes. As a Sect's cultivation technique, the Xuan Shui Technique was superior to the Turtle Spirit Technique in all aspects. The Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, as an optimized version based on the Turtle Spirit Technique and Xuan Shui Technique, surpassed its predecessors.

The number of unique secret techniques within the method increased. These included the Xuan Gui Aquatic Gift, Xuan Shui Escape, and Xuan Shui Boundless.

The Xuan Gui Aquatic Gift granted a special affinity for water-based power, reducing the Spiritual Power consumed and increasing the recovery speed while casting Water System Magic in water bodies.

Xuan Shui Escape was a rare water-type escape spell that could only be cultivated and mastered at the Foundation Establishment Stage. It could only be used in water, instantly allowing one to flee over ten miles away, making it second to none for preserving life.

Xuan Shui Boundless was a unique defensive secret technique that, when used in water, could distribute attacks received among the water, with the dispersion effect depending on the situation.

These three secret techniques, unique to the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, made it even more powerful.

If I cultivate the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, the Tortoise Spirit Energy must be transformed into the new energy.

The Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy and the Turtle Spirit Technique stemmed from the same source, but the properties of the Spiritual Power were different. The transformation incurred no loss.

Jia Ren began the seclusion to transform his Spiritual Power. In less than three days, he slowly opened his eyes, which sparkled with energy.

In the Neishi state, his internal Spiritual Power appeared as a dense fog. Due to the transformation, the amount of Spiritual Power decreased by nearly half. The disappeared Spiritual Power was not consumed during the transformation; instead, after in-depth refinement by the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, the Spiritual Power became more condensed and of higher quality.

The enhancement of Spiritual Power quality meant that the Gathering Yuan Pass, the first of the Foundation Establishment Life-and-Death Three Passes, would be easier and more likely to be successfully overcome.

No wonder the breakthrough rate to Foundation Establishment for Loose Cultivators is low.

As a Qi Refinement technique, the quality of the Turtle Spirit Technique was not bad, ranking above average. However, compared to the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, its quality was almost half as good. Sect Disciples, who cultivated better techniques, could overcome the most difficult Gathering Yuan Pass much more easily than Loose Cultivators.

After cultivating the Mysterious Turtle Water Strategy, I would be considered part of the group I once 'despised'.

Next, he would consume Spirit Enhancement Pills and transform Spiritual Power, filling his Dantian with even more robust energy. When the Dantian is full, the Spiritual Power rich and concentrated, and the spirit invigorated, it is time to prepare for the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

Before Foundation Establishment, he had to make further preparations. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment was highly perilous. A slight misstep could lead to death and the end of the Dao, therefore requiring utmost caution.

The Gathering Yuan Pass had become simpler due to the improved quality of the technique and enhanced Spiritual Power. Combined with the Foundation Establishment Pill, the odds of success were not small.

The Flesh Body Pass was less challenging due to the cultivation of the Mixed Refining Vajra Body. However, due to the scarcity of Black Dragon Fish, the Mixed Refining Vajra Body was temporarily incomplete. During each cultivation session, internal refinement strengthened the internal organs and expelled pill toxins... Acquiring as many Black Dragon Loaches as possible to ensure the completion of the internal refinement of the Mixed Refining Vajra Body would significantly increase his chances of passing the Flesh Body Pass.

The last is the Heart Demon Pass, which is also the final barrier. It is also currently the weakest link.

Jia Ren had obtained a total of five drops of Pure Spirit Jade Milk from Wang Mingyan, which could be used to aid in overcoming the Heart Demon Pass. But he still had reservations and did not consider it entirely reliable. With the Thousand Threads of Myriad Souls Technique cultivated to the complete second level, combined with a large quantity of high-quality Mind-Guarding Talismans, the chances of overcoming this pass would also increase.

Mind-Guarding Talismans...

Jia Ren thought of Talisman Master Zhang. After Jia Ren helped him craft Evil Warding Talismans, and upon learning Jia Ren was Zhen Yi's disciple, Master Zhang had gifted him the Zhang Family Talisman Script to fill the gap in his talisman knowledge. Previously, under the immense pressure from the Black Blood Bizarre and constantly thinking about how to escape the Great Wilderness, Jia Ren had not yet found time to learn the Zhang Family Talisman Script. Now, with some free time at hand, he finally had the opportunity to study it.

Jia Ren first scanned through the talismans and saw a great number he had not learned yet: First Order Superior Grade Golden Bell Shield Talisman, First Order Mid-Grade Mind-Guarding Talisman...

Thank you for the generous gift, Master Zhang.

With a complete inheritance of first-order talismans, Jia Ren no longer needed to worry about seeking out methods to craft the Mind-Guarding Talisman and could start learning and practicing directly.

How could the quality of Mind-Guarding Talismans bought from other shops compare with those I produce myself?

For treasures that concern my own life, I must be meticulous.

Master Zhang, Zhang Pengpeng...

Something suddenly occurred to Jia Ren, and his expression changed as he quickly left his secluded cultivation.

How could I have forgotten about Zhang Pengpeng...

It was also a habit of a solitary person; once I enter seclusion for cultivation, I enter a state of flow, completely focused.

I had entirely neglected the fact that there was another person in the cave.

With this thought, Jia Ren left the Earth Fire room as if his buttocks were on fire.

It's been over half a month...

Zhang Pengpeng gazed towards the distant Earth Fire room, her eyes filled with melancholy reproach.

He really doesn't have me in his heart...

She had thought about leaving several times, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to step out of the cave.

If it were Wang Mingyan, she would undoubtedly have shamelessly stayed here.

Compared to Wang Mingyan, who didn't even have a chance, I am much better off.

Zhang Pengpeng had always been well-protected by Talisman Master Zhang and had always relied on him. Now, her pillar of support had collapsed. The junior brother whom she thought would become her new support always seemed elusive, unable to give her a sense of security.

Cultivate!

I can't always be a drag.

Her mind was filled with distracting thoughts, and she couldn't concentrate. Whether it was cultivation or talisman crafting, her progress was greatly affected, and she couldn't enter the right state of mind. She would always look up involuntarily, hoping for the tightly closed door of the Earth Fire room to open and to see Jia Ren once more.

Perhaps the long-awaited hope in her heart had come true; the tightly shut door of the Earth Fire room finally opened. As their eyes met, Zhang Pengpeng, like a startled rabbit, subconsciously lowered her head, reserved.

"Senior Sister Pengpeng, I've been recently focusing on Alchemy and practicing the Cultivation Method and neglected you," he said.

Zhang Pengpeng opened her mouth but in the end said, "Junior Brother, of course, cultivation is the priority."

"I have been thinking over the past few days, I cannot always rely on you, I will...find a new place and move out..."

"I am also a Talisman Maker, supporting myself is not a problem, you don't have to worry about me," she said, her gaze evasive, her voice tinged with insincerity.

Having said this, she harbored a subtle expectation, seemingly wanting Jia Ren to dissuade her. If he didn't even say anything to ask her to stay, she could then completely give up hope.

Jia Ren was not naive; how could he not understand Zhang Pengpeng's intentions? He owed Master Zhang too much and could not repay it. How could he turn out Senior Sister Zhang Pengpeng so soon after Master Zhang's death? Wouldn't that be ingratitude?

He didn't know much about Zhang Pengpeng, having always treated her as a senior sister and never having thought of getting to know her more deeply. Jia Ren's face always wore a mask, which was also why there was a distance between them.

The surface of his face rippled like water, eventually reverting to his true appearance. There was no Five Elements Sect here, so he didn't need to fear his identity being exposed and being hunted by them. Thus, he allowed his face to return to its original appearance.

"Senior Sister Pengpeng must be curious about my identity. This is my true face. My surname is Jia, first name Ren..."

Zhang Pengpeng stared at Jia Ren intently, confirming over and over again, until she finally recognized something.

"I have seen you before... In the Outer City Market where you sold Monster Beast Meat."

Monster Beast Meat?

His current memories differed slightly from those of his original self. After recalling the past, his mind settled on the image of a figure in a green dress buying meat. His former self had stared at Zhang Pengpeng like a lecher, while she, with a look of contempt, paid with Spirit Stones and quickly departed.

Who could have foreseen that, years later, they would become senior sister and junior brother, sharing the same dwelling?

There's nothing stranger in the world than this.

Thinking of this, he smiled knowingly.

"Senior Sister, I have a big secret. The Five Elements Sect and the Yuding Sect have been searching for me; being with me will only lead to trouble."

"I cannot give you what you desire..."

Only at this moment did he lower his disguise for the first time. Jia Ren himself had been moved, but in the end, his heart returned to tranquility.

Zhang Pengpeng looked at Jia Ren, her face pale.

"I am devoted to the Great Dao, aspiring to everlasting life."

"I don't wish for the sorrow of seeing a red-cheeked beloved turn white-haired after centuries, bringing only grief."

"I don't seek a fleeting moment, but a lifetime together."

What Jia Ren sought was a Dao companion who could accompany him through eternity, not a fleeting night of pleasure. Otherwise, like his predecessor, he could have indulged in brothel ships. There, for the price of Spirit Stones, all kinds of female cultivators and witches would be at his disposal. These women were skilled in various methods of plundering cultivation and dual cultivation—arts of pleasure potent enough to make any man without firm resolve sink into depravity.

Zhang Pengpeng's pale complexion gradually improved as she spoke with determination in her eyes.

"I will strive to cultivate diligently, and I will not fall behind you."

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