480 The First!? (1/2)
Wang Baole felt slightly embarrassed as he held onto his voice transmission ring. After muttering a few words, he left the great halls of the Alchemy Pavilion hurriedly and headed for the Sect Lord's pavilion located on the mountain peak of the Upper Academy Island.
When he arrived, he saw the Sect Lord deep in meditation. He observed the look on the Sect Lord's face. He wisely didn't mention the name ”Little Zhao” and instead, sat beside the Sect Lord. He began to ask about the matter of his Core Formation realm cultivation technique.
”Baole, the Ethereal Dao College has seventy-nine complete cultivation techniques for the Core Formation realm cultivator. They are divided into grades A to D accordingly. There are seven Grade As, nineteen Grade Bs…” The Sect Lord gave Wang Baole a look, then pulled out a jade slip and handed it over.
Wang Baole's eyes brightened as he took it hastily and began reading.
The jade slip didn't document the detailed cultivation process of the various techniques, but briefly listed the pros and cons of each technique. It had information on complete techniques and incomplete techniques with missing information.
After a while, Wang Baole began to frown slightly. The seventy-nine complete techniques seemed extremely ordinary. Even the seven Grade A techniques didn't seem very impressive. They couldn't compare with his Dark Art, nor could they compare with the Lightning Dao: First Volume.
There were two that seemed all right, but the first, the Way of the Mist, seemed to focus more on speed and the ethereal. It was the principal cultivation technique of the Ethereal Dao College and was the technique that a majority of the Core Formation realm Elders practiced.
It didn't seem to suit Wang Baole though. Firstly, his was a Lightning Core. Secondly, he had developed his unique fighting style since he had begun his cultivation. It was an overpowering style that was at odds with the inherent essence of the Way of the Mist.
The other technique was the Art of Enlightenment that had partly been created by the Grand Supreme Elder. Wang Baole immediately disregarded it after a glance. He had no intention of becoming one of the Dao Enlightenment faculty.
As a result, he was faced with a challenge in his choice. There were a few good options amongst the incomplete techniques, but they were missing information and wouldn't be the most ideal choice.
The techniques that Wang Baole had read about in the Dark Dream had all been related to the Dark Art. Those that had nothing to do with the Dark Art were all techniques meant for the Spirit Immortal realm and beyond. Wang Baole began to frown.
”Sect Lord, I practiced the Lightning Dao: First Volume when I was at the Foundation Establishment realm. Isn't there a Lightning Dao: Second Volume?” Wang Baole didn't continue with his second question… if there had not been one, why had they allowed him to practice the first chapter?
”The Lightning Dao was acquired from a shard found within the college's Lightning Domain. Of course we have the second chapter.” The expression on the Sect Lord's face remained unchanged. He pulled out another jade slip from his storage bracelet and handed it over to Wang Baole. Inside the jade slip was the Lightning Dao: Second Volume.
Wang Baole read through it, and doubt appeared on his face. He raised his head and looked at the Sect Lord. Since they did have the Lightning Dao: Second Volume and it seemed like a pretty impressive technique, he didn't understand why the Sect Lord hadn't given this to him at first.
The Sect Lord could sense Wang Baole's doubts. He shook his head and sighed.
”Baole, we originally planned for you to master the Lightning Dao: First Volume, and then, when you reached the Core Formation realm, you could have continued with the Lightning Dao: Second Volume. Even though we don't have the last chapter, we believed that, should you one day reach the Nascent Soul realm… it wouldn't be difficult for you to relearn another technique.
”However, no one expected that you would reach the Core Formation realm so quickly and show such power. That's why… even though the Lightning Dao: Second Volume is a powerful technique, it isn't the best one for you. In fact, it might even affect and hinder the progress of your cultivation and your fighting capabilities!
”That was why I hesitated and didn't immediately hand this to you.”
Wang Baole had a contemplative look on his face after he listened to what the Sect Lord said. He placed the jade slip containing the Lightning Dao: Second Volume down and turned towards the Sect Lord. He must have discussed this with the Grand Supreme Elder before speaking to him. They must have come to a decision regarding his cultivation technique.
”The cultivation techniques of the Ethereal Dao College can be considered the best in the Federation. But that's only in the Federation. Based on our assessment, if we are to compare them with the techniques of the great cultivation civilizations, they might be seen… as obsolete and outdated!”
”The techniques with true value are the incomplete ones. But it is difficult to unleash their true worth…” The Sect Lord smiled when he saw that Wang Baole remained calm and wasn't flustered or agitated.