The morning lecture had ended.
Thousands of Outer Disciples streamed out of the Martial Hall, each discussing the six-month assessment with excitement.
"The rewards are incredible!"
"An Earth Rank technique..."
"I have to reach the Ninth Stage of Qi Gathering!"
"I'm going straight to the training grounds!"
Within moments, the once-crowded square had nearly emptied.
Di Tian, however, was in no hurry.
With his hands tucked behind his head, he leisurely walked along the stone path leading back to the Outer Sect residences.
His relaxed pace stood in sharp contrast to the other disciples who ran toward the training grounds.
One of his roommates spotted him.
"Di Tian!"
The young man jogged over.
It was the sword cultivator from Courtyard Thirty-Seven.
"My name is Lin Hai."
"We're roommates. We should at least know each other's names."
Di Tian smiled.
"Di Tian."
"I know."
Lin Hai laughed awkwardly.
"You really don't seem worried."
"Worried about what?"
"The assessment."
Di Tian shrugged.
"It isn't for another six months."
Lin Hai nearly choked.
"That's exactly why we should start cultivating immediately!"
Di Tian looked toward the sky.
"The weather is nice today."
"..."
Lin Hai suddenly understood why everyone thought this fellow had entered through connections.
He simply couldn't see any urgency.
"I'll head to the training grounds first."
"See you later."
Di Tian waved lazily.
"Have fun."
He continued walking at the same leisurely pace.
---
When he returned to Courtyard Thirty-Seven, the place was completely empty.
His three roommates had already gone to train.
"Perfect."
He entered his room and closed the door.
The familiar mechanical voice immediately sounded.
【Basic Qi Gathering Art is cultivating...】
【Current Progress to Second Stage Qi Gathering: 26%】
Di Tian nodded in satisfaction.
"So..."
"Time to learn something new."
He sat cross-legged on his bed and removed two jade slips from his storage pouch.
One was the martial technique.
The other was the movement technique.
He picked up the first.
Mountain Splitting Palm.
The moment his spiritual sense entered the jade slip...
A torrent of information flooded his mind.
Images appeared.
A middle-aged cultivator repeatedly demonstrated the palm technique.
Every stance.
Every breath.
Every movement of spiritual qi.
Every detail was engraved within the jade slip.
Several minutes later...
Di Tian slowly opened his eyes.
"So that's how it's used."
Before he could think further—
The system spoke.
【Low Mortal Rank Martial Technique Detected.】
【Mountain Splitting Palm recorded successfully.】
【Assign to Technique Slot Two?】
A translucent screen appeared.
---
Technique Slots
Slot One: Basic Qi Gathering Art
Slot Two: Empty
Slot Three: Empty
Slot Four: Empty
Slot Five: Empty
---
"Assign."
【Assigned Successfully.】
【Beginning Automatic Cultivation.】
Immediately...
A shadowy figure appeared within Di Tian's consciousness.
The figure continuously practiced Mountain Splitting Palm.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every mistake was corrected instantly.
Every movement gradually became smoother.
Di Tian watched in fascination.
"So this is how the system cultivates techniques..."
It wasn't merely increasing proficiency.
It was practicing them perfectly.
Without fatigue.
Without interruption.
Without wasting a single movement.
He smiled.
"This is ridiculous."
Next...
He picked up the second jade slip.
Cloud Step.
Another flood of memories entered his mind.
This technique emphasized balance.
Footwork.
Rhythm.
Minimal spiritual qi consumption.
It wasn't particularly fast.
Instead...
It made movement efficient and unpredictable.
Moments later...
The system spoke once more.
【Low Mortal Rank Movement Technique Detected.】
【Cloud Step recorded successfully.】
【Assign to Technique Slot Three?】
"Assign."
---
Technique Slots
Slot One: Basic Qi Gathering Art
Slot Two: Mountain Splitting Palm
Slot Three: Cloud Step
Slot Four: Empty
Slot Five: Empty
---
【Beginning Automatic Cultivation.】
Another shadow appeared.
This one endlessly practiced footwork.
Every step became lighter.
Every turn became smoother.
Every movement wasted less energy than before.
Di Tian leaned against the wall.
"So..."
"I've already used three slots."
"Only two remain."
"I'll have to choose carefully in the future."
---
As he thought about it, another notification appeared.
【Host Inquiry Detected.】
【Displaying Technique Mastery Levels.】
A new panel appeared before him.
---
Technique Mastery
Every cultivation method, martial technique and movement technique progresses through the following stages of mastery.
Beginner
The technique has just been learned.
Movements are rough.
Qi control is unstable.
Power is greatly reduced.
---
Small Success
The user can execute the technique correctly.
Power approaches its intended level.
Mistakes become uncommon.
This is the level achieved by most Outer Disciples.
---
Great Success
The technique becomes instinctive.
Qi flows smoothly.
Power increases significantly.
A cultivator at this level can fully display the technique's strength.
---
Perfection
Every movement becomes flawless.
No unnecessary motion.
No wasted spiritual qi.
The technique has reached the theoretical limit created by its founder.
Very few cultivators ever reach this stage.
---
Transcendent
The user surpasses the original creator.
The technique evolves.
Its power and efficiency exceed its original design.
This level is almost mythical.
---
Di Tian stared at the final line.
"...You can surpass the creator?"
【Affirmative.】
"The system can do that?"
【Affirmative.】
"The system continuously optimizes every recorded technique.】**
Di Tian blinked.
"So eventually..."
"My Mountain Splitting Palm won't even be the original Mountain Splitting Palm."
【Correct.】
"It will become a superior version."
A smile slowly spread across his face.
He suddenly realized something terrifying.
If the system could perfect...
Then transcend...
Every cultivation method...
Every martial technique...
Every movement technique...
What would happen if he eventually obtained an Earth Rank technique?
Or a Heaven Rank technique?
Would the system improve those as well?
His heartbeat quickened slightly.
For the first time since arriving in this world...
He genuinely looked forward to cultivating.
Or rather...
Watching the system cultivate.
Outside, countless Outer Disciples relentlessly practiced Mountain Splitting Palm under the blazing sun.
Some struggled with the first stance.
Others repeatedly made mistakes.
Many exhausted all their spiritual qi after only a few attempts.
Inside his room...
Di Tian simply lay down on his bed.
He folded his arms behind his head.
Closed his eyes.
And quietly watched as three shadowy figures within his consciousness cultivated day and night on his behalf.
One refined his spiritual qi.
One endlessly struck with Mountain Splitting Palm.
One tirelessly practiced Cloud Step.
Without pause.
Without fatigue.
Without end.
Di Tian smiled to himself.
"I wonder..."
"...how surprised everyone will be in six months."