The Technique Pavilion stood quietly atop a small mountain within the Outer Sect. Unlike the bustling Mission Hall or Martial Hall, very few disciples visited this place. Most Outer Disciples simply couldn't afford the contribution points required to exchange for techniques. Di Tian slowly climbed the stone steps with his hands behind his back. At the entrance sat an old man in plain grey robes. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be sleeping. Di Tian stopped before him and cupped his fists. "Greetings, Elder." The old man didn't move. "..." Di Tian waited. Still nothing. "Is he actually asleep?" Just as he was about to speak again, the old man lazily opened one eye. "What do you want?" "I've come to exchange contribution points for a Body Cultivation Technique." The old man glanced at the disciple token hanging from Di Tian's waist. "New disciple?" "Yes." "Three months?" "Yes." "Hm..." The elder looked mildly surprised. "Most new disciples spend their first year worrying only about Qi cultivation." "What makes you think about body cultivation already?" Di Tian smiled. "If my body is stronger..." "Wouldn't that make me harder to kill?" The old man chuckled. "A practical answer." "I like practical people." He stood up and slowly walked into the pavilion. "Come." --- The Technique Pavilion was much larger than Di Tian expected. Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched into the distance. Countless jade slips rested neatly on each shelf. Some glowed faintly. Others radiated powerful spiritual fluctuations. The old man walked toward one corner of the first floor. "This section contains Low Mortal Rank Body Cultivation Techniques." "There are thirty-two of them." Di Tian looked over the shelves. Every jade slip carried a different name. Iron Bone Art. Stone Skin Technique. Bronze Body Manual. Tiger Muscle Scripture. Mountain Body Art. Steel Tendon Technique. There were far more choices than he expected. The elder folded his arms. "So." "Which one are you choosing?" Di Tian scratched his cheek. "I... don't know." The elder blinked. "You don't know?" "I was hoping for some guidance." The old man laughed loudly. "So that's why you're here." "I thought you'd already decided." Di Tian smiled sheepishly. "I'm still new." The elder nodded. "Fair enough." He picked up the first jade slip. --- Iron Bone Art "This technique tempers your bones." "It greatly increases durability." "Your skeleton becomes extremely difficult to break." "The drawback..." "It offers little improvement to physical strength." He placed it back. --- Stone Skin Technique "This one focuses on your skin." "It improves defensive ability." "Ordinary blades struggle to cut through it." "But..." "It consumes large amounts of spiritual qi during battle." --- Bronze Body Manual "The most balanced Body Cultivation Technique." "It tempers muscles, bones and internal organs simultaneously." "It lacks specialization." "But it has almost no weaknesses." "This is the technique I recommend to most disciples." --- Tiger Muscle Scripture The elder smiled slightly. "This one's interesting." "It focuses almost entirely on muscle refinement." "Greatly increases physical strength." "Explosive power." "And speed." "The drawback..." "Your defensive ability improves more slowly." --- Mountain Body Art "This technique turns your body into a fortress." "Outstanding defense." "Outstanding endurance." "But..." "You'll become slower." --- Di Tian quietly listened. Each technique had advantages. Each had disadvantages. The old man suddenly asked, "What weapon do you intend to use?" "I haven't decided." "What kind of cultivator do you want to become?" Di Tian thought for a long moment. Finally... He answered honestly. "I don't know." The elder smiled. "Good." Di Tian looked confused. "Good?" "Most young cultivators come here believing they already know everything." "They choose techniques that sound impressive." "They rarely think ahead." "You admitted you don't know." "That means you're willing to learn." The old man slowly walked deeper into the pavilion. After several moments, he returned carrying another jade slip. Unlike the others... It was covered in dust. "This technique isn't popular." "Very few disciples choose it." Di Tian accepted the jade slip. Across its surface were four ancient characters. Heavenly Thunder Physique. His eyes widened slightly. "Thunder?" The elder noticed his reaction. "It isn't a lightning technique." "It's merely named after thunder." "The creator believed the body should be tempered repeatedly like metal struck by countless bolts of lightning." "It strengthens muscles." "It tempers bones." "It refines internal organs." "It even improves recovery." "It is one of the most balanced Body Cultivation Techniques in the Outer Sect." "So why doesn't anyone choose it?" The old man sighed. "Because..." "It is difficult." "Very difficult." "The pain during cultivation is said to be unbearable." "Most disciples abandon it within a month." "It also requires far more perseverance than the Bronze Body Manual." Di Tian lowered his head. "Pain..." "Fortunately..." "The system handles cultivation." Outwardly, he remained calm. "What do you think, Elder?" The old man smiled. "I think..." "If you fear hardship..." "Choose the Bronze Body Manual." "If you possess extraordinary determination..." "Choose Heavenly Thunder Physique." He looked directly into Di Tian's eyes. "But remember." "A technique is only as good as the person cultivating it." Silence filled the pavilion. Di Tian looked between the two jade slips. The safe choice. Or... The difficult choice. Unknown to the elder, however... For Di Tian... There wasn't much of a choice at all. If the system truly cultivated everything at perfect efficiency... Then even the most difficult technique would eventually reach Perfection. A smile slowly appeared on his face. "I think..." "...I've made my decision."

Chapter 9: Seeking Guidance