Chapter 12: Selecting a Spell

"This answer... is even better than my explanation!" Zhuge Jian muttered to himself. "To be precise, it provides deeper verification based on my teachings. While I understand the principles, I couldn't express them so clearly before." He withdrew his attention from the white paper and scanned the hall, instantly locking onto the disciple who was bowing his head doing who-knows-what. Not recognizing the disciple, he immediately used long-distance voice transmission to ask an attendant outside the Scripture Hall and learned the name was Su Yuan. Zhuge Jian then smiled and announced to the crowd, "I'm pleased that five disciples have completed the challenge: Ye Bufan, Liu Muwan, Zheng He, Liu Miaowen, and... Su Yuan!" He paused slightly before saying Su Yuan's name. The listening disciples initially didn't pay much attention—Ye Bufan and Liu Muwan had supreme Spirit Roots, Zheng He and Liu Miaowen had high-grade Spirit Roots, all being highly talented and famous disciples. It wasn't until Su Yuan's name was mentioned that expressions of confusion flashed across their faces. Who is this person? Why does the name sound vaguely familiar? After some hushed exchanges, all eyes gathered on Su Yuan in the corner. "Isn't that the disciple with a low-grade Spirit Root who opened two Spiritual Nodes? His name is Su Yuan!" "So it's him, no wonder it sounded familiar!" "He actually answered all five questions correctly? That's completely unexpected!" "Thinking about it carefully, it's not that strange. Despite having a low-grade Spirit Root, he opened two Spiritual Nodes, showing his comprehension isn't weak at all!" "I see! So he has talent in comprehension?" Many disciples recalled Su Yuan's test results from just yesterday. Comparing that with the current situation, they suddenly understood—while Su Yuan's innate talent might be ordinary, his comprehension was undoubtedly strong. A flicker of surprise passed through Ye Bufan's eyes. Hearing Su Yuan's name again, and listed alongside his own, made him view Su Yuan slightly differently, though only slightly. Liu Muwan seemed thoughtful. She had noticed Zhuge Jian had paused for several breaths when looking at the last paper, even frowning slightly. Did that paper's contents make Senior Brother Zhuge ponder? Whose answer was it? She guessed it was Su Yuan's, since Zhuge Jian had clearly arranged the papers in order. Zhuge Jian ignored the murmurs and continued, "As reward, you each get one free spell exchange at the Scripture Pavilion. However, I must remind you—during your time at Immortal Seed Valley, you should focus primarily on cultivation progress. Don't put the cart before the horse. You can always exchange spells after officially joining the sect!" Many disciples gave Su Yuan odd looks—Zhuge Jian's reminder clearly only applied to him. The other four were guaranteed to enter the inner sect! "Enough. The test is over. Now listen carefully—today's lecture will cover techniques for compressing and fusing spiritual energy..." Zhuge Jian's voice carried calmly through the hall as complete silence fell, the earlier incident quickly forgotten. Only then did Su Yuan slightly raise his head, scratching his chin. He had just heard system notifications: [Ding, Fame Points +1] [Ding, Fame Points +2] [Ding, Fame Points +3] [Ding, Fame Points +4] [Ding, Fame Points +5] [Ding, Fame Points +10] Six consecutive notifications surprised him. This public appearance had earned him more Fame Points than ever before—a whopping 25 points at once! Combined with his previous 24 points, he now had 49 total—almost halfway there! The 10-point increase might have come from Zhuge Jian, but Zhuge Jian was only at Qi Refining Level 9—certainly weaker than the Valley Master. Why did he provide more Fame Points? Su Yuan couldn't figure it out, but it didn't matter. What mattered was he'd gained a chance to select a spell! Excitement surged through him, making him eager to immediately go exchange for a spell. His mind raced considering what type to choose. During the lecture, Zhuge Jian occasionally glanced Su Yuan's way. Seeing Su Yuan's distracted expression, he wondered—was his teaching inadequate? Or had Su Yuan already learned this? Noticing Ye Bufan and Liu Muwan listening attentively, he thought—what gave Su Yuan the right to behave this way? His opinion of Su Yuan lowered slightly, and his initial curiosity faded. The lecture ended after three hours. Su Yuan left with the crowd, heading toward the Scripture Pavilion. As the crowd thinned, he noticed four others walking ahead with the same destination—Ye Bufan, Liu Muwan, Zheng He, and Liu Miaowen—the four who, like him, had earned spell exchange privileges. The Scripture Pavilion wasn't far. When the four arrived, Su Yuan followed close behind. Apparently the pavilion's guardian elder had been absent, leaving them waiting outside. Su Yuan's arrival drew their assessing gazes. Su Yuan felt like an underachiever who'd slipped into the honor students' group, thoroughly uncomfortable. Zheng He smiled warmly, Liu Miaowen looked serious, Ye Bufan remained impassive, and Liu Muwan offered a gentle smile. Though their expressions varied, none seemed inclined to speak. Su Yuan returned a slight smile as greeting. The Scripture Pavilion doors creaked open, revealing an unfamiliar elder who said cheerfully, "You must be Zhuge Jian's recommendations? Show me your tokens." "Yes, Elder!" Ye Bufan presented his disciple token first. "Excellent!" The elder smiled warmly seeing the number "1" on it. Next was Liu Muwan with "2", followed by Zheng He and Liu Miaowen with "3" and "4". When the elder checked Su Yuan's token, he froze. Instead of the expected "5", the number "299" made his expression turn strange. After verifying the name on the back matched, he studied Su Yuan. "Well well, Su Yuan is it? This old man has truly seen something new today!" [Ding, Fame Points +5] Su Yuan quickly bowed. "Su Yuan greets the Elder!" "Hmm, go on in. Each of you may select one spell, regardless of grade or contribution. Come register with me after choosing." "Yes!" The five bowed and entered the Scripture Pavilion. Ye Bufan strode purposefully into the depths and soon disappeared. Liu Muwan likewise vanished elsewhere. Liu Miaowen began examining a shelf. Zheng He stayed behind, chatting amiably with Su Yuan. "Junior Brother Su Yuan, you're quite remarkable!" Zheng He smiled. "You flatter me, Senior Brother Zheng. You're the impressive one!" Su Yuan replied modestly. "I merely benefit from having a high-grade single Spirit Root—nothing special." Zheng He waved it off. "But you're different—a low-grade Spirit Root with astonishing comprehension. Your actual talent isn't inferior to mine!" "You're too kind!" "I mean it." Zheng He didn't elaborate further. "For someone with your comprehension talents, practicing ordinary spells would be a waste. Let me recommend one to you." "Oh?" Su Yuan asked eagerly, having trouble deciding himself. "What would you suggest?" "That spell is called 'Mystic Truth Derivation Art'. Once mastered, it converts spiritual energy into Mystic Truth Qi, enhancing spiritual energy's purity and control. It can manifest attacks, defenses, speed boosts and more. Crucially, it increases Foundation Establishment success rates—the deeper your comprehension, the higher the chance!" Liu Miaowen, who'd been browsing spells nearby, raised an eyebrow and shot Zheng He a disdainful look—not directed at Su Yuan, but at Zheng He. He knew about the Mystic Truth Derivation Art—notoriously difficult to begin. Even supreme Spirit Root holders needed careful consideration before attempting it. Failing to start was one thing—just wasting time. But successfully starting was worse—it converted one's spiritual energy into Mystic Truth Qi. While Zheng He wasn't lying about the benefits, cultivation already required vast spiritual energy. After conversion, the needed amount increased tenfold! Even if it improved breakthrough chances, could someone with a low-grade Spirit Root even reach Qi Refining's peak in their lifetime? This was practically sabotage! Liu Miaowen found Zheng He utterly despicable—his friendly demeanor masking sinister intentions. Su Yuan seemed tempted. "Is it really that good?" "Of course! Check the ninety-ninth row's last shelf—the description matches what I said! But I must warn you—this spell is extremely difficult to begin. Consider carefully whether you truly wish to learn it." "I see. Thank you for the recommendation, Senior Brother Zheng!" Su Yuan smiled. Zheng He nodded kindly before disappearing among the shelves. Su Yuan browsed shelf after shelf, seeing numerous spells—offensive, defensive, speed-enhancing, and other specialized types. With only one choice available, he hesitated until reaching Zheng He's recommended shelf. There it was—the lone copy of "Mystic Truth Derivation Art", unlike other shelves holding multiple copies! [This spell integrates attacks, defenses, speed, endurance and more. Refines spiritual energy into Mystic Truth Qi. Minor mastery increases Foundation Establishment success by 30%; proficiency increases Core Formation success by 20%; great mastery increases Nascent Soul success by 10%! Extremely difficult cultivation. Must begin at early Qi Refining stage. Choose cautiously!] "So overpowered!" Su Yuan's eyes widened. Seeing it could improve Nascent Soul breakthrough chances made him gasp—this spell was a must-have! As he approached, he suddenly noticed Ye Bufan standing in the corner, staring intently at the same spell. Su Yuan's approach seemed to startle Ye Bufan, who glanced at him, gave the spell one last deep look, then walked away. Su Yuan found this puzzling—did Ye Bufan want it or not? Clearly the spell was challenging, but with his system, Su Yuan feared nothing! He took the spell directly to the elder for registration. Later, Liu Muwan circled back to the shelf and blinked in surprise at the empty spot. "Who took the Mystic Truth Derivation Art? Did Ye Bufan have that much courage?" She actually seemed relieved. "Since it's gone, no need to agonize over it anymore!" She left without regret. Not long after, Ye Bufan seemed to reach a decision and returned, only to grimace at the empty shelf. Sniffing a familiar fragrance in the air, he murmured, "I underestimated your boldness." While other spells could be copied freely, only one disciple per group could learn this one—and he'd missed his chance. Ye Bufan shook his head. "Even without this spell, I'll still reach Nascent Soul!" His gaze sharpened as he selected another powerful spell and departed.