Chapter 7: The Essence of Spellcraft

Chapter 7: The Essence of Spellcraft “Didn’t feel anything?” “How could I not feel anything?” Lin Jing didn’t believe it. An anomaly had appeared, yet you claim to feel nothing? “Chirp…” The Pine Leaf Mouse retorted, its tone confident. It truly felt nothing. Lin Jing was taken aback, and suddenly understood. “Maybe the awakening of your supernatural powers is too strong for you to grasp at your current cultivation level.” “You need to work hard on your training.” The Pine Leaf Mouse: ??? It slightly opened its mouth; it knew its talent was decent, but it didn’t have Lin Jing's optimism. Having successfully reached the first layer of Qi training, Lin Jing was in a good mood. However, he wasn’t sure if it was because the Pine Leaf Mouse's realm was too low that he temporarily hadn’t felt the so-called beast taming feedback. “By the way.” Lin Jing didn’t dwell on the matter any longer. He suddenly remembered that according to the introduction in the “Sect Manual,” after an outer sect disciple successfully completes Qi training, they have the opportunity to select a basic spell to study from the Outer Sect Scripture Pavilion. He was curious about what spells were available in the Scripture Pavilion of the Beast Taming Sect. Since entering the Beast Taming Sect, it was Lin Jing's first time stepping out of the courtyard, accompanied by the Pine Leaf Mouse he had dragged along. The Pine Leaf Mouse also needed to clear its mind and ease its complicated emotions. On the way, they encountered several other outer sect disciples dressed in blue robes, but there was no interaction among them. According to the map on the back of the sect manual, Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse soon arrived at their destination. In front of the pavilion, a cluster of ancient trees surrounded them, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves, intertwined with the occasional long cry of a crane from the clouds, creating a serene atmosphere that seemed to cleanse the soul. Nearby, a pavilion had three or five disciples discussing their cultivation, quite peacefully. “This is the place…” Just as Lin Jing was about to enter the pavilion, someone walked out first. “Junior Brother Lin!” A familiar weak voice called out, and Lin Jing looked at the person in surprise. Dressed in a white robe, the figure seemed somewhat frail, and the eyes revealed deep exhaustion and helplessness… it was none other than Senior Brother Ouyang! “Senior Brother Ouyang? What are you doing here?” Lin Jing asked, astonished. “I’m on a sect mission, stationed at the Outer Sect Scripture Pavilion, responsible for organizing spells and assisting the outer sect disciples in selecting spells,” Ouyang Hao smiled. “What a coincidence! It seems you’ve succeeded in Qi training faster than I expected. Are you planning to select a spell? Do you need my help analyzing it?” “Senior Brother Ouyang, you’re still so fond of analyzing things; this task suits you well,” Lin Jing remarked. “No way, I’m low on spirit stones, and buying supplements every day is too costly, so I have to take on more tasks,” Ouyang Hao replied, shaking his head awkwardly. “Let me take you in.” As he spoke, he invited Lin Jing into the pavilion. Once they entered the Scripture Pavilion together, the surrounding outer sect disciples suddenly began to whisper among themselves. “Who is this outer sect disciple? He seems to be quite familiar with Senior Brother Ouyang! What’s their connection?” “Senior Brother Ouyang is friendly with everyone, isn’t he?” “It’s different; Senior Brother Ouyang even went out to greet that person. He’s a standout in the inner sect, a genius rumored to be capable of breaking through to the position of true inheritance! He usually wouldn’t treat just anyone this way, so their relationship must be significant.” “Is this Senior Brother Ouyang really that impressive?” a newly joined disciple asked curiously. “Of course! Senior Brother Ouyang has a contract with a fox demon. Fox demons are beasts that absorb human yang energy. Did you see his demeanor? Now you understand, the fox demon must be trained very well…” … Inside the Scripture Pavilion. First floor. Ouyang Hao introduced, “This floor contains books that can be borrowed directly, such as the history of the continent, the history of ancient countries, and the history of the sect. You can find all of that here. Let’s go to the second floor to select spells.” He eagerly led Lin Jing forward. “Those at the first layer of Qi training can choose one basic spell…” “Actually, the outer sect's Scripture Pavilion doesn’t have any particularly good beast taming spells. Generally, outer sect disciples choose to learn minor spells that can also nourish their pets’ roots, bloodlines, and spiritual power to assist their growth.” “This is the mainstream choice, most suitable for disciples of the Beast Taming Sect.” Arriving on the second floor, Senior Brother Ouyang pointed to the most prominent shelf filled with jade slips. Titles like “Nourishing Spirit Technique” and “Qi Nourishing Technique” were essentially spells that disciples use their true qi to nurture their pets’ spirit and blood, though some can also be used by themselves. Lin Jing looked at another shelf. The spells there, like “Fireball Technique,” “Object Control Technique,” “Binding Technique,” “Water Arrow Technique,” and “Quicksand Technique,” seemed much more normal. “Senior Brother Ouyang, what about these?” Lin Jing asked. Hearing this, Ouyang Hao followed Lin Jing's gaze and smiled. “Well, they’re not unselectable, but these spells can only be cultivated by the cultivator themselves, and are of no use to pets. Generally, spiritual beasts won’t be able to learn them.” “Your Pine Leaf Mouse would find it very difficult to learn the Wood Binding Technique. Even if you learn it, it wouldn’t help it much.” “Most of the time, they still have to rely on their racial abilities.” “Valuable spells that spiritual beasts can learn are mostly stored in the inner sect.” Ouyang Hao glanced at the Pine Leaf Mouse, which puffed up its cheeks in discontent. “Overall, these ‘normal spells’ are only suitable for human cultivators to learn. However, for us disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, normalcy is actually a huge trap.” “Most disciples of the Beast Taming Sect are not suitable for cultivating mainstream techniques, so practicing these spells often yields little return for a lot of effort.” “Since one’s energy is limited, it’s better to invest all that limited energy into nurturing their pets, enhancing their strength, and then waiting for feedback from their pets. This approach is often more efficient than cultivating oneself.” “If your pet is a fighting ape or horned bull, you can choose auxiliary spells to nourish their physique. If it’s a Pine Leaf Mouse, you can choose auxiliary spells to nourish its spirit.” “Of course, if Junior Brother Lin is really curious, selecting a ‘normal offensive or defensive spell’ is fine too.” After all, you live long, and the cost of trial and error is low… Ouyang Hao mumbled in his heart. “Is that so…” Before Lin Jing could make a choice, the Pine Leaf Mouse waved its paws frantically: “Chirp!!!” It suddenly remembered that with Lin Jing’s cultivation speed, normal cultivation methods would be agonizingly slow. Diverting attention to learn offensive spells… wouldn’t that be life-threatening? “Right!” At that moment, Ouyang Hao seemed to think of something and clapped his hands: “Junior Brother Lin, when you select spells, pay attention to ‘spell potential.’” “Spell potential?” “Yes, when choosing spells, try to pick ones that can accompany you throughout your life. For instance, the Object Control Technique, although basic, might still be used even by cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage. In contrast, some basic spells can easily be replaced once your realm is higher.” “Junior Brother, I don’t know if you’ve heard of ‘Essence of Spellcraft’?” Essence of Spellcraft? Lin Jing looked at him, shaking his head. Ouyang Hao explained, “When a spell is cultivated to its peak, it can give birth to an essence that possesses consciousness.” “Our Beast Taming Sect is located in the Great Wilderness of the Tianyuan Continent's Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom. While we are considered a first-rate sect within the Great Wilderness, we are only a third-rate sect in the entire Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom.” “The leading sect of the Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom, the Spirit Path Sect, primarily cultivates path techniques. It’s said that many cultivators within that sect have comprehended the true essence of spells, reaching the pinnacle of spellcraft, and have been able to let their cultivated spells give birth to true essences.” “The essence of spellcraft can communicate with the energy of heaven and earth, can attack automatically without relying on a cultivator’s magic power, can even be passed down to future generations to assist them in cultivating the corresponding spells, and can even protect them.” “It can be said to be a ‘unique pet beast’ born from spells,” Ouyang Hao lamented: “Like the Xuanwu True Spirit cultivated by the Xuanwu Real Person of the Spirit Path Sect, relying on the Xuanwu Shield spell, it can rival ordinary precious beasts!” “Perhaps in the future, you might also cultivate an essence of spellcraft and become the first in our sect!” Senior Brother Ouyang chuckled: “As long as you are dedicated enough! Focus on one spell, and comprehend it for half a lifetime.” Lin Jing understood; Senior Brother Ouyang was suggesting that since he would live long, he could rely on time to refine it. With a lifespan at least ten times longer than that of ordinary cultivators, it would indeed be easier to thoroughly comprehend a single spell. “You can try it.” The more Ouyang Hao thought about it, the more plausible it seemed: “If your cultivation efficiency is too slow, you can always switch later.” “Is it really possible for any spell to give birth to an essence?” Lin Jing was skeptical. “Theoretically, yes,” Ouyang Hao replied earnestly. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Jing pointed to a spell. “Contraception Technique.” “What about this one?” Ouyang Hao glanced at it and was momentarily stunned. The Contraception Technique is a spell that disciples of the Beast Taming Sect need to cultivate to prevent their pets from misbehaving when they go out. After all, pregnant pets would deplete their vitality and hinder their cultivation. “If cultivated to the extreme, can it give birth to a contraception essence?” “Ah…” Ouyang Hao said, “Uhm, probably?” “Doesn’t sound reliable,” Lin Jing shook his head. His gaze swept across the various shelves, wondering about the essence of spellcraft… “Let’s just focus on nurturing our pets for now!” With that, Lin Jing walked to one shelf and picked up a basic recovery spell titled “Nourishing Spirit Technique,” which nourishes the spirit with true qi to alleviate fatigue. The Pine Leaf Mouse’s racial talent allows it to hasten the growth of spiritual plants, a process that consumes a lot of spiritual power and can be exhausting. This spell could help share some of the burden, speeding up the growth of spiritual plants. This was crucial for Lin Jing's farming plans; he needed to be self-sufficient in resources since he consumed too many! Additionally, he planned to learn more about cultivation while training. He had just seen many books related to alchemy on the first floor, and this small spell to alleviate fatigue would also help him in his studies. In summary, this spell could not only assist his pet but would also be suitable for him to accelerate his absorption of alchemical knowledge. He needed to establish a solid foundation for alchemy through blood refinement; he certainly couldn’t be unaware of the uses of some materials. “What… why are you suddenly so rational?” Senior Brother Ouyang was puzzled. From his impression of this Junior Brother Lin, he didn’t seem like someone who would choose a normal spell. He nearly thought Lin Jing was going to select the Contraception Technique!