Chapter 182: Chapter 44: Begin Harvesting the Chives!
 

Body Refining Secret Techniques are different from Qi Refining Techniques.

One aspect is their rarity; most cultivators are unfamiliar with them. Even if they see someone progressing rapidly in their Marrow Cleansing, they wouldn’t immediately think of Body Refining Secret Techniques.

The second aspect is their time sensitivity; they are most effective before one has formed a Golden Core, especially during the Marrow Cleansing Rank.

Once a Golden Core is formed, the rate at which Body Refining Secret Techniques can enhance cultivation can’t keep up, and they will inevitably be abandoned by cultivators.

Thus, as long as Xu Yinglian doesn’t go outside and shout “I’m practicing Body Refining Secret Techniques”, generally speaking, there won’t be any unexpected risks.

Considering that the Body Refining Secret Technique is a secret passed down from the ancient Witch Clan, once its origins are exposed, it will certainly attract covetous eyes (who doesn’t know a few juniors who need Marrow Cleansing?), I trust Junior Sister has this sense of vigilance.

Qiu Changtian finished transcribing the Body Refining Secret Technique, then took the jade slip and went to Xu Yinglian’s cave dwelling.

Within the cave dwelling, Xu Yinglian looked at her reflection in the copper mirror and slowly lay down at the stone table.

She began to regret.

The so-called Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart should easily see through everything without causing ripples.

Why then, when it came to her senior brother, could she not help but be at odds with him?

She buried her head in the crook of her arms and sighed deeply.

Even as Daoist Companions, there’s no obligation to share one’s adventures.

Besides, it was the master who chose senior brother to go to the Demon Locking Tower for trials. If one really wanted to blame someone, it would be the master’s favoritism; it’s not senior brother’s fault… Yet, I showed disapproval in his cave dwelling, making a fool of myself in front of junior brothers and sisters, thoroughly embarrassing myself.

Xu Yinglian closed her eyes and emitted a low sound of regret, suddenly hearing Qiu Changtian calling from outside:

“Junior Sister Xu, are you in your cave dwelling?”

“Yes!” Xu Yinglian quickly lifted her head and responded.

Qiu Changtian entered the cave dwelling, only to see that Junior Sister Xu’s ascetic living quarters had no noticeable difference from his own.

Both of their living environments were primarily simple, the only difference being that Xu Yinglian’s stone bed had an extra large soft cushion, probably for more comfort during meditation.

Seeing Xu Yinglian sitting at the stone table, Qiu Changtian placed a jade slip in front of her:

“Here, take this.”

“What’s this?” Xu Yinglian cast her gaze toward the jade slip.

“Body Refining Secret Technique,” answered Qiu Changtian.

“A martial art from a wandering warrior?” Xu Yinglian laughed in disbelief, apparently mistaking the “Body Refining Secret Technique” for something like the “Golden Bell Cover” or “Iron Cloth Shirt,” “Why are you giving this to me?”

“No, just take a look at it first,” said Qiu Changtian.

Xu Yinglian picked up the jade slip, immersed her divine sense into it, and realized that the technique was called “Dragon Spring Hundred Forms Song.”

As she continued to read, her expression turned cold and her eyebrows furrowed, “How could this be a heritage left by the ancient Witch Clan? Senior brother, where did you get this?”

“Shh.” Qiu Changtian gestured for her to not inquire further, “This object, although rare and precious, has very limited application. It is most worth practicing below the Foundation Establishment Realm, especially during Marrow Cleansing.”

“Mm.” Xu Yinglian read on and immediately saw that the circulation routes of this technique within the body were far more intricate than those of Qi Refining Techniques, making it extremely suitable for Marrow Cleansing.

“Thank you, senior brother,” she sincerely offered her thanks.

“Don’t thank me,” winked Qiu Changtian, “This is not just about senior and junior helping each other out, you understand, right?”

Xu Yinglian pursed her lips with a blush on her face.

She suddenly thought: Although she usually doesn’t mention it, deep down, she probably still sees senior brother as a potential future Daoist Companion. Otherwise, why would she become irritated when senior brother received benefits but didn’t share with her?

Upon reflection, there seemed to be some pettiness involved, which was truly too embarrassing…

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Xu Yinglian could no longer contain herself and said with embarrassment:

“I got it, I got it! You can go now!”

“Huh?” Qiu Changtian was immediately baffled.

I give you a secret technique, and you want to send me off? Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

“Hurry up, go, go!” Xu Yinglian didn’t bother to explain, stood up, pushed his back, and rushed him out, clamoring, “I’m going to practice!”

After kicking her senior brother out of her cave dwelling, Xu Yinglian returned to the chamber within, her expression complex as she looked at the jade slip in her hand.

In the past, with her competitive spirit and pride, she would never have accepted such an almost charitable “gift” from her senior brother.

But now…

Consider it an advance on the dowry.

What’s important is to seize this opportunity and catch up with her senior brother’s progress as soon as possible!

Xu Yinglian clenched her fists tightly, her fighting spirit soaring.

Qiu Changtian left the cave dwelling, still not quite understanding his junior sister’s sudden change in attitude.

Forget it, maybe she just wasn’t feeling well today.

Tossing aside the common knowledge that cultivators don’t get sick, Qiu Changtian happily concluded.

Considering the massive Synchronization Value she contributed for me, I’ll forgive my junior sister this time!

Seeing that it was still early, Qiu Changtian mounted his Immortal Sword and flew eastward.

When he arrived at the central area of the Kunlun Mountain Range, the Xuan Gardens, he saw lights streaking through the sky everywhere, much busier than the West Layer City District where he lived.

The Xuan Gardens, not only the place where Inner Sect Disciples (not Direct Disciples) cultivate and reside but also the central area for planting spiritual medicines and raising spirit beasts, is equivalent to the internal production area of the entire Kunlun Taiqing Sect.

Compared to the Outer Sect Disciples, who work hard every day to earn resources through missions, Inner Sect Disciples, who are more relaxed and mostly keen on social interactions, stay in their cave dwellings and focus solely on cultivation.

Many of the little tidbits within the sect are circulated by Inner Sect Disciples; some are even directly concocted by them.

In short, these people are a bit like low-level civil servants who hold an iron rice bowl, not aspiring to be promoted and content to simply clock in and out, and are also the group of juniors that Qiu Changtian has been focusing on nurturing lately…oops, I misspoke, they should be called the group of juniors he intends to earnestly take under his wing.

After all, since they can’t go out on adventures or take on missions, it’s not that easy anymore to farm Synchronization Value from Outer Sect Disciples.

Therefore, Qiu Changtian planned on targeting these Inner Sect Disciples… more precisely, he was looking to open up new channels of Synchronization Value.

And this time, what he intended to attempt was to emulate the old ancestor from the Guan Family by holding a public lecture and winning people over.

Considering that the current generation of disciples, barring extraordinary encounters, were still mainly at the Qi Refining Rank, Qiu Changtian was rather confident about this approach.

Soon, through a few familiar Inner Sect Disciples, word that Chief Disciple Qiu Changtian was going to host a lecture spread like wildfire among the 280th generation of Inner Sect Disciples.

About an hour later, Qiu Changtian arrived above the meeting venue on his sword and found that not only disciples of the current generation but also seniors from several previous generations had come, drawn by his reputation.

Among these senior brothers and sisters, the majority were at the Marrow Cleansing Rank, and there were quite a few at the Refining Mansion Rank, to Qiu Changtian’s great shock and surprise.

Thankfully, no Golden Core True Persons attended… of course, it would be quite preposterous for a Golden Core True Person to attend a lecture held by a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple, even if the host was the Chief Disciple.

The venue was set up at the peak of Dry Cloud Mountain, where a large natural depression on the mountaintop could accommodate many disciples to watch.

Descending sword lights continuously landed, all dressed as Inner Sect Disciples, who after landing would look around for a bit and then find acquaintances in the venue to sit with and chat… quickly filling most of the space.

Qiu Changtian, watching this grand scene from above, couldn’t help but click his tongue in secret.

Who’d have thought the name “Qiu Changtian” would spread so widely among Inner Sect Disciples!

All I did was ask a few familiar disciples to invite people, and in the end, so many came to the lecture!

With this thought, he subconsciously felt somewhat uneasy, but then he thought of all these fellow Sect brothers and sisters and if he could nurture them all to contribute Synchronization Value like Junior Sister Xu had…

All in! Even if it means clenching my teeth, I’m doing it!