Chapter 59 Selection of Merits_1 Translator: 549690339 Mo Hua, in the end, still did not choose a Cultivation Technique. When everyone parted ways, Mo Hua’s figure seemed slightly forlorn. Bai Zixi noticed this and suddenly said, “I’ll have Aunt Xue give you some Spiritual Objects.” Mo Hua was taken aback; he had not expected the usually aloof Bai Zixi to have such a kind heart. He couldn’t help but smile but still declined, saying, “There’s no need. Cultivation is a lifelong matter; I cannot depend on others for my entire life. Besides, I should not accept rewards without merit; I can’t just take others’ things at will.” Bai Zixi’s expression remained indifferent. It was unclear whether he was pleased or not. After Mo Hua finished speaking, he sincerely added, “Thank you!” Mo Hua always maintained gratitude for others’ kindness toward him. After the others had left, Mr. Zhuang, who had been sitting on a lounge chair from sunbathing until moonbathing, finally got up leisurely and walked to the secluded and somewhat dusty study, mumbling, “Old Kui is too lazy. How long has it been since this study was cleaned?” Behind him, where there had been no one, Old Kui suddenly appeared: “If it isn’t used, what difference does it make whether it’s cleaned or not?” “How many times have I told you not to always appear and disappear like this? A perfectly good courtyard, and you make it feel so eerie.” Mr. Zhuang said discontentedly, then walked around the study, flipping through various books and Jade Slips. The already untidy study became even more cluttered. “What are you looking for?” “I am looking for a few volumes of Cultivation Techniques,” said Mr. Zhuang casually. “For Mo Hua, that kid?” “Exactly.” “You’ve never been so attentive to your disciples before,” remarked Old Kui blandly, with a hint of sarcasm. Mr. Zhuang selected a few Jade Slips, spread them out on the desk, and sat down slowly and methodically to examine them one by one: “I used to be single-mindedly devoted to the Tao, inevitably arrogant. Now that times have changed and I am no longer connected with the Tao, naturally, I have some spare time to meddle in trivial affairs.” Old Kui said no more, and the room suddenly fell silent. After a moment, Mr. Zhuang could not help but say, “You should talk sometimes; otherwise, this room really feels creepy.” Old Kui replied indifferently, “What do you want me to say?” Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment and said, “What do you think would be a good Cultivation Technique for Mo Hua, that child?” “It would be best not to choose at all.” “Why not choose?” “If you don’t meddle, you won’t be entangled in causality, and it will spare Mo Hua, that child, some trouble.” Mr. Zhuang shook his head, “You believe in causality, I do not. Even if there is truly causality in this world, it’s not something one can avoid just by wishing to. Maybe by my coming to Li State and taking Mo Hua as an apprentice, I’ve already set causality in motion. Once the heavenly secret turns, it can’t be changed even if one wishes to.” After speaking, Mr. Zhuang felt it was an ill omen and said self-deprecatingly, “A person who has lost their Taoist Heart ages in spirit, I sound like those old fellows from Heavenly Right Pavilion who quibble about the finer points of doctrine.” Old Kui said evenly, “I am one of those old fellows from Tianquan Pavilion who quibble about doctrine.” Mr. Zhuang gave a sheepish smile, “You’re still a bit different.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “How about ‘Eryi Skill’?” “Too recondite.” “‘Five Elements Life Conversion Technique’?” “His meridians cannot withstand it.” “Then ‘Taoist Mysterious Jue’?” “You would be hunted down by the Taoist Mysterious Gate.” Mr. Zhuang picked for a while, but Old Kui refuted each one, so he asked in resignation, “Do you have any Cultivation Techniques? Bring them out for a look too.” “The cultivation techniques here are not suitable either.” Mr. Zhuang sighed, “Having a poor Spiritual Root really causes such trouble. Why isn’t Mo Hua born with a superior Spiritual Root? It would make choosing a cultivation technique so much easier. When I chose my cultivation technique, I just picked the best one available; there was no need for all this fuss.” Old Kui silently rolled his eyes. “It needs to be unique, of medium to low grade, for Five Elements Spiritual Roots, and the required Spiritual Objects can’t be too precious…” Mr. Zhuang mumbled to himself. “That ‘being unique’ requirement is superfluous…” Mr. Zhuang shook his head, “No, that won’t do. Being my disciple, you must stand out from the crowd.” “He’s just a disciple in name, not a Direct Disciple who has formally taken you as his master and served tea.” “That’s where you’re mistaken,” Mr. Zhuang said with a mysterious look on his face, “Even a disciple in name must be extraordinary to reflect the exceptional nature of his mentor.” Old Kui said, “Didn’t you used to say that a true master boasts through strength, and only the useless rely on boasting with words…?” “Can’t you remember anything good I’ve said?” Mr. Zhuang said, displeased. “Back in the day, when you were unmatched, you never had anything good to say.” Mr. Zhuang looked slightly disgruntled and changed the subject. “Let’s focus on the important task at hand, picking a cultivation technique.” Mr. Zhuang then started rummaging through the room again. Anything he deemed suitable, he kept; the unsuitable ones, he tossed aside without a second thought. Old Kui silently followed behind Mr. Zhuang cleaning up, occasionally handing him a jade slip or two. Mr. Zhuang would glance at them, show a bit of disdain, but nevertheless, he kept them aside while muttering: “Your taste in selecting cultivation techniques is still as pedestrian as ever…” The next day, after Mo Hua spent the day working on Formations, he was about to head home in the evening when he saw Mr. Zhuang wave to him from the bamboo pavilion. Mo Hua approached, paid his respects, and couldn’t help but express his confusion, “Gentleman, is there something you wish to instruct?” Mr. Zhuang simply placed a large bundle of mixed jade slips and texts before Mo Hua, “Take your pick.” Mo Hua’s mouth fell open in shock, “Gentleman…” “Since you’ve called me ‘Gentleman’, I can’t treat you too poorly; giving away a cultivation technique is just a trivial matter.” Remembering Mr. Zhuang, who would usually be indolent and capable of lounging in a chair all day, Mo Hua looked at the large bundle of carefully selected cultivation techniques in front of him and felt a warmth in his heart. Standing up, he respectfully paid homage once again. “Pick one yourself; I’m going to meditate for a while.” Mr. Zhuang waved his hand and lay back down in the chair, closing his eyes for a little rest. Mo Hua tried not to disturb Mr. Zhuang as he gently and attentively flipped through the pile of cultivation techniques before him. Spirit Transfering Jue, Sitting Taoist Skill, Heaven and Earth Eryi Classic, Immortal Path Divine Technique… Just reading the names of these techniques revealed their mystery, with even more extraordinary effects—some could amplify Spiritual Power, others allowed for Spirit and Body Dual Cultivation, and some even reduced bottlenecks in Cultivation. The least advanced among them could help cultivate up to thirty cycles of Spiritual Power, and many of the required Heaven and Earth spiritual items were familiar to Mo Hua. Even with Mo Hua’s modest experience in Qi Refinement, the familiarity suggested that while these Spiritual Objects were rare, they were not the unique treasures that were priceless or as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, or Innate Spirit Objects. This indicated that Mr. Zhuang must have put a lot of thought into selecting these techniques. Mo Hua quietly took note of this kindness and then focused on choosing a cultivation technique. First, he picked the cheapest ones, requiring the fewest Heaven and Earth spiritual items; next, he looked for those that could cultivate the highest cycles of Spiritual Power; then, those most suitable in attributes; and finally, the most practical in effects… Mo Hua went back and forth, eventually narrowing down to a few options that seemed most appropriate, but then he began to worry again. The least required Spirit Objects still didn’t mean none, and when converted into monetary terms, it would still require over a thousand Spirit Stones. During the past few days, Mo Hua had looked at cultivation techniques that required tens of thousands of Spirit Stones worth of Spirit Objects. Compared to those, a few thousand Spirit Stones was already the cheapest. But Mo Hua suddenly realized that even just a few thousand Spirit Stones were, in fact, something he absolutely could not afford. Mo Hua felt somewhat at a loss at that moment. Just then, Mo Hua came across a rough, crudely-fashioned jade slip that looked distinctly out of place among the various refined and elegant books and jade slips. Mo Hua held it in his hand, submerged his Divine Sense into it, and the simple, ancient characters for “Heaven Yan Jue” appeared in his mind. As he continued to read further, he suddenly felt that the explanation for this technique seemed to be missing something. After pondering for a moment, Mo Hua suddenly remembered that there was no mention of required Heaven and Earth spiritual items for this technique. Does that mean that the cultivation of this technique does not require any additional Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects? The moment this thought surfaced, it sent waves of excitement through Mo Hua’s young mind, leaving him feeling almost overwhelmed with emotion.