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"Additionally, regarding the selection of the Profound Grade Heart Technique, since you previously cultivated the Fading Sunset Scripture on the mountain, I suggest you choose the Danxia Scripture. This scripture is actually the complete version of the Fading Sunset Scripture. It's not that you can't switch to another Qi Refining technique, but you might need to spend a year or two to adjust."
He then added another sentence.
"Understood."
Xu Taiping nodded.
This was something the two had already discussed during their recovery period.
"Then you go up, I'll wait here for you. Linglong will probably come over later, and then we can go to your new residence together."
Qingxiao looked upstairs and then turned to Xu Taiping.
The matter of selecting a technique had already been discussed many times before their arrival, and Qingxiao was simply reminding Xu Taiping once more.
***
Upon reaching the second floor.
Although the Wanjuan Tower was located on the Seventh Peak, the Elder and disciples responsible for the affairs inside were not from the Seventh Peak, but were arranged by the main peak where the Sect Leader resided.
The same was true for the other six peaks.
"Elder, I've come to select a technique."
In front of the counter on the second floor, Xu Taiping handed over his copper mirror to a grey-clothed old man behind the counter.
The old man was looking down, and Xu Taiping couldn't see his face clearly.
"Place it on the table."
The grey-clothed old man was busy with his abacus and did not look up at Xu Taiping, simply responding without raising his head.
Xu Taiping nodded slightly and placed the copper mirror on the counter.
In fact, as an Outer Disciple, he could exchange his copper mirror for a silver one, but only after completing his first trial after ascending the mountain.
The sound of the old man's abacus finally ceased.
However, as he was about to take the copper mirror, a look of surprise and delight suddenly appeared on his face, and he said to Xu Taiping with a hint of excitement: "You are… Xu Taiping, right?"
"Yes."
Xu Taiping nodded with some confusion at first, but then also expressed his surprise:
"Are you Elder Qi who supervised the Sword Control Platform that day?"
The old man in front of him was indeed Elder Qi Haoran, who had reminded Xu Taiping that he could admit defeat and leave the platform that day.
Although they had only met once, because Elder Qi was one of the few who had shown concern for him during the Sword Inquiry, Xu Taiping recognized him immediately.
"I didn't expect Taiping to remember me，an old man."
Elder Qi Haoran laughed heartily upon hearing this.
"Of course, I remember." Xu Taiping smiled and then added, "I just didn't expect Elder Qi to be working in the Wanjuan Tower on the Seventh Peak."
"I was just assigned here this year."
Elder Qi nodded.
As they spoke, he took out a brush and wrote a rune with cinnabar ink on the surface of Xu Taiping's copper mirror.
Then a line of golden script appeared on it—
【Seventh Peak's Xu Taiping, for outstanding performance in the Seventh Peak Assembly, is rewarded with two hundred thousand Merit】
"Alright, identity confirmed without error. With these two hundred thousand Merit, you can freely select any two Profound Grade techniques within this tower."
Elder Qi smiled and handed the copper mirror back to Xu Taiping.
"Thank you, Elder Qi."
Xu Taiping nodded slightly.
"On this second floor, using this corridor as a boundary, the shelves on the east side are filled with Yellow Grade techniques, while the shelves on the west side are filled with Profound Grade techniques. Make sure not to pick the wrong ones."
Elder Qi laughed and pointed to the corridor, giving Xu Taiping a reminder.
"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Qi."
Xu Taiping thanked him with a nod.
"Go ahead, I still have many accounts to tally, so I won't keep you any longer."
Elder Qi laughed and waved his hand.
Then the sound of the abacus clicking resumed.
"Taiping, take your time choosing. If there's a good technique, it won't escape my eyes."
As Xu Taiping approached the shelves holding the Jade Scrolls of Transmitting Techniques, the voice of Fairy Lingyue suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Alright."
Xu Taiping responded silently in his heart.
He certainly trusted Fairy Lingyue's judgment.
"Red Cloud Palm, Seven Steps Technique, Smoke Luo Hand… Where on earth did the Qingxuan Sect get these mediocre techniques?"
After passing several rows of shelves, Fairy Lingyue suddenly felt a bit disappointed.
In her view, these were all rather unimpressive techniques.
"Are they truly so poor? After all, they are Profound Grade techniques."
Xu Taiping continued to search while curiously asking Fairy Lingyue.
"They can indeed be considered Profound Grade, but most of these techniques are a mishmash. Some may seem powerful at first use, but as your cultivation improves, their power may remain the same as before."
"Some are like draining a pond to catch fish; using these techniques long-term can harm rather than benefit your cultivation."
Fairy Lingyue explained.
The techniques she wanted to find for Xu Taiping were not necessarily of the highest Quality Grade, but rather those with long-term cultivation potential and, ideally, sharing the same origin as some of the ancient techniques she knew.
Only such techniques could grow in power alongside Xu Taiping's cultivation, and she could provide guidance to Xu Taiping, rectifying the deficiencies of these techniques or even enhancing their power.
Even if the Quality Grade of such techniques was lower, she would not hesitate to have Xu Taiping choose them.
After another round of fruitless searching, Fairy Lingyue secretly made up her mind:
"If we really can't find anything, I might as well find a few techniques to modify myself and then have Taiping cultivate them."
The reason she had not allowed Xu Taiping to practice her sect's techniques was twofold: first, she feared being discovered by enemies, and second, the techniques she knew were all of a caliber like the Ice Breath Scripture, which was even a weakened version, and Xu Taiping's current realm was simply not capable of cultivating it.
There was another reason.
She had experienced too much deception and betrayal in her life, so even after living with Xu Taiping for three years, she still hadn't fully trusted him.
However, Xu Taiping's performance in the Sword Inquiry had completely eliminated her wariness.
"Fairy Lingyue, shall we take a look at the Yellow Grade techniques instead? The Merit I've accumulated from the Sword Inquiry should be enough to buy two superior Yellow Grade techniques."
Xu Taiping pointed to the shelves on the west side where the techniques were displayed.
Fairy Lingyue's dissatisfaction with the techniques here was not a surprise to him, especially with the Ice Breath Scripture as a reference.
Although Fairy Lingyue had not mentioned the Quality Grade of the Ice Breath Scripture, judging by its ability to freeze the Tiger Demon in one breath, its power could only be above these Profound Grade techniques.
"That's fine."
Fairy Lingyue agreed.
"If there really isn't anything satisfactory, I suggest you save this Merit for a suitable weapon or Magical Tool. As for techniques, we'd rather have none than settle for less."
As Xu Taiping headed towards the shelves, Fairy Lingyue reminded him once more.