That night, Devor lay in his modest hut, the stillness of the Spiritual Garden wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. The cold night air whispered through the wooden gaps, but the garden's serene presence kept his sleep peaceful and undisturbed.

  At dawn, the sky blossomed with soft reds and oranges. Devor stirred, his eyes fluttering open to the gentle light filtering through the cracks. He sat up slowly, stretching and breathing in the crisp, invigorating air.

  Stepping outside, he made his way to a secluded corner of the garden to bathe.

  A tranquil pool glistened beside an ancient wooden bathhouse, its surface reflecting the golden morning rays. The bathhouse, built from the sturdy wood of age-old trees, blended seamlessly into the natural landscape. The soft murmur of water and the rustling leaves created a symphony of peace and quiet.

  After his bath, Devor returned to his hut and slipped into a light blue robe, its silky fabric gleaming softly in the morning light. These robes, gifts from the Sect, symbolized the simplicity and devotion of a disciple on the path to mastery, a reminder of the journey ahead.

  Feeling refreshed and ready, Devor headed toward the garden's exit, his mind set on meeting the Cultivation Hall Master.

  As he passed by, Forly and the others paused in their work, their curiosity evident. It was rare to see Devor so energized in the early hours, and even more unusual to see him leaving the garden.

  The Sect’s grounds were unusually quiet that morning, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of the night. The stillness carried an almost eerie quality, but to Devor, it was a welcome peace.

  After a steady ten-minute walk, he reached the Cultivation Hall.

  The hall stood tall, a grand seven-story structure that spoke volumes of the Sect’s long and storied past. Its walls were decorated with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes—symbols of power and wisdom.

  Devor stepped inside and approached the front desk, greeting the receptionist with a respectful bow and cupped fists.

  The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, raised an eyebrow. “You’re early. Your meeting isn’t for another four hours,” she remarked.

  Devor nodded calmly. “That’s fine. I’ll wait here and use the time to read.”

  She gave a slight nod and gestured toward the rows of bookshelves lining the hall.

  Devor walked over, scanning the shelves before picking out a familiar book on basic cultivation techniques. It was the same volume Elder Sorin had given him years ago, and yet, he felt drawn to its teachings once more.

  Settling into a quiet corner, Devor sat cross-legged, the book resting in his lap. He alternated between reading and meditating, employing his Ultimate Synthesis ability to deepen his understanding. His progress was gradual—mastering only a few finer points each week—but he knew the slow, deliberate effort would yield lasting results.

  Time slipped away, and three hours later, the receptionist approached, her voice breaking his focus.

  "Master Nie is available now," she informed him, her tone brisk yet respectful.

  Devor rose smoothly, giving her a polite nod. "Thank you."

  ??????

  The third floor of the Cultivation Hall was a maze of rooms, each serving a distinct purpose. Following the receptionist's directions, Devor navigated the winding corridors until he arrived at the Technique Discussion Room, where the Hall Master awaited.

  Inside, the room was dimly lit, the soft glow of spiritual lamps casting gentle shadows across the walls. In the center, seated cross-legged, was a man whose calm demeanor radiated authority.

  Master Nie embodied elegance and control. His smooth, unblemished face exuded a quiet strength, and his long black hair, adorned with a delicate golden ornament, shimmered faintly in the dim light.

  "You’re the Qi Refining disciple from the Spiritual Garden," Master Nie said, his voice steady and commanding, yet unhurried.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Devor cupped his fists and bowed deeply. "Devor Li greets Master Nie."

  Master Nie gestured for him to sit. "You’ve spent a considerable amount of contribution points to secure this meeting. Usually, only Foundation Building disciples or higher seek my counsel. For someone at your level, this is rare."

  Devor settled into a cross-legged position across from the Hall Master, nodding. "The Spiritual Garden tasks provide a steady stream of contribution points, Master. I believed this meeting to be a worthwhile investment."

  Master Nie’s lips curved into a faint smile. “A practical mindset for someone so young. I admire that.”

  He leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “I’ll grant you an additional hour for this discussion. Make the most of it.”

  Devor’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Master Nie.”

  Master Nie offered another faint smile. To him, Devor’s curiosity seemed straightforward, unlikely to delve into anything too complex. Since Devor had shown genuine interest and made a significant investment of contribution points, Master Nie saw no reason to decline the request. The extra hour was a fair exchange for the young disciple’s earnest dedication.

  “So, what is it you wish to ask?” Master Nie’s voice was calm and resonant, like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves.

  Devor took a deep breath, his expression serious. “I want to know: how does a cultivator create their own Cultivation Technique? Isn’t the process like gambling with their life? Unless… they experiment on another cultivator,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.

  Master Nie tilted his head slightly, encouraging Devor to continue.

  “And another question,” Devor added, leaning in, “how were Cultivation Techniques for realms like Foundation Building developed during the early days of the Cultivation Era? Did our ancestors rely solely on guesswork and luck?”

  A faint smile crossed Master Nie’s face, a blend of wisdom and understanding reflected in his expression.

  "Indeed, in the early days of the Cultivation Era, our predecessors didn’t have the refined knowledge we do now," he began, his tone calm and measured. "But they weren’t blindly gambling with their lives. Only after reaching the Foundation Building Realm could they attempt to create techniques suited for that stage. Progress was slow and fraught with danger."

  Devor furrowed his brows. "But if someone creates a Cultivation Technique for Qi Refining, how do they then break through to the Foundation Building Realm? Wouldn’t they need to design a completely new technique for that stage?"

  Master Nie shook his head slightly, his gaze steady and patient. "Your understanding is incomplete, Devor," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "A Qi Refining Technique is meant to guide you to the threshold of Foundation Building. Once you reach that threshold, the Qi Refining Technique has served its purpose. It’s a stepping stone, not a chain holding you back."

  Devor’s frown deepened as he pondered the explanation. "But… my current technique suggests that when I reach the peak of Qi Refining, I need to switch to a Foundation Building Technique. Isn’t that the proper path?"

  "For comprehensive techniques designed to span multiple realms, yes," Master Nie replied, his tone sharpening slightly. "However, in the early days of cultivation, most practitioners only had access to Qi Refining Techniques. Despite the immense challenges and risks, they managed to ascend to the Foundation Building Realm. It was neither safe nor efficient, but it was possible."

  Devor fell silent, turning the new information over in his mind. He studied Master Nie, searching for certainty in the man’s composed demeanor. The room seemed charged with an unspoken understanding, a depth of knowledge Devor was only beginning to glimpse.

  "So…" Devor spoke carefully, "if I wanted to create a Cultivation Technique, does that mean I can only create a Qi Refining Technique for now?"

  Master Nie nodded. "That would be the most prudent approach at your level. With a strong foundational understanding, you could try to develop a technique for higher realms, but the chances of success would be extremely low and fraught with danger. It’s wiser to start with what’s within your current reach and refine it gradually."

  Devor nodded, though a shadow of doubt still lingered in his thoughts.

  Sensing his hesitation, Master Nie offered a gentle smile. "Consider this: look around this room. Use the Cultivation Hall itself as a metaphor for understanding the creation of Cultivation Techniques."

  Devor’s eyes lit up slightly as he began to observe the room more closely.

  The walls were adorned with intricate carvings that told the sect’s storied history. Each pillar seemed to resonate with ancient energy, and the circular design of the room radiated a sense of balance and harmony.

  His gaze lingered on the carvings, absorbing their meaning, before turning back to Master Nie, a spark of realization dawning on his face.

  "Master, are you saying this building... the Cultivation Hall itself holds hidden insights into creating techniques? Is it meant to symbolize the process of refinement?" Devor asked, his voice tinged with awe.

  Master Nie paused for a moment, momentarily caught off guard.

  That wasn’t what he had meant at all!

  He had simply intended for Devor to reflect on the hall’s structure as a metaphor for the importance of strong foundations in technique creation. Yet, Devor had taken his words quite literally.

  Still, Master Nie couldn’t help but admire the young disciple’s unique interpretation.

  A soft chuckle escaped him, his serene demeanor returning. "Not exactly what I meant, but your interpretation has its own merit. Perhaps the Cultivation Hall holds more wisdom than even I realized."

  Internally, Master Nie pondered the idea. "Maybe I should discuss this with the Sect Master—consider a renovation that could turn this hall into a more effective teaching tool," he mused, thinking about how Devor’s unexpected observation could benefit future disciples.

  Meanwhile, Devor sat cross-legged, lost in thought. Although he had misunderstood the original point, his perspective had sparked a new line of inquiry for him to explore.

  Master Nie watched him closely, intrigued by the young disciple’s curious and imaginative mind.