After staying in his cave dwelling for a day, the next day Han Li once again stood before Li Huayuan and his wife, listening as the master said indifferently:
"Han Li, have you thought about what you want your master to give you? You can speak now!"
"This disciple wishes for a cultivation technique that suits my own practice, and hopes master can grant this request!" This was something Han Li had long decided in his heart, so he immediately spoke without hesitation.
Li Huayuan showed no surprise upon hearing this, instead turning to smile slightly at his wife beside him, as if saying: "See, I wasn't wrong, he does want a technique!"
Then he turned back and said calmly to Han Li:
"Mm, your choice is good! Come closer, let your master examine your Spirit Root attributes, and then decide which technique to bestow upon you."
Han Li didn't dare delay and immediately stepped forward. His wrist was then firmly grasped by the other, and a surge of warm energy quickly flowed through his meridians.
"Other than metal attribute techniques, any other attribute technique can be cultivated. To think you possess a four-attribute Spirit Root, this truly surprises me! That day I could only tell from your appearance that your Spirit Root was mixed, but I never expected it to be this extreme!" After examining for a moment, Li Huayuan's expression became somewhat peculiar, and he sighed softly.
His wife beside him also showed a hint of surprise. Though she didn't speak, she couldn't help but size up Han Li once more.
"This disciple's aptitude is poor, disappointing master!" Han Li's face flushed slightly with shame.
"It's nothing. Since heaven allowed you to succeed in Foundation Establishment, there must be your own good fortune. However, this does make the choice of technique somewhat troublesome!"
"What do you mean?"
Hearing these words, Han Li blinked. Though he didn't ask directly, the confusion was evident on his face.
"Just tell the disciple properly. You're always so incomplete in your explanations. What your master means is that he originally wanted to pick a good technique for you, but now seeing your Spirit Root attributes, he's somewhat hesitant! After all, the better the technique, the harder it is to cultivate. It might be better to give you a simpler technique that allows for faster advancement!" His wife chided Li Huayuan gently, then explained warmly to Han Li.
"That's right, what my wife says is exactly what I meant." Li Huayuan nodded repeatedly. But then he continued with a detailed explanation:
"You should know, the techniques we cultivators practice can generally be divided into three categories based on their power and effects! The first type are techniques where after cultivation, the speed of magical power advancement is average or even slightly lower. However, the supplementary powers and methods for defeating enemies they provide are often remarkably powerful and extraordinary. In actual combat, they allow one to thrive, enabling cultivators at lower levels of magical power to overcome those at higher levels. Therefore, cultivators who know they have no hope of Core Formation in this lifetime mostly choose this type of technique."
"The second type is exactly the opposite. These techniques have amazingly effective magical power advancement, are easy to cultivate, and the chance of encountering bottlenecks is much smaller than for cultivators who choose the first type. But what goes up must come down - the advantages of the first type of techniques are precisely the fatal weaknesses of this type. These techniques basically have no strong self-protection methods, and their powers are pitifully small! Once you choose this type of technique, it's destined that in your future cultivation career, you'll only be able to become a weak cultivator among your peers. However, similarly, those who wish to pursue higher levels of cultivation and harbor delusions of approaching the Heavenly Dao, there are many who choose this type of technique, after all they make it easiest for cultivators to approach the Core Formation stage."
When Li Huayuan reached this point, he paused and suddenly smiled at Han Li:
"I wonder, which type of technique would you choose, or which type do you think suits you better?"
Hearing these words, Han Li froze for a moment and hesitated before asking:
"Master, aren't there three types? Why have you only mentioned two?"
After hearing Han Li's question, Li Huayuan shared a knowing smile with his wife before saying amiably:
"Indeed, besides the first two types, there exists a very rare third type of technique - these are the supreme-grade cultivation methods that numerous cultivators covet. However, your master does not recommend you practice them! And none of your seven senior brothers chose to practice this type of technique! Although they combine the strengths of both previous types, with great power and amazingly effective magical power advancement. Practicing them not only has numerous restrictions and many difficulties, but the cultivation process is also extremely dangerous. One moment of carelessness can lead to eternal damnation! Your master-mother practices a supreme-grade technique, and despite being so careful, she nearly died. So unless a cultivator's aptitude far exceeds others, practicing them is no different from suicide!"
"Although I have two or three supreme-grade techniques in hand, do you think you could succeed in practicing them? Because this technique is compensation for you, if you absolutely insist on choosing a supreme-grade technique, your master will give it to you. But if any dangers or difficulties arise in the future, you'll have to solve them yourself!"
Li Huayuan clearly disapproved of Han Li choosing the last type of technique, so he warned him in advance.
Han Li frowned and pondered deeply. This was indeed a difficult choice.
But not long after, Han Li raised his head, his eyes calm, obviously having made his decision.
"Master, please forgive this disciple's rudeness! Before stating my request, may I ask what technique master practices?" Han Li suddenly asked.
"Hehe! Your master practices the supreme-grade technique 'True Yang Technique.' But your master possesses the Three Yang Physique, second only to a Heavenly Spirit Root. Practicing this technique is like a fish in water, far superior to other techniques! Otherwise, how could your master have achieved Core Formation?" Though Li Huayuan hadn't expected this question from Han Li, he still said proudly.
"This disciple understands. Then this disciple will choose the second type of technique!" Han Li said calmly.
"The second type?"
Li Huayuan's expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal. He re-examined Han Li with an intriguing gaze. His wife beside him also showed considerable interest upon hearing this.
"You choose the second type? How should I say this? Your determination in cultivation is admirable, and I'm quite pleased. But you should know, the so-called ease of magical power advancement is only for those with better aptitude. Even among those with outstanding aptitude, only a minority can cultivate the second type of technique to the peak of Foundation Establishment. Therefore, I still lean toward you choosing the first type. Though the hope of Core Formation is slim, at least you can hold your head high among Foundation Establishment cultivators and not be bullied. Actually, regardless of which type of technique one practices, how many can truly achieve Core Formation! Thinking back to those days..."
Li Huayuan originally intended to persuade Han Li, but as he spoke, he seemed to recall some past events. His mood suddenly turned somber, and he gradually fell silent!
It was his wife who, seeing this situation, sighed softly and continued to Han Li:
"Han Li, have you thought carefully? Do you truly want to choose this type of technique? Although your choice doesn't quite align with what your master and I had in mind, if your determination in cultivation is truly that resolute, your master naturally won't oppose it. If you're overestimating yourself and insist on choosing a supreme-grade technique, though we would still agree, it would disappoint us greatly. After all, that's not a question of determination in cultivation, but rather being too unrealistic."
"That's right, your master-mother has voiced my thoughts. I'll say no more now. I'll ask you one last time, are you truly decided?" Li Huayuan came back to his senses, heard his wife's words, and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, this disciple has made my decision!" Han Li said firmly after quietly listening to Li Huayuan and his wife's words.
"Mm, since you've truly made up your mind, then come with me to the Scripture Library. Wife, please wait here for a moment. Han Li and I will return shortly." Seeing this, Li Huayuan said no more, rose to take Han Li out, and left his wife to wait there.
The Scripture Library wasn't far from the main hall, nor was it very large - just an ordinary low stone chamber. But the entire chamber was protected by a fiery red barrier, making it impossible for others to enter.
Li Huayuan walked up to the barrier, and without concern, extended a finger and casually swiped across it. The barrier immediately split open a wide opening about ten feet wide, just enough for two people to pass through side by side.
Then he easily pushed open the stone door and led Han Li into the chamber.
Upon entering, Han Li's eyes were opened wide. Because inside the chamber, all kinds of jade slips, book pages, boxes, and books were all floating in the air, emitting colorful, strange lights - there were fifty or sixty items in total. These were the cultivation techniques Li Huayuan had collected over centuries through various means.
"Every item here has been placed under my restrictions. If not personally taken by me or my wife, it will immediately trigger the array formation inside the chamber, trapping the intruder here to die." Li Huayuan explained to Han Li with some self-satisfaction. But Han Li still detected a hint of warning in his words, and nodded repeatedly to show he understood.