The Elven Cultivator

「For the next seven days.」

Anton taught no cultivation methods. Instead, he spent every day in the Dao Transmission Pavilion, teaching his twelve students the fundamentals of the way of cultivation.

He started with Spiritual Qi, then moved on to the generation and restriction cycles of the Five Elements, Spirit Root attributes, the Dantian and Qi Sea, Spiritual Sense perception, the various realm divisions in cultivation, and finally, an overview of auxiliary skills like Talismans, Arrays, Alchemy, and Artifact Refining.

Anton’s lectures were detailed, and the students listened with rapt attention.

While many of the concepts were still too profound for them, Anton had a knack for explaining complex theories in simple terms, often using analogies from the Dawn Continent to ensure they weren’t completely lost.

After seven days, the children had gained a preliminary understanding of the way of cultivation.

On the morning of the eighth day, Anton stood before the stone wall of the Dao Transmission Pavilion. Instead of starting the lesson as usual, he gave a casual wave of his hand, and twelve books materialized out of thin air before him.

”Starting today, I will formally begin teaching you Cultivation Techniques.”

Anton’s gaze swept across the twelve young faces.

”A Cultivation Technique is the foundation of your cultivation. It determines your future growth rate and potential, as well as how far you can walk this path.”

”Different Spirit Root attributes are suited to different Cultivation Techniques.”

”I will now impart a suitable Cultivation Technique to each of you, one by one, based on your Spirit Roots.”

Anton first looked at Lucius, who was sitting in the front row to the left.

The silver-gray-haired boy was as quiet and reserved as ever. He had rarely spoken of his own accord over the past seven days, but every question he asked was incisive, revealing a depth of thought far beyond his years.

Anton had observed him in secret. Lucius’s focus and patience were exceptional; he could immerse himself in a task for long periods without fatigue.

’Such a disposition is far more valuable than a Spirit Root on the path of cultivation.’

”Lucius, you have Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots,” Anton said. ”The Cultivation Technique I will teach you is called the *Heaven-Burning Tempering Blade*.”

”This technique’s name comes from the concept of ’using the burning heavens as a furnace to forge a blade through a hundred temperings.’ It uses fire as the furnace and gold as the ingot, repeatedly forging and hammering to hone a razor-sharp edge.”

”Cultivators of this technique not only focus on accumulating Spiritual Qi but also on the concepts of ’intent’ and ’edge.’ It is best paired with Swordsmanship skills and Sword Qi-based Techniques. When you strike, it will be like unsheathing a Divine Soldier forged a thousand times—unrivaled in sharpness, capable of destroying anything in its path.”

As Anton finished speaking, the leftmost of the twelve books floated out and landed before Lucius.

’Anton had long since seen Lucius’s particular fondness for the sword.’

’Barring any surprises, he’s destined to walk the path of a Sword Cultivator.’

’And the *Heaven-Burning Tempering Blade* is perfect for honing a Cultivator’s Spiritual Qi, laying a solid foundation for him to later learn the Flying Sword Skill.’

”From this day forward, use this technique as your foundation. Practice diligently and without fail.”

Lucius accepted the book with both hands. A rare light flickered in his usually placid eyes as he nodded solemnly.

”I understand, Teacher.”

Anton then turned his gaze to Furlo.

The gentle girl sat upright on her cushion, her posture as serene as still water.

”Furlo, you have Water, Wood, and Earth triple Spirit Roots,” Anton said. ”The Cultivation Technique I will teach you is the *Qinghua Evergreen Skill*.”

As he spoke, another book flew out and drifted down to Furlo.

”This technique is founded on Wood, nurtured by Water and Earth. It embodies the concept of ’eternal spring and undying life, an endless cycle of renewal’.”

”Those who cultivate it will possess immense Life Force, recover from injuries with incredible speed, and become proficient in the arts of healing and support.”

”At higher realms, you’ll even be able to accelerate the growth of Spirit Plants, using them as your soldiers. A single person will become a walking legion.”

Furlo’s eyes lit up. She accepted the book with both hands, her voice soft but firm. ”Thank you, Teacher. I will put my heart into cultivating it.”

Anton nodded at her, then turned his gaze to Mia.

The lively girl was fidgeting on her cushion, her body swaying slightly like a sapling in the breeze.

When she saw Anton looking at her, she quickly straightened her back and put on an obedient expression.

”Mia, you have Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, just like Lucius. But your circumstances are different.”

”Lucius’s calm temperament makes him suited for the path of a Sword Cultivator, using intent to guide his blade for a single, killing blow. You, on the other hand, are lively and quick-witted, unsuited for such an ascetic Sword Dao.”

”Therefore, I’ve prepared the *Red Flame Star Rain* for you.”

”This Cultivation Technique doesn’t focus on weapons, but on Techniques. It is founded on Fire and guided by Gold. The fire borrows the power of gold, transforming into a meteor shower that blankets the area.”

”Among Cultivators of the same level, those who practice this technique are considered to have top-tier Technique power.”

Mia’s eyes lit up in an instant.

The moment the book floated over, she snatched it eagerly and hugged it to her chest. Looking up, she flashed Anton a huge smile.

”Thank you, Teacher.”

Finally, Anton looked over at Laine, who was sitting in the corner.

Laine sat bolt upright, his eyes filled with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Over the past seven days, Laine had been one of the most diligent students.

Anton had taken note of his diligence and focus.

”Laine, you have a Fire Spirit Root, and you also possess the Haoyang True Body.”

”The Haoyang True Body is a rare yang-attribute Spirit Body. Those born with it have a natural affinity for fire; their very flesh and bone form a crucible. It is perfectly suited for cultivating Fire Attribute and yang-attribute techniques, allowing for lightning-fast progress.”

”The Cultivation Technique I will teach you is the *Great Sun True Understanding*.”

”This technique is founded on the primordial Fire Dao. Those who cultivate it will wield the might of the scorching sun in every movement. Your True Essence will be profound and enduring, like the great sun crossing the sky—inexhaustible. When facing enemies, you won’t need to resort to tricks or strange Transformations. A direct, overwhelming show of force will be enough to crush the vast majority of your opponents.”

”Of course, the more powerful a Cultivation Technique is, the more difficult it is to cultivate. Even with your Haoyang True Body, if you grow complacent, you will still be surpassed by others.”

Laine nodded emphatically, catching the book that flew toward him with both hands.

He knew the teacher’s final words were meant for him, but also for all the other children.

’Talent is just the starting point. What truly determines how far you can go isn’t what you’re born with, but the persistence and effort you put in day after day.’

Anton then distributed the remaining Cultivation Techniques to the other eight children, granting each a legacy suited to their individual Spirit Root attributes.

Each one was a first-rate Cultivation Technique he had meticulously selected from the Taoist Jade Scroll. In the Cultivation Realm, countless Loose Cultivators would have fought to the death for any one of them.

Laine’s *Great Sun True Understanding* was among the best of these first-rate legacies, bordering on the level of a top-tier one.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to teach his students top-tier techniques, but the more advanced the technique, the higher the difficulty.

’When I first started cultivating the Taichu Hiding Skill, it took me a full five years just to refine my first wisp of Spiritual Qi.’ He understood the difficulty of top-tier techniques all too well.

’Even with the help of the Spirit Gathering Array and my guidance, their starting point is much higher than mine was. There’s no need to force them to take on the highest difficulty.’

’After all, one of my selfish reasons for training them is that once they’re strong enough, I won’t have to handle so many things myself.’

’Things like drawing Talismans, refining Low Tier Pills, gathering Sun Essence and Moon Essence, and setting up simple Arrays... All these trivial yet essential tasks could be delegated to them.’

The thought of Sun Essence and Moon Essence made Anton frown.

He had recently broken through to the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment and was just one step away from perfection.

But he still hadn’t gathered all the materials to refine the pill he needed for his next breakthrough.

He had already gathered the primary Five Elements materials and had accumulated enough Moon Essence Spiritual Liquid. He’d even refined it into Moon Marrow recently.

Now, all he lacked was a source of yang-attribute qi, and he still had no leads.

’If I can’t find a suitable ingredient, I’ll just have to wait for these students to grow strong enough to gather Sun Essence and Moon Essence for me.’

Anton sighed.

’It’ll be a long wait, but at least it’s a viable path.’

’I’ll just have to wait and see.’

Anton shook himself from his thoughts and looked back at the hall.

The children were already engrossed in the books.

Some had their brows furrowed in concentration, some looked thoughtful, and others had already closed their eyes, beginning their attempts at comprehension.

A smile touched Anton’s lips as he watched them.

The path of cultivation was long, but seeing these young faces filled him with a bit more hope for the future.

...

「Kresol Dragon City.」

「The Council Hall.」

The massive Light Source Stone set into the domed ceiling cast a bright, even white light, but it couldn’t dispel the gloom from Aurion’s face.

He sat alone on the stone throne at the head of the round table, staring silently at the surface before him.

Ever since the battle at Graystone Pass, Dragon City had been in an incredibly awkward and dire situation.

The Dragon Race, whose armies once dominated the entire Eldron Plain, now didn’t even dare to venture outside Dragon City.

From high-ranking commanders like himself down to the common Dragon Race soldier, anyone who dared step outside the city gates was inevitably attacked by the Fallen Dragon Association.

The bastards were like sharks that had smelled blood. They had their sights locked on Dragon City, pouncing to tear a piece off at every opportunity.

Thanks to them, Dragon City had now completely lost its grip on the Eldron Plain.

The Vassal Races that once trembled before the might of the dragons were now baring their fangs, one by one.

Some reduced their tributes, substituting quality goods with shoddy ones.

Others used all sorts of excuses to delay their tribute payments.

Worse still, some had refused to pay tribute altogether, no longer even bothering with the pretense.

If not for their fear of the City Lord and the Dragon Court that backed Dragon City, these Vassal Races would likely be doing more than just scheming in the shadows.

”A pack of damn, inferior races!”

With no other commanders present, Aurion vented his fury without restraint.

Once, Kresol Dragon City had been the absolute master of the Eldron Plain.

Wherever the dragon banner flew, the Ten Thousand Races would submit.

But now, those same inferior races that once trembled before the dragons’ might dared to openly defy the will of Dragon City.

And the source of it all was a single person.

Canglan!

The name was a thorn buried deep in Aurion’s heart.

It was because of him that Kresol Dragon City’s prestige had plummeted.

It was because of him that the Fallen Dragon Association dared to run rampant across the plain.

It was because of him that the Vassal Races dared to harbor dissent.

Aurion wanted nothing more than to flay Canglan alive and rip him limb from limb!

But the infuriating part was that there was absolutely nothing he could do about the man.

Unless Canglan lost his mind and attacked Dragon City, Aurion knew he was no match for him in a direct confrontation.

’If only the City Lord himself would act...’

The thought had barely crossed Aurion’s mind when a sudden tremor ran through him.

A deeply familiar shudder, one that originated from the very depths of his bloodline, surged through his being.

He froze for a moment, then his face broke into a look of wild ecstasy. He shot up from his stone throne, and in a flash, vanished from the council hall.