Chapter 129: Cultivating the Six Classics

“Classic of Arts, Classic of Calculations, Classic of Spirits, Scripture of Souls, Classic of Martial Arts, Herbal Canon…”

Half a month had passed since Fang Cun rose to become an Elder of the Shoushan Sect, stirring a minor commotion in Willow Lake City. Throughout this time, Fang Cun kept a low profile. With his future settled, he no longer needed to attend the Academy. So, he simply stayed home, using his free time to slowly ponder his cultivation path.

Back in the Academy, he had borrowed many notes from its top Disciples, detailing their cultivation insights. As a genius in six classics, grasping these notes posed no problem for Fang Cun. All he lacked was time.

It had to be admitted that the Qi Refining Seven Classics, recognized by Qi Refiners worldwide as the foundational texts of cultivation, were each profoundly deep and complex. Two Qi Refiners practicing the same Destined Scripture could end up walking entirely different paths.

As Fang Cun leafed through his classmates’ notes, each person’s insights sparked unique realizations within him.

“Although I have talent in all six classics, mastering them fully remains impossible!”

Fang Cun often felt that given enough time, he could comprehend extraordinary abilities from each classic, deepening his understanding until he stood out as a grandmaster!

But just like structured learning in his past life, cultivating the six classics needed a plan. This felt laughable — those nagging lectures from schoolteachers he’d once tuned out now echoed in his mind as invaluable wisdom. Probably because… no one was forcing him this time?

Human nature truly took things for granted.

Guided by these thoughts, Fang Cun made his own plan.

He wasn’t greedy. He just aimed to master all six classics…

For an Academy Disciple, two goals mattered: advancing personal cultivation (reaching the treasured Body Realm was ideal) and finding their Destined Scripture—identifying one skill from it to hone into a life-saving trump card.

Fang Cun was no different. He too sought a Destined Scripture and a trump card. Except… he had six Destined Scriptures. He intended to master six trump cards.

As for the Classic of Martial Arts, Second Young Master Fang’s “Silver Serpent” hidden in his umbrella had always performed well. Martial arts boiled down to strength and technique. Technically, Fang excelled almost innately. Strength, however, couldn’t improve much in the short term.

Regarding the Classic of Spirits, Fang Cun had advanced deeply. His Life-Death Sigil was his trump card here. In some ways, his refinement of the Heart-Piercing Insect Gu had surpassed even Instructor Lingxiu’s skill.

Not that he was outright stronger than her, though. Refining Gu required more than technique─it demanded vast effort: trekking mountains for rare insects, devoting years nurturing Gu, altering one’s life to dwell among venomous creatures, even carrying them…

Fang Cun refused. He’d rather die than hide snakes on his body! Of course, those butterflies in his garden could be refined further…

Classic of Arts: This path, universally deemed orthodox, was mystically intricate. Yet for a Qi Refining novice, it remained the simplest—boiled down to the Art of Object Manipulation. Its cultivation meant refining one’s Magical Power for purity and versatility. Adept enough, and manipulating objects became effortless—soaring through air, flying swords, constructing barriers. Here, Fang Cun’s Magical Power was unnaturally pure, exceeding imagination. Thus, he progressed rapidly.

As for the Herbal Canon and Classic of Calculations: One required understanding nature’s balance and vast botanical knowledge, not mastered overnight. Fang Cun studied medicinal texts to grasp its essence. Thankfully, Elder Qu and his granddaughter staying at the Fang Family aided him greatly.

The Classic of Calculations? Hah, practice problems… that’s it!

…………

So, the only true struggle now was the Scripture of Souls.

This classic explored the spirit’s mysteries and refined soul energy itself.

In essence, the Scripture of Souls and Classic of Arts were dual pillars for Qi Refiners. Whether a Qi Refiner’s Destined Scripture differed—or even if, like Fang Cun, they excelled at all six—mastering this Scripture was vital.

But Fang Cun was vexed…

The problem lay not in effort, but in his overwhelming talent!

The Scripture’s initial stage involved sensing one’s own spirit and tapping its power—soul energy offered clear advantages.

First, danger perception. Before threats emerged, a restless soul signaled warnings.

Second, influencing others. A formidable soul made even a frail person radiate inexplicable presence—a unique ‘aura’. Harnessing this aura became Soul Captivation Art.

…………

Mastering Soul Captivation Art followed stages. Basic users unsettled minds or caused dazes. Experts commanded deeper awe. Men often inspired reverence to avoid eye-contact; women radiated charm to muddle thoughts—what Fang Cun termed “the kingly and commanding aura”… and “the insidious charm aura”. Naturally, this required build: kings suited imposing stature; “charming auras” demanded beauty…

This was precisely Fang Cun’s torment! As an iron-willed man, of course he should cultivate the kingly aura!

But when Second Young Master Fang first succeeded and tested it… results shocked him.

First test: Strolling an alley, he spotted a Widow drawing water from a well. Seizing the moment alone, he subtly pulsed his soul energy, smiling toward her—pupils shifting subtly as Soul Captivation Art flared.

Normally, she should’ve panicked, quivering to her knees.

Instead, she blushed deeply, whispering shyly: “I won’t lock my door tonight…”

Fang Cun: “…”

Second test: He targeted a stern Butcher—someone daily soaked in killing-intent—a perfect trial subject. Staring coldly at the man for long moments… only to see his cheeks flush red too.

Fang Cun: ” ! ”

What fresh absurdity is this?

Such a crooked technique—what’s the point learning it?!

…………

The only smooth progress recently involved Merit accumulation.

Earlier, subduing rogue forces required executing seven vicious men. This earned Fang Cun barely 6,000 Merit—a deep net loss compared to the 30+ spent Dragon Stones. But after gaining a split of the resulting ‘karma profits’, repayment began: 300… 500… 1,000… 2,000 Merit trickled in. One day, a single 3,000 Merit deposit even arrived!

Summoning the Celestial Merit Record, Fang Cun traced each Merit’s origin. Focusing on them revealed how they were earned:

Inside a grim castle, a servant dropped a teacup. Chen Laoguai—already crazed with rage—moved to kill him instantly. Then… he recalled Fang Cun’s rules, slowly lowered his hand, and just had the man beaten half-dead instead.

+100 Merit

Several shady men carried a sack toward a dark riverside deal. Inside? Two child captives. “Imported goods,” they smirked. “Usual payment?”

Willow Lake’s gang enforcers saw them—instantly drew blades and charged.

+400 Merit

Under parched skies in a neighboring province, the plump owner of Jade Elixir Workshop stared at kneeling famine refugees. Recalling an ‘unshakable curse’, he waved weakly: “Distribute some spoiled grain from the ships. Make porridge… for these starving wretches. Spoilèd? Exactly. Why else would I just give it?”

+800 Merit

Inside a dim boudoir lit by red candles, Qing Yao Ren gazed hungrily at a terrified Young Lady of Noble Birth. He nearly forced her, then recalled Second Young Master Fang’s warning… gentling instantly. Kneeling, he clasped her hand softly: “My heart has yearned since first seeing you. Just one night… and my life stays full.”

Under his soul-locked gaze, her mind blanked. Nodding numbly… she slowly loosened her robes…

−10 strands of white hair!

…………

Fang Cun angrily smashed a teacup: “How’s this fair?! He beds her—but my lifespan pays?!”