"The martial arts techniques before you are the cherished treasures of our Jade Cauldron Tower from generations past."
Yang Han's expression was indifferent, as he casually remarked, "Although they are all Lower Grade Martial Arts, with diligent practice, one might still achieve accomplishments. They are ample for an ordinary person to spend their entire life cultivating."
"You may choose one to practice."
"Lower Grade Martial Arts?"
Gu Yuan was momentarily stunned, recalling the "Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique" he acquired earlier that morning, a legitimate Superior Martial Arts technique.
"That's correct."
Yang Han assumed Gu Yuan was questioning what Lower Grade Martial Arts meant, and offhandedly explained, "Just as people have differing levels of aptitude and innate talents, martial arts techniques also vary in quality."
Seeing Gu Yuan's puzzled expression, Yang Han smiled, "Well, I'll explain a bit more."
"I won't delve into the details of how a person's innate talents are classified. There are some books on common knowledge of the cultivation realm in the Treasure Room. If you make a contribution and earn Contribution Points, you can use them to exchange for books. Ordinary books can be read for some silver."
"As for martial arts, they are divided into Lower Grade Martial Arts, Middle Grade Martial Arts, Superior Martial Arts, and Supreme Martial Arts. Beyond Supreme Martial Arts... well, that is beyond the knowledge of people like us..."
At this point, Yang Han seemed to recall certain matters, revealing a complex expression, and continued:
"Lower Grade Martial Arts are relatively common; with some silver or by apprenticing in a martial hall, one might learn them. Middle Grade Martial Arts are rarer, more profound and intricate than Lower Grade Arts. Mastering them can allow an ordinary person to secure a livelihood and change their destiny."
"As for Superior Martial Arts and Supreme Martial Arts, each is a priceless inheritance technique. The achievements from cultivating them are higher, and only prominent sects or forces at the county mansion level can access them."
"Of course, our Jade Cauldron Tower is a formidable influence, renowned throughout the Southern Border, naturally well-stocked with such martial arts inheritances. However, they are reserved for those who have accomplished great feats. If you are fortunate enough to acquire Middle Grade or even Superior Martial Arts, you have the chance to break through to an Innate Martial Master and extend your lifespan to 150 years. Beyond the Innate Realm lies the Celestial Human Realm, rumored to grant a lifespan of 300 years, capable of wielding magical artifacts and soaring through the skies."
Noticing Gu Yuan's eyes brightening, Yang Han thought the young man was invigorated by his few words, inwardly scoffing, and looked at Gu Yuan with a touch of pity.
The path of martial arts cultivation is often a series of thresholds, each step harder than the last.
Let alone the Celestial Human Realm, even reaching the Innate Realm is something few in all of Beiliang County have achieved.
And little Beiliang County, compared to the entire Shengyang Prefecture, even Qinzhou, Southern Border, is nothing more than a rural backwater.
Shallow waters can't sustain a flood dragon, and even a flood dragon is quite vulnerable in its infancy, requiring various resources to grow.
Only seeds of cultivation with talent, resources, fortune, and perseverance can gradually grow to achieve great success in the cultivation realm.
Those from prominent families or sects often start being nurtured with all sorts of rare Spirit Medicine during pregnancy to consolidate their origins, being born as prodigious talents with remarkable innate foundations.
As they grow older, they have renowned teachers to guide them, progressing step by step, avoiding premature advancement or missing optimal cultivation phases.
Even so, those who reach the Celestial Human Realm or even the Innate Realm are a rare sight.
As for Gu Yuan, he is but a poor village youth, struggling to fill his belly, with an underdeveloped body and likely mediocre innate talents.
In such circumstances, achieving anything significant in martial arts is as difficult as scaling the heavens.
Even taking a step back, if Gu Yuan possessed the legendary Innate Spiritual Body or a Treasure Body, his lowly status and shallow insight, missing the optimal cultivation stage without enough resources, would leave the innate spiritual body dusty and hard to awaken.
Destined to muddle through life, like a frog at the bottom of a well, never witnessing the splendor of the outside world!
Just like Yang Han himself, possessing decent innate talents but lacking background or cultivation resources, his martial arts progress was surpassed by those of lesser talents.
After half a lifetime of hardship, he barely made something of himself in Jade Cauldron Tower, with a slight chance of advancing to an Innate Martial Master.
The various hardships involved are not for outsiders to know.
"How could a penniless rural lad know that cultivation is not just about fighting and killing, nor solely about talent and diligence, but more importantly about having influence and background!"
"It's useful to have a big tree to lean against for shade..."
Thinking of this, Yang Han felt somewhat disinterested, losing the inclination to continue speaking, and slightly impatiently waved his hand:
"Alright, now you may choose."
"Yes."
Gu Yuan, unaware of the many associations running through Yang Han's mind in an instant, noticed his impatience, grew serious, said nothing more, and began carefully selecting from the Lower Grade Martial Arts before him.
Based on Yang Han's previous words, Gu Yuan knew these Lower Grade Martial Arts were not overly valuable, but as they were for his cultivation, he naturally had to be cautious.
"The 'Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique' is a Superior Martial Arts technique for forging the muscles, bones, viscera, and includes Blood Exchange and Washing Marrow, directly aiming for the Great Perfection of an Innate Martial Master, useful for inner cultivation and bodily strengthening. Therefore, no need to choose techniques alike."
He stepped forward a few steps, casually took out a book and flipped through it, while quietly contemplating:
"Hmm? 'Wild Bull Technique'? It's good, but an inner cultivation martial art. I have the superior 'Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique,' so this is unnecessary. I should choose an attack martial art with high destructive power!"
With that in mind, Gu Yuan decisively set aside the 'Wild Bull Technique,' focusing on sword skill and swordsmanship types.
[Dao Rhyme Points +7!]
[Dao Rhyme Points +9!]
[Dao Rhyme Points +4!]
[Dao Rhyme Points +5!]
...
Simultaneously browsing these martial arts, a series of information continuously appeared before Gu Yuan, yet he remained expressionless, calmly exploiting the benefits.
Not long after, Gu Yuan's gaze fell upon a gray book among them — 'Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship'!
Picking it up, Gu Yuan flipped it open and saw on the first page: This swordsmanship possesses agile and swift sword momentum, ruthless and fierce, created by observing the battles and struggles of spiritual snakes!
"Steward, I'll choose this one."
Gu Yuan decided promptly.
Given all before him were Lower Grade Martial Arts, the differences were presumably insignificant.
Moreover, the 'Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique' and this 'Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship' had similarities, both created by experts observing spirit snakes.
He speculated that if he cultivated the 'Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship' on the foundation of the 'Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique,' he might gain some unexpected benefits.
"'Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship'?"
Yang Han was somewhat surprised.
Gu Yuan unexpectedly skipped the 'Wild Bull Technique,' 'Fierce Boar Formulas,' those types of inner cultivation martial arts, choosing a swordsmanship.
Could it be he didn't know that martial arts should be based on inner cultivation techniques, serving as a tree's roots and trunk?
Instead, sword skill and swordsmanship, although potent, are merely the branches.
Gu Yuan's choice seemed to ignore the essentials, forsaking the watermelon for sesame!
Of course, having no personal connection with Gu Yuan, Yang Han didn't bother to remind anything, simply nodding:
"Very well."
Yang Han maintained his indifferent demeanor: "You may take the 'Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship,' but it must be returned in three days, and it's not to be transmitted to others. Otherwise, the consequences—well, even if I don't say, I'm sure you understand."
"Naturally."
Gu Yuan bowed and said:
"Additionally, there's one more question I'd like to ask of you."
"Go ahead."
Yang Han said.
"It's about Contribution Points."
Gu Yuan asked seriously: "How does one earn these Contribution Points?"
"Contribution Points?"
Yang Han suddenly realized, smiling: "Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have explained it to you."
"The mechanism of Contribution Points, to put it simply, is..."
...