Relaxing his entire body, Chu Ning began to recall today's thrilling encounter.
Unclear about who this bearded man was, but judging by the joy on his face at first sight...
This guy was most likely waiting to ambush him there.
So, it was very likely that his frequent solitary trips between the sect and the market had caught the attention of this tribulation cultivator.
He might have even seen him visiting Old Man Sun, knowing that he could earn Spirit Stones, thus choosing to ambush him there.
However, this tribulation cultivator obviously didn't expect that today would be the last day of his trip, and that he had bought so many talismans with his Spirit Stones.
Thinking of this, Chu Ning felt somewhat fortunate; luckily, he was alert, and he bought four talismans. Otherwise, today he might have met his end there.
"It's a pity the Thorn Technique can't be instantly cast, otherwise I wouldn't have wasted that Body Protection Talisman," Chu Ning muttered to himself.
That Body Protection Talisman was primarily used to buy time for casting his Thorn Technique, in order to trap the opponent.
However, this thought had just crossed his mind when Chu Ning quickly shook his head.
This Body Protection Talisman would still have been necessary no matter what.
This tribulation cultivator's attack techniques were clearly much stronger than his own; the power of the Golden Sword Technique was strong, and the casting speed was faster.
The only thing missing on his part was perhaps a Defense Talisman or a related spell, or else things wouldn't have turned out so smoothly for Chu Ning.
As for himself, he first had the Vine Armor Technique, then the Body Protection Talisman, and endured the opponent's Golden Sword Technique three times to finally stand here safely.
Surviving is the prerequisite for dealing damage!
Chu Ning decided to remember this phrase firmly in his heart.
In the future, preserving life must be the top priority before considering offensive matters.
Remember, remember!
Yet, using two talismans at once did give Chu Ning a slight heartache; that was five Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
Thinking of this, Chu Ning took out the items he had just obtained from the bearded man.
Only one Lower Grade Spirit Stone, barely better than nothing.
A Divine Movement Talisman, which can briefly enhance the user's movement speed for escape.
The guy was trapped and had no chance to use it.
IIts value barely reached two Lower Grade Spirit Stones, which could offset the cost of using the Golden Sword Talisman.
Taking out two booklets, Chu Ning began to browse.
The first, thinner one recorded a Gold Attribute Technique called the Golden Sword Technique, clearly the one just used by the bearded man.
The power of this technique was not small, and Chu Ning was a bit eager seeing it at first glance.
Yet thinking about his talent and speed in cultivating techniques other than the Wood Element, Chu Ning let out a slight sigh.
He wasn't sure if he could practice it.
Then, Chu Ning looked at the other slightly thicker booklet.
Seeing the title of the booklet, Chu Ning couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
On it were the words "Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique."
"Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique? I've been practicing the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art all along; do these two have any relation?"
A thought crossed Chu Ning's mind, and he eagerly flipped through the pages.
His Nine Tigers Body Refining Art had the best effect before Qi Refinement and provided some improvement during the Early Stage of Qi Refining on the body.
But after entering the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, it had no body refining effect at all.
Opening it, the first sentence that met Chu Ning's eyes was: "Refine the body before refining Qi."
Without much explanation, Chu Ning didn't think much and continued to turn the pages.
"These two actually do have a relation!"
After only a few pages, Chu Ning was incredibly surprised.
The body refining postures recorded in the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique were identical to those of the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art he practiced before.
The difference was that here, a magical power circulation route was added, allowing for better body refining effect using magical power.
In an instant, Chu Ning realized.
"So, does that mean the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art is the mortal version of the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique?"
Continuing to flip through, he found that the content of this booklet was far more comprehensive than the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art.
Volume One contained five records: Immortal Hide, Undying Bone, Unbreakable Tendons, Immortal Soul, and Undying Golden Body.
However, after the Undying Golden Body, it was written "End of Volume One."
He had only obtained Volume One of the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, so how many volumes were there, and what was the complete Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique like?
Clearly, no one was there to answer this question for him.
At the same time, Chu Ning was incredibly puzzled in his mind.
How this ordinary-looking Loose Cultivator with a beard obtained the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique was a question on its own.
Furthermore, from his appearance, he didn't seem to be a Body Cultivator.
Despite these doubts, Chu Ning was still very delighted; the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique was an outstanding thing for him.
In this period, as he practiced various techniques, the proficiency panel in his mind gave no hints, leaving him only with the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique and the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art.
The Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, being a continuation of the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art, might display proficiency, wasn't it possible?
With this thought, Chu Ning memorized the magical power circulation route for the Immortal Hide and immediately began to practice.
The various movements he posed with his body were familiar to him from practicing the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art before, and now all he had to do was add the magical power circulation.
Still consisting of nine movements, maintaining the stability of the magical power meant Chu Ning's speed was much slower than before.
However, once he finished a set of body refining movements, Chu Ning wore a smile on his face.
That long-lost feeling of subtle warmth coursing through his figure with a noticeable improvement in physique appeared once again.
When Chu Ning focused his consciousness back into his mind, he immediately found that there was indeed a slight change.
[Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique (Yellow Tier Lower Grade), Second Layer (70/900)]
[Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, Volume One, Immortal Hide 1/300]
"The Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique can indeed show proficiency!" Chu Ning rejoiced inwardly.
With proficiency, it meant that reaching Perfection could yield an Innate Divine Technique as a reward.
However, the cultivation of this Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique seemed very challenging; the initial proficiency requirement for Immortal Hide was 300.
The First Layer of the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique required a total proficiency of only 300, corresponding to the First to Third Layers of Qi Refining.
It seemed like he would need to spend quite some time in practice.
Regardless, this was indeed a significant gain.
Securing the small booklet of the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, Chu Ning turned to the last item, the Small Jade Box.
Opening the jade box, he saw a black seed inside.
"What kind of seed is this?"
Chu Ning was slightly surprised because the aura of this seed gave him a very familiar feeling.
In the next moment, Chu Ning's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Seven-Star Spirit Fruit!!"
For the past ten days, Chu Ning had been using the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill daily on a Seven-Star Spirit Fruit at Old Man Sun's place, becoming very familiar with this Spirit Plant.
Although it was just a seed, that familiar feeling was almost enough for Chu Ning to directly confirm it.
"Could it really be this coincidental? Is it possible that the bearded man's ambush had something to do with this?"
Chu Ning speculated quietly.
Reflecting on how Old Man Sun treasured the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, Chu Ning was undeniably moved.
"No matter what, I have to confirm if it's a Seven-Star Spirit Fruit. If it is, I've hit the jackpot!"
In fact, acquiring the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique was already a huge profit for Chu Ning, but he still wanted to see what this seed really was.
Steeling his resolve, Chu Ning instantly cast an Accelerating Technique on the black seed.