CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 34: A SUDDEN TURN (PART 2)

Lin Qingshuang: "I don’t quite understand the technology you’re talking about, artificial intelligence? It sure dares to concoct ideas, and you really dare to practice them!

From what you’re currently cultivating in these entry-level contents, it doesn’t seem to have any major issues. But you must know that a secret technique is a secret technique, even a slight difference can lead to vastly different outcomes..."

Both Lin Qingshuang and Old Qian are insiders. Looking at the set of techniques He Kao has compiled, at least on the entry-level, there are quite a few similarities with the techniques they had cultivated, some things can be described as quite similar.

These are techniques, not just techniques.

When people talk about the Magic Sect and sorcerers, they often think of techniques. Because techniques are the external means everyone can see, whereas techniques are the foundation for performing techniques, and are invisible.

It’s hard to make an apt description; one must cultivate firsthand to experience it.

The best analogy is a poor one: techniques are like methods of cultivating electrical energy, while techniques are like various electrical appliances, the application of electrical energy.

Techniques are the foundation, but techniques are also important. Because even the simplest lightbulb needs to resolve a series of problems like the structure of the bulb and the material of the filament.

The differences between the spells of each Magic Sect mainly lie in the different directions of breakthroughs they choose. Nowadays, when people discuss techniques, the foundational techniques are actually included as well.

The foundational techniques of each sect’s techniques have similarities with slight subtle differences, equivalent to pathways carved out in lofty mountains.

For the "Big Data Secret Technique" compiled by He Kao, at least on the entry-level, Qian Guran and Lin Qingshuang can’t say it’s "fake." Ordinary people can try to cultivate it too, but entering the sect can only be said to be an extremely small probability event.

He Kao’s situation is relatively special. He has a good foundation, being in a state of neither entry-level nor not entry-level.

Where is the problem with this set of secret techniques? Mainly, there are too many omissions and lacks, there isn’t a true heart method mantra, and it lacks the most important auxiliary content, such as spirit medicine and advancement rituals, in theory, it’s impossible to practice successfully.

What is a heart method mantra? Here’s an example, many techniques have the step of "Meditating on the Dantian," it seems straightforward at first glance, but does one really understand it?

What does "Meditating" mean? Is it concentrating on a certain spot, or maintaining a certain feeling? Both seem right yet wrong because it doesn’t have a concrete operability, it’s just a vague statement.

This is when someone needs to make an annotation, like: "I am at the Dantian."

The words "I am" become a kind of heart method mantra.

Different heart methods represent different schools, such as "I am at the Dantian," which is an emphasis of the ancient Divine Storage Sect, a characteristic of the Alchemy Sect’s techniques in the Magic Sect.

An expert can tell from the first word if there is anything to it, and He Kao listened intently. As soon as the words fell, he immediately said, "Thank you, elder, for your guidance! Otherwise, if I had continued to practice mindlessly by myself, who knows what problems I might have developed!

I really want to cultivate the secret technique, so that’s why I did it this way. How can I obtain genuine transmission?"

The dramatic scene finally arrived. Old Qian, with a smile, said, "Xiao Kao, you now know, Wu Yanjun’s identity is awkward, not yet an official Magic Sect disciple, so it’s hard to give you an answer.

The Magic Sect accepting disciples has its traditional customs. Let me first tell you..."

He Kao thought he was going to talk about requirements regarding aptitude and character, but Old Qian only introduced the conventional customs regarding age and seniority.

The Magic Sect requires that to transmit techniques and accept disciples, one’s cultivation must be Tier Two or above, and over forty years old.

The master’s age must be at least twenty years older than the disciple. For example, if the master is fifty years old, the disciple must not be older than thirty.

Among disciples of the same master, the age difference between them cannot exceed twenty years. For example, if the oldest disciple is forty, then the youngest cannot be under twenty.

These so-called conventional customs are a kind of unwritten rule, assumed to be followed by all, unless there are rare exceptional opportunities, no one deliberately breaches them.

These conventions may seem strange at first glance, but the Magic Sect’s heritage has lasted for millennia, and many traditions have their reasons. In terms of execution, there’s no need to explain too much; everyone follows them as they are.

It might be to ensure the master has enough experience and authority, as well as to keep a relatively reasonable lineage succession.

According to these rules, Qian Guran cannot take He Kao as a disciple. Firstly, Old Qian himself is under forty, and he’s only slightly over ten years older than He Kao.

However, Lin Qingshuang perfectly meets the requirements. She is a Tier Three Sorcerer, over thirty years older than He Kao, and hasn’t previously taken on any disciples, with Lin Hua Lei being just the disciple of her deceased Daoist companion.

Even if Lin Hua Lei is her disciple, Lin Hua Lei is only six years older than He Kao, not surpassing the twenty-year difference.

People might question whether these rules are reasonable, for instance, if today there was no Lin Qingshuang, and Old Qian found that He Kao had great potential, couldn’t he admit him into the Magic Sect?

This situation is actually easily manageable, he can recommend He Kao to his own master, essentially taking him as a junior brother. If the master is no longer around, he can recommend He Kao to the respected seniors of the sect, as long as they are willing to take disciples.

Old Qian finally said, "Xiao Kao, I quite have high hopes for you, but unfortunately, I can’t take you as a disciple, and my master has already passed away.

Back in the day, I became a disciple due to a fortuitous encounter and am not very familiar with other respected seniors in the sect, fortunately, Elder Lin is here today..."

No more words were needed after this. He Kao immediately stood up and poured tea for Lin Qingshuang, speaking earnestly: "Elder, if I wish to learn techniques under your tutelage, what requirements do you have?"

Lin Qingshuang picked up the teacup and smiled, "I haven’t thought about taking disciples these years, but seeing your sincere pursuit of techniques today, and considering your good foundation, as for your character and temperament, I’ve also observed and found you to be a promising talent..."

He Kao was eagerly waiting for what came next, but then she suddenly paused, as if encountering some unthinkable peculiar situation, her expression frozen for several seconds.

Looking at Qian Guran over there, he had the same expression, like a stunned statue.

He Kao couldn’t understand what happened, he instinctively turned his head to see, but there was no alien invasion in the private room?

When he turned back, Lin Qingshuang had already returned to her senses, her eyes filled with both regret and surprise, continuing from where she left off, she changed her tone and said: "I have a pharmacy in Hengzhou and usually sit in at the pharmacy.

Xiao Kao, if you encounter anything and need help, you can come to Hengzhou to find me in the future. It’s just that at my age, my cultivation has long been stagnant, alas... let’s forget about taking disciples."

He Kao was petrified, he couldn’t have anticipated such a turn of events.

Though unlike Old Qian, he hadn’t learned the Qi Observation Skill, he had been adept at reading emotions and intentions since childhood. Just now, Lin Qingshuang was clearly about to nod, implying she was going to accept him as a disciple.

What exactly happened that made her suddenly change her mind?

He Kao was unwilling to let it go, and he reacted quickly, immediately saying: "Elder, is there any inconvenience? Even if you cannot accept disciples, you could at least tell me what to do."

Qian Guran spoke: "Xiao Kao, you have other grand opportunities, we shouldn’t intervene! The matter of apprenticeship should not be mentioned again today, have a cup of wine first, let’s be friends."

**