บท 53: Chapter 53: "Benyuan Heart Sutra"

Although the "Taoyuan Wankong Jue" is already an A-rank cultivation method, there's still a higher level—S-rank. Now that the sect's development has somewhat stabilized, Lin Xiao wondered if he should try synthesizing more methods. What if he managed to create an S-rank method? Would that speed up everyone's cultivation even more?

Without hesitation, Lin Xiao decided to act on this idea. He suddenly opened his eyes, which had been closed in meditation, and saw Jiang Youfu diligently studying "Hundred Beasts Linguistics" beside him. Grabbing Jiang Youfu, Lin Xiao said, "Come on, Youfu! Let's go strip some bark from the trees!"

The bark he had previously stored in his private stash had almost run out from replicating techniques and spells. He planned to collect a large amount this time to use in synthesizing new cultivation methods.

After gathering a pile of bark, Jiang Youfu returned to the cultivation room to continue his practice, while Lin Xiao locked himself in the sect's grand hall to embark on his journey of synthesizing cultivation methods.

"Songyang Jue" synthesis successful, method rating: B-rank. Set as the sect's core method? (Note: Can be replaced.)

"Sunflower Manual" synthesis successful, method rating: B-rank. Set as the sect's core method? (Note: Can be replaced.)

"Qian Yuan Four Symbols Sutra" synthesis successful, method rating: A-rank. Set as the sect's core method? (Note: Can be replaced.)

...

Lin Xiao synthesized ten different methods in one go, experimenting by placing various materials like stones, soil, and mist spring leaves into the synthesis slots as catalysts. In the end, only two A-rank methods were produced, while the rest were B-rank. It seemed his first successful synthesis of "Taoyuan Wankong Jue" was a stroke of luck.

Sitting in the center of the grand hall, Lin Xiao rested his chin on his hand, feeling a bit frustrated. Why couldn't he create an S-rank method? Was it because the core concepts he input weren't advanced enough? But each time, he had already tried to think as grandly as possible.

With no clear solution in mind, Lin Xiao became more troubled. He lay down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling of the grand hall, lost in thought. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he bolted upright.

Taking out all the methods he had synthesized so far, Lin Xiao began carefully examining the differences between the three A-rank methods and the B-rank ones.

First, there was "Taoyuan Wankong Jue." The core of this method revolved around the concept of "emptiness." The entire method was structured around the central idea of "emptiness." At the time, Lin Xiao had a completely blank mind, which led to its creation.

The other A-rank methods, "Qian Yuan Four Symbols Sutra" and "Two Elements Chaos Technique," also had similarly focused cores. In contrast, the B-rank methods had looser cores that weren't as solid.

Scratching his head, Lin Xiao concluded that the more solid the core, the higher the method's rank. Additionally, it seemed that the final catalyst needed to match the core as closely as possible.

For example, he had used peach blossoms for "Taoyuan Wankong Jue." Since Peach Blossom Land is inherently an illusion, it matched the concept of "emptiness," resulting in the method's creation.

Realizing that trying to think in grander terms wasn't yielding better results, Lin Xiao decided to focus on what he knew best—himself.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Xiao opened the synthesis tool once more. After placing the bark and ink in the first two slots, his attention turned to the third slot. This time, instead of abstract concepts, he decided to input something he deeply understood: himself.

He reached toward the third slot, closing his eyes. The next 30 seconds felt both long and short as his mind filled with countless variations of the concept of "self."

When Lin Xiao opened his eyes again, the fragmented light in the grand hall seemed to sparkle just for him. Only one slot remained.

Raising his right hand, Lin Xiao decisively channeled all his spiritual energy into it before swiftly placing it into the fourth slot. His final catalyst would be his own spiritual energy.

The synthesis tool began drawing his energy through his hand, draining him completely in the blink of an eye. For the first time, Lin Xiao experienced the overwhelming exhaustion that came with spiritual depletion.

"Materials for the method have been successfully input. Synthesis in progress. Please wait."

Hearing this notification, Lin Xiao felt relieved and collapsed onto the scattered cushions on the floor. For some reason, he was confident that this method would be the best one yet. The feeling was like that certainty of having written an excellent essay during a language exam, knowing you'd score high.

After a while, still exhausted, Lin Xiao heard the system's voice in his mind:

"Benyuan Heart Sutra" synthesis successful. Method rating: S-rank. Set as the sect's core method? (Note: Can be replaced.)

S-rank—success!

Lying on the floor, Lin Xiao raised his left hand to cover his eyes, a silent smile forming on his lips. He immediately replaced the sect's core method with this new one.

"Congratulations! The sect has gained an S-rank core method. The sect's stone tablet has been upgraded, and hidden rewards have been unlocked: [Key to the Green Wilderness Secret Realm (Permanent)] and [First-Level Spirit Vein Fragment x1]. Rewards have been added to your storage. Please check them at your convenience."

Hidden rewards too—what a pleasant surprise. However, Lin Xiao didn't have time to check them just yet. Instead, he retrieved the "Benyuan Heart Sutra" from his storage.

As soon as he held the "Benyuan Heart Sutra," an overwhelming sense of familiarity washed over him, climbing from his fingertips to his heart. Unlike the previous methods, this one felt entirely like his own creation. Flipping through its pages, even though he hadn't seen the content before, every word seemed to have flowed through his mind countless times.

Moreover, unlike the "Taoyuan Wankong Jue," which he had handed over to the auto-cultivation function without any personal desire to practice it, Lin Xiao felt an intense longing to cultivate the "Benyuan Heart Sutra."

Being a man of action, Lin Xiao immediately sat down in the grand hall, holding the heart sutra, and began his meditation. He started cultivating.