The next morning, Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan and arrived outside the Scripture Pavilion.
Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect are allowed to choose two cultivation techniques from the Scripture Pavilion each year for free.
Qin Changsheng planned to choose two fire-type cultivation techniques:
one offensive spell and one defensive spell.
While the Fireball spell was powerful, its attack power wasn't very high.
Even with the enhancement of a gold-attribute fire-type spell, its damage was limited.
He needed to learn a powerful fire-type spell to increase his strength.
At the same time, he needed to learn a fire-type defensive spell to increase his defense.
Upon arriving outside the Scripture Pavilion, Qin Changsheng saw Elder Qingxuan already seated there.
Qin Changsheng was somewhat familiar with Elder Qingxuan.
Elder Qingxuan was an elder of the Scripture Pavilion who had once instructed Qin Changsheng in talisman-making techniques and footwork.
Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan to a short distance from Elder Qingxuan.
"Greetings, Elder!" Hu Nan cupped his hands in greeting to Elder Qingxuan.
Elder Qingxuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
Elder Qingxuan's gaze was cloudy yet sharp, slowly sweeping over Hu Nan. When he saw Hu Nan's appearance clearly, a barely perceptible hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
However, this doubt quickly disappeared.
"Did you bring your identity token?" Elder Qingxuan asked.
Hu Nan quickly handed a token to Elder Qingxuan.
Elder Qingxuan's gaze fell on the identity token in Hu Nan's hand. A wisp of spiritual energy probed into the token, verifying its authenticity and Hu Nan's identity information.
After a moment, confirming his identity, Elder Qingxuan withdrew his spiritual power and said calmly, "The token is correct. You may enter the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion. Remember, do not enter the upper floors without permission, and do not damage the manuals within. After making your selection, leave immediately and do not linger."
Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, bowed and slowly turned, walking towards the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion.
A few minutes later, Qin Changsheng arrived at the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion was for outer disciples.
The second floor was for inner disciples.
Foundation Establishment cultivators could view all the manuals on the third floor.
Compared to the basic first floor and the complex second floor, the third floor was more spacious, and the bookshelves were more ancient and exquisite. Although the number of manuals displayed was smaller, each one emitted a much stronger spiritual energy fluctuation than those on the first and second floors, faintly revealing a powerful aura.
This area primarily contains mid-to-high-level offensive and defensive spells, making it Qin Changsheng's main focus during his exploration.
Without hesitation, Qin Changsheng's gaze quickly swept across the three-tiered bookshelves, primarily searching for texts related to fire-based spells.
He possessed a golden-attribute fire-based spell, giving him a natural affinity for fire magic. If he could acquire stronger fire-based offensive and defensive spells, he could maximize the power of the attribute, significantly enhancing his combat strength.
Soon, two conspicuous texts caught his eye, neatly arranged on a bookshelf labeled "Fire Magic."
Qin Changsheng strode forward, carefully removing the two texts and examining them closely.
The first book has a crimson cover, engraved with a lifelike fire serpent surrounded by faint flame patterns. The cover bears the three ancient and powerful characters "Fire Serpent Technique," radiating a chilling aura of fire-based spiritual energy.
This is a mid-level fire-based offensive spell. The pages are yellowed, but the text is clear, detailing the incantation, the method of circulating spiritual energy, and the key to controlling the Fire Serpent Technique.
Activating this spell allows one to condense their internal spiritual energy into several blazing fire serpents, nimbly attacking the target. The flames contained within the serpents can scorch the target's meridians, making it far more powerful than a simple "Fireball Technique."
The second book also has a crimson cover, but it is much thicker. The cover is engraved with an ancient fire shield, its intricate patterns radiating a steady and powerful aura of fire-based spiritual energy. The title is "Fire Shield Technique," a mid-level fire-based defensive spell.
The tome detailed the cultivation method of the Fire Shield Technique. Activating this technique allowed one to condense fire-elemental spiritual power, forming a blazing fire shield in front of them. This shield was incredibly sturdy, capable of withstanding not only physical attacks but also low-level spells. Furthermore, it could enhance one's defense by utilizing the fire-elemental properties of the golden inscription, perfectly compensating for Qin Changsheng's weakness in defense.
Looking at the two fire-elemental spellbooks in his hands, Qin Changsheng was filled with joy and relief.
The Fire Serpent Technique was primarily offensive, while the Fire Shield Technique was primarily defensive. The two complemented each other, and with the added boost from the golden inscription, his combat power would undoubtedly experience a qualitative leap.
He carefully put the two tomes away in his storage bag, his movements gentle, afraid of damaging them in the slightest.
After putting away the fire-elemental spellbooks, Qin Changsheng's gaze returned to the bookshelf, this time focusing on books related to his natal magic weapon.
Ever since Jiang Lijuan told him the secrets of his natal magic weapon and the fortuitous encounter at the Imperial Sword Manor six years later, crafting his own natal magic weapon became his primary goal. However, he knew nothing about its creation and could only pin his hopes on the Scripture Pavilion, seeking out the relevant methods and techniques.
Qin Changsheng meticulously searched the three-story bookshelves, leaving no corner unchecked. He moved from the spell section to the miscellaneous notes section, and from the miscellaneous notes section to the section on inherited insights. His gaze swept over every book and jade slip on the shelves.
However, Qin Changsheng was quickly disappointed. He discovered that books related to natal magic weapons were extremely scarce. The entire three floors of the Scripture Pavilion contained only a few introductions to natal magic weapons.
These books mostly provided basic introductions to natal magic treasures, recording their definitions, characteristics, and the symbiotic relationship between them and cultivators—virtually identical to what Jiang Lijuan had told him.
They contained no specific methods for creating natal magic treasures, no tips for nurturing the embryo, no mention of how to refine a magic weapon into a natal magic treasure, and no record of the differences in crafting embryos of different grades.
Qin Changsheng sighed softly, putting the books back, his expression filled with regret and helplessness.
It seemed that the methods for creating natal magic treasures were either core sect secrets, not easily recorded in scriptures, or extremely rare, not even treasured in the library.
Although he felt some regret for not finding any books on creating natal magic treasures, Qin Changsheng wasn't too discouraged.
After all, he had already obtained two precious fire-based spells: Fire Serpent Technique and Fire Shield Technique.
Moreover, he still had the opportunity at the Imperial Sword Manor six years later. As long as he could select a suitable artifact blank, he could slowly search for the crafting method and eventually forge his own natal magic weapon.
Qin Changsheng composed himself, no longer lingering, and controlled Hu Nan to walk towards the door.
Just as he stepped out of the Scripture Pavilion, he saw Elder Qingxuan still sitting there.
Qin Changsheng dared not be negligent. He controlled Hu Nan to stop, bowed respectfully, and said in a respectful tone, "Disciple Hu Nan greets Elder Qingxuan. I have selected a cultivation manual in the Scripture Pavilion and have come to report to the Elder, humbly requesting the Elder's verification and registration."
As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Qingxuan slowly opened his eyes. His cloudy gaze swept over Hu Nan, finally landing on his slightly raised hand.
Hu Nan quickly handed the two manuals to Elder Qingxuan.
Elder Qingxuan first examined the Fire Serpent Technique, a hint of barely perceptible approval flashing in his eyes. His tone was calm yet carried a certain certainty: "The Fire Serpent Technique is a mid-level fire-type attack spell. Its incantation is exquisite, its spiritual energy flows smoothly, and its power is considerable. It is quite suitable for a cultivator like you who has just established your foundation to cultivate and solidify your attack foundation. It is perfect."