Chapter 10: Tian Sheng's Shock
"The Tiger-Bird Technique is indeed a powerful skill, but its cultivation difficulty is also extremely high."
Tian Sheng looked at Lin An, thought for a moment, and then said, "Back then, I looked at it more than a dozen times and spent almost a year's worth of salary before I barely managed to get an initial grasp of this technique."
"Brother Lin, if you don't lack other skills for now, it's not impossible to focus solely on studying this Tiger-Bird Technique. However, you need to be prepared for a huge investment and that it will be difficult to see results in a short period of time."
Tian Sheng spoke with genuine sincerity.
After all, to master this skill, he had spent at least ten years of savings and countless hours, so he knew exactly how much hardship he had endured during that time.
But if one could truly master this skill, there might even be an opportunity to obtain the corresponding transcendence inheritance later on, which would indeed be a promising path for cultivation.
Therefore, Tian Sheng merely clarified the pros and cons, rather than directly advising Lin An to give up.
"Thank you for the reminder, Big Brother Tian, but I still want to give it a try."
With the system panel as a cheat, Lin An didn't have to worry about not being able to learn the skill.
However, he could also feel that Captain Tian genuinely cared for him, so his words were very polite and courteous.
"Good, I like such vigor in young people."
Tian Sheng smiled and stopped trying to persuade him. After some operations, he opened the protective cover in front of him.
Lin An took the secret manual and immediately began to read it.
As soon as he opened the first page, he felt a difference from reading ordinary books.
His Spirit fluctuated slightly at this moment, as if a peerless master was truly imitating a fierce tiger in his mind, striking out with powerful, awe-inspiring moves!
"Is this the 'intent'? It's truly profound!"
Lin An was shocked, but his mind was completely immersed in the secret manual, and he turned the pages faster and faster!
Tian Sheng, who was observing this scene from the side, was secretly amazed.
To enter a state of comprehension after just one glance, this Little Brother Lin's Spirit and comprehension must be even higher than he had expected!
"Swish, swish, swish!"
On the second floor of the Library Pavilion, only the sound of pages turning rapidly could be heard.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin An's hand finally stopped, and a bright light flashed in his eyes.
Success!
[Ding! Congratulations, player, for learning the Excellent Skill - Tiger-Bird Technique. Current proficiency: Beginner.]
"How is it?"
Tian Sheng, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but ask curiously when he saw this.
Upon hearing this, Lin An immediately tried to activate the skill.
Like a fierce tiger possessing him, a soul-stirring tiger roar burst from his mouth!
"Holy crap, he did it!"
"He actually mastered it in one go!"
Tian Sheng's pupils contracted in shock!
Lin An's tiger roar naturally had no deterrent effect on him, but the problem was that he had never seen anyone comprehend an excellent secret manual to the beginner level after just one look!
In Tian Sheng's impression, perhaps only the geniuses in those large city-states could achieve this!
"This, this, this is simply outrageous!"
"Brother Lin, tell me honestly, have you seen the Tiger-Bird Technique elsewhere before?"
Tian Sheng's voice trembled, clearly still unable to believe such a thing for a moment.
"No."
Lin An shook his head slightly upon hearing this.
Since he had decided to establish a genius persona, he might as well see it through.
Moreover, this time Lin An felt that he had truly relied on his own comprehension, because even before the system panel prompted him, he had already felt that he had successfully mastered the Tiger-Bird Technique.
"Could it be that I really am a genius?"
"Hiss~~"
Tian Sheng couldn't help but gasp when he heard this.
He knew his own comprehension was already decent, yet he still needed to look at it more than ten times to get started. Didn't this mean that the other party's comprehension was ten times his own?
No, he was already at level five or six when he learned the Tiger-Bird Technique, and his Spirit was far higher than Lin An's current level, so theoretically, he had an advantage.
In other words, the difference in comprehension was actually more than ten times?!
Thinking of this, Tian Sheng felt as if he had put on a 'pain mask,' and couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.
Holy crap, so there really are people who can master it in one go. What was all the hardship I endured before for?
To show I can endure hardship?
Putting the secret manual back, Tian Sheng rubbed his forehead and said with a mix of helplessness and joy, "Brother Lin, you've really given me a huge surprise.
However, this matter is quite significant. I need to inform the Village Chief and try to get you better treatment."
"There's such a good thing?"
Lin An was a bit surprised when he heard this.
Although this world was plagued by anomalies and disasters, the humans here seemed to be friendlier than he had imagined.
"Then many thanks, Big Brother Tian. I will definitely remember this kindness."
Lin An cupped his fists, speaking with a serious expression.
Tian Sheng laughed heartily when he heard this: "Since you call me Big Brother, how can I not help?"
"Alright, it's getting late, it's time to go back and rest."
"Oh, right."
As if remembering something, Tian Sheng took out a string of keys and said, "There's a two-bedroom apartment north of the primal hearth. It was left to me by a good brother. If you don't mind, you can stay there for now."
"Then I shall gratefully accept, little brother."
Lin An didn't thank him this time, as too many thanks could be counterproductive.
However, he also realized how precious this house was. After all, the primal hearth could be said to be the absolute core of every power's stronghold, and the closer one was to it, the safer it was.
In other words, Tian Sheng had directly given him a house in the city center, its value self-evident.
The two returned to the first floor of the library. After seeing Tian Sheng off, Lin An didn't leave immediately but began to browse other books on the first floor.
"Elementary Cultivation Manual," "calamity encyclopedia."
After taking these two books to the borrowing desk to register, Lin An quickly returned to the two-bedroom apartment Tian Sheng had mentioned.
The house wasn't big, but it was quite cozy.
Especially because it wasn't far from the primal hearth, it gave a strong sense of security.
Lying on the bed, Lin An casually opened the cultivation manual.
Soon, Lin An's expression became thoughtful.
He found that the description of realm breakthroughs in the manual was exactly the same as his own feelings when leveling up.
Moreover, even the total number of attribute points gained from leveling up was completely consistent.
Local cultivators in Gui Xu also gained four attribute points after breaking through to the first level, but unlike players like Lin An, NPCs could only decide their focus by choosing to cultivate different cultivation methods.
For example, choosing Body Tempering Art meant focusing on constitution, while choosing Qi Cultivation Art meant specializing in energy attributes, and so on.
In comparison, players were much freer; they could add free attribute points whenever and wherever they wanted.
After reading the entire "Elementary Cultivation Manual," Lin An quickly formed a hypothesis in his mind.
Leveling up is very likely cultivation in essence.
There isn't much fundamental difference between the two; it's just that for players, under the effect of the system, it appears in a different form.
However, Lin An's current thoughts were just speculation. If he had the chance, he could try to find a cultivation method and give it a try.