Chapter 163 - Knowledge
Bai Rouyun contemplated her options. She felt that she had unlocked some special sort of mental state, but she was unsure whether or not she should speak with the teachers about it.
She did not know who she could trust, and due to her uncertainty about the cultivation process, she was extra cautious.
She could ask Li Moyun, but he had gone out, and she was not sure when he would return. Little Chu was an option, but she would have to wait until she went back to the mansion to get answers.
She did not consider asking Bai Mulan, the roguish old man was also not in her considerations.
She then decided to head to the library. Although she was unsure where to begin, she felt that this was the most suitable place to start.
The library was not far away from the Gravity Tower, and she headed there right away. She was walking with light steps and felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her body, not only because of this new phenomenon, but also due to the fact that she had left the Gravity Tower.
When she reached the library, she could not help but glance at it with interest. This place did not hold any techniques or martial art skills. To get those she would have to visit the Skill Pavilion, but what the library held were scrolls full of knowledge.
The building was three stories high. It was very well maintained, and unlike the Gravity Tower, no Elder was seen outside. Even so, she was confident that it was under the observation of an Elder; it was just that he was just not showing himself as blatantly, as the students did not need to pay points to enter.
Bai Rouyun picked up her steps and entered the building. The light was dim, and a scent of old parchment paper assaulted her nostrils. The scent was not unpleasant, and she felt her heart stir slightly.
This was what she was in need of! A place where all the knowledge about cultivation could be found, and while the more advanced knowledge could not be found here, all the fundamental and important things would be.
There were scrolls and books about the history of the continent. She also found books about the various factions, sects, families, and cults.
As she continued along the shelves, she found many interesting books, such as the descriptions of various herbs, beasts, and treasures.
She could feel her eyes lighting up. Many of these things were previously unknown to her. While she had learned a bit about the most basic herbs, and Xiao Bao had imparted his knowledge of herbs to her, she felt a need to deepen her understanding of these things.
Right, Xiao Bao!
"My dear son, do you know what has happened to me?" Bai Rouyun did not hold much hope that the artifact spirit knew about cultivation, but she felt it would be a waste if she did not ask him.
Xiao Bao could sense the mental question that Bai Rouyun had asked, and he regrettably shook his head. "I am not specialized in cultivation," he said regrettably. "While I can help you with professions and the basic knowledge about herbs, ores, and other treasures and resources, I am not capable of explaining how cultivation works."
Bai Rouyun had somewhat expected this. Xiao Bao was an artifact spirit after all, and the cultivation method of spirits was fundamentally different from that of humans.
Bai Rouyun found the shelves that focused on explaining cultivation. She picked up a few scrolls and books, then she found a table where she sat down and began reading.
Cultivators were able to read much faster than mortals, as their mental capacity was much greater; they basically just needed to scan a piece of paper to understand the information written within.
Bai Rouyun took merely half an hour to read the first book, and while she had not gotten an answer to her sudden changes, she had understood many things that had puzzled her before.
Cultivation was split into two parts; one was the practice of refining the heaven and earth essence in the air and turning it into Qi, an inner energy which resided within one's dantian.
This inner energy, Qi, was bound to one's body. It would enhance the body, and make it grow stronger. However, it was also essential to cultivate the body at the same time, as it would be the deciding factor regarding how much Qi it could store.
Not to mention that human bodies had their limits, but with certain resources and treasures, it was possible to extend these limits. When one reached a certain point in cultivation, their bodies would become something that was created purely from Qi, and then the limitations would vanish.
Unfortunately, not many had the potential to reach this stage, as their bodies were either corroded by the impurities in the heaven and earth essence, pills, or other sources; or they were simply unable to withstand the pressure of the Qi coming from within.
Bai Rouyun had known that the Qi and the body were connected, but it was not before she began reading these scrolls that she got a complete understanding of how.
The other part of cultivation was to cultivate one's soul and spirit. This did not depend on one's body in any way. Instead, it was a way to increase the strength of one's soul.
Not many knew about this method of cultivation, and it was also much more vague. The specific techniques to cultivate the soul could not be found on this continent, but many were aware that the stronger one became, the more one went through, and the more one overcame, the stronger one's soul would become.