I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

"You're joking, sir."

Zhou Yuan's expression grew even more respectful, yet it carried a perfectly measured hint of "desire": "What I seek is merely a few practical and easy-to-learn intermediate spells to enhance my self-defense capabilities."

"But since you just mentioned advanced spells, I... I would also like to humbly request a copy. Even if I cannot cultivate it for the time being, it would be my honor to take it back and keep it!"

"Perhaps we can glean a glimpse of the true meaning of the Taoist teachings of our predecessors from within it."

His words were extremely well-chosen, both stating his original "reasonable" request and revealing a hint of longing for higher levels of magic and a humble attitude, making it hard to refuse.

Upon hearing this, Master Mulong's smile deepened.

He didn't dislike this measured "greed," but rather found Zhou Yuan genuine and unpretentious.

He nodded: "Okay."

With a flick of his sleeve, the storage bag at his waist flashed with spiritual light, and five ancient jade slips of different colors and textures flew out and hovered in mid-air.

"Of these five jade slips, two contain intermediate-level mid-tier spells, which are quite powerful and suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators; the other two are intermediate-level high-tier spells, which are even more powerful, but require higher cultivation and mana, and can be attempted even by peak Foundation Establishment cultivators; the last one..."

Master Mulong pointed to the jade slip at the very edge, the one with the darkest color and the most obscure aura:

"This record contains a high-level, low-level spell. I obtained it by chance back then, but this spell is profound and does not quite fit my cultivation method. Moreover, the threshold for cultivation is quite high, and I have not been able to fully comprehend it. Since Master Zhou intends to keep it, I will give it to you as well."

Zhou Yuan's gaze swept over the five jade slips, especially the high-level spell jade slip, and he was secretly delighted. But what he wanted was not just the content.

He bowed slightly and spoke again, his tone tinged with embarrassment:

"Master, I have another request... I have always loved collecting antiques, especially the 'ancient charm' that jade slips and ancient books have accumulated over the years. I wonder... if you could bestow these jade slips upon me in their original form? Of course, I am willing to pay a sum of spirit stones as a token of my respect for your kindness in bestowing this technique upon me, and I would never dare to let you part with them for nothing."

"Do you want the original?"

Master Mulong frowned almost imperceptibly.

The contents of the jade slip can be copied at will.

However, this request is not common, since most people only ask for copies of cultivation techniques or spell scrolls.

However, Zhou Yuan also offered an explanation.

Some ancient jade slips, made of special materials, may contain a trace of the spiritual imprint of their former owners, and thus have special collection or research value for certain cultivators.

When Master Mulong saw Zhou Yuan's "sincere" yet "obsessed" gaze, he thought of something Ouyang Gong had said before the new year.

Zhou Yuan's "persistence" and "rigor" in refining the Jade Spirit Pill, which involved spending over ten thousand spirit stones of his own money to buy substitute materials for practice, are evident.

"Never mind..."

Master Mulong felt relieved.

Perhaps, besides alchemy, this Master Zhou really does have a penchant for collecting antiques?

"Since you enjoy collecting antique items, then take them."

Master Mulong gave a helpless yet slightly appreciative smile: "As for spirit stones, there's no need. I heard before the New Year that you spent over ten thousand spirit stones of your own money to prepare similar medicinal materials to practice, in order to ensure the Jade Spirit Pill was foolproof."

"You've been so dedicated to refining pills for me, even paying for them out of your own pocket. How could I possibly be stingy with these few old jade slips?"

After saying that, he took out five brand-new blank jade slips, used his divine sense to completely copy the contents of the five ancient jade slips into them.

This process is quick, taking no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

After the replication was completed, Master Mulong waved his hand, and the five original jade slips, which exuded a faint ancient aura, slowly flew towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan quickly accepted the gift with both hands, carefully putting it away, his face showing heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you so much for your generous gift, Master!"

Master Mulong waved his hand and took out a palm-sized, dark gold token from his storage bag. It was neither gold nor wood, with a coiled dragon engraved on the front and the words "Kui Xing" on the back, and handed it to Zhou Yuan.

"Keep this 'Wooden Dragon Token' safe. From now on, within the territory of Kui Xing Island, seeing this token is equivalent to seeing me. With this token, you can freely enter and exit most of the forbidden areas on the island. In case of any incident, you can also use this token to mobilize the cultivators of Kui Xing Island or to send a message to me."

Zhou Yuan was startled and quickly took the token.

This is not just a simple token; it represents a certain degree of recognition and protection from Master Mulong!

Its value far exceeds that of ordinary rewards.

He was well-versed in human relationships and understood that what is free is often the most expensive.

It's impossible for Master Mulong to truly not reward him for his "selfless" alchemy this time.

Not only did he receive a reward far exceeding his expectations, but he also felt that he owed Mulong Zhenren a favor, a small but significant one, which might be even more valuable in the future.

After thanking him sincerely once again, Zhou Yuan tactfully took his leave and departed from Tianzhu Peak.

Back at his cave dwelling on Jade Peak, Zhou Yuan activated the restrictions and eagerly began to examine the original five magic jade slips he had just obtained.

He first picked up the jade slip containing intermediate-level spells and probed it with his divine sense.

【Condensing Essence Penetrating Needle】: Intermediate-level spell. It highly condenses and compresses mana to form an extremely fine yet incredibly sharp mana needle, specifically designed to pierce through various protective auras and shields. It has extremely strong penetrating power and is suitable for surprise attacks or targeting opponents with strong defenses.

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Cultivation threshold: Mid-Foundation Establishment stage or above, with high requirements for mana control.

"Specifically designed to break through protective auras... It's actually a pretty good sneak attack spell."

Zhou Yuan pondered, "However, in terms of single-target piercing and defense-breaking power, it seems to be inferior to the 'Blood Spirit Diamond' secret technique left behind by Emperor Yue."

The Blood Spirit Diamond is formed by compressing one's own true essence dozens of times, making it more powerful and faster.

Although the "Condensing Essence Heart-Piercing Needle" is also a type of sneak attack, it is still a conventional spell and can be easily detected and defended against by divine sense in advance.

"Cultivation is of little use."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and put down the jade slip.

He picked up the second jade slip containing intermediate-level spells.

[Undying Golden Body Shield]: Intermediate-level mid-tier spell. An advanced and enhanced version of the Vajra Shield, it condenses a layer of solid golden light to protect the body, with defensive power far exceeding that of the Vajra Shield. It has a considerable resistance to both physical and energy attacks and also has a certain amount of counter-shock force.

Cultivation threshold: Mid-Foundation Establishment stage or above, with sufficiently abundant magical power.

"I can take some time to practice defensive spells to make up for my weakness in pure spell defense." Zhou Yuan nodded and put the jade slip aside for the time being.

The third jade slip contains information on intermediate to advanced level spells.

[Heavenly Fire Technique]: Intermediate to high-level spell.

It draws upon the fire-attribute spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming a vast expanse of lava fire rain that falls from the sky, continuously scorching and bombarding enemies within its range.

This technique is extremely powerful and has a considerable range, making it suitable for dealing with groups of enemies or sealing off the battlefield.

Cultivation threshold: Late Foundation Establishment stage or above, preferably with a certain fire attribute spiritual root or affinity.

"This spell is great!"

Zhou Yuan's eyes lit up. "It has a large range and strong power, which can replace my current 'Thousand Blade Technique'."

While the Thousand Blades Technique can be cast instantly, it is ultimately only a mid-level technique. Against stronger opponents or more complex situations, its power may be insufficient.

This "Heavenly Fire Technique" is perfect as a new, standard area-of-effect attack method!

Zhou Yuan had already decided to cultivate this technique.

The fourth jade slip also records intermediate to advanced level spells.

[Golden Dragon Slashing Technique]: Intermediate to high-level spell.

The concentrated magical power transformed into two intertwined, spiraling golden dragon phantoms, forming a gigantic pair of spiritual energy 'scissors' to powerfully annihilate a single target.

Its attack method is bizarre, with strong penetrating power and a certain degree of locking effect, making it difficult to dodge. Cultivation threshold: Late Foundation Establishment stage or above, with sufficiently powerful divine sense to control the two dragons.

"A powerful single-target attack spell!"

Zhou Yuan was satisfied again. "It complements the 'Heavenly Fire Technique,' one covering a wide area and the other targeting a single enemy. Moreover, the strangulation characteristic of the 'Golden Dragon Scissors Technique' might be surprisingly effective against some tough-skinned or specially defended enemies."

This is also on his training list.

Finally, he picked up the jade slip with the most obscure and ancient aura and cautiously probed it with his divine sense.

[Spirit Prison]: High-level low-tier spell. It requires fusing one's own pure spiritual power with a portion of divine soul power to condense a dark "prison seal". Because this seal is fused with divine soul power, it possesses some formless and intangible characteristics, and has extremely strong penetrability against physical defenses and energy shields, and can even ignore them to a certain extent.

Once the Prison Seal successfully strikes the target, it will instantly merge into the target's body, transforming into an invisible "Spirit Prison" within the target's body.

The main function of the Spirit Prison is to seal and suppress!

On the one hand, the main spiritual energy meridian nodes of the target's body are forcibly sealed, making it difficult for the target to mobilize magic power and cast spells in a short period of time;

On the other hand, it creates a powerful suppression of the soul, interfering with the operation of the divine consciousness.

Note: The power of this technique is directly related to the caster's cultivation level, soul strength, and mastery of the spell. If the caster's cultivation level is far weaker than the target's, the condensed prison seal may be shattered directly by the opponent's powerful magic or divine sense, and the caster will suffer severe spiritual backlash and soul impact. It is recommended for Nascent Soul stage cultivators to practice and use this technique. Core Formation stage cultivators with sufficiently strong souls can also attempt it, but the risk is extremely high.

"Advanced spell... truly extraordinary!"

Zhou Yuan was deeply moved after reading the introduction.

This "Spirit Prison" is not a direct killing spell, but an extremely domineering control and sealing secret technique!

Once hit, it's equivalent to temporarily crippling the opponent's magic power and part of their divine sense, making it an incredibly shameless skill in actual combat.

Although it has strict requirements for cultivation level and spiritual soul, and carries a high risk of backlash, its strategic value is immeasurable!

"We really hit the jackpot this time!"

Zhou Yuan could not hide his excitement.

The reason he insisted on the original jade slips was that these original jade slips, which were passed down from ancient times or previous generations of cultivators, often contained a unique "ancient charm" or spiritual remnants of the predecessors.

Once this "ancient charm" is recognized by the equipment slot, the enhancement effect on understanding its recorded content is far superior to that of a newly engraved replica!

Of course, now is not the time to immediately go into seclusion to comprehend these spells or attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage.

He had a close relationship with the Six-Linked Palace and would be assigned alchemy tasks from time to time.

The actual breakthrough to the Core Formation stage is a long and perilous process, usually requiring three to four years of uninterrupted seclusion, during which no disturbance is permissible. He needs to arrange some things first.

Zhou Yuan got up and went to the quiet room where his avatar Zhou Tian was.

Inside the quiet room, Zhou Tian sat cross-legged, surrounded by a bloodthirsty aura. His aura had already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, stable and solid, just one step away from completion.