The general process of creating a cultivation method was not all that different from writing an essay. First, he needed to grasp Outlawed by Heaven and Earth’s principles and basic framework. Wei Yuan had already completed this step. Second, he needed to grasp other secret techniques of fortune and Dao Foundation stage cultivation methods, drawing upon their strengths and thereby establishing a clear direction. Third, he needed to create the cultivation method. Fourth, he needed to test the cultivation method and identify its problems. And five, he needed to return to step two or step one depending on the problems he discovered and begin the process anew.

Right now, Wei Yuan was at the second step. The spirit vein restoration process looked like it was going to be a big project with no definite end date. Thus, Wei Yuan went to the Enrichment Hall.

During the Body-tempering stage, disciples went to the Enlightenment Hall for knowledge. During the Dao Foundation stage, they went to the Enrichment Hall for the same thing. Of course, the Enrichment Hall was much bigger than the Enlightenment Hall. Specifically, it was a palace complex consisting of nine main halls and pavilions. Although Wei Yuan lacked immortal silver right now, he had a fair amount of merits to spend. Thus, he paid merits to enter the Enrichment Hall and followed a caretaker’s guidance to the secret technique of fortune and Dao Foundation stage cultivation method areas. After choosing a dozen books or so, he sat at a table and started reading.

Unlike the Enlightenment Hall, the Enrichment Hall did not restrict the number of books a disciple could borrow. A large number of tables inside the hall for use as well. The tables were all mystic artifacts that could clear one’s mind and nurture one’s spirit, allowing one to read for three days and nights without feeling tired. Besides that, the Enrichment Hall charged by day. The staff even offered free Qi-drinking Pills if someone were to use their facilities for a prolonged period of time.

Wei Yuan went through the cultivation methods and secret techniques of fortune one by one. Before he knew it, six hours had passed in the blink of an eye. After returning the books to their original positions, he picked up another twenty or so books and resumed his study. When a full day and night had passed, Wei Yuan finished reading fifty or so books on secret techniques of fortune.

After consuming a Qi-drinking Pill, he grabbed a pile of Dao Foundation stage cultivation methods and continued his research.

By the time Wei Yuan had studied over a hundred books of secret techniques of fortune and Dao Foundation stage cultivation methods, a rough idea was beginning to take root in his mind. Although it was still a little blurry, there was no doubt that he had found his direction.

On a related note, he finally understood why the literary test was part of the immortal sect unified examination. Most of these secret techniques of fortune and cultivation methods had been collected from the outside world, and for the most part, the Palace had chosen to preserve their contents as they were. Consequently, they contained language from various eras. Many of the cultivation methods employed obscure terminologies and were written in an unnecessarily complicated fashion. Although cultivators had meticulously edited and revised the text during compilation—removing errors, omissions, and excessively archaic vocabulary—these Distant Antiquity Era and Middle Antiquity Era cultivation methods remained difficult to comprehend on the whole.

If a disciple’s literacy was poor, and they were unable to comprehend even the most basic cultivation methods, then there was simply no way they could innovate or forge their own Dao paths.

And so Wei Yuan kept reading, his footsteps venturing deeper and deeper into the corridors of the bookshelves.

Meanwhile, in the Mastercraft Hall, a burly, dark-skinned cultivator was addressing a Daoist wearing reddish black robes with a deep frown on his face, “Nine hundred thousand taels is nowhere enough to repair a spirit gathering array that spans an entire mountain, not to mention the additional costs of connecting a branch vein. This work is worth at least one point five million taels of immortal silver!”

The Daoist in reddish black robes said softly, “The Immortal Lord is concerned with the Palace’s massive expenditures as of late. He hopes that the Mastercraft Hall can shoulder some of the burden and refrain from making a profit this time.”

The dark-skinned cultivator stared at him. “So, you mean for us to work for free? Do our disciples not need to cultivate or expend cultivation resources? Are you suggesting that the Heavenly Mysteries Hall and the Mother Nature Hall alone are allowed to fatten their purses? We’re already struggling to make do as it is. This is unacceptable!”

Despite his rude tone, the Daoist in reddish black robes weren’t offended in the slightest. “As expensive as the pills of the Mother Nature Hall are, the customers are willing to pay for them. It is the same for the Mastercraft Hall. In this regard, the Palace agrees that it has no right to get involved. However, the large majority of your work is footed by the Palace. Therein lies the difference.”

The burly cultivator let out a heavy grunt before replying, “One million, and not one tael less! Take it or leave it!”

“We accept.”

To his surprise, the Daoist in reddish black robes accepted the deal immediately. The burly cultivator instantly understood that he had fallen for his compatriot’s ruse and asked for too little. Deeply annoyed, he grunted, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but a lot more parts would have to be replaced if the great spirit gathering array breaks down again. The repair cost will be a lot more expensive than it is now!”

“But of course.”

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

After poring over countless cultivation methods and secret techniques of fortune, Wei Yuan’s accumulated knowledge was finally beginning to crystalize, and his idea of what Outlawed by Heaven and Earth should look like was becoming clearer and clearer. One day, he suddenly had a stroke of inspiration and did not hesitate to grab a brush and paper, writing in earnest. Moments later, he had put down a full cultivation method on the paper. It was none other than the Dao Foundation Chapter of Outlawed by Heaven and Earth!

The second he finished the last word, Wei Yuan suddenly felt as if he had made contact with something intangible that existed between heaven and earth. When he looked outside the window, he noticed that the Green Cliffs That Hang Over An Empty Valley was a tad darker, and the wind was a bit stronger than usual. That was all.

When Wei Yuan looked away from the window, he realized that a young Daoist was standing in front of his table. He had no idea when he had arrived. He was wearing reddish black Dao robes, and he was reading the Dao Foundation Chapter he had just written.

After reading until the end, the Daoist in reddish black robes paid him a compliment, “It is already remarkable that you are able to innovate at your age, but what’s even more remarkable is this grand vision to transform the world.”

Wei Yuan could not identify his cultivation level at all, so he knew that the Daoist must be far stronger than him. He rose to his feet and replied in a respectful tone, “It is a crude scribble at best. I humbly request your guidance, senior.”

But the Daoist in reddish black robes shook his head. “I do not have what it takes to teach you. I am a radical man, and my pointers are only going to lead you astray. Instead, let’s talk about business. I’ve been handling some miscellaneous tasks for Palace Lord Pei. On the Palace Lord’s orders, I’ve come to you to entrust you with a matter.”

It was the mission he had been waiting for. Wei Yuan immediately gave the Daoist his full attention.

“This isn’t a good place to talk. Let’s head to your residence.”

Wei Yuan returned all the books he had borrowed before following the Daoist out of the Enrichment Hall. When they arrived at his residence, he noticed that spirit qi was flowing out of his abode once more. It would seem that the spirit veins had been restored after a month of repair.

The Daoist in reddish black robes showed Wei Yuan two pieces of jade paper. One of them depicted a young female cultivator. She looked to be less than twenty, and her big, round eyes were flashing with impish intelligence. She was pressing a finger to her lips like she was plotting a mischievous prank.

The Daoist explained, “Since you desire to hone yourself against the foreign races, head to the Shattered Realm west of Ningzhou. Find this woman and bring her back. Should that prove impossible, retrieve the item on her person. This paper contains the mission details; review them carefully later.

“Furthermore, this journey carries unpredictable risks. To ensure your safety, the Palace Lord has specially bestowed a mystic artifact sash that is usable by a Dao Foundation stage cultivator. It contains a miniature pocket space and is imbued with a wisp of the Immortal Lord’s divine thought. It is as strong as an Avatar Trueman’s attack. If used wisely, it can save your life.

“Finally, the sash is carrying a handful of minor items. You may inspect them yourself.”

The Daoist in reddish black robes vanished upon informing him everything he needed to know. Wei Yuan could not figure out how he disappeared at all.

Finally, he could confront a foreign race once more. Although it was the Shamans instead of the Liao this time, all the races surrounding humanity were to be exterminated eventually. It did not matter which he exterminated first.

Wei Yuan first checked out the image of the female cultivator. The portrait on the jade paper was incredibly lifelike and vivid. Not only was it viewable from every angle, he could manifest it and make it so as if the real person was standing before him. He could also manipulate the folds of her clothes and the tips of her hair with his perception. It was pretty incredible.

Moreover, a trace of her primordial spirit was attached to the portrait. She could change her attire or even disfigure herself, and he still wouldn’t mistake her for someone else.

Wei Yuan memorized her appearance and presence before poring over the second piece of jade paper.