As he said this, a bitter expression appeared on Zong Chengze’s face. "The Seven Profound Sect is still too weak. Even by cooperating with Prince Qinghe, we couldn’t secure a chance to study an Earth-Level top-grade cultivation technique."

"I will work hard," Zhong Ming said. Eager to obtain a Body Forging technique as soon as possible, he asked, "Sect Leader, when are we leaving for Qinghe?"

"Tomorrow!"

"Huh?" The Sect Leader’s answer stunned Zhong Ming, who had been so eager to go. "Is the situation there really that critical?"

"Ahem..." Zhong Ming’s question made Zong Chengze grow even more embarrassed. He cleared his throat and explained, "It’s not that the situation is critical... Prince Qinghe’s Mansion is rich in resources, and the Prince himself is quite generous. Your cultivation efficiency there will far surpass what it is in the sect."

...

Zhong Ming understood in an instant. ’So the Sect Leader is planning to use Prince Qinghe’s resources to train me.’

However, this arrangement had no downsides for him, so naturally, he wouldn’t refuse.

"I understand."

...

After settling the matter of tomorrow’s departure for Qinghe with Zhong Ming, Zong Chengze didn’t linger. With a flicker, he vanished from the spot.

After he left, Zhong Ming was like a child with a new toy. Full of curiosity, he began to silently recite the scripture of the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation in his mind:

"Before the Primordial Mist was parted from the Great Void, the Dao Ancestor’s Great Path appeared as suspended purple qi; dwelling in Chaos, he wrote a profound verse, and with one breath, gave birth to all immortals..."

The profound, ancient scripture flowed through his sea of consciousness. Every word was a gem, carrying a transcendent quality.

And with each recitation, Zhong Ming experienced something new.

This recitation was, without a doubt, a form of reading, and it just so happened to synergize with Zhong Ming’s first skill, [Reading].

Now, each time Zhong Ming recited the scripture, his [Reading] progress steadily increased by 1.

What Zhong Ming found even more amazing was that this synergy wasn’t one-way.

The Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation broadened the Mental Realm for [Reading] and boosted its progress. In turn, the core trait of [Reading] was also nurturing the cultivation of the technique.

The core of this synergy was, of course, Mind Reading. This trait allowed Zhong Ming to enter a state of unwavering focus. By reading in this state, Zhong Ming could easily grasp the Dao and principles contained within a book.

And grasping the essence of the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation was reflected on his status panel as follows:

[You have activated Mind Reading and entered a state of intense focus.]

[You have recited the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation and gained insight into some of its principles. Your understanding of the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation has deepened.]

[Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation Progress +131] 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

[While reciting the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation, you gained new insights into Reading. Reading Progress +72]

These system notifications made Zhong Ming’s eyes fly open, and his heart began to pound relentlessly.

’So fast!’

Suppressing his excitement, Zhong Ming’s mind raced as he began to calculate:

’Right now, I can trigger Mind Reading seven times a day. Factoring in the two refreshes from the Clear Sound Spring Stone, that’s twenty-one times!’

’Each activation increases my cultivation technique progress by over one hundred points. With the boost from Mind Reading alone, I can gain two to three thousand points a day!’

’On top of that, there’s my regular recitation. So, if I go all out, I’m guaranteed to gain nearly 4,000 progress points every day!’

’The Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation only needs twelve thousand, nine hundred points to reach the Second Realm, Insight. That’s only three... maybe four days at most!’

’In other words, in four days, I’ll unlock another Divine Treasure!’

Thinking of the power of his Candlelight Heart Eye, and of the unknown Divine Techniques a new Divine Treasure might contain, a fervent excitement surged through Zhong Ming that he could no longer contain. Clenching his fists, he let out a joyful cry:

"I like reading! I love reading!"