The cultivation manuals found within the ruins were vastly different from those of the sects. The sects cultivated spiritual energy, while the manuals in the ruins focused on cultivating “mang energy.”

After repeated testing, it was finally confirmed that mang energy was in no way inferior to spiritual energy. Each of these two forces had its own strengths in different areas, but they could never coexist. Once they met, it would inevitably result in a cataclysmic explosion!

The dynasty was in an uproar—they had finally found what they were looking for. Thus, academies backed by the dynasty were established to counterbalance the sect system.

From its humble beginnings, the academy system developed over seven thousand years, and now it could stand toe-to-toe with the sects.

Spiritual energy and mang energy became the two major schools of cultivation in the mortal realm.

Surprisingly, even though only that one mang energy civilization ruin has ever been discovered in the mortal realm, five thousand years ago, immortals stepped forward to prove the reliability of mang energy cultivation—immortals who ascended through mang energy appeared and guided the academy system’s cultivation.

David Brooks suddenly had the idea to cultivate both spiritual energy and mang energy at the same time. Besides being bold, it was also because he didn’t truly understand just how destructive the collision of these two forces could be. After all, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy.

He had the county school’s “Dao Arts” in his hand, as well as three sect manuals—all top-tier, though unfortunately only the introductory volumes.

But this didn’t dampen his confidence. David Brooks took out these manuals and pondered them carefully: for the academy system, there was no choice but “Dao Arts,” but among the three sect manuals, after comparing the attributes, the “Azure Cloud Record” from the Cloud Sect suited him best—profound and broad, with well-balanced attributes.

So, David Brooks first opened “Dao Arts” and began to study it intently.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, David Brooks, who had tried hard but only ended up dizzy and confused, resigned himself: “This really is a waste of time.”

His aptitude was poor, and his comprehension was barely adequate; trying to understand a top-tier manual was beyond his ability. At this point, he couldn’t help but sigh: “No wonder both the academy and sect systems emphasize aptitude…”

Thinking of how those geniuses had looked down on his lack of talent, he felt even more frustrated.

Fortunately, David Brooks had another way. He opened his ring space and buried the “Dao Arts” under the golden bamboo.

But without any spirit jade on hand, it would be hard to accelerate its growth in the short term. Just then, he was pleasantly surprised to see that a peach on the peach tree had ripened, emitting a tempting fragrance.

David Brooks went over and picked the peach. Instantly, a thought from the peach merged into his mind: Innate Spirit Peach, able to slightly improve aptitude.

This peach tree had clearly absorbed the spiritual herbs he’d placed in the ring space, which allowed it to bear fruit, and then the spirit jade had hastened its ripening.

David Brooks was so excited he did a few somersaults on the spot! He naturally ignored the “slightly” part and focused only on the improvement of aptitude.

His biggest headache right now was his lack of talent. Since he could improve it, no matter how little each time, as long as he prepared enough spirit jade, he could eventually reach a satisfactory level.

So he ate the Innate Spirit Peach in just a few bites. A mysterious sensation spread through his body as the peach entered his stomach, and David Brooks felt as if something inside him had been “unlocked.”

He recalled what he had just read in “Dao Arts” and felt a vague sense of understanding.

“Truly miraculous!” he thought to himself. Then he exited the ring space and picked up the Heaven-bestowed Divine Stone again. A strong yellow light filled the entire room!

David Brooks felt elated, raising his eyebrows and letting out a long howl toward the sky, his chest filled with exhilaration.

“Young master? Is something wrong?” Outside, John Brooks and William Brooks heard the howl and couldn’t help but ask. David Brooks thought for a moment, then got up and opened the door: “Come with me for a trip.”

“Yes, sir.”

……

Qidong County wasn’t large; there were only two spiritual herb shops in the whole city, and David Brooks quickly swept through both.

The truly high-grade spiritual herbs could only be traded with spirit jade, but such herbs were rarely found in Qidong County.

He spent several hundred taels of silver and bought up all the herbs he considered worthwhile. But he didn’t feel much joy, because these herbs were far inferior to those he’d previously tossed into his ring space.

“Sigh, it’s still just a small place after all,” he couldn’t help but lament. In fact, most of those manuals and herbs had been collected by his mother in the prefectural city; in this small county, there were just too few treasures to be found.

These herbs were better than nothing, at best.

After leaving the second herb shop, he hadn’t gone far when a little beggar suddenly approached from the roadside. William Brooks casually tossed a few copper coins—this was customary; people like David Brooks, the idle and extravagant, were “particular” about such things. Bullying was reserved for those of their own “rank,” while beggars would usually be given a little spare change.

But the little beggar handed the coins back: “I’m not begging. I have a rare spiritual herb—let’s see if you can afford it.”