Brian Carter didn’t even know the person’s name, nor did he care to ask. He walked straight inside. In most cultivation sects, a library was essential, storing books on basic cultivation knowledge and fundamental techniques. The most advanced techniques, however, were never kept here—they were passed down orally from generation to generation.

　　Even so, the library was not a place ordinary people could enter at will, but the Wuji Demon Sect seemed rather unconcerned about guarding or managing it. Although the Wuji Demon Sect was only a second-rate cultivation sect, its library still contained thousands of books. Perhaps because there were too few advanced techniques, most of the collection consisted of basic cultivation texts. For example, regarding the creation and use of basic insect-repelling talismans, other sects usually had only one book on the subject, or at most two or three. Yet here, Brian Carter found seven different methods.

　　Brian Carter thought it might be because there were too few intermediate and advanced techniques. If the entire library only had a dozen or so books, it would look bad, so they probably gathered a bunch of miscellaneous basic texts to make up the numbers.

　　Brian Carter didn’t rush to look at these basic cultivation techniques. Instead, he found a dictionary to flip through. New disciples like Brian Carter often couldn’t read well, so the library had prepared some fundamental materials for people like him to study!

　　With the help of the dictionary, Brian Carter finished identifying the cultivation methods for the Qi Refining, Embryonic Breath, and Revolving Illumination stages in his jade slip. The beginning was never too difficult. Although Brian Carter’s memory was average, his comprehension was exceptional. Phrases that had seemed obscure and hard to understand gradually made sense with the dictionary’s help!

　　He then organized the contents of some common cultivation knowledge books, spent three hours copying them into his own jade slip, and returned to his quarters.

　　Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he began to sort out his thoughts. Everything that had happened in the past two days was vividly clear in his mind. Just the day before yesterday, he had been an ordinary hunter in Shanhé Village, and now he had entered the world of cultivation. Events had unfolded in unexpected ways. The experiences of the past two days had broadened his horizons, but also left him anxious and uneasy. In this world, everyone had the power to kill him. This threat made him uneasy, but even more so, it excited him. Yes, excited. Brian Carter knew he liked this feeling. Maybe he was never meant for a mediocre, uneventful life, Brian Carter couldn’t help but think.

　　The first person he thought of was his master, Eric Brooks. Brian Carter didn’t believe for a moment that Eric Brooks had taken him as a disciple out of concern for his life. People of the demonic path were inherently selfish and would never do something so thankless.

　　Since the Eight-Winged Purple Python was so precious to him, why would he trust Brian Carter to care for it? What did he want from Brian Carter? The python’s inner core! That’s right—but also not quite. Although Brian Carter had already swallowed it, he hadn’t fully absorbed it. Eric Brooks could have simply killed him and taken it, though the effect would be greatly reduced.

　　Greatly reduced effect! That’s it. Eric Brooks was now at the early Nascent Soul stage and already had the ability to leave his body and possess another. Once Brian Carter finished absorbing the Eight-Winged Purple Python’s inner core, Eric Brooks could simply shatter his soul and take over his body, thus obtaining the core’s greatest benefit. That must be his true goal!

　　Brian Carter was now certain this was the case. Having figured this out, he was no longer afraid. To him, this was the first real challenge he’d encountered in the cultivation world, and how to overcome it was what he needed to consider!

　　After thinking for a while, he realized he didn’t have a good solution for now. But at the moment, this wasn’t the most important thing. What mattered most was how to quickly improve his own strength.

　　Strength! Strength! That was the greatest guarantee of survival in the cultivation world!

　　Chapter 005: Secluded Cultivation

　　One breath moves yin and yang, giving birth to all things in heaven and earth. Yet the source of that breath is emptiness itself—true emptiness. The Dao is realized in the heart, spiritual essence subtly permeates…

　　After recalling and digesting the Qi Refining stage’s initial incantation from the jade slip, he gradually entered a state of clarity. Based on his recent insights, he began to immerse his mind within.

　　All things in heaven and earth are composed of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The human body is made up of five spirits—soul, will, essence, energy, and spirit—and the five organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Cultivation is the process of refining and strengthening the five spirits and five organs.

　　With this basic principle understood, cultivation became much simpler. Following the Qi Refining stage’s initial incantation of the Wuji Demon Technique, he focused his soul, will, essence, energy, and spirit on the dantian where the Eight-Winged Purple Python’s inner core resided. Gradually, he sensed the fluctuation of spiritual energy. Using his mind to guide this fluctuation in accordance with the Wuji Demon Technique’s cycle was what cultivation was all about!

　　The first time the Eight-Winged Purple Python’s inner core activated, it had already made a minor transformation to Brian Carter’s five organs—heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Although Brian Carter had endured it in agony, he had gained some understanding of the core. This time, as he used it to operate his dantian, his body was already prepared.

　　But this feeling was completely different from the first activation. The first time, the core’s power had erupted like a volcano, beyond his control, regardless of whether his body could withstand it!

　　Now, however, Brian Carter could guide the flow of spiritual energy in his dantian. Unfortunately, the Eight-Winged Purple Python’s inner core now seemed like stagnant water, releasing only a trickle of spiritual energy, which frustrated Brian Carter greatly. Even though the core provided only a small amount of spiritual energy, Brian Carter could already feel changes in his body.