127 Way to One's Heart 4

"Here is the cultivation technique you requested, Senior Expert." The clan leader of the Jue Yu clan respectfully presented a thin-bound paper to Lucas.

As Jeric was at the side, watching them, and as Lucas accepted it, he could only feel the excitement. 'Finally... I can fix my problems...'

But one might ask, how useful is this cultivation to Lucas? Isn't a cultivation technique a foundation, so switching to another one would be hard for the cultivator?

It is indeed best to stick with one cultivation technique since learning another one will take more time and resources depending on the needs of the technique. However, for Lucas, who was already well versed in Qi circulation, his foundation in cultivating techniques was easy to manipulate.

Thus, if Lucas changed his cultivation technique, no matter how hard it is, he could still use it since his physique or body doesn't have any limitations. 

He has a good absorption rate, which does not have any restrictions on one cultivation technique. So, it only depends if the cultivator knows how to quickly understand techniques.

"Thank you very much. If you have something you need, I will be happy to help you with it." Lucas said to the clan leader in a soft tone, making him flicker his eyes.

"Really?! Ah! I mean, you don't need to worry about it, Senior Expert. Helping us was enough, and the survival of the clan was the greater benefit for us, so even if we give you this "Moonlight Synergy," it won't be enough to show our gratitude."

The clan leader was enthusiastic as he said those words. It didn't only make Lucas giggle, but also made him respect them slightly. However, he knew that they were only trying to impress him.

With that wordplay, it won't be surprising if they have ulterior motives. However, as Lucas was careful and did not underestimate them, even though they were a small clan, he had his eyes activated to see through their emotions.

And he was relieved. They were only being sincere, but it couldn't stop him from doubting them. After all, his eyes were the assurance of this conversation.

"If you make it sound like that, I won't be humble. I am thinking of inviting Gabriel Fang to join me on my journey. But of course, it won't mean that I disrespect your opinions, so I am here to tell you that."

Jeric was surprised at Lucas's announcement, but as he wasn't knowledgeable of Gabriel's true worth, he wasn't able to contain himself.

"Brother Lucas, why would you invite that kid? He was only a 7th-level Apprentice Spirit Realm cultivator. There's not much talent in him." Lucas sighed after hearing Jeric panic over his words. It also surprised everyone. The clan officials were agape as they sank those words into their minds.

"Gabriel Fang wasn't talented? How could that be? Despite the fact that he was only a child, the Qi in his surroundings adored him."

"Wait... Doesn't that mean that that kid lied to us? We expected much from him, but it turned out that he only played our hopes for him."

Their sighs of disdain were audible; their words continued to fill the room as if mosquitos were in a corner of the room.

"I thought that that kid would raise our clan in the Great Mao Mountains. But to turn out that it was like that, I am disappointed."

"Then, if it was like that, doesn't that mean he only wasted our resources? We were giving him a benefit, but he is still in the seventh level of the Apprentice Stage. I don't mean that it is not commendable progress, but the resources we gave him don't reflect on his current progress."

"I mean, I understand you as well. Even his expression was suspicious. He had too many doubts; he didn't even socialize with the other fellow clansmen."

Lucas could only shake his head in disappointment. But it doesn't mean that he scorns them. It is reasonable since they put their hopes in him. He had already felt it in the past, even though he wanted to forget about it.

Lucas was familiar with the feeling of having hopes dashed. He understands them; it is human nature.

"Really... I am only saying that I wanted him to join me. And also, Jeric, you might not know it, but that kid and I have similar physiques." 

With those words, everyone turned silent as they looked at Lucas with a surprised look. 

"That kid was having a hard time with the pressure. I can feel it, and he is acting strangely, perhaps because of his physique. But what I wanted to point out is that he would progress more if he had a better guide."

Hearing it, Jeric was only depressed about himself. He then lowered his head and said, "I apologize for that expression, Brother Lucas."

Lucas only snickered, then tapped Jeric's shoulders.

"You don't have to worry about it, Jeric. After all, you are not the only one who was confused and unaware of Gabriel's real worth."

Lucas faced everyone then continued his wordplay.

"He had much more potential if he had had my guide. However, I don't mean that I will get him from your village or take him away from you. It will be difficult since you still have him as the symbol of hope for your village. So, I am willing to support your village. I have your back."

Flickering eyes filled the room as their admiration for Lucas reached the top of their systems. It was a dream come true, and the real sincerity had already paid them this much.

They could only think of this as a blessing, unreal to come true. But what of it now? They were facing Lucas with the offer he had. And also, a promising one where they were not at a disadvantage. 

Lucas smiled, and later on, the clan officials slowly kowtowed to him.

"We are grateful to Senior Expert Lucas. Thank you for your support."

Bowing to one is normal in the cultivation world if it's for safety. But it is not easy to bow down to anyone as they must think about the repercussions of their actions.

One kowtow might make them slaves, so they don't easily bow down to the other clans in the mountain, even if they wanted to offer them as their subordinates.

And also, one should think about others' opinions since it is a matter of the clan. But for them to be only a small clan, not having much worth but now having the support of a stronger cultivator, a friend of a large sect in the Northern Region, they could not decline this offer.

Lucas chuckled at them and said, "Even if this cultivation technique doesn't have much help for me, you don't have to worry about it since I have more ways."

***

Finally, Lucas and Jeric were on their way back to the Heavenly Demon Sect. They spent five days with the Jue Yu clan. And in those days, Lucas didn't only socialize with them but also helped them strengthen their security.

Of course, how could Lucas let his disciple be in such a dangerous place? So, even without their knowledge, he set up a large grand array formation as the village's protective barrier from hostile external attacks.

People might be envious of them, and since Great Mao Mountain is a place where fighting and competition are common, he made sure to have Gabriel safe.

He had also given Gabriel the right cultivation technique. Using the first merged cultivation technique he created in the past, Gabriel made progress in his cultivation.

In those five days as well, he taught Gabriel what Magique Qi and mana were. And he also taught him the promising future of Magique cultivation. After that, he didn't only assist him in opening his second energy pool; he also gave him an idea of how to control the energy pool from amok.

It was dangerous since his dantian-core was way higher than his dantian. That is why he slowly lent his assistance to merge them smoothly.

After that, he gave Gabriel the independence to see his progress in cultivation by himself.

That is the promise that Lucas made this week. Not only did he have what he wanted—a cultivation technique that eased his mental problems—he also found a potential disciple.

Those in the Jue Yu village could also be his future sect's supporters. He is not disgusted with the idea of making them their subordinates since it is a give-and-take situation. They will work for them, and they will receive plenty of benefits for just working for them.

What pride could they give them? They must even be grateful for the opportunity, as the support of a higher-level expert is extremely rare.

"Brother Lucas, did you check the cultivation technique? Did it help you? If not, we still have one place to visit. But, they were all elders who had preserved their lives by only mind cultivation."

Lucas pondered as he heard those words.

"How?"

"They didn't only have their cultivation benefit their mind, but also their whole nervous system. They can also control their heart rate by mere mental will. In this way, they could only die from deteriorating or dying from wounds."

Lucas was surprised to hear this. It was intriguing, and even though he already had the cultivation technique, which was promising since it helped his mind from the first cultivation, he couldn't be more intrigued hearing it from Jeric now.

"But what makes them survive and their techniques preserved only for their sect?" Lucas asked as it is suspicious since their cultivation technique could reduce death's coming.

"Because they only had their cultivation in their memories. So, it would be impossible for other people to extort it from them."