Chu Ning heard this and didn't immediately agree or refuse, instead, he showed a puzzled expression and asked:
"Senior Brother, can you teach me the method of making Talisman Paper? I heard before that this method can only be taught by the Sect."
"Of course, it's taught by the Sect." Zhuang Yunde immediately said with a serious expression:
"How could I privately teach this Sect technique."
While Chu Ning was still in doubt, Zhuang Yunde immediately revealed a smile again.
"However, as a Service Disciple of Spirit Plant Room D, I have the qualification to recommend someone regularly.
I can suggest to Steward He and the Hundred Arts Hall to teach a Servant Disciple a skill."
"Once the recommendation is successful, this disciple can learn how to make Talisman Paper with the Spirit Plants they grow.
If they manage to learn it, they can even apply to the Sect to take on tasks related to Talisman Paper production."
After saying this, Zhuang Yunde looked appreciatively at Chu Ning.
"And aside from the quality of Ink Spirit Bamboo, one critical aspect of making common Talisman Paper is the Clearing Technique to remove impurities from the paper pulp, as well as the Exorcism Technique.
I observe that Junior Brother Chu has great talent in Wood Technique, so I am very optimistic about your ability to learn this method of Talisman Paper production."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning finally understood what was going on. Senior Brother Zhuang wanted to make a PY transaction with him.
The intention was quite clear from Zhuang Yunde's words. This recommendation qualification was in his hands, and he could recommend Chu Ning or someone else.
After all, learning a skill from the Hundred Arts Hall wasn't merely about making Talisman Paper, it could be something else.
Therefore, Zhuang Yunde would first choose those he thought could succeed, because only then could he benefit.
Apparently, Chu Ning was just one of the candidates he had selected before.
But after seeing the quality of Chu Ning's cultivated Ink Spirit Bamboo, Chu Ning's ranking rose to the top.
As for whether this qualification would be given to Chu Ning, it clearly depended on whether Chu Ning agreed to give the other party the ten percent reward.
Chu Ning didn't expect to encounter a PY transaction even in the Cultivation Realm.
And apparently, all this was within the boundaries of the Sect's rules. Perhaps the Sect was actually aware of such facts and even tacitly approved.
However, upon further thought, Chu Ning realized that this was actually a win-win situation.
Zhuang Yunde would certainly profit from it, but if Chu Ning could learn this Talisman Paper-making technique, the benefits he could gain would be much greater.
After all, he had the Talismanic Spirit Body as a talent.
Given his talent and higher success rate in Talisman-making, there was no reason he wouldn't have an advantage in the more fundamental Talisman Paper production technique.
Thinking of this, Chu Ning immediately expressed his gratitude:
"Since that's the case, thank you, Senior Brother, for your help."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yunde's smile grew even wider.
"What are you talking about, Junior Brother? We're benefiting each other here. I'll recommend you to the hall once I return.
Since the recommendation requires some time in advance, sometimes Steward He needs to check the quality of your Spirit Plants, so it needs to happen a few months early."
Chu Ning nodded, indicating his understanding.
The two then continued to chat and laugh as they walked towards Chu Ning's courtyard.
At this moment, Chu Ning remembered the matters he was planning to inquire about over the past two days, and his heart was moved.
Zhuang Yunde's standing in terms of cultivation might not compare to Shi Yao of the Transmission Room, but in terms of knowledge, he might not be inferior.
Plus, from his demeanor, he looked more like someone who could gather information.
Hence, Chu Ning purposely brought up the topic and said:
"Senior Brother Zhuang, the other day when I went to the Market with some other brothers, it was truly an eye-opener.
The Market was filled with various exotic treasures and many Spirit Plants and Magical Artifacts that I'd never heard of.
Is there any place within the Sect where we can learn more about this information?"
"Yes!" Zhuang Yunde nodded, "The Sect's Instructor Hall has a Library Pavilion.
Inside, the inner pavilion mainly focuses on Cultivation Techniques and Spells, while the outer pavilion is devoted to all kinds of Strange Tales."
Just as Chu Ning was about to inquire further, Zhuang Yunde's next words poured cold water on him.
"The outer pavilion isn't strictly managed, any Outer Sect disciple can go and browse."
"Outer Sect disciple!" Chu Ning sighed lightly upon hearing this, realizing that it meant no chance for him.
At this moment, Zhuang Yunde continued the conversation:
"Junior Brother, what kind of books are you interested in? I can borrow them for you."
Chu Ning's eyes lit up after hearing this. What he wanted to know most about were the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit and the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique.
But clearly, it seemed more reasonable for someone with mere curiosity to choose just one topic.
After a quick mental comparison, Chu Ning made his decision and said:
"I'm mainly interested in learning more about various Spirit Plants, as I'm now affiliated with the Spirit Plant Hall.
I have seen some in the Transmission Room before, but they were quite normal."
"It seems Junior Brother wants to learn about rare Spirit Plants and Medicines." Zhuang Yunde smiled and readily agreed.
"I'll look around. If there's anything suitable, I'll borrow it for you to see."
Chu Ning naturally thanked him repeatedly and continued chatting leisurely before soon arriving outside his courtyard.
After a slight inner struggle, Chu Ning chose to continue asking:
"Senior Brother, I'm puzzled about one more thing.
I've heard about some Cultivators who use Body Refinement to start their path, achieving profound cultivation, but they seem rare now."
"Body Cultivation?" Zhuang Yunde shook his head with a smile.
"It's indeed rare now. It's said that in ancient times, everyone was a mortal.
Once Spiritual Qi emerged between heaven and earth, some individuals with exceptional talent completed Introducing Qi into the Body through Body Refinement, becoming Cultivators.
As a result, everyone imitated them, refining their bodies through various methods, and some also became Cultivators, yet there was never a complete Cultivation Technique.
Even those who became Cultivators could only let Spiritual Qi flow freely within their bodies after Body Refinement, forming their own Magical Power circulation routes.
Later, more and more people joined the ranks of Cultivators through Body Refinement, and a genius created the 'Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique.'
It quickly spread across the land, reaching a peak in the trend of Body Refinement."
"Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique?"
Unexpectedly, Chu Ning directly heard this name from Zhuang Yunde and couldn't help but mutter it out loud.
Zhuang Yunde nodded and said, "This Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique is known as the greatest Body Refinement method of all time, with excellent effects.
But later, more and more people created various Cultivation Methods based on the routes of Magical Power circulation, that's what we now call Qi Refining.
These methods allow for faster Qi introduction into the body to enter the Qi Refining Layer, so fewer people practiced Body Refinement.
Over time, this Body Refining Method gradually faded away, though the widely spread 'Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique' still exists, more or less.
But very few practice it because many copies only contain fragments."
At this point, Zhuang Yunde paused and continued:
"It's said the bottleneck in the Body Refining Method is extremely difficult to break, requiring the aid of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
The difficulty far exceeds normal cultivation techniques by several times. Even the remaining body cultivators today aren't using these ancient Body Refining techniques.
They rely on external help, having Sect Elders of higher cultivation use Magical Power for Body Tempering, resulting in strength far beyond that of ordinary Cultivators."
Saying this, Zhuang Yunde's expression became more serious.
"Junior Brother must be cautious if you come across such Cultivators in the future."
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Chu Ning replied and paid a light compliment.
"Senior Brother indeed possesses extensive knowledge, even knowing about these things."
Hearing this, Zhuang Yunde smiled and said:
"Some are what I've learned from my teachers, and some I've seen in Strange Tales.
To be honest, Junior Brother, I like to learn about these odd bits, so my cultivation progress is slow."
"Oh, right." As if remembering something, Zhuang Yunde added.
"Regarding the Body Refining content, I saw it in an ancient book within the Sect. I wasn't particularly interested, so I didn't memorize it.
If Junior Brother is interested, I can bring it over for you to have a look."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Chu Ning was delighted and expressed his gratitude once more.
"From what you said, Senior Brother, I feel it's still worth learning more about these topics so that I won't be caught off guard if I encounter such Cultivators in the future."
Perhaps seeing that Chu Ning was also very interested in these Strange Tales, Zhuang Yunde felt a sense of camaraderie and chatted a bit more before leaving.
The next day, when Zhuang Yunde came to the D Zone on business, he faithfully brought along two Jade Scrolls.
And on them were the contents of the two books Chu Ning wanted to see.