For his new path, Qi Ping had two primary manuals to reference: the [Dual-Origin Water-Fire Scripture] and the [Extreme Frost-Flame Manual]. Both were secret-tier Foundation Establishment manuals, though they still paled in comparison to his [Golden Flame Scripture]. For spells, he had [Frost-Flame Domain] and [Flame-Stream].
Qi Ping planned to use these as a foundation to create a superior water-fire manual tailored specifically for himself. With his experience in modifying his current [Golden Flame Scripture]—which he had already improved significantly—he was confident in his ability to 'Found a Path.'
Creating a manual wasn't as impossible as people imagined; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many spells and manuals in the world. Many seniors in clans and sects created techniques for their descendants. Some were meant to help them, while others were nefarious traps designed to refine the user into medicine. At its core, a manual was simply a logically consistent closed loop of insights within a certain realm. Its strength depended on how those insights were combined—like the fusion of elements.
However, few in the cultivation world chose to create their own path. The reasons were two-fold. First, creating a truly powerful manual was exceptionally difficult; it was often better to practice a proven high-tier manual than to create a mediocre one. Second, most people had limited talent; merely reaching the peak of a standard manual was hard enough, and any extra time was better spent trying to reach the next cultivation realm.
Yet, history was full of examples of masters who grew strong by creating their own techniques. Qi Ping had read about many such figures in the archives. Most were rogue cultivators with staggering wisdom who, starting with nothing but 'trash' manuals, eventually created spells that shook the world.
A prime example was the famous Lord of the Fire Clouds. He never joined a sect and relied entirely on manuals he bought or looted, eventually creating the world-renowned [Fire Cloud True Scripture]. In his hands, that manual was more powerful than the ancient inheritances of the great sects. This wasn't because his manual was inherently more profound, but because he had refined it from the very beginning. It was perfectly suited to him. Every insight and rule was mastered to a degree that others could never hope to achieve. This was why he was considered one of the practitioners most likely to reach the realm of the Immortals.
A master with the habit of exploration and creation had a much higher chance of ascending than one who merely followed in the footsteps of others. Qi Ping now possessed a powerful soul, immense wisdom, and a vast library of plundered knowledge. He was standing on a very tall pedestal.
Moreover, he had a compelling reason to create his own path: far too many of the manuals he had seen contained hidden traps. These 'vassal' manuals were indistinguishable from normal ones, only revealed when a practitioner of the 'progenitor' manual appeared to enslave them. Since Qi Ping couldn't be certain which manuals were truly safe, the only logical choice was to avoid the risk entirely.
'I'll create a water-fire manual perfectly suited to me and use it to break through to the Golden Core stage!'
'For now, I'll focus on mastering the [Dual-Origin Water-Fire Scripture], [Extreme Frost-Flame Manual], [Frost-Flame Domain], and [Flame-Stream], while using other fire-attribute manuals for auxiliary research.'
'Once I've integrated these four, I'll go out to retrieve the spoils from seven years ago. I'll also see if I can find more water-fire knowledge in those stashes!'
Having made his decision, he began his meditation. Water-fire fusion was a subset of the larger Five Elements fusion. If he couldn't master this, the latter was out of the question. The Path of the Five Elements was terrifyingly strong, but its difficulty was equally legendary. This was why many knew of its power but few dared to walk it. To attempt it without sufficient talent was simply to commit suicide.
'Fortunately, with [Monarch of Waters] and [Golden-Flame Physique], the comprehension is going very smoothly!'
With his soul strength and talents, his progress was rapid. Just as he was about to complete his research and send his clone out to collect the loot, something interrupted him. It wasn't a bad thing, however.
The Little Spirit Fox and the Hundred-Eye Flower Demon, through their years of constant training, had both touched the threshold of metamorphosis on the same day!
Currently, the fox and the flower demon sat with eyes closed. Strange ripples of power emanated from them, and their bloodline and spiritual energy were boiling with intensity. Seeing this, Qi Ping immediately halted his research and rushed to their side.
For years, the two had followed Qi Ping's training plans, constantly developing and awakening their bloodline potential without a moment's slack. The fox had consumed a vast amount of honey and spirit fruit, while the flower demon had absorbed the energy of [Plant Growth] for years. Now, their long accumulation was finally bearing fruit.
Qi Ping was delighted. He had expected them to breakthrough eventually, but for both to undergo metamorphosis simultaneously was an unexpected coincidence. It was a stroke of luck for the two, who played together every day. Their simultaneous evolution also meant that Qi Ping's shared talents were about to undergo a significant upgrade!