When Ye Wen once again used the ring to summon a manual, the situation had changed dramatically from a month prior.

During the last summoning, Ye Wen's frail internal energy had struggled mightily, with only a fraction ultimately being absorbed by the ring. This resulted in the ring registering only a small percentage of his total nei li, leading to a low-tier appraisal. Consequently, Ye Wen was granted only a manual for basic internal cultivation.

If the ring were to rate its users based on the energy provided, Ye Wen would undoubtedly rank at the absolute bottom tier in its estimation.

In the ring’s view, the individual providing the energy was fit only to claim foundational techniques—something to solidly build the basis of their martial path before even considering anything else.

Ye Wen himself had a rough understanding of this, especially recalling the first manual he accidentally summoned, which was just a set of sword moves requiring no internal energy whatsoever.

Though the Duoming Lianhuan San Xian Jian (Deadly Chain Three Immortals Sword) possessed considerable power, it was ultimately just a single technique, not even a complete set. At best, it could serve as a surprise variation or a sudden killing blow in combat; it certainly couldn't be the sole reliance.

Furthermore, it placed almost no demands on the user; virtually anyone healthy enough to wield a sword could use it. While the efficacy differed based on the user, this seemed outside the ring’s purview.

This is why the ring dismissed the Three Immortals Sword as being less valuable than even a basic internal cultivation manual. The energy Ye Wen unintentionally fed the ring back then, in the ring's judgment, wasn't even sufficient qualification for basic nei gong; bestowing an effective offensive sword technique was already an act of extreme generosity.

This time, however, Ye Wen had not only cultivated the basic internal energy for a period, establishing a solid foundation, but his progress in internal arts had also far outpaced ordinary people due to practicing Tai Chi.

He had even deduced the ring’s operating mechanism and deliberately opened the meridians running from his index finger down to his dantian, ensuring that the internal energy transfer was smooth and without any loss.

Therefore, when he channeled his entire current power to perform the summoning this time, he finally conjured a martial arts manual that was genuinely decent.

"The Quanzhen Heart Method?"

Looking at the ancient-looking, thread-bound book in his hand, with the four powerful, vigorous characters inscribed upon it, Ye Wen felt happy while simultaneously confirming that the ring’s functions and requirements were exactly as he had judged them to be.

"The more internal energy input, the better the manual received." He lowered his head, gently stroking the cultivation manual, from which he could almost smell the fragrance of old paper. Ye Wen managed a wry smile: "It seems that even after a month of arduous cultivation, the ring still considers me merely at the beginner level?"

Indeed, calculated against the ring's judgment standard, even channeling his full cultivation, his level remained that of a novice trainee.

However, compared to a newly initiated martial arts disciple, Ye Wen’s standing had seen a slight improvement this time. Based on the manual provided by the ring, Ye Wen could confirm he now met the standard for an entry-level disciple of the Quanzhen Sect.

"At least it’s a famous major sect, much better than getting something like the Hengshan Heart Method..."

In Ye Wen's understanding, the Quanzhen Sect was at least a well-known major power, especially noted for its unique approaches to health preservation and internal cultivation.

Most critically, the Quanzhen Heart Method was renowned for its zhongzheng pinghe (neutrality and moderation). While progress might be slow, it forged an incomparably firm foundation for future development.

It was like what Guo Jing, from The Return of the Condor Heroes, mentioned: many miraculous techniques could rapidly increase one's internal cultivation in a short time, but those very techniques often developed inherent flaws later on.

Conversely, the Quanzhen Heart Method, despite its slow advancement, prevented such issues. It could even lead to a delayed, massive breakthrough, ensuring that significant bottlenecks did not appear even in the later stages of cultivation.

Moreover, a zhongzheng pinghe method like the Quanzhen Heart Method could serve as the foundation for virtually any high-level internal art. Since it possessed no strong, conflicting attributes, he wouldn't have to worry about attribute clashes preventing him from practicing even if he later obtained something like the Nine Yin Manual or the Nine Yang Manual.

"If I had ended up with the Hengshan Heart Method, I'd have been depressed..." In his memory, the Hengshan Sect was famous for its swordsmanship, which relied on unpredictable variations—a style emphasizing technique. Their internal cultivation methods were unremarkable.

In summary, this summoning was a source of great satisfaction for Ye Wen. More importantly, he could begin practicing the Quanzhen Heart Method immediately, ensuring that his internal cultivation manual problems were solved for a considerable period.

"If we use the standards from The Legend of the Condor Heroes, before reaching the level of a second-rate master, I shouldn't need to worry about the Quanzhen Heart Method being inadequate..."

While he wasn't sure what the standard for a first-rate master was in this world, given the current situation, he could probably sweep the entire Mount Shu Sect relying only on the Quanzhen Heart Method... provided he cultivated it to a very high degree.

Perhaps the only annoyance was that this set of methods required considerable time to master, meaning immediate results were unlikely. But then he recalled that even the monstrous Nine Yang Divine Art took Zhang Wuji years of arduous practice, only reaching mastery through a series of fortuitous encounters. Thinking of that, his frustration dissipated.

Opening the Quanzhen Heart Method and reading it carefully, Ye Wen embarked on a new cycle of training.

The key difference this time was that he viewed the basic internal energy manual as merely a stepping stone. Though he practiced it diligently, he had long decided to discard it eventually.

As for the Quanzhen Heart Method, unless he found a superior internal art, he would likely rely on this one for a long time.

He didn't believe he could master the Quanzhen Heart Method within one or two years to summon a better internal manual. In fact, manuals superior to the Quanzhen Heart Method were generally the most famous internal arts in the martial world. Ye Wen assumed these divine techniques would demand a very high input of nei li (i.e., a high total cultivation level). Without significant time spent cultivating or some incredible stroke of luck, he wouldn't see those manuals anytime soon.

Of course, he wouldn't abandon his chance to summon once a month.

Although he had secured an internal cultivation method, he still hoped the ring would provide him with other martial arts. After all, he only had the Quanzhen Heart Method and the Duoming Lianhuan San Xian Jian. Besides those, he possessed the somewhat hazy memory of the Shu Mountain Sword Art, which he had already relegated to the trash heap. He had no external combat skills to rely on. He couldn't exactly fight enemies using the health-preserving Tai Chi he knew, or worse, the Taekwondo he picked up.

"It would be best if I received some suitable palm or sword techniques..."

Beyond that, if he received another internal cultivation manual, he would probably just set it aside. Not that he would burn or discard it; keeping it for someone else who might suit it was always an option.

After all, everyone’s aptitude differs, and practicing techniques matching one's own talent aids martial advancement. The thought of having suitable foundational arts for any disciple he might one day take on struck him as wonderfully powerful.

"Hmm... I should probably consider something for my cheap junior sister... Never mind. She's just starting the basic internal cultivation. Let's wait until her foundation is solid and she gets a suitable manual."

For now, he had no intention of sharing the newly acquired Quanzhen Heart Method with Ning Ruxue. In Ye Wen's mind, Ning Ruxue was not yet a fully trustworthy partner.

The words Ning Ruxue spoke when she left on the first night after he woke up following his transmigration had left too deep an impression. To some extent, he was wary of his junior sister.

Although being supplanted as Sect Master might, in a way, be a form of liberation for him, he wasn't sure if the original owner of his body would approve of that outcome...

Poor Ye Wen was completely unaware that the slightly naive former Sect Master had already reincarnated the moment he agreed to revitalize the Mount Shu Sect. He still imagined a lingering ghost in his head, wielding an executioner's blade and monitoring his work performance.

Beyond that reason, there was another that irked Ye Wen—"Being suppressed by a half-grown girl would be far too humiliating."

To uphold the glorious title of a transmigrator, Ye Wen resolved never to be defeated by this girl. If he were ever trodden under her heel, he feared that even if he mastered divine arts and became a supreme master later, he would never be able to hold his head up again.

While lost in these thoughts, he began studying the introductory section of the Quanzhen Heart Method.

This manual, after all, was the internal art of a top sect like Quanzhen. From the highest to the lowest ranking member—save for Wang Chongyang who cultivated the Primeval Qi technique—everyone used this method as their internal art. Its depth was far beyond that of the basic cultivation manual, so Ye Wen dared not rush into practicing it; he wanted to understand it first.

Fortunately, the ring's service was meticulous. Besides providing the complete set of methods, it included explanations for several key points, preventing him—who lacked guidance from a renowned master—from being completely lost and unable to begin, thus avoiding the tragedy of finding treasure but returning empty-handed.

Compared to Ye Wen, Ning Ruxue in the adjacent room had a much simpler experience. After receiving the basic internal cultivation manual, she merely scanned it briefly and immediately understood how to practice. While Ye Wen was engrossed in studying the core principles, she was already beginning to unblock the meridians she hadn't cultivated before.

From her face, which showed no strain but rather a slight smile, it was clear that Ning Ruxue’s cultivation was proceeding very smoothly. This was because her own inherent foundation was superior to Ye Wen's; even practicing the same flawed breathing technique, Ning Ruxue possessed significantly more internal qi than Ye Wen.

Consequently, before Ye Wen had even begun practicing the Quanzhen Heart Method, Ning Ruxue had already completed the introductory phase of the basic internal cultivation, tracing all the necessary meridians and acupoints, basically organizing the flow within her body.

Looking at the internal cultivation manual in her hands, Ning Ruxue was highly satisfied with the effect of this basic art. Recalling that this method was an improvement Ye Wen had made based on that exceedingly ordinary breathing exercise, even though she was frequently dissatisfied with her senior brother, she couldn't help but murmur a word of praise: "I didn't realize Senior Brother Ye had such capabilities."

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