"Junior Master Qin," Xu Chang’an said.
He felt somewhat awkward at the moment. He didn’t even have a mentor or teacher, and now suddenly, a Junior Master appeared.
"Hmm, that sounds much better."
Qinling gently rubbed her temples with her index finger, lifting her spirits a little. Since acknowledging that title, Junior Master, she found Xu Chang’an much more agreeable, treating him as a family junior.
"You’re right to call me Junior Master," Qinling blinked and said, "I came to the mountain long before you did. But we share something in common—I was also recommended by Miss Zhu to come here."
Xu Chang’an was taken aback, looking at Qinling before him.
"Junior Master, you too..."
"Yes, I was also an Outer Disciple without affiliation," Qinling supported herself on the table with both hands and looked at Xu Chang’an. "I’ve experienced what you’re going through now."
Qinling’s gaze fell on a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall, crafted by Zhu Pingniang herself, softening her eyes greatly.
Both she and Xu Chang’an were recipients of Zhu Pingniang’s kindness.
Qinling suddenly remembered something and clarified, "But I’m not from Beisang City and have nothing to do with the brothel."
Xu Chang’an felt a bit helpless. From the looks of Qinling, it was clear she couldn’t have come from a brothel.
"I know you are well-liked by those girls in Flower Moon Building," Qinling blinked, recalling Xu Chang’an handing her the Qi Replenishing Pill, and couldn’t help but say, "You really are quite likable, no wonder."
"Junior Master, let’s get to the point," Xu Chang’an coughed lightly. He initially thought Qinling was a serious person, but he subtly noticed some resemblances to Zhu Pingniang in her.
"Indeed." Hearing Xu Chang’an’s words, Qinling became significantly more serious. Her demeanor swiftly shifted from a kindly elder to a stern instructor.
Xu Chang’an guessed that Qinling had probably lectured in the Sword Hall before as well.
"What you want to know right now is nothing more than the traits of Spiritual Power that awaken after reaching the Open Source Realm, and the details of the Inner Sect trial, right?"
"Yes." Xu Chang’an nodded.
"This is a cluster of Spiritual Qi." Qinling reached out into the void, and an aura with colorful radiance suddenly appeared in her palm.
"In the Qi Refining Realm, what you absorb using the Breathing Technique is this standard combination of Spiritual Qi." Qinling looked at Xu Chang’an, softly blew onto the Spiritual Qi in her palm.
A peculiar force began to permeate, and under the influence of an unknown power, the Spiritual Qi in the room gradually formed a circle. Eventually, the colors separated into four distinct hues, arranging themselves in a mysterious order, where all Spiritual Qi reached a perfect balance.
"After Open Source, your body gains the ability to separate Spiritual Qi. At that time, based on your aptitude, most people will display affinity towards a certain element of Spiritual Power." Qinling pointed at Xu Chang’an’s face, "For example, the lively Water Attribute Spiritual Qi around you signifies a water affinity... Hence, the cultivation in the Open Source Realm is primarily focused on absorbing Water Attribute Spiritual Qi."
"I understand." Xu Chang’an nodded, comprehending from Qinling’s explanation that what he awakened was the Water Attribute.
"Junior Master, how many types of attribute affinities are there?"
"There are many branches, but basically only four—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind."
"Earth, Water, Fire, Wind?" Xu Chang’an froze for a moment. He thought it would be Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
"The so-called Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind aren’t just appearances; they represent four fundamental traits."
"Is that so?" Xu Chang’an looked up.
"What’s with the ’so’? Did you understand?" Qinling stared at him.
"Reporting to Junior Master Qin, I didn’t quite understand."
Qinling curled her lips, then seriously said, "Speaking in terms you can understand, Earth refers to the expansive and solid traits of Spiritual Power, Water is the cohesive trait, Fire is warmth representing the temperature trait, and Wind refers to flow, the moving trait."
"Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire describe basic traits, but Spiritual Power attributes are more numerous, including branches like Ice, Wind, etc. These are the true attributes of Spiritual Power..."
As Qinling continued to explain, Xu Chang’an gradually gained a preliminary understanding of Spiritual Power attributes.
In other words, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Thunder... and so on, are subsets of the greater attribute groups of Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. The world fundamentally consists of solids, liquids, temperature, and gases, which then evolved into Five Elements and various elements; that understanding suffices.
"Junior Master, is my Spiritual Power trait cohesive?" Xu Chang’an asked.
"You haven’t reached the Returning to the Origin Realm yet, so don’t concern yourself with the Water Origin," Qinling reminded Xu Chang’an. "As for the ordinary water you see, that’s what your Spiritual Power trait resembles... By the way, let me see your Spiritual Qi projection."
"Okay." Xu Chang’an took a deep breath, channeling the True Yuan within him, and a dense mist emerged, forming an irregular water sphere in his palm, which dissipated after a few seconds.
[There is nothing in the world that water cannot cleanse.]
This phrase suddenly flashed through Xu Chang’an’s mind, yet with his current ability, he probably couldn’t even wash clothes clean.
"It’s already taking shape; well done." Qinling was amazed by Xu Chang’an’s aptitude, but quickly added, "You don’t need to understand too much yet, just remember two points."
"First, choose Water Attribute cultivation techniques for your practice and exercise your control over water regularly. Second, prioritize absorbing Water Spirit Qi during cultivation. Water Spirit Qi is superior in transformation, combining offense and defense... Initially, it may not match other attributes in certain areas, but it excels in adaptability and handling unexpected situations."