"You're quite interesting, kid." Pang Dahai had already taken the two pieces of ore.
Yu Xiaodie stood to the side, heart pounding with fear. Seeing that he was not only not angry but also smiling broadly, she really couldn't understand what this senior was thinking.
Having seen enough sincerity, Pang Dahai spoke frankly: "Cultivation is a lifelong endeavor, so cultivators should determine their cultivation direction based on their elemental affinity or talent during the early stages of cultivation. Of course, the talent I'm referring to is not the cultivation talent you were tested for earlier, but rather your compatibility with a particular school."
"School?" Lu Ye敏锐地把握到了关键点，有些疑惑，不是要指点选宗门的事吗？怎么说到什么派系了？
"Exactly, schools!" Pang Dahai nodded. "The cultivation world of Nine Provinces once had many strange and varied schools, but not many have survived to this day. There are mainly six major schools: Body Cultivators, who focus on physical strength; Weapon Cultivators, who excel in close combat; Dharma Cultivators, who specialize in magical techniques; Medical Cultivators, who heal and save lives; Ghost Cultivators, who communicate with spirits; and External Cultivators, who excel in alchemy, talismans, formations, and crafting. Of course, there are other minor schools that have survived, but they are not common. If you have the chance to encounter them in the future, you will naturally know about them."
"These six major schools encompass the vast majority of cultivators in the Nine Provinces and determine their cultivation direction. If you choose the right path, your cultivation will naturally be more efficient. For example, if someone is born with great strength and a robust physique, they should naturally choose the path of Body Cultivators. If someone has an exceptional talent for magical techniques, they should naturally choose the path of Dharma Cultivators. If someone doesn't like fighting, they can choose alchemy or healing, which are also suitable choices. Therefore, determining your school is very important. Otherwise, if someone who wants to wield a sword joins the Hundred Flowers Valley, no one will be able to teach them."
Pang Dahai spoke at length, and Lu Ye and Yu Xiaodie nodded in agreement. This information was something even Yu Xiaodie had never heard before.
"According to what Senior said, different sects focus on different schools?" Lu Ye seemed to understand his meaning.
"Did I say that?" Pang Dahai was surprised.
"Senior just said that the Hundred Flowers Valley doesn't teach sword techniques."
"You are indeed clever." Pang Dahai gave Lu Ye an approving look, not expecting him to deduce something from his words. "Generally speaking, a sect will not have only one school. There are usually two or three, or even four or five. The top ten first-class sects generally have all schools, but there are exceptions. For example, the Northern Mystic Sword Sect only has the Weapon Cultivator school, and it is the most extreme form of Weapon Cultivators." Mentioning the Northern Mystic Sword Sect, the fat on Pang Dahai's face twitched, as if he was recalling some unpleasant memories.
He paused and continued: "Although a sect may have several schools, there will always be different focuses. The lower the rank of the sect, the more obvious this is, because they don't have the resources to develop all schools equally. For example, the Burning Moon Mountain, which is present here, focuses on Dharma Cultivators and External Cultivators, particularly alchemists. The spirit pills produced by the alchemists of the Burning Moon Mountain are renowned throughout the entire Bing Province. If someone with a fire elemental affinity wants to join the Burning Moon Mountain, they will have a significant advantage, as fire elemental spirit energy is needed for alchemy and crafting." When he said this, he glanced at Lu Ye, and the implication was clear.
Lu Ye suddenly understood: "This is what Senior meant by determining the school based on one's elemental affinity?"
"Exactly." Pang Dahai nodded. "Metal is sharp and can follow the paths of Weapon Cultivators, Dharma Cultivators, and Body Cultivators. Wood is full of vitality and can follow the paths of Body Cultivators, Medical Cultivators, Dharma Cultivators, Alchemists, and Formation Cultivators. Water is gentle and inclusive, and all schools are compatible. Fire is fierce and can be compatible with all schools except Medical Cultivators and Ghost Cultivators. Earth is heavy and is most suitable for Body Cultivators. So, when you decide which path to follow, you should consider not only your interests but also your elemental affinity. There is a saying among mortals that a man should fear choosing the wrong profession, and this applies to the cultivation world as well."
"Everyone has already been tested, and later, someone will distribute some items to you. These will determine your future, so choose carefully. If you want to join a particular sect, you should determine which schools that sect focuses on and whether those schools conflict with your elemental affinity."
"Understood." Lu Ye nodded solemnly and clasped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, Senior."
Although Pang Dahai seemed greedy and took two pieces of ore from him, the information he provided was something he had never heard before and was worth more than the ore.
Pang Dahai waved his hand. "It's just common knowledge. You just haven't had much contact with the outside world, so you didn't know."
"May I ask, Senior, my elemental affinity is primarily fire and secondary metal. Which sect should I choose this time?"
"Hmm, you..." Pang Dahai looked him up and down and chuckled. "I don't think you'll have much luck no matter which one you choose."
Lu Ye's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. "Then why did you tell me so much just now?"
Pang Dahai was delighted. "I heard about a one-leaf talent, so I came to see the rarity! Do you know, I haven't seen a one-leaf... hahaha!"
He laughed so hard that his entire body shook, and Lu Ye wished he could rush over and beat him to death!
He didn't know which idiot had spread the news about his talent, but it was true that good news doesn't travel far, but bad news spreads a thousand miles.
Just as Lu Ye was about to lose his temper, Pang Dahai suddenly stopped laughing and lowered his voice. "If I were you, I would set my expectations as low as possible and not be indecisive. In this way... you might achieve your goal!"
After saying this, he turned to Yu Xiaodie and said with a smile, "Little girl, is there anything you want me to guide you on?"
Yu Xiaodie was more than happy to ask. "Senior, which sect do you think I should join?"
"Do you like fighting?" Pang Dahai asked.
Yu Xiaodie shook her head vigorously. No girl likes fighting.
"Then go to the Hundred Flowers Valley." Pang Dahai said, "Most of the cultivators in the Hundred Flowers Valley are Medical Cultivators, so you won't have to fight. Even if you are captured, you won't be treated too harshly."
"The Hundred Flowers Valley..." Yu Xiaodie thought for a moment and bowed. "Thank you, Senior."
Her elemental affinity was primarily wood, which was perfect for the Hundred Flowers Valley. Pang Dahai clearly knew this and gave her the advice accordingly.
Pang Dahai left, leaving Lu Ye standing there in a bad mood.
Yu Xiaodie wanted to comfort him but didn't know how to start, so she changed the subject. "Senior, there's something I don't understand."
"What?"
"Earlier, you gave four pieces of ore to that Senior Pang, but he didn't want them. Why did you take two pieces, and he accepted them?"
Lu Ye explained casually, "To him, those four pieces of ore were all his. He didn't value them until he lost them."
Yu Xiaodie fell into deep thought, finding this statement very reasonable.
Of course, this also had to do with the fact that the two pieces of ore Lu Ye took were of lower value, while the two he left behind were more valuable.