A moment later.

"You're quite an interesting kid." Morgan Sterling had already taken those two ore pieces.

Dawn Fielding stood by, trembling with fear. Seeing that he wasn't angry but instead laughing heartily, she really couldn't figure out what this Shixiong was thinking.

Having seen sufficient sincerity, Morgan Sterling spoke frankly: "Cultivation is a lifelong endeavor. Therefore, it's best for cultivators, in the early stages, to determine their cultivation path based on their own element or innate talent. Of course, the talent I'm referring to isn't the cultivation aptitude you just tested, but rather one's affinity with a specific school."

"School?" Leaf Gray keenly grasped the key point, somewhat puzzled. Weren't they supposed to be getting advice on choosing a sect? Why was he talking about schools?

"Correct, schools!" Morgan Sterling nodded. "The cultivation world of The Novem Lands once had many strange schools, but not many have survived. There are only six main schools: Body Cultivators who focus on the physical body, Weapon Cultivators who excel in close combat, Spell Cultivators who delve into magical techniques, Medical Cultivators who heal and aid the world, Ghost Cultivators who commune with the netherworld, and External Cultivators who master all external arts like alchemy, talisman drawing, array formation, and artifact forging. Of course, there are other minor schools that have survived, but they are not common. You'll naturally learn about them if you have the chance to encounter them in the future."

"One could say these six major schools encompass ninety-nine percent of the cultivators in The Novem Lands' cultivation world and determine the direction of their cultivation. If you choose the right direction, your future cultivation will naturally be twice as effective with half the effort. For example, someone born with great strength and a robust physique should naturally choose the path of a Body Cultivator. Another example, someone with an innate exceptional talent for spells should naturally follow the path of a Spell Cultivator. There are also those who dislike fighting and killing; they can go into alchemy or healing – all are choices that suit oneself. So, determining your school is very important. Otherwise, if someone who wants to master flying swords joins The Thousand Crypticress Vale, no one there can teach you."

After Morgan Sterling's lengthy explanation, both Leaf Gray and Dawn Fielding nodded repeatedly. Even Dawn Fielding had never heard this information before.

"According to your words, Shixiong, different sects emphasize different schools?" Leaf Gray vaguely understood his meaning.

"Did I say that?" Morgan Sterling seemed surprised.

"Shixiong just said that people from The Thousand Crypticress Vale don't teach swords."

"You are quite clever." Morgan Sterling looked approvingly at Leaf Gray, not expecting him to infer something just from his words. "Generally speaking, it's impossible for a single sect to have only one school; they have at least two or three, and at most four, five, or even more. For instance, those top ten first-grade sects basically have all schools complete. Of course, there are exceptions. The Northern Blade Sect has only the Weapon Cultivator school, and the most extreme kind at that." When mentioning The Northern Blade Sect, the fat on Morgan Sterling's face twitched involuntarily, as if recalling some unpleasant memory.

He paused, then continued: "Although a sect is composed of several schools, there will always be different focuses. This situation is more obvious in lower-grade sects because they don't have the energy and resources to develop all schools equally. Take The Blazefire Canyon, which is present this time, for example. They primarily focus on Spell Cultivators and the Alchemy branch of External Cultivators. The spiritual pills refined by the alchemists of The Blazefire Canyon enjoy high reputation throughout the entire Tranquil Province. People with the Fire element undoubtedly have a greater advantage if they wish to join The Blazefire Canyon, because fire-attribute spiritual power is needed for alchemy and artifact forging."

When he said the last sentence, he glanced at Leaf Gray, the implication already very clear.

Leaf Gray understood: "So this is what you meant earlier about determining the school based on one's own element?"

"Exactly." Morgan Sterling nodded. "Metal governs sharpness; one can follow the path of Weapon Cultivator, Spell Cultivator, or Body Cultivator. Wood governs vitality; one can follow the path of Body Cultivator, Medical Cultivator, Spell Cultivator, Alchemy Cultivator, or Array Cultivator. Water is spiritual and gentle, embracing all things; it doesn't reject any school. Fire is fierce and aggressive; besides being unsuitable for Medical Cultivators and Ghost Cultivators, it is compatible with other schools. Earth is heavy and solid; most suitable for becoming a Body Cultivator. So, what path you want to take in the future depends not only on your interest but also on your element. There's a saying among mortals: 'Men fear entering the wrong profession.' This saying holds true in the cultivation world as well."

"Right now, everyone has finished their tests. Soon, someone will distribute some things to you, which will relate to whether you stay or go. Choose carefully. If you want to join a particular sect, it's best to determine which schools that sect emphasizes and whether those schools conflict with your element."

"Understood." Leaf Gray nodded seriously, cupping his hands in salute. "Thank you, Shixiong."

Although Morgan Sterling seemed somewhat greedy, taking his two ore pieces, the things he said were truly not commonly heard and were enough to offset the value of those two ores.

Morgan Sterling waved his hand: "These are just common sense things. You just haven't had much contact with the outside world, so you didn't know."

"I still need to ask for your advice, Shixiong. My attributes are primarily Fire, secondary Metal. Which sect should I choose this time?"

"Hmm, you..." Morgan Sterling looked him up and down, then chuckled: "I feel like whichever you choose, you won't make it."

Leaf Gray's face instantly turned as black as a pot bottom: "Then why did you tell me all that just now, Shixiong?"

Morgan Sterling was immensely amused: "I heard there was a one-leaf talent guy, so I came to see the novelty! Do you know, all these years, I've never seen a one-leaf... Hahaha!"

His whole body fat shook as he laughed. Leaf Gray desperately wanted to rush up and pummel him to death!

He didn't know which bastard spread the news about his talent. Truly, bad news travels fast.

Just as Leaf Gray was about to lose his temper, Morgan Sterling suddenly stopped laughing, lowered his voice, and said to Leaf Gray: "If I were you, I would lower my expectations to the minimum and not be half-hearted. Like this... you might possibly achieve your wish!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Dawn Fielding and said with a smile: "Little girl, is there anything you'd like this Shixiong to advise you on?"

Dawn Fielding was eager for this. She quickly said: "Which sect do you think I should join, Shixiong?"

"Do you like fighting and killing?" Morgan Sterling asked.

Dawn Fielding shook her head like a rattle-drum. What girl likes fighting and killing?

"Then go to The Thousand Crypticress Vale." Morgan Sterling said. "Most people in The Thousand Crypticress Vale are Medical Cultivators. You don't have to fight on the front lines, and even if captured, you won't be treated too harshly."

"The Thousand Crypticress Vale..." Dawn Fielding thought thoughtfully, then bowed: "Thank you, Shixiong."

Her five elements were primarily Wood, which suited The Thousand Crypticress Vale perfectly. Morgan Sterling obviously knew this and thus gave such advice.

Morgan Sterling left, leaving Leaf Gray standing there in a foul mood.

Dawn Fielding wanted to comfort him but didn't know how to start, so she simply changed the subject: "Shixiong, there's something I don't understand."

"What is it?"

"Just now, you offered that Shixiong Sterling four ore pieces, and he didn't want them. Why did he take them when you took two?"

Leaf Gray explained casually: "In his view, all four pieces were his. One doesn't cherish what one already possesses; only after losing it does one realize its value."

Upon hearing this, Dawn Fielding fell into thought, feeling these words made a lot of sense.

Of course, this also had to do with the fact that the two ore pieces Leaf Gray took weren't of high value; the truly valuable ones were the two left behind.