Creating a new technique was very hard. In fact it was one of the hardest things to do in the cultivation world. It required immense testing, high comprehension, and a talent for the craft. Either a technique is a creation of hard work and endless testing, or an epiphany by high level expert. Techniques have been made from many different sources. Some people stitch techniques together to make their own. Others try a route that no one has ever taken before. Both have different levels of results. If Gu Xiao wanted to make her own technique she would need a lot of time. Luckily she had just that.
She made her way down to the sect library with her jade token in tow. As a daughter of the dean, she had certain privileges others did not.
"Hi, I'm looking for dual cultivation techniques in the foundation establishment level".
The librarian gave her a quick look and said "isle 10 through 12 should have what you are looking for".
"Thank you" she said with a bright smile on her way to the Isle.
'Ying and yang essence art, petal harmony method, twin creeks flow, jade whisper art, daylight spring technique'.
There was a wide variation of techniques as the problems were they were to general. With little to no specialization they were quite mediocre. As for the techniques that were specific they were specific about things that wouldn't be of much use. The harmonized pulse art was a good example as it specific in practice but fell short in potency due to its lack of difficulty and neutrality.
Techniques that emphasize an element do much better than techniques that remain neutral. Obviously there were exceptions to this rule but the statement mostly held true. The next issue was that techniques that are hard to practice or master usually are stronger and better. This wasn't always the case but in this situation it was. So Gu Xiao needed to make a technique that was suited for blood and wood cultivators, benefits both parties to a high degree, and was difficult to master and practice, causing great results when practiced.
The first problem was a blood and wood compatibility. Natures examples were typically trees or plants that absorb blood of fallen prey to further their growth. Surprisingly this wasn't that uncommon in nature. The issue however was how do you make a dual cultivation technique with these two elements. Dual cultivation was the act of giving and taking between two parties that benefits both of them. Blood dual cultivation techniques typically parasitized their partner leaving one side weaker and the other side vastly stronger. She knew this because of the Gu clan records. And while they do have these techniques they would never admit to it. These techniques were devil cultivation techniques banned by the country of Yangoo and the wider world. They would never give them to Gu Zhi let alone say they have them. Wood dual cultivation techniques on the other hand promote health between the two parties. As an increase in lifespan along with general health and well being, growth, and optimism appears in the two parties. This makes wood dual cultivation techniques quite sought after despite their difficulty, high requirements, and rarity. The Gu clan has an incomplete technique of one, which stoked Gu Xiao's curiosity. In particular there were rumors and legends about a dual wood cultivation technique called the longevity art causing waves among treasure hunters.
One takes, the other gives. But that is only one view point on it. Elements are not that one-dimensional. Blood cultivation techniques for example could do the exact opposite of their much more known parasitic techniques. She had heard rumors of a sacrificing art from blood elemental cultivators that sacrificing their longevity or vitality to save some lives others deemed impossible to save. Wood techniques could easily become parasitic as well, just the example of weeds, or using enemies to nourish oneself could prove that. So in a way the two elements could be very compatible, with one giving and the other taking, in a cycle that changes between the two.
The next question then became, how? How should one take, and what do they use it for.
The best dual cultivation techniques were a closed loop that benefited not only themselves but the technique as well. For example the Yin and Yang essence art strengthened the yin and yang of the two parties causing their practice to grow stronger over time. Gu Xiao needed to make the technique do the same thing. A technique that gave and received and made the energy or benefit that they gave and received strengthened as well causing the technique to become stronger over time.
Next, was compatibility and difficulty. The technique had to be highly compatible to produce the best results with the least effort. They also wanted the difficulty to be as low as possible while the benefits were as high as possible. Gu Xiao knew the difficulty part was unrealistic so she conceded to make the technique difficult in exchange for a higher potency.
Last but not least was time investment. This technique needed to be worth both of their time, otherwise there was no point. Gu Xiao also had to spend her time wisely. Although she had a significant lifespan that didn't mean she could spend it all on useless actions. If she noticed one year into research that it would take too much time, she would ruthlessly abandon it. As a women from a business clan she knew first hand that sometimes it was better to cut losses and leave it. As continuing a failed endeavor almost never produced the results you wanted. Even when you spent a lot of time on something, if there was little progress and no hope, it was better to leave it.
With all of her plans and theories set, Gu Xiao went to work on making a technique fit for the both of them.