Just realized something and have a question about it. If a cultivator has a Fire spirit root and only absorbs fire spirit energy, can the still use skills of a diff element. Im pretty sure I've read multiple novels where 1 character has say fire spirit energy but can use an earth type technique. Whats the logic behind it?
Isn't it usually the case that MC has all the spirit roots? But is considered trash cause it takes longer to cultivate all the elements, thus more roots you have the worse you are. As for if they can use it or not based on the spirit root, to be honest few novels get into details of spirit roots. It's possible that spirit roots just improve your compatibility with techniques but doesn't mean you can't use them inefficiently.
Alot of the time it’s explained by them using the energy from the environment thus the techniques from other elements are usually weaker and not worth using.