The teachings of the Dinghu Sect are inherited from the Ancient Emperor Xuan Yuan, who, it is said, ascended to the heavens riding a dragon from Dinghu Lake.
The techniques passed down within the sect mainly consist of talismanic magic, swordsmanship, array formation, medical skill, exchange skill, and the dual cultivation technique that only exists within the sect's bizarre tales.
There once was also the Alchemy Skill, but due to the advent of the End of Dharma, all heavenly materials and earthly treasures withered away. Only a few survived under the protection of various powers, leading to the decline of current alchemy and its lack of popularity.
The myriad disciplines resulted in rows of bookshelves in the Daoist Law Pavilion fortunately, Jiang Li had a target in mind; he first headed to Shelf Three in Zone C and found what he was searching for.
— "White Yang Talisman".
Upon opening the ancient-looking book, images of Ninth Grade Talismans appeared, one after another.
At the same time, Jiang Li whispered in his heart, "Karma Collection."
The text automatically appeared on the pages, displaying the techniques he had learned in a format similar to a status bar.
[Jiang Li
Realm: Ninth Grade
Dao Fruit: Daoist Wang Chongyang
Mental Method: Nine Grade Wandering God Qi Technique
Talismanic Magic: Sharp Gold Talisman, Wood Spirit Talisman, Freezing Ice Talisman, Fire Cloud Talisman, Fire Thunder Talisman, Amulet, Featherweight Talisman, etc.
Martial Arts: Wind Chasing Palm, Cloud-Rolling Step, Five Form of the Fist, Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship, Water Cloud Palm, etc.]
Whether it is martial arts or magical techniques, both derive from Qi. However, to unleash their power, one needs to either finely control it with Divine Essence or possess a powerful physical body that works in tandem with Qi.
Now, Jiang Li's Three Elements of Essence, Qi, and Spirit were balanced, and though he harbored the Daoist's Dao Fruit, it did not mean he could not continue to develop comprehensively.
Moreover, if he wanted his Dao Fruit to achieve perfection, he could not omit martial arts.
To further advance his Dao Fruit, he needed to fully integrate his current Dao Fruit. The method of integration was simple—acting.
Or rather, performing.
By doing the things a Daoist would do—meditating, reading scriptures, and cultivating purity—his progress would gradually increase until it reached perfection.
Jiang Li's Ninth Grade Dao Fruit of Wang Chongyang was unique; perhaps he could integrate this Dao Fruit a bit more finely, further impersonating Wang Chongyang.
And speaking of Wang Chongyang, one would think of the Quanzhen Sect and then of martial arts.
The Quanzhen Sect could be considered a regular presence in martial arts novels, and in terms of appearances, perhaps only Shaolin, Wudang, Beggar's Sect, and the Demon Sect ranked above it.
Historically, the Quanzhen Sect, which cultivated the inner alchemy, was also adept in martial arts. Coupled with the ability "Dual Cultivation of Life and Spirit," not continuing with a blend of techniques and martial arts would be a waste to Jiang Li.
"Geng Metal Talisman, Qi Gathering Talisman, Geng Gold Talisman, and ...," Jiang Li flipped through the pages of the manual until his eyes suddenly paused, "Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman."
Manifesting the divine forms of Six Ding and Six Jia, this talisman serves multiple purposes: protecting the body, prolonging life, solidifying fate, calming spirits, and guarding souls. By grade, this talisman should be a Seventh Rank, but there's nothing to prevent a Ninth Grade individual from drawing it, although the effect might be reduced.
"Counting this mission and the extra, I have five thousand good deeds, while the Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman requires four thousand good deeds. With this talisman, I might not be able to exchange it for other talismans, but it is sufficiently versatile."
One talisman serves the functions of many; it can also be used up to the Seventh Rank. Jiang Li gritted his teeth and made the exchange.
He located the scroll for the Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman according to the manual and pressed his Disciple Jade Token onto it. As good deeds flowed away, the restrictions on the book automatically unlocked, allowing it to be perused and taken.
"Next is martial arts; I hope Elder Yun doesn't give me any trouble."
Jiang Li walked toward the corner shelf.
He wasn't asking for any Supreme Divine Skill; such high-level techniques were beyond his ability to practice, given his current grade.
The higher the grade of the practice, the greater the demands it placed on the cultivator. Attempting to cultivate such power forcibly without reaching the proper level would be harmful and beneficial.
Techniques and moves were still manageable, but if it was a mental method, it could potentially drain a person completely.
Of course, if there truly were a technique like the "Burning Technique" capable of evolution, Jiang Li wouldn't refuse it.
Unfortunately, he didn't have that protagonist's privilege.
When Jiang Li pulled out that so-called Half-step Invincible Divine Skill from the corner, his expression changed, inexplicably strange.
"It turns out the sect's bizarre tales weren't lying," Jiang Li couldn't help but laugh and cry, "the Dual Cultivation Technique really does exist."
The so-called Half-step Invincible Divine Skill was actually a technique named "Bending Flower Hand," a bedroom technique.
This technique specialized in targeting and striking acupoints, but it didn't target the acupoints used for stopping bleeding or subduing enemies. Instead, it targeted the Fuliu Kidney Acupoint.
What is the Fuliu Kidney Acupoint, you ask?
Hmm... it can be understood as making your girlfriend ecstatic, revealing the meridian of the dark face.
This skill can be described as a special attack on women, and once mastered, half the people in the world would be restrained; wouldn't that be akin to a Half-step Invincible Divine Skill?
However, spreading word of it wouldn't be good for one's reputation.
Especially in front of the two elders, Jiang Li would probably be labeled as "One with an affliction" from now on.
"Wait, this scroll has no restrictions!"
Jiang Li turned the pages, his face expressing delight.
...
A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Li exited the Daoist Law Pavilion, handing two scrolls to Elder Wan for registration.
"A Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman? Your good deeds are indeed ample. This talisman is difficult to master, but for you, it should not be a problem."
First, Elder Wan saw the thinner of the scroll cases, slightly raising his eyebrows, then looked at the other one, " 'Louguan Swordsmanship'... is this the Half-step Invincible Divine Skill you mentioned?"
He glanced towards Elder Yun.
Elder Yun, with a face full of suspicion, looked at Jiang Li, "You lad, could it be that you've hidden that secret book on your person?"
If the restriction on a secret book was not lifted, it could not be taken out of the Daoist Law Pavilion, but "Bending Flower Hand" had no such restrictions, and secretly taking it out was completely feasible.
"Elder Yun jests," said Jiang Li, radiating righteousness, "As a disciple devoted to the path, I shun sensual pleasures. Please, Elder Yun, do not mention such worldly techniques in the future. If the elder does not believe, you are welcome to check inside the pavilion to see if the secret book is still in its place."
"Interior technique!" Elder Wan narrowed his eyes.
He registered the scrolls with his Elder Jade Token, handing them back to Jiang Li, cautioning, "In one month, return these scrolls, and do not allow others to view them. Violators will at minimum face double the restitution of good deeds, or at worst, have the related memories erased."
"Disciple understands."
Jiang Li took the scrolls, bowed once more, and turned to leave.
After he entered the back hall of Kaiyang Hall, immediately in front of the Daoist Law Pavilion, a strong wind arose, and shouting ensued.
"You, a Yun by surname, dare to stuff such filth into the Daoist Law Pavilion!"
"What do you mean 'filth'? This is a treasured heritage handed down from our ancestors—Emperor used to entertain three thousand ladies, dare you call our founding master filthy?"
"Quibbling excuses, prepare to meet your end!"
The two elders' clashing with each other showed their deep, albeit complex, feelings, not to be shared with outsiders.
Listening to the noise behind him, Jiang Li casually glanced over the Karma Collection.
[The human body has the Fuliu Kidney Acupoint, pressing it can make a lady lose...]
Only he could see the page, which clearly recorded various moves and featured exceptionally life-like illustrations.
The images alone caused his blood to surge, obviously, the illustrator possessed great artistic skill.
This was indeed the content of "Bending Flower Hand."
Jiang, however, could not keep to his own righteousness and succumbed to the temptation of the Near-Invincible Divine Skill.
Using the Karma Collection, he copied the content of "Bending Flower Hand" and found another way to take the secret book.
At the same time, he avoided the potential social demise.
'What a treasure, truly a marvelous treasure.'
Carrying full satisfaction, Jiang Li walked past Kaiyang Hall.
[Meanwhile, a figure stealthily followed him, tracing Jiang Li's steps towards the disciple dormitory.
After noticing, Jiang Li threw the scroll onto the ground and, while picking it up, discreetly glanced back, noticing the follower in a green robe—an unrecognized Outer Disciple.]
The Karma Collection continued to automatically record his experiences, and inwardly, Jiang Li grew more cautious.
'Is it Luo Yi's man?' He picked up the scroll, pressing his fingers tightly on its surface.
No sooner had he left Yaoguang Hall than someone followed; Luo Yi undoubtedly had a hand in this.
The possibility of Luo Yi bearing grudges seemed less and less likely, rather, the likelihood of Jiang Li himself being targeted was increasing.
What puzzled Jiang Li was why he was being targeted.
'Could there be some secret about me that I don't know?'