Upon hearing Meng Qi’s question, Qi Zhengyan calmly replied, “I want to change my fundamental cultivation method early.”
“Senior Brother Qi, are you dissatisfied with both Changhe Sword Art and Luoxia Qiushui Sword?” Jiang Zhiwei’s question, like her sword techniques, struck straight at the heart of the matter.
Qi Zhengyan hesitated slightly, without directly answering, “Given my innate talent and the elders’ impression of me within the sect, unless I can break through all the way to the Exo-Realm and become a powerful expert capable of standing on my own, I absolutely won’t have the slightest chance of viewing the ‘Immortal-bestowed Changlei Sword.’ And if that day ever comes, it would already be too late to switch to cultivating the ‘Immortal-bestowed Changlei Sword.’ By then, my foundation will have already solidified, and naturally, I won’t be as deeply rooted as others. Therefore, I must switch to a supreme martial art that directly aims for the Dharmakaya as early as possible.”
In other words, the Changhe Sword Art and Luoxia Qiushui Sword, both at the Qi-opening stage, were of too low a level—Changhe Sword Art was taught by the Huanhua Sword Sect to ordinary disciples from Qi-accumulation to Qi-opening stages, while Luoxia Qiushui Sword was a fairly decent sword art at the Qi-opening level, capable of paving the way toward the Exo-Realm.
Among the major sects, only those rare disciples who showed exceptional talent early on and were highly anticipated might have the chance to glimpse the true essence of the sect’s fundamental martial arts before reaching the Qi-opening stage. Other disciples could only hope to demonstrate their worth in the future to earn the qualification to switch to these fundamental techniques. However, by that time, their foundational cultivation would already be set, making switching cultivation methods difficult due to unstable foundations. Only a very few could overcome this limitation and achieve further breakthroughs.
“If we consider the long-term, changing now is indeed a top-notch strategy,” Zhang Yuanshan carefully considered and surprisingly agreed with Qi Zhengyan’s decision. “What do you plan to exchange for?”
Qi Zhengyan pursed his lips, his facial lines becoming more defined, seemingly a bit nervous and excited, “I’ve set my eyes on a supreme martial art. It has ten levels—two at Qi-accumulation, three at Qi-opening, three at Exo-Realm, and two at Dharmakaya. It can be exchanged level by level. Moreover, unlike other martial arts, it unusually emphasizes the connection between oneself and the external world from the Qi-accumulation stage, making the breakthrough to the Exo-Realm much easier in the future.”
Since he was going to change his fundamental martial art, of course, he had to choose one with great potential and immense power!
“I’ve seen this martial art on the exchange list before because it can evolve into a very, very powerful sword technique,” Jiang Zhiwei lightly tapped the sword at her waist, thinking with a mix of surprise and delight, “It’s called… called ‘Primordial Unity Mirror’!”
Meng Qi almost spat out his saliva in shock, coughing twice before exclaiming, “Senior Brother Qi, you really mean ‘Primordial Unity Mirror’?”
Damn it, if it weren’t for having to continue with the external hardening method temporarily, I would have wanted to exchange for it too! Compared to other Dharmakaya-level martial arts, it’s divided into more detailed levels, making it easier to exchange level by level.
“The ‘Primordial Unity Mirror’ is an unparalleled martial art from ‘Emperor Legend,’ created by the goddess Nuwa. When cultivated to its peak, it can devour all things and destroy heaven and earth.”
“So you’ve also taken notice of the ‘Primordial Unity Mirror’?” Qi Zhengyan asked casually. “Its first level, ‘White Cloud Mist,’ and second level, ‘Rosy Dawn Surge,’ are both at the Qi Accumulation Stage, costing forty and eighty Virtue Points respectively—quite affordable. The third level, ‘Earth Kunlun,’ at the Qi Opening Stage, is only two hundred Virtue Points.”
“First, I need to exchange for the Tiancong Pill and a bottle of Lingzhi Qi-replenishing Pill, so I can only afford ‘White Cloud Mist’ and ‘Rosy Surge’ for now. After I master the Luoxia Qiushui Sword, I can trade with the Six Realms’ Master next time. Combined with the remaining Virtue Points, I’ll have enough for ‘Kunlun of Earth.'”
Since Luoxia Qiushui Sword includes both heart techniques and sword techniques, it’s valued at 380 Virtue Points. Exchanging it with the Six Realms’ Master halves the value, giving only 190 points. If Qi Zhengyan teaches it to Meng Qi, and both exchange it separately, each would only get 95 points.
“In this way, you’ll still have thirty Virtue Points left for unexpected situations,” Zhang Yuanshan didn’t say much else.
Qi Zhengyan nodded slightly, “Yes. Normally, when one’s strength is weak, one should exchange for some poison or hidden weapons for self-defense. But since Junior Brother Zhen Ding has the Plum Blossom Needle, I can now confidently exchange for the third level of ‘Primordial Unity Mirror.'”
“Senior Brother Qi, are you not afraid of being discovered for cultivating another sect’s martial art?” Seeing Qi Zhengyan’s firm decision, Meng Qi turned to ask a question he himself was also worried about.
Qi Zhengyan’s tone was slightly somber, “If I had any other choice, why would I risk it? However, as just an ordinary disciple, it’s easier for me to get away with it. Once I reach the Qi-opening stage, I can apply to go on journeys outside the sect or guard the sect’s external properties. Then, the sea will be wide for fish to leap and the sky high for birds to fly. No matter how I cultivate the ‘Primordial Unity Mirror,’ I won’t be afraid. If I encounter fellow disciples, as long as I don’t frequently spar with them, they won’t detect the foundation of my inner techniques.”
He himself needs to learn the sword techniques and energy circulation routes from the Qiushui Sword Method and Luoxia Decree, and also has the foundation from the Sunset Heart Technique, so while wielding the sword, nothing will be exposed.
“You can go down the mountain for travels, but I don’t even know when I’ll be able to. Sigh, I really wish I could leave Shaolin right now without having to live in such fear,” Meng Qi said, secretly adding in his heart, preferably after learning the Golden Bell Cover or the Indestructible Vajra Art.
But doing so would make Meng Qi feel that leaving Shaolin would become even more difficult.
Jiang Zhiwei laughed at Meng Qi, “Leave Shaolin? Haven’t you studied the Shaolin precepts?”
“The precept book doesn’t explain how to leave Shaolin. It only lists various punishments for breaking different precepts, with the harshest being the destruction of martial arts and expulsion from Shaolin. Meng Qi certainly wouldn’t dare to take that route.”
Jiang Zhiwei smiled lightly, “It doesn’t explain how to leave because leaving is simply impossible.”
“Eh?” Meng Qi was greatly surprised.
Jiang Zhiwei’s expression turned serious, “Joining a sect is a very solemn matter, witnessed by heaven and earth. If you wish to leave, there’s only one way—severely violating the precepts, leading to the destruction of your martial arts and expulsion from the sect. I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to pay such a price, right?”
Before Meng Qi could ask, she continued, “Of course, what I said is about officially leaving Shaolin. If you just want to go down the mountain temporarily, there are other ways. The first is to go on missions outside the temple under the guidance of senior monks. Along the way, you might find an opportunity to escape. However, generally speaking, only disciples who have reached the peak of Qi-accumulation might be selected for such missions, and with senior monks watching, escaping would be extremely difficult.”
“The second way is to break through the Copper Man Alley after reaching the Qi-opening stage, thereby earning the qualification to travel and work independently outside the temple. Once you do that, you can simply disappear or fake your death to be considered as having left Shaolin. However, the Copper Man Alley of Shaolin is famous far and wide. I myself don’t have more than a 60% chance of passing it right now. You probably still need to wait for several years, because under everyone’s watchful eyes, you can’t possibly rely on the Six Realms’ Master to directly boost your strength from the early Qi-opening stage or lower to the level required to pass the Copper Man Alley.”
“The third way is to make contributions and find an opportunity to become a lay disciple. Once you’ve completed your training, you can ‘return home.'”
As Meng Qi listened to the three methods Jiang Zhiwei listed, he frowned. In the short term, he couldn’t manage any of them. The only seemingly feasible option was to become a lay disciple. The only problem was that he had been forcibly sent to Shaolin, and with Xuanzang watching him, would he agree to let Meng Qi become a lay disciple and “return home”?
Zhang Yuanshan listened quietly for a while, then sighed suddenly, “If Junior Brother Zhending were still a novice monk, he could leave the temple directly after completing his term. But we made a mistake.”
“It doesn’t matter. Others can leave, but I can’t,” Meng Qi was well aware of this. Xuanzang wouldn’t let him leave the temple after completing his term.
Therefore, for now, he could only focus on hiding his true abilities and take things step by step. He must never miss the chance to learn the 72 Supreme Arts!
For a moment, everyone fell silent. Then, Qi Zhengyan stepped forward toward the light pillar and exchanged for a Tiancong Pill, a bottle of Lingzhi Qi-replenishing Pills, and two Tianjing crystals containing the first two levels of the Primordial Unity Mirror. One crystal was filled with white clouds resembling mist, while the other shimmered with radiant light as vivid as blood, utterly mesmerizing to behold.
Meng Qi couldn’t help but suspect whether these were original Tianjing crystals, because the crystals carrying the true essence of the Primordial Unity Mirror were all unique. It was unlikely that the Six Realms’ Master would be so generous as to give them to Qi Zhengyan so easily.
“Crystals carrying the true essence of cultivation? Indeed, this is a supreme martial art directly aiming for the Dharmakaya,” Zhang Yuanshan praised.
Upon hearing this, a humorous thought suddenly struck Meng Qi—perhaps these two crystals were pirated copies replicated by the Six Realms’ Master.
Looking at the Tianjing crystals in his palm, Qi Zhengyan took several deep breaths, his body slightly trembling. From today onward, a new future awaited him!
After everyone finished their exchanges, Meng Qi thought of a previous matter and asked, “Miss Jiang, have you entered the Human Rankings yet?”
Jiang Zhiwei smiled and replied, “I haven’t officially gone down the mountain to travel the martial world yet. However, due to the previous martial contest and my recent progress of opening four meridians, I have the honor of being listed at the bottom.”
Speaking of the Human Rankings, she slightly furrowed her brows, “If I’m not mistaken, Xiaozi and Gu Xiaosang should be the same person. But why did she initially have no martial arts skills at all? I couldn’t possibly have misjudged that.”
“Eh, could it be a split personality? No, maybe dual souls in one body?” Meng Qi was astonished.
Jiang Zhiwei pursed her lips slightly, “I don’t know. Even if it were dual souls in one body, the physical foundation wouldn’t disappear. I couldn’t possibly have missed her martial arts skills.”
She felt quite frustrated over her oversight.
“The ‘Descent of the Primordial Mother’ from the Luo Sect is famous for its mystery. Perhaps it’s the effect of one of its martial arts,” Zhang Yuanshan speculated.
Jiang Zhiwei puffed her cheeks, “Maybe. Or perhaps it’s the mistake she mentioned herself.”
“Regardless, Gu Xiaosang is deeply scheming, ruthless, and highly skilled in martial arts. She will surely ascend to the Black Rankings in the future,” Zhang Yuanshan remarked.
“Black Rankings?” Meng Qi felt like a naive country bumpkin.
Jiang Zhiwei smiled and explained, “This is a list jointly established by the major sects for the evil and heretical martial artists, listing only the top hundred. Hehe, it’s essentially a warning to disciples: if you don’t have the strength of the Exo-Realm, when encountering someone on this list, you should immediately detour away.”
Suddenly, the Six Realms’ Master’s grand and cold voice echoed, “Exchange completed. Store your items properly and return to your own world.”
Meng Qi thought for a moment and left the Plum Blossom Needle in his personal “room.”
…
After darkness and then brightness, Meng Qi opened his eyes and saw Zhenhui diligently meditating, his head faintly emitting rising white vapor.
He smiled and began recalling and pondering the first move of A-nan’s Broken Precept Saber Art.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door and shouted loudly, “Junior Brothers Zhending and Zhenhui, Elder Wusi requests your presence at the Bodhi Academy.”
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