Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 38 - 36: Finding the Basic Method, Spiritual Treasure Nine Truths Map

In the refined side chamber, the charming atmosphere had completely vanished due to the previous incident.

Fortunately, Tao Qian was never one for such pleasures; he absent-mindedly flipped through the pages, the Secret Techniques he heard about from Xiao Qing, which barely qualified as fundamental mental methods for cultivation, flickered before his eyes.

From time to time, he would ask questions, inquiring about some details not mentioned in the books.

According to the rules of the Treasure Pavilion, Miss Xiao Qing shouldn't have divulged anything.

However, feeling she had been abrupt with a distinguished guest, she couldn't help but occasionally reveal some information.

Thus, Tao Qian's grasp of common knowledge and secrets relevant to the Lifebound Scripture grew significantly.

Some of the scriptures he read were considered bizarre, while others were chilling enough to make one instinctively denounce them as works of Evil Demons and Heretics.

For instance, a Lifebound Scripture called the "Fungus Planting Technique" claimed it could cultivate a person to the Foundation Establishment Realm and came with nearly ten Divine Powers.

Yet the practice required cultivating "Blood Spores" using fresh humans; feeding them Blood Fungus Powder before slicing open their belly and planting the fungus. Due to the powder, the humans would be stiff and immobile, yet still alive, and their senses would become eerily acute. After seven days, when the blood fungus had grown, it would continually spew Blood Spores, and the cultivator refining these could be filled with Source Qi, boosting their cultivation significantly.

Another Lifebound Scripture called the "Snake Mother Scripture" also touted itself as able to advance someone to the Foundation Establishment Realm, including methods like the hundred-mile snake escape, the venomous fang sword technique, and the Yin fiery snake demon—three powers of remarkable strength.

However, the training method required first practicing the Basic Method, transforming one's body into a snake form, complete with scales and fangs, then going to the wild valleys to find thousands of venomous snakes. Using one's Essence Blood, these vipers would be coerced into deadly infighting and mutual devouring until only one—the Snake Mother with a Demon Core—remained.

At the time of the blood moon, one would copulate with the Snake Mother under the moonlight; the mingling of Yin and Yang would allow the practitioner to enter the Qi Refining Realm in just one night.

Repeating such practices would lead to the Foundation Establishment.

...

Besides these disturbing heterodox methods that made Tao Qian uneasy, he also came across many basic skills from the Buddhist and Daoist Sects.

Compared to the former, these were undoubtedly much more normal.

And at first glance, they seemed free of significant cost.

While perusing these, Tao Qian was also partially distracted.

In his mind, thoughts surged, analyzing his current situation.

"With the Bo Dragon Bloodline in me and the acquisition of the Sword Technique and Escape Skill, my progress has already surpassed most of the lower-level cultivators."

"Still, for long-term planning, I need to find a Lifebound Scripture; without it, I cannot enter the Qi Refinement Realm."

"But most of the scriptures scattered abroad are treacherous and come with a hefty price tag. Even the 'Qingyang Scripture' that only allows entry to the Transcend Mortality Realm is outrageously expensive."

"If one truly wishes to pursue the Great Dao and long life, the best option would doubtless be to join a Major Sect from the Buddhist and Daoist Sects, a noble family, or a Heterodox Sect like the Ten Thousand Infant Sect."

"The problem is that these major forces are high and mighty; their Sect sites are located in Secret Realms and Immortal Mountains—mere mortals would struggle to even hear of such places, let alone set foot in them."

"And these powerful entities have their own methods and paths for selecting disciples."

"The lower-level Loose Cultivators, those seeking the Dao and Immortality, have no idea where to start; Wu Ming, for example, is a harrowing testament to that."

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a sense of worry started to rise within Tao Qian.

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If the practices embedded within the Lifebound Scripture were something one could abandon or take up as one pleases, then there would be no need for concern.

But unfortunately, that was not the case, and the choice had to be made with great care.

After much deliberation, as Tao Qian neared the end of flipping through the Treasure Record Supplement in his hand, he finally made a decision.

He secretly thought to himself: I don't need to be too troubled; choosing a Lifebound Scripture is even more challenging for others, but not me. I can discern more hidden secrets unknown to others, so naturally, I should first take a look at these smaller Lifebound Scriptures and see if I can sense any good news.

With this resolve, Tao Qian looked up to see the delicate Lady sitting further away on purpose and asked,

"Miss Xiao Qing, if I want to directly touch these smaller scriptures to make a selection, how many can you retrieve for me with your authority?"

"Respected guest, at most three scriptures at a time, and you can only examine a page or two. If not chosen, you'll have to pay one hundred cents for the second time to fetch another three, and if you still don't choose, then you can no longer continue to pick,"

"This rule is hard to break; Xiao Qing is powerless to help."

Hearing this, ideas formed in Tao Qian's mind.

First, he excluded those bizarre and horrifying heterodox practices. Then it was the Buddhist and Daoist methods—Tao Qian had no interest in becoming a monk nor did he wish to become a Demon and make enemies of the world.

After this selection process, an answer crystallized.

"Alright, go fetch me the 'Pure Yang Small Introduction,' 'Health Care Secret,' and 'Spirit Treasure Nine Truths Diagram'—these three small scriptures."

As Tao Qian spoke these words, Xiao Qing couldn't help but take a side glance.

Clearly, she had not expected this Half-dragon Half-man Demon to choose three foundational Daoist scriptures after much deliberation.

Each of these scriptures had a notable origin: the first came from the "Pure Yang Sect," the second was even greater, being a Basic Skill transmitted from "Taishang Dao," and the third hailed from the "Spirit Treasure Sect."

These three Sects were all among the Twelve Major Daoist Sects.

Especially Taishang Dao, which was rumored to be almost the first among the Daoist sects in strength.

Seeming to understand Xiao Qing's perplexity, Tao Qian added after speaking, "My concubine was originally a Daoist female cultivator before she joined the Sect. I also wish to see what's so special about Daoist Secret Techniques."

Miss Xiao Qing held no more doubts, instead feeling a bit of envy; the cultivation world was really too hard, and if one couldn't join a Major Sect, being part of a Great Demon's family would also make their Daoist path far wider than that of lower-level cultivators.

Just as she was about to continue pondering, she startlily realized—was this the seduction of Dragon Qi?

"No, that's not right; my Dao Heart is disturbed today."

"I should avoid any further contact with this guest and see him off as soon as possible."

Tao Qian was oblivious to the thoughts running through Xiao Qing's mind—he merely saw the delicate lady, who had previously walked as if swaying like tender willows, suddenly move swiftly as the wind.

Before long, she had returned.

But this time, she was followed by three maids, each holding an exquisitely beautiful jade box.

"The three Cultivation Techniques are all here; please make your selection, respected guest."

Having said that, Xiao Qing took several steps back voluntarily.

Looking at her, she seemed to hold some apprehension toward Tao Qian.

Tao Qian at this moment was only focused on the Lifebound Scripture and Basic Method, naturally paying no attention to her, and went straight to open the first jade box.

Inside lay a book woven from golden threads, upright and natural, about three fingers thick; on the cover, four ancient seal characters of the Daoist tradition emitted a brilliance that was truly special. Ordinary Cultivators would feel a sharp pain in their eyes upon seeing it, and if a Demon or any such alien being were to see it, they might suffer some harm, with serious cases possibly resulting in death.

Pure Yang Small Introduction, a Basic Skill of the major sect known as the Pure Yang Sect, can be used as a foundation for Cultivation but stops at the Qi Refining Realm; it comes with no Divine Skills or Exotic Skills attached... As the relevant information emerged in his mind, Tao Qian had already reached out and picked it up.

The moment he touched it, a strong throbbing sensation immediately arose; as Tao Qian turned to the first page, a mnemonic that seemed to contain profound principles entered his view:

"Cultivate Qi and forget words, keep the mind for the uncarved block... To stay true, one must respond to things, and in responding, must not become lost... When the Qi returns, the elixir forms itself, in the pot is paired with Kan and Li..."

These mnemonics from just the first page, naturally, didn't reveal much.

What Tao Qian truly cared about was the strangely formatted information he perceived in his mind.

[Record Name: Pure Yang Small Introduction.]

[Record Type: Alien.]

[Record: This method is one of the Basic Skills within the major Daoist sect 'Pure Yang Sect'; it contains no annotations or Divine Skills, and can be used as a foundation for Cultivation, refining the body to attain Pure Yang Origin Qi, but will also be limited to the Qi Refining Realm. Once practiced incorrectly, it may drain all the Pure Yang, rendering oneself unable to hold any Source Qi and completely destroying one's Dao Path.]

[Note One: If one successfully advances to the Qi Refinery Realm by practicing this method, a Pure Yang Seed will form within the body. This seed has its own intuition and can guide Cultivators to the secret mountain gate of the Pure Yang Sect.]

[Note Two: If the Cultivator themselves possess an Abnormal Trait related to "Pure Yang", they are almost guaranteed to advance to the Qi Refining Realm. However, once this skill has been learned, one must not indulge in sexual relations, nor break their celibacy, otherwise, all one's previous efforts will be wasted.]

[Note Three: After obtaining Pure Yang Origin Qi through this method, the body will be constantly cleansed, often giving rise to evil thoughts, preventing calmness in one's male root, and causing strong attraction to 'Yin Demons', 'Alien Charm', 'female ghosts', and other alien beings. If their Pure Yang Origin Qi is drained, the Cultivator will die violently.]

[Note Four: The price cannot be exempted!]

...

Tao Qian struggled to contain the change in his expression, as the information he perceived was too astonishing.

The Record itself was quite normal, but that "Note One" immediately filled Tao Qian with immense joy.

He had been puzzled before about the major sects, without a path to follow and no sect to enter, but now a way had appeared before him.

This could explain why a major sect of the Pure Yang Sect's level would allow one of its fundamental methods to spread outside; it seemed this was also a method they used to select disciples.

It also made sense; if a Loose Cultivator happened to pick up a "Pure Yang Small Introduction" and was able to cultivate it to the Qi Refining Realm, there was no doubt that they were a genius, and very likely they possessed what was known as a Pure Yang Constititution.

Such a genius seeking them out would undoubtedly be warmly welcomed by the Pure Yang Sect.

As for those subsequent "prices", in Tao Qian's view, they seemed quite appropriate.

Compared to other heretical methods from side doors and evil paths, it was far better.

Just as Tao Qian was feeling overjoyed, a setback came.

"Cannot be exempted!"

These four words sent Tao Qian's mind into a whirl.

Since learning of the anomalous nature of his soul, which allowed him to be exempt from the prices of cultivation, this was the first time he had come across an exemption.

If that format could be personified, Tao Qian felt as if he could hear a voice mocking him by his ear: "Don't get ahead of yourself. This method is not for you to cultivate."

"This doesn't make sense. Whether it's me or either of my two predecessors, we're all surely virgins. Why then can I not cultivate the Pure Yang methods? This is discrimination."

"Ah, that's also incorrect. The meaning of note four should be that I could also cultivate this Small Introduction, it's just that the anomaly in my soul will not provide any assistance."

Tao Qian mumbled in his mind, not feeling disheartened at all.

In fact, he was in quite a good mood.

Although he could not practice the "Pure Yang Small Introduction", the formatted information let Tao Qian know another way that the major sects selected disciples.

It was very likely that it wasn't just the Pure Yang Sect that did this.

With that thought, Tao Qian directly reached out and opened the subsequent two jade boxes.

The next second, he saw the "Health Care Secret" and the "Spirit Treasure Nine Truths Diagram" reflected in his view.

The former was the thinnest, only one finger thick, while the latter was a full four fingers thick, a substantial volume indeed.

Tao Qian just picked up the Health Care Secret, turned to the first page, and a mnemonic as simple as the Great Dao appeared in his view:

"Taishang nourishes the spirit, thereafter the form, when the spirit is clear and thoughts are calm, all joints will be at peace..."

Then came another heavy blow; the Record, Notes One, Two, and Three were much like the Pure Yang Small Introduction.

Similarly, Tao Qian once again saw the phrase "The price cannot be exempted".

After being hit twice, Tao Qian couldn't help but become suspicious.

The reason for being unable to exempt:

Could it be that the Pure Yang Sect and the Taishang Dao have extremely high requirements for a cultivator's innate abilities, and neither Tao Qian nor his predecessors were up to the mark?

Or is it because the level of these two Lifebound Scriptures is so high that even the anomaly deep within Tao Qian's soul is helpless?

With this doubt, Tao Qian took a deep breath and directly touched the third book.

As he felt the perception arise, he immediately looked at the final note.

To Tao Qian's relief, and in solving his doubt, he finally saw the information he wanted.

The Record and Notes One, Two, and Three were similar to the previous two volumes.

But after cultivating the Spirit Treasure Nine Truths Diagram to the Qi Refining Realm, what condenses within the body is a Spirit Treasure Nine Truths Map, which can also guide to the secret realm of the sect.

And the final note, Tao Qian saw this:

"The price can be exempted!"

Having been in this world for many days, this was the first time Tao Qian had such a strong impulse, feeling that these five characters were so endearing and charming.

ps: There's more tonight, seeking monthly tickets.