Zhang Jian stood at the doorway of the study, gazing at the numerous chaotic diagrams before him, amidst which were a dozen scrolls adorned with countless peculiar rune lines.
All around were piles of ancient texts placed haphazardly!
Has martial arts training become this intense?
Zhang Jian's expression froze slightly, but soon after he felt a chill down his back.
A few clattering sounds accompanied by the dull friction of mechanisms opening.
The faint morning light descended from the skylight.
His eyes fell upon a completely opened secret compartment within the study, where Zhang Yi, without any concealment, entered directly.
Inside, there were heaps of white bones.
This uncle seems a bit unusual...
Zhang Jian's face stiffened at this moment, though he maintained a calm demeanor.
He had some doubts in his heart.
Looking at Zhang Yi's usual demeanor and appearance, Zhang Jian easily associated him with an evil sect member, a great demon.
However, Zhang Yi had never been unkind to him.
So he probably didn't harbor any malicious intentions toward him.
Zhang Yi had been covertly observing Zhang Jian's expression, and upon seeing just a slight surprise in Zhang Jian's eyes before he composed himself, Zhang Yi quietly nodded to himself.
Zhang Jian was indeed quite outstanding.
His original thoughts shifted slightly, his gaze falling on several secret compartments as he casually remarked,
"Brother Jian, don't underestimate the martial artist. Martial training, like your imperial examinations' Four Books and Five Classics, is worth a lifetime of exploration in any classic!"
"Especially since the Inner Cultivation Technique is even more intricate than Body Refining and External Cultivation!"
After speaking, Zhang Yi then found three books from a pile of miscellaneous books: a medical book 'Yi Mai Book', a 'Brief Introduction to Internal Cultivation Terms', and finally a Dao scripture 'Yunyuan Health Care Scripture'!
"Health Care Scripture..."
Zhang Jian looked at Zhang Yi with a somewhat strange expression.
To his surprise, Zhang Yi didn't give him any seemingly evil sect literature, but rather very 'orthodox' ones!
Zhang Jian took the three books, noticing that they had been worn smooth, indicating they had been read many times.
This discovery added a subtle warmth to his heart.
Zhang Yi paid no attention to the pile of white bones covered in rune lines beside him, a sinister smile playing on his shadowy face: "Try it out, this Yunyuan Health Care Scripture, though mild, excels in cultivating a peaceful inner qi, which is most nourishing!"
Mildness and peace are always associated with high tolerance for errors.
No matter how you practice, there won't be any severe consequences.
Zhang Yi further advised.
"The most crucial first step in inner cultivation is Qi Sensing; cultivating the first spark of qi force is what blocks most people trying to walk the path of inner cultivation. However, this spark of qi sensitivity requires a sudden spiritual insight, so you need not rush."
"Additionally, you can learn some health-preserving techniques from Jian Yao, like the Three Yang Pillar, combined with static cultivation; this would benefit you!"
Jian Yao was one of the three whose aura Zhang Jian had previously noticed far surpassed that of the other manor guests; he was skilled in sword technique and renowned as the Hundred Victory Saber.
Zhang Jian nodded emphatically, his gaze sweeping over the secret compartment in Zhang Yi's study, then glancing at the dozen peculiar rune scrolls and meridian scrolls hanging in the center.
The dozen peculiar rune scrolls were hung centrally, indicating their exceptional importance to Zhang Yi.
After seeing Zhang Jian off, Zhang Yi's gaze returned to the dozen scrolls on the dimly lit wall, a slight darkness clouding his brow.
No matter how he studied them, the mysteries within these ancient paintings remained unsolved.
...
In the Immortal Realm
The Qingxia Goddess entered straight into an Immortal Realm composed of cold ice; within a massive glacier cave mansion, she saw a giant ice sculpture.
The ice sculpture exuded intense cold, seemingly freezing every space and time, halting the heavens and earth, while inside the ice crystal was another graceful figure, continuously emanating a thick, black stream of toxic gas, this layer of miasmic black gas seemed as if it could make one vomit up the three souls and seven spirits just at a glance—pervading the boundless heavens and earth with pollution.
"Has it degraded to this extent?"
The Qingxia Goddess slightly furrowed her delicate brows.
In her divine gaze, the Celestial Demon Poison was closing in on the Primordial Spirit of the Female Immortal within the ice crystal; if the Primordial Spirit were to be infected, even reincarnation would be troublesome.
Her friend was indeed at the end of her strength.
"Sister Qingxia!"
At that moment, an ethereal voice emerged from the giant ice crystal.
The voice was melodious, reminiscent of clear spring tunes, enchanting and soul-stirring.
The Qingxia Goddess solemnly said, "Say no more, I have procured a merit dharma artifact for you, now take it with you and reincarnate!"
With a wave of her hand, a seven-layered golden treasure tower flew from her hand, quickly transforming into golden light embedding itself deep into Bai Hua Fairy's brow, as countless terrifying Celestial Demon Poisons met this layer of merit golden light, amid the serene, harmonious chimes of a wind bell, it seemed as though the skyborne filthy black gas was swept clean, numerous chaotic demonic sounds suddenly paused, the sound greatly weakened.
The Soul Suppression Tower evidently had an effect.
This made the Qingxia Goddess nod with approval.
Within the ice crystal, the mysterious Female Immortal's true body became noticeably clearer; she felt that the impending doomsday had finally opened a glimmer of sky light, bringing a touch of joy with it. Her eyes sparkling, her voice came out: "Merit dharma artifacts are always precious. To borrow such a treasure, I imagine Sister had to pay a great cost, and Bai Hua truly doesn't know how to repay Sister's life-saving grace!"
"We are sisters, there's no need for such words!"
After a slight pause, the Qingxia Goddess added, "However, if you do refine this treasure, you will inevitably need to repay it in the future, have you thought it through?"
"That's a minor issue!" Within the ice crystal, Bai Hua Fairy's delicate, flawless jade face smiled, the black energy at her temples seemingly dissipating.
This is a good cause, good effect, much easier to resolve than wicked cause and evil effect.
After some thought, she spoke again.
"Furthermore, those collected items in the Hundred Flower Garden after my reincarnation can be handled by Sister on my behalf!"
"Sister need not refuse; it's better to let Sister handle these items, rather than letting them idle and attract others' covetousness, perhaps they could contribute to helping Sister's realm breakthrough!"
The Qingxia Goddess's gaze shifted; Bai Hua Fairy had previously ranked among the top female immortals in Jasper Pool, overseeing all flowers, with considerable resources, this act was evidently to repay her favor.
The Qingxia Goddess thought it over and did not refuse.
Part of Bai Hua Fairy's collection was indeed greatly beneficial to her.
Moreover, in the future, she would have to assist Bai Hua Fairy's return, which would require further efforts.
...
At the Zhang Family, Zhang Jian was experiencing something unusual.
After simple recognition and instruction, Zhang Jian found that the challenge of sensing qi was somewhat different.
Under the blazing sun, the sunlight scorching
Zhang Jian stood firm, his eyes shining brightly, recalling the process of Qi Sensing from the 'Yunyuan Health Care Scripture' in his mind.
According to Zhang Yi's guidance, Qi Sensing required a combination of movement and stillness, continuously adjusting breathing styles, and combined with specific ratios of exercise methods to train the inner organs, ultimately finding a subtle rhythm where the inner organs and breathing resonate, capturing a hint of qi sensation from within the rhythm.
This was Inner Refining Sensing Qi.
But his current state was somewhat off.
He followed the "Yunyuan Health Care Scripture's" secrets in breathing, inhaling and exhaling.
His whole body seemed filled with qi.
There was none of the stiffness or obscurity that Zhang Yi mentioned.
It wasn't just qi; it was blazing light.
This made Zhang Jian feel a sense of difference.
"Is it because of that Fire Apricot?"
With a slight hesitation, he continued with the breathing steps, proceeding with his first real session of breathing.