From the Carp that Brings Children to the Celestial Officials

Chapter 5: Heaven and Earth Dharma
There are thousands of ways to practice cultivation between heaven and earth, but generally speaking they can be divided into: Tao, scriptures, classics, books, methods, and techniques.

The highest level [Tao] level method contains an entire avenue that points directly to the root, from which countless wonderful methods can be derived and countless Dharma veins can be opened up.

The second is the [Scripture] level method, the longitude and latitude of heaven and earth, the derivation of Tao. Any scripture is enough to open up a great sect of immortality.

Next is the [Classic], which is the evolution of the scriptures, including methods of manipulating vital energy and techniques of forging supernatural powers. Often, the fundamental methods of many small and medium-sized sects are at this level.

Then there is [Book]. Book means the note of the classics, which is usually a branch separated from the [Classic] level exercises. Although it contains methods for cultivating inspiration, it is not comprehensive and it is easy to go astray.

As for those who go further down, they either have methods but no skills, or have skills but no methods. Neither of them is considered mainstream. Generally, only those from declining immortal sects or those who are wandering cultivators and monsters will practice this.

The [Xuanyuan Water Method] that You Ming practices is just a common and inferior product.

There are only tricks on transporting spiritual energy and condensing magic power, but no corresponding spells to protect oneself from enemies.

After spending half a day browsing the library, You Ming had a rough idea in his mind.

In the entire library, the most valuable one should be the [Classic]-level method book placed at the very top.

[Zhenwu Baiyang Sword Classic].

Unfortunately, this is a method for sword cultivation. You Ming took a quick look at it and found that not only does one need to be born with sword bones and sword heart, but one also needs to find the essence of the five elements to refine a sword pill.

Although becoming a swordsman seems very cool, You Ming feels that he is not up to the task.

Further down, there are three [Book]-level methods: [Tianjun Leixiao Secret Book], [Xiaomo Blood Forbidden True Book] and [Jianghai Chaosheng Treasure Book].

His current body is a carp. Since he has no choice but to use the classic method, he can only settle for the second best and choose the [Treasure Book of the Rising Tides of Rivers and Seas].

After all, it is one level higher than the previous [Xuanyuan Water Method], and the highest level that can be cultivated is the sixth level [Lijie].

Once one has achieved success in cultivation, the magic power in the body will be like the vast rivers and seas, profound and broad, and can also resonate with the water vapor of nature, forming a powerful offensive.

It also comes with three matching water spells, which saves him from having to look for separate spells.

After choosing the [Treasure Book of River and Sea Tides], You Ming found two more books, one called [Flowing Cloud Body Washing Method] and the other called [Cold Pond Bone Strengthening Method], both of which are methods of body strengthening.

After making sure, he carried the three books to the corner, spread out the paper and started copying.

Although You Ming has only been in this world for half a year, he has been studying the language of this world seriously. Even though his body is that of a carp, deep down in his heart he still considers himself a human being.

He would not allow himself to live in ignorance like this. He wanted to embark on the path of immortality, quickly shed his demonic body, and become a human again.

Because he seldom used a brush in his previous life, You Ming copied books very slowly, and his handwriting was actually very ordinary. However, he copied very seriously. For some really rare characters, he would copy them and then ask people who knew more characters.

These three books all have quite a few words in them, especially the [Treasure Book of River and Sea Tides]. In addition to the methods of manipulating spiritual energy, it also contains many supporting spells, which add up to more than 20,000 words.

You Ming buried his head and copied the words in the treasure book carefully.

This kind of exquisite method is inherently obscure and difficult to understand. Often, missing a single word can lead to a huge mistake. After copying every hundred words, he would carefully check it again.

Time passed little by little, and You Ming copied for nearly a day and a night before he barely finished copying the treasure book.

There are still two books on body-building methods to copy, and there is definitely not enough time. I have to pay another divine power.

"what is this?"

The last page of the "River and Sea Tide Treasure Book" contained twelve intricate, maze-like patterns, each the size of a normal character. Even at first glance, they were dizzying. Although he couldn't understand the patterns, You Ming figured since they were in the book, he decided to copy them down.

"First write horizontally... then fold inwards... then write downwards, and then write outwards..." He carefully traced the first character.

But after he had made a few strokes, his mind suddenly became hazy. He felt that the words in front of him were getting bigger and smaller, and the scene around him was shaking.

A feeling of nausea surged over him, and his head seemed to be empty.

When he recovered, he found only a blob of ink on the paper.

"What the hell is this!"

You Ming was horrified, feeling that these words seemed to carry some kind of terrible magic that could drain away people's energy and spirit.

"Hey, silly boy, this is Heavenly Book Worm Seal. You dare to copy it blindly without learning it. I can only praise your courage."

Just then, a hoarse voice came from behind him.

The little carp turned around and saw an old man with a hunched back, a beard hanging down to the ground, and wearing a green official robe.

The old man had a very strange appearance. His head was half bald, and the remaining white hair was tied into a tight bun at the back of his head with a wooden hairpin. His forehead was several times larger than that of an ordinary person, like a tumor.

A pair of worn tortoise-shell crystal glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, covering his small, green eyes.

You Ming hurriedly stood up and bowed slightly. Although the other party was also wearing a green official robe, he was holding a tablet in his hand, which meant that he was an eighth-rank god and his status was higher than his.

He only took one look at the other person and roughly guessed his identity.

"My name is Li Ling, the Birth Delivery Officer from Yuanling Mountain. I'd like to greet the Chief Registrar of the Collection Department."

"Oh? You are the newly appointed Carp God of Childbirth. I heard from the old ghost that you have reincarnated more than fifty ghosts in just half a year. You are really fierce."

The old man looked at You Ming and then laughed.

You Ming's mind moved. The old ghost the other party was talking about was probably the Dianshi of the Yin and Yang Department, who was also the earth god he dealt with most in his daily life.

"May I ask, Chief Registrar, what is the Heavenly Book of Worm Seal?"

The little carp thought the words were magical, and while he was in awe of the power contained in the words, he also felt a bit interested in it.

"In ancient times, sages observed the patterns of the Great Dao and traced and organized them, which became the modern-day insect seal script. Each line of the insect seal script contains highly condensed truths and mysteries."

"Just like the 20,000-word [Treasure Book of Rivers and Seas] you copied, if it were written in insect seal script, it would only be a mere twelve characters."

"And the discussion is insightful and comprehensive, far more profound than ordinary written records."

The old man said with a smile.

His library was usually deserted, but suddenly a studious little fellow came, and the old man was happy to talk to him and kill time.

You Ming opened his mouth slightly, this insect seal was surprisingly powerful.

"Then... can you teach me this Heavenly Book of Worm Seal?"

(End of this chapter)