In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 189 A Vast Ocean Embraces All Rivers, A Great Mind is One That Tolerates All Things

late at night.

The rooms in the villa of Hulong Mountain Villa were brightly lit.

Zhu Wushi stood with one hand behind his back, his gaze deep and unfocused.

On the table in front of him were some medicines and utensils scattered about, and two imperial physicians dressed in official robes stood on either side of the table, constantly busy.

After a short while, one of the imperial physicians, with gray hair, let out a long sigh of relief, carefully placed the fragrant cardamom on the brocade handkerchief into the wooden box, walked up to Zhu Wushi, bent down and handed the wooden box to him with both hands.

"My Lord, I've already checked it. The poison applied to this Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom has indeed been removed."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi's originally cold expression softened somewhat.

After tucking the wooden box into his robes, Zhu Wushi asked, "Imperial Physician Wang, I overheard some news about Tianxiang cardamom. It is said that after taking two Tianxiang cardamom seeds, one must take a third within a year, otherwise one's internal organs will gradually fail and one will die."

"I wonder if this news is true or false?"

Faced with Zhu's question, the imperial physician surnamed Wang replied without hesitation: "According to medical books, there are indeed records of this, and the content is the same as what Your Highness said."

Having received a definitive answer from the imperial physician in front of him, Zhu Wushi took a deep breath.

He immediately nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you both for your help today. I will present you with a small gift when you leave later."

The two imperial physicians inside the room both wore genuine smiles.

"Thank you, Divine Marquis."

A short while later, as soon as the two imperial physicians left, Shangguan Haitang and Duan Tianya entered the room.

After walking up to Zhu Wushi, Shangguan Haitang bowed her head and said, "Father, everything has been arranged. As per your request, with the efforts of 237 painters in the capital, nearly a thousand portraits were drawn in three hours. Haitang has secretly sent the portraits and the characteristics of the two men to intelligence points in various places."

"As soon as our spies in various locations spot the two men, they will send the news back immediately."

Zhu Wushi nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

He then looked at Duan Tianya and asked, "How is Yidao over there? How are his injuries?"

Duan Tianya replied, "The person who escaped from the prison didn't kill. The knife wound wasn't serious. However, like us, it might take another day for the poison in his body to completely dissipate. To avoid any accidents, we dare not use any medicine for the time being. We just stopped the bleeding with acupressure and bandaged him up simply."

Zhu Wushi asked, "Are the other two imperial physicians in the palace, who are quite knowledgeable about poisons, also unable to identify what kind of poison it is?"

Duan Tianya shook his head and said, "Lord Zhou and Lord Li also said that they had never seen this kind of poison before. They also said that because this poison has adhered to our meridians, if there is no antidote, we can only use our own internal energy to force the poison out of our meridians little by little."

At this point, Duan Tianya said in a solemn tone, "The Yagyu family of Japan is also skilled in the art of poisons. I have studied at the Yagyu family for many years and have gained some understanding of all kinds of strange poisons in the world, but I have never heard of such a poison that can not only seal half of a martial artist's power, but also target a martial artist's lightness skill and movement technique."

Zhu Wushi had not expected that the poison in their bodies would be so troublesome, even the imperial physicians in the palace who were well-versed in pharmacology could not solve it.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice, "I have already tried it before, and now I have successfully removed more than half of the poison. In another three hours, I should be able to clean the poison out of your bodies. After my strength recovers tomorrow, I will deal with the poison in your bodies then."

Upon learning that most of the poison in Zhu Wushi's body had been removed, Shangguan Haitang and Duan Tianya finally relaxed.

After a short pause and a slight hesitation, Shangguan Haitang asked, "Godfather, what exactly is the identity of the old man imprisoned on the nineteenth floor of the Heavenly Prison?"

Zhu Wushi pondered for a moment, then said, "That person is Gu Santong, the invincible rascal who was famous twenty years ago."

Shangguan Haitang and Duan Tianya's expressions changed slightly.

"Legend has it that twenty-two years ago, a prodigy martial artist emerged in the martial arts world. He was only thirty years old, yet he already possessed the internal energy cultivation of condensing Yuan into Gang, and he also knew the 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill' created by the eccentric hero of Tianchi a hundred years ago."

"However, this person acted eccentrically and was ruthless. On the shore of Taihu Lake, he killed 108 masters from the eight major sects, including Emei, Kunlun, Shaolin, and Yujianmen. Even the four great constables sent by the imperial court to act as notaries could not escape, which shocked the world."

"In the end, even the imperial court had to intervene, and my adoptive father finally managed to defeat Gu Santong."

"I never expected that Gu Santong would still be alive after all these years."

Duan Tianya asked, "Gu Santong was already a martial artist who had reached the Qi Condensation stage many years ago. He was captured by his adoptive father and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. I'm afraid he harbors immense hatred for his adoptive father and is waiting for an opportunity to take revenge. If so..."

Zhu Wushi said softly, "Are you worried that he will join forces with Cao Zhengchun?"

Duan Tianya nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhu Wushi shook his head and said, "Although Gu Santong is strong, his injuries have not healed since his decisive battle with me twenty-two years ago."

"I had the imperial physician examine him several years ago, and it was determined that the injuries had spread to his internal organs. Now, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he's on his last legs."

"If he tries to escape from the prison again today, his injuries will definitely worsen. Even with his profound skills, he probably won't live for more than half a year."

"What I truly fear is Gu Santong's 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill'."

After a pause, Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice, "Cao Zhengchun himself cultivates the 'Heavenly Gang Child Skill.' Once he obtains the 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill,' even I might not be his match."

"Therefore, it is essential to ensure that while Gu Santong dies, Cao Zhengchun must also be prevented from obtaining the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill."

Upon hearing Zhu Wushi's words, the two understood the implications.

He nodded quickly in agreement.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Wushi looked at Shangguan Haitang and said, "You two and Yidao have different masters, but you are all quite good at martial arts cultivation. The only problem is that your internal energy is insufficient."

"But many years ago, I obtained a special pill formula. It recorded a pill that, when taken, could enhance a martial artist's power by ten years. If you have the help of this pill, your internal energy can also reach the level of Qi Condensation and Yuan Formation. In a few more years, you might even be able to enter the realm of Yuan Condensation and Gang Formation."

"However, this kind of pill has always been missing the last two main ingredients. Over the years, Wan Sanqian has been helping me search for information about these two ingredients. Three days ago, Wan Sanqian wrote to say that he had found the two main ingredients, one of which happens to be in Jiading Prefecture."

"Two months from now, I will make a trip to find one of the ingredients. As for the ingredient in Jiading Prefecture, you, Haitang, will make the trip there. It just so happens that the Emei Sect is right next to Jiading Prefecture. Let's see if we can invite Gu Shaoan of Emei to join the Dragon Guard Manor."

Shangguan Haitang cupped her hands and said, "Haitang understands."

The next day.

In the hotel room.

The room was filled with steam, and within this steam was a distinct medicinal smell.

In the center of the room, a wooden bathtub about half a person's height was placed inside. The medicinal soup was dark and turbid, not warm and clear, but more like a thick paste that had been repeatedly refined.

A layer of extremely turbid, oily, dark green film, covered with medicinal residue, floated on the water's surface, resembling a layer of algae in some kind of viscous swamp.

Gu Santong was completely submerged in the thick soup that could be described as "medicinal mud," with only his head sticking out from the edge of the tub.

Silver needles were inserted into many acupoints on the head.
Gu Shaoan sat at the table, next to which were four small stoves, with steam billowing from the earthenware pots on them, clearly indicating that medicine was being simmered.

As Gu Santong circulated his true energy, the medicinal water in the bathtub, which was not particularly hot, began to bubble continuously from the bottom, as if it were boiling.

An hour later, Gu Santong turned his head and glanced at the dozen or so packets of medicine powder of various sizes on the table, and his eyelids twitched involuntarily.

"Kid, you're not planning to make me stay here all day, are you?"

While maintaining the circulation of true energy within his body according to the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill" path, Gu Shaoan asked without raising his head, "Does Senior Gu have no idea what his physical condition is like?"

"They are basically close to being exhausted. If the senior doesn't feel happy soaking, he can just not soak. Anyway, it's not the junior who will die in six months and leave behind orphans and widows."

"It just so happens that I can save two more Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom seeds."

Hearing Gu Shaoan's words, Gu Santong chuckled and said, "I was just asking casually. The bath is nice; I haven't taken a bath in over twenty years."

Seeing that Gu Santong had calmed down, Gu Shaoan stopped being sarcastic and changed the subject, saying, "There is something I would like to ask Senior Gu about." "As far as I know, Zhu Wushi has been using the 'Absorption Technique' to absorb the power of other martial artists and make it his own over the years."

"Judging from the results of my probing yesterday, even Zhu Wushi's skill level may have exceeded two hundred years."

"In terms of profound skill, looking across the world, there are probably few who can compare with him."

"Why hasn't Zhu Wushi reached the Celestial Realm yet? Could it be that there's something wrong with the Absorption Technique?"

After slightly stirring the liquid in the bucket, Gu Santong replied, "You're quite clever. That 'Absorption Technique' does indeed have some problems."

Then, Gu Santong asked, "Kid, how much do you know about the 'Absorption Technique'?"

Gu Shaoan thought for a moment and then shook his head and said, "I don't know much about it. I only know that the 'Absorption Technique' has the effect of taking away the power of others. Moreover, the most unique feature of the 'Absorption Technique' is that it is not limited to just absorbing the power of others and turning it into one's own. Instead, when absorbing the power of others, one can even master the martial arts that others have painstakingly cultivated."

"However, after this martial art absorbs the power of others, very little of it is retained; the conversion rate is only half a percent."

"Even if one absorbs another's century-old power using the 'Absorption Technique,' only five to ten years' worth will remain."

Gu Santong asked, "Do you know the principle behind it?"

Gu Shaoan responded, "It seems to involve spirit and energy."

Gu Santong nodded and said, "That's right! The Absorption Technique's absorption method is based on the principles of 'the ocean accepts all rivers and is magnanimous' and the microcosm of the human body. It uses the human body as a microcosm to absorb the enemy's essence, energy and spirit into one's own body, allowing the enemy's martial arts true energy to circulate freely within the body."

"Then, by using the principle of 'Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things,' the meridians of the enemy's martial arts can be opened up, so that the practitioner of the Absorbing Power Technique can master the enemy's martial arts."

"Just like the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill you are currently practicing, you need to open up the meridians around the twelve main meridians and condense the golden energy to integrate into your body."

"This process will take an extremely long time."

"If Zhu Wushi uses the 'Absorption Technique' to absorb your power, he can use the essence, energy, and spirit within your power to make it circulate within your body on its own, and then open the hidden meridians involved in the 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill'."

"If you cultivate the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill to the fifth level, Zhu Wushi will also be able to reach the fifth level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill once he absorbs your power. If you cultivate the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill to the tenth level, Zhu Wushi will also be able to reach the tenth level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill with your power."

A martial artist's internal strength, true qi, and even true essence are all forms of energy condensed from the essence, qi, and spirit of the human body.

However, if a martial artist doesn't control it, this essence, energy, and spirit should theoretically be inanimate.

However, the "Absorption Technique" can steal the martial arts skills that others have painstakingly practiced by circulating their essence, energy, and spirit on their own.

Gu Shaoan still couldn't figure out the underlying principles.

After a moment, Gu Shaoan asked, "After the 'Absorption Technique' steals someone's power each time, it can only retain less than half of it after refining. This power should be extremely pure and should not affect the martial artist's foundation."

Gu Santong shook his head and said, "If I hadn't cultivated the 'Absorption Technique,' I would have thought the same as you."

After organizing his thoughts, Gu Santong continued, "Strictly speaking, the 'Absorption Technique' absorbs not only the power and martial arts of others, but also the 'foundation furnace' of a martial artist."

Just as there are no two people in the world who are exactly the same, everyone's spirit and energy will be different.

"And martial artists in the Celestial Realm are said to have the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top. What are the Three Flowers? They are simply a transformation after one's essence, energy, and spirit have condensed into a tangible form."

"After a normal martial artist enters the stage of Condensing Qi into Qi, they need to determine their next cultivation path and then select one of the three elements (essence, qi, and spirit) to continuously refine."

"The so-called essence corresponds to the martial artist's own blood and qi, qi corresponds to the martial artist's true essence, and spirit corresponds to the martial artist's spiritual energy."

"Take myself as an example. I cultivate the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, an internal martial art. Its greatest strength lies in my own physique. Therefore, if I want to enter the Celestial Realm, I need to use my own true essence as a guide and then gather the power of my blood and qi within my body."

"Once the Qi and blood are sufficient, let the Qi and blood condense into 'essence flowers,' and then use this as a medium to stimulate the spiritual power and true essence, so as to achieve the gathering of the three flowers at the top."

"In this process of rigorous training, my first priority is to ensure the abundance and purity of my own vital energy."

Gu Shaoan's current internal energy cultivation level is only at the stage of condensing Qi into Yuan, and he has not even reached the stage of condensing Yuan into Gang.

Therefore, even when facing Zhang Sanfeng at Wudang Mountain, Gu Shaoan did not ask Zhang Sanfeng about this aspect; he only knew about the power and momentum of heaven and earth.

Hearing Gu Santong's explanation, Gu Shaoan listened with particular attention.

"As I just said, everyone's essence, energy and spirit are different. When the 'Absorption Technique' absorbs the power of others, it will also absorb the essence, energy and spirit of those martial artists."

"And once the essence, energy, and spirit are devoured, they will merge with Zhu Wushi's own essence, energy, and spirit. Do you understand what this means?"

Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "It means that for someone who has cultivated the 'Absorption Technique,' absorbing another person's power will increase the difficulty and time required to condense the Three Flowers. The more power and essence of others one absorbs, the greater the difficulty will be."

Gu Santong nodded and said, "That's right!"

As he spoke, Gu Santong's face showed a look of reminiscence.

"I only gradually realized the problem with the 'Absorption Technique' after I was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. In order to solve the problem of essence, energy and spirit, I spent a full fifteen years in the Heavenly Prison before I successfully integrated the essence, energy and spirit that I had absorbed from others' bodies using the 'Absorption Technique' with my own essence, energy and spirit."

"This was only when I had absorbed the power of two people using the 'Absorption Technique,' let alone Zhu Tiedan."

"Zhu Tiedan has extremely high martial arts talent. If he could have been more patient and only used the 'Absorption Technique' as a martial art for self-defense, he might have already condensed the Three Flowers and entered the Celestial Realm."

"But the fact that he absorbed all the power of the 108 masters from the Eight Great Sects on the shore of Taihu Lake meant that Zhu Tiedan would never be able to achieve the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top through his own arduous cultivation."

"If you want to continue to improve your strength and step into the Celestial Realm, you either need to continue to absorb the power of others using the 'Power Absorption Technique,' and once the power, essence, and spirit in his body reach a certain level, you can force the Three Flowers to condense."

"Or, let Zhu Tiedan in his current state use the 'Absorption Technique' to drain a Celestial Realm martial artist dry."

"At that time, with the characteristics of the Absorption Technique, Zhu Wushi will be able to directly condense the Three Flowers."

After listening to what Gu Santong said, Gu Shaoan suddenly understood.

I also thought about what would happen a few years from now.

"No wonder that in the events a few years later, Zhu Wushi, with his status, agreed to deal with those few Celestial Realm warriors in the palace. It turns out he had no other choice."

Seeing Gu Shaoan deep in thought, Gu Santong continued, "It can be said that this 'Absorption Technique' is like a road of no return. Once you step onto this road, there is no turning back. You can only go all the way down this road."

"If you want to learn, I can teach you."

"Anyway, your talent isn't that great. You can't expect to reach the Celestial Realm in this lifetime. It's not bad to be able to step into the Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang Realm. If one day you get lucky and absorb all of Zhang Sanfeng's energy, you will become the number one martial artist in the Great Wei Kingdom. How about that? Doesn't it get a little exciting?"

Gu Shaoan: "."

Gu Shaoan was annoyed that Gu Santong had belittled him in such a roundabout way. He said, "If you don't know how to speak properly, then don't speak at all. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind adding some more seasonings to your bathtub."

Gu Santong paused for a moment, then curled his lip and muttered, "He's ugly and can't handle being teased. What girl would like him? He deserves to be a virgin at this age."

Hearing this, Gu Shaoan smiled.

He then slowly stood up and walked towards Gu Santong with a smile on his face.

"I wonder if you have ever heard of a poison called 'Smiling Half-Step Madness'?"

As Gu Shaoan approached step by step, Gu Santong suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Without thinking, he replied, "Never heard of it."

As Gu Shaoan took out a medicine bottle from his pocket, he said with a smile, "That's perfect. Today, let Senior Gu experience the wonders of this poison."

"You, don't come over!"

　This involves cultivation towards the Celestial Realm, so it took a bit longer! The author will finish the next chapter as soon as possible!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)