Martial Arts Crossover: The Sweeping Monk of Wudang? That's our patriarch!

boom--!

The vortex of spiritual energy slowly rotated, and the vast spiritual energy flowed in like rivers flowing into the sea, rolling endlessly and surging forth.

Lin Daochen's aura surged continuously, like a surging tide.

finally--

With a loud "crack," it was as if a seal within the body had shattered, and a vast power surged and flowed through the body like a river bursting its banks.

One layer of Qi Refining!

At this moment, he truly knocked on the gate to immortality and embarked on the path to immortality that mortals dream of.

However, he did not stop.

The fingertips continued to rapidly change their hand gestures, the vortex of spiritual energy above the head spun endlessly, and the primordial energy of heaven and earth surged into the body like rivers flowing into the sea.

Second level of Qi Refining!

Refinement level three!

Lin Daochen only slowly stopped his attack when he reached the third level of perfection.

Too fast won't do. Haste makes waste; an unstable foundation will inevitably lead to failure sooner or later.

On the path of spiritual practice, taking one step at a time is the safest approach.

With his previous accumulation, reaching the third level of Qi Refining was a natural and perfect outcome.

As the attack ceased, the strange phenomena in the heavens and earth gradually subsided, the wind and clouds dispersed, and the mountains and forests returned to silence.

When Song Yuanqiao and the others saw Lin Daochen stand up, they quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Senior Master."

His tone was respectful, but a strange, inexplicable sense of awe welled up in his heart, as if the person in front of him was no longer a fellow disciple or elder, but a celestial being descended from the heavens.

This feeling was not accidental.

This is because Lin Daochen has not yet contained the ethereal aura emanating from his body—in terms of life level, he has already transcended the mundane realm, while Song Yuanqiao and the others are still just mortals with flesh and blood.

When faced with life of a higher dimension, one instinctively feels an urge to submit and worship.

"No need for formalities," Lin Daochen said with a light laugh, a hint of divine light flickering between his brows.

Having broken through to a higher level today, I'm naturally in a great mood.

With a slight thought, the spiritual energy within his body shifted, and all the leaking aura returned to its source, the immortal charm disappearing without a trace.

In an instant, the suffocating sense of oppression dissipated.

Song Yuanqiao felt a sense of relief and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle-Master, did you... make a breakthrough just now?"

Lin Daochen remained calm and spoke in a gentle tone: "It's just that my cultivation has made some progress, and my martial arts skills have improved slightly."

The matter of cultivating immortality involves a wide range of people, and even if the other party is a direct disciple, one cannot easily reveal even a little bit about it.

So he glossed over it with "advancing in martial arts".

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanqiao's eyes lit up immediately: "Could it be... that my martial uncle has already reached the first rank of martial arts?"

"I'd say I could barely be considered a grandmaster," Lin Daochen replied casually.

Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished, and then they all offered their congratulations in unison:

Congratulations, Senior Master!

My heart was in turmoil.

In just a few months, he rose from a fifth-grade martial artist to a martial arts grandmaster. This speed is simply astonishing!

Even with their vast knowledge, they were still deeply moved.

But upon closer examination, it seems to make perfect sense.

Hunyuan Taiji Gong, Hunyuan Taiji Quan, Tengyun Bu, Da Ri Fen Tian Zhang... which one is not a peerless martial art that has shaken the world throughout history?

To be able to create so many unparalleled martial arts techniques by one person, his talent can no longer be described as "monstrous"; it would not be an exaggeration to call him a chosen one of destiny.

It's not surprising that such a person could cultivate with lightning speed.

The group tried to console themselves and suppress the deep shock they felt.

Lin Daochen accepted the greeting with a smile, and then led everyone back to the Wudang Mountain gate.

After seeing Song Yuanqiao and his party off, he returned to the Sutra Repository alone, sat cross-legged in the quiet room, and pondered deeply.

It is certainly gratifying to embark on the path of immortality, but he has only taken the first step.

He has reached the third level of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and there is still a long way to go.

After refining Qi, there are further stages such as Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation... until one transcends tribulations and ascends to become a supreme being, such as Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, or Great Luo Golden Immortal, and finally reaches the realm of a Saint—eternally indestructible and impervious to all tribulations.

The path to immortality is long and arduous, stretching back through the ages. He has only just begun his journey.

After the brief joy, what follows is more planning and contemplation for the future.

No matter how dangerous the road ahead, he will not turn back.

The world's splendor is but a mirage; only immortality and standing at the pinnacle of the immortal path are his lifelong pursuits.

"The two biggest problems right now are attack methods and spiritual energy."

Lin Daochen sat quietly in deep thought.

The current version of the "Yin Yang Creation Technique" only covers the Qi Refining stage. To break through the limitations and reach a higher level, a more complete and superior cultivation method must be inherited.

Therefore, he still needs to continue to deduce the "Yin Yang Creation Technique" and quickly develop an attack method for the Foundation Establishment stage.

Compared to attack techniques, which can be solved by simply rolling them up, spiritual energy is the real headache.

Lin Daochen had clearly noticed during today's frenzied absorption of spiritual energy that the spiritual energy in this martial arts world was ridiculously scarce. It was manageable at the beginning of cultivation, but as his cultivation level increased, his demand for spiritual energy would only skyrocket. Eventually, this world simply wouldn't be able to support his ascent to higher realms. Without enough spiritual energy, how could he possibly cultivate to the level of a ghost immortal?

This is also the fundamental reason why he absolutely refused to pass on his cultivation methods to outsiders.

He can barely afford to supply himself, how can he allow others to steal the spiritual energy of the hot springs? To get a share? Dream on.

After figuring this out, Lin Daochen gradually had a solution in mind.

It's impossible to create spiritual energy out of thin air, but he can make the existing spiritual energy work at its maximum efficiency.

First, start with the attack method to optimize the absorption and utilization rate of spiritual energy, ensuring that not a drop of water is wasted and that every wisp of spiritual energy is squeezed to its full value.

Second, we must find a way to bring all the spiritual energy of the world to Wudang!

We can't exactly have him running all over the map looking for spiritual sites to meditate in, can we? That would be too beneath him. Instead of wandering around, we should just bring the resources right to our doorstep.

The only way to achieve this is by setting up a formation.

"It seems I'll have to put more effort into formations in the future."

Lin Daochen's heart stirred slightly.

Besides these two main routes, he also came up with a drastic idea: taking drugs.

To be precise, it was taking pills.

Since this world possesses spiritual energy, it must also contain medicinal herbs and rare treasures imbued with spiritual energy. Consuming these things can replenish spiritual energy.

But eating it raw? That's too rough and a huge waste.

The best way is to refine it into elixirs. Purify and condense it; one elixir is equivalent to ten plants—this is the true science of cultivating immortality.

However, there are three major hurdles to overcome when using drugs.

First, where do the medicinal herbs come from? That's easy to solve. Wudang Sect is such a large sect, they can just send out a lot of people to collect them.

Secondly, the issue of elixir formulas. Not difficult either, he had long ago created the "Nine Revolutions Alchemy Technique," and his alchemical skills were already quite advanced. Whatever elixir he lacked, he could create the formula with ease.

The real challenge is the third point – the side effects.

In the practice of alchemy, it's inevitable to ingest impurities. No matter how meticulous the alchemy process, it's impossible to achieve 100% purity. These impurities accumulate in the body over time, eventually blocking the path to enlightenment.

Moreover, cultivation achieved through elixirs is prone to having a weak and unstable foundation.

If you go astray on this path, at best you'll get stuck, at worst you'll ruin the entire journey.

"We need to develop a special technique for cleansing, purifying, and tempering our true essence."

Lin Daochen immediately came up with a solution.

"The road ahead is long and arduous."

He sighed softly to himself.

Although I have entered the gates of immortality today, I have only just stepped onto the steps. The real long road has just begun.

But he remained completely calm.

His heart was as firm as iron, and his conviction as sharp as a knife. He firmly believed that one day he would stand at the pinnacle of immortality, overlooking all realms.

Having clarified his future direction, Lin Daochen looked back on what he had gained that day, and a smile once again appeared on his lips.

Once one enters the immortal realm, one undergoes a complete transformation, a change that can only be described as earth-shattering.

First is lifespan.

A cultivator in the Qi Refining stage can live up to 180 years. He is now over 90 years old, which means he has more than 80 years to live.

The lifespan crisis has been initially resolved.

Secondly, there is combat strength.

Based on his estimation of the martial arts system in this world, his current Qi Refining Level 3 is roughly equivalent to Martial Arts Level 1.

The initial stage of Qi Refining, from level one to three, corresponds to the first rank of martial arts.

The fourth to sixth levels of the mid-stage are the Grandmaster realm.

In the later stages, from the seventh to the ninth level, one is comparable to a Grandmaster.

Once you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you'll be a terrestrial immortal.

As for the next level, the Golden Core stage, that is the true pinnacle of existence in this world.

Of course, this is just a conclusion that Lin Daochen drew based on theoretical deduction.

In reality, as a cultivator, his true combat strength far surpasses that of martial artists of the same realm.

The internal energy used by martial arts masters is nothing more than rudimentary energy in his eyes; what he controls is spiritual energy of a higher dimension.

In essence, the two are not on the same level at all—spiritual power completely suppresses internal force.

Logically speaking, with his current Qi Refining Level 3, he is at most equivalent to a Martial Arts Master of the First Rank.

But when it comes to a real fight, he is not afraid of even a martial arts master.

His previous self-proclaimed title of "master" to Song Yuanqiao and the others was not an exaggeration, but rather a way of leaving room for interpretation.

What he looks forward to even more is that he plans to create his own immortal combat techniques in the future, so as to fully unleash his potential.

Once fully formed, his strength will leap forward once again, and ordinary martial arts masters might not be able to withstand three of his moves.

After careful consideration, Lin Daochen concluded that once he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he would be invincible in this world. The prerequisite, however, is that the so-called "Land Immortal" truly represents the pinnacle of martial arts in this world.

However, as his understanding of the world deepened, he vaguely felt that being a terrestrial deity might not be the end.

The thought only flashed through his mind before he suppressed it.

He has officially embarked on the path of immortality; mortal martial arts are not worth his time.

No matter how strong a martial artist is, can they compare to a cultivator of immortality?

Martial arts are merely unorthodox paths; the path to immortality is the true way to heaven.

The true essence of both civil and military affairs lies in striking a balance between tension and relaxation.

That day, Lin Daochen did not continue to peruse the Daoist scriptures or meditate. He played with his spirit pet, the white crane, for a while before resting peacefully.

The next morning.

He continued his practice according to the established path without interruption.

The path to immortality is long and arduous; how can one afford to be negligent?

……

The Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty.

Cao Zhengchun, the head of the Eastern Depot, hurried to the inner palace to request an audience with the reigning emperor, the Zhengde Emperor.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

"Rise." Emperor Zhengde raised his eyes. "You look flustered. What happened?"

Cao Zhengchun replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, an urgent report has just arrived from the Eastern Depot's spies—Iron-Blooded Marquis Zhu Wushi has broken through to the Grandmaster realm of martial arts!"

"What?" Emperor Zhengde's pupils contracted.

Zhu Wushi, his uncle, was in charge of the Dragon Guard Manor, wielding immense power that surpassed all officials. He also possessed the "Iron Certificate of Cinnabar" and the "Imperial Sword" bestowed by the late emperor, and was known as the one who could "execute tyrannical emperors above and punish treacherous officials below."

He appeared loyal and obedient, but in reality harbored treacherous intentions. Emperor Zhengde had long known that this man was hypocritical, ruthless, and ambitious, so he had secretly ordered the Eastern Depot to monitor his movements.

Unexpectedly, the opponent broke through to a higher realm at this moment!

What does this mean? It means the balance is about to be broken.

"Your Majesty!" Cao Zhengchun said in a low voice, "The Iron-Blooded Marquis is extremely cunning, and now that his strength has increased dramatically, he may harbor rebellious intentions. We must be on guard!"

Emperor Zhengde nodded silently.

He knew this all too well. If he weren't wary of the other party's strength, he would have eliminated them long ago.

But now a problem arises—how to keep a Grandmaster in check?

No matter how many ordinary soldiers there are, they cannot stop a peerless expert who comes and goes like the wind and is impervious to swords and spears.

Only those of the same level, or even stronger, can rival a Grandmaster.

Moreover, Zhu Wushi is not only a terrifying individual fighter, but also holds real power, has many subordinates, and a deep-rooted foundation, making it extremely difficult to touch him.