I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

[Tang Hao]: Holy crap! Brother Ning is awesome! He even managed to get his hands on some Daoist magic? This is genuine magic! This kind of technique that can create things out of thin air is priceless to Luo Guangtou!

[Zhao Zhenyuan]: Brother Ning Chen, your luck is unparalleled! How come I haven't run into any down-on-their-luck Taoist priests or dying old men! But speaking of which, a Taoist priest who can produce such a Taoist jade slip must have other good things on him, right? Brother Ning, have you inquired whether he has any other stock?

[Wu Dajin]: Brother Ning is awesome! I think we can change it, but we need to make Luo Guangtou bring out more good stuff!

[Sun Rongrong]: Agreed! Although the Yi Jin Jing that Teacher Luo gave us before was good, it is ultimately a mortal martial art. This Qing Shui Jue, even at its most basic level, is still a magic spell. The values ​​are completely different. Ning Chen, you can try to negotiate with Luo Guangtou and exchange it for a few more martial arts techniques!

[Zhou Tao]: Agreed! Luo Guangtou is collecting all sorts of extraordinary Taoist techniques and artifacts. He'll definitely be interested in this Clear Water Technique. But Brother Ning, don't let him know about our little group during the transaction.

[Qian Quan]: Yes, Brother Ning, don't forget the brothers now that you've switched to a higher-level cultivation technique!

Seeing that everyone agreed, Ning Chen opened the large group chat where Luo Zhantian was, carefully considered his words, and sent the message.

[Ning Chen]: Teacher Luo, by sheer chance, I obtained a Taoist technique called "Clear Water Technique" from a down-on-his-luck Taoist priest who was behind on rent. I saw him demonstrate it in person, and it was indeed able to condense pure water. I know that I lack the aptitude for this technique, and it will be of limited use to me. I dare not keep it to myself, so I offer it to you, Teacher Luo. Could you please bestow one or two high-level techniques upon me for self-defense and to improve my aptitude?

After sending the message, Ning Chen waited quietly.

Sure enough, not long after, Luo Zhantian's reply appeared, his words filled with joy.

[Luo Zhantian]: The Clear Water Technique? Ning Chen, you did very well! Although it is a minor technique, it is the true foundation of the Dao, and its value is extraordinary! You have the world in your heart and are willing to offer it up, so your teacher will naturally not treat you unfairly!

Immediately afterwards, a private chat window from Luo Zhantian lit up.

[Luo Zhantian wants to transfer the martial arts technique "Golden Bell Shield" to you. Do you accept?]

Ning Chen immediately accepted.

Instantly, a flood of information rushed into my mind, which was the complete cultivation method of the "Golden Bell Cover," including the techniques for circulating qi, resistance training, and key points.

[Luo Zhantian]: The Golden Bell Cover is one of the 72 Shaolin Arts. When mastered, it makes the whole body like a golden bell, impervious to swords and spears, and difficult to penetrate by water and fire. It can also reflect external forces. It is a top-notch body-protecting technique. You should practice it well and not let this unique skill go to waste. I will study the Clear Water Technique you provided carefully. If it is effective, I will share it with you.

Ning Chen chuckled. The Clear Water Technique requires cultivation and magical power to be used.

Luo Zhantian has developed a muscular physique, but he lacks true cultivation despite his internal strength. He probably won't be able to achieve anything significant.

But you still have to say nice things.

[Ning Chen]: Thank you for the techniques, teacher! I will definitely practice diligently without stopping!

After ending the conversation, Ning Chen closed the light screen, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Golden Bell Cover, another Shaolin secret technique, plus the Yi Jin Jing from before, it seems that this Teacher Luo has frequented the Shaolin Scripture Pavilion quite often. The martial arts manuals he has mastered are mostly based on the Shaolin system."

However, this is not a bad thing for Ning Chen.

The Shaolin martial arts system is complete and its techniques are extremely yang and vigorous, making it a good tool for building a solid foundation and improving strength.

His current physical constitution and comprehension are no longer what they used to be, so he can achieve twice the results with half the effort in practicing these unique skills.

"Trading the Clear Water Technique for the Golden Bell Shield is a good deal. Moreover, the more bald Luo values ​​these Taoist techniques, the more valuable things I can pry out of him using similar items..."

Ning Chen secretly pondered and memorized the contents of the Golden Bell Shield. He then sent the Golden Bell Shield cultivation method to the small group.

Everyone showered him with compliments.

Ning Ge is awesome!

Brother Ning, please allow me to call you godfather!

Brother Ning, do you need someone to warm your bed?

Brother Ning, I want to have your babies!

Get lost, you man! What kind of child is that? If anyone's going to have a child, it'll be me and Brother Ning who have one!

After chatting and joking around with the group of trainee travelers for a while, Ning Chen sat cross-legged on the stone bed and began practicing the Yi Jin Jing for the day.

His understanding of the path of cultivation became clearer.

There are only six months left until the one-year deadline for reaching the first level of the Divine Realm.

To enter the first level again, he would have to try to clear the second level.

But at the current rate, he can't even imagine how strong he will be in six months.

Starting tomorrow, he will begin cultivating the Golden Bell Shield, using the Yi Jin Jing as a foundation, the Golden Bell Shield for protection, the Cloud Ladder for leaping and maneuvering, the Ape Strike Technique for attack, the Tai Xuan Jing to enhance his Dao foundation, and the patriarch's teachings to increase his Dao cultivation.

If I'm not mistaken, the second level of the Journey to the West's Divine Realm should be the encounter with the tiger demon at Shuangcha Ridge.

General Yin, a tiger demon who hasn't even reached the Transformation Realm, would at most be a minor leader on the journey to the West, a far cry from being a demon king. Presumably, passing this challenge wouldn't be too difficult.

With his current level of cultivation, he can easily survive the coming days by exchanging a few more killing techniques with his fellow disciples...

Ning Chen knew that what he lacked most right now was time. He wished he could make one day last three days. Apart from necessary meals and the Five Grains Reincarnation, he wished he could use all his time for cultivation.

Ning Chen calmed his mind, sat cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing.

Moonlight streamed into the quiet room through the window, illuminating Ning Chen's handsome and serene face, and he quickly entered a meditative state.

Notifications kept popping up in front of Ning Chen's eyes.

[Bone Structure +1, Physique +1, Internal Strength +1!]

..........

Blue Star Kyoto.

At the command center of the Divine Realm Administration, a huge holographic projection screen is displaying reports on the frequent illusionary events that have occurred around the world over the past month.

On September 13, deep in the Qinshan Mountains, a tourist witnessed a celestial palace appearing in the clouds, seemingly the Heavenly Court mentioned in intelligence reports. All electronic devices within a radius of 9 miles were rendered unusable!

On September 17, in the South China Sea, multiple ocean-going cargo ships were attacked by a giant sea monster, resulting in more than 9 deaths and injuries. Survivors described the sea monster as a dragon-like creature, and high-intensity energy fluctuations were detected at the scene.

On September 22nd, in Rocky Hills, USA, hundreds of thousands of people were instantly drained of their life essence, reduced to skeletons. The words "Lady of the Bones" were left in blood at the scene........

On September 27, in Mumbai, India, seven giant spiders appeared and slaughtered an entire city, leaving behind only countless human skins that had been drained of their flesh and blood!

Since the beginning of this year, a total of 37 cases of hallucinations have been reported globally, showing an accelerating trend!

In the center of the hall, Luo Zhantian's bald head gleamed under the spotlight.

After he finished playing the slideshow, he looked up and said loudly.

"In summary!"

"The boundary between the divine realm of Journey to the West and the real world is thinning, and the infiltration is gradually intensifying. The projections of certain beings in the divine realm can already appear in our world."

An elderly man with gray hair had a stern expression.

"Master Luo, in your assessment, to what extent will this erosion develop? Will it ultimately lead to the merging of the two worlds?"

Luo Zhantian remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"It's impossible to predict accurately, but based on the information we have, the worst-case scenario is that a certain critical point is breached. This erosion might evolve from projection into actual interference, or even trigger local spatial overlap. At that time, the demons, monsters, immortals, Buddhas, and saints from the Journey to the West might actually appear on our land!"

Silence fell over the podium.

Even a powerful nation like China, possessing nuclear weapons, feels immense pressure when facing the Journey to the West Divine Realm.

They once tried to attack the bull-shaped monster projection with a nuclear bomb, but after the nuclear explosion, the monster was completely unharmed.

If the divine realm of Journey to the West were to truly overlap with reality, it would mark the moment of the extinction of all humankind.

Luo Zhantian took off his sunglasses and said calmly.

"The trainees who have entered the Journey to the West Divine Realm are our only hope. We no longer have time to train a new generation of trainees."

Luo Zhantian pulled up another set of data, his deep voice breaking the silence of the hall.

"The mortality rate for this generation of Journey to the West travelers is only 36%. I suggest we focus all our efforts on developing this generation of Journey to the West Divine Realm travelers, especially this one among them..."