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

The large screen scrolls, displaying Ning Chen's profile picture and detailed information.

After a moment of discussion, one of the high-ranking officials on the podium asked a question.

"Master Luo, judging from this student's performance at school, he is very ordinary. He hasn't even met the most basic entry requirements of some martial arts sects."

Luo Zhantian raised his head, his gaze neither humble nor arrogant.

"As you all should know, I have already cultivated to the level of 'Sitting and Gazing at the Gods,' and I have some premonitions about the future. Although Ning Chen's performance at school is not good, that is not important. Even a grandmaster like me would not be able to avoid death if I entered the Journey to the West God Realm. I believe that aptitude is not the standard for consideration in the Journey to the West God Realm..."

Then Luo Zhantian brought out the Qing Shui Jue, translated into vernacular Chinese.

"In just six months, he obtained a genuine Taoist technique from a down-on-his-luck Taoist priest!"

"This Taoist technique is extremely difficult to master. Even with my century of internal energy, I still cannot successfully execute this technique..."

"I also consulted some grandmasters in China, and they generally speculate that the Clear Water Technique requires energy from a completely different cultivation system than internal force!"

"This might be the power system beyond the Grandmaster level that we've been searching for all along!"

Upon hearing this, the leaders on the podium began to whisper among themselves.

The old man sitting in the middle spoke.

"So, Master Luo, what are your thoughts?"

Luo Zhantian took a deep breath.

"My intuition tells me that Ning Chen's connection might be our closest breakthrough to a transcendent inheritance so far. The sect behind the down-on-his-luck Taoist he came into contact with likely has a more complete inheritance system. If we can establish contact with that Taoist through Ning Chen, or even get Ning Chen to join that sect..."

He paused, a glint in his eyes.

"Then what we will obtain will not only be a 'Clear Water Technique,' but may be a complete set of cultivation methods, elixirs, formations, and weapon crafting knowledge, from beginner to advanced levels. This will have immeasurable strategic value for us to understand the essence of extraordinary power, improve the strength of the cultivators, and even cope with the erosion of reality in the future."

The leaders and generals exchanged glances and quickly reached a consensus.

The old man in the very center made the final decision with a single hammer blow.

"Approved. Establishment of the Journey to the West Divine Realm Special Support Team, with Comrade Luo Zhantian as the team leader. You are granted S-level resource mobilization authority!"

"At all costs, we will fully support Ning Chen's growth and exploration in the Journey to the West Divine Realm. Our core mission is: first, to ensure Ning Chen's survival and to enhance his status and strength in the Divine Realm as much as possible."

"Secondly, guide and assist him in establishing deeper connections with the sect behind the down-on-his-luck Taoist priest, striving to obtain more advanced Taoist techniques!"

"Third, if possible, we should encourage Ning Chen to join their sect, making him a key figure in our acquisition of the divine and demonic inheritance system."

He stood up and his gaze swept across the entire room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are standing at the crossroads of two eras. The Journey to the West Divine Realm is not only a crisis, but may also be a gateway."

"Ning Chen is our scout and pioneer over there. If he succeeds, it could determine the future safety of hundreds of millions of compatriots. Resources, intelligence, and all necessary support must be directed towards him. Master Luo, go for it! The nation is your strongest backing!"

.........

In the world of Journey to the West, on Fangcun Mountain, is the tile-roofed house where Ning Chen and Sun Wukong live.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Ning Chen finished his morning practice of Yi Jin Jing and was preparing to have breakfast with Monkey when the familiar knocking sounded at the door again.

Upon opening the door, it was indeed Senior Brother Zhiyuan.

But unlike yesterday, he was accompanied by another Taoist priest.

This man was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard. His eyes looked slightly tired, and he had an old gourd hanging from his waist. His Taoist robe was washed and faded, but he had a calm demeanor. His cultivation level was similar to that of Zhiyuan, so he was obviously a senior brother from Fangcun Mountain who had been stuck at the bottleneck of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation for many years.

"Junior Brother Ning, Junior Brother Wukong, I apologize for disturbing you!"

Zhiyuan smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and introduced them.

"This is Senior Brother Zhihong, who is my peer and has been cultivating for a similar period of time. After I returned yesterday, I talked to Senior Brother Zhihong about the cultivation technique I had obtained. He was quite interested in it, so he came to visit me today."

Daoist Zhihong stepped forward, his eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness, and bowed to Ning Chen and Sun Wukong.

"My two junior brothers, I apologize for visiting so early in the morning, I hope you will not take offense."

Ning Chen quickly returned the greeting.

"Senior Brother Zhihong, you're too kind. Please come in."

The four people went inside and took their seats.

Zhiyuan got straight to the point, first expressing his gratitude to Ning Chen once again.

"Junior Brother Ning, the Yi Jin Jing you taught me yesterday was truly profound! After returning home, I tried practicing it accordingly. Although I didn't immediately break through my bottleneck, the flow of Qi and blood in my body did become smoother. The barrier that had remained unchanged for many years showed signs of loosening! Although the Yi Jin Jing is a mortal martial art, it is indeed remarkably effective in strengthening the foundation, cultivating vitality, and breaking through barriers!"

Ning Chen nodded slightly, not surprised.

The Yi Jin Jing is one of the most advanced martial arts in the mortal world and the foundation of Shaolin's thousand-year-old tradition. It is not surprising that it can promote breakthroughs in spiritual cultivation.

Senior Brother Zhihong stood to the side, his eyes filled with even greater anticipation.

Zhiyuan looked at Zhihong...

"Junior Brother Zhihong is in a similar situation to me, having been stuck at the Qi Refining to Spirit Transformation stage for nearly thirty years. Upon hearing this, he also hopes to exchange his cultivation technique with Junior Brother Ning in order to find a chance to break through."

Zhihong nodded and solemnly took out an object from his bosom. It was not a jade slip for transmitting skills, but an ancient scroll that was neither silk nor paper, but rather resembled leather.

The scroll is dark gold with slightly worn edges, giving it an antique feel.

He carefully presented the scroll with both hands.

"Junior Brother Ning!"

Zhihong's voice was sincere.

"I obtained this item by chance in the ruins of an ancient cave when I was traveling down the mountain in my early years. It does not contain cultivation methods, but a text called the Tao Te Ching."

"Based on the remaining information in the cave, it is speculated that this scripture may have been written by the Celestial Venerable of Morality. It expounds the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and the origin of all things. The language is ancient, profound, and mysterious. I have been studying it for decades. Although I feel that it contains supreme wisdom, I have never been able to enter into it and cannot transform it into practical help for cultivation."

Ning Chen's gaze fell on the dark gold ancient scroll, and his heart involuntarily quickened.

The Tao Te Ching!

If it's true, then it's the Great Dao principle written by Laozi, one of the Three Pure Ones!

Even though this volume of the Tao Te Ching is not a direct cultivation method, the great truths it expounds are far more valuable than any magic or secret manual!

For someone like me who possesses the ability to exchange divine realms and directly convert cultivation into enlightenment, there is no need to worry about not being able to comprehend the Tao Te Ching.

This scripture, which requires exceptional comprehension and points directly to the Great Dao, is a priceless treasure tailor-made for him!

Understanding it could very well bring a great deal of enlightenment and spiritual progress!

Zhihong looked at the scroll in his hand with a complicated expression.

"This scripture is like a celestial book to me; it's tasteless to consume but a pity to discard. However, its material is extraordinary, remaining intact through the ages. The principles within may offer some enlightenment to certain destined individuals with exceptional understanding, such as my junior brothers Wukong and Ning Chen..."

"Therefore, I, your senior brother, shamelessly offer it up, hoping that you, junior brother, will exchange it for the Yi Jin Jing!"

"also!"

Zhiyuan, who had been waiting quietly to the side, suddenly spoke up. He took out a small jade bottle, the body of which was made of white jade.

"This is a bottle of Qi-Nourishing Pills. I collected spiritual herbs from the mountains and spent ten years refining it. Although it can't be considered a miraculous elixir, it can strengthen the foundation and nourish the vital energy for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage. It's useless to Junior Brother Wukong, but it might be of some help to you, Junior Brother Ning."

After saying this, Zhiyuan was still a little embarrassed.

"Your senior brother already gained a great advantage by exchanging the Clear Water Technique for your junior brother's Yi Jin Jing. I would like to offer this pill as a further token of my gratitude for your kindness in passing on the scriptures!"

Double happiness!

The Qi-Nourishing Pill provided by Senior Brother Zhiyuan is exactly what he needs right now.

His aptitude has undergone a tremendous change after six months of arduous training.

But he was still just a mortal, and couldn't compare to a monkey, a creature of heaven and earth. He was thinking about how to improve his physical attributes when this bottle of elixir came at just the right time!