All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 141 Inheritance Varies from Person to Person

Zhang Cheng calmed himself down. Although he couldn't practice the legendary cultivation technique, the Jade Cloud Sect had at least given him a consolation prize.

He glanced at the contents of the "Qi Absorption Technique" in his mind and found that it only taught how to draw the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body, but did not mention a word about how to transform it into internal energy.

Damn. The Jade Cloud Sect isn't so honest after all. They're clearly trying to make people absorb the knowledge but not use it, so they can lure the other party into returning the "True Explanation of Taiyin".

Thinking about it carefully, when the other party sent the message, they only mentioned "a precious treasure lost by our sect," without saying a word about what the treasure actually was. They were probably worried that we might become greedy and refuse to return it.

This is the kind of behavior one would expect from a powerful force that has been established for many years. It seems there are probably other hidden tricks in this jade slip.

Fortunately, it's a system item and can be stored in my inventory, so there's no need to worry. Even if the Jade Cloud Sect is right across the street, they won't be able to track him down.

Wait a minute. Zhang Cheng suddenly thought of another question. This thing—could it also have some kind of sect disciple identification system?

Thinking of this, he handed the jade slip in his hand to Wu Xingyun beside him. Wu Xingyun reached out and took it, saying, "What is this—" but her words stopped abruptly as her hand touched the jade slip.

Her eyes glazed over for a moment, then brightened again, though her brows furrowed slightly.

Zhang Cheng waited a few moments, and seeing that she still didn't speak, he asked, "How is it? Did you see anything?"

Wu Xingyun then raised his head and handed the jade slip back to him: "It's a martial art called 'Taiyin True Explanation.' But what I can see seems to be only a part of it."

She paused, as if sorting through the information in her mind: "This thing—it's like it's talking to me."

It told me that with my current strength, I could only see this part. To learn the rest, I needed to wait for my own level to break through.

Li Qiushui's interest was piqued, and her eyes lit up: "Sect Leader, may I take a look?" Zhang Cheng casually handed over the jade slip.

Li Qiushui took the jade slip, and after a long while, she spoke again: "Is this the method of the immortals? It is truly wondrous and extraordinary."

.

She handed the jade slip back to Zhang Cheng, saying, "Unfortunately, this cultivation method states that one must remain a virgin to maintain the optimal cultivation speed. Moreover, if one loses one's virginity, one will not be able to reach the highest level."

Afterwards, the three of them communicated what they had seen via telepathy.

After comparing them, it was found that Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui saw roughly the same parts of the cultivation method, both stopping at a certain threshold, with the subsequent content being obscured.

However, there are obvious differences in their views on the techniques and methods of applying force.

What Wu Xingyun saw were mostly fierce and powerful moves, exuding a domineering aura; what Li Qiushui saw were mostly unpredictable and agile techniques. What the two of them gained subtly aligned with their respective martial arts.

"Does everyone see different information?" Zhang Cheng's heart stirred. He beckoned to a Lingjiu Palace disciple who was with him, handed him the jade slip, and then asked the disciple what he had seen.

This time, the content was different again. The other party had far less information about cultivation than Wu and Li, and there was not even any information about techniques, only the most basic methods of circulating qi.

Zhang Cheng put away the jade slip, lost in thought. "This thing is truly extraordinary. Even disregarding the cultivation techniques inside, the jade slip itself is quite remarkable."

According to Wu and Li, the "Taiyin Zhenjie" is the Jade Cloud Sect's most treasured martial arts manual, containing far more than just martial arts techniques. The opening section is filled with lengthy secrets about the sect's lineage and the world's changes.

The world where the Jade Cloud Sect resides was once a glorious era in ancient times, a time when numerous immortal sects stood tall and cultivators soared through the clouds. But later, for some unknown reason, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth suddenly declined, like rivers drying up and all laws withering away.

In order to ensure the continuation of their traditions, many immortal sects began to improve their cultivation methods, shifting from immortal cultivation techniques that relied on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to martial arts internal cultivation techniques that tapped into the human body's own potential. The Jade Cloud Sect was one of them.

Its predecessor was the "Tai Xu Palace", a major sect of immortals. In order to continue its incense offerings in this world where spiritual energy is depleted, it not only changed its name to "Yu Xiao Sect", but also completely transformed the immortal cultivation methods, turning immortality into martial arts, and thus passed them down.

The martial arts cultivation described in the "Taiyin Zhenjie" has six essentials: "mind, body, skill, essence, qi, and spirit".

The mind refers to a martial artist's state of mind, will, beliefs, and combat wisdom. It determines the efficiency and upper limit of power circulation, and is the "commander." If the mind is unstable, even the strongest strength is like a rudderless boat.

The body refers to a martial artist's physical form, which is the ultimate carrier of all power and the "foundation." A weak physique is like trying to hold a river in a clay pot; it will eventually collapse.

Skill refers to the methods of using force, including moves, body movements, and techniques for channeling energy, which determine how and how efficiently force is used. A superior skill allows one to overcome great force with minimal effort.

Essence refers to the innate vitality, vital energy, and essence of blood and flesh, which is the root of "qi". When essence is abundant, qi is plentiful; when essence is deficient, qi is weak.

Qi refers to the internal energy or true qi transformed from essence, which is the "source" of all power. Only when qi circulates throughout the body can one perform all kinds of wonderful techniques.

"God" refers to a martial artist's spirit, consciousness, will, and perception, representing their "insight and mastery" of themselves and the world. A strong "God" can sense the subtleties of heaven and earth and preemptively defend against enemies.

Those who achieve perfection in all six aspects are the "immortals" that martial arts can create in a world where the path of immortality has been severed.

Zhang Cheng thought to himself: A world that once had immortals, but now only martial arts remain? Is this the kind of world behind the door?

However, he quickly suppressed these thoughts and focused his attention back on the technique itself.

Since the Taiyin True Explanation is known as the "Number One Internal Skill of the Seven Schools" and is the martial arts manual of the Yuxiao School, it should be a comprehensive superior replacement for the Qi-Seizing Technique.

The first part of the "Qi Absorption Technique" only teaches people how to draw spiritual energy into their bodies, but it blocks the method of transformation.

However, he could extract the essence from the section on "Qi" cultivation recorded in "Taiyin Zhenjie" and try to fill the gaps in "Sheqi Jue" to create a complete set of exercises.

But that's something to think about later. Right now, the most important thing is to go across the street and see for myself.

Thinking of this, Zhang Cheng said to Wu and Li, "You two wait here for a moment. I'll go take a look across the river and check the situation before I come back."

But before he could even pass through the door, he was stopped by Wu and Li.

Li Qiushui stepped in front of him, her expression earnest, and said, "Sect Leader, a man of noble birth should not sit under a dangerous roof. This scouting mission can naturally be handled by our subordinates; why must you personally take the risk?"

Wu Xingyun clearly shared the same idea.

She had already given all the instructions before setting off from Lingjiu Palace. At this moment, she only gave a wink to the disciple following behind her, and the disciple jumped into the teleportation portal without hesitation. The disciple's movements were so fast that Zhang Cheng couldn't stop him in time.

Zhang Cheng frowned and turned to look at Wu Xingyun: "What's going on here?"

Wu Xingyun met his gaze calmly: "I know you care about your subordinates, but you are still the emperor of the new Han Dynasty."

If they were to perish behind this gate, or become trapped on the other side and unable to return, the world would instantly descend into chaos, war would rage, and countless lives would be lost. Between two evils, choose the lesser.

"But if we really encounter an emergency, my ability to cope and my martial arts skills are far superior to theirs—" Before Zhang Cheng could finish speaking, the Lingjiu Palace disciple had already returned from the teleportation portal.