Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Divine Path

Name: Jiang Ming
Qi Cultivation: Fourth Level (Grandmaster)
Body Cultivation: Third Transformation
Techniques: Yin-Yang Sutra, Dragon Elephant Heaven Suppression Technique; Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, Three Swords of Immortal Execution, Blade and Sword Realm, Yin-Yang Millstone, Yin-Yang Heaven Shielding Hand, Nine Yang Divine Fist, Sword Control Technique, Ten Thousand Swords Return to Sect, Inch Fist, Star Point Finger, Great River Sword Intent, and others
Talents: Hundredfold Comprehension, Nirvana Rebirth, Soul Sovereign (temporarily fixed), Master of Space (temporarily fixed)
Tasks: Become the provincial champion in the preliminary stage of the Martial Exam; become the Federal Martial Champion in the final stage
Information shows little change.

“However…”

Through introspection, observing the vast dantian sea of qi spanning a hundred yards, he couldn’t help but feel another headache. It had taken him great effort to fill his qi sea to the brim, but now that his true qi had liquefied, it merely covered a shallow layer; to fill the dantian once more…

“It’s difficult!” Jiang Ming was helpless.

At this moment, the liquid true qi slowly rotated, forming the genuine Yin-Yang Taiji. The nature of true qi split into two: one was pure yin, the other pure yang. Because he had integrated many realms and Dao intent, his true qi could still evolve into other properties.

Yin and yang contain all things, receive all rivers.

A thought stirred in his heart; merging himself with heaven and earth, he activated his techniques. Majestic primordial energy surged like a great river, instantly engulfing him and merging into his body.

“This speed…”

Jiang Ming’s eyes brightened.

It was at least ten times faster than in the secret realm world.

But the commotion was too great, so he quickly stopped.

Jiang Ming opened his computer and entered the Sky Martial Battle Net, also known as Sky Net.

It was a website for martial artists, with different access levels.

Having certified as a fourth-level martial artist, his access greatly increased; information previously unknown was now available at his fingertips. There was also an endless sea of techniques, classified in myriad ways, leaving him dazzled.

“This is true heritage!”

Jiang Ming sighed.

From the techniques alone, one could glimpse the terrifying power of the Federation.

He entered his personal page, opened the upload technique section—any technique he comprehended could be uploaded for evaluation.

But if the technique already existed, or if eighty percent of its core content overlapped with an existing one, it held no value.

If it had worth, he could sell it to the site and receive payment; and if others purchased it in the future, he’d receive a twenty percent commission.

It was both encouragement for innovation and a hidden reward for achievements in the secret realm.

“Techniques for Bone Tempering range from one thousand to one hundred thousand.”

“Qi cultivation mental techniques range from ten thousand to a billion—what a disparity!”

Jiang Ming was astonished.

But thinking of his own Yin-Yang Sutra, which could cultivate two types of true qi, he realized that once mastered, he would have insight into the likes of the Frost Intent, Fire Intent, and more.

“I was the first to enter the Nine Yin Nine Yang World, so…”

Jiang Ming’s eyes gleamed, his heartbeat quickening.

He began uploading, from the simplest to the most complex.

“Mountain-Slashing Blade overlaps ninety-five percent with existing blade techniques, no value.”

“Monument-Splitting Palm—there’s already a similar palm technique!”

Jiang Ming found that basic sword, palm, blade, and other techniques were almost all present on the site.

Though the names differed, the overlap exceeded ninety percent.

“Dragon Suppression Fist, seventy-nine percent overlap, just short—worth three hundred sixty thousand.”

“Six Meridian Divine Sword—damn, there’s already a similar one!”

“Dragon-Subduing Leg, no go!”

“Damn!”

Jiang Ming was speechless.

“Thirty-six Rain Sword Techniques, all the way to One Sword of Dripping Rain! Yes, damn, this set is worth five million four hundred thousand. That’s right, with this set, comprehending Rain Intent would be effortless.”

“Nine Yin, Nine Yang Eighteen Internal Martial Arts Techniques—twelve overlap, damn!”

“Nine Yin Divine Art, Nine Yang True Sutra, each worth thirty million. Damn!”

“The Yin-Yang Sutra? That’s my fundamental technique, can’t upload.”

“Dragon Elephant Tyrant Body Technique, worth twelve million; this body refining technique is so valuable? Dragon Elephant Heaven Suppression Technique, forget it!”

Jiang Ming’s mind surged.

Even with his composure, he couldn’t help but feel excitement or disappointment.

He also discovered that techniques aiding the comprehension of intent or mental techniques were especially valuable.

Those containing true intent were even more so.

For example, the Great River Sword Intent—it wasn’t a mental technique, yet it was valued at twenty million!

Completely beyond imagination.

Also the Star Point Finger, Nine Yang Divine Fist, and so on—each more valuable than the last.

Moreover, techniques imbued with intent had much lower core overlap.

He ordered takeout, working until nightfall.

Aside from the Yin-Yang Sutra, Dragon Elephant Heaven Suppression Technique, Three Swords of Immortal Execution, and a few others he himself deduced, he uploaded everything.

The result…

“Eighteen hundred million!”

Indeed, knowledge is money.

Strength is wealth.

“One adventure, and I’ve achieved financial freedom!”

Though Jiang Ming was no longer concerned with wealth, he still felt a sense of awe.

“These funds…”

“Purchase body refinement techniques as reference, continue perfecting Dragon Elephant Heaven Suppression Technique.”

“And methods for fusing intent.”

“And secret techniques related to yin-yang.”

On second thought, eighteen hundred million didn’t seem so much.

“Qi cultivation, body cultivation, I don’t lack for now; my only shortfall is in soul cultivation.”

“After gaining the Soul Sovereign talent, my soul grew powerful and my mental power soared, but I’ve only developed a few insignificant techniques, far from unlocking the full potential of mental power.”

Jiang Ming could sense vast spiritual strength, but could barely tap into it.

This was due to the lack of techniques.

“Sitting Forgetfulness Sutra, Taiyin Golden Toad Fishing, Laurel Diagram, Meditation Method, Nebula Vortex, Golden Crow Visualization, Infinite Black Hole, Flowing Light Thousand Blade…”

Soul cultivation techniques made Jiang Ming’s brows twitch.

Some were very ‘cosmic’, others ancient, all seeming rather awkward.

“Taiyin Golden Toad Fishing—are these obtained from the secret realm world?”

Not just possible, but highly probable.

He still couldn’t figure out what the secret realm world truly was.

Jiang Ming steadied himself.

Looking at the introductions and prices, his lips twitched.

Soul cultivation techniques were all profound and mysterious; orthodox cultivation was a completely different concept from awakening mental power. Still, once awakened, one was a supreme genius atop the soul path.

“Mental awakening is mainly for manipulation—that’s a talent that can be developed continuously.”

“Soul cultivation is creating something from nothing, another path, similar to ‘Yang God’, but different.”

“Mental power is the outward manifestation, its application.”

“Soul cultivation is the inner essence, the heart.”

After studying the soul path in detail, Jiang Ming had a rough concept.

He closed his eyes, pondering his next steps.

Should he purchase a powerful soul-refining technique?

If so, his credit points would be nearly depleted.

“What I need is heritage, vision, accumulation, a broad perspective, and a solid foundation—a guiding hand from high above.”

“For the soul path, I only need basic cultivation methods, a vast amount of fundamentals, and detailed analysis of each realm’s nature. Then I should be able to create a soul cultivation method suited to me.”

Jiang Ming resolved himself.

“The main world truly is all-encompassing—martial arts, mental power, soul, awakened talents, body refinement, and more!”

“The stronger one’s power, the greater the access, the more understanding; the more one knows, the smaller one feels.”

He couldn’t help but shake his head.

Then he began to study the details of each realm within the soul path.