Chapter 40: The Theory of Daoist Arts

"Master, do you mean that when Tian Ming and Zhao Hailong were throat-slit in the void at the scene, and words appeared on the ground out of thin air, it was actually because the people present were under an Illusion Technique?"

Xu Dahu asked in shock:

"But there were nearly a hundred people present; how could any Illusion Technique be this powerful?"

"Ordinary Illusion Techniques merely disturb a person's five senses, leading to hallucinations, which can be broken immediately as long as one's will is firm or one receives external stimulation."

Li Junxian also said with extreme solemnity:

"However, this Qingyike is likely a High-Gong Mage who has already stepped into the Sixth Realm. Their soul power is inhumanly strong; only a person of this level could possibly cast an Illusion Technique that affects so many people."

"The Sixth Realm."

Xu Erhu suddenly understood:

"Master, do you mean that the classification of Daoist Arts is divided into seven realms, just like Martial Arts?"

Li Junxian nodded:

"Correct. The seven realms of Daoist Arts correspond exactly to the Seven Souls: the Yingpo Realm Daoist Child, the Jingpo Realm Daoist, the Zhongshu Po Realm Mage, the Lipo Realm Mid-level Mage, the Seven Souls Realm High-level Mage, the Linghui Realm High-Gong Mage, and the Heavenly Rushing Realm True Person.

Cultivating the soul and spirit is far more obscure and difficult than tempering tendons, bones, and strength; it requires extremely high comprehension and more time and energy. Moreover, even if one succeeds in the first three realms of this path, it is nothing more than having a more vigorous spirit and sharper five senses than ordinary people. At most, one can only cast some low-level Illusion Techniques or tricks of the eye. As long as a martial artist with a firm will is involved, even one who has only practiced strength can break the illusion."

"Ah?"

Xu Dahu scratched his head in confusion:

"So if one cultivates Daoist Arts to the third realm, they might not even be able to beat a Martial Apprentice who practices strength?"

"That is indeed the case."

Li Junxian said slowly:

"Only starting from the fourth realm, the Lipo Realm, can a Daoist practitioner's divine soul become strong enough to a certain degree. Not only can they cast more powerful Illusion Techniques, but they can also use their intent to manipulate hidden weapons like steel needles and flying knives to injure enemies from a distance, greatly increasing their means.

As for my guess, that so-called throat-slitting in the void was likely done by that Qingyike hiding in the crowd and manipulating flying knives; it was just that because the speed was too fast and everyone present was an ordinary person, they didn't see it clearly.

As for the words appearing out of thin air, it was him using an Illusion Technique to affect everyone present, while simultaneously manipulating hidden weapons like flying knives to write in blood on the ground. To be able to do all of this, this person is nine times out of ten a Sixth Realm High-Gong Mage!"

Xu Dahu and Xu Erhu's knowledge grew significantly, and at the same time, they were filled with awe.

They didn't understand Daoist Arts, but comparing it to the Seven Realms of Martial Arts—Martial Apprentice, Tendon Changing Martial Student, Bone Forging Martial Master, Lei Yin Great Martial Master, Refining Blood Martial Artist, Embracing Dan Martial Arts Master, and True Martial Arts Grandmaster—they understood it immediately.

Not to mention the world-renowned highest-level Martial Arts Grandmaster, a Martial Arts Master who can reach the Sixth Realm Embracing Dan can already throw an elephant with one hand, crush iron into mud, leap across several zhang in a single bound, and even if surrounded by dozens of Firearms in the complex terrain of city streets, they could still fight their way out.

Such a person is a one-in-a-hundred-thousand rarity in the Great Jin, and if they were to defect to the imperial court, being enfeoffed as a marquis or general would be a matter of course.

Naturally, the same applies to a Sixth Realm High-Gong Mage of Daoist Arts.

And such a person could have held a high position and received the admiration of the masses, yet they appeared here in Fengyang Prefecture, hiding their name to punish the wicked and eliminate evil. What high moral character and hatred for evil this is.

And at this moment.

Lu Yuan, who was also listening, put on an expression of amazement on the surface, but he couldn't help but feel a bit strained inside.

He really didn't expect that a single Invisibility Technique would make Li Junxian mistake him for a rare Daoist expert and High-Gong Mage.

Yet, he couldn't explain the truth.

However, there were benefits to this.

That is, the existence of so-called Daoist Arts provided cover for his Earthly Fiend Arts, so he didn't have to worry about being exposed to the eyes of the government.

Additionally, the Jingwu Division shouldn't treat Li Junxian as a suspect anymore; it could be said to be killing two birds with one stone.

However, still curious about the so-called Daoist Arts, Lu Yuan couldn't help but ask:

"Master, can the cultivation methods for Daoist Arts still be found among the common people?"

"They are basically impossible to find among the common people. The Great Jin imperial palace, and perhaps a very small number of noble families, might have collections. Why, you brat, are you interested in Daoist Arts?"

Li Junxian's gaze turned to him:

"Daoist Art cultivation is obscure and difficult, and the achievements in cultivation are no higher than those of Martial Arts. Even on the battlefield, they are far less practical than Martial Arts; this is why this path has declined and is nearly extinct. Your physique is naturally material for practicing martial arts; don't be half-hearted and drop the watermelon to pick up the sesame seeds."

Lu Yuan shook his head: "Master, rest assured, the disciple was just asking out of curiosity, I have no other intentions."

"That's good."

Li Junxian sighed:

"I never thought that such a person as Qingyike would appear here in Fengyang Prefecture. I don't know if they are just passing through or will stay here for a long time, but regardless, the corrupt officials and local tyrants in the city should be afraid."

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

The bloody case at the East City yamen caused a huge stir, and the news quickly spread from the East City to the entire Fengyang Prefecture, causing a greater impact than the death of Kundu.

Just as Lu Yuan thought, the people from the Jingwu Division never came to inquire or investigate again, seemingly having completely cleared their suspicions of Li Junxian.

And after this incident, the whole city was on edge. It is said that many notorious bullies and tyrants began to act kindly, and corrupt officials were terrified every day they were in office, afraid of acting recklessly for fear of being sought out by Qingyike.

With their restraint, the atmosphere in Fengyang Prefecture seemed to have been cleared up in just a few days.

However, everyone knew this was only temporary, and they would soon return to their old ways.

During this process, Lu Yuan's Luck Power also grew continuously, only gradually stopping on the third day.

This time, he actually obtained a total of sixty ke of Luck!

Except for when he completed the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, this was his largest gain of Luck.

Regarding this, Lu Yuan was naturally extremely happy, feeling that his spur-of-the-moment decision to create the Qingyike persona was absolutely correct. And next, with the turmoil outside, he didn't act against the wind for the time being, but instead settled his heart to begin preparing for the Staff Entrustment Technique, in addition to practicing Refining Essence into Qi.

First was the Staff Entrustment Technique.

After some inquiries, although ten-year-old peach wood was not common, it was not a rare item; the furniture shops and old craftsmen in the city all had ways to get it.

Through a fairly well-known carpentry shop in the East City, Lu Yuan managed to get a peach wood heartwood that met the age requirement in just a few days, costing only ten Silver Yuan.

Then, it was time to officially refine the Jishanzhang.

The heartwood embryo of the Jishanzhang can be made into a short staff as small as three inches long, and then one must use their own essence blood to write the Sending Character Talisman on the wooden staff twice every morning and evening, and then infuse it with their own Dharma Power to nourish it.

With all the detailed methods clearly understood in his mind, after obtaining the materials, Lu Yuan followed the instructions to cut out five short wooden staff blanks and began the formal refining process.

(End of chapter)