Chapter 111: with translation of chapter title

The next few days.

Aside from going to check the shop's situation in the morning, Yan Buji spent the rest of his time in his room organizing what he had learned.

The Planting Tree Manual is only the most basic cultivation method, consisting of three layers; as a foundational technique, the magical power it yields is moderate and balanced.

The downside is that it has no distinctive features, and only upon reaching the third layer does it grant a longevity effect.

But to reach the third layer, he must first find two basic cultivation methods to break through his current realm.

Headache.

Yan Buji covered his head and temporarily set aside magical cultivation.

Blood Heaven Ascension Degree!

The martial internal arts that have accompanied Yan Buji for so many years in the mortal world—from the initial Blood Essence Skill, Guān Tiān Dēng Mó Zhuàng, to the later Supreme Holy Primordial Source Scripture—combined with the overarching framework of the three great internal skills, finally formed a Martial Dao Profound Skill, showing how arduous the journey has been.

But it truly is powerful.

The amount of True Essence in Yan Buji's dantian exceeds his magical power; if realms are divided by level, his Martial Dao realm should be at Lianqi Level three.

"By combining magical power with the three-flower pupils to manipulate chaotic Qi in battle, and probing for a suitable method, I should be able to surpass Lianqi Fourth Layer," Yan Buji thought.

After all, Yan Buji's True Essence and magical power do not interfere with each other, so even if he simultaneously employs an Existence with patterned Profound Skill, no conflict arises.

The patterned Profound Skill is extraordinarily mysterious; its source cannot be found, making its origin impossible to investigate.

But Blood Heaven Ascension Degree is a crucial aid for his entry into the cultivation world; he spent countless hours on it, nearly dying several times, and his understanding of it is absolute—there is no aspect he does not comprehend during ordinary practice.

The only problem is the three Spirit‑Ghost diagrams!

It can't be that they only work when tattooed onto the body, can it?

Yan Buji took out the black cloth that records Guān Tiān Dēng Mó Zhuàng and examined it carefully for a long time.

"Eh? The Spirit‑Ghost diagrams aren't for crafting Accumulation Devices, are they?"

Yan Buji recalled that making Accumulation Devices also requires Spiritual Material to be refined into units and assembled one by one, but it must be paired with a special technique; it isn't as simple as stacking blocks.

Perhaps the Spirit‑Ghost diagrams are the methods for forging the three types of Accumulation Devices?

Or maybe, by engraving the diagram onto an Accumulation Device, it can function?

No.

Whether it's the Yan Wang Shen Gui diagram or the other two, even if they truly relate to Accumulation Devices, they must refer to a specific form of device.

And if engraving made it usable, why haven't we seen the black cloth turn into an Accumulation Device?

"Yan Wang Shen Gui—among the underworld Yan Wang myths, the most famous is probably the Book of Life and Death, right?"

Yan Buji glanced and saw that the Yan Wang was indeed holding a book.

"Shura Blood Sea, Shura… looking at the Shura here, each wears armor but holds no weapons; could it be the armor they wear?"

"Abyssal Hell… this sounds like the Buddhist description of a place where those who fall into it endure endless suffering for eternity."

Yan Buji glanced at the depiction of Abyssal Hell; hellish officials wield various tortures to punish the most wicked, and the sight of their wailing agony seemed almost before his eyes.

Suffering?

Yan Buji thought; the only thing that can make a person endure boundless suffering… is regret, perhaps?

Yan Buji can't claim deep Buddhist insight; he can only interpret the three Spirit‑Ghost diagrams from his own perspective.

Perhaps the three diagrams truly possess the ability to communicate with spirits and deities—not merely for crafting Accumulation Devices as he imagined—but the mystery within them is considerable.

I don't get it.

It's not that Yan Buji doesn't want to understand the three diagrams; he can't possibly tattoo them all onto his body, can he?

For something truly linked to spirits, a single Yan Wang Shen Gui diagram is sufficient; the others can wait.

"Never mind, perhaps the opportunity hasn't arrived yet. Since Zhang Lai knows the origin of my Martial Dao Profound Skill, he must know some details about it; when he comes to see me, there will naturally be a chance to ask," Yan Buji thought.

If he wants to learn about the Spirit‑Ghost diagrams, his hope likely rests on Zhang Lai.

At present, aside from arduous cultivation, the only way to boost strength in a short time is the Accumulation Device.

Yan Buji can extend from the Spirit‑Ghost diagrams to Accumulation Device forging because he truly wants more devices to strengthen his power.

Whether it's the Martial Dao Profound Skill or Magical Cultivation, new techniques are needed for integration and tuning to break through the current realm.

This is a great difficulty for Yan Buji; few study the Martial Dao Profound Skill, and he can't expect to find it in the market's bookstores.

As for Magical Cultivation, his talent is truly poor; even the Planting Tree Manual required so much time and Spiritual Stone just to break through the first Lianqi Level. If it continues, Yan Buji can't even imagine how many resources his cultivation would demand later.

The key is that his available resources are that limited; since the three-flower pupils are already mastered, there's truly no need to seek other basic techniques now, which would likely be less useful than his own martial skills.

Thinking that way, Accumulation Devices are undoubtedly the best solution.

But Yan Buji lacks the resources to refine Spiritual Material into units, and crucially he has no idea how to properly forge Accumulation Devices—there isn't even a reference.

If you suggest a short sword or a small wooden hammer, they don't really fit Yan Buji's path, and he has neither time nor resources to waste on repeated Accumulation Device forging.

"But with my meager savings, even if I entered the Third Street, I probably couldn't buy anything," Yan Buji fell silent.

Sigh.

It's all because my footing is so poor!

No resources, no connections, no talent!

Want something, don't have it; this cultivation path is truly hard.

Fine, let's go out for a walk.

Yan Buji's mood was slightly heavy, not because he was discouraged, but because he felt arduous cultivation wasn't suitable for a cultivator of such low aptitude.

If his footing is poor, he must find a way to improve it.

In other words, look for an opportunity!

If he can find an opportunity to clarify the uses of these items on his body, his strength might increase dramatically!

Whether it's a small wooden hammer, the Profound Accumulation Secret Command, gold leaf, or even the Spirit‑Ghost diagrams, understanding any one of them would prevent Yan Buji from being so bewildered now.

Sometimes Yan Buji feels helpless; he knows how to become stronger, but not how the process should proceed.

Many processes are stuck there; without enough time or strength, you can't move forward—what else are you talking about?

"Liu Yun, I'm going out for a walk."

"Oh, alright, Brother Yan."

Walking down the street, Yan Buji looked around and shook his head.

Upon reaching the second street, he saw that the vendors setting up stalls by the roadside were all selling books; Yan Buji had visited a few times before, but he hadn't found anything useful.

Reading is actually a good method!

Maybe one day, while reading, he'll suddenly gain insight.

Just then, Yan Buji suddenly heard a loud shout:

"Are you selling or not? I've made an offer, yet you won't sell—are you just messing with me on purpose?!"