Chapter 1093: Top-Tier Scripture

Standing in half the courtyard, Zhang Liuzhen took a deep breath and exhaled, feeling refreshed: "No wonder I cultivated here—this is truly a natural cultivation ground."

Pan Yun's gaze swept over the corners of this half-courtyard, sensing spiritual energy gathering from all sides.

She knew this was due to an array.

Zhang Liuzhen had come to ask Xue Shao for help.

Over the past two years, he had promoted his Qi-guiding scripture throughout the army, and many soldiers successfully drew Qi into their bodies; even those unable to transform spiritual energy into primordial energy could use this art to circulate essence as internal force, greatly boosting the army's combat power.

But this scripture still had flaws—it made people increasingly irritable, and during sparring, they struggled to control themselves, often injuring or maiming fellow soldiers.

Xue Shao looked bewildered: "I… I know a little swordplay, but I have no expertise in martial arts. How can I help you?"

Zhang Liuzhen glanced at Pan Yun, then scanned Xue Shao from head to toe: "Of the three Dao-bodies in the world today, I am ruined, Pan Yun's killing aura is too strong, but you—gentle as jade, compassionate-hearted—if anyone can improve this scripture, it must be you."

Pan Yun turned to Xue Shao: "He fooled me the same way back then."

Then she glared at Zhang Liuzhen: "Big Brother, couldn't I have helped you improve it? Your original scripture could make people suffer qi deviation outright."

Zhang Liuzhen glanced at her: "Yes, after your revisions, they became irritable—but Dao cultivators must maintain calm and stillness. How is this even like Dao cultivation?"

"That's because your original scripture was flawed. I already improved it."

Zhang Liuzhen looked at Xue Shao with sincere expression: "I think it can still be improved further."

Xue Shao: "I'm not good at this. I only know how to observe Qi and cultivate. My scripture is the most basic."

His sword technique is the simplest Daoist sword art: the Shangqing Xuan Yue Sword Art; his fist style is the Five Animals Fist…

He normally circulates primordial energy using Taiji Fist or the Five Animals Play—both are easy-to-learn arts.

But Zhang Liuzhen said: "Brother Xue, don't undervalue yourself. Precisely because you've learned only foundational arts—stable, firm, and aligned with your nature—I believe only you can improve this scripture."

Xue Shao fell into thought.

Zhang Liuzhen continued: "How many people in this world spend their entire lives mastering just one art? Take the elders of Wudang Mountain—Taiji Fist is now taught everywhere, yet few truly grasp its essence; no one can defeat the Wudang Sect Leader with Taiji Fist alone. But you, Brother Xue, can transform fist into sword, and your art is steady, unbound by transformation limits—I believe you can do it."

Xue Shao looked at Pan Yun: "What's the current probability of soldiers transforming Qi into primordial energy?"

"Thirty-five percent."

Xue Shao: "Too low."

"But sixty percent of the rest can develop internal force through this scripture," Pan Yun said. "And once internal force reaches Third Rank, there's an eighty percent chance of converting it into primordial energy. Though circuitous, it truly enables universal cultivation."

Xue Shao: "Martial heroes break the law. Have you considered what the world will become if so many practice these arts?"

He worried about the future.

Pan Yun said: "This is one reason imperial ministers have always opposed promoting the Qi-guiding scripture."

Do you really think past cultivators were separated from commoners because they were mysterious and refused to teach their arts?

No. The real reason is the imperial court forbids the spread of cultivation techniques among the people.

Pan Yun said: "If only thirty percent could enter cultivation, I'd agree with the ministers—we should ban these arts among the populace and label them heretical sects to eradicate. But now, besides the thirty percent who directly draw Qi into their bodies, another sixty percent can, through effort, first develop internal force and then convert it to primordial energy. Though circuitous, it's still cultivation at its core."

"This is nearly universal cultivation," Pan Yun said. "To strengthen the state, we must strengthen the people; to strengthen the people, we must make them physically robust. Isn't this just mass fitness? Why fear cultivation?"

Xue Shao: "If thirty percent are ahead of everyone else, how do we ensure they won't rebel? Cultivation arts are unpredictable—how will the court manage them?"

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Zhang Liuzhen: "That's up to True Person Zhang."

Zhang Liuzhen said: "The greatest strength of this Qi-guiding scripture is its low entry barrier. This very strength ensures it's nearly impossible to reach its peak through this art alone. When I designed it, my goal was to help more brothers enter the Dao early, then transition to more refined arts once their cultivation and understanding advanced. Compatibility is this scripture's second strength."

Pan Yun translated for him: "He means, no one can surpass the Imperial Academy disciples, the Celestial Master's Mansion, or the Dao Record Office using only this scripture. Everything remains under his control."

Xue Shao raised an eyebrow—he understood. They had planned contingencies from the start.

He fell into deep thought.

Pan Yun was right about one thing: a tiny number of cultivators, the court could counter with state relics; if that number grew to thirty percent, the realm faced collapse; but if over ninety-six percent of the population could enter cultivation through this scripture, it would become universal cultivation.

Xue Shao felt this resembled the current state of the empire.

When a few seize the benefits of the few, chaos arises—what if those benefits were shattered and scattered, shared by all?

Absolute fairness and justice cannot be guaranteed, but when benefits are sufficiently dispersed, risks drop infinitely.

A gleam of joy flashed in Xue Shao's eyes. He nodded to Zhang Liuzhen: "Fine. I'll help you."

Pan Yun opened her mouth: "Shouldn't we ask for more benefits first?"

Zhang Liuzhen pulled her back slightly: "Don't corrupt people into thinking everyone's like you."

Pan Yun muttered: "When I helped you decipher this scripture back then, I asked for nothing. Now I'm State Preceptor—and still get no benefit…"

True, this project isn't just Xue Shao's alone—it requires all three to participate.

After all, one is the original creator, one is the first reviser; as the second-generation reviser, Xue Shao needs their joint involvement.

Because they needed to contemplate and improve the scripture, Zhang Liuzhen remained in Jingcheng.

The Zhang family of Long Hushan holds a noble title and owns a mansion granted by the Emperor; moreover, if he wished, he could attend morning court daily, seated among the top officials.

After all, besides his noble title, he also holds a Third-rank official post.

Both are hereditary honors, coveted by all under heaven—though Daoist Priests hardly envied them.

Seeing Zhang Liuzhen's increasingly pale face, no one believed he'd live past thirty.

Zhang Liuzhen told Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji, who came to treat him: "Previously, they said I wouldn't live to my coming-of-age. After I turned twenty, they said I wouldn't live past twenty-five. Now I'm past twenty-five, and they're already predicting I won't make thirty. I bet once I turn thirty, they'll claim I won't live past thirty-five."

Master Xuanmiao glanced at his pale face and turned to Tao Ji, who was taking his pulse: "How is he? Didn't he heal his Upper Dantian and resume cultivation?"

Tao Ji withdrew his hand: "He's exhausted and starved."

Master Xuanmiao frowned, puzzled: "When did you start practicing asceticism? The Zhang family has always believed in indulging in comfort and luxury."

"..." Zhang Liuzhen said nothing. "It's our Zhang family! And when did we ever live like that? Don't spread rumors."

He quickly glanced at Pan Yun, who sat sipping tea nearby: "If someone hears this, who knows what rumors will spread."

Pan Yun's hand paused as she held a osmanthus cake. She looked up: "Are you talking about me?"

Zhang Liuzhen denied it outright: "No."