Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 23 Guardian Divine Skill

"I wonder if he would still recognize me if I used a disguise technique?"

Fang Qing's heart skipped a beat, and she sat down: "Do you know what the last person came to ask?"

He could roughly guess that the person was Li Rulong, and he was somewhat curious about it.

"Heh...just a fool. He thinks he can end this chaotic era? Who does he think he is? Some ancient emperor?"

The old blind man chuckled to himself.

Fang Qing remained silent as well. He didn't mention the chaotic world or the ancient Shu region. Even in just Ba County, the Black Gu Sect, a Purple Mansion force, was involved in the great chaos. How easy would it be to end it?

Therefore, even if the people of the world were suffering greatly, he would not even consider this matter until he had cultivated to the Purple Mansion level.

But Fang Qing still holds a sliver of basic respect for those who knowingly do the impossible.

"Maybe... People always need to have hope; who knows, it might work out."

"So young... It's as if this old blind man is seeing his younger self, just as spirited and fearless..." the old blind man murmured, then came to his senses: "Fellow Daoist, what do you wish to ask?"

Fang Qing thought for a moment and then said, "I'm looking for a body-refining technique, preferably one that consumes little energy, is highly effective, and can also enhance one's spirit..."

To be honest, he didn't have high hopes for this, after all, he had been to bookstores in various markets.

There are body-refining techniques, but they either consume little energy or have little power.

It's either powerful or energy-intensive, but it consumes a lot of energy and has no effect on tempering the spirit.

It can only be said that Fang Qing was a little too greedy in his requirements for auxiliary cultivation techniques, which is why he couldn't find one he liked for so long.

Upon hearing this, the old blind man was taken aback: "Where did you find out about my past deeds?"

"Um?"

Fang Qing looked puzzled, but thought to himself, "There's a chance!"

He immediately said sincerely, "Please enlighten me, sir, I do have some spiritual talent."

clap clap!

As he spoke, he tossed two more precious fish onto the stall.

"Ahem... There's no need to use your sharp tongue on the old blind man."

The old blind man coughed and then touched the spirit fish on his stall: "Very well, it seems you really don't know... so I'll tell you."

"In all things in the world, there are gains and losses. To want both, as you do, is a bit greedy... However, those top-level body-refining techniques are indeed as you say... Coincidentally, when I traveled through the Secret Realm, I heard of a few of them, such as the 'Dragon Elephant Prajna Yoga Secret Technique'... Dragon and Elephant represent divine power, and Prajna represents wisdom. It is a top-level body-refining method that takes into account both physical strength and spirit."

"Oh? Sir, you possess this 'Dragon Elephant Prajna Yoga Secret Technique'?"

Fang Qing's eyes lit up.

"Of course...no." A hint of fear flashed across the old blind man's face. "That place is too evil. I narrowly escaped death, losing my eyesight there forever. All I got was a magic artifact and a magic manual. This manual is called 'Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Skill,' a temple-protecting technique of the 'Horse-Headed Vajra Temple' in the Secret Realm...It is said to contain some essence of the 'Dragon Elephant Prajna Yoga Secret Skill,' which can enhance physical strength and spirit...Most importantly, it consumes very little energy. If one has the wisdom to cultivate, one doesn't even need special ghee or other spiritual medicines. One can continuously improve simply by practicing diligently..."

"The Horse-Headed Vajra Protector's Divine Skill?"

Fang Qing, however, calmed down: "Such a wonderful method, are you willing to give it to me, sir?"

"Heh... It's not exactly a miraculous method, it's just a heretical one."

The old blind man seemed to have a nostalgic look on his face: "This first part of the 'Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Skill' is incomplete. The original four levels, but I only have the visualization diagram and incantation for the first level, so its value is much lower. Besides... this is a 'Secret Treasury Domain' technique, which has quite a few hidden dangers, so it depends on whether you dare to cultivate it... Because of this, its value is very cheap, at least much cheaper than those top-tier body-refining techniques. If you bring ten more of the same spiritual resources, I'll sell it to you."

"Secret Domain Techniques? What hidden dangers might they pose?"

Fang Qing became even more curious.

"The cultivators of the Secret Realm are different from those of our ancient Shu. Their lineage comes from the Great Snow Mountain, and they do not cultivate the dantian and qi sea, but rather the three chakras and seven meridians... When they first entered the path, they were called 'monks,' and later 'masters,' 'Dharma kings'..."

The old blind man slowly explained: "Those monks in the esoteric realm don't need their first breath of true qi to begin their practice. Instead, they need to take a 'guru,' follow his teachings, and receive his 'initiation vows.' It's said that the initiation ritual is the most secret of the Great Snow Mountain, possessing unparalleled wonders... Hehe, the old blind man doesn't know what's so wonderful about this initiation ritual. He only knows that after believing in the guru, receiving his precepts, and making offerings to the 'One and Only Secret Deity,' the monks' lives and deaths are entirely in the guru's hands. Even if the disciples are asked to kill their parents and friends before committing suicide, they cannot disobey."

"It doesn't even require true qi to enter the Dao?"

Fang Qing was greatly surprised.

"The lineage of the Great Snow Mountain is, after all, different from our immortal path..." the old blind man said. "Some of those masters are indiscriminate in their eating and drinking, and they like to select 'bright consorts' to serve them. They can even bestow supreme power upon the bright consorts... There are also those who require believers to offer their property and bodies to refine evil magic artifacts such as Thangkas and Gangdong. In short... it's very evil and bloody."

"So, what are the flaws in this Great Snow Mountain martial art?"

Fang Qing felt that if he were asked to do that, it seemed a bit unacceptable.

"Hehe... It doesn't require blood sacrifice, progresses rapidly, and has many benefits. Most of the techniques leaked from the Secret Realm are like this. However... once you've mastered the supernatural power, if you encounter a master from the Secret Realm, they might just beckon you and you'll willingly become their disciple or protector..." the old blind man sneered.

"Damn... what kind of crappy place is this?"

Fang Qing felt a chill run down her spine.

This so-called "Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Skill" looks suspiciously malicious, trying to make people refine themselves into Dao soldiers!

Fang Qing had also heard of the Daoist military method in the Bihai Sect, and it was very similar to this!

"Wait... I possess the Dao-Generating Pearl, so I'm least afraid of hidden dangers within the cultivation technique."

"At least, I'll buy it if it's cheap, and then see if I actually practice on it."

A look of hesitation crossed his face, then he suddenly gritted his teeth: "It's changed... But sir, I have another question. Don't the immortal cultivation techniques of our ancient Shu region also have similar hidden dangers?"

"The Dao values ​​life, and the Qi cultivation methods of our ancient Shu region would never teach you to cultivate yourself into some kind of protector or Vajra..."

The old blind man smiled slightly.

"That's good..." Fang Qing had just relaxed a little when he heard the old blind man say, "You just need to be careful not to reveal the cultivation technique you practice that allows you to see."

"What...does this mean?"

Fang Qing suddenly felt a chill run down his spine: "Old sir, if you explain clearly, I will buy this 'Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Skill' immediately."

"Heh heh, you cultivate the [Ji Shui] technique. The only thing you need to be careful of is those who cultivate the same technique. Their origins are similar, and if you encounter a bottleneck, you can absorb all of another person's mana to break through." The old blind man sneered, "However, such a practice is a demonic act. In our Ba County, you only need to be wary of those few Dao Foundation families and the late-stage Qi Refining experts among the rogue cultivators, especially those famous for the [Ji Shui] technique... Therefore, you don't need to tell the old blind man the specific name of the technique you cultivate, lest he think the old blind man is trying to harm you..."

"What kind of lousy place is this?"

Fang Qing was utterly speechless, and took out several spiritual items: "Then... are there any famous [Ji Shui] families in this prefecture?"

"The Luo family of Tianshui!" The old blind man chuckled as he accepted the spiritual gift, then pulled out a tattered, dark, thread-bound book from his robes and tossed it to Fang Qing: "You were ordained by this old blind man to embark on the path of immortality. This old blind man doesn't want to see you die and perish. I hope you will one day establish a foundation for your cultivation..."

"The Luo family of Tianshui?!"

Fang Qing seemed to want to savor those four words, then put away the thread-bound book, clasped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.

He walked with great solemnity, his brows furrowed as if they were about to drip water.

"The Luo family of Tianshui?"

"Is it the Luo family?"

"My home is indeed near the county seat of Tianshui... It seems I'm not mistaken, this family is actually undertaking a major foundational repair! Luckily, I didn't act rashly before!"

"【Ji Shui】? Could there be a problem with the *Guan Hei Ling Shu*? No… could the Luo family be secretly cultivating and baiting those Jiuchuan Water Pavilions that sell cultivation techniques?"

"So, without even realizing it, I've fallen into a trap?"

At this moment, a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on Fang Qing's lips...

……

Azure Sea Gate, Dan Island, Cave.

After closing the cave entrance and affixing a protective talisman as usual, Fang Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"The people here are so kind and simple; they can soothe my wounded heart..."

He patted the storage bag, and all his spoils from this trip appeared.

Several lush and verdant ginseng plants, a few spiritual items with the attributes of gold and fire, and that book, "Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Skill"!

"Now that we have the main ingredient, we just need to collect some auxiliary materials before we can try to refine 'Ginseng Green Spirit Water'..."

Fang Qing let out a long breath and looked at the book "Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Skill" again.

Originally, he thought that this tricky manual was just for reference and that he didn't necessarily need to actually practice it.

But now?

Are there any cultivation methods in the entire ancient Shu region that aren't scams?

"No wonder the pills for enhancing cultivation are so rare and highly sought after over there... So they're using human pills directly..."

"Well, one pitfall is a pitfall, two pitfalls are still pitfalls..."

There are too many problematic cultivation techniques. If I practice them all, I might even exploit a bug...

He opened the book "Horse-Headed Vajra Protector's Divine Skill" and immediately smelled a strange fragrance.

The fragrance was faint, not overpowering, yet it caused a slight stirring of his blood and energy.

"The initial step in practicing the Secret Realm techniques is the blessing of the Three Mysteries... The Three Mysteries are 'body, speech, and mind.' The body is the Great Seal, the speech is the mantra of the deity, and the mind is the visualization..."

Gradually, Fang Qing gained some understanding of this secret body-refining technique.