Chapter 138: Governing Ten Thousand Methods with a Single Method

As a disciple of the Divine Firmament Sect, while enjoying the sect's protection and various benefits, one is also expected to shoulder corresponding responsibilities.

For instance, mainline disciples, being the direct lineage of the sect, are required to successively take on various internal positions upon ascending to the Blood-Stained Realm. This serves to share the pressure on senior cultivators and grant them more time for cultivation.

Branchline disciples, however, have it much easier in this regard. Because they neither have access to the core ancestral scriptures nor are permitted to hold official positions within the sect, apart from enjoying basic benefits, almost all other privileges must be obtained by completing internal missions and "purchasing" them through the payment of Dao coins.

Consequently, the sect's management of branchline disciples is far more lenient. Furthermore, branchline disciples are allowed to leave the sect, though the process to do so is extremely arduous. Even upon completing these procedures, they are required to swear a solemn Heavenly Thunder Oath, binding them never to leak any of the Divine Firmament Sect's techniques by any means.

"Senior Brother Ge, are you a mainline or a branchline disciple?"

Looking at the scholarly and refined Ge Ping before him, Qi Xiu rubbed his thumb ring and asked curiously.

"A branchline disciple," Ge Ping replied with a smile. "Under the old master, apart from the First Senior Brother and the Sixth Junior Brother who are mainline disciples, the Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, and I are all branchline disciples.

"How about you? Have you not yet decided whether to join the mainline or the branchline?"

Noticing the hesitation in Qi Xiu's eyes, Ge Ping smiled reassuringly, "Actually, you don't need to fret over this too much. You can take your time to consider. A year, two years, or even five or ten years—any of that is fine. It's just that before you make your decision, you won't be able to enjoy the benefits reserved for official sect disciples.

"Still, you truly need to think this through carefully. Mainline disciples have their own advantages, and branchline disciples have theirs. There is no absolute best choice here; there is only the one that suits you best."

……

"There is no best, only what suits me best..."

That night, lying in bed with his hands resting behind his head, Qi Xiu slowly repeated Ge Ping's words to himself.

His gaze shifted slightly, and the unadorned, archaic proficiency panel slowly materialized before his eyes:

【Calligraphy (Fourth Realm): 31%】

【Humanitarian Merit (First Realm): 15%】

【Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture (Second Realm): 49%】

【Lesser Five-Elements Water Patrol Escapist Technique (First Realm): 88%】

【Body-Breaking Formless Sword Technique (First Realm): 66%】

【Palm Thunder (First Realm): 7%】

【Aura-Observation Technique (First Realm): 43%】

【Alchemy (Third Realm): 31%】

【Painting (Second Realm): 83%】

【Culinary Arts: 98.9%】

……

His gaze locked onto the *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture*.

Uncontainably, Qi Xiu's mind drifted back to the days before he was enlightened and stepped onto the path of Dao. Those bitter, freezing winter nights spent toiling over his path of cultivation; working day and night like one possessed by madness. Back then, disheveled and ghost-like, he had harbored a singular determination: if he failed to create his own technique, he would sacrifice his life to the Dao! It was ultimately amidst the terrifying abyss between life and death that he had comprehended this primal method of Hundun.

In the eyes of truly grand sects, ancient teachings, and illustrious aristocratic families, this scripture might not be considered profound or exquisite. Compared to the ancient tomes and grand manuals passed down from antiquity that pointed directly toward the Dao Body or even the Primordial Spirit, it was utterly insignificant and not worth mentioning.

"Yet, this path was forged by my own feet, step by footprint. No grand manual, no true scripture can ever suit me better than this! Even if my future achievements remain modest, I have no regrets in my heart! I shall never retreat!"

The knot within his chest suddenly unraveled. Qi Xiu bolted upright in bed, a fierce, brilliant light erupting from his eyes. The haughty, dauntless spirit of his past—when he had used his life to comprehend the Dao and his flesh to create a technique—surged once more through his heart.

At this moment, he hesitated no longer, nor did he waver. The swaying, uncertain heart of Dao transformed into iron, firmly solidifying.

My heart is like iron, indestructible!

In a flash.

Dragons roared and tigers prowled, the primordial energy trembling violently. The proficiency of the *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* on the miraculous panel skyrocketed wildly.

A massive wave of insights and experiences gushed forth like a spring. Qi Xiu's eyes glazed over with bewilderment. His aura shifted a hundred times in a single breath, undergoing a metamorphosis much like a spring silkworm breaking from its cocoon.

Not knowing how much time had passed, an indescribable sense of freedom and ease coursed through him.

Deep within his mind, Dharma conches sounded long and clear, Dao drums beat rhythmically, and the music of the Great Dao echoed endlessly in his ears. Ink-black flood dragons roared to shake the heavens, and purple tigers bellowed to shake the earth! Yin and Yang energies constantly intertwined and collided, pushing the state of Hundun ever higher.

Within the palace of his heart, the first primal bead of Hundun trembled slightly.

The next instant, Qi Xiu's divine soul abruptly broke free from his sea of consciousness, taking up residence within this primal Hundun bead.

At this moment, he was the Hundun bead, and the Hundun bead was him!

And right at this very juncture—

The *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* stepped into the Third Realm!

Within Qi Xiu's body, ten Hundun beads surged with a massive torrent of primal true essence, cleansing his entire being from head to toe. Bathed and scoured by this continuous stream of primal true essence, Qi Xiu suddenly discovered that the proficiency of the other techniques he practiced had also begun to increase.

The Third Realm miraculous ability of the *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture*—Subjugation of Myriad Techniques!

The primal Hundun sits at the center, governing all techniques of the body and mind. A single technique commands a myriad of techniques!

Realizing the effect of this Third Realm ability, Qi Xiu clapped his hands and laughed softly. From now on, he no longer needed to worry about practicing too many techniques and being unable to divide his attention among them. With this power of Hundun Subjugation, he could not only afford to be greedy for knowledge in the future, but he could also digest it thoroughly.

A hexafunctional warrior was within arm's reach!

Slowly calming the turbulent and surging aura within his body, Qi Xiu blinked, his pupils settling into a steady and profound gaze.

Looking back on the recent period, his dilemma in choosing between the *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* and the *Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Governing True Scripture* had actually transformed invisibly into a trial of inner demons!

If he had failed to conquer the hesitation in his heart, this inner demon tribulation would have taken root deep within his Dao heart. Regardless of whether he ultimately chose the *Mystery of the Hundun Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* or the *Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Governing True Scripture*, as long as he harbored even the slightest shred of doubt about his past choice, the inner demon tribulation would erupt instantly. He would have fallen into long-term self-doubt, believing his original choice was wrong, becoming indecisive and hesitant until he completely negated himself, suffered a cultivation deviation, and turned into a puppet of his inner demons.

Just as Qi Xiu was marveling at how smoothly he had passed this hurdle, a faint, seductive, and bewitching murmur echoed in his ear out of nowhere:

"Hmph~ Consider yourself lucky, little cultivator. What a pity for this delicious vessel protected by humanitarian merit. Still, big sister has remembered you. Next time... next time I will surely take your body. Until then, make sure you don't die~"

That ethereal, coquettish voice vanished into nothingness.

Qi Xiu's pupils shrank slightly, and a cold bead of sweat slid down his forehead.

That was close. He had never expected to be targeted by an inner demon without even realizing it. Had he not awakened in time and shattered the illusion, his physical body would surely have been seized by the inner demon, reducing him to a walking corpse.

"The path of cultivation is fraught with countless obstacles and perils everywhere. I am currently merely in the Dao-Enlightenment Realm. Once I reach the Blood-Stained Realm, the Dao-Body Realm, or even the Primordial Spirit Realm, wouldn't the tribulations I face be even more terrifying?"

Warning himself inwardly, Qi Xiu silently raised his guard. In his future cultivation, he would need to pay even closer attention to his state of mind. This mental tribulation was unlike physical trials fought with real blades and spears; it came without a shadow and left without a trace. By the time one noticed it, it might already be too late.

"I wonder if there are any specific techniques or magical treasures designed to defend against inner demons. If so, I should acquire some and prepare in advance. I still have over ten thousand Dao coins in my possession; that should be more than enough."

Mentioning Dao coins naturally made Qi Xiu think of Wu Lincong from the Shen Family's General Store in Qingliu County. The Dao coins he currently held had all been earned by selling talismans through this man, to whom he had even granted exclusive sales rights for the *Sword Talisman*. Later on, when he was ambushed by the Sea-Patrol Yaksha, turned the tables, and went on a counter-hunt, he had stumbled by chance into the examination of this Divine Firmament Sect.

Now, in the blink of an eye, over a year had passed. Having vanished so abruptly, that store manager was probably worried out of his mind. It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to write him a letter of explanation.

……

The next day.

Qi Xiu went out early in the morning. Following a mottled path paved with smooth pebbles, he arrived in front of a quaint courtyard resembling a small forest, where a vast array of ancient trees and spiritual plants were cultivated.

The dense aura of vitality gave the entire courtyard a warm, comforting feel, refreshing anyone who approached and instantly setting their mind at ease.

A wooden plaque hanging at the courtyard's entrance bore the name of its owner: Ge Ping.

"Might Senior Brother Ge be inside?"

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Qi Xiu did not barge in rashly, instead calling out gently first.

"Who is it?"

Before Qi Xiu's voice had even faded, a figure with a verdant, jade-green body and two pairs of cicada-like wings—possessing a strikingly bewitching appearance—walked out holding a broom, looking curious.

"Huh? A demon?"

Sensing the somewhat "subtle" demonic aura emanating from the figure, Qi Xiu narrowed his eyes, a flicker of crimson thunder erupting and rumbling fiercely in the palm of his hand.

"Ah! Murder! The monster is killing someone!"

Seeing the crimson thunder sparking restlessly in Qi Xiu's palm, the female spirit let out a piercing shriek, dropped her broom, and turned to flee.

Bang!

She crashed headfirst straight into Ge Ping's embrace. With an "ouch," the female spirit clutched her reddened nose, tears welling up in her eyes, and timidly scurried to hide behind Ge Ping.

"Master! Your enemy has come to get you."

"Stop talking nonsense. That is the master's newly accepted junior disciple." Tapping the female spirit lightly on the head, Ge Ping led her to the entrance.

"Good morning, Junior Brother."

"Good morning, Senior Brother Ge." Cupping his fists in greeting to Ge Ping, Qi Xiu cast a thoughtful glance at the female spirit cowering behind him.

Noticing Qi Xiu's gaze, Ge Ping smiled and explained, "This silly girl is not a demon, but a spirit formed from a centennial spiritual tree. She grew up within our Divine Firmament Sect since she was little, possessing a kind and pure heart, and has never harmed anyone. Nowadays, she's responsible for tending to my courtyard."

"Did you hear that? I am no demon!" Hiding behind Ge Ping, the female spirit waved her fists, pouting and glaring angrily.

"Bailing, do not be impolite. Go pay your respects to the Seventh Master." Tapping Bailing's head once more, Ge Ping gave a soft reprimand.

"Oh."

Reluctantly shuffling her feet over to stand before Qi Xiu, Bailing drooped her small face and bowed in greeting:

"This humble spirit, Bailing, pays respects to the Seventh Master."

"What brings Junior Brother to see me so early? Could something... Oh?"

His gaze suddenly turning serious, Ge Ping let out a soft sound of surprise. After carefully sizing up Qi Xiu for a moment, a bright flash of light appeared in his eyes:

"Junior Brother has wonderful fortune indeed! Only a single night has passed, yet you've undergone such a thorough transformation. The old master truly does not misjudge people."

Not expecting Ge Ping's insight to be so sharp that he could discern his changes the moment they met, Qi Xiu smiled and said, "This is all thanks to Senior Brother's wise counsel yesterday. I came here today specifically to thank you."

……