Wedding Crashing

Lightness skill: Flying over Grass, Dunjia Heavenly Movement.

Weapons: Feng and Shan Sacrifice Sword Technique, Juntian Sword Art, Snow Swallow Spear Technique, Nine Earth-Shattering Hammers, Falling Star Archery Art.

Fist and foot techniques: Drought God Palm, Five Demon Fists, Mighty Eagle Claw Art Kung Fu, Bullet Fist, Wild Ball Fist, Blood-Burning Finger, Stem-Snapping Hand, Cloud and Mist Palm.

Other: Kui Drum Thunder Sound.

Techniques like Solar Flare and Solar Prominence Eruption are recorded in "Blazing Yang Battle Art," while Mindless Shot is a mental technique in "Falling Star Archery Art." Neither of them have specific moves; they are simply the movement of True Qi, so there is no need to list them separately.

I didn't realize it until I started organizing, and I discovered that I had actually learned nineteen different martial arts techniques. I had already exceeded half of the limit my master had allowed me to learn, not even counting the basic fist techniques and routines I learned at school.

Pan De suggested, "Since you've already learned the Nine Earth-Shattering Hammers, why not learn the other half Nine Heaven-Splitting Hammers, so you can master the complete 'Eighteen Heaven-Splitting Earth-Shattering Hammers'?"

Si Ming had no objection. The "Eighteen Heaven-Splitting Earth-Shattering Hammers" was the signature technique of Spirit Transformation Shi Yuan, a Nascent Soul expert. It was unparalleled in its ferocity and could overcome any technique with sheer force. It used hammers and shocks as its main attack methods and required a high level of arm strength from the user. Although he was currently missing an arm, which would inevitably reduce the power of this martial art, he would recover it sooner or later. It was just a precaution.

"I don't know much about the Jade-Clad Dharma Body, but judging from your past performance, your defense should be impeccable. However, in addition to taking hits, there are also counter-attack techniques for external martial arts. You might as well learn this technique called 'Primordial Chaos Extreme Thunder Movement'."

This martial art is derived from the hexagram "Classic of Changes" (震) in the I Ching, representing thunder. The two trigrams, one below and one above, symbolize the interaction and coordinated movement of the upper and lower parts of the body. When a sudden sound is heard, like the terrifying roar of a tiger, it may startle you, but you shouldn't be afraid; instead, you might laugh and talk loudly. It also represents the initial stirring of Yang energy, requiring the coordination of Yang-type Internal Cultivation. The stronger your physical body, the more powerful the force you can return.

"The 'Carefree Wandering Art of Dunjia Heavenly Movement' is a movement Movement Method, specializing in dodging and evasion rather than traveling. 'Flying over Grass' is a traditional light-body skill, but it's too basic. You might want to learn 'Free and Easy Wandering,' which is taken from Zhuangzi's work of the same name. It uses the Kunpeng as its image, excelling at long-distance raids. If there's a strong wind, it can ride the wind; if it encounters the martial world, it can move as nimbly as a swimming dragon. It requires an extremely high level of physical control from the practitioner."

"You've learned two Swordsmanship, but the Juntian Sword Art is incomplete, and the Feng and Shan Sacrifice Sword Technique is too orthodox. Sigh, I'm not trying to be nosy, but the martial arts of your Dinghu Sect are just too conventional. You can't find any flaws or strengths. You rely entirely on your Foundation to overwhelm your opponent. Naturally, you're invincible in the hands of a strongman like Yan Jinghong, but it's not very friendly to young people. So you might as well learn this Tower Observatory Sword Art."

This Swordsmanship is the ultimate skill of the Tower Observatory Dao. The Tower Observatory Dao built their towers out of grass, observed the stars and qi, hence the name Louguan (meaning "tower and pavilion"). Foundation in the principles of "following the Dao Emulates Own Inherent Spontaneity" and "quietude and non-action," it belongs to the conservative school and reveres Yin Xi as its patriarch. The essence of this Swordsmanship technique can be summarized in twelve characters. "Its movement is like water, its stillness like a mirror, its response like an echo." It is Swordsmanship. It requires practitioners to possess a certain ability to observe qi and predict the enemy's movements, thus achieving the effect of anticipating their moves. Its subtlety is no less than that of Taiji Sword Art.

"You've even learned hammer and spear techniques, it wouldn't make sense if you didn't learn swordsmanship. This 'True Yang Vermilion Blaze Saber' is the ultimate technique of the Wenshi Sect. The Wenshi Sect's Cultivation Method are based on emptiness and emphasize cultivating one's nature. It is the highest level of alchemy, advocating the cultivation of one's own true Yang Qi to connect with the true Yang Qi of heaven and earth; stealing the mechanism of emptiness from heaven and earth to replenish one's own true Qi mechanism. 'Integrating self and others, becoming one with heaven and earth' is the highest realm of the Wenshi Sect's alchemy. The 'True Yang Vermilion Blaze Saber' requires practitioners to possess Internal Cultivation with dual attributes of Yang fire, and it doesn't require the aid of a weapon, directly transforming Qi into a blade."

"To compensate for the weakness in your right hand, you learned the technique of using softness to overcome hardness and specifically practiced the Cloud and Mist Palm. However, the Cloud and Cloud and Mist Palm is only the introductory palm technique of the Nanhua Sect. There is an advanced martial art called the 'Ethereal Cloud and Mist Palm,' which expands from the original eighteen palm techniques to forty-nine. On the basis of softness, it adds infinite variations and unpredictable artistic conception. This set of palm techniques requires a very high level of comprehension from the practitioner. The Nanhua Sect reveres Zhuang Zhou as its founder, so one must understand the Paramārtha of Daoist School: carefree and unrestrained."

"Hidden weapons are also essential. The Divine Firmament Sect's 'Fire Talisman Jade Subtle Needle' can capture grass, flowers, and leaves as hidden weapons. Using the principle of wood generating fire in the Five Elements, the internal energy of flames is hidden within the grass and leaves, producing a thunderous explosion when thrown. This Cultivation Method requires the practitioner to possess fire-attribute Internal Cultivation."

"I've noticed you haven't learned breathing techniques. How can you be missing that? Even if you can't cultivate internal Internal Cultivation, breathing techniques can still be used to strengthen your vital energy, nourish your spirit, and even help you survive in situations where you can't breathe. Speaking of breathing techniques, we must mention the Fetal Embryonic Breathing Sect. This school uses breath control, introspection, mental stillness, and fetal breathing as its methods, discussing the origin of life, returning to the pre-natal state, and comprehending the great principles of life and death. The Daoism has the deepest understanding of breathing techniques, and within Daoism, the Fetal Breathing Embryonic Breathing Sect is the most prominent. The culmination of all methods in the Embryonic Breathing Sect is the 'Divine Sight Illusory Observation Art,' which is unparalleled in the world."

"Wait a minute, why do I find that the Cultivation Method you recommended all seem to be Daoist School?" Si Ming asked suspiciously.

"Hey, how can a martial artist care about different schools of thought? As long as it suits you, it doesn't matter if it's Daoist School or Mohist School. After all, I'm Daoist School disciple, so I'm naturally more familiar with my own school's martial arts. Don't worry about such trivial matters." Pan De chuckled.

"But I've noticed that, apart from the 'Eighteen Heaven-Splitting Earth-Shattering Hammers' and the 'Primordial Chaos Extreme Thunder Movement,' I've never seen any of the martial arts techniques you recommended in the base's Scripture Repository."

"I specially chose this for you, and it took me a lot of favors to do so, so you should cherish it even more and cultivate diligently day and night, only then will you be worthy of my good intentions."

Si Ming was still uneasy. "Why are you suddenly being so nice to me? Is there some kind of conspiracy behind it?"

There's a saying that goes, "Those who offer unsolicited favors are either up to no good or are thieves." Even though we have a good relationship, there's no need to go to such lengths. Even a close brother wouldn't act like this.

Pan De's eyes widened. "Look at what you're saying! How could an honest man like me, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, possibly have any ulterior motives? Your thinking is too dark. You need to be more optimistic and trusting of your friends. That way, life will become more cheerful and open-minded."

Si Ming thought about it carefully, but he really couldn't figure out why the other party would harm him. Moreover, he had never heard of using the gift of Cultivation Method to harm people, unless the content of these Cultivation Method was fake. However, his talent for sudden enlightenment had the effect of scrutinizing and correcting.

If the errors are too few, less than 10%, the talent for sudden enlightenment can still allow one to learn the entire martial arts technique. For example, if one encounters an incomplete Cultivation Method, it is possible to complete it to a certain extent.

If there are too many errors, the enlightenment talent will not take effect. In other words, if Si Ming still hasn't learned it after reading it once, it proves that there is a problem with the Cultivation Method.

However, putting aside the possibility of the Cultivation Method being faked, Pan De had absolutely no motive to do so, and all of this is evidence of the problems that have arisen.

"Alright, perhaps I was just being paranoid. I appreciate your kindness."

"That's right. Remember to practice diligently and persevere. Don't hesitate to ask me any questions you encounter along the way."

Pan De patted Si Ming on the shoulder with a broad smile.

Chapter 266 The Bride Robbery

In the magnificent wedding hall, all kinds of beautiful decorations were in place. A huge wedding photo hung on the wall of the stage, showing a perfect couple leaning together with sweet and happy smiles. The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful; the man was dashing and the woman was charming. Anyone who saw them would say that they were a match made in heaven.

A circle of small colored lights surrounded the photo, flashing brightly, while above hung a large red banner that read "Congratulations to the groom Jiang Zhengtai and the bride Yao Bilian on their happy marriage." The hall was filled with guests, and a band was even hired to play and sing festive tunes.

"A blessed union is ordained on the Stone of Three Lifetimes, a loving couple bound by a colorful thread. Their vows of eternal love are as enduring as the sea and as steadfast as the mountains; their mutual respect and affection will last forever. Welcome, everyone, the bride and groom!"

As the best man announced the start of the wedding, the bride and groom entered the hall. Their wedding attire was different from the clothes Si Ming remembered; it was a blend of Chinese and Western styles, with a hint of the Republic of China era.

The groom's clothes were similar to a suit, but not black; instead, they were bright red, with a colorful flower hanging from his chest. It seems that no matter the world, red in Huaxia civilization represents joy and celebration, complementing the newlyweds and foreshadowing a prosperous and happy future.

The bride's dress was quite traditional: a wide-sleeved, double-breasted pheasant-patterned robe, a pearl-embroidered phoenix crown, a red veil, and a bouquet of pink and white roses. The patterns on the robe were very elaborate. The double-breasted design itself has a sense of complete symmetry and represents harmony and beauty in Huaxia culture. The densely packed, symmetrical, paired golden pheasant patterns symbolize the harmony and happiness of married life in traditional culture.

The Mohist School advocated frugality, strictly prohibited extravagance and waste, opposed lavish banquets, and championed simplicity in everything. However, this was because productivity was low in ancient times, food was scarce, and saving even a fraction of food could prevent one person from starving to death.

In fact, this proposition was essentially designed specifically for the upper class. After all, ordinary people at the time couldn't even get enough to eat, so even if they wanted to be extravagant, they had nothing to waste. This constraint was practically nonexistent.

However, in modern times, after the Industrial Revolution, productivity developed rapidly, and ordinary people finally had the right to waste food. It was easy to go from frugality to extravagance. They learned various ways of "celebrating waste" from other countries, especially the Confucian School custom of "making every ceremony grand".

The Mohist School have always only criticized the upper echelons, not the lower classes. In addition, festivals and celebrations can, in a sense, stimulate economic development and accelerate currency circulation. Therefore, they turned a blind eye to such things, but insisted on promoting the idea that thrift is glorious and waste is shameful, thus promoting it on a Divine Dao level.

Under the guidance of the best man, Yao Bilian and Jiang Zhengtai walked slowly towards the stage, arm in arm, as the guests applauded enthusiastically and placed a bucket of confetti at the opportune moment.

"What a perfect couple! I heard the bride's parents are the chairmen of a large corporation, while the groom's parents are high school teachers. The bride is wealthy and wanted to find someone cultured, so she didn't even ask for a bride price, but instead gave him a dowry of several million. These days, it's true that you can find beauty and wealth in books. The ancients were right."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the newlyweds walked onto the stage with happy smiles on their faces. The groom stood tall and proud, while the bride appeared slightly shy and charming. To those unaware of the situation, they couldn't help but sigh that they envied the perfect couple and had no idea that even the wedding was a hoax.

Yao Bilian was alright; she was bisexual and didn't mind playing along. But Jiang Zhengtai was an incurable late-stage gay man with a 90-degree right-angle bend. He started getting goosebumps when he held the bride's arm, and even his smile seemed extremely stiff.

"Two families unite in marriage, a covenant is made in this hall, a blessed union is forever bound, a perfect match is celebrated. Behold the peach blossoms in full bloom today, a sign of a harmonious and prosperous home. May your descendants flourish and prosper in the years to come. With this vow of lifelong commitment, inscribed on fine paper, may our pledge of love be recorded in the annals of marriage."

"On this auspicious day, a joyous ceremony is completed, and a blessed union is formed. Poems sing of the ospreys, and elegant songs celebrate the auspicious signs. May your descendants prosper for five generations, and may good fortune unfold in the south. With hearts and minds united, may you be a harmonious and loving family. May you treat each other with respect, and enjoy eternal harmony like fish and water. With mutual support and sincerity, you pledge your vows as a pair of lovebirds. This is our witness."

The best man read the vows on stage, which looked somewhat like a Western wedding where the priest asks the bride "Do you take this man to be your husband?" and the groom "Do you take this man to be your wife?" However, the cultural connotations were undoubtedly much deeper.