Unforgettable

"Subduing demons isn't just about external demons, but also inner demons... The so-called seven emotions and six desires of man are all demonic poisons. Fear itself is also a form of inner demon. Living in a perilous environment requires constant vigilance of the outside world, which is essentially a form of fear. Over time, what seems like a habit of vigilance is actually being controlled by inner demons, keeping the spirit in a state of tension and constantly self-damaging, naturally preventing growth."

"However, by holding the 'Lin' character mantra, both body and mind are settled, all demons retreat, and thoughts circulate ceaselessly. Naturally, there's no need to fear external things, which is equivalent to eliminating a form of inner demon. Over time, the power of the soul will naturally grow stronger."

Wu Ming's thoughts flickered, and he let out a long sigh before slowly standing up.

His blood energy had not yet recovered, but his mobility was largely unaffected. It was time to visit the Martial Academy again. He wanted to look through the Martial Academy's martial arts classics to see if he could find any content related to mental will.

Seven Martial Alliance.

Behind the Martial Academy, in front of a secluded small courtyard.

Hong Jiu, still in his black cloth jacket, leaned back leisurely in his armchair.

"Old Hong."

Wu Ming arrived at the small courtyard. Seeing Hong Jiu resting with his eyes closed, he didn't walk past directly. Instead, he respectfully bowed and quietly greeted him. After the greeting, he prepared to turn into the backyard.

"Wait."

But at that moment, Hong Jiu, who had been slightly squinting, suddenly opened his eyes.

He sized up Wu Ming and frowned, saying, "Why is your blood energy so weak?"

Others might not have noticed Wu Ming's change, but he could see it at a glance. Wu Ming's body seemed fine, but his internal blood energy was depleted. Blood energy was crucial for martial artists, especially for young people like Wu Ming.

To advance in the Martial Path, it was often necessary during this period to restrain desires and avoid indulgence. After all, the younger one was, the easier it was for blood energy to grow and strengthen. Once this period passed, it became extremely difficult to make further progress.

This is why talent could determine a person's upper limit.

It's because individuals with high talent, coupled with various resources for cultivation, could reach the threshold of Third Blood Forging within a few short years. Then, while young and with vigorous blood energy, they would have multiple opportunities to attempt Third Blood Forging.

However, if one indulged in excessive desires during this process, leading to chronically weak blood energy, it would be like extinguishing their future hopes bit by bit. Wu Ming himself had ordinary talent, with only a very small chance of achieving Third Blood Forging.

If it were anyone else in the Martial Academy, Hong Jiu wouldn't bother, but Wu Ming had been guided by him and had never been disrespectful. Seeing Wu Ming's weak blood energy, which seemed to be due to excessive indulgence, he naturally felt a bit displeased.

"Reporting, Old Hong, it's like this..."

Seeing Hong Jiu inquire proactively, Wu Ming briefly recounted the previous events, omitting the Black Emperor's Demon Subduing Diagram and the part about refining blood energy. He only said that, like Hu Yong and others, he had injured his blood energy while fighting evil spirits.

Hong Jiu had heard about the minor disturbances caused by evil spirits and ghosts in the city a few days prior during the Yin period. Upon hearing Wu Ming's response, he immediately understood and nodded, saying, "Hmm, if that's the case, it's not a major issue. Judging by your appearance, you must have used some restorative tonics, and your recovery is quite good."

Seeing that Wu Ming's qi and blood were not damaged due to excessive indulgence, Hong Jiu's mood calmed down. After all, the damage from indulgence was long-term, whereas damage from evil spirits was only temporary and could be recovered within a few days with tonics, having little impact.

Moreover, Fighting against evil spirits could actually have some benefits for young people like Wu Ming.

Although evil spirits were terrifying, the more martial artists faced danger, the more likely they were to awaken their deep-seated potential. Many martial artists achieved breakthroughs amidst life-or-death crises and various hardships. For someone like Wu Ming, whose talent was not high, to pursue advancement in the Martial Path, he had to undergo various trials and tribulations to achieve anything.

Seeing Hong Jiu's softened attitude, Wu Ming's thoughts turned, and he casually said, "Those evil spirits are indeed tricky, difficult to wound with swords and blades. Only pure yang blood energy can barely restrain them. I wonder if there are any other methods besides pure yang blood energy to deal with these malevolent spirits and demons?"

Hong Jiu glanced at Wu Ming and said indifferently, "Pure yang blood energy repels all evil. The Martial Path is the ultimate restraint for malevolent spirits and demonic creatures. Once you master it, you won't need to fear those malevolent spirits."

"Dominating the Martial Path can break all methods. As for anything else, they are merely unorthodox paths, not worth mentioning."

After speaking.

Hong Jiu casually waved his hand, signaling Wu Ming to withdraw. His words conveyed a strong emphasis on the Martial Path and disdain for other unorthodox methods.

Seeing this, Wu Ming could only bow respectfully before turning to leave.

"Besides the Martial Path, everything else is an unorthodox path in this world?"

"Perhaps not necessarily."

Wu Ming shook his head inwardly.

The Black Emperor's Demon Subduing Diagram in his mind was by no means a weapon of the Martial Path, but a supreme treasure that enhanced Dao cultivation. The Black Emperor depicted in it, stepping on the sun, moon, and stars, how could he be an ordinary mortal?

Especially the 'Lin' character true mantra secret technique, which gave Wu Ming an infinitely profound feeling, far surpassing his martial arts spear techniques.

Perhaps.

Martial cultivation was indeed powerful and could suppress everything, breaking all methods. However, the inheritance evolved from the Black Emperor's Demon Subduing Diagram was by no means as insignificant as Hong Jiu claimed. At least, based on his current understanding of martial cultivation, the profoundness contained within it could not compare to the Demon Subduing Diagram.

Furthermore, judging by Hong Jiu's tone, there were indeed methods that coexisted with the Martial Path in this world, but they were not circulated in the mortal world, and ordinary people were completely unaware of them.

Just like Chen Gui, as the son of a prominent family, he had previously tried to probe indirectly, but the other party was also completely ignorant of soul cultivation.

Entering the backyard.

Wu Ming went into the room where the martial arts classics were kept.

He had already mastered the Falling Leaf Spear Technique. Now, with his powerful perception and microscopic level control, he could execute it with perfect fluidity, reaching the Proficient level without exaggeration.

Even a Proficient martial artist would not be able to gain any advantage over him in terms of moves; they would certainly be at a disadvantage.

Wu Ming was naturally not here to re-examine the Falling Leaf Spear Technique. Instead, he intended to go through the other spear techniques as well, hoping to comprehend the essence of spear techniques and glimpse the realm of Oneness of skill.

Soon.

Wu Ming flipped through all the remaining spear technique books.

After his soul further strengthened, he also discovered that in addition to his soul perception improving, his memory had also greatly increased, truly possessing the ability to never forget what he had seen.

The complex classics and diagrams, with just a glance, allowed him to memorize every detail, without any omissions.

"With my current perception and memory, perhaps... I can head over to North Street and find some unconventional ways to get some silver coins?"

Wu Ming mused to himself.

North Street was the pleasure district of this area. It was where one could find entertainment and music, as well as various gambling dens and places of amusement.

Chen Gui had taken him to North Street once before, but for the sake of his Martial Path cultivation, to avoid damaging his blood energy, he hadn't gone inside.