Dou Technique Selection

"Fist Fighting Skills." These were the first large words that caught Lin Ming's eye.

Then Lin Ming looked to the side and saw many more categories: "Leg Fighting Skills," "Fist Fighting Skills," "Movement Skills," "Sword Fighting Skills," "Spear Fighting Skills," "Blade Fighting Skills"...

Looking at the neatly categorized Dou Techniques, Lin Ming's first thought was that it was reliable. With every type clearly separated, it would be much easier to find what he needed.

Lin Ming walked in and saw the words "Yellow Tier Low-grade" written on the bookshelf. He casually picked up a book and flipped through it.

Slapping Water Palm, Yellow Tier Low-grade. Creator unknown. Date of creation unknown.

It was said that a High-tier Dou Practitioner had casually slapped the water while washing his hands by the river, thereby creating this Dou Technique.

Seeing the introduction for Slapping Water Palm, Lin Ming was speechless. First, the name was absurdly casual. Then, its creator had merely been a High-tier Dou Practitioner who had created it by slapping some water. As expected of the most worthless Yellow Tier Low-grade Dou Technique—it was ridiculously casual.

That was right. The creators of Yellow Tier Low-grade Dou Techniques were generally Dou Masters, and some were even High-tier Dou Practitioners. This Slapping Water Palm had been created by a High-tier Dou Practitioner.

No wonder several of these lowest-grade Dou Techniques could be bought outside for a single Gold Coin. They truly were worthless.

Lin Ming did not know how many years the Dou Qi Continent had existed, but even if he only counted the thousand years since the Xiao Clan had declined from one of the Ancient Eight Clans, describing Yellow Tier Dou Techniques as countless as cow hairs would still be an understatement.

Lin Ming put down the Dou Technique and looked farther back. Yellow Tier Low-grade Dou Techniques occupied more than half the shelves, perhaps nearly sixty percent.

Yellow Tier Mid-grade Dou Techniques occupied a little over thirty percent, while Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques made up roughly the remaining ten percent.

Yellow Tier Mid-grade Dou Techniques were generally created by High-Level Dou Masters and Da Dou Shi, while Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques basically required a Dou Ling to create.

Lin Ming casually checked several more books, such as Slapping Sand Palm, Pushing Back Palm, and Falling Leaf Palm. They were all much the same. Most had no detailed information about their creators, occasionally listed a date of creation, and had rather casually written descriptions.

Lin Ming only wanted to say, "These really are trash." No wonder no one was willing to organize them.

Lin Ming put down the Yellow Tier Low-grade Dou Techniques, walked to the Yellow Tier Mid-grade section, and picked up Surging Wave Palm.

Surging Wave Palm, Yellow Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately ten years ago. This Dou Technique was improvised after observing sea waves.

Looking at that simple introduction, Lin Ming could only admit that Yellow Tier Mid-grade Dou Techniques did not receive much better treatment.

He did not linger any longer. Putting down the Dou Technique in his hand, Lin Ming headed toward the Yellow Tier High-grade section at the very back.

Looking at the noticeably smaller number of Dou Techniques, Lin Ming selected several to read.

Falling Stone Palm, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately fifteen years ago. This Dou Technique was created after its creator was inspired by falling rocks from a cliff. When executed, it was like rocks tumbling down from a cliff, carrying the force of a landslide.

Emptying Palm, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately fifteen years ago. It was said that this Dou Technique was created by a lazy person who did not want to get up and close the door whenever visitors came calling, so he decided to create a Dou Technique for closing doors.

It was said that after this Dou Technique was completed, a single palm strike used to close a door would shatter the entire doorway.

The visitors thought their host was trying to harm them and nearly started fighting him.

Only after repeated explanations did the matter finally end. Not only did the host have to reinstall his door afterward, but he had also offended his guests, leaving him to regret creating this technique.

Flowing Cloud Palm, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately twenty years ago. This Dou Technique was created after its creator was inspired by flowing clouds. When executed, it was like unbroken clouds that could not be escaped from, making it especially suitable for overcoming strength with softness.

Looking at the introductions for the Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques, Lin Ming found that although there was still no information on their creators, the descriptions of the techniques themselves were much more comprehensive. Some even included amusing anecdotes and suitable applications.

However, Lin Ming wanted Blade and Fist Fighting Skills, so after briefly looking through these, he walked to the high-grade Fist Fighting Skills section.

Setting Sun Fist, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately twenty years ago. This Dou Technique was created after its creator was inspired by watching the setting sun. When used, it descended slowly, but when swift, it struck suddenly like a falling sun. Its power was slightly enhanced for Fire Attribute users.

Iron Fist, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Its creator was reportedly a blacksmith. Created approximately twenty years ago. It was said that a blacksmith with an unusually gifted physique had felt that his hammer lacked force while forging iron, so he created this Dou Technique. It overwhelmed enemies with pure strength and was exceptionally fierce. Those with extraordinary physiques could use it with power no weaker than a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique. This Dou Technique placed considerable demands on the body, so choose carefully.

Startled Ape Fist, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately ten years ago. It was said that this Dou Technique was created during a battle against a Second-Order Harmonious Ape, after observing the ape's movements. When used, it was as fierce as a Harmonious Ape, with orderly advances and retreats. When the technique was completed, the Harmonious Ape was frightened into retreating, hence the name Startled Ape Fist.

Hundred Forms Fist, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Its creator was reportedly a Beast Tamer. Created approximately thirty years ago. It was said that a Beast Tamer created this Dou Technique after observing Hundred Beasts hunting. Whether it truly came from observing Hundred Beasts hunt was unknown, but it did contain many forms of animals hunting prey.

To practice this Dou Technique, one first had to observe beasts hunting and imitate their forms. It was said that once one had observed and imitated a hundred beasts, its power could rival a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique. Observing Hundred Beasts required a great deal of time, so choose carefully.

After looking for a long time, Lin Ming found several techniques he liked, but none truly moved him.

Either their power was all about the same, or their cultivation requirements were too demanding. Lin Ming was not satisfied with any of them until he saw this book.

Explosive Thunder Fist, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Its creator was reportedly someone with mutated Dou Qi. Created approximately fifty years ago.

It was said that the creator of this Dou Technique had been born with mutated Dou Qi, Thunder-Earth Mixed Dou Qi. After accidentally encountering Earth-Shaking Thunderclap, he gained insight and created this technique. When the fist struck, it sounded like exploding thunder, shaking one's heart and soul; when the fist carried the force of the earth, it pressed down upon the enemy.

In the creator's hands, it could even surpass a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique. It was said that someone with even more extreme Dou Qi could surpass a Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, though no one had ever exceeded the creator's power with it.

With ordinary Dou Qi, this technique could reach the power of a Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique, and it was more difficult to practice than ordinary Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques. Those without unusual Dou Qi should choose carefully.

The moment Lin Ming read this introduction, he had already decided on his Fist Skill. The mention that someone with more extreme Dou Qi could wield power surpassing a Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique deeply tempted him. After all, was he not someone with the ultimate Five Elements Dou Qi?

Although he would not normally reveal his Five Elements Dou Qi, who would care about such things when life and death were at stake? Would it not be enough to kill everyone who saw him use Five Elements Dou Qi?

Though he could not normally reveal Five Elements Dou Qi, Fire-Wood Dual Attribute Dou Qi was still acceptable. After all, Lin Ming intended to become an Alchemist later.

Would it not be perfect to display Fire-Wood Dual Attribute Dou Qi? As for its power being inferior to Five Elements Dou Qi, that could not be helped. The Five Elements Attribute was simply too heaven-defying, and it concerned his future plans. Unless he faced a life-and-death crisis, he could not use it. Even if he did use it, he would have to silence every witness.

As for the power of using it with Fire-Wood Attributes, although it would not be enough to surpass a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique as it had in the creator's hands, it should at least reach the level of a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique.

Among Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques, finding one with power comparable to a Black Tier Low-grade Dou Technique was already something worth secretly celebrating. What else was there to complain about? As for the claim that it was harder to cultivate than ordinary Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Techniques, Lin Ming directly ignored it.

After choosing his Fist Skill, Lin Ming carried Explosive Thunder Fist with him. Once he had chosen a Blade Skill as well, he would give them to Grandpa Liu for registration and unsealing.

That was right. The Dou Techniques here were all sealed. While inside, one could only read information such as their introductions; only after unsealing them could one see their contents.

One reason for this was to prevent people with photographic memories from browsing the Dou Techniques and causing a large number of them to be leaked.

The second was to prevent those with exceptionally high comprehension from becoming engrossed after reading them, entering a cultivation state, and directly practicing a complete Dou Technique inside the Scripture Pavilion. How many bookshelves would that destroy?

Therefore, all the Dou Techniques here had been sealed, and their contents could only be viewed after registration and unsealing.

The unsealing period was only half a year, and there were two reasons for this:

First, even if a Dou Technique was lost, it would prevent others from learning it. After all, outsiders would need at least the strength of a Dou Ling and more than five days to possibly break the seal.

And once someone had reached the Dou Ling realm, who would care about a Yellow Tier Dou Technique? Not to mention spending at least five days unsealing it.

Lin Ming rather admired the senior who had created this seal, since the introduction could still be viewed. It made it convenient for learners to find what they needed, while also making anyone who found a lost technique feel that spending great effort to unseal it after reading its introduction was not worth it. This would cause them to give up and prevent the Dou Technique from being leaked.

Second, it could remind younger generations choosing Dou Techniques that if they still had not learned a Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique after half a year, then they were not suited to it and should not waste more time on it.

With Explosive Thunder Fist in hand, Lin Ming walked to the Blade Fighting Skills section and began choosing carefully among the techniques.

Willow Swaying Blade Technique, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately twenty years ago. Its creator observed a gentle breeze brushing through willows, watching willow leaves sway and drift with the wind, and was inspired to create it. This Dou Technique was light and graceful when brushed forth, yet sharp when descending. It was more suitable for those with lighter builds and light blades.

Overbearing Bullying Blade Technique, Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Creator unknown. Created approximately twenty years ago. This Blade Skill used broad, sweeping movements to suppress enemies with overbearing might and fierce momentum.

When facing an agile opponent with excellent Movement Skills, this Dou Technique should be used carefully, lest excessive Dou Qi and stamina be consumed and the enemy seize an opening to defeat the user.

Looking through these Blade Skills, Lin Ming did not find one that satisfied him as Explosive Thunder Fist had. Either the requirements were too harsh, or they simply did not suit him.

The weapon Lin Ming wanted to use was somewhat like the Zhanmadao from his Previous Life, with a longer handle.

After looking through more books and still failing to find anything to his liking, Lin Ming decided to ask Grandpa Liu. After all, Grandpa Liu had told him to come find him if he could not decide. Why wait when such a good opportunity was available?

"Grandpa Liu, Xiao Ming chose Explosive Thunder Fist for his Fist Skill, but the Blade Skills have left him overwhelmed. Please help Xiao Ming choose one." Lin Ming walked over as he spoke, handing Explosive Thunder Fist to Grandpa Liu.

Grandpa Liu looked at Explosive Thunder Fist and said, "No one has chosen this Dou Technique for years!"

After all, unless one possessed mutated Dou Qi, its power was about the same as ordinary techniques, yet it was harder to cultivate. Naturally, no one had chosen it for years.

"Xiao Ming, are you sure you want to choose this Fist Skill?" Grandpa Liu asked once more for confirmation.

"Yes, Grandpa Liu. Xiao Ming is sure he wants this one. Xiao Ming wants to become an Alchemist in the future. Fire-Wood Dual Attribute Dou Qi would also match this mutated Dou Qi," Lin Ming replied seriously.

"Hahaha, good Kid. Alchemist is a fine profession. It is a pity that the highest-ranking Alchemist in our Mittel Family is only a 4th Grade Alchemist. Fine, choose this one, then. It may be a little difficult to practice, but the difficulty is not too great, and its power is decent enough," Grandpa Liu replied.

Becoming an Alchemist was entirely determined by fate and luck. It was not something one could become simply because one wanted to.

First, one needed powerful Soul Power. Those with good talent could generally meet this requirement, and Grandpa Liu did not doubt Lin Ming in that regard.

But the second requirement was mutated Dou Qi Attributes. Only those with Fire-Wood Dual Attribute Dou Qi could qualify to become Alchemists.

Mutation alone was already one in ten thousand, and Fire-Wood Dual Attributes were even rarer. Thus, Alchemists generally appeared with odds of one in a million.

Only because the Dou Qi Continent was vast and densely populated did there seem to be so many Alchemists. Those odds were not much better than winning the lottery in his Previous Life.

Therefore, in order not to crush this child's dream of becoming an Alchemist, Grandpa Liu felt that this small increase in difficulty was truly insignificant.

Of course, Lin Ming had no way of knowing what Grandpa Liu was thinking.

Very soon, the unsealed Explosive Thunder Fist was returned to Lin Ming, and he stored it in his Storage Ring.

This Storage Ring had been given to Lin Ming by his parents on his fifth birthday, after he had cultivated Dou Qi. It was an Intermediate Storage Ring, with space roughly ten times that of a Low-grade Storage Ring.