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Within the pillar of light, dense points of light immediately appeared, swarming like fireflies, completely covering Meng Qi's body as they continuously drilled in and out.

Meng Qi only felt a tearing pain in his muscles and skin, especially in his dantian, but his body was held by an inexplicable force, unable to move or even speak. He could only endure this torment, as if suffering through the Eighteen Levels of Hell over and over again.

Just as Meng Qi was about to break, darkness creeping before his eyes, a warmth spread from his lower abdomen. The true qi that had filled his various acupoints surged out naturally, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, pouring into his newly condensed dantian. Then, following different pathways, it returned to his own acupoints, leaving only a shallow layer of warmth within the dantian.

This layer of warmth circulated several times along fixed meridian pathways, connecting to some of the acupoints, continuously growing and strengthening while tempering these acupoints, preparing them for future condensation.

Thus, the internal energy circulation route was deeply etched into Meng Qi's mind.

The points of light dissipated, and the pain with them, but the sensation still lingered in Meng Qi's heart, making it impossible for him to "forget" for a long time.

"Exchange complete." The Lord of Six Paths Samsara's voice rang out without inflection.

Meng Qi, still within the pillar of light, moved his hands and feet, feeling much stronger. Then he patted his body, sensing a thick fabric-like resistance, without any pain.

"Hoo." Meng Qi let out a breath of relief. The External Hardening Kung Fu seemed to be fine. He then tried to drive the true qi in his dantian, circulating it twice along the simple route, striving to fully internalize it as his own.

"Any problems?" Jiang Zhiwei asked from outside the pillar, her tone both concerned and curious.

Meng Qi shook his head. "Fairly successful."

As he spoke, he flipped to the "Qi Accumulation stage Martial Art" and selected "Eight Steps of Divine Travel."

A flash of light, and a grayish, dusty-looking manual appeared in Meng Qi's hand, with "Eight Steps of Divine Travel" written on the cover in a script resembling regular script.

After flipping through it casually, Meng Qi confirmed it was a Lightness Skill manual. Not having time to study it closely, he tucked it into his bosom and stepped out of the pillar.

"This 'Lord of Six Paths Samsara' is truly honest in his dealings." Meng Qi smiled at Jiang Zhiwei, Zhang Yuanshan, and the others.

Jiang Zhiwei nodded, then gave a half-smile. "Little Monk, don't be careless. How about I test your Iron Cloth Shirt?"

"Alright." Meng Qi certainly didn't want to be negligent on a matter of life and death.

Although Iron Cloth Shirt was an external technique, already fused into his skin and muscles, and didn't require active qi circulation to be effective, he still channeled his internal energy to maximize its effect.

The moment he gathered his qi, Meng Qi's vision blurred. He saw a point of sword light dart toward his chest like a shooting star. Before he could react, it struck his left shoulder.

Pfft. The sword made a sound like hitting worn leather, the tip sinking in only slightly. Meng Qi felt a faint sting.

The sword withdrew, and only a single drop of blood seeped out.

Jiang Zhiwei pulled back her sword, wiped the tip, and nodded lightly. "This Iron Cloth Shirt is indeed as advertised. That strike just now used four-tenths of my strength, and this 'White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword' of mine is a sharp-grade weapon. Hmm, I'd probably need five-tenths of my strength to truly break through your Iron Cloth Shirt."

"Not bad at all!" Though it could only block attacks below fifty percent of Jiang Zhiwei's power, Meng Qi was already satisfied. Just moments ago, he couldn't even match one-tenth of her strength!

Zhang Yuanshan, standing nearby, was equally pleased. He smiled. "For an ordinary martial artist at the early Qi Accumulation stage, unless they go all out with a good weapon, they probably can't truly harm Junior Brother Zhending. However, Junior Brother Zhending, when facing those at the late Qi Accumulation stage, you must be careful. Try to trade injuries for injuries and end the fight quickly."

"Mm, thank you for the advice, Senior Brother Zhang." Meng Qi understood Zhang Yuanshan's meaning. His newly formed "Iron Cloth Shirt" likely couldn't withstand a full-force attack from a late Qi Accumulation expert, but it still had damage reduction. So in battle, he should leverage this advantage, exchanging light injuries for heavy ones.

At this moment, Qi Xia chuckled. "Don't let the little monk get too proud."

Her gaze turned to Meng Qi. "Iron Cloth Shirt has many weak points, as you well know. You need to be careful of these areas in battle. Also, different types of weapons have different effects on Iron Cloth Shirt, so you should study that thoroughly."

At some point, she had started calling him "little monk" like Jiang Zhiwei.

Meng Qi solemnly acknowledged this, knowing Qi Xia spoke the truth. His eyes, temples, groin, and other areas were currently weak points. And Iron Cloth Shirt, being an External Hardening Kung Fu developed through pounding, was excellent against blunt weapons like clubs and staves, but weaker against slashing and thrusting attacks from sabers and swords.

"Here, the 'Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber' technique." Qi Xia handed Meng Qi a manual, also grayish in appearance, but the paper looked quite new.

Meng Qi thanked her sincerely, flipped through it casually, and put it away. Jiang Zhiwei walked to the pillar of light and called up the "Exchange List."

She didn't jump directly to the "Heavenly Wisdom Pill" but started from the top, her gaze sweeping over the names. She paused briefly only on sword techniques like "Heaven Severing Seven Swords," "Supreme Sword Scripture," "Lifeless Thirteen Swords," "Immortal Bestowed Longevity Sword," "Ceasing Conflict Sword Technique," "Void Gazing Swordplay," and "Nine Solitary Swords," her eyes focused and slightly burning.

"Ah." She let out a sigh rich with meaning, and the exchange list displayed the "Heavenly Wisdom Pill" entry.

"Alright." She reached into the pillar of light and took out a wax-sealed pill. With a light flick of her finger, she broke the wax, releasing a clear fragrance. She sniffed it carefully and nodded slightly. "It is indeed a Heavenly Wisdom Pill."

Zhang Yuanshan smiled and walked over to her, exchanging for the "Darkness of Heaven and Earth" from the "Heaven's Wound Earth's Defect One Hundred Eight Swords." He then tucked away the thin few pages, turned his head, and looked at Qi Zhengyan. "Now it's Junior Brother Zhengyan's turn to exchange. Have you thought about what to exchange for?"

Qi Zhengyan cupped his hands and said sincerely, "Qi's martial arts are mediocre, and my knowledge is shallow. I ask Senior Brother Zhang, Miss Jiang, and Miss Qi for guidance."

Zhang Yuanshan pondered for a moment. "Junior Brother Zhengyan, I observe that your main sword technique should be the 'Long River Sword Technique'?"

"Yes. 'A solitary smoke straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river.'" A bitter smile appeared on Qi Zhengyan's rigid face.

This left Meng Qi utterly bewildered. Were they exchanging code phrases?

Although Xuan Xin was introducing the various sects to the new disciples, he preferred telling "his own" martial world anecdotes, and being lazy, he worked sporadically. So, some sects he only mentioned briefly, and others he hadn't even gotten to yet. The Flower Washing Sword Sect was one of the latter.

Seeing Meng Qi's dazed expression, Jiang Zhiwei smiled and casually explained, "The Founding Patriarch of the Flower Washing Sword Sect was well-read in poetry and classics. During a dynastic change, he retreated into the deep mountains, encountered an immortal, and received a peerless divine skill, founding the 'Flower Washing Sword Sect.' Following his preference, every orthodox martial art within the sect is named after a line or two of classical poetry. For example, the sword technique 'A solitary smoke straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river.' Ordinary martial artists, impatient with reciting poetry, gave these techniques simplified names, like 'Long River Sword Technique.'"

Qi Zhengyan coughed lightly but didn't refute. He knew his own situation. His sect's founder was merely a poor scholar, which was why he named things this way—hardly a man well-read in poetry. Such slander of the founder was something he couldn't bring himself to say, and he silently appreciated Jiang Zhiwei for saving face for him and his sect.

"Yes." Zhang Yuanshan also chuckled. "The sword scripture that is the Flower Washing Sword Sect's ultimate technique, which we call 'Immortal Bestowed Longevity Sword,' has the full name 'The immortal strokes my head, bestowing long life upon my bound hair.'"

"And 'Bright Moon Tide Sword,' little monk, do you know which poem that comes from?" Qi Xia added with a teasing smile.

Classical poetry... Meng Qi frowned slightly. Was this coincidence, or was there another reason?

He answered casually, "The bright moon on the sea rises with the tide."

"Not bad. Given that fair, delicate skin of yours before, it's clear you're not from an ordinary family." Qi Xia, a daughter of the rivers, spoke quite boldly, and Meng Qi's answer confirmed her earlier guess.

Meng Qi curled his lip. He'd been tested without realizing it. So young, yet so full of schemes!

He quickly put the matter of classical poetry out of his mind, since there was no way to investigate it for now. At the same time, he felt a slight joy, thinking, "In the future, when I'm dressed in white, a sword at my waist, a folding fan in hand, and spouting poetry, no one will question the lack of provenance for my verses..."

After a bit more conversation, Zhang Yuanshan returned to the earlier topic. "Junior Brother Zhengyan, the 'Long River Sword Technique' is known for its rigor, and it also conceals killing moves. In my opinion, it suits your temperament well. But ultimately, it lacks agility and flexibility in dealing with enemies, being strong on defense but weak on offense. I suggest you first choose a sword technique known for its unpredictability to practice as a supplement. After you've condensed the nine major acupoints related to the eye apertures, you can save up merit points in the next mission and exchange for a 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill.'"

"At your current level, even with the 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill,' I'm afraid you still won't be able to break through." Jiang Zhiwei pointed this out without holding back.

Qi Zhengyan nodded honestly. "Of the nine major acupoints related to the Eye Apertures, I've only condensed six. The rest will require patient effort. I'll follow Senior Brother Zhang's suggestion and exchange for that."

After he gave his approval, everyone took out their jade scrolls to help him filter through suitable sword techniques at a similar price. In the end, the "well-traveled and knowledgeable" Meng Qi found a martial art that satisfied Qi Zhengyan.

Qi Zhengyan cupped his hands toward Meng Qi. "Many thanks, Junior Brother Zhending. I originally considered exchanging for the move 'Lone Sunset and a Single Duck Fly Together, Autumn Water and the Vast Sky Share One Hue,' but it's ultimately a secret sword technique of the sect. If I rashly practice it and am discovered later, I risk being charged with theft of martial arts. This 'Thirteen Forms of Ever-Changing Cloud and Mist' is not only elusive and unpredictable, excelling in variation, but can also be attributed to a fortuitous encounter."

"'Sunset and Autumn Water Sword'..." Jiang Zhiwei quietly told Meng Qi the "common name."

That's way too pretentious! Meng Qi silently mocked the Patriarch of the Flower Washing Sword Sect, but kept a smile on his face. "This humble one—ah, this little monk—just happened to come across it. No need to thank me."

This "Thirteen Forms of Ever-Changing Cloud and Mist" was a secret technique of the Hengshan Sect from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Meng Qi had once considered exchanging for it, but unfortunately, the dashing sword-wanderer was not yet in his cards.

The total price for this sword technique was one hundred fifty Merit Points. If exchanged separately, the general outline cost twenty Merit Points, and each form cost ten. Thus, Qi Zhengyan exchanged for the outline and four of the forms, using the remaining ten Merit Points for a bottle of "Lingzhi Qi Replenishing Pills" to boost his Internal Energy and quickly finish condensing his acupoints.

"Now only Junior Sister Qi remains." Zhang Yuanshan looked warmly at Qi Xia. "You've exchanged ordinary manuals and miscellaneous knowledge to the 'Lord of Six Paths Samsara' for Merit Points. I suspect you've already set your sights on something?"

Qi Xia smiled and cupped her hands. "Senior Brother Zhang has sharp eyes. I can't hide this little thought from you. I've set my sights on the method for making and using the 'Tang Flower.'"

"Tang Flower?"

"Tang Flower?"

The same words came from everyone's mouths, but their feelings were entirely different. Zhang Yuanshan and the others were curious and puzzled, while Meng Qi was shocked. From the Martial Heroes of the Divine Land series, the "Tang Flower" was one of the three ultimate secret weapons of the Tang Sect of Shu? Not unique, not strange—but ultimate!

Qi Xia glanced at Meng Qi. "Little Monk, did you see the method for making this hidden weapon just now?"

"Mm, I initially thought that since my martial arts weren't strong, I wanted to find some powerful hidden weapons and ** for self-defense." Meng Qi could only explain it that way.

Qi Xia didn't say much more. She smiled at Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei. "Since I was young, my father has scolded me for not focusing on martial arts and indulging in miscellaneous studies. That's why I still haven't opened my Eye Apertures to this day. Among those miscellaneous studies, I favor mechanisms and hidden weapons. Unfortunately, within the Great River Gang, neither of these fields is particularly outstanding. Though my uncles and elders have their own unique techniques, they can't teach me without holding back. When I saw the method for making this 'Tang Flower' today, I was thrilled to find a kindred interest."

"Having more mechanism masters and hidden weapon experts among us is a good thing. It lets us handle more situations." Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei both approved of Qi Xia's choice.

The "Tang Flower" was an ultimate hidden weapon of the Tang Sect of Shu, and its exchange price was extremely high. A single completed "Tang Flower" along with the corresponding throwing technique—even if it was a one-use item—cost three hundred Merit Points. If the "Lord of Six Paths Samsara" directly imparted the knowledge of how to make and use it, a basic grasp cost three hundred Merit Points, and full mastery cost six hundred. But if one exchanged directly for the blueprints containing the making and usage methods, gathered materials on their own, and risked various dangers to study it, the cost was one hundred fifty Merit Points.

Qi Xia exchanged a few more manuals and miscellaneous knowledge, eventually scraping together one hundred fifty Merit Points to obtain the method for making and using the "Tang Flower."

"Exchange complete. Select any items you wish to store, then return to your own world and await the next cycle opening. You cannot enter or leave this place in the interim. If you wish to cultivate here, you must exchange for time now." The grand voice of the Lord of Six Paths Samsara rang out.

Since he couldn't come and go freely, Meng Qi naturally kept his manuals on his person and roughly inspected his own "domain."

Behind the white jade door was an empty and vast room. To have things like beds and chairs, one would need to exchange for them.

A patch of light descended, enveloping Meng Qi and the others as they returned to the square. Then, Meng Qi completely lost consciousness.

Darkness pressed down heavily. Meng Qi struggled, then suddenly sat up with a jolt, just in time to see moonlight like water, tranquil and still.

Soon, the familiar sounds of Zhenhui, Zhen Guan, and the others' sleeping breaths reached his ears.

"Back in the Zen Room..." The moment this thought arose, Meng Qi instinctively drew in his breath. His Dantian was warm, and a stream of warmth slowly rose.

"Eh, the Small Jade Buddha..." Delighted to find that everything he had exchanged was still there, Meng Qi suddenly noticed that the Small Jade Buddha he wore on his person had cracked in two, no longer carrying that clear, warm sense of peace.

Startled and suspicious, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After who knows how long, the familiar bell rang, but it lacked its usual distant tranquility. The chimes came faster and faster, as if something major had happened within the temple!