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Within the pillar of light, countless specks of light immediately appeared, like swarms of fireflies, completely covering Meng Qi's body as they constantly burrowed in and out.

Meng Qi felt as though his muscles and skin were being torn apart, while the pain in his Dantian was even worse. Yet his body was controlled by some inexplicable force, making it difficult to move. He could not even speak, and could only endure the agony stiffly, as though he had gone to the Eighteen Levels of Hell and suffered the torture over and over again.

Just as Meng Qi was about to reach his limit and his vision began to darken, warmth spread through his lower abdomen. The True Qi filling his various apertures naturally surged out, all rivers returning to the sea, and poured into the Dantian that had just finished condensing. It then followed different routes back into his own apertures, leaving behind only a shallow layer of warmth within the Dantian.

That layer of warmth circulated along the fixed meridians several times, connecting some of the apertures. It continued to grow and strengthen while tempering those apertures, preparing them for future condensation.

Thus, the route for circulating inner power was deeply imprinted in Meng Qi's mind.

The specks of light vanished, as did the excruciating pain, but the sensation still lingered in Meng Qi's heart, making it impossible for him to "forget" for a long time.

"Exchange complete." The voice of the Lord of Six Paths Samsara rang out without the slightest fluctuation.

Meng Qi did not care that he was still inside the pillar of light. He moved his hands and feet and found that he had grown much stronger. Then he patted his body, feeling as though he were striking thick cloth, without the slightest pain.

"Whew." Meng Qi breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed there was no problem with the External Hardening Kung Fu. Next, he tried circulating the True Qi in his Dantian, making it follow that simple route twice in an effort to turn it into something truly his as soon as possible.

"Any problems?" Jiang Zhiwei asked from outside the pillar, concerned yet curious.

Meng Qi shook his head. "It went fairly well."

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

The light grew denser, and a gray, unassuming manual written in something resembling regular script suddenly appeared in Meng Qi's hand. The words "Eight Steps of Divine Travel" were written on it.

After casually flipping through it, Meng Qi confirmed that it was a Lightness Skill manual. With no time to examine it closely, he tucked it into his robes and walked out of the pillar of light.

"This 'Lord of Six Paths Samsara' really is fair and honest." Meng Qi smiled at Jiang Zhiwei, Zhang Yuanshan, and the others.

Jiang Zhiwei nodded, then said with a half-smile, "Little Monk, don't get careless at all. How about I try your Iron Cloth Shirt?"

"Good." Meng Qi naturally did not want to be careless about something concerning his life.

Although the Iron Cloth Shirt was an external art that had already fused into his skin and muscles, so it did not require circulating energy to take effect, he still raised his inner power, trying to bring its effect to its maximum.

The moment he gathered his energy, Meng Qi's vision blurred. He saw only a point of sword light shooting toward his chest like a meteor. Before he could react, it pierced his left shoulder.

Pfft. The long sword made a sound like it had struck worn leather. Only the tip sank in slightly, leaving Meng Qi with a faint sting of pain.

When the sword was withdrawn, only a single drop of blood welled up.

Jiang Zhiwei withdrew her sword and wiped its tip. She gave a light nod. "This Iron Cloth Shirt really is fair and honest. I used four-tenths of my strength for that strike, and this 'White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword' of mine is also of Sharp Weapon Grade. Hmm, I'm afraid I'll have to use five-tenths of my strength to truly break through your Iron Cloth Shirt."

"Not bad, not bad!" Meng Qi was already very satisfied that it could withstand attacks below five-tenths of Jiang Zhiwei's full strength. Just moments ago, he had not even been a match for one-tenth of her strength!

Zhang Yuanshan was equally satisfied. He smiled and said, "An ordinary martial artist in the Minor Qi Accumulation stage, if he doesn't go all out and has a good weapon, probably won't be able to truly injure you, Junior Brother Zhending. However, when facing someone in the Major Qi Accumulation stage, you must still be careful. Try to trade injuries and resolve the battle quickly."

"Understood. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zhang." Meng Qi understood what Zhang Yuanshan meant. His newly mastered Iron Cloth Shirt probably could not withstand a full-power attack from someone in the Major Qi Accumulation stage, but it still reduced damage. Thus, in battle, he needed to make use of that advantage and trade a light injury for a heavy one.

At this moment, Qi Xia chuckled. "Don't let Little Monk get too proud."

Her gaze turned toward Meng Qi. "The Iron Cloth Shirt still has quite a few vulnerable points. You know them well yourself, so you must guard those places carefully in battle. Besides, different types of weapons have different effects against the Iron Cloth Shirt, so you must study that properly as well."

At some point, she had begun calling him Little Monk along with Jiang Zhiwei.

Meng Qi solemnly acknowledged her words. He knew that Qi Xia was telling the truth. His eyes, temples, lower abdomen, and other places were still vulnerable points. Moreover, the Iron Cloth Shirt itself was an External Hardening Kung Fu forged through beating and tempering. It offered excellent defense against cudgels and similar weapons, but was considerably weaker against attacks such as saber slashes and sword thrusts.

"Here, the saber art 'Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber.'" Qi Xia handed Meng Qi a manual. It was gray and unassuming as well, but the paper looked quite new.

Meng Qi sincerely thanked her, casually flipped through it, and put it away. Jiang Zhiwei, meanwhile, walked to the side of the pillar of light and brought up the "exchange catalog."

She did not directly make the catalog display the entry for the "Heavenly Wisdom Pill." Instead, she began flipping from the start, her gaze sweeping over the list and lingering briefly only on sword arts such as "Heaven Severing Seven Swords," "Supreme Sword Scripture," "Lifeless Thirteen Swords," "Immortal Bestowed Longevity Sword," "Stop War Swordplay," "Void Gazing Swordplay," and "Nine Solitary Swords." Her eyes were focused and faintly heated.

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

"Done." She reached into the pillar of light and took out a wax-sealed pill. With a light stroke of her fingertip, she broke open the wax casing, and a delicate fragrance spread through the air. She then carefully smelled it and gave a slight nod. "It really is the Heavenly Wisdom Pill."

Zhang Yuanshan smiled and walked over to exchange "Darkness of Heaven and Earth" from the "Heaven's Wound Earth's Defect One Hundred Eight Swords." He then put away the few thin pages of paper and turned to Qi Zhengyan. "Now it's Junior Brother Zhengyan's turn to exchange. Have you decided what you want?"

Qi Zhengyan cupped his hands and said sincerely, "My martial arts are crude and my knowledge shallow. I ask Senior Brother Zhang, Miss Jiang, and Miss Qi for your guidance."

Zhang Yuanshan pondered for a moment. "Junior Brother Zhengyan, from what I can tell, the sword art you mainly cultivate should be 'Long River Sword Technique'?"

"Yes. 'The solitary smoke rises straight from the desert; the long river sets round beneath the setting sun.'" A trace of a bitter smile appeared on Qi Zhengyan's stiff face.

Meng Qi was stunned. Were they exchanging some sort of password?

Although Xuan Xin was introducing the various sects to the new disciples, he preferred recounting "his own" stories of the martial world. He was also lazy, working for three days and taking two days off. As a result, he had only briefly mentioned some sects and had not yet reached others. The Flower Washing Sword Sect was one of them.

Seeing Meng Qi's blank expression, Jiang Zhiwei smiled and casually explained, "The Founding Patriarch of the Flower Washing Sword Sect was well versed in classical literature. When dynasties changed, he secluded himself in the deep mountains, where he encountered an immortal and received a Peerless Divine Skill. He then founded the 'Flower Washing Sword Sect.' Because of his preferences, every orthodox martial art in the Flower Washing Sword Sect was named after one or two lines of an ancient poem. For example, the sword art 'The solitary smoke rises straight from the desert; the long river sets round beneath the setting sun.' Ordinary martial artists found memorizing poetry troublesome, so they gave these arts shortened names, such as 'Long River Sword Technique.'"

Qi Zhengyan coughed lightly and did not refute her. He knew his own sect's affairs best. Their Patriarch had merely been a poor scholar, which was why he had named the arts in such a manner. How could that count as being well versed in classical literature? Naturally, he could not voice such slander against his Patriarch, and he secretly felt grateful that Jiang Zhiwei had preserved some dignity for him and his sect.

"Exactly." Zhang Yuanshan also chuckled. "The Flower Washing Sword Sect's suppressive sword scripture, which we call the 'Immortal Bestowed Longevity Sword,' is fully titled 'The immortal supports my crown, then ties my hair and bestows longevity.'"

"There is also the 'Bright Moon Tide Sword.' Little Monk, do you know which poem it comes from?" Qi Xia added with a smile.

Ancient poetry... Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brows. Was it a coincidence, or was there some other reason?

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

"Not bad. Looking at how your skin was so delicate and tender earlier, you really weren't born to an ordinary family." Qi Xia was a daughter of the rivers and lakes, and her words were rather bold. Meng Qi's answer confirmed her earlier guess.

Meng Qi curled his lips. I got probed before I even realized it. How can someone so young have so many schemes?

As for the ancient poetry, he quickly cast it aside. There was no way to investigate it for now anyway. At the same time, he thought with a trace of delight, In the future, when I stroll about in white robes, a long sword hanging from my waist, a folding fan in hand, and spout poetry, no one will question me just because the poems have no source...

After a round of conversation, Zhang Yuanshan continued the earlier topic. "Junior Brother Zhengyan, 'Long River Sword Technique' is known for its rigor, yet it also conceals killing moves. In my opinion, it suits your temperament very well, but it ultimately lacks agility. It has too few variations when facing an enemy—strong in defense but weak in offense. I suggest that you first choose a sword art renowned for its unpredictable changes and use it as supplementary practice. Once you have condensed the nine major apertures related to the Eye Apertures, you can accumulate Merit Points on your next mission and exchange them for the 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill.'"

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

Qi Zhengyan honestly nodded. "I have indeed condensed only six of the nine major apertures related to the Eye Apertures. I still need to grind away at them over time. I'll follow Senior Brother Zhang's suggestion and exchange for it."

After he agreed, everyone took out their jade books and helped him sift through sword arts with similar and suitable prices. In the end, the "well-informed" Meng Qi found a martial art that greatly satisfied Qi Zhengyan.

Qi Zhengyan cupped his hands toward Meng Qi. "Thank you, Junior Brother Zhending. I had originally planned to exchange for one form of 'The sunset clouds and lone ducks fly together; the autumn waters and boundless sky share one color,' but it is ultimately a secret sword art passed down within the sect. If I rashly practiced it and was discovered later, I might be punished for stealing the art. This 'Thirteen Forms of Ever-Changing Cloud and Mist,' however, is not only agile 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 its "common name."

This was far too ostentatious! Meng Qi mocked the Founding Patriarch of the Flower Washing Sword Sect inwardly, but wore a beaming smile as he said, "I, uh, this humble monk merely happened to see it. There's no need to thank me."

This "Thirteen Forms of Ever-Changing Cloud and Mist" was the Hengshan Sect's secret inheritance from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Meng Qi had once thought of exchanging for it, but unfortunately, the dashing swordsman life was not yet within his reach.

The sword art cost one hundred and fifty Merit Points in total. If exchanged in parts, the general principles cost twenty Merit Points, while each form cost ten. Thus, Qi Zhengyan exchanged for the general principles and four forms. With the remaining ten Merit Points, he exchanged for a bottle of "Lingzhi Qi Replenishing Pill" to improve his inner power and condense his apertures as quickly as possible.

"Now only Junior Sister Qi remains." Zhang Yuanshan looked warmly at Qi Xia with a smile. "You exchanged ordinary manuals and miscellaneous learning for Merit Points with the Lord of Six Paths Samsara. You must already have something in mind, right?"

Qi Xia cupped her hands with a smile. "Senior Brother Zhang's eyes are truly discerning. You saw through this little sister's thoughts. I've taken a fancy to the methods for making and using 'Tang Flower.'"

"'Tang Flower'?"

"'Tang Flower'?"

The same words came from everyone's mouths, yet the feelings behind them were entirely different. Zhang Yuanshan and the others were curious and puzzled, while Meng Qi was shocked. The 'Tang Flower,' one of the three ultimate hidden weapons of the Tang Sect of Shu from the Martial Heroes of the Divine Land series? Not merely a secret weapon, not merely an unusual weapon, but an ultimate weapon!

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

"Yes. At first, I thought my martial arts were too poor, so I wanted to find some powerful hidden weapons and ** for self-defense." Meng Qi could only explain it this way.

Qi Xia said no more. She smiled at Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei. "Since I was little, Father has scolded me for being unfocused in my martial arts and too absorbed in miscellaneous learning. Thus, even today I haven't opened my Eye Apertures. Among miscellaneous studies, I favor mechanisms and hidden weapons. Unfortunately, the Great River Gang isn't particularly outstanding in either field. Although my uncles and elders possess similar secret arts, they could never teach me without holding anything back. When I saw the method for making this 'Tang Flower' today, I couldn't resist the thrill of discovering something new."

"Having another few masters of mechanisms and hidden weapons is a good thing for us. It will allow us to deal with 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 completed "Tang Flower" and the corresponding technique for using it cost three hundred Merit Points, even though it would become useless after one use. If the Lord of Six Paths Samsara directly transmitted the knowledge into one's mind, learning how to make and use it cost three hundred Merit Points for basic mastery and six hundred for complete mastery. If one directly exchanged for blueprints containing the methods of making and using it, gathered the materials oneself, and studied it while braving all kinds of danger, it cost one hundred and fifty Merit Points.

Qi Xia exchanged for some more manuals and miscellaneous studies. In the end, she gathered one hundred and fifty Merit Points and obtained the methods for making and using the "Tang Flower."

"Exchange complete. Choose the items you need to store, then return to your own world and wait for the next cycle to begin. You will not be able to enter or leave this place during that time. If you wish to cultivate here, you must exchange for time now." The grand voice of the Lord of Six Paths Samsara rang out.

Because he could not enter and leave freely, Meng Qi naturally carried the manuals with him. He also roughly inspected his own "territory."

Beyond the white jade door was an empty room. If he wanted a bed, chairs, or other furnishings, he had to exchange for them.

A curtain of light descended, enveloping Meng Qi and the others after they returned to the plaza. Then Meng Qi completely lost consciousness.

The darkness was heavy. Meng Qi struggled desperately and suddenly sat up, just in time to see moonlight flowing like water, tranquil and serene.

Next, the familiar sounds of Zhenhui, Zhen Guan, and the others breathing in their sleep entered his ears.

Back in the Zen Room... The thought had only just arisen when Meng Qi instinctively gathered his energy. His Dantian was warm, and a stream of warmth slowly rose upward.

"Oh? The Small Jade Buddha..." After happily discovering that everything he had exchanged for was still there, Meng Qi suddenly noticed that the Small Jade Buddha he wore had split into two pieces. The clear, mellow sense of peace was gone.

Startled and suspicious, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After who knew how long, the familiar sound of the bell rang out, but it no longer held its usual distant serenity. One peal followed another, as though something major had happened inside the temple!