Separate Choices

"But Sword Twenty-Three is too... too dangerous..." Meng Qi didn't know how to describe Sword Twenty-Three. After all, in the manga he'd read in his past life, this sword technique existed, while the Lord of Six Paths Samsara's introduction was relatively brief. He couldn't reveal his deep understanding of it.

Sword Twenty-Three came from the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique in the Fengyun manga. It was a sword that could only be unleashed by burning one's life, abandoning one's life—a sword of the heart, a sword of the soul, a sword of the spirit, a sword of sword intent. Beneath that single strike, the senses halted, all things solidified, and there was nowhere to hide.

It was an incredibly powerful sword move. The only problem was that it required death to be unleashed, and that was what Meng Qi found somewhat troubling.

Of course, Meng Qi had read this manga many years ago; his memories were already hazy, and he might not remember it correctly. Besides, this was something exchanged from the Lord of Six Paths Samsara—who knew if it was even the "original" version of the sword technique?

Because the exchange list was vast as the ocean, Zhang Yuanshan and Qi Zhengyan hadn't noticed the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique at all, so they watched Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei in confusion.

Jiang Zhiwei smiled lightly and said, "Who would've thought we'd both fancy the same sword technique so coincidentally? Little Monk, rest assured. I'm exchanging for the sword manual to study the changes in sword moves and the gathering and dispersing of sword intent, to use another's stone to polish my own sword dao jade. I won't let the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique lead me by the nose. One day, if I master Sword Twenty-Three, I'll only seek to comprehend the principles and laws within it, to understand where the sword of the heart comes from, where the sword of the soul comes from, where the halting of the senses comes from, where the anomaly of time comes from—not just practice and imitation."

It seemed the Lord of Six Paths Samsara had specifically warned about the danger of Sword Twenty-Three in the introduction. Jiang Zhiwei understood what Meng Qi meant. Still, if not for such danger, how could Sword Twenty-Three be worth only four thousand Merit Points? Of course, after exchanging for it, whether one could actually master it was another matter.

"Miss Jiang, since you've made up your mind, go ahead and exchange." Jiang Zhiwei's words were very reasonable, and Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully.

After all, exchanging for Sword Twenty-Three was still a long, long way off.

A decision made by a born swordsman was naturally impossible to dissuade. Zhang Yuanshan took out the jade booklet, glanced at the introduction to the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique, frowned slightly, then relaxed: "This is indeed a good sword technique. There aren't many divine skills or moves that can match the effect of Sword Twenty-Three."

Jiang Zhiwei stroked the White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword and chuckled softly, "But those divine skills and moves don't have such harsh requirements. Hmm, I want to exchange for the first eighteen forms of the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique first, to ponder the essence of the Sentient Sword Technique, and then continue deepening my understanding later."

She stood up, took the jade booklet, returned twenty Merit Points to Zhang Yuanshan, then walked to the central pillar of light and placed the White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword inside.

Strangely enough, after the White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword entered the pillar of light, it didn't fall but floated in mid-air, wrapped in a hazy aura.

The light faded, the cracks vanished, and the White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword shone as before.

"Only thirty Merit Points—what a bargain." Jiang Zhiwei beamed as she retrieved her beloved sword, turned her head to the others, and said, "Exchanging for the Sentient Part of the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique costs two hundred Merit Points. I have seventy left and plan to exchange for one move of Heaven and Earth Resentment to study."

The Sacred Spirit Sword Technique could only be exchanged in forms like the Sentient Part, the Insentient Part, Sword Twenty-Three, and Six Annihilations Twenty-Three Swords, not fully broken down into Sword One, Sword Two, Sword Three, and so on.

Heaven and Earth Resentment was the most representative move of the Heaven's Wound Earth's Defect One Hundred Eight Swords from Hidden Sword Tower, worth sixty Merit Points—Jiang Zhiwei had long been interested in the sword techniques of a "parallel sect."

Meng Qi asked in confusion, "Miss Jiang, you're only exchanging for sword techniques?"

Didn't she need to exchange for divine skills or elixirs?

"My sect's Supreme Sword Scripture cultivation method differs from others. It requires observing the sword techniques of the Hundred Schools, attaining them, then forgetting them, to strengthen the sword intent within the heart. The stronger the sword intent, the faster internal energy grows, and condensing acupoints becomes like splitting bamboo. So exchanging for sword techniques is also cultivation for me, faster and without hidden dangers compared to taking elixirs." Jiang Zhiwei said frankly. Anyone familiar with the Sword Washing Pavilion knew this.

With that, she reached her hand into the pillar of light and pulled out a gray manual and a few thin pages.

"Who's next for discussion on exchanges?" she asked casually, her eyes sparkling as she flipped through the sword technique manual.

She planned to keep the remaining ten Merit Points as a reserve, in case of emergencies, like needing treatment if the Main Quest wasn't completed.

"Senior Brother Zhang, what do you plan to exchange for?" Meng Qi already had a clear idea of what he wanted to exchange for, so he wasn't in a hurry.

Zhang Yuanshan pondered and said, "Honestly, I've always believed in the path of focus. If I exchange for too many martial arts, it might backfire. My sword techniques are sufficient for now, so aside from the Heavenly Wisdom Pill, I really don't know what to exchange for."

He had already condensed the relevant acupoints for the ear apertures and was preparing to open both ear apertures.

"The path of focus?" Meng Qi's heart moved, recalling what Gu Xiaosang had said. "Senior Brother Zhang, why not strengthen your foundation instead?"

"What do you mean?" Zhang Yuanshan asked in confusion.

Gu Xiaosang had said that Zhang Yuanshan hadn't comprehended the True Intent Inheritance of the introductory chapters of the True Martial Sect's two great guardian divine skills. Meng Qi drew inspiration from this:

"Senior Brother Zhang, I remember most divine skill manuals can be exchanged in parts, like the Qi Accumulation Chapter or the Orifice Opening Chapter. Why not directly exchange for the Qi Accumulation Chapter of your current main cultivation method, have the Lord of Six Paths Samsara instill it, and then compare what's instilled with what you've normally comprehended and cultivated? That way, you can make targeted changes and strengthen your foundation."

As for the Buddha's Palm and the Heaven Severing Seven Swords, they didn't have separate Qi Accumulation or Orifice Opening chapters, because that was already included in the comprehension of each palm and each form. Moreover, they could be directly switched to from any other technique without obstacles, and they could even elevate the original foundation.

Zhang Yuanshan froze for a moment, then clapped his hands together with a sharp crack, pacing back and forth excitedly: "Why didn't I think of that? Why didn't I think of that..."

His excitement made Jiang Zhiwei look up from the Sacred Spirit Sword Technique manual.

After a while, he calmed down, solemnly cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Junior Brother Zhending. Your advice has shown me the light to solve a major hidden worry."

Since he had already completed this stage, exchanging for cultivation wouldn't destabilize his foundation. Instead, he could use it for cross-referencing, mutual verification, comprehending the true intent, identifying existing problems, and making up for the hidden danger of not being able to grasp the methods from the True Intent Inheritance.

"I just had a sudden thought and mentioned it casually. I don't deserve such a grand gesture from Senior Brother Zhang." Meng Qi said with a smile.

"You do, you do! Though I excel in the Taiji defensive stance, my main cultivation is the True Martial Seven Sections Scripture's entry. For various reasons, the more I practiced, the harder it got. Thankfully, there's the Reincarnation World." Zhang Yuanshan couldn't contain his eagerness and quickly walked into the pillar of light to start exchanging.

It seemed he had gained a bit more anticipation and enthusiasm for the Reincarnation World.

Meng Qi flipped through the small jade booklet and found that the True Martial Seven Sections Scripture was divided into the Qi Accumulation Chapter, Orifice Opening Chapter, Outer Scenery Chapter, and Dharma Body Chapter—the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment was largely the same and had no special chapter.

Among them, the Qi Accumulation Chapter required one hundred Merit Points, the Orifice Opening Chapter required one thousand Merit Points, the Outer Scenery Chapter required twenty thousand Merit Points, and the Dharma Body Chapter required two hundred thousand Merit Points.

In other words, if he directly exchanged for cultivation, Zhang Yuanshan would have to spend at least two hundred Merit Points.

Radiant light draped over him, shining in all directions. Zhang Yuanshan felt like he was ascending to a celestial realm, with light dots dancing around him like fireflies.

After a moment, the radiance faded, and Zhang Yuanshan walked out of the pillar of light, his face full of joy and his spirit revitalized: "So in these past few years, I've been straying further and further down the wrong path—a path hard to detect. Two hundred Merit Points were well worth it!"

He also held a Heavenly Wisdom Pill in his hand, keeping the remaining twenty Merit Points as a precaution against emergencies.

"Senior Brother Zhang cultivates the True Martial Seven Sections Scripture and excels in the Taiji defensive stance. Miss Jiang's sword intent is fierce, and her sword techniques are sharp. You complement each other. And this exchange has strengthened both of you in that direction, so we two should try not to overlap." Meng Qi said to Qi Zhengyan.

In the short term, his own role was clear—like the "MT" in online games from his past life, using Iron Body Skills to draw attacks and create opportunities for others. Qi Zhengyan's role, however, was a bit vague.

That wasn't the problem. The problem was that the current team lacked long-range attackers, lacked talent in hidden weapons and mechanisms, lacked a lot of things. But there was no helping it; the team only had four people, still too thin. And everyone couldn't afford to be distracted, since the martial path required focus above all.

Qi Zhengyan nodded: "Junior Brother Zhending, are you planning to strengthen your Iron Body Skills?"

Meng Qi frowned: "I have too much to exchange for, and before entering this Reincarnation World..."

He then told them about the secret passage, Zhen Guan, and the Bodhi Courtyard reward—there was no need to hide it now.

"So both worlds have the same secret passage..." Zhang Yuanshan said in disbelief.

"No wonder you were able to find that secret passage..." Qi Zhengyan was equally stunned.

Jiang Zhiwei furrowed her delicate brows, pondering. "Perhaps there really is some connection. It's just that we know too little right now to see through it."

Everyone racked their brains for a while but couldn't come up with anything conclusive, so they changed the subject. Zhang Yuanshan smiled and said, "According to Shaolin's customs, the reward from Bodhi Courtyard will definitely let you pick a Qi Accumulation Chapter from among the Seventy-two Unique Skills that aren't technique-based. You can directly choose Golden Bell Shield or Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill, so there's no need to exchange for another Iron Body Skill's Qi Accumulation Chapter."

"Mm, I need to complete the first incomplete stance of the 'Ananda Breaking Precepts Saber Art' and replenish the poisoned needles for the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle." Meng Qi stated his plans. "And I feel that 'Eight Steps of Divine Travel' is no longer enough. I'll see if I can spend Merit Points to upgrade it to 'Hundred Changes of Divine Travel.' If there are Merit Points left over, I'll pick a decent saber technique."

Qi Zhengyan looked at the needle cylinder he had picked up—there was no need to hide that.

"You've thought it through thoroughly. These are all the most worthwhile exchanges. If you're short on Merit Points for the saber technique, I can lend you ten, with nine out and thirteen back." Jiang Zhiwei teased.

Zhang Yuanshan nodded lightly. "I can lend you some too."

After all, the remaining Merit Points were just for emergencies. At worst, they could gather some unimportant secret manuals or items to carry around.

Qi Zhengyan paused thoughtfully, then said expressionlessly, "Ten out, twelve back."

"How long are you two going to keep laughing about this?" Meng Qi pretended to be "furious and embarrassed" as he walked toward the central pillar of light and stepped into it.

"Completing the first stance 'Severing Purity' of the 'Ananda Breaking Precepts Saber Art' requires one hundred and ten Merit Points. After completion, it is equivalent to an exchanged item and cannot be converted back into Merit Points."

"Replenishing the poisoned needles for 'Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle' requires fifty Merit Points."

"'Eight Steps of Divine Travel' can be upgraded to 'Hundred Changes of Divine Travel.' Due to your prior insight, it only requires forty Merit Points."

"Do you wish to exchange?"

The voice of the Lord of Six Paths Samsara echoed in Meng Qi's ears.

Naturally, Meng Qi didn't hesitate. Instead, he was delighted that it cost less than he had expected—especially the upgrade of "Eight Steps of Divine Travel," which, thanks to his insight, only needed forty Merit Points!

Thus, he directly chose to exchange.