Esoteric Arts

"Zhou Family Fort, is it?"

Upon hearing this name, Li Hai's eyes flashed instantly.

What a coincidence; isn't this the very territory of Zhou Hu, the Second Master of the Black Wolf Bandits?

Hmm... to be precise, it is the territory of the Zhou Clan lineage from which Zhou Hu hails.

From the mouth of that fat Black Wolf Bandits member, Li Hai had learned quite a lot about the heinous acts of how the Zhou Clan bullied the common folk and exploited the local populace.

The reason he was so clear on these details was precisely because that fat man himself had participated in those evil deeds many times.

Therefore, much like Guo Huaijin, this Zhou Clan belonged to that breed of stinking, harmful vermin who oppressed the people under their rule internally while colluding with mountain bandits and outlaws externally.

In short: they deserved to die!

"Brother."

Zhang Miaoji cupped his hands and said, "I know not when we shall meet again after we part ways this time."

"What 'brother'?"

Li Hai waved his hand and said, "I am only eighteen; just call me Brother Li."

"Eighteen?"

Zhang Miaoji looked utterly astonished. "You look... nothing like eighteen. People would believe you if you said you were thirty-six."

"What can I do if I look mature for my age?"

Li Hai curled his lip. "Besides, you are in your thirties or forties yourself, yet you turn around and call me old."

"That is where you are mistaken."

Zhang Miaoji pointed at his own aged face and smiled. "Don't let my looks fool you; I am actually only twenty-three this year."

"You look forty-six to me."

Li Hai looked him up and down. "Could it be that you have practiced some technique that damages your lifespan?"

"Eh?" Zhang Miaoji froze. "You could even guess that? Truly divine!"

As he spoke, he gave a thumbs-up.

In truth, the reason Li Hai was so clear was precisely because he had mastered all of Zhang Miaoji's skills, and by combining that with the man's words, he had deduced the truth clearly.

As for that skill, it was a piece of esoteric arts—neither martial, ghostly, nor divine—called the Life-Cutting Essence-Trimming Technique.

The effect of this art was exactly as its name suggested: it allowed the user to gain a temporary surge in Dharma Power by sacrificing their own lifespan. It lasted for a quarter of an hour, and the boost was proportional to the lifespan consumed; for every three years of life trimmed, one gained a twofold increase in power.

Li Hai guessed that the reason Zhang Miaoji looked so old was perhaps because he had felt his Dharma Power was insufficient while exterminating ghosts or enemies in the past, forcing him to consume his lifespan to use this technique.

Wait... Dharma Power?

That's right, Dharma Power.

From Zhang Miaoji, Li Hai had unexpectedly learned the fourth cultivation system of this world: the Way of Arts.

This system was the complete opposite of martial arts and divine abilities, as it focused more on the cultivation of the human soul.

In this regard, it was quite similar to the path of the Ghost Dao.

However, the difference was that the Ghost Dao cultivated evil Yin energy, while the esoteric arts cultivated righteous Yang energy, or Yang Qi for short.

The primary focus of an Art practitioner was to gather Yang Qi from the external world into their form and spirit through various methods, then refine that Yang Qi into Dharma Power. By filling their soul and physical body with it, they could continuously optimize their quality, eventually undergoing a transformation to become more powerful.

As for the man before Li Hai, Zhang Miaoji, who claimed to be an external talent scout for the Demon-Slaying Division, his personal interface was as follows—

Name: Zhang Miaoji
Rank: Way of Arts → Soul Gathering and Spirit Condensing, Orthodox Martial Arts → Force-Qi Circulation
Skills: Bone Shrinking and Disguise, Ghost and Monster Seeking, Yin-Yang Eyes, Qi Observation Technique, Wave Impact Palm, Primordial Breath Yang Refining Method, Life-Cutting Essence-Trimming Technique, Heavenly Scorching Yang-Drawing Technique, <Supreme Origin Spirit-Suppressing Talisman (Damaged)>
Traits: [Spiritual Inspiration Level 1], [Yang Absorption Level 1], [Focusing Spirit Level 1], [Dharma Power Level 1]
Stronger Fragment: None

It could be said that the number of skills Zhang Miaoji possessed was the highest Li Hai had seen so far, totaling a staggering nine.

Furthermore, his number of trait entries was also quite high, reaching four.

Yet, a character like this was merely an external staff member of the Demon-Slaying Division.

This could not help but make Li Hai yearn even more for the mysterious Demon-Slaying Division.

He believed that there must be countless experts there, which also meant that there would be a vast array of never-before-seen skills.

After a brief farewell to Zhang Miaoji, Li Hai set his sights on the southwest and began to sprint, crossing mountains and ridges at a speed of several dozen zhang per second.

During his dash, he did not hesitate to push all the skills he had learned from Zhang Miaoji to the perfection level.

Consequently, Li Hai's personal interface information updated to—

Master: Li Hai
Rank: Orthodox Martial Arts → Steel Tendons and Iron Bones, Bloodline Divine Ability → Mid-Grade, Ghost Dao → Fierce Soul, Way of Arts → Soul Gathering and Spirit Condensing
Skills: Five Animals Qigong, Beast Intent Demon Claw, Blood Soaked Sinking Heart, Ghost Body Soul Remains, Evil Spirit Earth Yin Absorption Method (Damaged), Evil Sha Yin Descent, Resentful Sha Yang Extinguishing, Savage Bull Fist, Iron Fan Palm, Iron Barrel Bell-Coiling Manual, Moon Marrow Refining Technique, Bone Shrinking and Disguise, Ghost and Monster Seeking, Yin-Yang Eyes, Qi Observation Technique, Wave Impact Palm, Primordial Breath Yang Refining Method, Life-Cutting Essence-Trimming Technique, Heavenly Scorching Yang-Drawing Technique, <Supreme Origin Spirit-Suppressing Talisman (Damaged)>

Trait Attributes: [Soul Strengthening Level 2][Finger Claw Level 2][Berserk Level 2][Wildness Level 2][Ghost Body Level 2][Ghostly Image Level 2][Twin Sha Level 2][Iron Body Level 2][Stone Heart Level 2][Spiritual Inspiration Level 1][Yang Absorption Level 1][Focusing Spirit and Wandering Level 1][Dharma Power Level 1]

Stronger Fragment: None

Perhaps it is because these so-called esoteric arts focus primarily on the cultivation of the soul and consciousness.

Thus, even though Li Hai had mastered so many skills all at once, there were no significant changes to his outward appearance.

Only his gaze and temperament had become sharper and more imposing.

But from Li Hai's perspective.

After mastering these esoteric skills, he had become remarkably more sensitive to the faint, intangible, and mysterious threads of energy weaving through the mortal world.

At the same time, his soul, which had previously felt vague and indistinct to his own senses, suddenly became exceptionally clear.

Furthermore, a gentle and ethereal power surged forth, filling the space between his soul and spirit.

This power was Dharma Power.

Supported and bolstered by this Dharma Power, Li Hai felt as though his soul had become so lively and agile that it could leave his body at any moment, roaming the heavens and earth in a formless, shadowless state.

However, Li Hai knew this was actually a dangerous illusion.

Before reaching the next stage of the arts, [Focusing Spirit and Wandering], he must never allow his soul to leave his body, for it would lead to terrifying consequences.

At best, he would suffer from severe exhaustion and illness after struggling to return; at worst, he would be unable to return and become a wandering ghost.

"Let me try the Talisman Art."

In the desolate wilderness, Li Hai gradually slowed to a normal walking pace before raising his hand to pull a narrow yellow talisman, marked with faint, flowing calligraphy, from his pocket.