Warning to Buy, Mysterious Book

Upon hearing the names of the techniques Li Qing reported, a trace of surprise appeared on Han Qingsong's face.

He scrutinized Li Qing with a peculiar expression, a half-smile playing on his lips as he spoke.

"Fellow Daoist, are you aware of the origins of that three-part set of techniques?"

Li Qing's heart stirred. He knew there were issues with the provenance of these three techniques, but considering that the Scripture Tower could operate throughout the entire Great Tang Dynasty, the power behind it was surely unfathomable.

A smile emerged on his face beneath the black robe. "I am aware."

Han Qingsong looked thoughtful. "We possess two of the books in that set; we are missing the Blood Fusion Art."

"These three techniques are all orthodox inheritances of the Blood Demon Sect, derived from the Foundation Establishment portion of the Supreme Blood Demon Scripture."

"Cultivating all three allows one to master the most orthodox Foundation Establishment method of the Supreme Blood Demon Scripture."

"Within the Blood Demon Sect, the Blood Fusion Art is a technique that only core disciples among the outer ranks are permitted to cultivate."

"It is usually burned after reading. That you were able to find a complete copy is truly beyond my expectations."

"This can be considered as filling a gap in my Scripture Tower's collection."

"As for the other two, the Black Water Profound Yin Art originates from a branch of the Daoist Sect and can only be considered a side-door technique; we already have it in our records."

"The Shadow Transformation Art is classified as a spell. It appears to be an ancient method, which my Scripture Tower does not possess."

"I have never heard of the Martial Art. I wonder what its effects are?"

Han Qingsong looked at Li Qing with mild interest and asked indifferently.

Li Qing's expression turned solemn. "The Martial Art is a method for mortals to practice martial arts, but it can be cultivated to the Essence Refining realm. It contains 108 methods for exerting force and tempering the body."

"Once mastered, it can form an essence known as Qi and Blood, which merges into the bloodline, making the body exceptionally agile."

"The two minor arts included are Weapon Spirit Connection, allowing one to handle any weapon with ease, and Clear Six Senses, which greatly enhances sight, taste, smell, hearing, touch, and spiritual perception."

Upon hearing Li Qing's explanation, a hint of surprise appeared in Han Qingsong's eyes.

"This Martial Art is actually quite interesting. Although it only reaches Essence Refining, having two minor arts to accompany it is quite good."

"Of these six, I only require three. You may choose three spells or three techniques of the 'Art' grade in return."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and flipped it, producing a thick book from thin air.

Looking at this book, Li Qing was slightly stunned, followed by an inexplicable sense of surprise.

Just a moment ago, the man had clearly been holding nothing, and his sleeves did not look capable of concealing a book two inches thick.

"This is the catalog of Art-grade techniques and spells. Fellow Daoist, please take a look."

Li Qing took the book and opened it, his eyes lighting up slightly.

The first section of the book was categorized into different directories.

It covered seven major sections: Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Monsters, Demons, Ghosts, and the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Now that I have the refining methods for the essence of the five internal organs and the blood, I need methods for cultivating the skin, flesh, tendons, membranes, the six bowels, bones, brain, and marrow.

That should basically cover all directions.

As he flipped through it carefully, the names of various techniques and spells appeared before his eyes.

These techniques and spells had brief introductions, such as which aspect they cultivated, what the spells did, and what minor arts they carried.

Everything was very clear. In the two-inch-thick book, Li Qing silently selected what he wanted.

For a full hour, he flipped through every one of the more than 300 pages.

The various magical techniques and spells opened his eyes, and his heart pounded; and this was only at the Foundation Establishment level.

He became even more expectant regarding the upper echelons of this world.

By now, he had a direction in mind and looked at Han Qingsong before him.

"The techniques I wish to choose are the Vajra Art, the Heart Clearing Art, and the Bone Forging Art."

Upon hearing the techniques Li Qing had selected, a look of inexplicable surprise appeared on Han Qingsong's face.

He looked him up and down. Although he could not see Li Qing's true face, his gaze was exceptionally strange.

"Fellow Daoist, do you intend to cultivate all of these?"

Li Qing noticed the other man's gaze and smiled.

"How could that be? I merely wish to study the differences between these techniques."

"I am very curious whether the essence stored in different parts of the body can exist simultaneously."

Han Qingsong laughed dumbly. "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Qin, you aren't thinking of creating your own technique, are you?"

"Trying to cultivate the essence of many parts at once, while mastering several different innate spells and technique essences, all to accelerate your own cultivation?"

A trace of pity flickered in Han Qingsong's eyes as he shook his head. "Others have tried this before, and the outcome was miserable."

"I will ask one more time: does Fellow Daoist truly want these three techniques?"

"Yes, I do want them."

Han Qingsong nodded slightly. "Very well, I shall go retrieve the manuals."

"Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist."

After saying this, he rose and walked toward the inner hall, leaving Li Qing to ponder.

Has someone tried this before? And failed?

But that is only because they lacked a golden finger. Just because they couldn't do it doesn't mean I can't.

A glimmer of anticipation appeared in his eyes; he was eager to see if, once he gathered all the manuals, he could truly fuse them into one.

In the blink of an eye, a moment passed, and Han Qingsong emerged from the inner hall holding three brand-new scriptures.

He came before Li Qing. "These are the three scriptures you requested."

Li Qing handed the Blood Fusion Art, Shadow Transformation Manual, and Martial Art to Han Qingsong.

He, in turn, successfully received the three manuals he sought.

Han Qingsong produced a strange piece of paper, upon which a contract was written in a peculiar ink.

"Fellow Daoist, according to the rules of the Scripture Tower, the manuals you sell may not be sold to anyone else from this day forward."

"However, you may pass them on to others, provided it is done strictly through the master-disciple lineage."

"Should you violate this, karma will surely come knocking."

Li Qing took the contract, glanced over it, nodded, and signed the name "Qin Erlang."

The contract ignited without a breeze, instantly turning to ash as a mysterious force enveloped him.

Li Qing was lost in thought. It seems the name itself is unimportant; what matters is the signing of the contract.

Li Qing gathered the three manuals, stood up, and said to Han Qingsong, "Many thanks."

He turned and left the premises.

Han Qingsong watched his retreating figure and shook his head slightly.

"Another self-important soul. Since ancient times, how many have been able to alter these techniques?"

"Every one of them was derived by supreme figures. I shall likely never see him again."

"With the Supreme Blood Demon Scripture completed this time, headquarters will likely grant a significant reward. Heh, a pleasant surprise indeed!"

Having obtained what he wanted, Li Qing intended to leave the area.

But he suddenly halted his steps, his gaze falling upon a street stall.

A pile of books lay there, held down by a stone.

It seemed they were being sold as a set, and there was an inexplicable aura emanating from them that made him sense danger.

Li Qing felt a surge of curiosity; he could not understand why five books would make him feel threatened.

Could these be some kind of mysterious texts? A flicker of intrigue rose in his heart.