Contemplating the Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram

"From now on, you can begin observing and comprehending the secret diagram. I will come back to retrieve it after an hour," Liang Jingtang handed the jade box to Xia Daoming, gave him instructions, then turned and left, closing the secret chamber door.

Xia Daoming sat down cross-legged, took a deep breath, and calmed his excited and nervous heart before opening the jade box.

Inside the jade box lay an ancient scroll made from some unknown beast hide.

As the scroll unfurled, an indescribable aura of ancient times emanated from it.

The painting depicted a dark abyss and marshy rivers, which flowed into a vast ocean.

Beneath the abyss and marshy rivers, a colossal, strange beast lay hidden.

This beast resembled a python but possessed four legs, with raised flesh bulges crossing between its eyes. Its body was covered in scales, clearly a Jiaolong from legends.

Jiaolong were sometimes called flood dragons, but they were not true dragons; rather, they were an intermediate stage in a snake's evolution into a dragon.

The Jiaolong in the abyss and marshy rivers had various postures, but without exception, they all faced the vast ocean.

A Jiaolong that lurks for a thousand years transforms into a dragon upon entering the sea!

However, there were no true dragons present in the vast ocean depicted in this scroll.

If there were true dragons, it would probably be the Divine Rhyme Diagram of Dragon Transformation, a thought flashed through Xia Daoming's mind. He quickly focused his attention and began observing the secret diagram.

As he focused, Xia Daoming soon felt a powerful aura surge directly into his brain.

"Boom!"

It was as if a colossal sound echoed within his mind.

Then, the abyss, the lakes and rivers, and even the Jiaolong lurking beneath them seemed to come alive.

An indescribable, profound realization welled up in Xia Daoming's heart. Gradually, he became immersed in it, completely forgetting his own existence.

The abyss and lakes seemed to transform into acupoints, the rivers became meridians, and the Jiaolong transformed into the blood and Hidden Strength circulating silently within them.

The changes multiplied, with countless acupoints appearing like scattered stars, and the meridians, winding and twisting, connecting and intertwining.

Unknowingly, Xia Daoming felt a throbbing pain in his head, as if it were about to explode.

All the changes seemed to gradually recede and blur.

Xia Daoming suddenly awoke.

The scroll was still the same scroll, lying quietly before him. The abyss, lakes, rivers, Jiaolong, and the vast ocean connecting to the rivers within it were motionless, without the slightest change.

Strange, didn't Master say that during the first viewing, one would at most feel a strong impact on the brain and vaguely sense the changes in the scroll? Even for martial arts prodigies, they could only see one meridian and the circulation of blood and strength within it at most during their first viewing?

Why could I see four meridians and the circulation of blood and strength within them all at once, though the latter two were a bit blurry? Fifth-rank to eighth-rank correspond exactly to four meridians.

Could it be that I've almost grasped the profound secrets of the Great Martial Master realm's cultivation techniques in one go? It's just that the seventh and eighth ranks aren't very clear yet, and I'll need to observe it again?

Looking at the motionless scroll, Xia Daoming felt extremely shocked and surprised.

The door was pushed open at that moment.

Liang Jingtang walked in from outside.

Seeing Xia Daoming's pale face and his clothes soaked with cold sweat, clinging to his body, Liang Jingtang couldn't help but frown, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

This situation could only have two explanations.

One was that he had truly glimpsed the profound mysteries of the Jiaolong realm during his first observation, resulting in a significant impact on his brain and a strong reaction.

Such individuals were prodigies with the potential to become Martial Dao Grandmasters, and they were exceedingly rare.

Liang Jingtang naturally didn't believe Xia Daoming was such a person.

The other explanation was that his martial arts talent was ordinary. He had only glimpsed a trace of the Jiaolong's divine rhyme changes, which then felt like a tremendous shock, causing his mind to tremble and making him unable to control his fear.

In Liang Jingtang's view, Xia Daoming clearly fell into the second category.

However, the disappointment in Liang Jingtang's eyes quickly vanished, replaced by a sense of acceptance. He even secretly shook his head, thinking, I must be getting senile, expecting him to have more martial arts talent than Yuchi Xiao and the others?

"Greetings, Master!" Xia Daoming saw Liang Jingtang rise and quickly stood up to pay his respects.

"Don't rush. You'll adapt more during the second viewing and will be able to glimpse more of the profound mysteries," Liang Jingtang said casually as he carefully put the scroll back into the jade box and sealed it.

Hearing this, Xia Daoming's face showed a subtle expression of bewilderment. He opened his lips, but ultimately changed his words, saying, "Yes, Master."

"Alright, you must be tired. Go back, and come again tomorrow," Liang Jingtang waved his hand, his expression calm.

Regardless of the outcome, he still felt a bit disappointed.

"Then this disciple takes his leave!" Xia Daoming bowed slightly and departed.

Leaving the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, Xia Daoming's mind was filled with replays of the Jiaolong phenomena he had glimpsed in the secret chamber.

It seems I've truly glimpsed the profound secrets of cultivating and circulating Hidden Strength from the fifth to the eighth rank. It's just that the seventh to eighth ranks aren't very clear yet; I'll need to wait another half a year to observe them clearly. As he neared his home, Xia Daoming suddenly clenched his fist tightly, a hint of excitement in his eyes, and quickened his pace.

The new house was located on Pear Blossom Alley in Taiwu Ward, two streets away from the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School.

From a distance, Xia Daoming saw two young girls standing on either side of the main entrance, holding red lanterns. Liu Qiaolian, dressed in a yellow gown, stood at the intersection, looking left and right.

Soon, Liu Qiaolian's pretty eyes brightened slightly. She quickened her steps and walked towards Xia Daoming. Upon reaching him, she stopped and curtsied, saying, "Welcome home, Master!"

"Why are you waiting for me at the intersection so late at night? You should be staying at home," Xia Daoming said with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth. He felt a greater sense of belonging to this world he had transmigrated to over a year ago.

"This is what this servant should do," Liu Qiaolian replied.

"From now on, you'll wait inside, no matter when I return. You're so lovely, and standing outside late at night is bound to attract unwanted attention." Xia Daoming said.

Liu Qiaolian's lips parted slightly, about to speak. But upon hearing Xia Daoming's words, her pretty face flushed, a shy and captivating expression appearing. She curtsied and said, "This servant obeys the master."

"That's more like it," Xia Daoming chuckled.

Upon returning home, two other young maids had already prepared steaming hot meals.

In the past few days, Liu Qiaolian had not only helped Xia Daoming purchase a larger two-courtyard residence but had also bought four seemingly clever and charming young maids.

They were named Xia He, Yue Gui, Yu Lan, and Qiang Wei, respectively.

Xia Daoming preferred quiet, using the back courtyard and residence as his living quarters and training grounds.

The front courtyard and residence were used for receiving guests, dining, and for the servants' living quarters.

Xia Daoming sat down to eat, with Liu Qiaolian standing by his side. If he needed anything, he would instruct the four maids to fetch it.

Xia Daoming was unaccustomed to eating at home with beautiful women standing by like in high-class clubs, but he didn't ask Liu Qiaolian to sit down.

He had already told her several times, and any further persuasion would be futile. He could only slowly adapt to this decadent master's lifestyle.

After eating, he sat back in a rattan chair in the back courtyard, drinking Snow Silk Grass tea brewed by Yue Gui, and enjoying the gentle massage of Liu Qiaolian's delicate hands. The faint fragrance emanating from her filled his nostrils. For a moment, Xia Daoming felt that living a leisurely life in this world would be quite good.

After all, in his previous life, he had been tormented by the constant 996 work schedule. Even with a beautiful woman lying beside him, he couldn't get aroused; all he wanted each night was to close his eyes and sleep soundly. He never dared to dream of such a luxurious, decadent, and wicked master's life.

And now, he was enjoying all of it. What more could he ask for in this life?

However, this thought vanished from Xia Daoming's mind in an instant.

Because he knew this was a chaotic world, a world far more brutally ruled by the law of the jungle than his previous one.

Without the protection of powerful martial arts, all of this was merely a mirage, fleeting like smoke, disappearing without a trace.

Therefore, he had to become strong.

Only then could he leisurely enjoy all this beautiful and decadent life.

With this thought, Xia Daoming suddenly drank the tea in his cup and gently patted Liu Qiaolian's jade hand, saying, "Lian'er, I'm going to cultivate."

"Yes, Master. Today, as per your instructions, this servant went to Evergreen Hall and bought two pills that strengthen qi and blood, with mild medicinal properties. This pill is called the Silver Deer Pill. It's said to be refined from Silver Deer antler and several precious medicinal ingredients. Please take it, Master," Liu Qiaolian said, turning to face Xia Daoming and presenting a small brocade box with both hands.

"This is for you. Take it. I don't need it," Xia Daoming said with a smile.

"Ah!" Liu Qiaolian's delicate body trembled slightly, her lips parting as she looked at Xia Daoming with surprise and astonishment. But she quickly said, "Master, this is absolutely not possible. You've finally managed to become a disciple of Master Liang. You should be fully replenishing your qi and blood to become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master sooner. How can you waste so much money on this servant?

Moreover, I am merely a woman, and I am also getting old. My martial arts talent is only average. Even with replenishment, my progress will be limited. This servant is content to serve by your side while I still have some youth and beauty, allowing you to be free from trivial matters. I have no further aspirations in martial arts."

"Nonsense? What's wrong with being a woman? Haven't you heard the saying that women are no less capable than men? Besides, you're not old at all. You're only twenty-three, a year younger than me.

If you hadn't suffered misfortune, and if you hadn't placed your hopes on Liu Zhong, and spent all your money on him, you wouldn't be at just the third-rank realm now.

It's not too late to catch up and replenish your strength. To have such self-deprecating thoughts now would truly be too late.

Furthermore, this money was earned through your hard work. What's wrong with buying some pills for yourself?" Xia Daoming said.

"Everything this servant has belongs to Master. In this life, I only wish to repay Master's kindness and hope that Master becomes a Great Martial Master soon," Liu Qiaolian said, suddenly kneeling on one knee and lowering her head.

As she spoke, two crystal tears quietly rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground.

"Feudal thinking is harmful!"

Seeing Liu Qiaolian's plump and alluring body kneeling before him, exuding an unspeakable stubborn determination, Xia Daoming felt both affection and speechlessness.

However, his expression gradually turned stern.