I Cheated While Cultivating

“Please choose 1+1 item from the following rewards.”

“① Divine Skill ‘Pure Land in Palm’ [Silver]: Creates a Pure Land Buddha Country within your palm, where you control all the rules and can gather everything within a million miles into it, lasting for one hour.

“② Divine Skill ‘Dusk of Fate Radiance’ [Silver]: A divine skill that simulates the effect of the supreme treasure ‘Primordial Golden Cauldron’, releasing divine light woven with the path of utmost fate, dismantling Taoist rhyme theories and eradicating supernatural powers, causing gods and immortals to fall to the mortal realm.

“③ Divine Skill ‘Descent of Countless Stars’ [Silver]: Summons the projections of the celestial stars and true spirits of the Milky Way to form a simplified version of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array, lasting for half an hour.”

These reward options showed a clear difference from the previous ones.

Previously, it was mostly some special ability, but this time it’s explicitly marked as “Divine Skill”, and also designated a grade.

Zhou Heng, based on his past experience using “Silver” grade projection cards, speculated that the “Silver” grade should at least reach the Divine First Rank, possibly even stronger.

After all, whether it was “Ziwei Star Palace”, “Heaven Rotating Seal”, or “Heaven Opening Seal”, all could very easily triumph over a Tao Lord, and even the avatars of high-level Evil Gods.

Such might cannot be deemed anything but strong.

“Choosing two out of three, if not considering other factors and merely focusing on the power against enemies, the second and third options seem to be somewhat better.”

Zhou Heng thought silently, “However, this ‘Descent of Countless Stars’ brings projections of celestial stars and true spirits of the Milky Way. Who knows if any of them have turned into Evil Gods… Better choose the first and second.”

Most of these Evil Gods were deities from mythological legends Zhou Heng knew, and since even Doumu Yuanjun had become an Evil God, one cannot rule out the possibility that other deities could turn into Evil Gods.

Better to play it safe.

The utility of Pure Land in Palm is not trivial, and in terms of applicable scope, it might even be better.

After making this choice, it was time to open the Fortune Bags.

“Open all the Fortune Bags!”

…

“Congratulations! You’ve struck it lucky! You’ve obtained the martial arts ‘Innate Qiankun Skill’ [Absolute Fourth Rank]!”

“Congratulations! You’ve obtained the martial arts ‘Holy Spirit Sword Method’ [Sect Fifth Rank]!”

“Congratulations! You’ve struck it lucky! You’ve obtained the special ability card: Fooling Card [Copper]!”

…

“Congratulations! You’ve obtained the martial arts ‘Void Flitting Somersault Step’ [Absolute Fourth Rank]!”

“Congratulations! You’ve obtained the Taoist Formulas ‘Grand Five Elements Primordial Magnet Extinction Radiance’ [Absolute Fourth Rank]”

“Congratulations! You’ve received a basic attribute bonus: Will +3!”

…

“Congratulations! You’ve obtained the martial arts ‘Huntian Baojian’ [Celestial Third Rank]!”

“Congratulations! You’ve struck it lucky! You’ve obtained the Taoist Formulas ‘True Spirit Heart Sutra’ [Celestial Third Rank]!”

…

A series of reward notifications floated through Zhou Heng’s mind.

Based on past experiences, he had anticipated significant gains from opening the Fortune Bags this time, with Sect Fifth Rank becoming the norm, Copper Fortune Bags yielding Absolute Fourth Rank, and Gold Fortune Bags likely revealing Celestial Third Rank items.

He just didn’t expect this round of rewards to be so explosive.

True Spirit Heart Sutra!

Upon seeing the name of this Taoist formula, Zhou Heng didn’t think much of it, even hardly having any impression of this Taoist technique, but when he read the introduction, he immediately became overwhelmed with joy.

“[Celestial Third Rank] True Spirit Heart Sutra: This is the foundational Taoist formula for the ‘Yuan Heart Seal’ among the nine seals of the ‘Primordial Golden Scripture’. It can stir emotions, affect the spirit, distort the soul, and manipulate the true spirit.”

It was a heritage of the Three Pure Ones, a legacy of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign!

After obtaining the Overturning Heaven Three Palms and the Three Treasures Wishful Fist, he had finally obtained another heritage of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, and it was the very part of the technique that he was currently lacking.

How could Zhou Heng not feel thrilled?

Initially, when at the Lower Third Rank, and as a beginner at the Secret Sixth Rank, Zhou Heng would often combine various illusion techniques while fighting enemies, achieving effects that surprised and overcame the opponent’s spirit.

However, those illusion martial arts were not very sophisticated. Neither the Sky-Earth Striking Method nor the Immortal Seal Technique were beyond the Secret Sixth Rank level, utterly unsuited for battling Absolute Fourth Rank or Celestial Third Rank powerhouses, and were no longer applicable to him now.

Now that the True Spirit Heart Sutra had appeared, it perfectly compensated for Zhou Heng’s shortcomings in this area, giving him more capability to resist when facing those of Celestial Third Rank power.

Furthermore, the Secret Fourth Rank Taoist technique, ‘Great Five Elements Yuan Magnetic Annihilation’, also brought Zhou Heng considerable surprise.

Now that his Five Virtues Dharma Body was complete, his next goal was to cultivate the Five Virtues Five Fortune Dharma Body, but he couldn’t immediately find a way forward concerning the innate Five Fortunes. The acquisition of this quintessential technique related to the Five Elements may just provide the opportunity to find the path.

After all, the Five Elements follow a cyclic pattern of generation and restraint, which shares certain similarities with the cyclic compatibility and incompatibility of the Five Virtues and the Five Fortunes. It should be feasible to enhance his exploration of the Way of the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes through studying the ‘Great Five Elements Yuan Magnetic Annihilation Divine Light’.

Also worth mentioning is the “Cloud-Traversing Somersault Step”.

This is a martial art, yet not the usual kind used for combat. To be precise, it should be considered as a technique used for travel, different from flight techniques; it is genuinely a true martial art.

With the Somersault Step, travel a hundred thousand miles in an instant.

According to the explanation of this supreme skill, if cultivated to the pinnacle, one could condense a Somersault Cloud. Even as just a Dharma Body, you could move one hundred thousand eight hundred miles in a single somersault.

It is known that Great Grandmasters at the Absolute Fourth Rank still need to fly when traveling at a high speed.

The ability to instantly cross a million miles, like Yan Shouyi, is something only a Celestial Power can accomplish. The fastest speed for normal Great Grandmasters at the Absolute Fourth Rank during flight is merely an instantaneous ten thousand miles.

A somersault of one hundred thousand eight hundred miles is a speed that far exceeds the limit of the Absolute Fourth Rank.

And for Zhou Heng, this martial art holds a slightly different significance.

“As a child, I dreamt of such things, and to think they’ve actually come true.”

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but marvel, even having a thought cross his mind, “Should I forge another staff-type treasure weapon and learn a supreme staff technique?”

However, that was just a thought and not something he would actually put into action.

…

With some time left before the gathering of Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, Cheng Jianjian had entered closed-door cultivation and Yan Shouyi had not returned.

Zhou Heng, having nothing better to do, was also studying the True Spirit Heart Sutra in a side hall of the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, aspiring to master this divine spiritual Taoist technique as soon as possible.

This was also his first real encounter with a Celestial Third Rank Taoist technique, and progress was expectedly slow.

After half a month, he had only progressed 0.0000000000257%.

It was truly difficult to learn.

Nevertheless, it had not been without gains.

Through his experiences over that period, Zhou Heng had come to understand that to cultivate this divine technique, specialized in attacking the spirit, it wasn’t possible just through isolation and hard cultivation.

One must experience the mortal world.

Simply put, one needs to go out and about more often.

“Hmm, it seems I should indeed take a walk outside,” Zhou Heng stepped out of the Golden Peak’s side hall, and happened to meet Chen Xuan.

At that moment, Chen Xuan was holding a document in his hand, frowning in thought, as if considering something.

“What’s the matter?” Zhou Heng asked.

“Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle,” Chen Xuan saluted Zhou Heng, saying, “I am reviewing the outer sect disciples recently recruited from various martial arts schools across the land. Among them is a promising seedling, and I am considering whether to directly promote him to the inner courtyard.”

“Oh?” Zhou Heng smiled and said, “What kind of promising seedling is he, to make you think of making such an exception for him?”

Chen Xuan, unlike his master Yan Shouyi, was a person who placed great importance on rules. He was methodical in his actions, and although he lacked some flexibility, he was very steady and never did anything against the rules.

According to the rules of Pure Yang Palace, all disciples recruited from martial arts schools under its jurisdiction had to train in the outer sect for a period before they could enter the inner sect.

Unless directly spotted by a grandmaster or even stronger expert, taken directly as a disciple, and becoming a true transmission disciple, bypassing this process was not necessary.

Chen Xuan, who always held rules in high regard, now bore such a thought.

It was enough to show that the promising seedling he mentioned was no ordinary individual.

“If you really value him, just take him as your disciple,” Zhou Heng suggested with a laugh.

“Without the master here, I can’t take a disciple on my own,” Chen Xuan shook his head and said, “I plan to let him enter the inner courtyard for a while. When the master returns, I will report this matter and take him as a disciple, but this would, after all, break the tradition.”

“It’s merely a matter of two months; why the rush?” Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised and said, “The difference between the outer and inner sect lies only in the practice of different foundation martial arts, and most early-stage practices share similarities, making the transition not difficult. Why be so impatient?”

“The youth I have my eye on is almost eighteen years old. It’s best if he begins practicing Pure Yang Wuji Stance as soon as possible, otherwise once he becomes an adult, he will miss the best time to lay the foundation. However, Pure Yang Wuji Stance is only taught in the inner sect,” Chen Xuan sighed.

“You are still too rigid,” Zhou Heng laughed. “I have a way.”

“Please enlighten me, Junior Martial Uncle,” Chen Xuan’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

“Pure Yang Wuji Stance is indeed only taught in the inner sect, but there is no rule stating that only inner sect disciples can practice Pure Yang Wuji Stance,” Zhou Heng said with a smile. “Whether he is from the outer or inner sect, as long as he learns this practice, that is enough.”

“But without entering the inner sect, how can he learn this martial art? I haven’t taken him as my disciple yet, so directly teaching him martial arts wouldn’t be proper,” Chen Xuan frowned and said.

“Just let him learn it in his dreams,” Zhou Heng chuckled. “For thousands of years, Taihua Mount’s Pure Yang Palace has spread its influence, with Taoist rhyme theory woven everywhere. If he happens to come across it and learns the martial arts in dreams, isn’t that also acceptable?”

“Can it really be done that way?” Chen Xuan looked astonished.

Always one to follow the rules, he had never considered such an approach.

However, he was not inflexible and soon nodded, smiling, “Yes, thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for the advice. This indeed is a solution, allowing the boy to build a strong foundation in advance without wasting time.”

“What’s the boy’s name, and where does he come from?” Zhou Heng inquired.

“His name is Ye Qin, from Yushan Prefecture in Pingzhou, which is right next to your hometown, Junior Martial Uncle,” Chen Xuan replied.

“My hometown…” Zhou Heng paused, aware that Chen Xuan referred to Huangtong Mansion City. His gaze shifted towards Pingzhou, and he nodded slightly, “Indeed, it has been a long time since I last visited.”

To him, Huangtong Mansion City could indeed be considered his second hometown.

He had many familiar faces there that he had not seen for a long time.

…

After bidding farewell to Chen Xuan, Zhou Heng left Taihua Mount.

As for Ye Qin’s matter, he left it to Chen Xuan to handle on his own; he just offered a suggestion, after all.

Passing through the starlight bridge of Ziwei Palace, Zhou Heng quickly traversed hundreds of thousands of miles and arrived outside Huangtong Mansion City.

Gazing at the familiar city gates and the still bustling street, he felt a flood of emotions.

Actually, when he had pursued Qingxia God in an attempt to cooperate with Qing Emperor Palace, Zhou Heng had also returned to Huangtong Mansion City.

But at that time, he had been preoccupied with pressing matters and hadn’t managed to catch up with friends.

This time, Zhou Heng entered Huangtong Mansion City just like any ordinary passerby, following the crowd.

Step by step, he slowly strolled, taking in the streets.

After entering the city, Zhou Heng overheard many people discussing a martial arts contest.

The main characters of the topic were two Ninth Rank Warriors.

One of them was an apprentice of Pure Yang Martial Arts named Jiang Hong, who had reached Ninth Grade at just sixteen and was rumored to have the potential to be selected as an external disciple of Pure Yang Palace within two years.

The other was from the neighboring Jade Mountain Prefecture, a traveler named Yang Zhengguang, seventeen years old.

However, unlike Jiang Hong, this Yang Zhengguang was a Loose Cultivator Martial Artist, who would often travel far and wide to challenge martial artists of similar strength to enhance his own martial arts skills.

Yang Zhengguang had happened to travel to Huangtong Mansion City, and upon hearing that among the younger generation of Ninth Rank Warriors, only Jiang Hong was formidable, he initiated the duel that everyone was now talking about.

To ordinary people, the duel between these two was just an exciting event to witness, but after hearing some of the discussions, Zhou Heng felt that there was something abnormal.

There seemed to be no issue with Jiang Hong, his talents were simply exceptional, but Yang Zhengguang was likely problematic.

Given the current situation, the proliferation of demons, ghosts, and evil creatures, both in number and scale, had increased significantly from before.

Especially in the wilderness, it was even more dangerous.

If one wished to travel outside, even Seventh Rank Warriors had to be extremely cautious, let alone someone like Yang Zhengguang, a Ninth Rank Warrior.

Normally speaking, a mere Ninth Grade had no business traveling about.

It was too dangerous.

Yet now, Yang Zhengguang had already arrived at Huangtong Mansion City.

Zhou Heng guessed that someone was likely helping him in secret, but as to the purpose of this help, it was unknown.

“Might as well go see this duel in person.”

It wasn’t that he was worried about anything.

After all, with Jiang Tafa here, no one could stir up any trouble.

He was mainly just curious.

…

In a residence in the North District of Huangtong Mansion City,

Yang Zhengguang had finished practicing his standing postures and had slightly calmed his qi and blood. He then cocked his head to listen intently, looking deeply focused, as if he were listening to someone speak.

After a while, he nodded seriously and said, “Mmm, the elder is right; this prefectural city is indeed quite safe with no traces of strong martial artists. It’s perfect for our actions.”

At this point, he paused again, appearing as if he were listening to someone speak.

Finally, a murderous light flashed in Yang Zhengguang’s eyes, and he sighed softly, “What a pity, Jiang Hong.”

He planned to kill Jiang Hong during the duel.

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