Chapter Eighty-Four: Irresistible Aroma

“But that can’t be right! Our temple’s ‘Tranquil Profundity Technique’ has the complete content for levels one through five. There shouldn’t be any missing sections, should there?”

“Could it be that there’s a problem with the content from the fourth to the fifth level, making it impossible to break through the fourth?” Qing Chengzi frowned again.

In fact, Qin Yi had previously suspected that the reason the system couldn’t improve these literary arts was that the techniques themselves were incomplete.

Now, hearing Qing Chengzi’s analysis, a thought stirred within him: could the issue be with the Dao Diagram itself?

If there was a problem with the content of the fourth and fifth levels, how could it be that the literary techniques of Qingwei Dao Palace, Fangxian Sect, and Quanzhen Temple all had the same issue with their fourth and fifth levels? That would be far too much of a coincidence.

Assuming there’s nothing wrong with the content of the techniques, he was more inclined to believe the problem lay with the Dao Diagram.

His reasoning stemmed from the incomplete Dao Diagram left to him by Elder Zhang Daoxuan, which he kept in his robes.

This Dao Diagram was entirely different from the ordinary ones paired with the literary techniques of Qingwei Dao Palace and the other two branches. Those diagrams were nothing special, merely copied from generation to generation, lacking any trace of the miraculous.

But the Dao Diagram left by Zhang Daoxuan was cold to the touch, and could serve as a meditation focus for both the Qingxu Technique and the Meditative Tranquility Technique. Especially striking was the golden halo behind the portrait of the elder in blue, which seemed almost metallic and imparted an otherworldly sensation to the fingertips.

This extraordinary, incomplete Dao Diagram was unlike any literary art Dao Diagram he had ever seen. Every aspect of it hinted at its mysterious nature!

Most of all, he recalled the enigmatic words Zhang Daoxuan had spoken to him: “You have more hope than I ever did.”

He didn’t know exactly what this hope referred to, but the fact that the Dao Diagram had been entrusted to him meant it could very well resolve a problem he currently faced.

Thus, Qin Yi formed a bold hypothesis: if he could complete this incomplete Dao Diagram, would it enable him to break through the fourth layer of the Qingxu Technique or even the Meditative Tranquility Technique?

“If the content is sound, could the fault lie with the Dao Diagram? Isn’t it necessary to use the Dao Diagram as a meditation focus when practicing literary arts?” Qin Yi remarked casually.

At these words, Qing Chengzi paused, then quickly replied, “That’s impossible. Our Dao Diagram was drawn by our temple’s founding patriarch and has been meticulously copied by master artists every generation. Each copy is identical to the last—how could there be a problem?”

“That makes sense,” Qin Yi nodded in feigned agreement.

Yet in his heart, he thought, as expected, the Dao Diagram paired with Quanzhen Temple’s literary art was also drawn by their founder and handed down through generations.

Perhaps the problem had existed in their Dao Diagram ever since their founding patriarch’s time?

This theory certainly held water.

“So where exactly does the problem lie?” Qing Chengzi muttered under his breath.

“Abbot, why not continue instructing me for now?” Qin Yi suggested.

“Very well.”

“The practice of the ‘Tranquil Profundity Technique’ involves combining meditation with breathwork. First, observe this Dao Diagram and commit its appearance to memory. Then, follow my lead in circulating your breath…”

“Draw the breath into the abdomen, down to the very soles of your heels. To reach the heels, follow my method here…”

Two hours passed in this manner.

By then, it was already midday.

Qing Chengzi glanced at the sky. “Layman Qin, that will be all for today’s cultivation. Shall we share a vegetarian meal together?”

“Gladly. By the way, Abbot, I intend to stay at your temple for a while, at least until I have mastered the ‘Tranquil Profundity Technique’ before I leave,” Qin Yi said.

“We would be delighted to have you!” Qing Chengzi smiled.

“Abbot, how many martial arts styles does your temple possess?” Qin Yi asked curiously.

“We have five in total.”

“Do you have any Six-Section martial arts?”

“We have only one Six-Section martial art at Quanzhen Temple. The rest are Five-Section forms. Do you study martial arts, Layman Qin?” Qing Chengzi eyed Qin Yi’s sturdy frame, certain he was no stranger to martial training.

He just wasn’t sure of his actual skill level.

“Yes, I’ve studied some,” Qin Yi replied with a smile, though inwardly he was pleased.

There was a Six-Section martial art! He wanted to learn it.

Why not study a Five-Section technique? Because, for him, a Six-Section offered more value; now that he needed the literary techniques for support, it made more sense to learn the one that would most enhance his strength.

Given he could only learn one more martial art, mastering a Six-Section form would benefit him most.

“Abbot, I have a presumptuous request: would you permit me to study your temple’s martial arts?” Qin Yi asked.

“You wish to learn our martial arts?” Qing Chengzi was taken aback, but quickly said, “I’m sorry, Layman Qin. Our literary techniques may be taught to outsiders, but our martial arts are not to be passed on to anyone but temple disciples.”

“Abbot, these are troubled times. I wish to learn another martial art for self-defense. I hope you’ll grant me this opportunity. I’m willing to donate another five hundred taels as incense funds!” As he spoke, he drew out a silver note for five hundred taels and presented it to Qing Chengzi.

“This…” Qing Chengzi’s eyes locked onto the silver note, his hands reaching for it almost of their own accord.

“Ahem… In that case, why not let me register you as a disciple in name? Registered disciples are permitted to study our martial arts.”

Qin Yi saw through this, but said nothing. In the end, money spoke loudest.

“Thank you, Abbot!” Qin Yi bowed respectfully.

After their meal, Qin Yi followed Qing Chengzi to a small courtyard.

“Brother Ma!” Qing Chengzi called out.

“Abbot, what brings you here?”

Soon, a Daoist priest with graying hair, appearing to be in his fifties, emerged.

“Brother Ma, this is my registered disciple Qin Feng. He wishes to learn one of our temple’s martial arts, and I’d like you to instruct him,” Qing Chengzi said to Ma Zhiyang.

Ma Zhiyang immediately understood, and a broad smile spread across his face. “If the Abbot wishes it, I will teach Nephew Qin to the best of my ability.”

“Qin Feng, this is our temple’s Chief of Stillness.”

“Greetings, Chief,” Qin Yi said with a bow.

“Very good.”

After a few more words, Qing Chengzi took his leave.

In the courtyard, Ma Zhiyang turned to him, “Nephew Qin, have you trained in martial arts before?” he asked with a smile.

“I’ve studied one style,” Qin Yi replied.

“What’s your current proficiency?”

“About the third section,” Qin Yi answered after a moment’s thought.

“The third section? How old are you?” Ma Zhiyang was rather surprised; to be so young and already at the third section was quite something.

“Twenty-four,” Qin Yi replied, intentionally exaggerating his age. In truth, he was only sixteen by nominal age.

He’d been practicing martial arts for some time, and with all the time spent in the sun, his skin had grown somewhat weathered. Coupled with his height—well over six feet—claiming to be twenty-four drew little suspicion.

“Hmm, to have reached the third section by twenty-four is quite impressive,” Ma Zhiyang praised. Far better than his own son studying outside.