Chapter 85: Origins

"What kind of martial art would you like to learn? We have five types: boxing, palm techniques, movement skills, sword techniques, and staff techniques," Ma Zhiyang explained.

"Which category does your Six-Stage Martial Art belong to?" Qin Yi still wished to learn the Six-Stage Martial Art.

"The Six-Stage one is a movement skill, called Golden Swallow Technique," Ma Zhiyang replied.

"A movement skill?"

Qin Yi didn't mind learning a movement skill; in fact, he was quite fond of them. So far, his forte remained speed.

While training in martial arts does strengthen the skin, muscles, and fascia to some extent—for example, practicing both boxing and palm techniques can result in thick calluses and improve one's defense—in the end, the body is still mortal. If struck by a weapon, one would be wounded and bleed just the same.

Therefore, wielding speed as an advantage, especially in weapon combat, offered a certain edge.

"If I could move even faster, it would greatly enhance my strength," Qin Yi thought to himself.

"Yes, it's a movement skill. At its highest level, you become as light as a swallow, effortlessly running along rooftops and walls," Ma Zhiyang said.

"Then I wish to learn the Golden Swallow Technique!"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure!"

"Very well, I'll teach you this one," Ma Zhiyang nodded.

This registered disciple of his learned martial arts in exchange for money; his only duty was to instruct him well. And since the student was also a wealthy patron, he would eventually purchase their secret elixirs, so there was no concern about the martial arts spreading.

Even if they did spread, it wouldn't matter. To master them fully, one still needed those secret elixirs.

Thus, as long as the recipes and methods for preparing these elixirs remained in their hands, there was little worry about the martial arts being passed around.

Time slipped by, and three days went by in this manner.

For those three days, Qin Yi practiced Silent Profound Technique with Qingchengzi every morning, learned Golden Swallow Technique from Ma Zhiyang in the afternoons, and reviewed Silent Profound Technique on his own at night.

One evening, Qin Yi did not practice in his room, but instead went to the library pavilion of Quanzhen Temple to read.

He had to admit, the collection here was vast.

Most of the books were various Daoist scriptures, with some miscellaneous works as well.

Of course, martial arts manuals were definitely not stored here.

Come to think of it, since he joined Qingwei Dao Palace up to now, he hadn't really studied a Daoist scripture in depth, nor had he truly learned about the Daoist sect.

"These Daoist texts are obscure and difficult; it seems one needs a teacher to explain them over time to gain any true understanding," Qin Yi set aside a Daoist scripture and searched the shelves for other books.

"Hmm? 'Daoist Miscellany'?"

On the last bookshelf, Qin Yi discovered such a book.

It wasn't very thick, yet it seemed quite old.

He blew the dust off its cover and opened it, finding it authored by a Daoist named Pure Yang Hermit.

The first chapter was titled—The Origin of the Daoist Sect.

"Origin?"

Qin Yi's interest was piqued.

He skimmed through it; the first page introduced the origins of the Daoist sect.

It stated that the true origin of the Daoist sect was untraceable, for it was too ancient. Legend had it that it began in the East, appearing on this land over a thousand years ago to spread its teachings.

Back then, this place was not called Dayong, but belonged to the previous dynasty, Great Xia. Six hundred years ago, Great Xia collapsed, and warlords fought for supremacy.

"East?" Qin Yi furrowed his brows. The farthest east was the Eastern Sea District. Or was it even beyond the sea?

He kept reading.

Six hundred years ago, the Great Xia Dynasty fell, leading to seventy years of chaos. Eventually, the founding emperors of Dayong and Dachu rose to establish their empires.

The account then returned to the origin of the Daoist sect.

It was said that, five hundred and thirty years ago, the main Daoist lineage, namely the Taiching Dao Palace, vanished overnight, leaving only some disciples scattered outside who had not returned to the palace.

These disciples then established the Nine Daoist Lineages.

Thus, the Daoist tradition was preserved.

"So that's why! No wonder the highest level of Daoist martial arts is only the sixth stage—the main lineage mysteriously disappeared; there must have been even more advanced techniques!" Qin Yi thought to himself.

He continued reading.

The rest consisted of Pure Yang Hermit's personal conjectures and analyses, followed by accounts of his travels: finding the tombs of Daoist predecessors in certain places, discovering relics, or stumbling upon Daoist scriptures left behind.

All in all, there were tens of thousands of words...

Seeing this, Qin Yi shook his head and reached for another book.

"Ah? 'Great Religions Miscellany'?" Qin Yi found another interesting volume.

He quickly began reading.

Inside was a brief introduction to several major religions.

Seven were listed: Daoist Sect, Buddhist Sect, Crimson Sect, Yellow Turban Sect, Glazed Glass Sect, Azure Lotus Sect, and Western Foundation Sect.

The book stated that, starting five hundred years ago, Crimson Sect's missionary activities were concentrated in the Western Lun Empire, Dayong's western neighbor.

Yellow Turban Sect vanished centuries ago; Azure Lotus Sect was prominent in Northern Yuan; Western Foundation Sect was the state religion of the Western Lun Empire; Glazed Glass Sect was currently Dayong's state religion.

As for Daoist and Buddhist sects, they were major religions during the Great Xia Dynasty, but now could no longer be considered so—their temples and followers had dwindled.

This book was written more than a hundred years ago by an elder who called himself Zhou Shuren.

"The introductions are too superficial; there's not much value," Qin Yi muttered after a while.

Still, he hadn't expected Crimson Sect to be considered a major religion!

It seemed to have quite a reputation.

Time passed, and five days slipped by.

On this day—

"System!"

Qin Yi:

Five Qi Gathering Fist: Mastered (Fivefold Force)

Celestial Pivot Palm: Mastered

Yaoguang Movement Skill: Mastered (Leap Shift)

Azure Void Technique: Embryonic Breath

Celestial Jade Step: Mastered (Instant Step)

Celestial Authority Claw: Mastered (Penetrating Wood)

Heart Purification Technique: Transcended

Golden Snake Strike: Mastered (Whale Swallow)

Meteor Chasing Moon Step: Mastered (Moon Step)

Giant Elephant Force: Beginner+

Silent Profound Technique: Beginner+

Energy: 589

"At last, another literary technique can be learned. This time it took only eight days, faster than before," Qin Yi was pleasantly surprised.

He discovered that not only literary techniques, but even martial arts were progressing faster.

"Could it be because I've studied two literary techniques?" Qin Yi wondered inwardly.

At this rate, the Golden Swallow Technique he was learning should also reach beginner level within a day or two.

"Upgrade Silent Profound Technique!" Qin Yi silently intoned.

Buzz!

First layer stabilized—done!

Second layer: heel breathing—done!

Third layer: energy circulation—done!

When he reached the fourth layer, the system again gave no response.

Unable to advance to the fourth layer!