A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 128 - 112: The First Realm of Dao Arts, the Secret Script Dictionary

The Four Mightiest Generals and the Eight Great Hammers?

What kind of background is this?

Bai Qi loves this kind of conversation that broadens his knowledge, so he happily chats with He Jingfeng about various topics, occasionally throwing in a few witty remarks to keep the conversation lively.

For a moment, the two of them enjoy each other's company, genuinely having a congenial exchange as if they've been friends for a long time.

Xiaotou, who is nearby, silently ponders why Ah Qi attracts so many young gentlemen from elite families.

Could it be, as the storytellers say, his majestic demeanor and kingly aura?

"Brother Bai may not know, the Supreme Emperor pacified the realm and once appointed the Eight Pillars of the Realm, holding the rank to establish offices and command the troops.

The children of these elite families are born noble, the pride of the top three registers."

He Jingfeng suddenly appears a bit downcast, a look of disappointment on his face reminding Bai Qi of the gathering at Donglai Tower before, where He Tai and Song Qiying's group discussed the splendor of the county city similarly.

Indeed, there's always a higher peak, and the influential families in the county city are already worthy of admiration.

Yet, unexpectedly, these affluent children all feel their own background is too low, each longing to become distinguished and noble.

They only regret their ancestors didn't achieve the supreme honor when entering the dragon and establishing the empire!

With this kind of comparison, even becoming a prince wouldn't seem enough.

"The Four Mightiest Generals and the Eight Great Hammers are all extraordinary heroes of noble origin, with elders who serve as ministers when inside and generals when outside, being the great talents of a province...

That's enough sidetracking, Master Li initially served under Grand General Zhao Pijiang in Celestial Water Prefecture, but as he aged, he chose to retire home.

It's said he traveled through Yihai Prefecture, visiting numerous places before deciding to open a kiln in Black River County to forge the only 'Divine Weapon' of his life."

He Jingfeng speaks with a tone of respect, as this Master Craftsman Li had once followed Grand General Zhao Pijiang, who commanded a province, having connections as robust as those in the thirteen trades.

Children from elite families are adept at recognizing the hierarchy below them while above them, they must adapt quickly and seek favor.

"Does Eldest Young Master He also use a hammer?"

Bai Qi asks with curiosity, as he has yet to see a mighty person wielding a hammer, a weapon mainly used in battle formations.

Practitioners or those from Green Forest Dao often prefer the convenience of carrying swords or blades.

In Red County Divine Land, the explicit rule of Dragon Court banning knives but not swords is basically ignored.

Of course, the subsequent rules of "banning crossbows not bows" and "banning armor not weapons" are still enforced strongly.

If any family dares to privately hold three or four crossbows, five or six sets of armor, they would be dragged to the market place to be executed.

However, if there are three or four thousand crossbows and five or six thousand sets of armor, that's a different matter.

"My elder brother, being a cultivator, wouldn't esteem hammer weapons."

He Jingfeng proudly puffs out his chest, as his brother, He Jinghong, the legitimate son of He Family's main branch, is a student at the Daoist School in Yihai Prefecture, recognized as a promising candidate.

"He is currently at the brink of a breakthrough in the Third Realm of Dao Skill, Wandering Deity Gathering Thoughts, preparing to refine a magical artifact for protection.

Fire Kiln Master Li excels at crafting coarse embryos, his skill far surpassing the weapon shop in the county city, which is why I, at my brother's behest, come here."

Bai Qi appears to understand, as magical artifacts are just like the weapons of practitioners, indispensable for cultivators.

But this necessitates the expertise of the Firework Daoist, as ordinary artisans working with regular iron cannot animate dead objects or accommodate thoughts.

He's glanced at this information in the "Martial Arts Secret Record," a book detailing various Jianghu anecdotes, remembering the insights.

The Daoist Officials appointed by Dragon Court and the Wild Cultivators roaming the mountains and marshes generally fall into three categories.

These include the Lead and Mercury Daoists specializing in alchemy, the Firework Daoists skilled in artifact refining, and the most mysterious Feng Shui Daoists, who observe qi to discern fate.

According to He Jingfeng, it's likely his elder brother plans to refine an artifact by having Master Li create a coarse embryo first, then having it finished by a Firework Daoist to grant it spiritual nature, making the process easier and less laborious.

"The fire kiln is situated a hundred miles outside the city, with three large kilns called 'Pure Gold', 'Blue Flowers', and 'Grand Punishment', used respectively for brick firing, porcelain firing, and iron forging."

Bai Qi offers a reciprocating suggestion:

"It's said Master Li enjoys good wine, Young Master He, if you seek him, why not bring him a few jars of aged brew, approach kindly, and spend generously? It should not be hard for him to agree."

He Jingfeng nods slightly, instructing Uncle Yang to remember, and to write home later, asking his mother to send ten jars of the famous Luofu Brew from Yihai Prefecture.

"Talking with Brother Bai feels like drinking fine wine!

I see it's getting late..."

Upon seeing Seventh Young Master He stand up, Bai Qi breathes a sigh of relief, as this fellow has finally decided to leave, having occupied half of his day and causing his martial arts practice progress to fall behind.

"Why don't we change places, set up a table full of wine and food, and continue our conversation!"

...

...

Donglai Tower.

Bai Qi sat in the second-floor private room, feeling a headache coming on. He was skilled in four superior martial arts: Arhat Hand, Dragon Palm, Silk Binding Strength, and White Ape Skill, along with the health-promoting Golden Core Great Strength Skill. He barely had enough time each day to practice his craft; how could he have time to accompany a rich young master for drinks?

If it weren't for He Jingfeng's friendly attitude when he came bearing gifts, he would've already sent him away with just a few words.

Now, having accepted his hospitality, he had no choice but to endure it.

"Brother Bai, is the food not to your liking?"

Seeing that Bai Qi hadn't touched his chopsticks, He Jingfeng raised his eyebrows slightly and sighed lightly:

"The chef I usually use hasn't come to Black River County yet, so I had to make do with this all-fish banquet. Another day, I'll treat you to a Five-Stones Banquet from a Taoist outside the mundane world; it's sure to open your eyes!"

Bai Qi glanced at the precious fish, carefully prepared and cooked, lining the table. He inwardly grumbled:

"Most of the fish at Donglai Tower likely come from my Bai's Fish Stall. Luckily, I'm not treating; otherwise, selling for several dozen taels and then eating back for two to three hundred taels is really being taken advantage of."

He picked a piece of fish belly and placed it in his younger brother Bai Ming's bowl, then replaced it with a business smile:

"What is Young Master He saying? The all-fish banquet at Donglai Tower is famous in Black River County, and I'm lucky if I get to eat it a few times a year.

By the way, why isn't Young Master He joining us with a bowl and chopsticks? You're hosting us, but only watching us eat and drink. How can we feel at ease with that?"

He Jingfeng quickly cleared his throat:

"Brother Bai might not know, but I'm currently cultivating the Dao, eating elixirs and absorbing Qi. I can't touch grains or common food, and absolutely cannot have big fish or meat."

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow, realizing that he was indeed waiting for this?

He didn't shy away from responding, as satisfying Brother Fu's emotional needs was something he was quite adept at.

After all, he spent so many gold coins; listening to a few flattering words is only fair!

"Young Master He is strong in martial arts, and your Dao skills are also extraordinary. Truly worthy of being a direct descendant of the distinguished He Family."

Bai Qi offered a light compliment, then looked at He Jingfeng with curiosity:

"I've heard of the four realms in Dao skills, which are Eating Elixirs and Fasting, Entering Meditation and Embracing the Embryo, Spirit Communication, and Manifestation. But I'm not sure what they entail?"

Uncle Yang, as the old housekeeper and bodyguard, according to He Family's rules, was considered a "servant," not allowed to sit at the same table as the family.

He bent slightly at the waist and coughed twice, signaling the Seventh Young Master not to say too much.

Cultivating Dao skills was a family secret of honorable and influential families.

"Uncle Yang, is your throat unwell? Shall I have someone serve you a bowl of soup?"

He Jingfeng turned his head and asked.

"...Thank you for your concern, Seventh Young Master."

Uncle Yang's mouth twitched.

You've just met this young man for the first time; is it necessary to spend so much? Really a case of love at first sight?!

"Brother Bai, where were we? Oh, right, Dao skills."

Unfazed, He Jingfeng continued talking at length:

"The four realms of Dao skills, the first step is Eating Elixirs and Fasting. First, eating elixirs means ingesting various herbs and minerals that contain spiritual energy, swallowing and refining their essence continually to nourish and strengthen oneself.

But one must progress gradually, starting with mild treasure plants, grasses, wood, and fruit, slowly transitioning to various refined mineral powders, and only then can one swallow gold and chew iron, ingesting lead pellets and mercury paste.

I, He Mou, am not very talented, able to barely manage eating red ochre and stalactites, still far from eating gold, silver, copper, or iron.

Of course, this stage requires guidance from a method; otherwise, starting directly could lead to a ruptured stomach and intestines, with death ensuing."

Bai Qi had known this from the books at Dezhen Tower. What he really wanted to ask about was the secret texts that Bai Ming could understand instinctively, while he himself couldn't learn at all.

"Once the essence fills the body entirely, one can start fasting, avoiding food and drink, purifying the flesh. This allows stabilizing thoughts and performing visualization.

Completing the first realm of Dao skills.

As for the subsequent 'Meditation and Rest' and 'Embracing the Embryo for a Hundred Days,' it depends on the cultivator's depth in meditation, not much else to discuss."

Bai Qi seemed to absorb this knowledge, contemplating every word from He Jingfeng, only after half a moment did he ask:

"I've heard that in cultivating Dao skills, there's a principle of not passing down the method lightly.

Even with Dao methods in front, without the right opportunity, common people find it hard to grasp the mysteries."

He Jingfeng's expression shifted slightly, pondering for a moment before responding slowly:

"That's right, to cultivate the Dao, one must first learn the secret texts. Containing the essence of the Dao, they often carry a hundred or even a thousand meanings in a single word, becoming more profound in sentences and passages, difficult to comprehend.

Brother Bai might not know, but anyone who's been to a Daoist school from a prestigious family and achieved scholar status possesses a book of secret texts, used for dissecting the meanings of words and explaining their implications."

A dictionary for cultivators?

Bai Qi understood, and then, with a sincere look, gazed at He Jingfeng:

"To be honest, Young Master He, it's as if we've known each other at first sight!"