A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 131 - 115: Divine Seed and Dao Seed

"Achieving the Dao... from mortal to saint... from beginning to end... then ascending to truth!"

The mighty sound waves washed through his spirit, Bai Qi struggled to open his eyes, embracing the torrents coming from unknown origins, where thousands of images and forms, even more profound and obscure than secret texts, surged and crashed into his mind.

It felt as if one "eighty" roar after another, and one heavy hammer after another, struck down!

His facial features twisted from the impact, his almost tangible Qi Blood furiously surged and sprayed out in great jets through his seven orifices!

Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

Bai Qi's chest heaved violently, nearly losing control of his pores, releasing scorching heat.

He deliberately tilted his body, and whole plunged from the skiff into the Black Water River.

Crash!

The icy river water surged in from all sides, enveloping Bai Qi like a blazing furnace, the clash of hot and cold producing a sizzling sound.

He slowly sank to the riverbed, the watermark on his forehead becoming more pronounced, seeming to offer some kind of protection, his consciousness gradually cleared:

"Artistry... Magic Dao... are two entirely different paths, and the 'fruits' they bear are also different."

Bai Qi struggled to absorb the immense feedback from the dark talisman, as if embodying both yin and yang, light and shadow intertwined, forming two towering trees on its surface that blocked out the sun.

Martial arts like Eight-Section Skill, Golden Core Great Strength Skill, Arhat Hand, Dragon Palm... all were categorized as artistry, adorning the trunk and branches.

While the Soul Summoning Spell, Sea Banishing Curse, were on the other side.

"Once artistry reaches great success and completion, it can nurture 'Spirit Seeds,' whereas Magic Dao leads to 'Dao Seeds,' each possessing mystical wonders."

A realization surged in Bai Qi's mind, he once again looked at the dark talisman, no longer as vague as before, the artistry reflected in his eyes, each emerging with various colors.

Entry is light white, minor achievement is dark green, proficiency turns deep blue, great success is purple, perfection in red, and spirit or Dao seeds are gold.

"It's as if the dark talisman has upgraded, even acquiring the ability to 'deduce'."

Bai Qi gently set his gaze on the Eight-Section Skill, feeling it was progressing slowly due to a decrease in insights, suddenly a line appeared—

[Difficult to nurture into seeds, perhaps may be compensated by complementing with two similar proficiency skills]

"Some artistry lacks potential, complementing each other and refining them into one is a decent solution."

Bai Qi suddenly surfaced, his limbs opened weakly to drift on the river's surface, looking up at the vast sky overshadowed by dark clouds.

"Previously, the dark talisman remained dormant because it couldn't mirror 'Magic Dao,' unable to expose a deeper level of utility?

Seeing this, I must truly thank He Jingfeng, if not for that secret text book of his, even given another year or two, I may not discover its mysteries."

He glanced over the Soul Summoning Spell and Sea Banishing Curse, suddenly at a loss on how to further these spells?

The latter was understandable, but for the former... where could he find lost souls?

...

...

With half past 3:00 PM, Bai Qi navigated the skiff back to East Market Pier, He Jingfeng's large ship remained conspicuous like a small mountain, casting a shadow over the surrounding black canopy boats.

"When my business expands, I too will get one. Just the sight of it exudes immense momentum, sailing out with such swagger is quite nice."

Unfortunately, this idea remained in the realm of imagination since his wallet was not yet full enough.

With Bai Qi's financial capability, acquiring a big house and a fine horse was within reach, but purchasing a grand ship with two layers accommodating dozens of people was beyond his means.

Moreover, it wasn't necessarily He Jingfeng's personal property. Despite being part of the senior lineage, he still relied on monthly allowance from his parents, having no personal financial avenues, how could he afford tens of thousands of taels of silver for such an extravagant ship?

"It seems, the fishery is the business avenue arranged by the He Family's senior lineage for He Jingfeng..."

Bai Qi pondered, the young ones in a great family before setting up their own careers, their livelihood was supported by the common fund, the rest came from monthly allowances.

According to He Jingfeng, his martial and magical practices were expensive, and he could only draw five or six hundred taels of silver from the senior lineage monthly, and more support came privately from his mother, otherwise, he couldn't sustain it.

To spend lavishly, he must have his own financial path.

For instance, his third brother He Jingyun owned seven or eight shops, two rental estates, and a significant amount of farmland.

Otherwise, despite entering the Daoist School to become a student, being financially strapped makes it hard to practice magic.

This is also the intended rule set by the He family's ancestors, preventing descendants from growing into prodigal wastrels without restraint.

"In Yihai Prefecture's thirteen trades, each trade is a monopolized lucrative business. What trade does the He family belong to?"

Bai Qi opened a fish stall primarily to detach from manual labor, providing resources for martial practice, now that he's attempting magic, expenses will only increase.

"Besides fishing, what other profitable paths are there? When I have time, I must research paths to wealth."

Having an employee carry the fish basket, he strode into the East Market Shop. Elder Liang wasn't there today, he exchanged a few words with Liang Sanshui, mainly discussing how to operate the few docks transferred from the fishery.

Many of them weren't located in Black River County, scattered among nearby villages and townships, each requiring individual reception.

"Ah Qi, be careful in Dayu Town, the folk are rugged, best to take some men with you."

Liang Sanshui advised:

"The fishermen there engage in unscrupulous schemes, and many practitioners have suffered losses."

Board Knife Noodles is Jianghu slang, unscrupulous boatmen inquire if you'd like Board Knife Noodles or Wontons after setting sail midway.

The former ends with a knife and being tossed into the river, the latter requires stripping and surrendering possessions.

"Is there such an audacious group in Black River County?"

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow, it sounded no different from water thieves.

"In impoverished rural areas, finding sustenance is tough, near the docks, idle rogues, and miscellaneous scoundrels gather.

Properly conducting a small business cannot cover taxes or basic needs.

Within a hundred miles of Black River County, pretty much the same situation exists."

Liang Sanshui sighed, not having worked for the fishery in his early days, he had traveled many places, seen black inns, brothels, human flesh shops...

Even the oppressed households remained in Black River County, which speaks to the hardship of life elsewhere.

"Alright, Brother Shui, I understand. I caught some Silver Sand Carp, prepare it for Elder Liang, the weather's getting colder, and he needs to take care of his legs."

Bai Qi nodded, not waiting for the staff to finish weighing, and turned to leave.

That's something to worry about in the spring next year, there's no need to be overly concerned now.

No matter how unruly the Fisherman is, facing his cow horn hard bow, it should be difficult to remain fierce.

...

...

After the Frost's Descent, comes the Beginning of Winter.

The Red Eyebrow Bandits have been mostly eradicated, the He Family at the Fishery scattered like monkeys from a felled tree, and the Martial Arts Master of the Inner City was busy reorganizing the Guard.

Everyone seemed quite busy, so Bai Qi finally had some quiet days.

He practiced martial arts diligently every day, honing various skills, occasionally taking the boat out alone to fish in the river.

From time to time, he also guided Ah Di Bai Ming and Xiaotou in their martial arts techniques.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed, and the heavy snow covered Black River County like goose feathers.

Bai Qi wrapped himself in a cotton robe, carrying in his hands two packages of cooked food and various types of fried snacks wrapped in oil-paper.

He exhaled a breath of warm air and stepped onto the stairs of the Tongwen Hall; even in such weather, with the cold wind cutting like knives, the door remained open.

Uncle Dao was tending a copper stove, leaning against a beam under the front hall, his face rosy with not a hint of cold.

"Young Master Qi is here?"

He laughed:

"I just brewed a pot of Tiger Bone Soup, and was thinking of calling for Young Master Qi, what a coincidence."

Bai Qi stepped over the threshold, moving lightly, and placed the still warm cooked food on the table:

"Tiger Bone Soup? That's great, these past few days of diligently practicing Silk Binding Strength, I often feel it's slightly lacking, unable to achieve Bone Refining like Steel, making many techniques unusable."

Lao Dao took the few fried snacks handed to him and his wrinkles smoothed out:

"A Demon Tiger of several hundred years in climate, which was said to have originally taken over a temple, receiving incense, becoming a spirit beast, but eventually, due to consuming humans and being tainted with blood, gradually degenerated into a demon. Later it was caught by the young master, and a large bone was extracted.

I roasted it repeatedly to remove impurities, and brewed a large pot of soup."

Bai Qi was already accustomed to Ninghai Zen's habit of running about five hundred li mountain trails to hunt down demons on a whim.

His master is exemplary in self-sufficiency, making his own way in the world.

He strongly suspected that the peace of Black River County, without any major demon invasions or disastrous magical outbreaks, was largely due to the blessings of the Tongwen Hall, benefiting from Ninghai Zen's presence.

Otherwise, it makes no sense that the eight-hundred-li Black Water River couldn't foster some great thousand-year-old demons!

"When will the master be back?"

Bai Qi fetched a small stool, extending his hands to warm by the fire:

"It's been so long; with his agility, he should have been able to go back and forth twice."

Lao Dao took down the wine gourd from his waist, taking a small sip:

"After the New Year, probably during the spring, you can see him. The young master learns everything quickly, extraordinarily gifted with superb comprehension; only one thing, he naturally lacks a good sense of direction."

Bai Qi clicked his tongue. Could his master have a problem with finding directions?

No way, could a Four Cultivation Grandmaster possibly not discern directions properly... right?

...

...

"Here, it seems like I've been here before?"

Ninghai Zen, clad in a Celestial Cyan Silk Cloud Dragon Robe, his face scruffy, sat alone on a large wooden stake.

The heavy snow sealed the mountain, covering everything in white, ancient trees towering, looking all the same.

He scratched his head, felt a bit thirsty from the walk, and reached for his water pouch, only to find it empty, not a drop left.

His well-shaped eyebrows knitted together, and a touch of irritation rose in those keen eyes:

"Fulong Mountain... This isn't my first time in here, how could I be lost!

It must be the heavy snow, disrupting my sense of direction!"

Ninghai Zen propped his hands on his knees, seeming to grow angrier the more he thought, a fiery nature flaring in his chest.

Having circled back around several times, he actually returned to where he started.

Should word get out, wouldn't it be laughable?

"Curse this damn snow!"

Ninghai Zen cursed, his shoulders moved slightly, and suddenly, his entire body shell trembled, as an incomparably vigorous Qi Blood True Gang burst forth like volcanic lava, suddenly transforming into a scorching sun in mid-air.

Bang!

A terrifying loud noise shook half the mountainside, trees nearly snapping, the snow was ground into powder and scattered freely by the force!

A rolling smoke of essence, like a dragon exhaling clouds and mist, soared into the sky, directly dispersing the wind and snow within tens of miles.

"If only there were local land gods and City Gods before the Dao decayed. I could stomp my foot and know everything without wandering aimlessly."

Ninghai Zen sighed, stood up, and waved a sleeve to sweep away the white scenery.

Immediately, his ears twitched slightly, as if hearing the sound of gongs and drums used in funerals nearby.

"No matter, let's first find a talking spirit or demon to ask for directions.

And also inquire about to whom that large python belongs.

It exhausted me to travel such a long way..."