Of course, Lu Zheng had no time to catch up on sleep during the day because he still had to go to Renxin Hall with Liu Qingyan to learn medicine and distinguish herbs.
In the following days, Lu Zheng studied medicine with Liu Qingyan during the day, practiced his sword skills at night, and occasionally took time to accompany Lin Wan. His days were quite fulfilling.
In just a few days, Lu Zheng managed to advance significantly in the "Tiger Roar Saber," and with the consumption from the improvement of his physical qualities, the Light of Fortune in his Mind Jade Seal had only nine strands left.
During this period, Lu Zheng also returned to the modern world and purchased a batch of ancient books online.
Yes, ancient books.
"Su Wen"
"Lingshu"
"Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Warm Pathogenic Diseases"
"Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet"
"Thousand Gold Prescriptions"
"Vessel Theory"
"Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion"
"Emergency Formulas at the Elbow" and so on
Not only did he read them himself, but he also removed content that obviously disclosed information about dynasties or geography, that could easily expose his secrets, and then compiled them into traditional Chinese documents. He found an online bookstore specializing in custom books and had them made into thread-bound ancient books.
A few days later, Lu Zheng took a day off again from Liu Qingyan and headed straight to White Cloud Temple.
...
"Greetings, Master!"
"Yuan Zheng."
Daoist Mingzhang nodded with a smile and then led Lu Zheng to the quiet room. "Come with me."
In the quiet room, after they sat down, Daoist Mingzhang asked, "How has your cultivation been going lately? I see you havenât been up the mountain; even with Qi Refining, havenât you encountered any obstacles in your practice of the Five Talisman Technique and the Transportation Technique?"
Lu Zheng didnât answer but first took out a wooden box from his bag. "A gift for Master and everyone."
Daoist Mingzhang chuckled and shook his head but still reached out to take it. "Donât bring anything too valuable. Once you join the sect, we are like family."
Lu Zheng nodded. "Naturally, but since I have something nice, itâs only right to share it with Master and my brothers."
Daoist Mingzhang opened the wooden box to find ten exquisite wolf hair brushes arranged side by side.
"What fine brushes!"
Daoist Mingzhangâs eyes brightened as he picked up one.
With small-leafed padauk and water buffalo horn for the handle and decoration, and the brush head made with carefully selected weasel tail hair, inheriting over two thousand years of increasingly refined and complex brush-making techniques...
Daoist Mingzhang, an expert, instantly recognized the value of the Hu Brush.
"This isnât hair from a demon, but itâs at the peak of mortal quality, truly a fine brush!"
"No, each hair of this brush is carefully selected and treated with complex processes; I fear even usual spiritual pens canât surpass this pen!"
Daoist Mingzhang picked up another brush, closely examined it, eyes filled with surprise and delight.
Lu Zheng thought to himself that he had purchased the most expensive wolf hair set, even the Shanlian Lake Brush Factory wouldnât produce many in a year. Theyâre definitely top-notch.
"A fine brush! A fine brush! You are thoughtful!" Daoist Mingzhang put down the brush, feeling pleased.
"As long as Master finds it useful."
"Not just useful, this brush smoothly channels True Qi when drawing talismans."
Lu Zheng smacked his lips, thinking that the young lady selling brushes didnât deceive him; her brushes were truly excellent.
"You kept some for yourself, right?"
"Yes, Master, donât worry."
"Good! Good!" Daoist Mingzhang cheerfully put down the brush. "Come, let me see how your studies have progressed."
Daoist Mingzhang reached out, grasping Lu Zhengâs wrist, sending True Qi to circulate through his meridians and dantian.
"Your True Qi is already so refined?" Daoist Mingzhang blinked, wondering if Lu Zheng was naturally gifted for cultivation?
"Hmm, not bad, it seems youâve been diligent lately." Daoist Mingzhang suppressed his astonishment, thinking he shouldnât let Lu Zheng become conceited, so he simply offered calm praise, then asked, "How are your practices of the Transportation Technique and the Five Talisman Technique?"
Lu Zheng slightly smiled, his right hand forming a seal with five fingers moving in sequence, and five talismans flew out from his sleeve, landing in front of Daoist Mingzhang.
"Please, Master, give me guidance."
Daoist Mingzhang was stunned.
"Transportation Technique?"
He reached out, picking up the talismans one by one to examine them.
Peace Talisman, Qi-Seeking Talisman, Exorcism Talisman, Conceal Breath Talisman, Divine Movement Talisman.
Though powered by True Qi, the talismans had limited power, they were indeed a complete and usable Five Talisman Technique.
Did he really accept a naturally talented genius into the sect?
Not only did he cultivate True Qi quickly, but he also mastered Daoist Magic nearly instantly?
Daoist Mingzhang was at a loss for words, "So you came up here because..."
"Yes, I am here to ask Master to teach me something new!"
Daoist Mingzhang involuntarily swallowed. It wasnât that he had nothing else to teach Lu Zheng now; he worried about later...
A bit unnerving.
"Very well, I shall impart to you the âFive Curse Techniques,â a follow-up spell series of the âFive Talisman Technique.â You can use it with True Qi to cast spells from thin air. If you encounter a sudden situation, you donât have to worry about not having talismans at hand."
"Actually, the skill is in refining, not amassing. Once youâve mastered these skills, youâll be able to handle general situations."
"That may not be the case." Lu Zheng shook his head, saying, "I recently ran into a Night Wanderer Camp Commander of the Ye Lan King. Their speed was exceedingly fast. If my Martial Dao skills werenât accomplished, I wouldnât have been able to catch up.
"Oh? You encountered ghosts from the Netherworld?" Daoist Mingzhang asked with surprise.
Lu Zheng nodded, saying, "After dispatching him, I met a City Patrol Envoy from the Underworld and then went with him to see the City God."
Lu Zheng didnât tell Daoist Mingzhang that he knew Shen Ying; he quickly shifted the conversation to his encounter with the City Godâs Underworld and shared his experience that night.
"You are generous. A Dharma Artifact, if refined with Profound Sect Techniques, could become a rare treasure, yet you gave it away just like that."
Lu Zheng laughed, "But I also gained a âTiger Roar Saber,â didnât I?"
To be honest, Lu Zheng felt a mild dissatisfaction inside. He thought that giving a Dharma Artifact to the City God could extract some Light of Fortune from him.
But until he left, there was no response from the Mind Jade Seal.
This indicated that the City Godâs strength was potent, and this Jade Pendant did not alter his fortune.
"Nevertheless, in the âFive Curse Techniques,â there is a âDivine Movement Techniqueâ that surpasses the Divine Movement Talisman and can rival Martial Dao Lightweight Skill..."
Daoist Mingzhang stroked his beard in contemplation, then smiled slightly, "Very well, given your rapid pace in practicing talismanic magic, I wonât go easy on you. It might make you think that cultivation and Qi Refining are easy tasks."
Lu Zhengâs eyes lit up.
"Never mind, Iâll also impart you the âBody-Freezing Curse,â a technique that cuts Qi and coagulates blood. Whether human or ghost, upon being struck, it stops immediately."
Body-Freezing Curse!
Such an advanced spell?
"This spell is unlike the âFive Talisman Techniqueâ or âFive Curse Techniquesâ; it is a spell without limitation, confronting enemies flexibly, entirely depending on how well you adapt and your speed."
"Iâm eager to learn," Lu Zheng replied.
Daoist Mingzhang nodded, "This spell isnât a secret transmission, but it is exceedingly difficult to master. Moreover, whether you can succeed, itâs certainly uncertain."