Tao Qian looked at the slender, fair fingers pinching the Dark Green Jade Token, subconsciously glancing at his own left and right hands, muttering to himself about what concubine, which concubine, nearly got himself a knife in the back from making up a little story.
However, he still had to maintain his composure. Tao Qian pondered for a mont without accepting the jade token and waved his hand, saying,
"No need, the Exotic Skill cultivated by my concubine is only for her and I to know, not to be discussed with others."
After finishing, Tao Qian seed to recall sothing and then addressed Xiao Qing.
"I've heard that you have a 'Joyful Treasure Record' here that contains basic information on a large number of Cultivation Manuals and Exotic Treasures. Go fetch the supplent of the Cultivation Techniques from the Treasure Record, so I may take a look for myself and choose."
"Don't worry about the silver coins, I know your house rules. Even viewing the supplent requires a hundred Joyful Money, and I can afford it."
As soon as Tao Qian's voice fell, the next second brought a pleasant sight.
It was Miss Xiao Qing pursing her lips and smiling, her affectionate eyes looking at Tao Qian as she said sweetly with a crisp voice, "Esteed guest's request is understood by Xiao Qing, please wait a mont."
After saying this, she turned and left the room.
After she left, Tao Qian gradually ca to his senses. Could this girl be thinking of sothing crooked? Did she mistake the so-called "peculiar Exotic Skill" practiced by my "favored concubine" as those indecent skills ant for the bedchamber?
Before Tao Qian could figure it out, Xiao Qing quickly returned.
As soon as she sat down, she handed over a beautifully elegant, thick book with a lavish cover, emblazoned with the words "Joyful Treasure Record of Cultivation Supplent."
Facing what he truly wanted, Tao Qian didn't bother to clarify any misunderstanding.
He reached out to take it and, before opening it, Tao Qian said to Xiao Qing,
"Miss Xiao Qing seems to be quite knowledgeable, just right for soone like who is venturing out for the first ti. I lack substantial knowledge about the basic information of the Human Cultivation World, especially the secrets and common knowledge related to the Lifebound Scripture."
"If it's convenient for you, why not explain so to ?"
Tao Qian did not ntion any reward for a good explanation.
It seems that from the mont you chose a host in a place like the Joyful Treasure Pavilion, consumption has already begun.
It's just that they haven't asked you to pay yet, waiting to settle the bill when you leave, following clear rules.
Quality service always cos with a high price.
This is the reason why?
Tao Qian, before extracting thousands of Joyful Money through coercion, never set foot here.
Like other Cultivators and Demons lingering at those stalls, they're all penniless ghosts.
Only with a bulging wallet did Tao Qian dare to pretend to be a wealthy man, spin a few small stories, establish a persona, and extract the information he wanted.
Sure enough, after he made the request, Miss Xiao Qing showed no sign of refusing.
Just as Tao Qian was about to open the supplent, she walked over and knelt next to Tao Qian, beginning to explain in a tender voice. From afar, this scene very much fit the image of a gentle maid adding a touch of charm.
The Cultivation Technique supplent of the Treasure Record also had an index for guidance.
Although Tao Qian was also interested in other Secret Techniques, thinking of serious matters, he still turned imdiately to the pages related to the "Lifebound Scripture," and upon seeing the number of lines, a smile inadvertently appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The Joyful Tower is indeed one of the top Side Door forces within Southern Yue Province. The Lifebound Scriptures available for sale reached as many as hundreds of kinds.
At a first glance, Tao Qian was also bedazzled, unsure which page to flip to?
It was at this mont that Miss Xiao Qing's voice ca through:
"The esteed guest, being a paragon from the Dragon Species Clan, it's quite normal not to understand the foundational practices of humans."
"We Human Cultivators mostly practice only one Lifebound Scripture in a lifeti, and as long as it's not too defective, the scripture usually includes offensive and defensive techniques, and if fortunate, may also contain Escape Techniques and calculation thods."
"If you've already chosen a Lifebound Scripture, you can't practice other Exotic Skills, or you might suffer a fatal backlash due to mutation."
"Of course, this is not always the case."
"If the nature of the Source Qi is similar, it's possible to successfully transition to another Lifebound Scripture."
"Besides this, there are the Nine Cultivation Realms. The Energy-Introducing Realm is easier, with many lucky individuals receiving an abundance of Source Qi infusion and easily leaping into this Realm, but there it ends."
"To break through to the Second Realm, the Qi Refining Realm, one must practice their Lifebound Scripture."
"It must be known that there are countless Source Qi in the world, but only with the Lifebound Scripture can one refine the Source Qi that enters the body, thus creating an endless cycle, giving rise to various Divine Skills and Special Abilities."
"The Human Clan Cultivators have created many Great Books through years of inheritance."
"The lowest can allow a Cultivator to step into the Qi Refining Realm. Such Lifebound Scriptures are widespread and most affordable. These are also the most recorded in the Treasure Pavilion."
"Beyond the Qi Refining Realm, there are also the Foundation Establishnt Realm, Transcend Mortality Realm, Cavernous Mystery Realm, Ultimate Happiness Realm, and so on, but the Great Lifebook Scriptures that can lead a Cultivator into these realms are much rarer. Even in our Joyful Treasure Pavilion, at most, we have a copy of the 'Qingyang Scripture,' which allows one to step into the Realm of Transcend Mortality and thus beco Transcendent, unfathomable."
Tao Qian originally ant for Miss Xiao Qing to ntion so common knowledge for him to note casually.
Who knew that the girl, worthy of being a mber of a large organization, would unveil knowledge Tao Qian didn't know with a word.
Glancing down at the index, indeed, the so-called "Qingyang Scripture" was listed.
Turning the pages casually, Tao Qian quickly saw the related comntary.
Not surprisingly, it was concise but sufficient.
"The 'Qingyang Scripture,' this scripture was composed two hundred years ago by Qingyang Daoist. Originally, the Daoist was a True Cultivation Disciple of one of the Twelve Major Daoist Sects, the Canxuan Sect. After being expelled from the Sect due to an incident, his Cultivation was mysteriously not abolished but was forbidden to spread the Canxuan Daoist Skill."
"Another hundred years after, the Canxuan Sect exploded into war with one of the Demon Sects, the Evil Sect. Qingyang Daoist, before leaving to provide assistance, specially infused his life essence into writing the scripture of his non-Canxuan Daoist Skill, passing it to five disciples."
"Months later, Qingyang Daoist died."
"This scripture was recompiled by his third disciple, who, by a twist of fate, consigned it to our Pavilion. Inside it includes fundantal Cultivation thods that allow one to step into the Realm of Transcend Mortality and also cos with a compiled 'Qingyang Sword Technique.' Once mastered, it lets one traverse thousands of miles, with sword light cutting through, demons yielding easily. There's also an Escape Technique called the 'Five Mountains Spirit Sheep Escape Technique.' Once mastered, nothing in the Three Mountains and the vast earth can hinder you."
"Beyond that, there is also the 'Green Eyes Technique,' a Pupil Skill of alien origin. Once mastered, one can peer into mysterious and deceitful things with the naked eye, intimidate hundreds of Beasts, and even predict fortune and calamity."
Despite the lack of detailed content and associated prohibitions in this information,
But Tao Qian, after finishing reading, still felt his heart racing wildly.
Deep down, it was as if a voice was shouting, "Buy it, hurry up and buy it."
It wasn't until Tao Qian saw the price listed at the back that his enthusiasm was instantly extinguished by a bucket of ice water.
He kept his composure on the surface, pretending to be uninterested as he shook his head and said to Miss Xiao Qing, "Please continue, what about the later parts?"
It was unclear whether Tao Qian's acting was quite good, or if Xiao Qing herself also felt that this "dragon cub" in front of her certainly wouldn't take interest in the Qingyang Scripture, a traditional Daoist Scripture of the Human Clan.
Hence, after a slight pause, the girl continued,
"Esteed guest must be aware that Xiao Qing is but a re receptionist in the pavilion, with scant Cultivation. You, who hail from a background far from ordinary, must surely know much more about the secrets beyond the Ultimate Happiness Realm. Xiao Qing will refrain from flaunting my shallow knowledge."
"Having said that, Xiao Qing also greatly envies beings such as yourself, with a future far more grand and bright."
"Born with extraordinary Bloodline, Divine Skills naturally arise, unlike us lower-level Cultivators who, even with an unwavering heart for seeking the Dao, are ultimately defined by our inherent talent. Beyond that, one must also consider how fate will play out, for the path ahead is truly arduous."
"Fortunate to have entered the Energy-Introducing Realm, one still has to toil to break through the Qi Refining Realm, then reach the chasm-like barrier."
"Those manuals that can lead a person to 'Foundation Establishnt' and 'Transcend Mortality,' which one isn't exceedingly rare and priced outrageously?"
"Even if there are those with great determination or who are lucky enough to step into it, in reality, it's still not much."
"If one aspires to beco a true Great Cultivator capable of Longevity, there are hardly any other choices but to join one of the Twelve Major Daoist Sects, Buddhist Temples, noble big families, Heterodox Sects or the likes of Ten Thousand Infant Sects, which are considered heresy and heterodoxy."
"Pity the many Loose Cultivators in the world, full of ambition, only to realize after a lifeti of hardship that there is no road ahead, ending in silent resolution."
"Esteed guest's background must be extraordinary, and if you are willing to help in my quest for the Dao..."
At this point, Xiao Qing suddenly stopped speaking.
Her already pale face turned pallid in an instant.
Clearly, she had crossed a line.
The words preceding had no issue, but the latter ones began to carry a tone of resentnt, and at the end, it seed she was about to reveal her affection for Tao Qian, offering herself as a concubine.
Thankfully, at the last mont, she ca to her senses.
This was highly irregular!
If it were a Fox from the Desire Pavilion acting in this way, it would be considered normal.
But she was professionally trained, steadfast in mind, with goals of her own, certainly not one to act in this manner upon first eting soone.
She also knew that such displays of coquettishness were generally unwelco, let alone the fact that the Joyful Treasure Pavilion would never allow receptionists to privately seduce guests; discovery would lead to severe punishnt.
Her thoughts rapidly shifted as Xiao Qing quickly ca to a realization.
She rose abruptly, her eyebrows tightly furrowed, and with a wry smile said to Tao Qian who was looking over with astonishnt, "The esteed guest truly possesses an extraordinary and transcendent physique, and the Dragon Species Bloodline within you must be plentiful. Although Xiao Qing has been on guard, I was still attracted by the charm of your Bloodline."
As she spoke, Xiao Qing bowed solemnly to Tao Qian and pleaded, with tears starting to form in her eyes, "May the esteed guest forgive Xiao Qing for her presumptuous words. If it's known to the Pavilion, Xiao Qing might be at risk of losing her life."
As Xiao Qing did this, Tao Qian also paused for a mont because the change was so sudden and entirely unexpected for him.
But he quickly understood that Xiao Qing's uncharacteristic seductive behavior was surely influenced by the Bo Dragon Bloodline within him.
After all, the two had just been sitting extrely close, with occasional physical contact, combined with both being imrsed in their own thoughts, their spirit montarily bewildered and their energies mingling. The Dragon's nature is highly lascivious. Let alone human won, even those rare birds and Exotic Beasts that are exposed to Dragon Qi for a ti would find it difficult to escape the Dragon's clutches.
If it were not so, there wouldn't be so many Dragon Species hybrids in the world.
If a real Bloodline descendant of the Dragon Species were in his place, this Miss Xiao Qing might have been in trouble.
Luckily, it was Tao Qian. His heart for seeking the Dao was unwavering at this ti. For a feeble young lady, where could the Cultivation Secret Manual be more appealing?
Moreover, while the girl may appear anable, she likely was acting under the influence of Bo Dragon's Qi.
By nature, her personality had not changed. If one were to really coerce her into doing sothing, isn't it likely to end in mutual destruction and a catastrophic outco?
Thus, Tao Qian smiled and gestured with his hand, "Sit over there. This oversight was my fault."
"Don't worry, this matter will be known only between you and , with no third party aware, and no one will punish you."
After saying this, Tao Qian watched as Xiao Qing, still visibly shaken, took her seat across from him again.
His thoughts churned for a mont. He idly browsed the complex pages and then casually asked,
"Miss Xiao Qing, do you know of any Lifebound Scriptures in this supplent that are universally applicable, inexpensive, and suitable for the majority to practice?"
Startled by the question, but comforted by the tolerant custor's inquiry, Xiao Qing unthinkingly scoured her mory and gave a direct response.
"Such Cultivation Techniques do exist, and they are not few."
"However, most of them, though seemingly affordable, actually hide great dangers. It's said so Evil Great Cultivators deliberately spread such manuals to cultivate pawns and sheep that can be reaped and slaughtered at will."
"But there are also so Basic Skills that have been disseminated from Buddhist and Daoist Sects, which can be practiced as Lifebound Scriptures, though they are extrely difficult and have average Power, with no clear path forward."
"Like the 'Pure Yang Small Introduction' that has been passed down from one of the Twelve Major Daoist Sects, the Pure Yang Sect."
"Or the 'Little Freedom Heart Scripture' from the Great Freedom Temple."
"The 'Fake Infant Secret thod' that has been circulated from the Ten Thousand Infant Sect."
"And so on, almost anyone can practice them, but they will only take you as far as the Qi Refinent Realm."
"If one wishes to progress further, they must sohow manage to enter these Major Sects."
"However, for ordinary people to practice these profound Cultivation thods without the guidance of a ntor, almost all will err in their practice. While their errors may not be fatal, they would likely damage their foundations, not only forever barring them from joining the Sects, but also eliminating the possibility of switching to practice other Lifebound Scriptures."
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