Chaotic World Book
Chapter 201 - 197: Reunion with the Winged Fire Snake

Chapter 201: Chapter 197: Reunion with the Winged Fire Snake

Actually, the birthday feast of the Wang Family lasted not merely "two days," but several days.

However, with all the guards frequently kicking over flower pots, the young boys and girls truly had no face to continue anything inappropriate for children. Cui Yuanyang, who had just learned what a kiss tasted like, pouted exaggeratedly and angrily headed to Langya ahead of schedule.

He then checked into the Wang Family’s residence with great fanfare, as if trying to obviously convey to everyone "I didn’t come with Brother Zhao, I came straight to the Wang Family!"

This time she was also tasked with negotiating her brother’s wedding with the Wang Family as the ceremonial officer. Despite appearing frazzled as if she were wilder than the worldly society, when it came to rites and rituals, she truly understood them. It’s just that these rituals were not set for Yangyang; elder brother, you demonstrate first.

Zhao Changhe returned to the Taishan Taiyi Sect, exchanged martial arts skills with Xuan Chong, and broadened his understanding of Taoist martial arts.

At the same time, he contemplated breaking through to the fifth layer of the Six Harmonies Divine Skill.

He could have tried to break through the sixth layer of Blood Evil Skill long ago, but he had refrained from forcibly pushing for the breakthrough, mainly because the progress of Six Harmonies Divine Skill was somewhat lagging. Initially, they were on the same level, how harmonious it sounded to cultivate both inner and external skills! Zhao Changhe, always obsessive, felt that Inner Strength should not lag more than one level behind External Skill; too much of a discrepancy was displeasing.

Regrettably, limited by his meridians, the progress in Inner Strength was indeed slow. Now that he was at the Taoist sect, with the authentic Mystical Sect of Inner, he wondered if there might be some referable aspects there.

Since he sensed that something was about to change with the Wang Family, Zhao Changhe truly hoped to resolve this matter within these few days, enhancing his combat abilities in preparation for the changed circumstances.

"Young friend’s Inner Strength, too, is at a breaking point," discussed Xiang Guichen leisurely, "Logically, given your body’s conditions, it’s not quite suitable for cultivating Inner Strength. The Fourth Layer of the Mystical Gate sounds lacking, mismatched with your current reputation, yet achieving this level within half a year is already incredibly notable—I surmise this is largely because the cultivation technique belongs to the divine skills. With someone of matching talents, perhaps more than four layers might have been achieved."

Zhao Changhe: "...If you want to say I’m wasting resources, just say it outright. I can take it."

"Meridians limit you, something your innate talent and comprehension cannot change," Gui Chen spoke, "You may have received guidance from a sage, this concentration and tranquility within are extremely suitable for Inner Strength Cultivation. Reaching the current threshold and filling up the fourth layer is all thanks to this, otherwise, you’d still be far from it."

Zhao Changhe was startled. So Tang Wanjuang’s perseverance had this meaning as well.

"This is a divine skill, young friend, which in theory doesn’t have high thresholds. However, what’s a small hurdle for others becomes a significant barrier due to your physical conditions. In this scenario, there’s a simple auxiliary strategy that can help break through."

Zhao Changhe humbly asked for advice: "Please enlighten me, senior."

"For your situation, the method of Dual Cultivation is extremely appropriate, and it can be of great help."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

"Elder Taoist here has some auxiliary elixirs for breaking through, but the approach of the Taoist is gentle and never coercive. Thus, this elixir offers only a bit of help, not a forceful breakthrough mechanism. You may try it, but do not hold too high expectations, there’s little more I can do."

Zhao Changhe accepted the elixir, bowed and said, "I’m very grateful."

"Yin Yang Harmony is nothing but the rotation of the Two Instruments, and the Two Instruments create the Four Symbols. The Four Symbols Sect might not mean this, but they have done detailed research. Elder Taoist notices that young friend is familiar with the Winged Fire Snake, next time you meet her, you might inquire and see if they have some special interpretations."

"...Okay."

Having obtained the medicine and sought advice, Zhao Changhe was not empty-handed; he wasn’t in a rush and sparred with Xuan Chong, practicing both saber and sword techniques, leisurely returning to his guesthouse to digest what he had learned.

Don’t underestimate Xuan Chong, without a breakthrough, his current state couldn’t defeat him.

Hidden Dragon tenth level, Mystical Gate Seventh Layer, he’s not to be underestimated. Everyone has potential at the forefront of Hidden Dragon; at this level, advancing beyond one’s class is almost impossible, only when Cultivations are equal can one consider victory or defeat at the same level.

But that method of using softness to overcome hardness, he was not unfamiliar with, quite similar to Tang Wanzhuang’s Spring Water Sword Intent, ending up at the same destination by different paths.

What Mystic Sect, no Mystic Sect, the principles of martial arts, in the end, are all the same.

This level of equal yet slightly stronger sparring held great value; Zhao Changhe wanted to pull out the Heavenly Book and learn from replaying, unfortunately, he dared not.

This was the Taiyi Sect guesthouse, if discovered, it would cause trouble, plus he always felt that the Winged Fire Snake might appear.

So, he wouldn’t pull out the Heavenly Book.

The guesthouse had zither and chess, so Zhao Changhe sat by the zither and played leisurely. It was both practice and a way to calm his mind.

According to Gui Chen’s explanation, playing the zither can indeed be considered a part of Inner Strength Cultivation; it is not necessarily confined to meditation. No wonder Tang Wanju, so young, had the time to practice martial arts and the arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting. In her cultivation system, everything she does is a part of her training.

With the breeze and the moonlight, playing the zither at the Taoist temple—Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang did not see this scene; otherwise, their jaws might have dropped.

Is this still the Zhao Changhe that people know?

He has already transformed into the shape of an old woman...

Vermilion Bird, wearing the Winged Fire Snake mask, stood atop the wall, silently watching Zhao Changhe play the zither, her red lips barely perceptible beneath the mask twitching slightly.

His playing was mediocre.

But how to put it... this was the leisurely ease of someone truly wanting to play the zither, not forced practice, nor playing for an audience. The sound of the zither was utterly free and unrestrained.

This intent could compensate for the lack of technique, a rarity in this mundane world.

"Ding!" As the last note fell, Zhao Changhe gently pressed the strings and calmly said, "Since the guest has arrived, why not make yourself known?"

Vermilion Bird was startled; the ambiance of ’Moon Reflected in Water’ was truly remarkable, capable of detecting her presence.

She didn’t dwell on it and floated down gently, "With such leisure in your intent, I could not bear to disturb."

Zhao Changhe looked up in surprise at her serpentine face, "Does the Four Symbols Sect also appreciate elegance?"

"Born into loneliness and hardship, the Holy Daughter could not cultivate elegance, but that doesn’t mean she dislikes it, nor does it imply that others in the Four Symbols Sect lack appreciation for elegance," Vermilion Bird said mildly. "The Four Symbols Sect is a sect, not a cultivation family nurturing from young; people of all kinds are within it, each with their own preferences and statuses, united by a single ideal."

"From what you say, you still wish to recruit me into your sect. Has Vermilion Bird Venerable given you a new task?"

"Yes."

"The Venerable must know I’ve refused, so how can entrusting this to you be of any use?"

"Your refusal was not a strong repulsion, merely an absence of faith. This is normal," Vermilion Bird said. "If you join the sect, faith can gradually be established. That is not a problem."

"But I don’t want to join."

"That is precisely why I am here; we can negotiate. Under what conditions would you consider joining the sect?"

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment, then chuckled, "No wonder the Venerable didn’t personally speak with me. Accustomed to being high and mighty, she didn’t want to lower her status by bargaining with me, right?"

Vermilion Bird’s face beneath the mask contorted with distaste, "Exactly."

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, then seriously said, "If your sect could help me resolve my meridian issues, I might consider joining. Even if I lack faith, I would still assist your sect. You can trust my promise."

Vermilion Bird sighed, "We understand your condition, but we are also powerless in this regard. However, we can promise that if we discover any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, we will reserve them for you."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "Let’s lower the requirements—allow Chichi and me to be together."

"...No. We would rather find Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for you."

"Why all the fuss? Chichi and I are already mutually affectionate, and my condition is suitable for Dual Cultivation. Just let Chichi and me undertake Dual Cultivation and that would settle it."

Vermilion Bird slightly frowned, "Dependent on Dual Cultivation? Did Gui Chen with his impressive nose teach you this? It deserves a slap."

Zhao Changhe looked at her curiously.

Vermilion Bird quickly realized that this posture was unbecoming of a mere Winged Fire Snake, and quickly covered up, "Dual Cultivation is useful, but it should not create a dependency; that brings no benefit. If every time you seek a breakthrough, you think about that, what kind of Martial Arts practice is that? Are we the Maitreya Sect or the Joyful Union Sect? If you ask for the Four Symbols Sect’s stance, the best would be to forbid it, which would actually benefit the cultivation of your Blood Evil Skill."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "I understand the logic. I’m not saying I rely on it every time, but I just wish for a Taoist couple. Is the Four Symbols Sect willing or not?"