Chapter 72: Divine Technique and Secret Knowledge

Zhang Shen, who had recently taken a liking to chewing on things, popped a piece of divine iron into his mouth. Abruptly, he sensed someone approaching the perimeter of the cloud and fog formation.

In the aftermath of a recent incident, Zhang Shen had enhanced the formation, significantly bolstering its defensive strength.

Outside the formation, Li Zhi stood, her face etched with uncertainty. Nearly six years had passed since her breakthrough to the seventh layer of the Innate stage. 

Throughout this period, she diligently adhered to her master’s guidance, focusing not on rapid advancement but on steadily honing her foundational skills. Recently, she achieved a breakthrough in the eighth layer of the Innate stage.

But she wondered, should she continue this cautious approach? She questioned the value of dedicating so much time to her cultivation practice, feeling the urgency of a cultivator’s race against time.

Moreover, she anticipated greater challenges in advancing to the ninth layer of the Innate stage. If she persisted in refining her foundation, it would mean even more time invested.

A gap opened in the cloud and fog formation, and Li Zhi flew through it.

Zhang Shen sat under the eaves of a quaint pavilion beside a lake, in a tranquil setting. On a small tea table before him was a caddy of spring water infused with a subtle spiritual essence, adorned with a few dried lotus leaves. These were spiritual items he had discovered years ago at the site of Li Yan’s death.

What remained of these items was not much, and while they were no longer as valuable to him, he decided to make use of the last few pieces he found in his storage bag.

Also placed on the tea table was a dish of dried fruits, dehydrated to preserve their essence.

Upon entering, Li Zhi voiced her concerns to Zhang Shen. She was evidently eager to strengthen herself more rapidly, yet found herself in a dilemma, caught between her desire for growth and her master’s consistent advice to temper her ambitions and focus on solidifying her foundational skills.

Li Zhi seemed uncertain, not fully grasping the reason behind the rigorous foundation-building.

Zhang Shen understood her confusion. He knew that understanding the destination could provide the endurance needed for a long and sometimes tedious journey. He believed it was time to explain the reasons behind his teachings to Li Zhi, though he felt no rush to do so.

“Let’s start with a drink, and then join me for some fishing,” he proposed.

True to its name, the Shanshui residence boasted both mountains and a body of water, naturally inhabited by fish.

Li Zhi, bemused, refrained from asking questions. She sipped her tea gently, the tranquil essence of the lotus leaves in it subtly soothing her. 

Zhang Shen, meanwhile, had already prepared two fishing rods. It must be said, his fishing skills were somewhat lacking. Without utilizing his spiritual or physical abilities, he had yet to catch a single fish all morning, in contrast to Li Zhi, who had already caught several.

Zhang Shen felt a twinge of frustration. Nevertheless, seeing his disciple’s relaxed demeanor, he set aside his unyielding fishing rod.

“Now, I’m ready to address your question,” he said, smiling. 

Opening his hand, a faint grey light gathered, forming a miniature mountain. 

“See this? It’s my divine technique, Mountain Seal. Does it look familiar to you?”

Li Zhi furrowed her brow. 

Mountain Seal? She recognized it, bearing a striking resemblance to a martial art from the Mountain of a Thousand Layers technique. Could it be what she was thinking?

A guess began to take shape in her mind.

Zhang Shen explained, “An Innate martial artist who successfully advances to the True Core stage experiences a moment of liberation during the breakthrough. It’s in this instant that they can attain a state of profound insight, where the accumulated wisdom of their life’s journey and the martial arts they have honed can merge into a singular divine technique. Remember when I told you that divine techniques are a type of martial skill? They are inherent abilities that evolve alongside True Core martial artists, growing stronger as the martial artist themselves develops. They also happen to be the techniques most in tune with a martial artist’s capabilities. However, certain prerequisites exist for condensing such a divine technique.”

“Ample accumulation?” she said.

“Exactly. Enlightenment brings the necessary insight to transform one’s past efforts into strength. However, it does not bestow an understanding of concepts beyond what one has already accumulated. As a result, the divine techniques typically realized by ordinary True Core martial artists are largely based on the martial arts they have practiced. Take my Mountain Seal technique, for example. It evolved from the Mountain of a Thousand Layers technique and became a new martial skill perfectly suited to me.”

Li Zhi seemed to understand, but as Zhang Shen dispersed the small mountain from his hand, new strands of grey essence emerged.

This new essence was distinct from the Mountain Seal, evoking a sense of foreboding in Li Zhi.

“But what I envision for you surpasses merely mastering a divine technique that suits you, derived from your practiced martial arts,” Zhang Shen said.

He then delved into explaining the nuances between different divine techniques.

“A divine technique that originates from one’s martial arts training is indeed well-suited to the individual, but it might not encapsulate what one truly aspires to achieve. Hence, there exists another kind of divine technique. One that is stronger and more aligned with an individual’s true desires. The Divine Technique of One’s True Will.”

Li Zhi was profoundly struck by these words, committing each of her master’s utterances to memory.

“Oftentimes, martial artists are unable to practice martial arts or techniques that resonate with their inner nature. However, the journey of martial arts is embarked upon by the martial artist, not dictated by the martial art itself. The so-called Divine Technique of One’s True Will embodies the martial artist’s deepest aspirations and can be seen as a tangible representation of their martial journey. In my case, my pursuit of immortality, a path laden with innumerable challenges and adversaries, gave birth to a deep-seated desire for the power to obliterate all these impediments. This fervent wish crystallized into the Annihilation Intent divine technique.”

Li Zhi was deeply moved by her master’s ambitious goal. She had never considered Zhang Shen harboring such an extraordinary aspiration. 

It seemed implausible to her, but observing Zhang Shen’s earnest expression, she understood that he was fully aware of the daunting nature of his goal, yet remained determined to follow his chosen path.

At that moment, Zhang Shen’s stature grew even more imposing in Li Zhi’s eyes.

“But the Divine Technique of One’s True Will is unlike a technique derived from martial arts training. It demands a more profound accumulation,” Zhang Shen explained. “My Annihilation Intent came into being only after extensive training in numerous martial arts and techniques, with their inherent destructive qualities as a foundation.”

He looked at Li Zhi with a smile, “Zhi’er, what is the essence of your martial path? What divine technique do you aspire to master?”

As Li Zhi pondered deeply, Zhang Shen gently tapped her head.

“There’s no need to hurry. You’re not even sixty yet, and as an Innate warrior, you have a lifespan of two hundred years. It’s not considered late as long as you achieve a breakthrough before turning a hundred. You have ample time to reflect and accumulate experiences.”

Zhang Shen went on to enlighten Li Zhi about the secrets of mastering two divine techniques upon achieving complete cultivation, secrets that ordinary martial artists were oblivious to. 

Such profound knowledge was typically kept within the circles of the major powers, discreetly handed down through their complete lineages. Independent cultivators and factions with incomplete traditions couldn’t fathom the existence of the Divine Technique of One’s True Will, nor the advantages of attaining complete cultivation.

“Remember to consider it carefully,” he advised. “Once you settle on your signature divine technique, it will become one of your primary methods in the future, unless you choose to abandon it and focus solely on martial skills for your combat strategies.”

After absorbing a considerable amount of guidance, Li Zhi left, likely to meticulously strategize her subsequent cultivation journey.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shen found himself unable to concentrate on his own cultivation, as he began to attend a succession of funerals.