What type of secret art was this…
Shang Xia opened the book slowly and read the description.
As it turned out, the creator of the secret manual had his own views on the matter. The secret art didn’t consist of two different powers at the different extremes. Instead, he wanted to merge three pairs of opposite powers into one!
In the manual’s introduction, the author wrote about comprehending one pair of opposing qi. With the experience they had, they would try to comprehend two other pairs of opposing qis, eventually fusing all three pairs together.
When that happened, the cultivator would be able to freely use three pairs of different qis!
The most interesting part was that said cultivator would be able to use many different types of medicine when training. Due to the numerous types of qi they comprehended, they would be able to switch between various herbs when refining medicine.
Shang Xia felt his mind jolting when he read that part as thoughts started to form in his mind.
Ever since he entered the Martial Extremity Realm, he managed to transform his inner qi to the Yin Yang Essence Qi. His dantian contained a massive Yin Yang Diagram and from what Shang Xia knew, the meaning of yin and yang back in his original world contained the power of balance.
He agreed with Triple Mystery Polarity Art in a sense, but only a part of it.
From what Shang Xia knew, the true Yin Yang Essence Qi was countless times better than other types of qi! It could transform freely between all types of qi!
The Triple Mystery Polarity Art could allow a cultivator to switch between three pairs of qi, but it was far too lacking when compared to the Yin Yang Essence Qi.
Shang Xia was a living example. With the Yin Yang Diagram in his dantian, his qi had already started to transform! During the Origin Tide, Shang Xia stood in the middle of the lake. He experienced both extreme heat and frost, and he knew that his inner qi could easily transform into them!
During the crucial moment when he was advancing, his inner qi also transformed to encompass the sun and moon in the sky!
What Shang Xia was lacking wasn’t a secret art. In a world where none of their concepts could align with his, Shang Xia decided that he had to gather enough insights to create one of his own!
All he was missing was a stroke of inspiration!
It was contained in the Triple Mystery Polarity Art he was holding…
“Are you sure you wish to train in this technique?!” The deacon looked at the book Shang Xia handed him.
“That’s right!” Shang Xia nodded.
Thinking for a moment, the deacon continued, “You’re a disciple of the institution and there are some things I will have to remind you of. Even though the contents of this book is novel, there are extreme risks associated with switching between different types of qi. Not many people dare to try, and the number who succeed are few and far between.”
“Many thanks for your reminder. This disciple has already thought it through.” Shang Xia replied.
Once again, the deacon tried to change his mind. “Are you sure? Have you consulted your elders about this?”
The deacon of the Scripture Depository clearly knew Shang Xia’s identity. That was also the reason why he was trying to make him rethink his choice.
Shang Xia chuckled in amusement. “I’m sure!”
Knowing that it was no longer his place to say otherwise, the deacon unsealed the book. The words that were blurry started to become readable again.
Handing it over to Shang Xia, he didn’t forget to add a reminder. “This book is split into two different parts. You’re holding the first part of the book and it should be enough for you. When you return to the institution, you can look for the second part there.”
Thanking the deacon, Shang Xia seemed to have thought of something. Turning around, he asked, “If someone not from the institution chose this secret art, what would you do?”
The deacon smiled in response, “I would strongly recommend it. If they manage to learn its contents, they wouldn’t be able to continue anyway! They wouldn’t be able to get their hands on the second part of the manual!”
Shang Xia instantly knew the reason behind the institution's actions. They were clearly trying to refine and improve on it and there was no better way than to use the lives of the wandering cultivators to do so!
Those who chose the secret manual would become lab rats for the Tongyou Institution!
Naturally, the institution wouldn’t use their own students to conduct experiments. The wandering cultivators who chose the secret art wouldn’t be so lucky. After all, they chose it…
Hold up… Wouldn’t that mean…
Did I become their new guinea pig?!
Shang Xia widened his eyes slightly in surprise. He found it slightly amusing.
Whatever the case, Shang Xia felt that the deacon’s straightforward personality was something he admired. “Disciple not only wants to select a suitable secret art, I also wish to look for a set of martial arts. Deacon, you’ve been here for a long time and should be really knowledgeable. Can you recommend something to me?”
The deacon was taken aback slightly, but whatever the case, it wasn’t difficult for him to do so. “There are countless martial arts suitable for those at the Martial Extremity Realm here. What requirements do you have?”
“A sword technique that can assist in my comprehension of the Triple Mystery Polarity Art.” Shang Xia replied after thinking for a moment.
A chuckle left the deacon’s lips, “What do you know… There actually is something like that.”
“Is it complete?” Shang Xia’s eyes lit up, but he was slightly confused.
Turning towards the other platform, the deacon signaled for Shang Xia to follow him instead of replying.
He brought out a scroll made from sheep’s skin that was around a foot in length.
“This…” Confusion was visible on Shang Xia’s face when he looked at the item.
The deacon didn’t bother explaining too much. Instead, he released the binding on the scroll and revealed the upper portion of the scroll.
“River Sword Policy…” Shang Xia read the words before turning to the deacon. “Sword Policy?!”
In the cultivation world, there was a simple saying. As long as a sword technique was merely called a Sword Method, ?it would rank at the very bottom. Like its name suggested, anyone would be able to train in it.
Of course, the power they could unleash would be limited. Many people would call the moves flashy and lacking in substance…
Above that would be Sword Techniques.
Sword Techniques required a cultivator to use their inner qi a certain way. The move unleashed like that would contain a lot of power!
However, the cultivator had to ensure that there was no clash between their inner qi and the technique.
Above that were Sword Policies. They appeared when cultivators started to comprehend sword intents. Cultivators who did would compile their experience and provide it as a Sword Policy to those after them.
Above a Sword Policy was a Sword Scripture! The cultivation method recorded in it was much more complete, but the requirements were much harsher than usual!
That was because there were dedicated techniques and martial arts related to the sword intent it referred to.
The moment the inheritor started to comprehend the sword scripture, they would be able to receive techniques, cultivation methods, and the relevant secret arts. Their path would be set for them!
Their road of cultivation would become extremely smooth with all the guidance they received.
Shang Xia knew that there were rumors of a higher level, called Sword Laws, but that was merely theoretical.
Of course, any mention of Sword Laws was closely monitored.
It was said that there were several fanatics of the sword who were trying to create something like that in order to ‘clear the path’ for fellow sword cultivators.
The gist of it started from the moment a cultivator started training. Their techniques, martial intent, and secret arts needed to contain the core of their practice, the sword. When they advanced to the Martial Extremity Realm and the Martial Intent Realm, they would deepen their understanding of the way of the sword with every step they took!
From what it implied, they would toss away everything that had nothing to do with the sword! Even if they received another inheritance in the future, they would never be able to make any advancement in it!
Of course, that was just in theory. Many people felt that it wasn’t feasible. Despite that, many cultivators were affected by the idea of it.
In the Scripture Depository, Shang Xia slowly calmed himself down and asked, “Why is this called the River Sword Policy?”
“The sword art focuses on the two extremities, softness and strength. The Triple Mystery Polarity Art you chose also focuses on them too. The two of them should complement each other. The name probably came from one of the ideas the author had. You can try to comprehend this later. Anything I say now might affect your comprehension of the manual.”
“Coupling strength with softness…” The thought flashed through Shang Xia’s mind, and he knew that that was the sword manual he was going to choose.