A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 206 59: Presenting the Spirit Ginseng, Gaining Another Water Pattern

[Skill: Literacy and Deciphering (Perfected)]

[Progress: (5/800)]

[Effect: Extensive reading, instantaneous comprehension]

As Bai Qi finished reading the ancient text, the accumulated progress surged, unexpectedly reaching the perfected level, and it is anticipated that he will soon be able to condense his first divine seed.

"Instant comprehension, enhanced perception... I feel like my mind is much sharper now."

He immediately began attempting to roughly flip through the Horizontal Training Kung Fu, Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, even though many key points were vaguely written. With the perfected effect of his literacy skill, his thoughts became exceptionally active, as if suddenly enlightened.

Every word and sentence became crystal clear, and any doubts that arose in his mind were instantly resolved.

"The perfected skill effect is indeed extraordinary. I can now truly be considered a martial arts genius!"

In less than half a stick of incense, Bai Qi had mastered most of the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, increasing his understanding of the energy flow in Horizontal Training Kung Fu by threefold.

"The more I look at other martial arts, the more I realize the Tongwen Hall's Five Grand Captures are profound and all-encompassing, integrating the strengths of all schools, simultaneously covering striking, grappling, agility, and horizontal training..."

Bai Qi sighed, idly picking up the Black Heaven Gu Scripture.

This is a side Daoist technique for raising Gu and spirit manipulation.

The Dragon Court Daoist Official's definition of sideways was simple: four words, not entered into orthodoxy.

In translation, it essentially means an inheritance that cannot "attain immortality."

The seven great martial arts upper sects of the fourteen prefectures and the five orthodox Taoist sects.

These giant forces all held complete pathways to breaking through to the Divine Power Secret Realm in their hands.

For example, the Meridian Sword Sect of the Celestial Water Prefecture, from Superior Martial Arts to the True Skill Root Diagram and the Supreme Skill Divine Form Map, all of which were complete.

Their disciples, as long as they have extraordinary talent and outstanding aptitude, have the prospect of becoming grandmasters if they follow the steps systematically.

"Nurturing insects with the body, feeding Gu with flesh and blood, certainly a bit sinister. Finally picking up a Daoist skill, and it turns out to be this kind of stuff."

Bai Qi shook his head, somewhat disappointed, dismissing the idea of showing it to Ah Di, Bai Ming.

Learning Daoism is different from martial arts; the former, when external resources are not lacking, can progress extremely quickly.

With medium aptitude, spirit soul condensation within three to five years is quite common.

But with advantages come disadvantages, and the risk of going insane is also very high.

Most of the major rebels and evil demons wanted by the Dragon Court are predominantly defectors of the Taoist Sect.

Especially beyond the Three Realms of Dao Skill, perceiving and visualizing heaven and earth, devouring and surging spiritual energy, often unintentionally brings about the turbulent turbid tide.

Which can subsequently lead one to be "tainted by demons," falling into it with no return.

It is said that the combined number of disciples under the five orthodox Taoist sects cannot exceed the Meridian Sword Sect of the Celestial Water Prefecture.

On one hand, it highlights the rarity of the three upper-rank Immortal Masters, while on the other, it reflects the danger-laden journey of Taoist cultivation.

"Anyway, the harsh winter is finally over, spring is coming, time to get down to business."

Bai Qi calmed his thoughts, collaborated with Ninghai Zen to fish and scheme, decisively swept away large swathes of assassins from the Hidden Pavilion, and conveniently extinguished the last embers of the Su Family.

The eight hundred li of Black Water River finally returned to tranquility.

"Su, Mao, Han, Fang... and two other families, hidden in the County City.

One day I'll inquire from Uncle Dao, why did Master leave Yihai Prefecture?

See if we can help Tongwen Hall clear two old debts."

He rubbed his chin, holding onto powerful support was certainly comfortable, but one's own development should not be neglected.

Clearing distracting thoughts, he slowly sat down, assuming a five-heart-toward-the-heaven meditation posture for practicing energy flow.

Bai Qi internally inspected himself. After six refinements, the dense slurry-like Qi blood washed over him, tempering strands of even more formidable power.

The twenty-four segments of his glowing radiant spinal bones resembled a dragon lying dormant on the ground, concealed within flesh and blood, amassing the momentum for flight.

...

...

Seven or eight days passed in a flash; as the snow began to melt, more and more fishermen appeared on the Black Water River.

The trivial tasks piled on Bai Qi's desk also formed a mountain.

Firstly, the expansion of the fish stall's scale doubled the number of boats in just a few months.

After the new year, the fishermen working for Bai's Fish Stall increased by fifty to sixty people.

It seemed they were on the verge of replacing the He Family's fishery, becoming the new local bully.

"Just waiting to make a name, completely expand and strengthen."

Bai Qi's eyes sparkled; he now had several stores under his control, combined with the vast expanse of the eight hundred li Black Water River, feeding a hundred or so mouths was not a problem.

Previously, the small fish stall did local business in Black River County, primarily supplying restaurants, martial arts halls, and wealthy households.

Now with He Jingfeng and Feng Shao Ling from the County City serving as intermediaries and bridges, they could completely consider connecting with Pai Bang to expand sales channels.

Of course, this matter couldn't be rushed and required gradual advancement.

"Daily earnings of several hundred taels would be considered wealthy in Black River County. If the fish stall expands further and brings in profits of a thousand taels of silver daily, I could also be called the proprietor."

Bai Qi sat in the main hall, going over accounts with Ah Di, Bai Ming. He Wenbing accumulated ten thousand in family wealth by leveraging the fishery, partly by squeezing and exploiting the lowly fishermen, employing ruthless measures.

He extracted commissions from stalls, charged high-interest loans, forced indentured servitude, employing practices of depleting resources and extracting marrow;

On the other hand, He Wenbing had strong control over the industry, maintaining a monopoly from ferry docks to footbridge inns, accumulating very substantial profits over the years.

"I heard from Brother Sanshui that when He Wenbing was around, there were thirty to forty stewards at the fishery, not to mention various shopkeepers and accountants, totaling over a hundred people. Every year-end settlement, silver and copper coins would flow like water, box after box carried to the He Family.

Brother, we must not only expand sales channels but also recruit talent. The three families are willing to establish private schools and hire teachers from the County City for future development,"