Chapter 80

"Why not choose both?" Qi Zhengyan asked in confusion, as Zhen Ding’s junior brother had a total of 690 merit points, which was enough to consider exchanging for both.

Meng Qi seriously replied, "I have already condensed six acupoints related to the Eye Aperture. I don’t know when the next mission will come, so I need to exchange for a 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill' to strive to truly enter the Aperture Opening stage before the next mission. I also need to replenish the poison needles for the 'Torrent of Pear Blossoms Needles.' Additionally, I want to exchange for a light skill that excels in speed and a weapon-grade precept knife."

Speaking of the weapon-grade precept knife, he smiled bitterly and raised the hundred-refined steel precept knife given by Jiang Zhwei, which was already riddled with holes and could no longer be used—Cui Xu, besides his mental secret store, had also opened the primordial energy secret store, with abundant internal power, making his every move immensely powerful. Therefore, even though Meng Qi was not holding a weapon-grade long sword, his precept knife was severely damaged. If Cui Xu had a weapon-grade treasure sword, Meng Qi’s precept knife would have broken long ago.

Based on the "rule" that the enemies encountered in the cycle missions become increasingly stronger, Meng Qi was worried that the next mission would involve many enemies wielding weapon-grade treasure swords. At that time, the precept knife would need to be protected by true qi to counteract, which would weaken his combat power. Although there were not too few weapon-grade weapons in Shaolin, they were not something a novice monk who had not yet opened an aperture could obtain—only disciples who had passed through the Copper Man Alley and gone down the mountain for a pilgrimage could have the right to choose.

From the mouths of Jiang Zhwei and others, Meng Qi learned that the classification of weapons and items in the world he was in was similar to that of the Six Realms Cycle Master. The worst and most common were the "ordinary weapons" used by ordinary people, street thugs, and the lowest level of the martial world, which could be forged by any decent blacksmith. The second-to-last category was the "hundred-refined weapons," used by ordinary martial artists, ordinary sect disciples, and elite troops of the imperial court, which could only be forged by skilled blacksmiths and were worth several dozen to a hundred silver taels, and were relatively common.

At the "weapon" level, the number of items drastically decreased because they required relatively rare metals, wood, and other materials, and the forger must possess profound internal power and the ability to manipulate earth fire and other flames. Therefore, only well-known figures in the martial world, high-ranking and core disciples of ordinary sects, direct descendants of major martial sects, and elite guards of noble families had the hope of obtaining them.

Each weapon-grade weapon, besides being sharp, had unique characteristics due to different materials, such as Jiang Zhwei’s "White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword," which could cut through iron like butter.

At the "treasure weapon" level, the items could invoke changes in heaven and earth and possess various divine qualities, no longer being ordinary. As for "divine weapons" and "world-renowned divine weapons," based on the Six Realms Cycle Master’s description, Meng Qi felt they were terrifying objects containing "laws," "principles," and even "the Way."

"Yes, a weapon-grade weapon is very important." Zhang Yuanshan patted his waist, and his long sword hummed as it was drawn, enveloped in white mist, like a dragon in the clouds. "After stabilizing my foundation, I finally entered the gate of the 'True Martial Sword Technique.' My father, in his joy, gave me the 'Tengshe Sword,' which he used to become famous in his youth. If I didn’t have this weapon-grade treasure sword for this mission, I would have faced much greater difficulties."

"Light skills, don’t you already have the 'Divine Traveling Hundred Transformations'?" Jiang Zhwei thought for a moment and asked.

Meng Qi had already considered everything: "The 'Divine Traveling Hundred Transformations' excels in dodging and changing. The 'Divine Traveling' is relatively strong compared to other light skills of the same level, but after entering the Aperture Opening stage, it lags far behind other skills in terms of speed and movement. At that time, even if I can’t win, I need to be able to run."

Jiang Zhwei, who had a good relationship with Meng Qi, was straightforward and candid with her opinion: "Actually, I suggest you prioritize skills that can improve your innate talent. Such skills are not many, and they are rare and hard to come by. The earlier you improve your innate talent, the better, as it will lay a solid foundation for your future growth, broaden your path, and achieve higher results. If you do it later, it won’t have the same effect."

"Choosing a light skill that excels in speed and a technique similar to the 'Heavenly Demon Body Dissolution' together, because they both belong to your survival skills, would be too wasteful if you don’t have enough merit points."

"If you can successfully open an aperture this time, the exhaustion after using the 'Arhat Breaking Precepts Knife Technique' will be greatly reduced, and with the 'Torrent of Pear Blossoms Needles,' your ability to fight to the death in a frontal battle is not bad. The 'Heavenly Demon Body Dissolution' technique can be exchanged for next time."

Most skills that can be called "divine techniques" improve one’s innate talent while being practiced and enhanced, so it’s not a case of being forever behind if you start with a lower talent. However, many divine techniques have certain talent requirements at each stage, which may require you to spend more effort to improve yourself and enter the next stage, wasting a lot of time.

Therefore, various sects prefer to choose outstanding talents as their direct disciples to inherit their fundamental techniques, and then observe and select diligent and down-to-earth disciples, teaching them after they have achieved certain results.

Moreover, skills that can improve innate talent through auxiliary practice, without being the main practice, are quite precious for those aspiring to martial arts, but such skills are very rare, and each one is not cheap.

"I also think so. Skills that can directly improve innate talent are rare and highly sought after." When Zhang Yuanshan said this, his tone was tinged with a sigh. "Among such skills, the most famous and effective is your Shaolin's 'Sinew Metamorphosis Sutra,' which not only improves innate talent but also enhances the quality of the main practice, reducing the difficulty of cultivation. It is truly a marvel that defies the laws of nature, but the first volume alone costs 10,000 merit points. Zhen Ding’s junior brother, which skill do you plan to exchange for? Such skills are rare and expensive."

He seemed to have been paying attention to such skills for a long time.

Meng Qi had an advantage in that he was already familiar with many "strange and peculiar" martial arts on the Six Realms Cycle Master’s exchange list, so he didn’t need to spend time flipping through them.

In a situation where there are countless martial arts up to the outer scenery level, this was a significant advantage, as the time spent in the cycle space was limited, and hasty choices could easily lead to mistakes.

Hearing Zhang Yuanshan’s question, Meng Qi smiled and said, "Zhewei, Zhang Senior Brother, Qi Senior Brother, I have decided to put aside skills similar to the 'Heavenly Demon Body Dissolution' and exchange for the 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter' from the 'Nine Yin Manual.'"

He actually had plans to choose skills like the 'Star Absorption Technique,' 'Power Absorption Technique,' and other demonic martial arts that could rapidly enhance his strength by absorbing others' essence and power, but these skills were either cruel and painful to master, purely harmful to others without benefit to oneself, or had significant hidden dangers. Those within a reasonable range were expensive, and since Meng Qi was in Shaolin, it was inconvenient for him to practice such skills, so he ultimately gave up.

"The 'Nine Yin Manual'?"

"The 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter'?"

Zhang Yuanshan, Jiang Zhwei, Qi Zhengyan, and others were all taken aback, clearly having never heard of it, so they buried their heads and started flipping through the list based on the first character.

"Can it really improve sinews and bones, and enhance value for just 300 merit points?" Zhang Yuanshan exclaimed, a rare reaction from him, who was usually calm.

A skill that could improve innate talent for just 300 merit points? Jiang Zhwei, Qi Zhengyan, and even Fu Zhenzhen all looked at Meng Qi with surprise and shock. How did he find such a cheap and effective skill?

"It was a stroke of luck, found by chance." Meng Qi could only say that.

The 'Nine Yin Manual' has two volumes, totaling 900 merit points, and the 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter' takes up one-third of it, showing its value.

"Although the improvement effect is limited, it’s still very good. Little monk, you are truly blessed by the Buddha to discover this skill." Jiang Zhwei smiled and clasped her hands in jest.

Zhang Yuanshan pondered for a moment and said, "Zhen Ding’s junior brother, to be honest, I would also exchange for this skill if I waited."

His innate talent was not bad, surpassing many people, but his position was high, and his family had high expectations. Compared to Yang Taiyang and the Yao brothers, his innate talent was not particularly outstanding, so he had been seeking ways to improve it, paying attention to similar skills and even considering having the Six Realms Cycle Master directly enhance his innate talent if there was no other way.

"If not for the 'Complete Heaven Treasure Mirror' improving innate talent well and my limited merit points, I would also want to exchange for it." Qi Zhengyan said honestly.

Meng Qi laughed, "Since everyone values it so much, it means I made the right choice. I’ll exchange for it soon."

"Which light skill that excels in speed do you plan to exchange for?" Jiang Zhwei asked curiously, as the little monk always managed to choose skills that were not well-known but seemed quite good.

Meng Qi chuckled and pointed to the jade book in front of him, "The first form of the 'Wind God Leg,' 'Capturing the Wind and Catching the Shadow,' is the essential entry point, focusing on light skills and body techniques, and only costs 90 merit points, but to fully utilize its strengths, one needs to reach the outer scenery level."

When he said 90, Meng Qi wanted to add, "Just 99, 'Capturing the Wind and Catching the Shadow' can be taken home."

The 'Wind God Leg' comes from 'The Storm,' using the wind to create momentum, as fast as a meteor. Meng Qi had no interest in its other forms because he needed to focus on his knife technique and the Golden Bell Cover, and he also needed to practice the 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter' and the 'Phantom Form Technique.' For now, he wouldn’t consider palm techniques or leg techniques, except for escape purposes.

Jiang Zhwei carefully read the description and nodded, "Not bad, the required merit points are relatively few. Hehe, you always choose well."

Compared to skills that improve innate talent, leg techniques and light skills were common in the eyes of Jiang Zhwei and others, and they didn’t pay much attention.

"The 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter' costs 300 merit points, the 'Heavenly Wisdom Pill' 110 merit points, the 'Torrent of Pear Blossoms Needles' 50 merit points, and the 'Wind God Leg' 90 merit points. Zhen Ding’s junior brother, you have 140 merit points left to choose a weapon-grade precept knife. If it’s not enough, I can lend you the remaining points after I exchange." Zhang Yuanshan said generously. "I currently don’t lack medicinal pills and only need to exchange for the 'Sinew Metamorphosis and Bone Forging Chapter,' leaving me with 30 merit points."

Jiang Zhwei interjected, "I estimate I will open my Nose Aperture during the next mission, so I don’t need to consider the 'Heavenly Vision and Earth Hearing Pill' for now. Exchanging for the 'Holy Spirit Sword Technique' 'Heartless Part' is enough, leaving me with 20 merit points."

"I haven’t successfully cultivated 'Earth Kunlun' yet, so I don’t need to exchange for the fourth level 'Green Ice Snow' crystals for now, but I also plan to exchange for a weapon-grade long sword that can suppress demons. I suffered a significant disadvantage in this mission." Qi Zhengyan said with a gloomy expression. "Additionally, I need medicinal pills to assist in Aperture Opening cultivation."

Meng Qi nodded with a smile, "Then let’s go and exchange the others now, and after that, I’ll choose a 'weapon' with Qi Senior Brother."

PS: I won’t open a separate chapter. This month is the Three Rivers, and I hope everyone can vote for the Three Rivers. Each person can get one vote per day in the Three Rivers channel.

Additionally, last week our clicks and recommendations were still in the top five, so I continue to ask for clicks and recommendations. Thank you all.