Chapter 13

"Really nagging!"

Yuan Ming shook his head and opened another memorial. Inside was a report from a Minister of Works about the repair of the Changchun Temple's Heavenly Venerable Hall. It was also a lengthy discourse, which made Yuan Ming lose interest.

Before he finished reading, he hastily closed the memorial and threw it aside.

"Seems being an emperor isn't easy. If it were me, I would definitely have these officials who talk nonsense dragged out and given a good beating," Yuan Ming muttered.

He rubbed his temples, gathered his spirits, and opened the third memorial.

This memorial was different from the previous ones. The language was concise and efficient, and it began with a brief report to the emperor about the attack on the envoy sent to the southern border.

"Turns out it's a military general. Indeed, he's very different from the verbose civil officials," Yuan Ming thought, seeing the signature at the end: General Yuan Zuochong of the Southern Pacification Army.

"Yuan Zuochong? This name sounds familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere before," he murmured to himself. Just as he was about to read the memorial carefully to find more clues, the effeminate man outside reported:

"Your Majesty, the National Master Yuhu Xianzhang requests an audience."

"Yuhu Xianzhang, by the name, he seems to be a cultivator!" Yuan Ming's eyelids twitched, and he instinctively wanted to refuse.

But then he thought, he had no idea about the relationship between this young emperor and Yuhu Xianzhang, and it might be inappropriate to refuse outright.

Moreover, possessing the body of a young emperor was too bizarre, and this cultivator should not be able to detect it.

"Please come in," Yuan Ming said after a moment's consideration, putting down the memorial.

The effeminate man responded, and the palace door was pushed open.

An elderly man in a purple and gold Taoist robe stepped in, performed a Taoist salute, and said:

"May the Blessed One of Infinite Heaven be blessed."

Yuan Ming looked at the old Taoist, who had a gaunt but radiant face, with three long strands of beard hanging down to his chest, exuding a sage-like aura.

Wearing a purple and gold robe embroidered with Bagua cloud patterns and a golden lotus crown, the old Taoist looked even more regal, inspiring awe in those who saw him.

"National Master, no need for formalities. What brings you here?" Yuan Ming raised his hand slightly, choosing his words carefully.

"I just heard from Eunuch Li that Your Majesty is unwell. I came to visit," Yuhu Daozhang said, flicking his拂尘 (duster).

"I am fine, National Master, thank you for your concern," Yuan Ming said, modulating his tone.

"The health of Your Majesty concerns the prosperity of the nation. It cannot be taken lightly. Allow me to take your pulse," Yuhu Daozhang insisted, stepping forward.

Yuan Ming's eyes narrowed. This person was quite forceful, but he didn't know the relationship between them, so he couldn't refuse outright. He extended his wrist.

Yuhu Daozhang glanced at the empty porcelain tray on the desk, then quickly looked away, placing his fingers on Yuan Ming's wrist.

A cool sensation penetrated his body, spreading rapidly.

"This old Taoist is indeed a cultivator!" Yuan Ming's pupils dilated. He dared not breathe heavily, regretting letting this person take his pulse, hoping he wouldn't detect anything unusual.

The old Taoist closed his eyes and focused. After a moment, his expression changed.

"National Master, what is it?" Yuan Ming asked, bracing himself.

"Has Your Majesty been resting poorly recently? Your pulse indicates good blood and qi, but your spirit seems restless," Yuhu Daozhang said, opening his eyes.

"I have indeed been sleeping poorly and have had some nightmares. Is it serious?" Yuan Ming said vaguely.

"Your Majesty need not worry too much. These are minor issues. If Your Majesty is willing to listen to me, you should start practicing the Nine Elements Technique. With the power of the technique, these problems will not arise," Yuhu Daozhang said, stroking his beard.

"National Master, what did you say?" Yuan Ming blinked and asked again.

"The Nine Elements Technique is a secret technique of Changchun Temple, only taught to elite disciples. It has no risks and can strengthen the body. Why do you keep refusing?" Yuhu Daozhang sighed.

"Nine Elements Technique? Is it really as miraculous as you say?" Yuan Ming's eyes darted, probing.

"Of course. The Nine Elements Technique is a secret technique of the Taoist sect. Our Changchun Temple's ancestors have spent countless efforts to improve it. I am not boasting, but in terms of consolidating meridians and regulating qi and blood, no technique in the world can compare to the Nine Elements Technique," Yuhu Daozhang said proudly.

"How fast does it accumulate power?" Yuan Ming asked, his breathing quickening.

"Taoist techniques emphasize gradual progress. The Nine Elements Technique was not originally known for its speed, but the ninth-generation abbot of Changchun Temple, Wu Fangzi, spent great effort integrating a spirit-gathering technique into it. This has significantly increased the speed of power accumulation, making it comparable to some demonic techniques, and most importantly, it has no hidden dangers," Yuhu Daozhang said, smiling with satisfaction.

"Since National Master recommends it so strongly, I will practice the Nine Elements Technique. Please instruct me," Yuan Ming stood up and bowed to the old Taoist.

Yuhu Daozhang was taken aback, staring at the young emperor, his eyes showing surprise. But soon, his furrowed brows relaxed, and he looked pleased.

"Very good, very good, very good. Your Majesty has finally opened your mind, which is in line with the will of heaven. I will teach you diligently," Yuhu Daozhang said, his joy evident.

He took out a purple book titled "Nine Elements Technique - Upper Volume" from his sleeve and handed it to "Yuan Ming."

Yuan Ming took it with both hands and eagerly opened it to read.

Unlike the blood qi technique, the content of the Nine Elements Technique - Upper Volume was extensive, with nearly a thousand words, written in an ancient and grand style, clearly more sophisticated than the blood qi technique.

According to the book, the upper volume of the technique had thirteen levels, corresponding to the thirteen stages of the Qi Cultivation period.

Yuan Ming read quickly, feeling extremely pleased.

"Your Majesty, cultivation is like reading and cultivating one's spirit. It requires diligent practice. The Nine Elements Technique is a treasure of Changchun Temple, and it is not lightly taught to anyone outside the lineage. Please keep it secret and do not spread it," Yuhu Daozhang instructed.

Yuan Ming was so engrossed in the "Nine Elements Technique" that he did not respond.

"Your Majesty, cultivation requires patience and should not be rushed. Today, you have received the technique. First, familiarize yourself with it and memorize it. When you have it firmly in mind, I will come to explain it further," seeing the emperor's dedication, Yuhu Daozhang stroked his beard, feeling reassured, and was about to leave.

At that moment, there was a light "snap" as Yuan Ming closed the purple book.

"National Master, I have memorized the content of the Nine Elements Technique, but I still have some questions. Please enlighten me," Yuan Ming said solemnly.

The old Taoist's hand froze, looking at the emperor in disbelief.

"Your Majesty... you remember it all?"

"I do," Yuan Ming nodded seriously.

After he spoke, he realized that his memory seemed extraordinary.

When he learned the blood qi technique, he could remember it after hearing it once, but it was only about two hundred words, so he didn't think much of it.

But now, he could remember things at a glance.

"Your Majesty, what is the next line after 'Heavenly Mansion hides the Cloud Gate, Lieque enters the Great Abyss'?" Yuhu Daozhang paused and asked.

"Fish际 travels through Jingqu, not returning to the Dragon Gate," Yuan Ming answered immediately.

"Shen Chong Tai Xu Yuan?"

"Yi Shou Dan Tian Gong."

"Bo Yang does not turn in the Yin?"

"Sky Dry has surplus to connect with Earth Dry."

...

After a series of questions and answers, Yuhu Daozhang's face showed increasing surprise and admiration, and he couldn't help but praise, "In the past, I thought Your Majesty was young and indulged in play. Today, I realize it was a hidden talent. With Your Majesty's ability to remember things at a glance, cultivation will surely progress smoothly and rapidly."

Yuan Ming thought to himself, "That's not necessarily true."

"Daozhang, the book mentions Heavenly Mansion, Cloud Gate, Lieque, and Great Abyss. I know these are body acupoints, but what are Tai Xu Yuan and Dan Tian Gong?" Yuan Ming seized the opportunity to ask.

Seeing the emperor's eagerness to learn, the old Taoist did not suspect anything and answered immediately:

"The acupoints you know are similar to those used in cultivation, but the cultivation acupoints are deeper. When you cultivate and generate power, you will naturally feel them. Tai Xu Yuan refers to the sea of consciousness, where the spirit and will are stored. Dan Tian Gong, also known as Dan Tian, is the place where power is stored, located in the lower abdomen."

"I see..." Yuan Ming gestured to his abdomen, finding that it was roughly the same place where the heat from the blood qi technique converged.

Yuan Ming seized the opportunity to ask all his doubts.

Although the old Taoist found the emperor different, he answered patiently.

Soon, all of Yuan Ming's doubts were resolved, and he sat cross-legged on the dragon throne, ready to start practicing.

At that moment, the mark on his right arm suddenly twitched, and the heat inside quickly dissipated.

Just as he was about to check, a wave of inexplicable drowsiness overcame him, his eyelids became heavy, and he lost consciousness.

In a daze, Yuan Ming felt as if he had a long dream, and he slowly woke up after an unknown period.

He rubbed his eyes and found himself back in the dim cave, his body restored to his own.

"I'm... back!" Yuan Ming felt relieved.

The ancient green ceramic incense burner was still in front of him, with two thin black incense sticks inserted, and the third stick was almost burned out, with only a tiny ember left.

The cloth he used to light the incense was completely burned, leaving only a small piece in his hand, which had turned black and was causing a burning pain, clearly from the flames.

Yuan Ming shook his fingers, realizing that while his consciousness was in the young emperor's body, his own body remained motionless and unaware, even when burned by the flames.