Chapter 242 - 219: Profit
"Innate Skill truly lives up to its reputation,"
as Tao Yu thumbed through the Innate Skill and the Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation that Quanzhen Sect had procured, he too felt that he had benefited immensely.
Innate Skill is also the purest Taoist technique, and to some extent, it shares the same origin with the Nine Yin True Scripture; however, it follows a completely different path.
Although it’s not an absolute requirement, to achieve great success one should ideally maintain one’s innate Yang before reaching major accomplishments.
As it was impossible to cultivate both the Innate Skill and the Nine Yin True Scripture at the same time, and their effects were comparable, Tao Yu had no regrets.
After all, one can use the stones from other hills to polish one’s own jade; both being Taoist classics, they allowed Tao Yu to come up with some new ideas and insights.
"Skills like riding and Taming Techniques fully demonstrate that, as long as one gets hold of better knowledge and skills, one can solidify them with the will of the world and then strengthen them with Yuan Force..."
Tao Yu pondered as he glanced through the Innate Skill.
That meant, assuming he would later combine multiple techniques and knowledge to create a stronger and more suitable method of his own, it could also be materialized!
Previously, Tao Yu had been merely seeking survival. Yet after his inner strength had improved to its current level, he now dared to pursue goals that used to be unthinkable.
"However, it’s still too far off for me; my accumulation is far from enough. This isn’t something that can be rushed with Yuan Force acceleration."
Tao Yu closed the Innate Skill; after all, it was a top-notch technique that could supplement the ’Scripture Depository’ later on.
Since the initial investments were all down the hatch, he should certainly do something about it.
Moreover, there was bound to be an income for him amid everything here; although the share might seem low, it was quite frightening for an individual cut.
Miss Rich and Sun Shiqing have always been using the resources of their families. In theory, the projects they do together belong to the family name, while I act as an individual!
Getting a share from the new Development Zone is fine, but the real money lies in absorbing the old Pioneers from the Inner City Area later on.
"However, I expect that once people learn it, they will start to compete. That’s probably unavoidable."
Tao Yu thought of ’First Path of Ten Thousand Streams’ and similar dojos.
The only advantage right now is that I have the first batch of qualified ’instructors’. This gives me a monopoly for a time, allowing me to set higher prices before I have to compete with rivals who might undercut and create a race to the bottom."
"I think Miss Rich and the others will consider this, too. It’s not my place to worry about it as a mere shareholder who receives dividends."
Afterwards, Tao Yu looked at the Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation with an intrigued expression.
This thing indeed has an intricate connection with the Northern Dipper!
Although Tao Yu has not yet mastered Qimen Dunjia, he has taken the time to gain some understanding of it.
Armed with some fundamentals from studying the Nine Yin True Scripture, and although it was still a challenge to comprehend, he now generally grasped the concept.
"Even though it is a formation, it might not be impossible to use it on my own..."
Looking at the star positions within the Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation, Tao Yu murmured to himself.
An initial method of using it for himself began to form in his mind.
If faced with a formidable enemy, I could take positions with Deification’s spinning nine shadows, maneuver dynamically, and combine Inherent Time Control and shadow leap to temporarily unleash the might of the Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation by myself.
"However, such a consumption is probably immense, making it impractical for daily use..."
Qimen Dunjia and Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation, both mastered!
Seeing that the deification cost for both is 1000, Tao Yu did not hesitate to complete the deification.
Qimen Dunjia · Modified: When deciphering enemy formations that utilize the forces of nature, one tends to more easily discern the connections, and when setting up formations, inspiration often strikes to harmonize with heaven and earth.
Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation · Modified: Can gather the strength of seven within the formation to face the enemy, and can draw a trace of Big Dipper’s starlight to enhance the recovery abilities of the one forming the formation.
Without a doubt, both skills are quite practical.
Especially the Celestial Pole Big Dipper Formation, I was contemplating using Yuan Force for recovery while fighting in the most extreme situations.
It’s like increasing my limit when facing a dead end.
Now that it can enhance recovery, any extra savings are good, no matter how small the bonus.
"Guo’er, in the Martial World, internal strength is the foundation. I have here three top-notch Internal Cultivation Methods, if you wish to learn, I can teach them to you,"
said Tao Yu as he beckoned Yang Guo.
Now was when Yang Guo needed love the most; showing him a bit of kindness and genuine care would make him open up wholeheartedly.
Tao Yu’s image as a savior had already imprinted deeply on Yang Guo’s mind. Now, passing on a top-level Divine Skill truly thrilled him. He glanced at Tao Yu from the corner of his eyes, and seeing that Tao Yu was also looking at him, he quickly lowered his head again.
"You brat, weren’t you brave enough to defy those snotty-nosed monks outside Chongyang Palace? Why suddenly shy now?"
Tao Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.
"I’ll leave it all to Uncle Tao,"
Yang Guo even lowered his own status, amusing Tao Yu.
In his hands, Tao Yu actually had four Divine Skills: Innate Skill, Nine Yin True Scripture, Muscle Transforming Classic, and Nine Yang Divine Skill.
However, the Nine Yang Divine Skill was too difficult to master completely; failure could result in death from dispersing all True Qi like Reverend Jueyuan, so it was actually the riskiest. Therefore, Tao Yu did not offer it as a choice.
As for the other three, it was up to Yang Guo’s preference.
"Then let’s go with the Nine Yin True Scripture, I’m also practicing this."
"Alright, I want to learn this one."
Yang Guo suddenly seemed happy, and after a pause, Tao Yu said to him with a smile,
"I know you’ve been wronged lately, but don’t blame your Uncle Guo in your heart. With Xiangyang under siege, it could take months for him to make a round trip and so he’s unable to find the time to see you."
"I understand, Uncle Guo is a great hero,"
Yang Guo still held respect for Guo Jing, as his mother had instilled in him from a young age.
He didn’t even know the things that Yang Kang did, having always thought that his father, too, was a great hero.
But these issues were not for Tao Yu to reveal; he simply nodded,
"As long as you understand. You have a foundation in Taoist teachings, so you might learn the Nine Yin True Scripture faster than Cheng Lixue. I’ll teach you the incantation first, and we’ll discuss the rest when we return from the Tomb."
Tao Yu instructed Yang Guo, who was completely behaving like an adoring fan and naturally followed every word.
However, after hesitating for a moment, Yang Guo carefully asked,
"Uncle Tao, what do you want to do in the ancient tomb?"
"Haha, don’t worry, I won’t harm your Grandma Sun. I’m just very interested in breeding jade bees. Maybe I’ll even take Grandma Sun out with me in the future."
Hearing Tao Yu say this, Yang Guo also breathed a sigh of relief.
Now, he had only met Little Dragon Girl once and couldn’t even claim to know her. The person he cared about was only Grandma Sun.
Grandma Sun had cared for him during his most distressing times. Even though he had known her for such a short time, it was enough to show his concern for her, which also reflected his good character.
In the original work, he even wanted to force Hao Datong to commit suicide at the martial arts conference.
With Yang Guo, Mikasa, and Cheng Lixue, three Chosen Ones present, whose self-preservation ability wasn’t as strong as Eren’s, Tao Yu naturally wouldn’t leave them in the Chongyang Palace that had just submitted. He took them directly towards the direction of the ancient tomb.
Yang Guo knew the location and didn’t need Tao Yu to search carefully.
Looking at the quiet woods around him, Tao Yu couldn’t help but sigh.
"Even with someone leading the way, it’s like this. If I had just come in and aimed here from the beginning, I might really not have found it in two months..."
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Tao Yu thought to himself and felt gratitude towards his master. The Nine Yin True Scripture here was only an abridged version, not as good as the complete version his master had.
After the trip to Kunlun, he must return to report his safety before he needed to deal with the problem of the Titans.
He hoped that Eren could awaken the power of the progenitor by killing Titans on the way.
But just as Yang Guo was leisurely leading them through the woods towards the ancient tomb,
Tao Yu suddenly paused, slightly startled.
In front of a tomb covered with moss and green plants stood a beautiful Taoist nun, looking vibrant and alive.
Hearing the noise from Tao Yu’s direction, the beautiful Taoist nun also turned her head to look.
"Heh, it seems quite lively today."
Her voice was gentle and melodic, her demeanor charming, and with bright eyes and white teeth, her skin fair, she was indeed an outstanding beauty.
Dressed as a Taoist nun, her identity was also self-evident.
’Lady Scarlet’, Li Mochou, a demoness in the martial world that struck fear into the hearts of many.
"Uncle Tao, she is Li Mochou!"
Yang Guo reminded Tao Yu at this moment. Before he met Uncle Guo and Auntie Guo, he had encountered Li Mochou.
And that delicate little face had also left an impression on Li Mochou.
"So it’s you, the little beggar. Why have you put on Quanzhen Sect’s Taoist robe? Have you joined Quanzhen?"
Li Mochou’s voice sounded a bit soft and delicate, but when talking about joining Quanzhen, it was clear that a trace of hostility could still be felt.
Even having left her sect, she still had a natural aversion to the Quanzhen Sect.
Li Mochou rarely showed mercy.
Having roamed the martial world for many years, she had often been coveted for her beauty. Usually, if one showed the slightest perverse thought in their expression, they would be put to death by her hand. The first time Yang Guo met Li Mochou, he kept calling her ’great beauty’.
But because he was good-looking and young, he was one of the few people she had spared.
Only, she hadn’t expected to encounter him at the entrance to the ancient tomb, and wearing Quanzhen disciple’s clothes, no less.
"Uncle Tao, be careful, her Ice Soul Silver Needle is fierce and toxic,"
Yang Guo didn’t know much, but he was aware of the fierceness of Li Mochou’s Ice Soul Silver Needle.
He had great confidence in Tao Yu and even blindly idolized him, but concerning poison, he still felt the need to remind him.
"Uncle? Heh~"
Seeing the handsome figure next to Yang Guo, who wasn’t much older than him and could almost pass for a fellow disciple, Li Mochou was momentarily distracted. Her gaze then swept to Cheng Lixue next to him, who was no less beautiful than herself, and to Mikasa, who already had the makings of a little beauty. Her expression already slightly irritated.
"Men, not a single good one among them!"
Tao Yu, caught in the crossfire, felt a bit speechless. He didn’t consider himself a good man, so her judgment wasn’t wrong.
But to be implicated when he hadn’t done anything to her was rather exasperating. He then had a sudden quirky thought and curiously asked,
"Miss Li, do you know how to raise jade bees?"
Originally, Li Mochou, upon seeing Tao Yu’s handsome face, was reminded of some unhappy memories, her hostility growing thicker.
But Tao Yu’s unexpected question left her somewhat confused.
The speed of changing the subject was too fast, wasn’t it?
Yet, she still nodded subconsciously.
"I used to, but I’m not raising the current batch... Why am I even telling you this? Leave now while I’m still patient, and don’t disturb my reunion with my junior sister..."
But before she could finish speaking, Tao Yu was already knocking on his palm with a look of joy on his face.
"Isn’t this perfect timing? I had some doubts about how to persuade Little Dragon Girl and Grandma Sun."
If it were Little Dragon Girl and Grandma Sun, Tao Yu was more likely to appeal to their emotions and reason with them, explaining the dangers of the Abyss and the difficulties of having protective shelter.
Considering Little Dragon Girl’s temperament and Grandma Sun’s mindset in caring for her, Tao Yu was prepared to spend some time practicing martial arts here while persuading them.
If it took too long, he might even need to make a trip back, delaying his trip to Kunlun. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
But he hadn’t expected this stroke of luck!
"The fairy and I must be fated."
Tao Yu’s enthusiastic gaze made Li Mochou slightly uncomfortable, and with flushed cheeks, she retorted,
"Philanderer!"
After speaking, she flicked her fingers, and several silver needles shot out at lightning speed!
The needles were thin and covert, their speed not too fast, like harpoons shot underwater, making it easier to bypass protective Inner Strength.
However, Tao Yu merely raised his hand to flick them away effortlessly, his soundless flick of Flicking Flower Finger Skill not only scattering the Ice Soul Silver Needle mid-flight but also sealing several of Li Mochou’s vital points.
Even with her considerable martial prowess and venomous skills, she was now left feeling numb and helpless, completely at his mercy...