Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

"Star-Picking Hand Cultivation Method, Price: 4,000 Merit Points"

"The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth Technique, Price: 40,000 Merit Points".

...

"The names of these things are all quite nice, but the prices are too high!" Looking at these domineering names from the past, or names he hadn't heard of before, Li Xiu was somewhat conflicted.

"Even a hero can be brought down by a penny." Looking at the remaining 20,000 merit points, Li Xiu resisted the urge to sweep through the area.

"However, which technique can actually help someone develop the ability to be distracted?" Li Xiu suppressed his desires, as business was more important.

The shop counter on the second floor was very long. When he walked to about the middle, a colorful ancient book came into Li Xiu's view.

"Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart Cultivation Method, Price: 10,000 Merit Points"

Looking at the exorbitant price, Li Xiu cursed inwardly. "This system is really shady."

"However, this Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart must be for practicing the art of distraction."

Li Xiu also thought of some novels he had read in his original world, such as the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, which, when practiced to a high level, could be cultivated into the Exquisite Heart.

Moreover, his limit is not to use his mind seven times, but to use his mind nine times!

Although the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart technique is considered a top-tier cultivation method in the virtual world created by others, Li Xiu still needs to determine whether it is effective.

"System, is this Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart any good?" Li Xiu hesitated, after all, he didn't know.

However, the Holy Buddha system remained silent and showed no reaction whatsoever.

Li Xiu had no choice. Looking at the price and then at his remaining merit points, he gritted his teeth and said...

"Never mind, time is of the essence, let's buy it first and then figure it out!"

Just as Li Xiu was about to take the ancient book off the shelf, the system's voice came again.

"Are you sure you want to purchase 'The Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart'? Once sold, no returns are accepted."

Hearing the system's arrogant announcement, Li Xiu cursed inwardly. "So you only treat me like a king when it comes to paying, huh?"

"Buy it! This is it!" Li Xiu didn't hesitate to pay and leave. After all, being with this system always made him inexplicably irritable.

Chapter 1288 Merit Shop

"Purchase of 'Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart' confirmed, costing 10,000 merit points. Master's remaining merit points: 10,000."

After the system finished speaking, Li Xiu's mind was immediately kicked out of the Merit Shop.

"Hey! This is a rip-off! I haven't taken the ancient book yet!"

Seeing his mind being blasted out, Li Xiu was furious. This system was actually trying to extort money from him.

Just as Li Xiu was about to break into the Merit Shop again, he suddenly discovered that something had appeared in his mind.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the complete cultivation method of the "Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart".

"That's more like it, hmph." Seeing his system act this way, Li Xiu truly felt both love and hate.

In fact, the system giving Li Xiu the cultivation method in this way actually made things easier for him.

Because in Li Xiu's mind, once he had reviewed this thing, he could basically remember it completely. Even if he missed something, he didn't need to look for it; he could just summon it and see it.

Not only that, but all the precautions for cultivation were also placed in that ancient book by the system, so when Li Xiu cultivates, he will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"Next, I need to figure out how to deal with the distraction technique." Looking at the ancient book floating in his mind, Li Xiu secretly vowed to max out all his attributes this time.

A long time passed, and with the help of much experience, Li Xiu had completely mastered the distraction techniques brought about by the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart.

At this point, Li Xiu was able to divide his mind into nine functions, reaching the pinnacle of his cultivation.

"I don't know how much time has passed."

When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Li Xiu was covered in dust and his stubble had grown very long.

"Now, I should be able to master the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms."

Feeling his own tremendous progress, Li Xiu remained calm.

When a master can endure loneliness, all challenges will become as fleeting as passing clouds.

This time, Li Xiu began cultivating once again, following the operating method behind the Jade Wall.

Upon arriving at the place where the meridians were opened, the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart was activated. The true energy in Li Xiu's palm was seen to scatter like a flock of sheep, rushing around the meridians.

Li Xiu was like that shepherd, controlling all the sheep with such ease.

Even if Li Xiu only has a thought, he can control how each strand of true energy operates.

"These 10,000 merit points were well spent." Feeling the tremendous changes within his body, Li Xiu's calm mood finally wavered for a moment.

"Then, let's practice until he's completely mastered it."

Li Xiu also pressed on with his energy, mastering the entire operational path of the eighteen palm techniques in one go.

As soon as the last meridian was opened, Li Xiu instantly felt his entire body become lighter.

What kind of feeling is it to exert force, then transform that force into a technique, and then unleash it? Now, the technique itself possesses immense power, and one's own body is a furnace constantly compressing that power.

From a spellcaster to a creator, looking back at one's past from a higher perspective brings a unique experience.

"The first martial art technique of this Jade Wall has already made such a great improvement in me. I am increasingly looking forward to what awaits me next."

After mastering the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, Li Xiu's confidence reached a very high level once again.

Chapter 1289, Second Move

After all, the process of cultivating the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms not only allowed him to master a peerless martial art, but more importantly, it brought Li Xiu the art of distraction and a more profound method of opening up his meridians.

The latter's effects far exceed those of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms themselves.

"Next, it's time to practice this second move."

"I'm starting to get even more excited about what it could be."

After his mindset changed, Li Xiu faced each test with greater calm. No matter what difficulties he faced or what surprising gains he might make, he would analyze and accept them rationally.

"Li Duotian, you've learned the first move. Now, move forward one mile."

"Yes, Master," Li Duotian replied immediately.

It seems that Li Duotian is indeed a very respectful servant. He has not been negligent at all during this long period of time, and he is always ready to come when Li Xiu calls him again.

Having gained experience in practicing the first move of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, Li Xiu also became much smarter.

Faced with these techniques he may have practiced before, Li Xiu no longer dwelled on his past habits. Instead, he observed from an outsider's perspective, looking at the differences between his past cultivation methods and the little figures depicted behind the Jade Wall.

The differences were analyzed and improved, and in some areas, Li Xiu was even able to deduce exactly what to do.

This progress is truly remarkable. It seems that with the experience gained the first time, the road ahead will be smooth sailing.

In the following moves, Li Xiu's progress also accelerated.

The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms may have taken a whole year to master, while the subsequent moves took as long as a month. Later on, Li Xiu was even able to perfect a martial art in just three days!

"I didn't expect the progress to be so fast." Li Xiu was also slightly surprised.

At this moment, Li Xiu had arrived at the last section of the martial arts records on the Jade Wall.

Looking at the records behind the jade wall, Li Xiu was also somewhat puzzled.

"This... could it be... the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms performed backwards?" After watching it several times, Li Xiu came to this conclusion.

"The final hurdle in this martial arts training path requires me to reverse my internal energy and perform the same move in the opposite way?"

"If that's really the case, then the person who left behind this legacy must be incredibly powerful."

Thinking of this, Li Xiu couldn't help but gasp. He had traveled through so many worlds, and he had never seen or even heard of anyone who could reverse the already perfected martial arts techniques.

Most importantly, is circulating internal energy in reverse effective?

Li Xiu's doubts were not unfounded. After all, what he had experienced were the painful experiences of forcibly reversing his true energy and ultimately exploding and dying.

"This final hurdle is quite interesting." Li Xiu shook off the jumbled thoughts in his mind, after all, there was no turning back now.

"I wonder what kind of martial arts technique would be if one could really reverse one's internal energy."

"I'm actually looking forward to it."

Li Xiu also arrived in front of the jade wall, sat cross-legged on the ground, and carefully observed the way the little man behind the wall circulated his energy.

This time, Li Xiu looked at it with extra care, after all, he didn't dare to risk his life.

Chapter 1290 Perfect Cooperation

Behind the jade wall, the little figure seemed to be performing a set of moves completely different from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

But the most amazing thing is not the completely different way of channeling energy, but the final movement of unleashing the attack, which perfectly complements the forward movement.

It's as if bad luck and good luck are originally one, but people separate them because they can't achieve them.

It's not the kind of split where everything is divided in half; rather, it combines all the simple and smooth elements to form the techniques for good fortune, while the difficult and unlucky paths are all grouped together.

Li Xiu didn't know why there was a distinction between good and bad luck, nor did he care about such things.

Li Xiu's eyes were now extremely focused, with only the moves behind the jade wall in his mind. He wanted to perfectly take down this last move as well!

Having regained the information, Li Xiu carefully observed the little figures behind the jade walls once again.

Li Xiu observed each move very carefully, but this time, he didn't grasp the technique so quickly.