Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

In the world of martial arts fiction, snakes are incredibly numerous. After all, animals like eagles, snakes, horses, and monkeys are described in great abundance in martial arts novels.

Li Xingzhi looked around and was almost dazzled. From ordinary snakes to horned pythons that were about to transform into dragons, there were only things he couldn't imagine. After much consideration, Li Xingzhi finally exchanged for two small golden snakes, each about the length of a finger. They were good for protection and wouldn't be easily noticed. He planned to keep one for his little dog, Dan.

Unnamed Small Snake: Highly venomous. Only half a foot long, entirely golden in color, its body is stronger than refined steel. It can even kill and devour giant venomous snakes over ten feet long, earning it the nickname "living hidden weapon"!

Li Xingzhi felt a coolness in his hand, and two small snakes appeared. He gently stroked their heads with his thumb, feeling that familiar warmth again, and named them She Da and She Er!

These two little guys have quite a temper, and Li Xingzhi had to soothe them several times. They were Li Xingzhi's last resort for survival; if they bit him, even if there was an antidote, it would be too late.

Li Xingzhi had originally planned to exchange for Zhong Ling's lightning sable, but then he thought that the creature was really naughty and had poison in its claws, which might cause him trouble, so he gave up on the idea.

Li Xingzhi led Dahuang and Diandian back behind the Buddha statue. Xiao Jin was still squeaking incessantly on Dahuang's head, and Li Xingzhi could sense Xiao Jin's dissatisfaction—it had been squeaking like this ever since She Da and She Er came out. After all, rats and snakes are natural enemies; even though they are different species and share the same owner, this antagonistic relationship remains unchanged. However, what puzzled Li Xingzhi was that he could only sense Xiao Jin's dissatisfaction and unease, but not a trace of fear.

Li Xingzhi ignored him, only gently soothing him twice. She Da and She Er glanced at Xiao Jin and flicked their tongues at him. However, this wasn't enough to frighten or subdue Xiao Jin; his protests only grew louder. Li Xingzhi had to soothe him, also worried that his increasingly loud barking would wake up Xiao Gou Dan. Xiao Jin seemed to sense Li Xingzhi's displeasure, only barking softly twice before jumping into Li Xingzhi's arms, lying on his back with his white belly exposed, whining affectionately, completely disregarding the two snakes. Li Xingzhi simply couldn't handle this little guy.

Li Xingzhi sat down by the fire, leaning against the wall, and began studying the system shop again.

Li Xingzhi had already reviewed the six categories: cultivation techniques, medicines, food, weapons, pets, and miscellaneous items. As a glutton, his next stop was naturally to check out the food options!

Turning the pages one by one, he found it similar to the other two items. Peanuts alone included raw and cooked varieties, with cooked peanuts further divided into roasted, boiled, fried, and roasted, and even boiled peanuts prepared with different seasonings and methods. The food store had everything from traditional roasted meat to raw sashimi to a full-course Manchu-Han banquet. However, now was not the time to eat, so Li Xingzhi could only look and drool! Resisting the immense temptation, Li Xingzhi dared not look any further.

He then clicked on the "Miscellaneous Items" category. The first page was filled with kitchen knives—all sorts of knives. The second and third pages were also filled with knives. Further on, Buddhist scriptures, Taoist texts, and even a book of debts owed to the King of Hell appeared. The items that followed were even more bizarre: Hong Qigong's gourd, the Sweeping Monk's broom, even Huang Rong's underwear and Zhou Botong's beard… There was nothing you couldn't imagine that you couldn't see. Li Xingzhi even maliciously speculated that the person who developed this thing must have had some kind of eccentricity.

However, Li Xingzhi will never get to see that system developer, who may or may not even exist. Otherwise, with that person's incredible abilities, he would have crushed him with just two fingers long ago!

Li Xingzhi, a good classmate and promising young man who had been deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, couldn't bear to watch any longer. Finally, he clicked on the "Kung Fu" section, which he had placed the most hope in. Having gained considerable experience, Li Xingzhi easily studied everything in the shop.

Besides traditional internal energy cultivation methods, lightness skills, knife techniques, sword techniques, leg techniques, finger techniques, palm techniques, fist techniques, spear techniques, and staff techniques, the shop offers fewer techniques for other weapons such as halberd techniques, whip techniques, and other unusual weapons. There are also some special techniques, such as the Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian (Muscle/Tendon Changing and Bone Strengthening Manual), healing manuals, and the Bing Xin Jue (Ice Heart Technique).

Li Xingzhi was too excited to sleep that night; after all, every otaku has a martial arts dream. He planned to find a martial arts manual and practice tonight.

Li Xingzhi carefully compared the martial arts techniques that were more suitable for him to practice:

Ice Heart Technique: Used by the Nie family to suppress their mad bloodline. It can increase mental strength, and at a high level, it can increase comprehension, improve harmony with heaven and earth, and elevate one's realm. It can help people concentrate and calm their mind, purifying their thoughts and eliminating distractions. Entry requirements: Comprehension 8+, Spirit 5+, no internal energy.

The Longevity Formula: Passed down by Guang Chengzi, the teacher of the Yellow Emperor, it is said that mastering it grants immortality and is a method for cultivating immortality. Minor mastery results in a long and sustained breath, nourishing and protecting the body, and can even alter one's meridians, having a transformative effect; major mastery allows one to transcend into the void. Legend has it that in ancient times, the Yellow Emperor consulted the Plain Girl about sexual techniques and the way of health preservation, and the Plain Girl passed down the *Plain Girl Classic* and the *Longevity Formula*. The *Plain Girl Classic* discusses the taboos and techniques of sexual intercourse, while the *Longevity Formula* teaches a method of cultivating immortality by absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and strengthening one's foundation. Cultivation requirements: Comprehension 15+, Spirit 30+, Root Bone 8+.

The Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter: A chapter from the Nine Yin Manual, possessing the miraculous effect of strengthening tendons and bones. Requirements: One's cultivation level must reach that of a Taoist, unless one has received instruction; Comprehension 3+.

Yi Jin Jing: It can transform Qi and return it to its origin. It is mainly used for transformation and the smooth flow of Qi and blood. It is the introductory exercise of Xi Sui Jing.

Quanzhen Daoist Method: A legitimate Daoist cultivation method, characterized by balance and tranquility, with no risk of qi deviation or demonic possession. Requirements: Daoist cultivation must reach the level of a Daoist priest, unless instructed by someone; Comprehension 3+, Spirit 8+.

Li Xingzhi most wanted to practice the Longevity Manual. Compared to Buddhism, he yearned more for the Taoist ideal of carefree inaction. While he didn't reject Buddhism, he didn't have much of aspiration for it either. The Longevity Manual was basically the top-tier martial arts manual. In Li Xingzhi's memory, among the Four Great Classical Novels, the Cihang Sword Manual was the worst; even its founder, Di Ni, might not have broken through the void and ascended to immortality. Next was the Heavenly Demon Strategy, which, although ancient and all-encompassing, was a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. However, even learning only a part of the Heavenly Demon Strategy would allow Wanwan to fight against Shi Feixuan. The War God's Manual and the Longevity Manual each had their own characteristics—the Longevity Manual was a Taoist mental cultivation method, focusing on health preservation, emphasizing balance and tranquility, and long, sustained breath; while the War God's Manual, once cultivated, granted immense combat power and explosive force, but it was also very dangerous to cultivate and prone to going astray.

Li Xingzhi first exchanged for the Ice Heart Manual. This thing was a panacea, and it prevented him from cultivating internal energy before he could start practicing it, which suited him perfectly.

This time, no physical object materialized; Li Xingzhi only felt something added to his head. He focused his attention and sensed a small point of light in his mind. He tried to concentrate on this point—"If the heart is pure as ice, even if the sky collapses, one remains unperturbed; amidst myriad changes, one remains calm and serene; untouched by dust and grime, unstained by worldly appearances… Water flows without disturbing the heart, clouds drift without causing distraction; with a mind free from worldly desires, one is carefree throughout the ages!" A general outline of the Ice Heart Mantra appeared in his mind. With each sentence, Li Xingzhi could sense a state of being, indescribable and inexplicable, easily forgotten. Then, the specific cultivation methods emerged, as if a teacher were guiding him, every word and every sentence revealing the essentials. It was fortunate this was the case; otherwise, even if given a book, Li Xingzhi might not have understood it.

Having sensed the essence of the Ice Heart Technique in his mind, although he couldn't quite recall the profound and mysterious feeling, the benefits were still immense. At least Li Xingzhi could now achieve a state of mind free of distractions. It's important to understand that while achieving a state of mind free of distractions seems simple, for Li Xingzhi, who had experienced various trials in his later life, it was the most difficult hurdle. This is one of the key reasons why later generations were called the Dharma-ending Age. It is also for this reason that the concept of the Hundred-Day Foundation Building existed in later generations, primarily to enable cultivators to achieve a state of mind free of distractions and clarity of spirit—a purification from body to mind! People in later generations consume all sorts of random things; detoxification is essential! Therefore, this time, it can be said that Li Xingzhi saved several days of effort for nothing.

Li Xingzhi began cultivating according to the Ice Heart Technique. After his spirit was cleansed, Li Xingzhi easily entered a meditative state—he felt as if he were the only person in the world; he could hear his own breathing, feel the contraction and pounding of his heart, as if he were the entire universe. This feeling was truly wondrous. He didn't know how much time had passed; it felt like only a moment, and dawn had broken. Opening his eyes, he felt the air was refreshing; this was what was meant by "a clear mind and a refreshed spirit." However, just as Li Xingzhi was about to move his body, he felt sore all over.

"My health is really terrible. It seems that cultivating internal energy is the only way!" Li Xingzhi sighed inwardly. After sitting cross-legged all night, he woke up in the morning with aches and pains all over his body and poor blood circulation. He was afraid that this would not be good for his health in the long run.

Li Xingzhi slowly moved his body and stood up.

Little Dog Egg had already gotten up and started a big fire, making the temple very warm. The scholar also woke up, staring at Li Xingzhi with wide eyes. His poison hadn't been neutralized, so he was naturally unable to move. Both of them looked at Li Xingzhi with some curiosity, clearly puzzled by his cultivation of Daoist energy, and even more curious about the two suddenly appearing dogs and the mischievous little mouse with its golden hair. Little Dog Egg, in particular, had eyes full of doubt.

But seeing that Li Xingzhi didn't say anything, Xiao Gou Dan didn't ask either. Although he was young, he was very intelligent and sensible. He was curious and puzzled by Li Xingzhi's strange behavior after recovering from his illness, but he didn't press him for answers. Although young, he had experienced a lot and was much more mature than other children, cherishing his current life more. It was precisely because of this that Li Xingzhi treated Xiao Gou Dan like a parent or brother, wanting to protect him and regarding him as his only family in the world!