畅想听

Chapter 744: Degree of Difficulty: 3.9

Translator: GodBrandy Editor: Kurisu

Shouldn’t a secret technique like the ‘Indestructible Body of the Buddha’ be related to a buddhist sect...? Why does the scholarly faction have such a secret technique? As if that wasn’t enough, they even took the time to remind everyone that it was the scholarly version of the ‘Indestructible Body of the Buddha’?!

But what would the scholarly version of the ‘Indestructible Body of the Buddha’ look like?

[Although I’m wearing light and elegant clothing, I’m full of muscles beneath!] That kind of style...? That’s simply too weird!

The scholarly disciples wore elegant scholarly robes, rode the wind with their flying swords, were always composed, and vanquished powerful enemies while merrily chatting... wasn’t it very cool already? Why would they need something like weird muscles?

Song Shuhang had been too rash. Little did he expect that the scholars would also have a body tempering technique that would coincidentally fall on his laps.

Had he known earlier that the scholarly faction also had body tempering techniques, not even under torture would he have allowed the Still Pond of Wisdom to choose for him!

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Actually, in the world of cultivators, the fame of scholarly body tempering techniques wasn’t inferior to that of buddhist ones.

Earlier, when the Scholarly Sage was talking about his super amazing life, he said: [My old and worthless self had used literature to enter the Way, righteousness to temper his body, wore the truth as clothes, and used the brush to write down the principles of heaven and earth!]

Scholarly disciples considered the body tempering process a very important step on their road of cultivation. However, scholars used righteousness to temper their bodies, and their approach was different from that of buddhist cultivators.

“Wait a moment! Still Pond of Wisdom, can I get another secret technique?” Song Shuhang called out at this time.

However... it was too late. The Still Pond of Wisdom had already delivered the goods.

And once the goods were delivered, there was no way to send them back!

Song Shuhang’s consciousness was dragged into the memories of the Sage, where he started to witness the Scholarly Sage creating the secret technique ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯.

The Scholarly Sage was truly incredible... he was actually even more incredible than how he described himself in his autobiography.

For him, creating a cultivation technique was the same as writing a poem or a piece of text, absolutely effortless. He needed but a thought, and several new concepts would resurface in his mind, with the embryonic form of the cultivation technique or secret technique already taking shape in his head.

After revising and testing it a bit, the new cultivation technique would be ready to use.

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At this time, Song Shuhang was quietly watching as all kinds of concepts and ideas were resurfacing in the mind of the Scholarly Sage, with the embryonic form of the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ taking shape.

Afterward came the process where the secret technique was revised and tested.

Time slowly passed by.

Song Shuhang had no idea how much time had passed since he had entered this fragment of memory.

This fragment of memory only included the process where the Sage was creating the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯. The things happening in his daily life and other unrelated things were not included.

It was like the video recording of an experiment in a modern laboratory. The video would start with the start of the experiment and end with it.

With the Sage revising and experimenting the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯, Song Shuhang cast aside all distracting thoughts and fully concentrated on the process of the creation of the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯; he felt as though he was there in person, creating the technique.

After continuous experiments and revisions, the Scholarly Sage finally completed the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯.

After seeing all the things that happened in the fragment of memory, Song Shuhang likewise learned the secret technique.

Since he got to personally ‘participate’ in the creation and experimenting of the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ along with the Sage, the whole process became a very valuable experience for Song Shuhang.

Thanks to this experience, his understanding of the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ became very deep. Song Shuhang was confident that he would need only a little bit of time before reaching the master level in this secret technique.

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After learning the secret technique, Song Shuhang’s consciousness left the memories of the Sage, returning to his own body.

After his consciousness returned to his body, Song Shuhang was a little confused. During the whole process, the Scholarly Sage didn’t ‘see’ him at all.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the strength of the Scholarly Sage was inferior only to that of the Wielder of the Will.

Therefore, the strength of the Sage was surely higher than that of Senior Scarlet Heaven, who passed on to him the ‘Flaming Saber Technique’.

While dreaming of the life experiences of the loose cultivator ‘Daoist Priest Li Tiansu’, Song Shuhang chanced upon the scene where Daoist Priest Scarlet Heaven was teaching Li Tiansu a sword technique.

At that time, Daoist Priest Scarlet Heaven’s vision had pierced through space and time, and peered at Song Shuhang. He noticed that someone was spying on him, and directly ‘saw’ the real Song Shuhang from within the dream. Afterward, Daoist Priest Scarlet Heaven took advantage of the fact that Song Shuhang was still inside the dreamland, and taught him a unique variant of the Flaming Saber Technique—the ❮Heaven Burning Flaming Saber Technique❯.

If even Daoist Priest Scarlet Heaven was capable of something of the sort, why did the Sage fail to detect his presence while Song Shuhang was experiencing his memories and watching him as he was creating that cultivation technique?

Did it happen because he wasn’t in the dreamland this time?

Or perhaps it was because the Sage had died both in soul and body...?

Or it was for both reasons?

To one’s surprise, that ultra-amazing Sage had died for real?

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After his consciousness returned to his body, Song Shuhang noticed that True Monarch Eternal Fire and True Monarch Fallout were still going through the memories related to their secret techniques. From the looks of it, the secret techniques the two True Monarchs were learning were much more complex than his ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯.

Next, he turned his head to one side, and noticed that Scholar ‘When the Bright Moon Appears’ was also sitting cross-legged now, likewise going through the memories of some secret technique.

On the other hand, Senior White had a smile on his face, and was sitting not too far from them.

At this time, there was a tea table in front of him, with fine tea and a tea set placed above.

Senior White held a cup of hot tea in his hand and gently blew on it.

“Senior White, have you already finished looking through the memories of the secret technique?” Song Shuhang asked out of curiosity.

“Yes, I obtained a secret technique that left me very satisfied—the ❮Explosive Space Compressing Technique❯. Its power is shocking, but it’s somewhat difficult to learn. Therefore, I’m unsure if I can really master it,” Venerable White said with a smile. “Little friend Shuhang, which secret technique did you learn?”

Song Shuhang faintly sighed, and said, “The ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯.”

Venerable White said, “Oh, I’ve heard of that secret technique as well. This Still Pond of Wisdom has a good eye. You drank the demodragon medicine not too long ago, and have yet to absorb the strength of the medicine completely. This ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ just happens to be very suitable for you.”

“Although I didn’t really want something related to the ‘Indestructible Body of the Buddha’, I have to admit that the way one has to practice the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ is really out of the ordinary,” Song Shuhang said with a nod.

An ordinary body tempering technique required the user to grit their teeth and train hard in order to strengthen their body. However, the Scholarly Sage used a different approach.

The training process wasn’t merely about practicing hard each day. Even more importantly, one had to write down from memory every day the content of the ❮Righteous Body Tempering Poem❯ recorded within the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯. If one wrote down the ❮Righteous Body Tempering Poem❯ while operating the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯, they would be able to ‘temper their body through righteousness’, and the constitution of the scholarly disciple in question would get stronger and stronger.

It was likewise a method to stay fit (temper one’s body)... but ordinary body tempering techniques consisted in going to the gym and doing all sorts of exercises to develop dazzling muscles thanks to scientific methods.

On the other hand, scholarly body tempering techniques could allow one to obtain the same effects while staying at home and writing. This one was absolutely black technology.

Of course, the ‘writing’ process the scholars had to complete wasn’t that simple. Every single character of the ❮Righteous Body Tempering Poem❯ was as heavy as a mountain, and one would obtain the same effects as a hard training session after they were done writing down the whole text. When the effects of the ‘righteous body tempering’ were added to the mix, the final result was much greater than an ordinary training session.

Earlier, when the Still Pond of Wisdom examined Song Shuhang and discovered that he was practicing a hand-type body tempering technique, he said that the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯ was very suitable for him.

Actually, given Song Shuhang’s current strength, it would be very difficult for him to take the brush in hand and write down the complete version of the ❮Righteous Body Tempering Poem❯ without the help of something like the ❮Steel Hands Technique❯.

But if he could count on the help of the ❮Steel Hands Technique❯ and had enough willpower, he would have a chance to practice the ❮Scholarly Indestructible Body of the Buddha❯.

“In the end, it’s a secret technique the Sage created personally. There is nothing strange about it being out of the ordinary.” Venerable White gently sipped some tea, and then said, “Do you want to have some tea? It seems that Fellow Daoist Fallout and the others will still need some time.”

“Sure.” Song Shuhang nodded his head, and sat next to Venerable White.

It was usually difficult to get a chance to drink Senior White’s fine tea. It was much better than ordinary ‘Spirit Green Tea’.

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In the meantime.

White Cloud Academy, next to the Mountain of Myriad Books.

The fellow daoists of the Nine Provinces Number One Group were currently trying to learn the ❮Self-Cultivating Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ and the ❮Disposition-Tempering Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ from ‘Saber Wielding Scholar’ Su Wenqu.

The ‘Saber Wielding Scholar’ wrote down from memory the two pieces of prose poetry for them.

As such, the fellow daoists of the Nine Provinces Number One Group started to silently memorize the two texts.

All the fellow daoists of the Nine Provinces Number One Group were seniors with outstanding talent, and although they couldn’t recognize those complex ancient characters, it wasn’t a problem for them to forcefully memorize the content of the ❮Self-Cultivating Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ and the ❮Disposition-Tempering Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ by relying on their powerful memory and treat them as ‘pictures’.

“Good, I’ve memorized all of it!” Young Master Phoenix Slayer laughed. He was the first one that finished memorizing the two texts.

Since he memorized the content mechanically, he was afraid that he might remember some parts incorrectly. As such, he firmly memorized each character and stroke, to the point that he even kept in mind how many curves the tilde-like lines beneath some ancient characters had.

“In that case, Fellow Daoists, I’ll go ahead!” After he had said this much, Young Master Phoenix Slayer laughed and jumped upward, diving into the pond of light from above.

Contestant Young Master Phoenix Slayer used a simple style to take off and directly dove into the pond. Degree of difficulty: 0.

In the next moment... Young Master Phoenix Slayer’s body passed through the pond of light and landed on the ground.

Young Master Phoenix Slayer failed!

“Eh? I still failed?” Young Master Phoenix Slayer said in puzzlement.

Was it possible that the requirements to enter the Still Pond of Wisdom had nothing to do with the ❮Self-Cultivating Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ and the ❮Disposition-Tempering Prose Poetry of the Sage❯?

“Young Master Phoenix Slayer, since you failed, let me have a try!” Cave Lord Snow Wolf laughed, and arrived next to the pond, full of confidence.

He had a very good memory, and he had memorized that text from before over and over again. Since he didn’t understand those ancient characters, he firmly memorized the shape of each ancient character in his mind so as to avoid committing mistakes. He went as far as memorizing even how many curves those tilde-like lines beneath some of the characters had. He didn’t leave anything out.

“Look at me!” Cave Lord Snow Wolf jumped upward and dived into the pond.

Contestant Cave Lord Snow Wolf also used a simple style to take off and directly dove into the pond. Degree of difficulty: 0.

In the next moment... Cave Lord Snow Wolf’s body likewise passed through the pond of light and firmly landed on the ground.

“Pfff~” The nearby Young Master Phoenix Slayer mercilessly used the taunt move on him.

Cave Lord Snow Wolf clenched his teeth, and said, “Damn, how is that possible? I’m sure I didn’t make any mistake while memorizing the text! Is it possible that the Still Pond of Wisdom allows only a limited number of people to enter, and won’t allow anyone else inside if that number is exceeded?”

“Ahaha. Fellow Daoist Snow Wolf, you should give up. I’m pretty sure you guys didn’t completely memorize the two pieces of prose poetry. Look at me.” Northern River’s Loose Cultivator smiled smugly.

He had looked over and over again at the two pieces of text that the ‘Saber Wielding Scholar’ had written down earlier. Not only did he memorize how many curves those horizontal tilde-like lines beneath some ancient characters had, but also how many curves the vertical tilde-like lines had. He had committed everything to mind.

He was the meticulous Northern River’s Loose Cultivator, and even if he didn’t understand the meaning of those ancient characters, he had carefully observed them and recorded them in his mind. This challenge couldn’t stop him!

Thereupon, Northern River’s Loose Cultivator jumped up, full of confidence. He used a pike dive to take off, and followed with a Forward 2½ Somersaults with 3 Twists midair before diving into the pond of light.

Everybody, contestant Northern River is challenging the Still Pond of Wisdom next. Contestant Northern River took off and used a Forward 2½ Somersaults with 3 Twists to dive into the pond; degree of difficulty: 3.9! What a beautiful dive... unfortunately, contestant Northern River still failed.

After passing through the pond, Northern River’s Loose Cultivator landed on the ground with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Impossible! I noted down even the tiniest details, why was I unable to enter the Still Pond of Wisdom?

“Pfff~” x2

Young Master Phoenix Slayer and Cave Lord Snow Wolf mercilessly used the taunt move on Northern River’s Loose Cultivator.

Northern River’s Loose Cultivator’s face became red as he forced a smile, and said, “What’s happening? Is it possible that the Still Pond of Wisdom allows people inside according to a random pattern and one can only rely on their luck?”

“Perhaps it depends on one’s good looks? Fellow Daoist Northern River, I think your index of attractiveness isn’t high enough. Take a look at this fairy maiden!” Fairy Lychee smugly stepped forward.

Northern River’s Loose Cultivator moved away from the pond of light like a true gentleman, and made a ‘please, come in’ gesture toward Fairy Lychee.

“Fellow Daoists, I’ll go then.” Fairy Lychee jumped upward, and her multicolored skirt fluttered. Her posture was incredibly graceful, pleasing both to the eye and the mind.

The next one to appear on stage is contestant Lychee. She is also here to the challenge the Still Pond of Wisdom. She used a flying style to take off with her multicolored skirt fluttering in the wind. It looked extremely attractive! Afterward, she dove into the Still Pond of Wisdom with a 365-degree Twist. Although the degree of difficulty wasn’t high... the degree of attractiveness was very high, 5.0! Good-looking and pleasing to the eye!

Fairy Lychee dove into the pond of light.

After a short moment, she passed through the pond of light, and her multicolored skirt fluttered as her jade feet stepped on the ground.

Fairy Lychee...also failed.

“Pfff~” x3

Young Master Phoenix Slayer, Cave Lord Snow Wolf, and Northern River’s Loose Cultivator mercilessly used the taunt move on Fairy Lychee.

“...” Fairy Lychee.

She had perfectly memorized each character, so how did she still end up failing? Was it possible that the conditions to enter the Still Pond of Wisdom were really unrelated to the ❮Self-Cultivating Prose Poetry of the Sage❯ and the ❮Disposition-Tempering Prose Poetry of the Sage❯?

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Afterward, several other fellow daoists also tried to challenge the pond of light.

However, none of them succeeded.

At this time, Su Clan’s Sixteen held her chin and started to ponder.

After all the seniors of the Nine Provinces Number One Group were done trying, Su Clan’s Sixteen made her appearance.

Northern River’s Loose Cultivator said, “Sixteen, it’s pointless to bother with it. It seems we got the requirements to enter the pond wrong, and they are likely not related to those two texts from before.”

Su Clan’s Sixteen gently smiled, and said, “I would still like to give it a try.”