The requirements for Twelve Golden Lotus Technique were so stringent that even geniuses like Ming Tian, Leng Hao, and Lan Yu’er couldn’t cultivate it.
Ling Xiao didn’t hesitate and ultimately chose this manual.
Many martial arts’ dangers varied by individual.
Clearly, the person who added the note hadn’t even cultivated nine lotus petals, so their understanding of <Twelve Golden Lotus Technique> was incomplete.
Following their advice might mean missing out on a classic martial art.
Based on his experience, Ling Xiao believed that the more difficult, demanding, and dangerous a martial art, the greater its benefits.
With his Mountain River Martial Soul, even if something was amiss with the technique, he could detect and correct it in time.
The warrior who created it didn’t achieve full mastery, but that didn’t mean Ling Xiao couldn’t.
This was the immense advantage of his Mountain River Martial Soul.
What is a genius?
Someone who accomplishes what others cannot.
Most rare gold-grade martial arts were quite similar. If he chose the same as others, how could he surpass them?
His martial arts path had always been unconventional.
From the Ling Clan, he selected techniques others wouldn’t choose or couldn’t cultivate, and he intended to continue doing so.
The unknown might bring misfortune, but it could also bring immense surprises.
He was willing to take the gamble, especially since he could afford to, possessing the Mountain River Martial Soul. Not using this advantage would be a waste.
“Twelve Golden Lotus Technique?”
The mysterious voice sounded again.
“Does Senior have any advice?”
Ling Xiao asked respectfully.
“Since you ask, this Master won’t hold back. This Twelve Golden Lotus Technique is essentially a defective martial art. Though at full mastery, its power might surpass all others of its grade, even its creator failed to achieve that. With just nine lotus petals, it’s only as good as typical rare martial arts, but far more dangerous. I advise you to abandon it.”
The Master of the inner sect’s Moonlight Tower was remarkably kind. He didn’t have to say this, likely unwilling to see a genius fall.
Ling Xiao bowed, “Thank you, Senior, but I’ve made up my mind to choose this martial art.”
“Arrogant and ignorant!”
The voice suddenly turned stern.
“If not for Yang Danlin and the Master of the Death Tower, I wouldn’t bother wasting words on a stubborn fool like you. Don’t you understand that ignoring elder wisdom leads to trouble?”
Ling Xiao maintained his courtesy, as the Master was ultimately looking out for him.
“This is how I’ve always progressed.”
The voice was silent for a moment before saying, “Fine, fine. One last piece of advice, and then do as you please.”
“Please, Senior.”
“You may not know, but this Twelve Golden Lotus Technique was originally a trap set by another sect to harm our Moonlight Sect. In our sect’s heyday, we had hundreds of geniuses with divine treasure body potential in all three aspects. But because of this technique, they were nearly wiped out.”
The mysterious voice carried a tone of sorrow, “They faced three outcomes—
First, their martial arts and veins were destroyed, leaving them crippled!
Second, their golden lotus shattered, causing their bodies to explode, leaving no corpse!
Third, they were obliterated by the natural forces summoned by the golden lotus, reduced to ashes!
Now do you understand? It’s not a treasure, but a harmful martial art.”
“But Senior, if that’s true, why is it still kept here? Shouldn’t it be destroyed?”
Ling Xiao asked, puzzled.
“It can’t be destroyed.”
The voice sighed, “The manual is imbued with the creator’s soul power. If we try to destroy it, the soul power protects it. If we discard or bury it, it returns on its own. The creator, an ancient warrior, had soul power too strong for us to counter. The only way to remove it is if someone willingly accepts it.”
“Then why not give it to me?”
Ling Xiao suddenly suggested.
In the Moonlight Tower, you can choose and study martial arts, but you can only take copies that self-destruct after a short time. Originals cannot be borrowed.
Ling Xiao’s request seemed excessive, but for this manual, it might be feasible, as the Moonlight Sect clearly disliked it.
“Give it to you? That’s not impossible, but I suspect Yang Danlin would come after me.”
The mysterious voice chuckled, “Though I could defeat him, it’d be trouble if he stopped refining pills for me. No, no, you can study it, but you can’t take it.”
“Senior, if I learn it, isn’t that essentially the same as taking it?”
Ling Xiao smiled.
“Well… that does seem true.”
The voice was silent for a long while before saying, “Fine, take it. But if Yang Danlin asks, don’t say I let you. This is your choice.”
“Rest assured, Senior.”
“But why are you so insistent on this manual?” the voice suddenly asked.
“A secret!”
Ling Xiao didn’t fabricate a lie, knowing he couldn’t deceive the Master. It was better to say nothing.
His real reason for wanting the original was to study the use of soul power.
He believed soul potential, being as crucial as physical and internal strength potential, could do far more than just enhance attacks.
It likely had broader applications.
For instance, the creator’s method—preventing the manual’s destruction and enabling it to return automatically, despite the warrior’s death millennia ago—was remarkable.
Missing the chance to master such a wondrous thing would be a pity.
“Catch!”
Whoosh—
A book flew from the void toward Ling Xiao.
The force was such that only someone in the top three of the outer sect could catch it.
It seemed the Master of the inner sect’s Moonlight Tower was a playful sort, testing Ling Xiao with this.
“Snap!”
Ling Xiao caught the book steadily, his soul power instantly pouring into it.
Buzz~~
In that moment, a strange scene unfolded.
Ling Xiao found himself standing in a peculiar cave-like realm.
In the darkness, a figure gradually illuminated.
Then, golden lotuses spun within their body, emitting beams of strange light one after another.
Simultaneously, forces of nature manifested one by one.
