CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 74 ANCIENT MARTIAL ARTS?

For Li Mo, the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger wasn’t particularly challenging, but the cultivation system it involved was quite intriguing.

He transplanted the Mountain Lord Head onto Li Baoquan’s body without needing any assistance from a doctor, effortlessly reconstructing blood vessels and muscles within mere breaths.

Although the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger was merely considered basic martial arts by the standards of You Pavilion, it greatly benefitted the Medical Technique Divine Ability, with its brain modification concepts complementing True Word Sect’s cultivation techniques.

"Who knows, maybe the true legacy of the No-Life Sect lies within it."

Li Mo absorbed the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger. Ever since the Corpse Mountain Mini World had transformed into a Mid-grade Magic Treasure, the importance of magical arts had already surpassed that of resources.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Li Baoquan gradually regained consciousness, his expression resembling someone who had just hovered on the brink of death.

He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, only to find the Mountain Demon playing with his Mountain Lord Head.

"Wah, wah, wah yah."

The Mountain Demon let out mocking laughter, gesturing at how ridiculous a beast-headed human body appeared. Seeing no one paying attention to him, he hopped back onto Li Mo’s shoulder.

Li Baoquan looked at Li Mo, whose unremarkable figure overlapped with the demon in his memories, fear consuming his mind as his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

He tried to struggle to get up but realized he couldn’t move from the neck down.

Li Baoquan didn’t harbor resentment toward others; he simply felt that his luck had run out. Surviving with his life intact was already a misfortune turned fortunate.

Ah, pursuing the Dao is so elusive.

He had already guessed his fate. After all, families of loose cultivators loved to engage in ancestor worship, with ancestral halls filled with processed human heads.

Whenever a family faced prosperity or decline, the descendants would awaken the ancestral heads.

All in the hopes of discussing solutions.

Li Baoquan had risked it all to avoid being one of the heads in a shrine, seeking entry into the Dao through the Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop—but it all came to nothing.

Li Mo turned his head and said, "Open the window, let some air pass through."

A doctor quickly opened the window, letting in a stench-filled poison smoke.

Han Cai stared firmly at Li Baoquan. Even though the surgery had ended some time ago, he still hadn’t figured out Li Baoquan’s condition.

"Ugh!"

Li Baoquan’s pupils dilated, his breathing faintly burned as he inhaled the thin poison smoke.

The smoke traveled down his throat and into his organs, corrosively devouring his flesh while simultaneously aligning his body more closely with poisonous spirit energy.

In a certain sense, Qinghong Workshop’s entry-level techniques could create a cultivation physique. However, it still lagged behind the Acquired Dao Body.

"Did it actually work?"

Han Cai muttered in disbelief.

He was well aware of how complex the human brain was, especially when afflicted by the Death Disease—brain nerves would decay and shrivel, rendering its structure even harder to decipher.

But Li Baoquan had undergone modification in Li Mo’s hands in less than ten minutes.

"The Iron Thorns Unstable Finger truly is basic martial arts—it’s not difficult at all."

While shocked, Han Cai couldn’t help but show delight, as nothing brought more joy than seeing a disciple surpass his master.

"Master Han, the Poison Clothing Technique is actually divided into internal and external components."

Li Mo’s thoughts stirred, summoning a swarm of White Bone Spiders to the ceiling; they bound each joint of Li Baoquan with silk threads.

Terrified, Li Baoquan trembled like a leaf, his body moving like a puppet under Li Mo’s control.

Under Li Mo’s manipulation, Li Baoquan began maneuvering around the room, his breathing patterns for the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger gradually intensifying.

"Brain surgery conducted on mortals falls under the category of martial arts inner strength."

Li Baoquan sensed poisonous energy flowing along specific trajectories within his blood vessels, causing his body to become increasingly thin and emaciated.

He lacked the courage to scream for help, his face filled with despair.

"Look at this..."

Li Mo, as though discovering a new continent, pointed with interest toward Li Baoquan’s chest, where the poisonous energy’s flow unexpectedly carried traces of spiritual energy.

Han Cai furrowed his brows.

Although he’d witnessed poison cultivators performing martial arts occasionally, their cultivation level was at least at the First Level of Puberty.

As the poisonous energy completed a Grand Circulation according to Li Mo’s devised pattern, it surged into Li Baoquan’s right arm, whose flesh and bones began to mutate.

In a very short time, his right arm transformed into a Mountain Lord’s Finger.

Li Baoquan felt no pain, though he was aware of losing control over his body.

"Immortal, I—we are willing to offer more Mid-grade Spirit Stones to beg..."

Before he could finish speaking, poison liquid spurted out from the finger, forming a linear shape as it detached and shot directly toward Han Cai’s chest.

Han Cai showed no reaction, willingly catching Li Baoquan’s strike.

"A mortal capable of using magic—it’s at the First Level of Puberty in terms of power. What sort of force lies behind Qinghong Workshop?"

"To be precise, it’s not magic."

Li Mo poured some corpse wine into Li Baoquan’s mouth, then slid his hand over the latter’s neck.

A cracking sound followed as his spine realigned, restoring Li Baoquan’s bodily control. The corpse wine replenished his losses.

The mutation in Li Baoquan’s right arm vanished entirely, leaving only blue-purple bruises covering his skin.

Han Cai recovered himself and said, "The external component of the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger?"

Li Mo explained, "Indeed, once internal refining reaches initial success and the stomach accumulates sufficient poisonous liquid, You Pavilion will then teach their external martial arts."

Han Cai clapped his hands in realization and exclaimed, "Combining internal and external practices is akin to cultivating both arts—it’s the opportune moment for entering the immortal path."

"Does You Pavilion impose special mortal cultivation ranks?"

Han Cai shook his head helplessly and said, "I haven’t focused much on that. Miao Shou Inn and Jinhong Youguan rarely interact."

"I know..."

Li Baoquan weakly interjected, "Dear Immortal Masters, You Pavilion does indeed distinguish between internal and external. Those mastering only internal strength are called Acquired Martial Artists, while dual cultivation of internal and external marks Innate Martial Artists."

Li Mo narrowed his eyes.

Such simple terms as Acquired and Innate stirred something within the Creation Scholar.

In ancient times, mortal martial arts were indeed divided into Acquired and Innate phases; advancing from Innate offered hope of reaching the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Ninth Senior Sister Ruo Shui was an outstanding martial artist among mortals.

Ruo Shui entered the Dao at eighty years old, having primarily practiced martial arts before then. Her reputation in the mortal realm far surpassed that of temple-bound Immortals.

The tale most often recounted was of Ruo Shui killing a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator at seventy-five years old.

Unfortunately, her talent for the Five Spirits Root was abysmal, and she had to rely on the Devil Sect’s means to enter the Dao. Her subsequent journey was rather unremarkable.

Ruo Shui barely reached Foundation Establishment before returning to her homeland to enjoy her final years as her lifespan ran dry.

Li Mo was now certain that even if Qinghong Workshop hadn’t been founded by the Twelve Immortals, it was closely connected with them. Their ultimate intent remained unknown.

Li Baoquan suddenly realized something.

Perhaps he had stumbled upon the only immortal fate of his life—the elder before him might possess strength far beyond imagination, a likely Land Immortal.

Through the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger’s inner techniques, Li Mo could deduce its external applications; even with Li Baoquan’s limited understanding, this seemed incredible.

The various doctors were thoroughly convinced. No wonder the Heavenly Sword Sect holds Elder Qing Shan in such high regard.

Han Cai leaned against the wall, observing the bustling streets outside. His voice carried curiosity as he asked, "What should we do next?"

"Let me think."

Li Baoquan nervously said, "I—I... might be able to help you Immortal Masters."

Li Mo glanced at Li Baoquan from the corner of his eye and said, "You recognize the loose cultivator families in this city, don’t you?"

"I do, I do."

"You can speak to some of the elderly figures of standing and influence. I can offer opportunities for cultivation."

Li Baoquan nodded repeatedly, and after voluntarily taking a Heart Demon Oath, he left Miao Shou Inn with a dazed expression, feeling as if he had been reborn.

Li Mo’s plan was straightforward.

Above all, he sought to pull loose cultivators to his side. With their alliance, it would become easier to strategize for profit while preventing external forces from interfering with Qinghong Workshop.

"Master Han, do you know any poison cultivators from You Pavilion?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I want to learn a few Poison Clothing Techniques—even basic ones will do."

While speaking, Li Mo tossed out a Bodhi Fruit, which the Mountain Demon gleefully swallowed whole before leaping about jubilantly in the room.

The internal Poison Clothing Technique for brain modification paired well with his Great Sun Golden Core; the animal-inspired external component also had ties to the Chaos Beast Infant.

Perhaps he could create a Nascent Soul Technique.

Although Li Mo’s Great Sun Golden Core was far from breaking into Nascent Soul, it didn’t prevent him from outlining a magic technique in advance upon finding a suitable cultivation system.

"I’ll give it a shot. The poison cultivators of Qinghong Workshop are all arrogant and difficult to deal with. I’ll probably need to use a bit of coercion and incentive—but rest assured about one thing."

"The Pavilion Master at You Pavilion has Nascent Soul-level cultivation but lacks spiritual wisdom. Every so often, their disciples carry them out to parade—it’s quite laughable."

Han Cai stared at the Mountain Demon in surprise. Ever since eating the Spirit Fruit gifted by Li Mo, it had become unusually agitated.

The Mountain Demon grew unstable, emitting rapid cries and gnashing its teeth. It jumped onto the eaves, concealing its body in the blind spot of vision.

When it revealed itself again, its appearance bore some resemblance to the Mountain Lord, exuding the aura of the Iron Thorns Unstable Finger.

The Mountain Demon swung its fists, poison spreading in all directions—the external martial art was identical to that used by Li Baoquan.

"Heh, heh. If this little rascal were at You Pavilion, wouldn’t he be considered a peerless genius?"

Li Mo reverted the Mountain Demon to its original form, realizing that the Poison Clothing Technique, which required extensive mutation for others, came effortlessly to the Mountain Demon.

Why bother with brain modification? All it took was swallowing a Bodhi Fruit to grasp it instantly!

Han Cai hesitated to speak—could a spirit beast’s talent improve along with its master? It hadn’t shown any signs of intelligence in the past.

The two discussed the Four Seas Commerce’s arrangements in Qinghong Workshop, gradually passing the better part of a day.

Li Mo eventually witnessed the Pavilion Master’s street parade firsthand, understanding Han Cai’s disdain for You Pavilion—poison cultivators indeed radiated absurdity.

It was akin to a beggar stumbling upon a piece of Dog Head Gold, both terrified of being robbed and eager to flaunt their wealth.

The relentless sound of drums and gongs filled the air, while countless beast-headed mortals crowded the roadside.

"There are four pavilions in Qinghong Workshop; Jinhong Youguan, where we’re staying, is the weakest. The Pavilion Master... well, it’s hard to put into words."

Over a hundred poison cultivators carried an iron frame, atop which lay a lump of rotting flesh measuring over ten meters.

The surface of the flesh was covered in various fingers, which absorbed poisonous spirit energy through them.

Li Mo barely managed to locate the Pavilion Master’s head—a seemingly ordinary Mountain Lord Head muttering incoherently.

"Hungry... hungry..."

The Pavilion Master completed one lap of the streets before being hauled back into Jinhong Youguan’s backyard.

Li Mo clicked his tongue in wonder—the Pavilion Master was likely some sort of Acquired creation, possessing cultivation power but incapable of even basic mobility.