Li Xin asked Han Taizhen how to quickly accumulate contribution points. There was no vague anxiety in his voice, only the will to find a practical solution. To gain the strength to leave Daejin Domain, he needed to amass contributions, make use of the Union’s resources, and establish a foundation to strengthen himself further.

  "Is it because of the information in the Archive Pavilion?"

  Han Taizhen saw straight through Li Xin’s intentions.

  Li Xin nodded, "Yes."

  Han Taizhen chuckled softly, "When I said you may use all facilities of Tianfu Pavilion, that naturally includes the reading hall. With your authority, you may freely access all materials there."

  "Even without contribution points?"

  "Indeed."

  Only then did Li Xin realize how immense his authority truly was. Other talisman masters within the Union had to labor to accumulate contributions just to gain access to a portion of the Archive Pavilion’s materials. Yet he, who had only just joined the Talisman Union, had been granted the right to view all of its knowledge.

  "Do not expect too much. The Archive Pavilion of Qingshan Valley does not contain that much information. At best, it ends at the level of eight strokes. There is not even information regarding the most crucial Child Strokes."

  Li Xin felt that was more than sufficient. Coming from the mountains, what he had lacked most was knowledge. Thinking of his past, when he had not even properly mastered a single Talisman Method, the vast materials at the eight-stroke level were already like a dream. Even if he spent all his remaining time studying, he would not be able to examine every book in the Archive Pavilion.

  "Take this."

  At the end of their conversation, Han Taizhen handed Li Xin a talisman. It resembled the Displacement Talisman he had seen earlier, though its patterns appeared even more intricate.

  "If your life reaches a critical juncture, do not hesitate to use this talisman. This is the utmost goodwill I can show you."

  Li Xin accepted it. From Han Taizhen’s tone, this was no ordinary talisman, but a final means capable of saving his life in dire circumstances.

  "Thank you."

  Li Xin bowed sincerely. Though he did not know its exact function, the words ‘utmost goodwill’ from a Tier Two Grand Talisman Master were enough to indicate its value.

  "Then, take care."

  Han Taizhen smiled warmly as he saw him off. Li Xin bowed once more before leaving the study.

  ***

  After meeting Han Taizhen, Li Xin resolved to devote all his remaining time to study. Knowing that the Talisman Union now stood behind him gave him immense peace of mind. The matters of the Xu Clan no longer weighed upon him as heavily as before. That did not mean he intended to break his promise. Crafting the Demonic Beast Talisman was beneficial to him as well, and the Xu Clan’s support remained an important channel for obtaining cultivation materials.

  ***

  Time passed swiftly. During that period, Li Xin practically lived within the reading hall of Tianfu Pavilion. The reading hall was connected to the formation of the Archive Pavilion, allowing information to be searched conveniently.

  "Kan–Zhen, Kan–Xun, Kan–Dui..."

  He began by focusing on the eight strokes corresponding to the Kan Trigram.

  ...I will likely master the Mother Strokes faster than expected.

  With his mind greatly strengthened from successive insights and the consumption of Enlightenment Tea, his learning speed was beyond imagination. Strokes that would take other talisman masters months or even years to comprehend were fully embodied by Li Xin within mere days. He could feel each stroke gradually linking together organically, forming a single coherent flow. And finally, the moment he perfectly embodied the final stroke corresponding to the Kan Trigram, an unexpected message appeared before his eyes.

  "This..."

  For a long time, Li Xin had harbored a vague question.

  If techniques derived from the same trigram do not conflict, then perhaps one day these flows can be fused into one?

  That faint speculation was now unfolding before him as reality.

  [You have comprehended all principles of the Kan Trigram.]

  [All techniques obtained from the Kan Trigram have been integrated into one.]

  [You have learned Hanbing Shuixin Guijin Mieliu Gong).]

  At that moment, a tremendous change occurred within his body. From the depths of his heart surged forth a cold and pure current of energy. It resonated with his body, creating the illusion that his veins had become flowing streams and his muscles and bones transparent as ice. Simultaneously, all water-aspect techniques he had learned responded—Bingxin Wuying, Water Binding Art, Hanbing Palm, Ice Binding Step… Like countless small streams converging into a river. Their individual principles intertwined, forming a new order and shape.

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  He saw the phantom of a collapsing glacier. From within it burst a pure torrent that swept away everything, carrying an absolute force capable of extinguishing all life. This was Hanbing Shuixin Guijin Mieliu Gong.

  All the techniques I learned before were merely fragments of this cultivation method.

  Li Xin understood instinctively. This was not something a Tier One, Fourth Layer cultivator could possibly bear. He had only just reached the threshold of entry. To fully comprehend and control the true essence of this cultivation method would require unimaginable time and effort.

  Fortunately, there was one consolation. As the message suggested that ‘all techniques obtained from the Kan Trigram have been integrated into one,’ embodying talismans corresponding to the Kan Trigram could increase the proficiency of this cultivation method.

  Then… could other trigrams also yield such cultivation methods?

  Li Xin was not satisfied. Realizing this new possibility, his zeal burned brighter, and he delved into the principles of the strokes without even sparing time for sleep.

  "Li–Qian, Li–Kun..."

  Thus he continued, mastering stroke after stroke, until he finally embodied all eight strokes corresponding to the Li Trigram. The moment he completed the final stroke, the familiar message appeared again.

  [You have comprehended all principles of the Li Trigram.]

  [All techniques obtained from the Li Trigram have been integrated into one.]

  [You have learned Yanming Huashen Zhi Hunran Ji Gong.]

  As expected! Just like with the Kan Trigram, other trigrams also complete cultivation methods this way!

  His prediction was correct. A blazing heat surged within him, carrying a flame-like force capable of incinerating all things.

  "Next is the Qian Trigram!"

  Without even pausing to savor the changes brought by this new awakening, Li Xin continued embodying strokes from other trigrams in succession.

  From the Qian Trigram, he learned Tianji Yangquan Tianhun Ranqi Gong.

  From the Kun Trigram, he learned Dijí Wuxin Yunhun Qianmie Fa.

  From the Zhen Trigram, he learned Tianlei Jizhen Duanhun Tianpo Quan.

  From the Xun Trigram, he learned Yanqi Chuanwu Chenhun Xiaoyou Fa.

  From the Dui Trigram, he learned Jinjing Yaoyan Wanji Xin Sui Fa.

  With each trigram’s principle engraved into his body, his existence grew ever more deeply connected to the origin of nature.

  "This is the last, the sixty-fourth stroke."

  Finally, the moment he perfectly embodied the eighth stroke of the Gen Trigram, a tremendous resonance pierced through his body.

  Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui. The cultivation methods containing the principles of the Eight Trigrams he had learned thus far merged into a single grand current.

  [You have comprehended all principles of the Gen Trigram.]

  [All techniques obtained from the Gen Trigram have been integrated into one.]

  [You have learned Zhongbi Wuhun Jueliu Duantian Gong.]

  [You have comprehended all principles of the Eight Trigrams.]

  [All techniques obtained from every trigram have been integrated into one, achieving ‘Guiyuan.’]

  [You have learned Five Elements Yin–Yang One Path Myriad Phenomena Returning to Origin Art.]

  At that instant, with a shock that struck his mind like thunder, the final transformation began. Like small streams forming rivers, and rivers converging into a vast ocean. All the energies he had indiscriminately cultivated thus far merged into a single flow.

  The realm of Guiyuan—where all things return to one. There was no collision. No sense of incompatibility. Different attributes circulated organically, as though they had always been one. His spiritual power was no longer bound by attributes. At will, it flowed gently like water, burned fiercely like fire, stood firm like a mountain, or scattered lightly like the wind. The advantages of such a transformation would be unimaginable.

  "...But why does this feel so familiar?"

  Though it was a power he had never felt before, it did not seem foreign. This energy flowing through him—he had clearly experienced something like it before. As he pondered, a memory suddenly surfaced.

  This energy… it is almost identical to the aura of Pseudo Spirit Stones!

  A tremor ran down his spine. Pseudo Spirit Stones could only be produced by Heavenly Dao Gate, and within them was condensed an energy devoid of clear attribute or form.

  Then… Heavenly Dao Gate must have understood the principles of Guiyuan long ago.

  That was why they could create Pseudo Spirit Stones. That was why the cultivation methods of Heavenly Dao Gate inevitably surpassed those of other sects.

  Li Xin drew a deep breath.

  Does that mean… I have glimpsed a fragment of the secret that Heavenly Dao Gate has hidden?

  Perhaps the Guiyuan cultivation method he had just comprehended was the very foundation of the cultivation system established by Heavenly Dao Gate. Or perhaps it was an aspect of the ‘true cultivation’ monopolized by them alone. This method did not merely allow free manipulation of various attributes. It unified energy itself into ‘One Dao,’ weaving together the laws of all attributes and trigrams into a single principle. Quite literally, a cultivation method for the Heavenly Dao.

  But for me right now, it is far too excessive.

  In truth, major sects never casually imparted powerful cultivation methods to their disciples. The stronger the method, the greater the time and resources required to cultivate it. Thus, it was standard practice to select only the most efficient method suited to a disciple’s talent and disposition. No matter how extraordinary a method was in theory, it meant nothing if it could not be properly applied in battle.

  It is like holding only the hilt of a sword, without the blade or the scabbard.

  After integrating the cultivation methods into one, Li Xin’s combat power visibly declined. Where once he could deploy techniques swiftly, he now had to draw upon energy according to complex principles. It was like obtaining a massive ship capable of sailing the distant seas, yet lacking the skill to move it forward.

  To move this ship even slightly, I must at least raise this cultivation method to the First Star level.

  Fortunately, he had one shortcut—Drawing talismans. With the foundation laid, all that remained was to gather, accumulate, and temper. This was not merely cultivation, but also groundwork for his future Body Cleansing.

  Having obtained such a profound method, I must exert effort worthy of it.

  Li Xin did not overestimate himself. He had only comprehended sixty-four Mother Strokes thus far. A talisman master’s true strength lay in the Child Strokes, and the higher realm of the one-character talisman was still beyond even his dreams.

  In fact, the difficulty of stroke-based Talisman Methods was not as high as one might think. A Tier One talisman master at Great Perfection could generally draw seven strokes proficiently, and even eight-stroke talismans were not rare. In contrast, Li Xin still could not even draw a four-stroke talisman. Yet he did not grow impatient.

  As long as I continue building step by step, that is enough.

  On the long road of cultivation, what mattered most was not speed, but direction. And unlike others, Li Xin clearly understood his direction.

  I will survive and leave Daejin Domain.

  That difference infused every one of his judgments and actions with confidence.