A farmer must safeguard his farm!
Aksai recalled this quote from the Everwood book, a memory that brought a smile to his lips as he addressed the martial artists before him with curiosity.
“Thank you for broadening my horizons, masters. It seems there’s more to the martial arts than I thought. How can we gain access to these formless martial arts?” he inquired.
The martial artists exchanged glances before Master Wen Wei from the School of Rising Sun stepped forward to respond in his typically stern and authoritative manner.
“Young man, what we practice here is undoubtedly top-notch martial arts for this city. However, when compared to the elite martial arts of Sharang, they pale in comparison.
They say that there are no better martial arts, only better martial artists. But for many mediocre martial artists, that statement can’t be entirely true.
You can indeed take any martial arts to its pinnacle if you have the time, talent, and willingness to invest your life in it. However, how many of us can actually pull this off?
Furthermore, there are some martial arts that have been perfected to their absolute limits. Generations of martial artists have put their entire lives on the line to make these martial arts reach their current superior state.
Practicing these superior-grade martial arts might not guarantee that you’ll become a legendary figure. But they certainly make it easy for you to tread on your own path.”
Wen Wei paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Aksai. “Do you know what such martial arts are called in Sharang?” Wen Wei asked rhetorically, confident that Aksai wouldn’t have the answer.
“Master Wen Wei, please enlighten me,” Aksai responded, his hands coming together in a respectful gesture as he offered a bow. His eagerness was palpable, evident in both his actions and tone.
Master Wen Wei appreciated Aksai’s humble attitude and nodded before continuing.
“These superior-grade martial arts are highly comprehensive in nature. They encompass multiple martial arts practices, paired with compatible body cultivation techniques.
Hence, they are known as Martial Compendiums.
These legendary compendiums empower martial artists to employ a body cultivation technique across a range of martial arts, addressing both offensive and defensive needs.
Some Martial Compendiums even grant their practitioners the remarkable ability to heal from severe injuries in the blink of an eye, utilizing qi for its potent healing properties.”
Wen Wei’s fiery expressions then mellowed down all of a sudden when he was reminded of his own limitations. He sighed and shook his head before adding further.
“However, it’s such a shame that not everyone is qualified to look at such Martial Compendiums. Firstly, they are exceedingly rare and treated as core inheritances of the organizations that are in possession of them.
In all of Sharang, there are only seven or eight known Martial Compendiums, each with its own stringent requirements for practice.
Secondly, they come with certain drawbacks for their practitioners. Not everyone is capable of withstanding those drawbacks.
Nevertheless, aspiring martial artists can only dream of acquiring a Martial Compendium, as it holds the key to transcending the limitations of the Bronze Body realm and finally attaining the legendary Argent Body realm.”
“Martial Compendiums,” Aksai murmured under his breath as he absorbed Wen Wei’s words. Then, with a hint of excitement, he turned to Wen Wei and asked, “How can I get my hands on these Martial Compendiums? Price won’t be an issue as long as I can–”
Wen Wei shook his head and sighed, cutting Aksai off.
“You can’t buy Martial Compendiums, no matter how rich and influential you are. They are only accessible to core disciples of the big sects that essentially rule the world of Sharang. And earning that position isn’t easy either.
They say that only those who have at least five out of their seven Gates open by birth can truly become core disciples of these big sects.
Therefore, even if, by some stroke of luck and effort, you manage to join these big sects with less aptitude, you won’t be granted the opportunity to study the Martial Compendiums.
Why do you think we are still stuck in the Bronze Body Realm despite putting in years of hard work?
If obtaining these Martial Compendiums were that simple, why would we stick to studying our current martial arts? We would all pursue the best,” Wen Wei explained, a tinge of regret in his tone.
‘Gate Opening! It all comes down to my Spirit Root Aptitude. Turns out it can not only affect my progress in Spiritual cultivation but also slow me down in body cultivation as well.
I guess the Spirit bloodline experiments need to be fast-tracked. Because I don’t think I can improve my Spirit Root Aptitude anytime soon even if I utilize the resources of this new world.’
Aksai reflected inwardly, sighing.
After hearing Wen Wei’s explanation, he realized that a Spirit cultivator like himself needed at least a high-grade Spirit Root Aptitude to qualify for studying the Martial Compendiums.
However, he only possessed a low-grade Spirit Root Aptitude. Judging from the situation, none of the martial artists present had the high-grade Spirit Root Aptitude either. Otherwise, they would have attempted to become core disciples of the big sects.
‘My Qi Fusion Arts only covers the Bronze Body Realm. If the Everwood book doesn’t offer me the subsequent chapters that encompass the Argent Body Realm after I break through the Bronze Body, my body cultivation will come to an abrupt halt.
Even if I come to possess the subsequent chapters of the Qi Fusion Arts related to the Argent Body Realm later on, it’d be better if I could get my hands on these superior-grade martial arts from Sharang. After all, I have the neural link fabric. I can always save them in my database and try to refine the Qi Fusion Arts itself with sandboxing.’
Aksai contemplated, lost in thought.
‘I need to prepare to obtain one of the Martial Compendiums available in this world to advance into the Argent Body Realm. Perhaps money alone won’t secure the Martial Compendiums, but it can buy influence, status, connections, and knowledge.
As long as I steadily accumulate wealth and continue progressing in both Spirit and body cultivation paths, there will come a time when I can obtain not just one, but all of the Martial Compendiums that exist in this world,’ Aksai resolved, determination evident on his face.