Primordial Era: Exceptional Comprehension, Destroying Buzhou Mountain at the Start

Chapter 255 The White Tiger Army of the Tang Dynasty: Joining the army yields cultivation methods, leading to the creation of the Eighteen Forms of Xingyi.

"Alas... Any cultivation method that involves drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is extremely precious, and it is very difficult for us mortals to obtain. Therefore, most of the human race today simply cultivates some martial arts to strengthen their bodies."

"However, if Young Master Di Xiao really wants to embark on the path of cultivation, there is a suitable way."

The martial arts instructor knew what the exceptionally talented Di Xiao wanted. Back then, Di Xiao was only seven or eight years old when he sought his guidance on the methods of cultivation. But methods of cultivation, especially those that an ordinary mortal like himself could obtain, were unattainable.

However, seeing the young man's persistence and undeniable talent, he couldn't bear it and said, "Young Master Di Xiao... actually, with your aptitude, you do have a chance to join some cultivation sects."

"Secondly, given the young master's literary talent, if he succeeds in the imperial examinations and joins the Hanlin Academy, he might be able to obtain the Confucian cultivation method. It is said that the Confucian cultivation method cultivates the righteous energy of heaven and earth, which is extremely harmful to the demon race."

"The last option is to join our Tang Dynasty army. Although I didn't enlist, it's rumored that everyone who joins the Tang Dynasty army will be taught a cultivation method. When this cultivation method is mastered to its peak, it can also draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, thus embarking on the true path of cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiao didn't say much. In fact, Di Xiao already knew about the three methods of cultivation to choose from.

However, joining a cultivation sect, while sounding simple, is actually the most difficult. After all, cultivation sects are far removed from the mortal world and extremely hard to find. Secondly, most cultivation sects within the Tang Dynasty are Taoist sects, which accept disciples based on chance, making them very difficult to approach.

By studying literature, one can join the Hanlin Academy and obtain the Confucian cultivation method. However, this cultivation method has an age limit. Confucian disciples who are not over thirty years old cannot obtain the Confucian cultivation method.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Di Xiao had no choice but to join the army.

As Di Xiao ate his meal, he looked at the martial arts instructor in front of him and said, "Actually, I've already made up my mind. I'm going to join the army. After all, it has the lowest entry requirements!"

"Young Master Di Xiao, although joining the army can help you obtain cultivation methods quickly, it is also the most dangerous. Our Tang army is not usually fighting against enemy countries, but rather slaying demons and monsters. Whenever demons cause trouble within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang army is needed to suppress them."

"Even when some demons gather together, it takes countless casualties for the army to suppress them."

The martial arts instructor seemed to know exactly what was going on.

Di Xiao, however, didn't seem to care, calmly saying, "It's nothing. It's just slaying demons and monsters, isn't it?"

Since Di Xiao arrived in this Journey to the West trial world, he has found that cultivation methods are too difficult to obtain.

It would be very difficult for Di Xiao to obtain, at least for now. There's nothing he can do about it; the human he was reincarnated as has such a low status that he has no access to such things.

Fortunately, there are three other ways to come into contact with cultivation methods. The first is to join a cultivation sect. However, cultivation sects are hard to find. Secondly, Emperor Xiao's physical aptitude as a human is too low.

Although the martial arts instructor in front of him said that Di Xiao had high aptitude, Di Xiao knew very well that his aptitude was actually quite low. The aptitude he was currently displaying was entirely in the areas of intelligence and comprehension. These were implicit, not explicitly shown, and therefore difficult for others to discern.

Entering the Hanlin Academy through literary studies and learning Confucian cultivation methods comes with many limitations. It is difficult to obtain Confucian cultivation methods before the age of thirty.

The easiest way to get in is to join the army. By joining the Tang Dynasty army, one can obtain cultivation methods. Although the cultivation methods one initially receives are very basic, with Di Xiao's extraordinary wisdom, it's enough to make him stronger quickly.

Of course, joining the army also involves many dangers, but Di Xiao didn't care about danger at all.

After much deliberation, Di Xiao finally decided to join the army.

Having made the decision, Di Xiao also made arrangements.

...

Within the territory of the Great Tang Dynasty, all citizens of the Great Tang can serve in the army. However, military service is entirely voluntary and cannot be forced. Secondly, those who wish to serve must be proficient in some basic martial arts techniques, or be physically strong.

Fortunately, Di Xiao met all these requirements. Therefore, he directly enlisted in the army and was quickly assigned a role.

After going through a series of procedures, Di Xiao was finally sent to the White Tiger Army within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, becoming a new recruit.

Now, Di Xiao, dressed in simple leather armor, arrived at the White Tiger Army's training ground. The place was vast, resembling a city. Many of the new recruits conscripted from all over the Tang Dynasty had come here.

The number was at least several hundred thousand. Such a large number of new recruits was enough to mean that the Tang Dynasty in Journey to the West was not the Tang Dynasty of our memories, but a vast Tang Dynasty with a huge population.

Unfortunately, Emperor Xiao's family status after his reincarnation was not high, and he only had a superficial understanding of the Tang Dynasty. The only books he could buy were the most common Taoist scriptures, and it was difficult to find other books on cultivation and geography.

Now, Di Xiao, along with many new recruits, was assigned to a general's command along with ten thousand other new recruits, based on their physical strength.

The general was clad in armor, possessed a robust physique, and exuded a bloodthirsty aura, appearing quite imposing. Di Xiao sensed danger emanating from this general; clearly, the general knew how to cultivate.

The general's sharp gaze swept over the ten thousand new recruits. He stroked his beard and smiled, nodding with satisfaction: "Haha... I, Xue Ping, have trained new recruits dozens of times, and finally I've encountered a batch of promising new soldiers. However, you are merely promising recruits. If you want to become qualified soldiers, you still have a long way to go. Especially since our White Tiger Army is not a ragtag army, but the elite of the Tang Dynasty's army. It is a large army led by General Xue Li."

"So you greenhorns, remember this well. From now on, you must train hard and strengthen yourselves, or don't blame anyone if you get killed on the battlefield."

"Alright, I won't say any more. Next, I will teach you how to cultivate. The first step is to practice the unique fist technique of our White Tiger Army, which was also created by General Xue as the White Tiger Fist. This fist technique can strengthen your blood and qi, and increase your strength. If you cultivate this fist technique to perfection, you will be able to obtain the strength of a tiger."

"Secondly, I will also teach you the 'Defilement-Slaying Technique,' which every member of our Great Tang army must practice! Practicing this technique will allow you to cleanse your bodies of impurities and become pure. As for why you need to become pure, I will not tell you now."

"Now, everyone, pay close attention and try to understand this carefully."

The general named Xue Ping roared like a thunderclap, intimidating all the new recruits. The recruits' eyes shone with excitement as they watched Xue Ping unleash the White Tiger Fist.

When the White Tiger Fist is performed, it truly resembles the roar of a white tiger. The fist technique is very simple, with only nine moves, each move consisting of nine actions. After eighty-one actions, the White Tiger Fist is completed.

(End of this chapter)