From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"The teachings of the sages?"

Looking at the book in his hand, Chen Shi was taken aback.

One of the Four Books, and one of the subjects for the imperial examinations, it is also a subject that scholars must be familiar with. However, the content is simple, and even young children can recite and learn it after they have been enlightened.

Carrying the "Sage's Instructions" with him, could it be that Yang Youzhi still wants to take the imperial examination to become a scholar?

Whether Yang Youzhi takes the imperial examination or not is irrelevant to him; the key question is, what use does he have for this book?

Chen Shi frowned, thinking he had stumbled upon some kind of treasure manual.

"etc."

Just as he was about to throw it aside, Chen Shi suddenly stopped.

He remembered that Yang Youzhi seemed to be flipping through a book before casting the illusion...

Chen Shi carefully searched Yang Youzhi's pocket again but found no other books, which meant that this was the one he had been flipping through.

Even if Yang Youzhi really wanted to pass the imperial examination, he wouldn't be reading "The Teachings of the Sages" when he was about to die.

Is there some hidden secret here?

Thinking of this, Chen Shi immediately opened the book.

"……really."

A moment later, looking at the two pages that had fallen out, Chen Shi smiled. Sure enough, there was more to it than met the eye.

After flipping through the entire book, I shook and crumpled it vigorously, but there were no other papers stuck inside.

Chen Shi then picked up the two pages and read them carefully.

Magical arts!

After just a couple of glances, Chen Shi was certain that it was similar to the booklet he had obtained from Jia Shun's companion; both pages contained information on magical arts.

One of the pages recorded the illusion technique that Yang Youzhi had just used!

Chen Shi had experienced firsthand the power of that illusion technique, and he became very interested, continuing to read it carefully.

Unlike the Qi Observation Technique, casting this spell is more complicated, but overall, it's not very difficult to learn.

At least Chen Shi felt it wasn't difficult.

The problem is that this spell has requirements regarding the level of one's spiritual soul.

It requires reaching the third realm of the soul to unleash its power; Chen Xian is currently only at the first realm of the Soul-Stabilizing Realm.

"It's not that simple after all."

The soul is mysterious and difficult to improve compared to the physical body and blood energy.

Chen Shi has been nourishing his soul for some time now, and it is only a matter of stabilizing his soul.

Reaching the third level is easier said than done; it's unknown when or how long it will take.

Chen Shi shook his head, put the page away, and looked at another page.

"This is……"

This also seems to be a method for nourishing the soul.

However, it was quite different from what was recorded in the pamphlet that Chen Shi had previously obtained.

To nourish the soul, one must first have something to nourish it, just as water is needed to water flowers.

The booklet states that there is spiritual power between heaven and earth, and it is this spiritual power that nourishes the soul.

The specific method involves entering a state of tranquility through breath counting, clearing the mind and spirit, so that the soul can naturally be nourished by heaven and earth.

In fact, this is also the most basic way to nourish the soul.

But the difference recorded on this page does not rely on the spiritual power of heaven and earth, but on human prestige!

According to this page, as long as one absorbs the prestige of others, one can temper one's soul and thus rapidly improve one's soul realm.

"No wonder that person, with mediocre talent, possessed such cultivation; it turns out he absorbed the thoughts of many."

The young nun stood to the side, looking as if she had just realized something, and then she pursed her lips in disapproval.

"It really is a crooked and evil way."

"What is meant by 'congregational chanting'?"

"It's just a different way of saying the same thing as the popularity mentioned above."

"Popular support and popular opinion—what exactly are those?"

Chen Shi frowned slightly and looked at Ruru with a puzzled expression.

"You don't even know this? You're supposed to be a cultivator."

Ruru pursed her lips and then explained.

"What one desires is what one wishes for; what one thinks is what one desires. What is called 'people's desires' and 'people's thoughts' are actually the thoughts in the hearts of all beings."

"idea?"

"Yes, it's just a thought, but don't underestimate it. As the saying goes, the Human Emperor can bestow godhood with a single thought. Although ordinary people cannot compare to the Human Emperor, the accumulation of a large number of thoughts can also have the effect of transcending the mortal realm and entering sainthood."

"So, Yang Youzhi absorbed a lot of popular support, which is why his spiritual cultivation improved so rapidly?"

"Exactly."

"So that's how it is."

Chen Shi nodded, "That's right."

Based on the information we had previously known, Yang Youzhi was just a poor scholar who couldn't even pass the county-level imperial examination. He was nothing special and could not possibly be a Taoist priest who had been practicing for many years.

Moreover, given Yang Youzhi's arrogant nature, if he truly possessed extraordinary skills, how could he not reveal them to gain benefits?

There is only one explanation: he obtained these two pages of divination techniques later.

It is very likely that he obtained it after the rebellion.

"The Great Sage Master..."

Chen Shi suddenly remembered the name Yang Youzhi had mentioned before he died.

The name sounds like that of a sorcerer.

Moreover, judging from Yang Youzhi's tone, this person must be very capable; at the very least, Yang Youzhi greatly admires him.

Could it be that these two pages of techniques were taught to Yang Youzhi by that great master?

"It's really chaotic."

Thinking of this, Chen Shi frowned again; the world was far more complicated than he had imagined.

Thinking too much about it is exhausting, and since it's not really his business anyway, I'll just stop thinking about it for now.

He looked at Ruru again and pointed to the Dharma teachings recorded on the paper.

"If I follow what's written here, can I absorb popular support and temper my soul?"

"The method is correct, but not everyone can absorb it."

Ruru pouted and continued to explain.

"People are alive, and their thoughts are also alive. What is given to you is yours, and what is not given to you cannot be forced."

"This? How exactly do I get them to give me their ideas?"

Chen Shi's expression was solemn, and it seemed to be getting more and more complicated.

However, he could roughly understand that it was like a lock and a key, they had to match.

"Didn't I just say that whatever they wish for or think, as long as it's what you want or think, you can naturally absorb those thoughts?"

"Then how do we get them to...?"

Chen Shi suddenly stopped talking halfway through his sentence.

How to make others think of him seems to have transcended the realm of magic arts, and it doesn't require a little nun to teach him.

Of course, the desire and longing of the people is not as simple as the longing between men and women, although it may also include such longing.

However, the thoughts of just a few women are extremely limited and cannot possibly lead to a rapid advancement in his spiritual development.

Chen Shi pondered that Yang Youzhi's ability to achieve such cultivation was at least due to absorbing the thoughts of all the rebels.

At its peak, the rebel army numbered 100,000!

Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that there were other civilians who did not join the rebels but were also influenced by him, who also provided him with "popularity".

The sheer size of the required quantity is evident from this.

"We'll see."

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Shi put the page away.

Cultivation is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Moreover, he is a martial artist who mainly cultivates martial arts. Divine soul techniques are just auxiliary methods and do not need to be taken too seriously.

Finally, after carefully examining Yang Youzhi to make sure there was nothing else of value, Chen Shi clapped his hands, stood up, turned to the crowd, and shouted in a deep voice.

"Back to camp!"

Yang Youzhi is dead, and this battle can now be over.