Longevity Martial Arts: Starting from Inner Core Skill

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If this Book Collection Pavilion were likened to a stretch of darkness, then the thing Wang Sheng sensed was the only beacon of light within, extremely dazzling and conspicuous.

Under the sweep of Divine Thought, it shamelessly flaunted itself to ensure it could be seen by others.

Without hesitation, Wang Sheng followed the guidance of Divine Thought, and quickly located that one special manuscript in his sensing.

"The Heavenly Strategy Record?"

This name was actually not that unique; many tomes would have such titles.

He glanced through it, and although the content was unconventional, there was nothing particularly special about it—it didn’t seem like the kind of thing even the Master of Destiny would avoid.

"Is there something hidden?"

Wang Sheng knew his Divine Thought had definitely not sensed incorrectly, so he focused again, meticulously probing until he eventually discovered something abnormal.

What was special was not the book itself, but a page within the book.

This page was extremely unusual, but outwardly, it appeared no different from any ordinary sheet of paper. If it weren’t for Divine Thought, Wang Sheng would never have found it.

He gently tugged at it, pulling the paper out with ease.

The content on it was simple, just part of the Heavenly Strategy Record, continuing from the previous part and seemingly nothing special.

Of course, Wang Sheng would not think so.

Considering the way he found this piece of paper, he didn’t hesitate and used Divine Thought to try to activate it. Before long, the paper indeed began to change.

The original content of the paper disappeared, and gradually, new content emerged.

The first sentence of this new content was, "Left by Great Zhou University Scholar Zhou Tongwen."

Just this sentence alone sent a shock through Wang Sheng.

He could never have imagined that a book left in the royal library would turn out to be Zhou Tongwen’s own work.

In his memory, his teacher, the old Scholar Zhou Tongwen, had left the courts of Great Zhou in obscurity, yet he had left behind such a wondrous sheet of paper in the royal library.

And it seemed the royal family members had not discovered it.

Even the Master of Destiny had not noticed.

Zhou Tongwen definitely had some remarkable secret techniques.

"So that’s it, the old Scholar’s books were all destroyed, which suggests that what he found was astonishing. Some people didn’t want him to pass that on, and the best way to guard a secret is through death.

Yet, even then, the old Scholar still returned to his hometown and died a natural death. Without some means, how could he have achieved this?"

Wang Sheng was aware that if the royal family truly wanted someone dead, no matter their contributions, they would kill, and they had many ways.

But Zhou Tongwen managed to live to an old age and die naturally; just this fact proved he was not a simple man.

"What exactly was the old Scholar’s identity?"

At first, he thought he was just a knowledgeable old Scholar, but after seeing his essays, he felt he was an old man with some tricks up his sleeve.

Now, the old Scholar’s mystery exceeded his imagination.

He had managed to create such incredible things.

And to understand these things, it seems the answers lay in the content of this paper.

After the self-introduction, there came another very brief sentence.

"Humans are incomplete; every person is not whole!"

This sentence shook Wang Sheng’s heart as if dispelling the mists to see the bright moon.

It could be said to be the origin of all his curiosity.

Initially, his curiosity about the old Scholar was piqued because of the latter’s influence on Qingshan Village, and then seeing his essays.

"x is incomplete"

He had always been curious about what this incompleteness referred to.

Now it seemed he had an answer!

Humans!

What was lacking wasn’t some heavenly decree or some lofty and mysterious entity, but all people themselves.

"Is the incompleteness mentioned in the Jade Scroll of the Valley Master of Stargazing Valley also referring to humans?"

Wang Sheng hadn’t forgotten about the Jade Scroll from the Valley Master of Stargazing Valley, which silenced like a mute. Although much of its content was obscured, it also contained the phrase, "x is incomplete."

This was also one of the reasons he had resolved to come to the Imperial City.

If the Jade Scroll from the Valley Master also suggested the same thing, then this resolved most of his doubts.

Of course, even knowing these things, Wang Sheng still had many questions. What exactly does it mean that humans are incomplete?

Why are humans incomplete?

He continued to read on, hoping to find some answers.

But—

"Sorry, just recording this sentence is already the limit. There are things not that I don’t want to say, but cannot say. If spoken, they will be erased by ’that’ thing, and perhaps even my own existence may be erased.

Leaving such a thing in the Imperial City is a choice of last resort, as leaving the palace walls would certainly lead to discovery.

...

Back to the main point, the surface meaning of this sentence is quite comprehensible, but to search for the truth requires great effort. Yet this sentence must be remembered; it is key to breaking the impasse.

...

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The Master of Destiny was not on an incorrect path, but problems arose—too hasty, and if these problems were not resolved, doom would befall everyone.

In addition, the path of spiritual cultivation might resolve the issues, but remember to proceed step by step; one must reach a high position quickly, or else significant problems could well arise.

...

The things hidden in the shadows are extremely powerful; if you lack strength, do not seek them out. Although that thing cannot act rashly, caution is still necessary... I intended to leave behind my legacy, but as it now appears, it is still impossible to record.

...

The final piece of advice, "Humans are incomplete," even if you believe yourself to be flawless, you must still scrutinize yourself. That thing is most adept at subtly influencing change.

In this life, I have no regrets. I have strived to surpass the heavens, scheming my whole life, yet alas, the fault lies within me, leaving behind endless calamity!]

After all, there is only one piece of paper, so not many things can be recorded, but the information is significant. This is the most explosive amount of information Wang Sheng had come across in his investigations.

The most critical piece of information is naturally the opening sentence, "Humans are incomplete; no one is whole."

This sentence is quite intriguing.

Incompleteness generally refers to physical disability, but there’s a premise here, which is "all humans."

Therefore, the option of physical impairment is directly ruled out; it could hardly be the answer.

So, what is incomplete must be something else.

And the most likely thing is the "spirit." But the content on the paper is saying that the path of spiritual cultivation is a way to break through the deadlock. If human spirit is incomplete, then why would it be the method to surmount the challenges?

The answer to the question brings new puzzles, and clearly, Wang Sheng now faces new challenges.

Humans are incomplete, but what specifically is incomplete? What exactly did Scholar Zhou Tongwen discover?

However, one thing is certain—Scholar Zhou Tongwen is no ordinary man. He is a cultivator, and his method seems not simple, seemingly able to resolve hidden dangers.

Regrettably, just like the truth itself, Zhou Tongwen’s cultivation method might be capable of breaking through, but it is essentially inexpressible.

There is also the issue with the Master of Destiny.

The Master of Destiny seems not as feeble as imagined; it appears there has been a serious problem at some stage, making it seem ineffective.

"Although many questions have been explained, I still feel like it’s not that simple."

Wang Sheng did not believe a Scholar like Zhou Tongwen, who could leave such things, would only leave this information.

But no matter how he looked or tried, there was nothing new to discover.

He repeatedly examined the content on the paper, hoping to find some clues.

"No, the last sentence feels rather abrupt. Logically, after reminding to pay attention to one’s issues and suggesting self-examination, it should end there. Why add that last sentence?"

Wang Sheng had read Scholar Zhou Tongwen’s notes and was somewhat familiar with his writing style. Zhou Tongwen wrote with a purpose, only recording useful content, never indulging in self-reflection.

But the last sentence on the paper is a clear expression of regret.

A person’s writing style is hard to change.

This sentence of lament, in contrast to the other styles, is noticeably jarring.

"So, what does this lamenting sentence represent?"

Wang Sheng did not want to miss any clue.

No matter how he looked at the words, there was no further insight.

After much thought, Wang Sheng put away the paper; if he couldn’t figure it out right now, he would later ask others.

Yue and Zhu Xiao were both good candidates.

But there was one serious issue; he had just discovered that seemingly everyone was showing signs of mind control, and then he learned that everyone was incomplete.

His trust in others dropped significantly.

He did not know if Yue and Zhu Xiao had any problems, or even if he himself was unafflicted was uncertain.

So it was unclear if asking these questions would lead to mishaps.

"Forget it, I’ll take it one step at a time!"

At least this trip cleared up some things about Scholar Zhou Tongwen.

The Scholar was truly a genius, not only achieving success in many endeavors but also retreating unscathed from that mysterious thing that even the Master of Destiny feared, leaving behind a secret manuscript in the Imperial Palace.

The paper also mentioned that leaving it here was for protection.

But who would find it was no longer his concern.

In reality, Scholar Zhou Tongwen had failed; he had left behind only a possibility.

But he never anticipated that this possibility would be discovered by someone from his own village, ultimately acquiring this thing.

And Wang Sheng, who obtained the paper, had undergone a change in mindset.

Initially, he was just seeking amusement, satisfying his curiosity, and exploring such things, which was beneficial for his cultivation.

But on this trip to the Imperial City, having witnessed mind control, Heavenly Father, Evil Dragon, and the paper, he felt he might not be unaffected.

Especially by the content of the paper.

Everyone is incomplete—even if he had transmigrated, after all, he occupied the original body.

Was the original also part of everyone, and could it affect him?

Wang Sheng was uncertain and without answers for now.

But if this problem was not resolved, it would be like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, planting a stone in his heart.

In the end, Wang Sheng sighed deeply.

"It must be resolved sooner or later!"