Chapter 537: Daoist Lineage Monopoly, Forging a Path of One's Own

With Ming Jue’s help, Qi Suian ‘mastered’ writing in just two hours.

Then, Ming Jue hurried off without another word.

The next day, a Preaching Monk brought Qi Suian a copy of the *Sutra of the Sublime Lotus True Dharma*. From then on, all Qi Suian had to do was observe the precepts, study the Buddhist Teachings, and engage in simple cultivation activities.

These so-called cultivation activities weren’t about training, but about joining the assembly for temple services, dining rituals, scripture chanting, and meditation.

These activities were meant to cultivate concentration and wisdom, thereby raising one’s Cultivation Realm.

Temple services referred to the monastery’s morning and evening chants, while dining rituals involved the precepts surrounding meals.

Scripture chanting was self-explanatory, and meditation meant achieving a state of deep concentration through seated practice.

This series of practices was more akin to a realistic approach to self-cultivation, rather than the fantastical training found in xuanhuan or xianxia stories.

Furthermore, this was not unique to the Buddhist Family; the Daoist and Confucian Families operated similarly.

Becoming a Novice Monk was also simple: the moment one’s Zen Heart stabilized, one was considered a Novice Monk.

Upon becoming a Novice Monk, one gained the Divine Technique of a stabilized Zen Heart. This allowed the Novice Monk to maintain inner peace, resist external disturbances, and strengthen their willpower.

That’s right—it didn’t directly increase combat power. It was merely a supportive effect that enabled the Novice Monk to better engage in cultivation.

Thus, the calm and tranquil aura of a Novice Monk was instantly recognizable.

Trying to fake it was pointless. Without a true Zen Heart, one would inevitably be exposed over time.

Moreover, one wouldn’t be able to participate in subsequent cultivation activities and would be found out on the spot.

The consequences would be severe—expulsion from the mountain.

‘This… is trouble.’ Qi Suian stared at the *Sutra of the Sublime Lotus True Dharma* and its stringent precepts. This was a mind-based Extraordinary system, one he could never hope to master.

‘Besides, my disposition is completely incompatible with this stuff. Forget reaching the level of a Buddha—I can’t even become a Novice Monk.’

If this were the Demon Dao or the Evil Dao, on the other hand, Qi Suian’s progress would be frighteningly fast.

‘So, I’ll just have to keep making modifications.’

‘But I need to get my hands on the foundational teachings of the Daoist and Confucian Families first.’ Qi Suian knew he was truly unsuited for this path.

The foundational level for the Buddhist Family was Novice Monk, for the Daoist Family it was Daoist Child, and for the Confucian Family it was Child Scholar.

The six tiers of each path corresponded with one another.

Novice Monk, Bhikkhu, Mage, Eminent Monk, Arhat, Bodhisattva.

Daoist Child, Daoist, Daoist, True Person, True Monarch, Celestial Master.

Child Scholar, Scholar, Scholar, Gongshi, Advanced Scholar, National Hero.

The first two tiers in each path are for laying a foundation; they offer basically no combat power.

The abilities gained are mostly passive. Only upon reaching the third tier can one begin to master Extraordinary powers.

Examples include Huixin’s powerful physique and the scholar from before who could manifest Magic through written characters.

The only problem is that everyone in the same lineage obtains the exact same Divine Techniques.

Their base power and upper limits are also identical, meaning that progression relies heavily on individual talent and skill.

The greater one’s talent and skill, the more effectively they can apply and develop their Divine Techniques.

More importantly, beyond the third tier, it is fundamentally impossible to defeat someone of a higher rank.

A chasm separates each tier, making it impossible to defeat someone of a higher rank within your Daoist Lineage.

Protagonists were the exception, of course. They existed outside the rules, so Qi Suian didn’t factor them into his calculations.

‘This is a kind of Extraordinary monopoly, isn’t it?’

Muttering to himself, Qi Suian set aside the scripture and began to ponder where he could obtain the foundational texts of the Confucian and Daoist Families.

‘Theoretically, Xingdu Temple should have copies.’

‘So, why not just go have a look?’ With that thought, Qi Suian put down the book and headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion.

Xingdu Temple’s Scripture Pavilion housed a vast collection of Buddhist Teachings, primarily for monks to study and advance themselves as part of their cultivation.

As such, access wasn’t restricted. Not only monks, but visiting pilgrims could also enter.

So, Qi Suian strolled right in.

The value of the books in this Library Pavilion was so immense that if they were out in the world, even the richest man in Guiyun City couldn’t afford them, even if he were squeezed dry of all his gold and silver.

For common people, knowledge and books had always been prohibitively expensive.

Qi Suian didn’t pay much mind to the Buddhist scriptures. Their content was all more or less the same, focused on spreading “positive energy.”

This was one of their methods of cultivation, and it was completely incompatible with the systems Qi Suian was used to.

Fortunately, after a bit of searching, he found the information he was looking for in a corner of the Scripture Pavilion.

After reading it, his heart sank completely.

The Daoist Family and Buddhist Family were largely the same, just with different points of emphasis.

The Confucian Family was the most problematic. While they didn’t have to follow a long list of strict precepts, they did have a corresponding code of conduct for a “gentleman.”

Their method of advancement was also different: taking the imperial examinations.

The rank one achieved in the exams determined the corresponding power one would possess.

As for cheating, Qi Suian had no idea. He had never participated, so he didn’t know what would happen if someone tried to cheat their way through the examinations.

However, with the existence of the Extraordinary, cheating was likely impossible.

‘If you had enough power to successfully cheat, why would you even need to take this path in the first place?’

‘Unless I completely twist my own mind and way of thinking, there’s absolutely no way for me to enter the Extraordinary paths of these three Daoist Lineages: Confucian, Buddhist, or Daoist.’ Qi Suian quickly grasped his situation.

Of course, he didn’t have to do it to himself; he could always operate on his “survivor avatar.”

He’d just need to apply a patch, so to speak.

The solution was simple, but he had no desire to follow the paths of the three families. After all, their ultimate sources were already occupied.

No matter what, he would only ever be someone’s subordinate.

More importantly, the Saints, Buddhas, and Immortals at the source of these three Daoist Lineages held the power of definition and interpretation. This meant any future changes would depend entirely on their whims.

This meant that once you stepped onto the path, you could never hope to leave it.

Even though it was just a survivor avatar, Qi Suian had no intention of sending it in as a spy.

It wouldn’t work anyway.

The higher one’s power level rose, the stronger their sense of belonging to the Daoist Lineage became. Eventually, they might even become a part of the source itself.

Take the Bodhisattvas, True Persons, and National Heroes, for example. Perhaps they had long ago, unknowingly, become mere extensions or avatars of their respective sources.

In the end, all their efforts would just be for someone else’s benefit.

But Qi Suian also understood that if he were to establish a new Daoist Lineage, the trouble that followed would be immense.

But that was also what he wanted: to plunge the entire world into chaos.

The next step was simple, too. He would just brute-force his way through. That was his true goal.

He wasn’t capable of stirring up chaos through intricate schemes and plots, but creating chaos through brute force? That, he was good at.

It was just a matter of killing, killing, and more killing. Simple.

He put the books back. He needed to return and sort out his thoughts.

When he returned to his guest room, Huixin was already there, having waited for a long time.

“Brother Qi, you’ve had a look around the Scripture Pavilion. Did you find anything interesting?” Huixin’s injuries had already recovered after just one day.

Although he couldn’t fight yet, that only applied to fighting those on his own level.

“It was fine. I just didn’t expect the Buddhist Teachings to be so difficult to cultivate,” Qi Suian sighed. He was telling the truth.

“It’s only your first day. Yesterday, Brother Qi, you were completely illiterate. The fact that you can now find the Buddhist Teachings difficult is already tremendous progress,” Huixin said, trying to console him.

‘But he was also a little relieved. Thankfully, he hadn’t offered to accept Qi Suian as a disciple on his master’s behalf.’

‘The man’s aptitude wasn’t as great as he’d imagined; in fact, it was rather poor.’

‘From Qi Suian’s expression, it was clear he hadn’t gained a single thing.’

‘Even a person of ordinary aptitude would grasp some true meaning of the Buddhist Teachings on their first day.’

‘After all, most people would never have the chance to be personally initiated into the Buddhist Teachings by the Abbot’s own disciple.’

‘Before becoming Novice Monks, most people simply learned to read and write.’

‘An initiation through the Buddhist Teachings could greatly accelerate a Novice Monk’s cultivation efficiency and reduce the time required to advance.’

‘This was the Abbot’s way of investing in and compensating Qi Suian.’

“That’s… probably not very common, is it?” Qi Suian could easily tell the other man was just trying to make him feel better.

‘His plan was simple now. Since he had to create his own Daoist Lineage, he needed to get out of this place as soon as possible.’

‘Anyway, the Confucians, Buddhists, and Daoists didn’t attack ordinary people, only those from hostile Daoist Lineages.’

‘Since I haven’t cultivated anything, I’m not part of the Buddhist Family’s Daoist Lineage, so I won’t be targeted.’

“It’s just that your cultivation speed is a little slow,” Huixin confirmed, phrasing it delicately.

‘The man was his savior, after all. He couldn’t be too blunt.’

“Master Huixin, you don’t have to console me,” Qi Suian said, showing he understood. “I’m afraid I’m not cut out to be a cultivator.”

“I think I’ll just head down the mountain and find some work to do.”

The words caught Huixin completely off guard. ‘Isn’t he giving up a bit too quickly?’

‘It hasn’t even been a full day!’

“Why not practice for a few more days? If there’s still no progress, I’ll go to the temple and request some Buddha Field for you, Brother Qi. You could farm at the foot of the mountain. How does that sound?” Seeing Qi Suian’s resolute attitude, Huixin didn’t know what else to say.

He just didn’t want Qi Suian to leave. He firmly believed Qi Suian was a man of great fortune whose time simply hadn’t yet arrived.

When his luck turned, if he didn’t soar to the heavens, he would at least make astounding progress.

“In that case, I’ll be thick-skinned and stay at the monastery for a few more days.” Qi Suian wanted to leave at once, of course, but that wasn’t realistic.

‘Even if I wanted to leave, Huixin would never let me. You don’t treat your savior that way.’

“Brother Qi, you saved my life. There’s no question of being thick-skinned,” Huixin said, thinking Qi Suian was just being modest.

He offered a few more words of comfort, marveling at how genuinely simple and honest Qi Suian seemed.

After chatting for another hour or so, Huixin finally left, apparently to take his medicine.

Qi Suian, meanwhile, began to lay the groundwork for creating his own Daoist Lineage.

‘First, it has to be based on status.’

‘All three Daoist Lineages are built on the foundation of status.’ Qi Suian had identified the common thread.