CHAPTER 12: CARRYING A LADDER REALLY WORKS?!!

Jiang Lingsu didn't argue with Qi Yuan this time.

Obsession cultivators were inherently different from others. As for whether an obsession with games would lead to anything substantial, that really depended on the individual. After all, a genius swordsman could use basic sword techniques and still defeat average swordsmen with legendary items like the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning Sword.

Of course, that depends. Would you be considered a genius, Senior Brother?

In Jiang Lingsu's eyes, he could be talented, but definitely not a genius. The Great Shang was too small, whereas the Canglan World was far too vast. Not even her family was considered anything particularly notable within the Canglan World.

"Senior Brother, make sure to cultivate well, and protect me in the future," Jiang Lingsu said before returning to her straw hut to continue her cultivation.

Qi Yuan also returned to his room. He held Jiang Lingsu’s jade slip and studied it carefully.

"Earth Fiend Demon Soul Art? Four Advancement Art? Three Essence Technique."

As he skimmed through the techniques, his innate ability constantly fed him additional information.

[This is the Four Advancement Art, created by the Four Gentlemen of Jinzhong. On the surface, it appears to be a High-tier technique, but in reality, it's a dual cultivation method meant for four people. If practiced by all four together, it can reach Jade tier.]

Cultivation techniques are ranked as Basic tier, Intermediate tier, High tier, Jade tier, Profound tier, and Heaven tier. Higher tiers demanded harder cultivation, but yielded greater power and potential.

The jade slip contained a total of 627 techniques, most of which were of Basic or Intermediate tier. High-tier techniques were rare, with Jade-tier ones even rarer.

Afterward, Qi Yuan spent two entire days fully immersed in the jade slip, neglecting his gaming jade. Accumulating this knowledge would be a great help to him. His innate ability allowed him to easily create his own technique, without becoming someone else’s resources. Admittedly, such a technique could have limited potential. For example, at the Great Accomplishment realm, its effectiveness would be equivalent to doing a hundred pushups a day.

By the second night, the dark circles around his eyes had become extremely prominent.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing. "I, Dao Master Qi, have achieved enlightenment!"

He had combined the techniques from the Divine Radiance Sect’s archive with those from Jiang Lingsu, haphazardly creating several prototypes. Finally, one had succeeded.

Qi Yuan looked at the cultivation technique he had created.

[This is a flawed technique. There is a chance of experiencing memory confusion during cultivation. It can be cultivated up to the peak of the Qi Refinement. Notably, this technique does not become a resource for any other being.]

How thrilled he was! His hard work had paid off!

Qi Yuan pondered seriously. "This cultivation technique deserves a grand name."

Since this was his first original creation, it had to be taken seriously. After some pondering, he finally decided on something.

"From now on, it shall be called The Qi Yuan Scripture!"

A simple and straightforward name. Qi Yuan was very pleased. After the excitement wore off, exhaustion hit him hard. He had clearly overexerted himself.

"Too bad it only cultivates up to Qi Refinement realm. Tomorrow, I shall attend some lectures on the Foundation Establishment realm. I will try to improve this technique to that level."

He picked up his gaming jade, but was too drained to play. His eyelids closed against his will, and the gaming jade fused into him.

Qi Yuan murmured as he fell asleep, "I wonder how Jin Li is doing...?"

***

The Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone was seldom visited by people. A forbidden zone that represented immense terror, with equally perilous inner and outer regions. Few dared to approach it, and legend said that not even a Peak Emperor realm cultivator could enter.

Just then, a group of uninvited guests arrived outside the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. There were seven women dressed in extraordinary attire, and three men clad in prison garb. What was most bizarre was that each of them carried a ladder on their backs.

Jin Li gazed at the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. Its outer region was protected by a barrier that not even Emperor realm cultivators could break. Through it, one could glimpse the first few hundred meters inside, where Jin Li could already make out numerous terrifying beasts.

The imperial guard commander stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, we’ve just questioned the locals living nearby. They all said the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is no different from before. There hasn't been any sound or movement from within."

Upon hearing this, a trace of doubt appeared in Jin Li's eyes. Not long ago, Qi Yuan had told her he was killing monsters in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. If that was true, there would’ve been some kind of commotion inside.

Even the commander beside her had many doubts. However, due to her unwavering loyalty to the empress, she obeyed all of Jin Li's instructions without question.

"Mm." Jin Li's lips parted slightly. She said in a cold, elegant, and commanding tone, "Carry your ladders and go towards the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone."

Six imperial guards immediately drew their swords, pointing them at the three prisoners.

The three death row prisoners had no idea why they were here. All they knew was that even Emperor realm cultivators couldn't enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone, so how could they possibly get in? Still, with swords pointing at their backs, they had no choice but to carry their ladders and proceed cautiously.

Beside them, the commander finally asked, "Your Majesty, I know you wish to enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone, but will this really work?"

Jin Li was uncertain herself, but she trusted her six imperial guards. "A friend once told me that to enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone, you just need to carry a ladder."

"That sounds dubious," the commander replied.

The other imperial guards nearby shared the same opinion.

Meanwhile, several hundred meters away, two men perched on top of a tall tree. They were sent by Sima Ting. Thinking that Jin Li was unlikely to succeed in her expedition, Sima Ting had decided against sending top-level spies.

The two men watched curiously from above. "What's Empress Jin Li trying to do? Force her way into the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone?"

"Trying to enter is one thing, but why are they carrying ladders?"

"Ridiculous."

"No wonder men usually rule the world, it's rare for a woman to be emperor. This Empress... she's just so ridiculous."

Of course, even they thought the ladder method was absurd. It was like saying whoever farted the loudest would ascend to heaven.

In the next moment, they saw the three prisoners, carrying ladders on their backs, effortlessly pass through the barrier. The two men were stunned.

Jin Li was overwhelmed with emotions. What Qi Yuan said is true!

Both the commander and the imperial guards couldn’t believe their eyes.

Though excited, Jin Li maintained her composure. "Hua Yue, take care of the two bugs in the back."

One of the imperial guards named Hua Yue vanished instantly.

Jin Li's gaze deepened. She stared at the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone with a complex expression. No one knew what she was thinking.