Chapter 501 502: Four Treasuries Dao Canon, Selecting Techniques
Chapter 502: The Four Treasuries Dao Canon, Selecting Techniques
Don't misunderstand—though Lü Yang was heading to the imperial harem, his mind harbored no improper thoughts whatsoever. It was purely because his destination happened to be located within the palace's inner quarters.
This was entirely Emperor Jiayou's doing.
Though Emperor Jiayou possessed three palaces and six courtyards housing three thousand concubines, his heart was wholly devoted to cultivation. Thus, he had relocated numerous cultivation texts from outside into the inner palace.
These included Daoist arts, scriptures, and various manuals on the hundred immortal crafts—truly encompassing all things. Emperor Jiayou had proudly named this collection the "Four Treasuries Dao Canon," boasting that it contained all the cultivation methods under heaven. Inspired by this hobby, many imperial consorts followed suit.
From the empress down to the lowest-ranking concubines, all had studied the Daoist texts within the Four Treasuries. Some even developed unique insights into certain scriptures, using them to curry favor with Emperor Jiayou.
Of course, none of that mattered.
What truly interested Lü Yang were the Daoist arts within the Four Treasuries. Now that he had control over Tianwu Hall, it was the perfect opportunity to thoroughly peruse the collection.
Soon, Lü Yang arrived before the palace complex housing the imperial harem.
A kind-faced eunuch stood waiting at the entrance. Spotting him, Lü Yang smiled and stepped forward, clasping his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist An."
"Lord Du Huan, you flatter me."
Eunuch An waved his hand dismissively, adopting a serious expression. "I heard Lord Du Huan intends to enter the inner palace. This violates protocol. I must ask you to restrain yourself."
"Eunuch An speaks wisely."
Lü Yang chuckled. "However, I've come this time to investigate a case. I suspect Tianwu Hall harbors spies from the Demon Sect who have been leaking information!"
"...What?"
At these words, Eunuch An narrowed his eyes. "Lord Du Huan, such accusations cannot be made lightly. The inner court is loyal only to His Majesty. How could we possibly collude with the Demon Sect?"
"All the more reason to investigate."
After glancing around, Lü Yang lowered his voice. "Fellow Daoist... To speak frankly, the Crown Prince takes His Majesty's assassination attempt extremely seriously. He plans to remain in Tianwu Hall afterward. If the inner court cooperates fully with the investigation, it would greatly reassure His Highness."
"This..."
Eunuch An frowned, his resolve visibly weakening. After all, eunuchs of the inner court existed solely by the grace of the Tianwu imperial family.
With Emperor Jiayou in seclusion, Crown Prince Longxing was now their master.
How could they refuse their master's orders?
Of course, Eunuch An could tell Lü Yang was using the investigation as pretext to browse the Dao Canon for personal gain—but so what?
If officials didn't exploit their positions, were they even Dao Court officials?
Besides, he still needed Lü Yang to put in a good word for him with Crown Prince Longxing!
With this thought, a smile spread across Eunuch An's face. "I see. In that case, please proceed with your investigation, my lord. Feel free to examine the inner palace as you wish!"
"My thanks, Fellow Daoist An."
Satisfied, Lü Yang nodded and strode into the palace housing the Four Treasuries. Before him unfolded a magnificent sight—the vast hall was completely filled with bookshelves crammed with Daoist texts, meticulously categorized. The sheer quantity surpassed even the Primordial Saint Sect's Xianfa Pavilion!
'Of course. The Dao Court is Jiangdong itself.'
North of the river, besides the Saint Sect, numerous large and small sects existed, each with their own secret techniques that might rival the Saint Sect's methods.
But in Jiangdong, the Dao Court stood alone.
All Daoist arts and divine abilities fell under the Dao Court's governance. With such centralized control, it was only natural that a canon assembled with the full resources of the court would surpass the Saint Sect's collection.
'How should I choose?'
Lü Yang pondered. Though he had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, he wasn't actually skilled in combat—he usually relied on sheer mechanics and numerical superiority to overwhelm opponents.
While few cultivators in the world could match his stats and abilities, he couldn't forget one exception—a Foundation Establishment True Person whose numbers and mechanics surpassed his own. Facing that opponent with his current strength would mean certain defeat.
'True Person Dangmo...'
In his previous life, Lü Yang had never witnessed True Person Dangmo fighting at full power. The elder had dispatched nearly every opponent with a single sword stroke.
After all, he possessed two titled-grade sword intents.
Aside from True Person Dangmo, only the Sword Pavilion's [True Lord of Rigid Form Preaching the Dao] had comprehended a single titled sword intent—and that was a Golden Core Great True Lord!
'Too overpowered!'
Lü Yang sighed. In terms of sword intent, True Person Dangmo had reached the pinnacle—a height Lü Yang knew he couldn't match. Thus, he had to find another path.
'If quality can't compete, then compete with quantity!'
He would select several powerful Daoist arts, then use the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] to master them rapidly, thereby enhancing his combat prowess.
For this, Lü Yang already had a plan:
'My current five divine abilities are: the life essence [Heavy Separation Commanding Mountains and Seas Diagram], the innate [Emperor of Life Command], [Palace of Returning Origin], [Heaven and Earth United], and [Coiled Dragon Root].'
'Setting aside the life essence ability, among the innate divine abilities: [Emperor of Life Command] functions more as support, primarily amplifying the life essence ability's power; [Palace of Returning Origin] leans toward defense, containment, and suppression; [Heaven and Earth United] complements [Palace of Returning Origin] by refining whatever is suppressed.'
'As for [Coiled Dragon Root], its wonder lies mainly in healing injuries and dispelling baleful energies.'
This entire system of divine abilities aligned with the imagery of [Heavenly Fire Above], focusing on "governance" rather than specializing in combat.
But this was to be expected.
After all, the precious son shouldn't sit near the hall's edge—bloody battles were matters for generals. Within [Heavenly Fire Above]'s imagery, such direct conflict would be beneath its dignity.
'Yet exceptions exist.'
'Even emperors personally lead campaigns and tread dangerous ground when necessary. The key lies in whether Daoist arts can harmonize with such imagery and fully unleash my numerical advantages.'
Lü Yang extended his divine sense, searching through the Four Treasuries. However, the collection was simply too vast—he couldn't possibly skim through every text. Each required careful examination to determine its imagery and suitability, making the process extremely taxing.
After considerable time, he managed to find only two Daoist arts that caught his interest:
Noon Fire Dao Art: [Beacon Fire Solar Scripture]
Bing Fire Dao Art: [Sun Emperor Radiance Talisman]
'Noon represents beacon fires, so the [Beacon Fire Solar Scripture] aligns perfectly—a technique for marshaling military flames to directly overwhelm enemies. Its weakness lies in being too cumbersome.'
While devastatingly powerful, its speed fell short.
Against opponents skilled in evasion or calamity-dodging divine abilities, they could easily escape, leaving one having expended vast magic power without achieving victory.
'The [Sun Emperor Radiance Talisman] fills this gap. This method harnesses Bing Fire's wonder—Bing representing the sun, glorious at zenith. Witnessing it is like staring directly at the blazing sun, instantly stripping away spiritual perception. Unable to perceive, opponents naturally can't detect attacks, much less evade them.'
Even so, Lü Yang remained unsatisfied.
Though both techniques were decent, they only brushed against the edges of [Heavenly Fire Above]'s imagery. Hoping to challenge True Person Dangmo with these alone remained wishful thinking.
"What a pity—I'm not familiar enough with the Four Treasuries."
If someone had thoroughly studied the entire canon, they might help select more suitable techniques. Yet even among the imperial consorts, few had achieved such comprehensive knowledge.
Just then—
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"