Chapter 3: The Secret to Longevity and the Dragon-Subduing Palm

With this critical hit, the "Quanzhen Sect Introductory Internal Technique" transformed into a remnant page of the "Secrets of Longevity" breathing method, and the manual for "Tongbei Fist" morphed into the first stance of the "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms": "Proud Dragon Repents"!

Although both upgraded techniques were mere fragments, this "Reward Critical Hit System" was simply too incredibly powerful!

As a die-hard fan of the original source material, Zhang Fang knew better than anyone what the "Secrets of Longevity" and the "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" represented.

The former, appearing as one of the illustrations within the "Secrets of Longevity," looked simple and crude, yet it concealed the profound truths of the universe. It was the foundation of survival for the two protagonists in the world of "Twin of Brothers," a realm that only became accessible after reaching the fifth floor of the Samsara Tower.

More importantly, what the two protagonists obtained was, like Zhang Fang’s, just one of the seven internal energy circulation diagrams from the "Secrets of Longevity." While the twins in the original story practiced the sixth and seventh diagrams respectively, Zhang Fang’s fragment, based on the description, appeared to be the first.

However, Zhang Fang figured that since they were both breathing techniques from the "Secrets of Longevity," the difference shouldn't be too significant.

What truly concerned him was that the cultivation requirements for this thing seemed extremely harsh. The twins happened to satisfy the requirements for the sixth and seventh diagrams; he wondered if he would be just as lucky.

As for "Proud Dragon Repents"? That needed no explanation! Everyone knew the power of the "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms." Unfortunately, Zhang Fang had only drawn a single strike, lacking the variations of the others; once he encountered a true master, it would be easy for them to counter. Still, it would serve as an excellent trump card.

Thinking of this, Zhang Fang acted on impulse and immediately took the thin paper containing the "Secrets of Longevity Remnant (Yang)" into his hands. As he touched the manual, the Samsara Tower’s notification immediately rang out in his mind:

【Detected manual: "Secrets of Longevity Remnant (Yang)." The circulation route recorded in this manual is perfectly compatible with your current "Fetal Breath Technique." You may merge it with your "Fetal Breath" mental cultivation method.】

【Upon merging, your "Fetal Breath" internal energy will be dispersed, and you will cultivate the "Yang" attribute Saintly Qi of Longevity. Note: The "Secrets of Longevity" cannot be cultivated alone; it must be fused with another technique to have any hope of success.】

【Do you wish to proceed with the merger?】

【Yes/No】

...

Did that even need asking? It had to be merged!

As Zhang Fang selected "Yes," the thin paper in his hand dissolved into a beam of white light, merging into his body and vanishing. Simultaneously, Zhang Fang felt a wave of exhaustion as the meager internal energy in his Dantian dissipated in an instant. Immediately following, a surge of warmth rose from his Shenque point—his navel—traveling along the circulation route depicted in the diagram, finally settling into his Dantian.

The process was swift, quite different from the complex descriptions in the original "Twin of Brothers." Zhang Fang knew this was the miraculous nature of the Samsara Tower. He didn't dwell on it, instead closing his eyes to feel the tiny, subtle wisp of true energy in his Dantian.

Upon "looking" inward, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.

In truth, as described in the original work, while the requirements for the "Secrets of Longevity" were harsh, once mastered, its effects were far beyond those of ordinary internal energy. The most "bug-like" feature was that a cultivator of this technique did not need to start from the acquired realm like other martial artists, building up quantity until a qualitative change occurred to breakthrough to the innate realm.

As a practitioner of the "Secrets of Longevity," the first wisp of energy they cultivated... no, it wasn't mere internal energy at all; from the very beginning, it was Innate True Energy!

What was the difference between this Innate True Energy and acquired internal energy? Take Zhang Fang for example. Before cultivating the "Secrets of Longevity," if his "Fetal Breath" energy were compared to a strand of hemp, his current Saintly Qi of Longevity was a piece of high-strength rebar. Though the former might be larger in volume, if the two collided head-on, the outcome would be predictable!

Opening his eyes again, Zhang Fang looked forward inadvertently. He was shocked once more.

The entire world appeared much clearer. Not only were the colors richer, but many subtle details he usually ignored were now perceptible; even the faintest shifts that escaped him before could not evade his sensitive hearing. Most strangely, whether it was the buildings or the air, a brick or a speck of dust, everything seemed to be alive and connected to him. He had become a part of them, no longer a detached observer.

Zhang Fang felt a sense of novelty, musing that after cultivating this "Saintly Qi of Longevity," the world had truly become brand new, just as described in the original novel.

Martial arts approached the Dao!

He had reached a threshold on his very first day in the Samsara Tower that ordinary people might not attain in a lifetime. With such observation and reaction capabilities, his overall combat effectiveness had undoubtedly increased significantly!

Zhang Fang remained immersed in this ecstasy for several minutes before finally suppressing it. He then turned his focus to the other surprise he had drawn from the "Newbie Starter Pack": the "Proud Dragon Repents" manual.

As another fragment of an ultimate technique, the "Proud Dragon Repents" was also brief, consisting of only a few pages, ninety percent of which were sketches, with less than a hundred words of text. He used the manual in the same way, and it naturally converted into one of his skills. The nuances of this palm technique became clear to his mind, as if he had practiced it hundreds of times.

The surprise brought by learning "Proud Dragon Repents" was far less intense than that of the "Secrets of Longevity." After a few seconds of careful contemplation, he stopped dwelling on it and brought up his attribute interface to check the changes.

Newbie Player (Unnamed)
Plot Identity: You Tanzhi
Strength: 25
Constitution: 26
Agility: 23
Spirit: 33
Technique: Saintly Qi of Longevity · Yang (Lv1)
Moves: Thirty-Six Tiangang Shield Techniques (Lv2), Proud Dragon Repents (Lv1)

...

Saintly Qi of Longevity · Yang (Lv1)
A unique energy full of vitality, derived from the "Secrets of Longevity Remnant (Yang)" combined with the compatible "Fetal Breath" mental method.
Proficiency: 0/10000
Strength +10, Constitution +10, Agility +10, Spirit +20
Special Effect: Innate Vitality
Innate Vitality: The first diagram of the "Secrets of Longevity" perfectly matches the "Fetal Breath" method's imitation of a newborn infant, naturally containing the purest vitality of heaven and earth. True energy healing effect +100%, True energy recovery speed +100%!

...

Thirty-Six Tiangang Shield Techniques (Lv2)
Proficiency: 0/1000
The family shield technique of the You family of Juluxian Manor, originating from military drills and improved by generations of masters, it has become a formidable skill with both offense and defense.
Strength +2, Constitution +4, Agility +2, Spirit +2

...

Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Missing 17 Palms)
The most Yang and rigid palm technique in the world; it cannot be perfected by anyone who is not a hero with the world at heart! (Currently possesses one palm, missing seventeen)
Proud Dragon Repents (Lv1)
Proficiency: 0/1000
The first stance of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Its essence lies not in the "Proud" but in the "Repentance"—for every ten parts of force expelled, twenty parts remain in reserve.
Strength +3, Constitution +2, Agility +1, Spirit +1

...

Having exhausted the "Newbie Starter Pack," Zhang Fang’s combat power had increased significantly. Beyond just the attributes shown on the panel, his actual combat potential was even more terrifying!

Of course, this "terrifying" was relative to his previous self.

Regarding the current mission, his combat power was still at the bottom of the barrel in Juluxian Manor. If he couldn't beat anyone before, perhaps now he could at least trade blows with Tan Qing, the disciple of Duan Yanqing who was shouted to death by Qiao Feng?

Shaking his head, Zhang Fang jumped off the bed, dressed nimbly, and pushed the door open. It was time to go outside to understand the situation and determine how to complete the main quest based on reality.