Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

"You want to know how to forge the Saint Body?" Venerable Huo Yun was slightly taken aback.

Lu Changsheng nodded. "As you know, Fellow Daoist Huo Yun, I come from a small sect, and so I don't have access to that kind of knowledge."

Venerable Huo Yun pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "The methods for forging a Saint Body are among the Flame Palace's ultimate secrets that keeps it powerful. I'm afraid I can't share such information with you.

"Of course, if you were willing to join the Flame Palace, that would be another matter. But you've only recently founded the Sacred Earth Heavenly Sect, so I doubt you'd be willing to switch to another Martial Dao sect.

"Besides, the Flame Palace possesses very few methods to forge the Saint Body to begin with, and most are suited to fire-attributed physiques. So, even if you learned our methods, they might not be compatible with your path."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Lu Changsheng's face. Still, he cupped his hands in gratitude to Venerable Huo Yun. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Huo Yun. I'll think of something else, then."

Fortunately, Lu Changsheng was currently in no hurry to forge a Saint Body. With enough time, there would surely be other opportunities.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, may I ask if you are over a hundred years old?" Venerable Huo Yun suddenly asked.

"A hundred?" Lu Changsheng shook his head. "Not yet."

The truth was, Lu Changsheng was not even thirty. Ever since he had entered Miaoshou Garden as a child, only a little more than twenty years had passed.

Venerable Huo Yun smiled. "I suspected as much. In that case, your problem may be easier to solve than you think. You could try the Martial Saint Institute."

Lu Changsheng's expression shifted slightly. "The Martial Saint Institute?"

"It's an educational institute jointly established by the Martial Saints of the Sacred Earth. Its guiding principle is that all are welcome, regardless of origin or affiliation. Whether you belong to a major sect, a small clan, or no organization at all, it doesn't matter. Anyone may attempt to join.

"The Martial Saint Institute is divided into an outer division and an inner division. The outer division offers far fewer resources and methods, but it does not have restrictions on your background. As long as you're talented enough and are at least in the Divine Ability Realm, you have a chance of being accepted.

"The inner division, on the other hand, provides abundant cultivation methods, secret arts, and other resources—resources you can't get from the outer division. However, talent alone is not enough to enter the inner division. You'd also need a recommendation from a Martial Saint who is presiding over an organization, not one without affiliation.

"Those recommendations are extraordinarily valuable. Every organization with Martial Saints presiding over it, regardless of how many Martial Saints it possesses, receives only a single recommendation quota every ten years. And naturally, that quota is reserved for the most outstanding Divine Ability martial artist within their own organization.

"If you can make it into the inner division, I'm sure you'll be able to learn of the method you personally need to forge your Saint Body. But even if no Martial Saint steps forward to recommend you, entering the outer division is still worthwhile. At the very least, you'll get your hands on some partial methods about forging a Saint Body."

Lu Changsheng's eyes brightened. He had never imagined that such a place existed. An institute jointly founded by the Martial Saints of the Sacred Earth and open to martial artists of every background was already remarkable in itself. However, despite the so-called openness it preached, the inner and outer divisions made it clear that access to the best resources of the institute was tightly controlled.

Naturally, Lu Changsheng was going to aim to enter the inner division. In any case, he was glad that a way to the Saint Body finally seemed within reach.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Huo Yun," Lu Changsheng said, his delight clear.

Venerable Huo Yun gave a chuckle in response. "No need to thank me. If you go to the Martial Saint Institute, I'm sure you'll shine brilliantly and become a Martial Saint in no time. Just don't forget this old man when that day comes, alright?"

Lu Changsheng smiled, knowing full well that Venerable Huo Yun was only joking. At their level of cultivation, people acted according to their temperament. Had Venerable Huo Yun not taken a liking to him, then no matter how strong or talented he was, Venerable Huo Yun would not have offered so much advice.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist Huo Yun. Until we meet again." Lu Changsheng cupped his hands and parted ways with Venerable Huo Yun.

Then in the next instant, his figure turned into a streak of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Watching him leave, Venerable Huo Yun could not help but sigh. Lu Changsheng... I have no doubt you'll become a Martial Saint by the time we meet again.

That thought strengthened his own resolve.

I've got to work hard too, and forge my Saint Body to become a Martial Saint as soon as possible.

After a moment of contemplation, Venerable Huo Yun also left Void Spirit Mountain behind.

***

Lu Changsheng flew straight back to Heavenly Sacred City and went to find Li Guang as soon as he arrived.

"Brother Lu, how was your trip?" Li Guang asked.

"Pretty good." Lu Changsheng grinned, and Li Guang could tell from that alone that Lu Changsheng's trip had paid off big.

Then Lu Changsheng switched the subject. "Brother Li, I need to purchase some Heavenly Spirit Water."

"Sure, no problem. The Li Clan Merchant Association has Heavenly Spirit Water in stock. I won't be able to give you the thirty-percent discount this time, but I can still offer you ten percent off."

"Ten percent off? That works!"

Lu Changsheng certainly would not make things difficult for Li Guang. With a ten-percent discount, the Li Clan Merchant Association could still make a profit, while Lu Changsheng himself could still save a considerable amount—a mutually beneficial deal indeed.

"How many drops do you need this time?" Li Guang asked.

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment before answering, "Two hundred to start with. If that won't suffice, I'll ask for more."

Truth be told, Lu Changsheng already suspected that two hundred drops would not be enough, but there was no need to buy everything at once. He could first determine how much Heavenly Spirit Water was required to transform one of his remaining Dao Fruits into a divine ability, then buy more accordingly.

"What? Two hundred drops of Heavenly Spirit Water? That would cost one million eight hundred thousand spirit stones!" Li Guang stared at Lu Changsheng in astonishment. "Brother Lu, just how much did you make from your expedition to Void Spirit Mountain?"

Li Guang knew the terms of Lu Changsheng's agreement with the Gourd Immortal Sect. At fifty thousand spirit stones for each drop of Core Dissolution Liquid, Lu Changsheng would have needed to obtain at least thirty-six drops to afford this purchase. Yet from the way he had spoken, it was clear that he still had enough spirit stones to buy considerably more.

From the looks of it, he's probably obtained forty, even fifty drops of Core Dissolution Liquid... Li Guang thought to himself. Had Brother Lu swept the entire mountain clean?

If anyone else claimed to have done that, Li Guang would have laughed in their face, but since this was coming from Lu Changsheng, he had no doubt whatsoever.

Lu Changsheng offered no explanation; he merely gave a smile, and that alone told Li Guang everything he needed to know.

Li Guang immediately rose to his feet. "Come, Brother Lu. Let's head to the Li Clan Merchant Association."

And so, the two of them went to the Li Clan Merchant Association together, where Lu Changsheng paid one million eight hundred thousand spirit stones for two hundred drops of Heavenly Spirit Water.

Even after the transaction, he still had one million six hundred thousand spirit stones remaining, a considerable fortune by any measure.

"Brother Li, I'll need to go into seclusion for a while," said Lu Changsheng, "But before that, there's something else I may need your help with."

The gravity in Lu Changsheng's voice made Li Guang's expression turn serious as well. "What is it this time?"

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath. He had deliberated for a long time, but ultimately felt that if he wanted to enter the Martial Saint Institute and become an inner division martial artist, he would have to seek help from the Li Clan.

The Li Clan was an organization with a Martial Saint presiding over it, so there had to be some kind of recommendation quota. The only question was whether the clan was willing to offer something so valuable.

"Brother Li, does the Li Clan offer recommendations for the Martial Saint Institute? I wish to enter their inner division, but I need a recommendation."

Li Guang's heart tightened. He had known from Lu Changsheng's serious tone that it was not going to be a small request, but he had not expected this.

"Brother Lu, if it were up to me, I would give you a recommendation without hesitation. Unfortunately, being merely the patriarch's heir, I do not have that authority. In fact, not even my father would have the final say in such a matter.

"Who gets recommended has always been decided personally by the Grand Elder Martial Saint. If you want it, I can only go and consult him. Whether it works out or not, I cannot say. I can only do my best. The good news is, though, that the Li Clan has not reached that quota."

Li Guang dared not make any promises, since he had no authority to do so. The most he could do was put in a word for Lu Changsheng with the Grand Elder Martial Saint.

Lu Changsheng nodded. He had not expected Li Guang to give an immediate, definitive answer. After all, this was a most serious matter, not only to Lu Changsheng himself, but to the Li Clan as well.

"That's fine. Brother Li. Please consult the grand elder for me. In the meantime, I'll go into seclusion. I suppose he'll have made a decision by the time I re-emerge."

With that, Lu Changsheng rose, spoke with Li Guang briefly about a few other matters, and then took his leave.

Watching him go, Li Guang let out a long sigh and. The grand elder values that recommendation more than almost anything else. Under ordinary circumstances, it would be reserved for the most outstanding Divine Ability martial artist among the clan's younger generation. Well, Lu Changsheng is no ordinary martial artist...

I should discuss this with my father. If the two of us approach the grand elder together, we may be able to persuade him. And once this quota is given to Lu Changsheng, his ties to the Li Clan will deepen beyond an ordinary business partnership...

Li Guang took a deep breath as he made up his mind. Then, he quickly headed for the Li Clan.