Unrestricted Dao Lord

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Su was in his Quiet Chamber, the Cold Frost Sword in his hand a blur of light.

A faint rumble of wind and thunder echoed from within the flurry of light.

CLACK.

With a crisp sound, Zhang Su sheathed his sword.

He focused his attention and checked the information on the panel.

Host: Zhang Su

Cultivation: Outer Force (Early Stage)

Wind and Thunder Sword Technique: Compatibility 95% (Great Success)

Compatibility Value: 10

Zhang Su’s Compatibility Value had increased by another seven points.

This was his achievement for the month, having practiced a full seven Martial Techniques to the Perfection Realm.

Now, there were still four Martial Techniques left that had not reached Perfection.

These remaining four Martial Techniques each needed a spark of insight to reach Perfection.

The Wind and Thunder Sword Technique was among them.

As a top-tier Swordsmanship, the Wind and Thunder Sword Technique was already quite formidable at the Great Success level.

Moreover, there was something very special about Zhang Su.

The seven Martial Techniques he had mastered to Perfection could actually merge into one, becoming instinct.

This was no simple feat.

He had discussed it with Lu Tianqing.

Despite being a rare genius, even Lu Tianqing couldn’t merge all his Martial Techniques into one and make them instinct.

For now, this ability was unique to Zhang Su.

’Ten points of Compatibility Value is enough. The priority right now is to choose an Unparalleled Cultivation Technique to raise my Cultivation as quickly as possible.’

Zhang Su knew clearly that Cultivation was the foundation of everything.

He could practice as many Martial Techniques as he wanted, but they would be useless if his Cultivation didn’t improve.

So, Zhang Su immediately got up and headed for the Instructor Pavilion.

CREAK.

Zhang Su pushed the door open and stepped out.

He noticed that Tang Ying, the owner of the adjacent courtyard Two-Six-Seven, had also returned.

He didn’t know what kind of mission Tang Ying had been on.

She looked travel-worn and rather exhausted.

However, Tang Ying’s eyes lit up when she saw Zhang Su.

"Junior Brother Zhang, it’s alright that you couldn’t get into Bamboo Sword Peak. There are many factions in the Inner Sect that can meet your needs, with many senior brothers and sisters of high Cultivation and great strength who are willing to teach you. For example, the Guanghui Alliance I’m in is a great choice. If you’re willing, you can come with me. With my recommendation, you’ll definitely be able to join."

Tang Ying’s usual cold demeanor was gone, replaced by a newfound enthusiasm.

"Heh, Junior Sister Tang Ying, how can your Guanghui Alliance compare to my Elite Association? Although Junior Brother Zhang is a Dharma Protector Disciple, he entered the Inner Sect as ’Outer Sect First,’ which completely meets the entry standard for the Elite Association. Our Elite Association has many senior brothers at the Pill Force and even Gang Force levels, just a step away from the Postnatal Realm..."

Zhang Su’s other neighbor, Hu Buyu, had appeared at some point and was now clashing with Tang Ying, both trying to win Zhang Su over.

Tang Ying frowned, about to retort.

But Zhang Su just shook his head.

He couldn’t care less about any "Guanghui Alliance" or "Elite Association."

He had never needed anyone to teach him.

Besides, these factions were founded by Inner Sect Disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.

It was meaningless.

Zhang Su pushed open his gate and walked straight away.

Tang Ying and Hu Buyu shot each other a vicious glare, but then both of them frowned.

"Hmph, this Zhang Su is pretty arrogant. He was already rejected by Bamboo Sword Peak, what does he have to be arrogant about?"

Tang Ying snorted lightly.

"Tang Ying, the man was once ’Outer Sect First.’ Even though he was rejected by Bamboo Sword Peak, isn’t your Guanghui Alliance and my Elite Association still fighting over him?"

Hu Buyu sneered.

He knew Tang Ying was "jealous."

A newly-entered Dharma Protector Disciple, rejected by Bamboo Sword Peak, was actually this sought-after?

"Hu Buyu, what’s the use of you speaking up for Zhang Su? He didn’t even give you a second glance. Do you think he’ll join the Elite Association? Don’t be ridiculous, it’s impossible!"

"We join these factions to band together for warmth, but Zhang Su... he thinks he can make a name for himself in the Inner Sect without relying on any faction."

"So, let’s both save our breath. A person like Zhang Su is proud to the core. It’s useless no matter how much we praise him!"

Tang Ying, at least, saw things clearly.

Hu Buyu’s eyes narrowed slightly. Watching Zhang Su’s receding figure, he said in a calm tone, "How many self-proclaimed geniuses have come to the Inner Sect only to end up fading into mediocrity? The fact that Bamboo Sword Peak didn’t accept him means his potential is limited. He’s destined for a low level of achievement."

"Just wait. He’ll let go of that damned pride of his eventually..."

Zhang Su was already far away and couldn’t hear the discussion between Hu Buyu and Tang Ying.

But even if he had heard, he wouldn’t have cared.

’How many geniuses fade into mediocrity in the Inner Sect?’

’But that definitely won’t include me!’

Zhang Su soon arrived at the Instructor Pavilion.

The same Elder Zhao was at the entrance, currently lying on a chair with his eyes closed, resting.

Zhang Su immediately bowed and said, "Elder Zhao, this disciple wishes to go to the second floor to exchange for Martial Arts at the Inner Strength Level."

He didn’t mention the matter with Bamboo Sword Peak at all, as if it had never happened.

Elder Zhao opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Su, a complicated expression on his face.

"Alright, go on up."

Elder Zhao waved his hand, seemingly lacking in energy.

Zhang Su immediately turned and went up to the second floor.

Although there weren’t as many Cultivation Techniques on the second floor as on the first, the selection was still dazzling.

Fortunately, Zhang Su had a clear goal. He went straight to the bookshelf containing the Unparalleled Cultivation Techniques.

He was well aware of his advantage.

With ten points of Compatibility Value, he was confident he could master even the most profound and esoteric Martial Arts.

Therefore, he would naturally choose the Martial Arts with the greatest power and potential.

Zhang Su flipped through one Unparalleled Cultivation Technique after another.

The Compatibility was very low.

Most were between ten and twenty percent.

Only a very small number reached a Compatibility of over twenty percent.

Zhang Su was not satisfied with any of them.

It wasn’t because the Compatibility was too low.

He had ten points of Compatibility Value, so he didn’t care about the Compatibility rating at all.

It was just that none of these Martial Arts seemed like the kind that could help him build a profound foundation and smoothly break through to the Postnatal Realm.

Forget breaking through to the Postnatal Realm; it was uncertain if these Unparalleled Martial Arts could even lead to Pill Force or Gang Force.

"What, none of them satisfy you?"

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind Zhang Su.

Zhang Su turned to find it was Elder Zhao from the Instructor Pavilion.

The Elder had come up to the second floor at some point without him noticing.

"This disciple... is indeed not quite satisfied."

Zhang Su said truthfully.

"What kind of Martial Arts are you looking for? This old man has been in the Instructor Pavilion for many years and knows the Martial Arts within like the back of my hand. This old man can offer you some suggestions."

"Are there any Martial Arts that can be cultivated all the way to the Postnatal Realm? I don’t care how difficult they are."

"..."

Elder Zhao fell silent.

He stared at Zhang Su and sighed deeply. "Once you reach the Inner Strength Level, it’s nearly impossible to rely on a single Unparalleled Martial Arts to sweep through everything, cultivate unimpeded like splitting bamboo all the way to Gang Force, and even break through to the Postnatal Realm..."

"The path of the Martial Dao must be walked one step at a time, with your feet planted firmly on the ground!"

"However... there is indeed one Martial Art that might be suitable for you."

Zhang Su’s eyes lit up. "Please enlighten me, Elder."

Elder Zhao took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "There is a Martial Art called the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill, one of our Guiyuan Sect’s Supreme Secret Transmissions. It’s actually a combination of nine separate Martial Arts. Each one, on its own, is an illustrious and Unparalleled Divine Technique!"

"If all nine are combined, not only can one easily reach the Postnatal Realm, but it can also lay a solid foundation for breaking through to the Innate Realm in the future!"

"But this Martial Art cannot be cultivated by anyone other than a ’Second Limit Breaker.’ This is because some of the component Martial Arts have different attributes. Only the Inner Strength born from ’Second Limit Breaking’ is vast enough to contain all rivers and fuse Inner Strengths of various different attributes."

Zhang Su’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.

"Elder, this disciple will exchange for the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill! It’s just that... this disciple has looked through all the Unparalleled Divine Techniques on the second floor and doesn’t seem to have seen one called the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill."

Elder Zhao shook his head. "Of course you couldn’t find it. This Martial Art is a Supreme Secret Transmission of the Sect and also one of the most difficult. In the entire history of our Guiyuan Sect, only one patriarch has ever mastered it."

"Because it is so difficult, many talented disciples tried to learn it, but unfortunately, it only ended up hindering their Cultivation progress. Over time, the Sect simply removed the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill."

"But in reality, the nine Unparalleled Divine Techniques required for the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill are all here on the bookshelves of the second floor. It’s just that many disciples don’t know they are part of it. Zhang Su, do you want to cultivate the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill?"

"Yes, this disciple will exchange for the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill. I ask for the Elder’s assistance!"

Zhang Su bowed to Elder Zhao.

Elder Zhao looked at Zhang Su and remained silent for a long time.

But a trace of hesitation seemed to flicker in his eyes.

After a long while, Elder Zhao took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind. He said in a low voice, "Zhang Su, you forged a Supreme Foundation through Second Limit Breaking, and your comprehension is excellent. Although your bone structure is Lower-Grade and you became a Dharma Protector Disciple over the age limit, this old man believes you are a talent of fine jade, worthy of being nurtured."

"Bamboo Sword Peak doesn’t want you, but this old man does!"

"Zhang Su, are you willing to take this old man as your master?"

Elder Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Su.