Chapter 420: Chapter 69: The Storyteller
Zhang Deming smiled faintly and said, "What if I could help you quickly enter the Speech Dao, free from the formatting restrictions of Oratory right from the Entry Level?"
Nangong Cheng paused for a moment, then shook his head. "Words? They’re of little use. The Harmonization Dao of Speech and Calligraphy requires one to be free of formatting restrictions, yet able to open all other Daos through the Speech Dao. What it truly requires is the power of Words Accompanied by Law.
In Hongmeng today, ’Oratory: Words’ is only so widespread because it’s a passing trend. In substance, it has very little effect.
Although it’s format-free, its effects are inferior to the Entry Level Daoist Techniques of Rumors, Lies, or even Law Orders.
The only reason it’s so widely recognized is due to the current climate, perhaps with a few other factors at play."
Zhang Deming nodded. "Yes, I know all this."
Nangong Cheng paused slightly, staring at Zhang Deming again. The gray despair in his eyes slowly began to give way to a faint glimmer of light.
After a long while, he finally asked, "You must be Master’s guest, right?"
Zhang Deming nodded. "Is that why you didn’t throw me into the pond just now?"
Nangong Cheng continued, "What did Master promise you to convince you to come?"
Zhang Deming was slightly taken aback before he realized what was being implied. "You think I’m just here to dangle a bit of hope in front of you, to send you on a wild and fruitless search?"
Looking at Nangong Cheng’s expression, Zhang Deming shook his head and said, "And what if I told you that’s not the case?"
Nangong Cheng looked at Zhang Deming intently. Zhang Deming met his gaze without flinching. The gray despair in the other man’s eyes rapidly dissipated, replaced by a scorching heat that flared from their depths.
’That look... If Zhang Deming didn’t know the man had just endured brutal torture the day before, he might’ve thought the guy was making a pass at him.’
After a long moment, he spoke. "Fellow Daoist, since you are proceeding in this manner, please state your conditions. As long as your method is viable and can allow me to resume my cultivation path, I will not hesitate for a moment to do anything within my power."
In Hongmeng, every path was based on Techniques, and the journey of cultivation began with a Rune Core.
But at some unknown point, special paths began to appear. Some Cultivators developed unique methods—or rather, unique Techniques.
Take Book Cultivators, for example. Besides condensing a Rune Core, they must also practice a Skill that isn’t quite a Technique, using the qi in their chest to form a Literary Gallbladder and condense a Literary Heart.
To put it simply, it’s like equipping the Rune Core with a specialized amplifier. Any Calligraphy Dao Technique would then be boosted by it.
As these paths were developed, they gradually became more common due to their unique and powerful nature. To be blunt, you could think of them as "hidden classes" distinct from the mainstream.
However, these benefits came with significant restrictions. Take a Book Cultivator, for instance. If their Literary Gallbladder is shattered, their Rune Core is also severely affected, making it nearly impossible to advance ever again in this life.
Furthermore, even trying to progress like an Ordinary Cultivator becomes incredibly difficult, leaving almost no hope at all.
This wasn’t limited to Book Cultivators; all such unique paths had similar restrictions. Perhaps it was a case of being constrained by the very privilege one held.
Zhang Deming shook his head again. "I’m really not doing this because I want something. You might not believe me, but I also despise that Witch."
Hearing this, Nangong Cheng paused. He looked at Zhang Deming, his gaze wandering as he scanned him up and down.
Zhang Deming’s face darkened. "What are you thinking? I’m not as foolish as you. A mighty Duality Cultivator, trapped and tormented like this by a mere Tai Chi Stage Female Cultivator."
Nangong Cheng said, "If we weren’t in the Academy, which made us lower our guard, and if she hadn’t been a colleague, how could this have happened?"
Zhang Deming said, "No matter what you say, it still comes down to foolishness."
Nangong Cheng didn’t argue further. It was pointless.
Seeing this, Zhang Deming continued, "I’ve had two extremely brief interactions with that Witch, and some dealings with the person backing her. So, making things difficult for them seems like an excellent option."
Hearing this, Nangong Cheng said, "If that is so, then I, Qing Lian, promise that if my path to the Dao is restored, I will dedicate my life to this cause."
Zhang Deming smiled. With a flip of his hand, three transparent glass beads appeared in his palm. At the center of each bead, the character representing ’Word’ was suspended.
Nangong Cheng’s expression flickered. Looking at the glass beads, he asked, "Tier One Dao-Entry Spirit Nurturing Beads? What Skill is this?"
Zhang Deming smiled. "Word Spirit Technique."
Nangong Cheng looked puzzled. "Word Spirit? As a Calligraphy Cultivator, while I can’t claim Mastery over the Speech Dao, I am quite familiar with it. But this Word Spirit Technique... Why have I never heard of it?"
Zhang Deming said, "This is a Secret Skill passed down in my family, so it’s normal that you haven’t. This Skill is similar to ’Oratory: Words’; from the Entry Level, it has no formatting restrictions at all.
However, it lacks that Skill’s weaknesses. When you use it to perform the three foundational, format-based Oratory Skills, the effects will be equivalent, if not slightly stronger.
My family’s elders once said that this Skill is the most suitable Foundation Establishment Technique for the path of the storyteller. Unfortunately, no one in my family has walked this path."
Zhang Deming paused here, then said, "However, before I give these to you, I have a few conditions."
After hearing Zhang Deming’s explanation, Nangong Cheng’s gaze on the three glass orbs grew much more fervent. He said, "As long as it doesn’t violate morality or my personal principles, I, Qing Lian, can agree."
Zhang Deming smiled. "It’s not that dramatic. First, you need to promise me that without my permission, you will not pass on this Skill to others in any form."
Nangong Cheng nodded. "Of course. After all, it is your family’s Secret Skill, Fellow Daoist."
"Second," Zhang Deming continued, "I will recommend you for a certain organization. Hmm, you can think of it as a gathering for like-minded individuals that also serves as a platform for exchange. If you pass their vetting process, I’ll need you to stand with me once you’re inside."
