Since there were no matters requiring this avatar's presence for the time being, 'Chen Xu' simply accepted the offer and stayed at the Universe Daoist Academy to continue his martial arts training.
The academy was filled with Martial Artists and abundant resources. If nothing else, there were dozens of types of spirit qi within the grounds alone, capable of satisfying the cultivation needs of various martial arts schools.
Furthermore, 'Chen Xu' could shamelessly seek out Li Taiji for discussions on the Dao. It would be a waste to have a Dao Lord nearby and not make use of him.
Li Taiji's three unique martial arts were top-tier treasures even within the myriad worlds. 'Chen Xu's' previous refusal had merely been a joke.
Once his Power Sutra attained the Dao, 'Chen Xu' still intended to cultivate those three martial arts.
After all, every martial art corresponded to a specific path.
As for the cultivation restrictions, 'Chen Xu' believed that even if they were impassable now, they would eventually become surmountable.
If he couldn't figure it out himself, he could always seek help from his main body. The Path of the World was full of miraculous creation; perhaps it could break the restrictions on the dual cultivation of Yin and Yang.
Seeing 'Chen Xu' accept, Li Taiji pulled a token from his sleeve and handed it to him.
"Daoist friend, keep this token safe. It requires no blood sacrifice or soul activation; simply holding it will serve as your pass within the academy. Except for a few core secrets, all other locations are open to you."
"By the way, what are your preferences? Tall or short, thin or plump? Male, female, old, or young? I can find a suitable instructor within the academy to help you familiarize yourself with the environment."
As 'Chen Xu' took the token, he didn't immediately decline Li Taiji's kindness. Instead, he recalled a story Xiang Longwu had once told him.
It was a tale Xiang Longwu had shared while he, Ye Bufan, and Chen Xu were drinking and celebrating on the South Sea.
Legend had it that in the Taikun Martial World, there was a myth about a Wine Gourd Martial Immortal.
Whenever a wine-loving Martial Artist was heavily intoxicated, there was a chance they would encounter a wine gourd.
These gourds came in various colors—some said yellow, some white, others black.
But regardless of the color, as long as one filled the gourd with fine wine, there was a chance to obtain a world-shaking martial art.
However, the interior of the wine gourd contained a universe within a mustard seed; its space was so vast it could drink up rivers, lakes, and seas.
There was once a rich young master who fed the gourd every hundred-year vintage from his family's cellar, yet he could not fill it.
In a fit of rage, he actually started a fight with the gourd.
That young master was also a martial arts prodigy. Having cultivated his family's heritage since childhood, he fought the gourd intensely. They battled from the heavens to the earth, splitting mountains and severing rivers. The commotion was so grand it drew countless onlookers.
The spectators were all astonished. While the Taikun Martial World had demons and spirits, the demons were weak and seen as mere natural treasures to be taken at will. How had a bizarre gourd suddenly appeared that could fight the young master so fiercely?
In the end, the two fought for a day and a night. The young master couldn't harm the wine gourd in the slightest. Having sobered up, he intended to stop and end the farce.
Right then, the wine gourd actually spoke with a human voice. It laughed heartily and spat out words of true essence, passing a world-shaking martial art to the young master, allowing him to become a powerhouse of his era.
Thus, the name of the Wine Gourd Martial Immortal spread far and wide.
For a time, drinking became the new fashion in the Taikun Martial World. Regardless of age or gender, every Martial Artist drank, hoping to one day encounter the Martial Immortal and receive a legacy.
At first, Chen Xu thought this was just a story concocted by wine merchants in the Taikun Martial World to drive up sales. But now that he knew of Li Taiji's existence as a Dao Lord, perhaps the legend wasn't entirely baseless.
Thus, 'Chen Xu' decided to inquire about it.
"I appreciate your kindness, Daoist friend, but at our level, what use have we for such preferences? However, I am curious about a legend from the Taikun Martial World. Could you perhaps enlighten me?"
"Oh? Feel free to speak."
Li Taiji stroked his beard, curious as to what could interest 'Chen Xu', a Lord of the Undead.
"I once heard a legend in the Taikun Martial World about a Wine Gourd Martial Immortal. I wonder if it is true?"
Hearing this, Li Taiji was stunned for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha! I didn't expect that rebellious disciple of mine to have such a grand reputation that it even reached your ears, Daoist friend."
"His name is Li Hu. His true form is a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root from a small realm. After I attained the Dao, I wandered around and encountered him. I originally wanted to harvest him to make a gourd for storing pills. I never expected him to possess sentience. I casually practiced a set of punches, and he managed to learn seventy to eighty percent of it. In my delight, I took him under my wing and named him Li Hu."
A hint of reminiscence appeared in Li Taiji's eyes as he sighed.
"A Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root practicing martial arts—even I found it novel. I must say, his comprehension is excellent. Of all the disciples I've taken over the years, he ranks third."
"Unfortunately, as a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root born of nature, his inherent nature is hard to change despite my teachings. He cannot settle his mind and spends his days wandering the lower martial worlds, manifesting before mortals to show off. He created that title of Wine Gourd Martial Immortal himself. I don't know whether to be angry or amused."
"So it was your esteemed disciple all along."
Hearing that the wine gourd was a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root and had trained under Li Taiji, 'Chen Xu' immediately thought of Zhenyuan, who was also a spiritual root.
That fellow's true form was a Ginseng Fruit Tree, another Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root. Furthermore, it was a Ginseng Fruit Tree that had been wild-beastified, making it aggressive and combative.
A sudden thought struck 'Chen Xu'. Should he bring Zhenyuan to the Universe Daoist Academy to practice martial arts as well?
That fellow had boundless energy. Keeping it in the Land of the Undead was like having a home-wrecking husky; it spent every day tormenting the poor undead. Bringing it here to train would allow it to vent its excess energy while increasing its strength—a perfect solution.
Thus, 'Chen Xu' asked Li Taiji, "Daoist friend, I have a Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root under my command as well. May I bring it to the Universe Daoist Academy to cultivate alongside me?"
"Oh? What kind of spiritual root is it?"
"A Ginseng Fruit Tree."
"The very same Ginseng Fruit Tree that flowers once every three thousand years, fruits every three thousand years, and takes another three thousand years to ripen? You have quite the luck, Daoist friend. But why would you have such a spiritual root practice martial arts? All that fighting might not be conducive to growing fruit."
"You don't understand, Daoist friend. This Ginseng Fruit Tree of mine has a bit of a strange personality. It loves to fight and hasn't given my Land of the Undead a single day of peace."
"Hahaha! Since you are so inclined, I naturally won't refuse. Tell you what—I'll have that rebellious disciple of mine serve as your instructor and accompany you during your training in the academy."
"My thanks, Daoist friend."
'Chen Xu' gave a formal bow, which Li Taiji accepted with a nod.
Then, with a flick of his hand, a Yin-Yang Taiji symbol appeared, disrupting space and returning it to chaos as he reached a hand inside.
Li Taiji pulled out a crimson-gold gourd about half a meter tall.
The gourd initially let out a shriek and trembled all over, but after seeing Li Taiji's face, it let out a long sigh of relief.
"Yikes! Master, so it's you. You scared me to death! I thought it was Eldest Senior Brother coming to catch me!"
"You rebellious disciple, you never do anything productive. You've been raiding your senior brother's wine cellar again, haven't you? Sigh."
Li Taiji shook his head, looking somewhat helpless. Then, he pointed toward 'Chen Xu' and introduced him to Li Hu.
"This is my Daoist friend, the Lord of the Undead from the Land of the Undead, Chen Xu. He will be practicing martial arts in the academy for a while. Everyone else is busy, and since you spend all day fooling around, you shall host him on my behalf."
Hearing this, Li Hu spun around and looked at 'Chen Xu'.
"The Land of the Undead? That Land of the Undead that ranks alongside Heaven and Hell as one of the special worlds?"
"Exactly."
"Great! I never thought that I, Li Hu, would one day make a friend from the undead!"
Li Hu was very excited. It was no wonder Li Taiji remarked on the temperament of a spiritual root; it was truly like that of a child.
"Ahem."
Li Taiji coughed twice to remind him, "Daoist friend Chen Xu is of the same generation as your master. You must not be disrespectful."
"Oh, right, right!"
Li Hu quickly adjusted his posture and bowed formally to 'Chen Xu'.
"Li Hu, the Crimson-Gold Gourd and Wine Martial Immortal under the Yin-Yang Dao Lord, greets the Necrotic Dao Lord."
'Chen Xu' nodded slightly and then opened a spatial gate nearby.
Because he had Li Taiji's permission, this action was not obstructed. The spatial gate opened, and 'Chen Xu' reached in to pull Zhenyuan out.
Compared to Li Taiji, 'Chen Xu's' technique was a bit rougher, but the treatment of the spiritual root was much the same.
Zhenyuan, suddenly grabbed, was furious and about to explode. However, upon sensing Chen Xu's aura, it immediately wilted, its branches drooping listlessly.
"Pardon the display, Daoist friend. This is my Ginseng Fruit Tree, Zhenyuan."
Upon seeing it, Li Hu actually rushed forward and began circling Zhenyuan to examine it closely. As a fellow spiritual root, it was very interested in Zhenyuan.
Li Taiji looked at the spatial gate 'Chen Xu' had opened, sensing the thick necrotic aura from the other side, and suddenly said, "Daoist friend, would your Land of the Undead allow me to open a martial arts hall?"
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