With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

The current head of the Daoist Heavenly Sect, Chi Songzi, was a white-haired elder who had led the sect for decades. Chi Songzi had participated in the "Heaven and Man Pact" between the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect numerous times, consistently emerging victorious.

However, in the next "Heaven and Man Pact," Chi Songzi would face a dangerous challenge. He would ultimately be defeated by the Human Sect's leader, Xiaoyaozi, and would pass away due to severe injuries.

As the leader of the Daoist Heavenly Sect, Chi Songzi's strength was undeniable. His eventual loss to Xiaoyaozi could be attributed largely to the significant age difference between them. Xiaoyaozi was in his prime, while Chi Songzi was considerably older, and in martial cultivation, age can be a significant factor unless one has transcended certain limits.

For martial artists, the prime years are generally between thirty and fifty. During this period, they are at the peak of their physical prowess and martial skill. Younger individuals may lack the accumulated experience and refined skill, while older individuals often face a decline in physical abilities.

However, for those who have surpassed the ordinary limits of martial cultivation—like Beimingzi, Guiguzi, Donghuang Taiyi, and Xunzi—age does not significantly hinder their abilities. These individuals have reached a level where they can maintain their strength despite aging.

Of course, reaching such a level is no easy feat, and for most, it remains an unattainable goal. Chi Songzi, though formidable, was unlikely to ever reach the heights of Beimingzi. Among the Daoist Heavenly Sect, only Xiaomeng had the potential to reach such a level.

Meanwhile, Gai Nie had the potential to reach a level comparable to Wuming, though others, including Wei Zhuang, did not.

Speaking of the future leader of the Heavenly Sect, Master Xiaomeng, it must be noted that she was an exceptionally talented individual, both in terms of skill and lineage. As Beimingzi's final disciple, Xiaomeng held a unique position in the Daoist Heavenly Sect—she was Chi Songzi's junior but in terms of seniority, she was on par with Xunzi of the Confucian Lesser Sage's Village. This made her the senior to figures like Fusu and others.

"The National Advisor's intentions are clear to me," Chi Songzi said calmly after reading Ying Zheng's letter in the main hall of the Daoist Heavenly Sect.

"Thank you for your understanding," Daniel replied, relieved that Chi Songzi had agreed to his request.

Daniel then settled temporarily at the Daoist Heavenly Sect, dismissing the Qin soldiers who had accompanied him with supplies. After all, the Daoist Heavenly Sect was a sacred place where even those who wished Daniel harm wouldn't dare act openly.

As the National Advisor of Qin, Daniel had become a target on the hit lists of all six rival states. His position on those lists had even surpassed that of Ying Zheng, who had yet to destroy the six states. Daniel's various reforms, especially the invention of paper and the spread of knowledge, had angered the aristocratic families across all states, including those within Qin itself.

The aristocracy, which had maintained their hold on power through the control of knowledge, was acutely aware of any threats to their interests. The introduction of paper had already impacted the production of bamboo slips, which had been the traditional medium for recording information.

Historically, although paper was invented early on, its widespread adoption was delayed significantly. This was not due to ignorance of its benefits but rather because of vested interests. The situation was similar to the resistance faced by movable type printing; in many ways, the old aristocracy was not so different from modern capitalists. There's a saying that the only lesson humanity learns from history is that it never learns from history.

Fundamentally, some issues remain consistent across time, regardless of technological advancements. Even though they knew they were resisting an inevitable trend, they didn't care as long as their interests were preserved.

"I didn't expect to have to memorize the *Dao De Jing* here," Daniel mused. Everything in Daoism originates from the *Dao De Jing*, so memorizing it is essential, just like memorizing the *Analects* for a Confucian scholar.

Daniel was familiar with the *Dao De Jing*, but only a few select passages. The *Dao De Jing* is indeed a profound text, with different individuals deriving different interpretations. Even the same person may glean new insights with each reading.

The highest Daoist technique, *He Guang Tong Chen*, is derived from the passage "Blend with the light, and merge with the dust; remain dim and quiet, as though nonexistent." Other principles like "being and non-being create each other; difficulty and ease complement each other; length and shortness shape each other; height and depth complete each other; music and voice harmonize with each other; front and back follow one another," and "the best way is like water," all come from the *Dao De Jing*.

In the past, the *Dao De Jing* was just a classic text, but with the proper internal cultivation techniques, it becomes a supreme martial arts manual. However, the extent to which one can comprehend it depends on one's talent.

The stronger one's abilities, the more profound the insights they can gain from the *Dao De Jing*. Those of ordinary ability are better off practicing the established techniques derived by earlier Daoist masters.

Daniel was no exception; he diligently practiced *He Guang Tong Chen*. The Daoist Heavenly Sect and the Yin-Yang School share common roots, which simplified matters for Daniel. If he were to practice the techniques of Guiguzi, the Mohist School, the Confucian School, or the Agricultural School, he would have to start from scratch, but that wasn't necessary here.

*He Guang Tong Chen* is a supreme Daoist technique that, when mastered, can even create an effect similar to shifting one's position, though this isn't actual teleportation. Instead, it manipulates light to affect an opponent's perception.

*Wan Chuan Qiu Shui* and *Xin Ruo Zhi Shui* are two corresponding techniques: one for emitting energy and the other for absorbing it.

Through his study of the Yin-Yang School's and Daoist Heavenly Sect's techniques, Daniel realized why internal cultivation methods are so important in this era. Compared to ordinary techniques, supreme techniques offer far greater control over internal energy, allowing for effects like inducing resonance and dividing one's focus.

Later on, when Xiaomeng and Fusu engage in their competition, they will each command thirty-six layers of internal energy.

"Finally, I no longer need to rely on magical incantations or the surgical fruits of the Devil Fruit to manipulate objects," Daniel thought with satisfaction. Through his practice of *Wan Chuan Qiu Shui* and *Xin Ruo Zhi Shui*, Daniel had reached a level where he could casually pull objects toward him with his energy.

"So this is Zhuangzi's *Xue Hou Chu Qing* (Snowfall After a Clear Sky)," Daniel observed. The Daoist Heavenly Sect preserved all Daoist martial arts, including those of the Human Sect. *Xue Hou Chu Qing* is a powerful sword technique, whose strength depends on the depth of one's internal cultivation. In fact, it transcends martial arts and can be considered a form of sorcery.

However, despite its great power, this technique has a significant drawback: a long preparatory phase. Without proper support, it is difficult to unleash its full potential. But with the right assistance, it becomes a different story altogether.

"Tianming truly is a martial arts prodigy, managing to execute *Xue Hou Chu Qing* after just experiencing it once," Daniel reflected.

True martial arts cannot be mastered just by observation. The essence of martial arts lies not in the visible effects but in the internal energy circulation paths. Without understanding these, one can only mimic the outward appearance, at best.

"Too bad Xiaomeng is in seclusion; I would have liked to see what she was like as a child," Daniel thought. The Daoist Heavenly Sect did not have many disciples, and with many traveling outside, the place felt somewhat deserted.

Although the Daoist Heavenly Sect's primary philosophy is transcendence, this still involves engaging with the world before transcending it.

As for the elders, nearly all were in seclusion, reportedly because they felt embarrassed after being defeated by the young Xiaomeng.

"Shishu (Uncle)," Chi Songzi said as he stood respectfully before an elderly man sitting serenely under a tall pine tree on the back mountain of the Daoist Heavenly Sect. The old man was none other than Beimingzi, the most senior figure in the Daoist Heavenly Sect.

"What is it?" Beimingzi asked after a long pause, finally opening his eyes. His eyes, deep as the starry cosmos for a fleeting moment, soon returned to a simple, ancient appearance, making it seem as though the earlier sight had been an illusion.

"It's about the National Advisor," Chi Songzi replied softly.

"You are now the head of the Daoist Heavenly Sect. These are matters you should handle on your own."

"I wouldn't dare disturb you without good reason, Shishu. However, this National Advisor has already mastered many of our sect's techniques in such a short time," Chi Songzi explained, detailing Daniel's achievements at the Daoist Heavenly Sect.

"Even my junior sister, Xiaomeng, cannot compare to him."

Chi Songzi's words piqued Beimingzi's interest. Beimingzi knew Xiaomeng's extraordinary talent well, which is why he had personally taken her as his final disciple. A teacher cherishes a talented student, just as most teachers favor high-achieving students.

Take Guiguzi, the Yin-Yang School, and the Daoist Heavenly Sect, for example—their disciples are all exceptionally

 gifted.

"Beimingzi wants to meet me," Daniel remarked with curiosity after receiving the summons. Beimingzi was one of the most enigmatic figures in this world.

"What profound mastery of *He Guang Tong Chen*," Daniel marveled upon seeing Beimingzi under the towering pine tree. The old Daoist truly was unfathomable.

When cultivated to a high level, *He Guang Tong Chen* allows one to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, embodying the Daoist principle of "following the natural way." Daniel only noticed Beimingzi because his own strength was formidable; a lesser practitioner might not have detected his presence at all.

"Greetings, Elder Beimingzi," Daniel said respectfully, despite being more powerful than Beimingzi in terms of raw strength and cultivation level. As someone raised in a culture that respected the Daoist tradition, Daniel felt it appropriate to show deference to such a senior figure.

Beimingzi studied Daniel closely, then sighed softly, "Young friend, your cultivation is truly impressive."

"You flatter me, Elder."

Daniel then seized the opportunity to discuss various aspects of cultivation with Beimingzi, who provided valuable insights.

"Without phones or modern communication, things are indeed inconvenient. But it will be a long time before this world develops telephone technology. I might have to bring a batch of Den Den Mushi (transponder snails) from the world of *One Piece*," Daniel mused.

He chuckled at the thought of the future Qin Empire being connected by Den Den Mushi, envisioning the scene in an ancient setting. One of the main challenges in managing a vast empire in ancient times was communication. "Heaven is high, and the emperor is far away" was a common saying, underscoring the difficulty of enforcing imperial authority in distant regions.

But with widespread communication, such issues would diminish. As for the challenge of distance, that could be addressed with airships rather than planes. Though airplanes were not feasible in the short term, airships could be developed, especially with technology from the *Hunter x Hunter* world.

Airships wouldn't just be for transporting people but also for moving supplies. Compared to mobilizing large numbers of laborers, using airships would save considerable effort and resources.

Warfare, after all, depends heavily on logistics, particularly in long-distance campaigns. The number of laborers required to support an army could sometimes exceed the number of soldiers. The harsh demands placed on the populace during Qin's wars were a significant factor in the empire's later reputation for tyranny.

Daniel was already working on solutions to these issues, aiming to prevent Ying Zheng from overburdening the people with labor demands. Even the corvée system would need to be reduced.

Logistics may have been a headache for ancient strategists, but for Daniel, it was a trivial matter. He didn't even need to go to the battlefield himself; he could simply use his magical storage abilities to deliver supplies. And with Pym Particles, he could shrink entire buildings into portable sizes, making transportation a breeze. With such advanced technology, laborers would be largely unnecessary.

Although Daniel had yet to acquire the Mechanized Zhuque, he was already working on the hot air balloon project with the Gongshu Clan, who were eager to develop it. This wouldn't just transport supplies but also mechanized beasts like the Gongshu Clan's Earthshaking Beasts, which could even be air-dropped.

Even though the Gongshu Clan was often at odds with the Mohists, they had to admit that Mohist mechanisms were superior. While the Mohist Mechanized White Tiger could traverse rough terrain with ease, the Gongshu Clan's Earthshaking Beast struggled with such challenges.

To compensate for these weaknesses, the Gongshu Clan developed other mechanized beasts like the Mechanized Serpent. But even their Mechanized Bats couldn't compare to the Mohist Mechanized Zhuque.

"Farewell," Daniel said after mastering the Daoist Heavenly Sect's and even the Human Sect's cultivation techniques. He left the Heavenly Sect, planning to first visit Zhao before heading to Yan to meet the Mohists.

Given the Gongshu Clan's expertise, as long as they had the Mechanized White Tiger and Mechanized Zhuque to study, they could easily replicate them. Unfortunately, the Gongshu Clan had never succeeded in this endeavor, as the Mohists were meticulous in protecting their Four Spirit Mechanisms.

"There are still people waiting for me, I see," Daniel observed as he descended the mountain from the Daoist Heavenly Sect. He noticed several individuals hidden nearby, some of whom quickly departed upon seeing him—likely to inform their superiors.

"Let's see who they send my way," Daniel thought, a hint of anticipation in his smile.

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