Such circumstances led to the Daoist arts system becoming a very niche discipline. However, this does not mean that the Daoist arts have declined. In a world that values strength, any method that can help people increase their power will never truly fade away.

Just like martial arts, the Daoist arts system is also divided into two types of methods. One is the method for cultivating spiritual power, similar to how martial artists cultivate inner energy; this is called the Visualization Method. The other is the method for utilizing spiritual power, known as Techniques.

As for the Visualization Method, there’s not much to say—it is far too mysterious, and each sect guards their treasured classics closely, making them inaccessible to ordinary people. Focusing on Techniques, however, they differ from martial skills in that Techniques are not graded by level, but only by ranking.

The methods of Daoist arts are similar to the core techniques of martial arts: the more advanced the Daoist art, the more precious it is, and the harder it is to master. Divine Powers, however, are a special existence within Daoist arts. Legend has it that when a martial artist breaks through the ninth level of Qi Refinement, at that very moment, their spirit merges with heaven and earth, and they can naturally comprehend one or even several Divine Powers.

Compared to Techniques and martial arts, Divine Powers are more like a combination of the two, possessing the strengths of both, and every movement carries immense power.

For ordinary people to cultivate Divine Powers, they must break through the ninth level of Qi Refinement. At the instant they enter the realm of Divine Powers, they must comprehend the world and gain insight into a Divine Power. This requirement is simply too high for most people. If this were the only path, then Divine Powers would remain nothing more than legend.

But there are always exceptions. There is one type of Divine Power that is not so troublesome—Buddhist Divine Powers.

Buddhism, in this world, is also a very unique existence. In fact, when this sect, which originated from foreign lands, first entered the Central Plains and preached the equality of all beings, it was treated as a heretical cult and was harshly suppressed for several centuries. However, over time, Buddhism gradually became wiser, its teachings began to merge with Confucianism, and at the same time, some of the benefits of Buddhism attracted the interest of the people of the Central Plains.

Buddhist martial arts have their own unique features. Although they may not necessarily surpass the martial arts of the Central Plains, they are not easily bullied either. Most importantly, Buddhism possesses Divine Powers. The greatest difference between Buddhist Divine Powers and ordinary Divine Powers is that they do not require high spiritual power—one could even say they require none at all. Nor do they require high martial strength; there is no need to break through the ninth level of Qi Refinement. For Buddhist Divine Powers, the key is enlightenment!

Enlightenment is divided into two types: Sudden Enlightenment and Gradual Enlightenment!

Chapter 9: Sudden Enlightenment and Gradual Enlightenment—Buddhist Divine Powers

Sudden Enlightenment is like what happened to Gavin Norton: unintentionally reading a Buddhist scripture, and suddenly, as if blessed by fortune, comprehending a Divine Power. It sounds incredible, but it is a fact.

Gradual Enlightenment, on the other hand, is the foundation upon which Buddhism was able to take root in the Central Plains.

Anyone, as long as they are sincere and recite Buddhist scriptures, after as little as ten years or as long as fifty years, will have a great chance of attaining enlightenment and gaining a Buddhist Divine Power. Even without a sincere heart, as long as you persist in reciting Buddhist scriptures for more than fifty years, there is still a fifty percent chance of comprehending a Buddhist Divine Power.

This is truly remarkable!

Fifty years may seem like an eternity to ordinary people—almost half a lifetime. But for a martial artist who has achieved some success, it is not long at all. A martial artist at the fourth level of Qi Refinement will gain an extra fifty years of lifespan; those at the Qi Manipulation stage live even longer. For them, spending fifty years persistently reciting scriptures to obtain a Divine Power is an extremely worthwhile endeavor. You must know, ordinary Daoist arts, even when cultivated to the higher levels of Qi Refinement, only allow one to practice some talisman techniques. Compared to Divine Powers, the difference is like night and day! Without Buddhist Divine Powers, ninety-nine percent of martial artists in this world could only hope to comprehend a Divine Power at the instant they break through the ninth level of Qi Refinement. And how many can actually break through the ninth level?

For a martial artist to reach the seventh level of Qi Refinement is already one in ten thousand; to break through the ninth level is another one in ten thousand. Calculated this way, out of a hundred million martial artists, at most only one might comprehend a Divine Power. In comparison, Buddhist Divine Powers are a shortcut.

Therefore, Buddhist scriptures are flourishing!

Many martial artists, while cultivating martial arts, will also choose a Buddhist scripture to recite. This way, even if they cannot break through the ninth level of Qi Refinement after thirty years, they can still have a Divine Power to rely on—why not do it?

There are even many people who, from the moment they learn to speak, are taught Buddhist scriptures.

Thus, Buddhist Divine Powers are flourishing!!

Of course, taking shortcuts is not without its price. Buddhist Divine Powers also have their limitations—not just Buddhist Divine Powers, but all Divine Powers share this flaw. Or rather, it is not a flaw, but a matter of balance. Many people comprehend a Buddhist Divine Power, but their own strength is not sufficient to wield it. For example, someone like Gavin Norton, who suddenly attains a Buddhist Divine Power through sudden enlightenment, but due to various reasons, only has the strength for a single strike. After that one strike, all the inner energy and spirit in his body will be completely drained, so it can only be used as a last-resort surprise attack. Even so, it is enough to make people flock to it.

One hundred and eight minor Divine Powers, thirty-six major Divine Powers, and nine supreme Divine Powers!