Eagle's Eye

"I can survive freely in this perilous world," thought Chen Shaojun, though deep down he knew that achieving such freedom was far from easy. The concept of freedom has never been a simple undertaking, requiring dedication and effort.

In Chen Shaojun's perspective, he believed that the key to attaining this elusive freedom lies in mastering the art of Daowu. But what exactly is Daowu? Daowu represents the amalgamation of cultivating Taoism and practicing martial arts, intertwining these two disciplines into a formidable force.

In this world teeming with various strange and formidable demons, these two paths of practice provide individuals with the means to confront and combat these otherworldly creatures. Whether one chooses the path of Taoism or martial arts, they acquire the necessary skills and abilities to become a formidable force capable of slaying demons and overcoming any adversity.

However, it is essential to delve deeper into the intricacies of these practices to truly grasp their potential and harness their power. The art of cultivating Taoism involves the pursuit of harmony with the natural order of the universe, seeking balance and enlightenment through meditation, introspection, and aligning oneself with the flow of energy, known as Qi.

On the other hand, martial arts focus on honing physical prowess, discipline, and combat techniques to achieve mastery over one's body and engage in combat with precision and effectiveness. The fusion of these two practices creates a synergistic effect, where the physical and spiritual aspects of an individual are harmoniously united, unleashing their full potential.

Chen Shaojun's eyes flickered with a mix of determination and longing. Deep within him, a burning desire to become a powerful warrior who could vanquish demons and protect the innocent stirred. The allure of such abilities was undeniable, especially for someone like him who had been enthralled by martial arts novels and movies since childhood. It was akin to a mesmerizing, otherworldly beauty standing before him, seemingly affectionate and beckoning him closer. It was difficult not to wonder, "Do we have a connection?"

The path to cultivating Taoism and mastering martial arts did exist in this world, albeit through specific channels. Institutions such as the Dao Xue Gong and Martial Arts Hall were known to impart profound knowledge and techniques to ordinary individuals.

However, there was a catch.

The tuition fees associated with these institutions were exorbitant, posing a significant obstacle for someone like Chen Shaojun, who lacked the financial means to afford such expenses. Furthermore, both the martial arts and Taoist academies had strict requirements when it came to admitting students. The foremost criterion was that prospective students had to possess a pure and innocent character.

Chen Shaojun furrowed his brow, contemplating the challenges ahead. Not only was he burdened by the weight of unaffordable tuition, but his lack of innocence seemed to be an insurmountable barrier blocking his path to greatness.

With a heavy heart, Chen Shaojun contemplated the predicament he found himself in. He had signed a contract, essentially selling his life, where matters of life and death were beyond his control. However, there was a catch—he lacked the innocence required to pursue the path of martial arts and Taoism.

"In the end, I must find a way to break free," Chen Shaojun sighed, acknowledging the burden left by his predecessor, a burden he had to bear alone.

Though he had considered relying on psychic treasures, his previous encounter with the Psychic Treasure Mirror was a fleeting one. Despite searching diligently, he couldn't locate its hiding place. All his attempts to call upon it failed, leaving him with a lingering sense of unease.

"Fortunately, escaping slavery is not an impossible task," Chen Shaojun reassured himself.

Within Lin's pawnshop, there were three official courts. The highest-ranking court, helmed by Qin Dachao, rarely intervened directly. Feng Deming, who led the second court, wore a perpetually cold expression, making it difficult for others to approach him.

However, it was Feng Zhang Gao, the leader of the third court, who seemed more approachable and talkative. According to him, once a disciple of the court achieved promotion to an official position, the Lin family rewarded them and even offered the opportunity to break free from slavery and regain their freedom.

The other party had initially enticed Chen Shaojun with this promise—to release him from his slave status, granting him a distinct change in status and position.

Chen Shaojun settled down, knowing that this was actually a clever strategy employed by the antique shop to win people's hearts.

It must be acknowledged that this shop's predecessor was indeed renowned, and even most of the apprentices of the court couldn't resist its allure, despite being aware of the dangers associated with this profession.

Becoming an official courtier was no easy feat.

The number of courtier apprentices who could endure and persist was estimated to be quite limited.

Nevertheless, there was still a glimmer of hope.

Especially for those who stayed here for half a year, the possibility of eventually becoming a full-fledged courtier became increasingly visible as their magical aptitude deepened.

Everyone harbored a sense of optimism, believing that they would not falter before achieving success.

Ironically, Chen Shaojun now found himself thinking the same way.

The following day arrived.

He was assigned to the No. 7 appraisal room once again.

This time, he was given a small, mottled bead—an oval object resembling a jade button, yet distinctively different.

Given the events of yesterday, there was only one person working in the official court today.

In Lin's pawnshop, Feng Deming of the second dynasty was considered one of the three major authorities, and they could be seen as the nominal masters of the establishment.

During the appraisal process, Feng Deming emphasized a particular precautionary measure. To guard against potential dangers, one could try lighting a candle in the southeast corner of the room. If the flame extinguished, it was crucial not to comply with the other party's wishes and to immediately cease the appraisal. Similarly, if the candle's light flickered and wavered unpredictably, it also required careful handling.

Chen Shaojun and the other court apprentices were already familiar with this method. In addition to candles, burning incense was another way to ward off negative influences and avoid any potential taboos. It was believed to be a technique passed down by experienced elders who had accumulated countless treasures appraisal experiences.

However, candles were relatively inexpensive, costing just three pennies, while even the cheapest bamboo incense sticks were priced at one penny. Given the expenses involved, many apprentices gradually abandoned these practices in an attempt to save money.

Nevertheless, the current circumstances left no room for negligence. Hence, Chen Shaojun found himself lighting a candle in the southeast corner and taking three sticks of incense, carefully igniting each one.

After all, it was better to err on the side of caution.

Chen Shaojun never took his life lightly, and once he confirmed that the candles were brightly lit and the bamboo incense had burned out, he began his work in earnest.

However, he failed to notice that both the candle and the bamboo incense had left a shallow layer of unburned residue upon extinguishing.

Unbeknownst to him, a subtle and imperceptible technique known as God's Hope was successfully executed. A pair of divine lights, almost tangible in their brilliance, illuminated the beads with clarity.

Simultaneously, there was a subtle shift in the energy around him.

In a daze, Chen Shaojun witnessed an arrow-like force piercing toward his eyes with lightning speed.

"This is... the Arrow Road's murderous intent!"

His face underwent a drastic change, and he experienced a sudden, excruciating pain in his eyes. It felt as if a boulder had struck his head.

This was the peril that courtiers faced when utilizing the technique of God's Vision to appraise treasures.

God's Vision was a spiritual duel—a battle of the mind.

Under the stimulation of this spiritual state, every trace of aura within the treasure, whether it be yin, malevolent, ghostly, or murderous, would be drawn out. It would surge toward the individual appraising the treasure, seeking to engulf them in an instant.

As the Qi machines within the bead inflicted injuries on the appraiser or were eradicated, the true brilliance of the treasures within emerged, revealing their authentic power.

After a brief moment, Chen Shaojun regained his composure, though his expression appeared somewhat grim. He hadn't expected the presence of a murderous arrow within this particular bead.

Had he not consumed the Yangyuan Pill the previous day, which enhanced his vitality through refining essence and nourishing the marrow, he might not have been able to endure it and could have met a fate similar to Zhangwang's.

Before fear could fully take hold, the psychic treasure emerged, and the intricate patterns of the bead were vividly recorded in the book.

Engaging in psychic appraisal, Chen Shaojun traced the source.

In a state of trance, his consciousness felt as if it was being pulled through countless dimensions, providing a clear view of how the bead had transformed.

It morphed into an eyeball, and the possessor of that eye was none other than an eagle.

The eagle soared through the skies, traversing mountains and crossing seas, reveling in the wonders of the world and relishing its freedom.

Of course, it had encountered natural adversaries, facing creatures larger and immeasurably more powerful than itself countless times.