Chapter 1 Dao Fruit

August 20th.

In the time it took to use the restroom, I had traveled through time.

The cellphone and toilet paper I was holding vanished without a trace, my clothes had transformed into a well-fitting blue robe, and I had become a clear-eyed, handsome 14-year-old, destined to be a striking figure in the future.

I didn't know why I had changed like this, perhaps it was reincarnation or my soul had traveled; who knows?

August 21st.

The second day after traveling.

I had basically figured out the current situation.

This world is known as "Red County Divine Land," with a background somewhat similar yet vastly different from ancient times of my previous life. The current rulers are the Great Zhou Ji Family. In this life, my name is "Jiang Li," born into the Great Zhou nobles, the Jiang Family. The main family moved overseas due to political strife, and the branch family members scattered in different directions, which led me to join the Dinghu Sect and become an Outer Disciple.

This world possesses Magic, Martial Arts, but more importantly, a promotion system known as "Dao Fruit."

This system, similar to that of a certain bathroom lord's magic potion system, is divided into nine grades, and each upgrade requires corresponding Magic Ceremony and Dao Fruit. However, the system does not restrict specific paths.

Divine, Buddha, Immortal, Human, demon, Demon, Ghost, Monster—creatures of the same category can ascend without side effects if conditions are met. Different but similar categories might also ascend at some cost, for example, from Human to Divine, or demon to Demon.

This world had experienced the End of Dharma; the era filled with Five Vile Qi, where cultivators' True Qi all came from Refining Essence into Qi. Regardless of how talented one is, there's a limit to their Power, yet Dao Fruit could enhance this limit.

Holding Dao Fruit enhances one's life essence; the True Qi refined from the bodies of divine beings is naturally incomparable to that from mortal bodies.

It's said that First Grade Dao Fruit can even change heaven and earth, like the Mystic Sect's First Grade Dao Fruit, which is the Three Pure Ones from the legends. If I become a Heavenly Venerate, can I go home?

August 22nd.

Damn Golden Finger!!!

No, you don't even deserve to be called a Golden Finger.

I thought this book, visible only to me, had some functions, but after two days of research, I realized it does nothing more than automatically write down my thoughts and experiences.

Isn't this just a diary?

What serious person writes a diary?

August 23rd.

Today in the Dharma Hall, the elder asked the disciples about their future cultivation choices, mentioning that Dinghu Sect offers two types of Ninth Grade Dao Fruit to choose from—Human Species Daoist and Divine Attribute Heavenly Soldier.

Both are unique Dao Fruits of the Mystic Sect; Daoist focus on Magic Practice while Heavenly Soldiers favor Martial Arts. I actually prefer the more robust Heavenly Soldier, but who'd ignore the subsequent Dao Fruit of the Daoist known for excellent Divination?

Everyone knows, Divination Masters can really survive tough times, so there's only one answer.

August 24th.

Advancement as a Daoist requires three years of initiation and reading ten Daoist Scriptures. I'm already half a year into the novitiate; roughly one Yikun year more and I can advance.

However, I can start practicing Magic right away.

From tomorrow, calendrical calculations, learning Divination.

August 25th.

Gengzi Year, Bingxu month, Dinghai Day, suitable for traveling, starting a business, relocating; avoid marriage, moving earth, breaking ground.

Today, I was walking by the Dinghu, found three Emperor Wen's coins which can be used for Six Divination. Is heaven also telling me to learn Divination?

August 26th.

Gengzi Year, Bingxu month, Wuzi Day, suitable for transaction, starting a business, settling a bed; avoid marriage, traveling, relocating.

Divination is so hard!

August 27th.

Gengzi Year, Bingxu month, Jichou Day, suitable for sacrificial rites, constructing pens; avoid starting a business.

Absolutely no progress, I feel like an idiot.

August 28th.

I am an idiot.

August 29th

I am an idiot who doesn't know how to give up...

Wait, there's a manual on the diary?!

For every cause there is an effect, for every relinquishment, there's gain. Everything recorded in this book solidifies the cause and effect, irreversible. Hmm... does that mean effort will be rewarded? And there'll be no regression?

August 30th

Got it right, got it right! I finally predicted something correctly!

And whether it's Magic or Martial Arts, my progress is visibly significant.

Diary, my superhero!

Starting today, I am the Sword God of Ten Miles Slope, I want it all—Martial Arts and Magic!

...

February 22nd.

The year of 1995, Bingchen month, Gengzi day, an ominous day for the dark path, unfavorable for all activities.

The twilight was vast—

The remnants of the sunset painted the sky in colorful and dazzling hues, and the elegant, poised rider on the deserted mountain path also seemed even more carefree and striking within the autumn twilight...

Time flew like a swift horse passing a gap, and in the blink of an eye, two and a half years had passed.

The current Jiang Li was now a 17-year-old youth, his outstanding features had not distorted; if things didn't work out, perhaps he could earn a living off his looks.

At the moment, he was carrying out a Sect task, chasing an errant Outer Disciple.

"Whoa—"

Jiang Li suddenly pulled the reins, dismounted, and did a divination on a stone beside the mountain path.

Six successive appearances of the Emperor Wen's coins, round on the outside and square on the inside, in the turtle shell revealed the reading right before Jiang Li's eyes.

"Kun above, Li below, Earth Fire Mingyi," Jiang Li furrowed his brows, "the sun setting into the earth, brightness wounded; all actions obstructed, waiting for the right time."

For those who received this reading, their luck was down, all endeavors were arduous, it is advised to adhere to the Righteous Path, endure and hold oneself dignified, waiting for the right opportunity.

"Then let's wait a bit longer," Jiang Li murmured.

He had nearly caught up with the target six times but had always halted just before catching up, each time because he performed a divination which repeatedly turned out to be Mingyi Trigram.