Zhang Yao had a thought, and took out a book from the Storage Bag.
The material of this book, at first glance, looked exactly like the paper of mortal books, but it could obscure divine sense detection, causing the divine thought to ignore it.
If Zhang Yao's divine thought was not exceptionally sharp due to his experience, and if there were not a large number of items in the Storage Bag for comparison, he might not even have noticed anything suspicious.
This characteristic, which could automatically make a cultivator's divine sense overlook it, was something he had encountered many years ago.
He glanced over it quickly, and sure enough, the cover bore five familiar characters.
"Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory..."
Zhang Yao's eyebrows furrowed deeply, thoughts flashed in his mind, producing a tinge of doubt:
"Why does Murong Xiao's Storage Bag still contain this book?"
He himself possessed two copies of the Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory.
The first book was found in Daoist Wanhe's cave dwelling when he returned to the Cultivation Realm in Li Kingdom, with a very mysterious origin, difficult to trace.
The second book was from the Five Elements Wanderer's collection, obtained by coincidence during his travels in the Celestial Continent, later treasured in the Five Elements Secret Realm's vault, covered in dust for two thousand years.
Later on:
Yu Wen Tai secretly opened the Five Elements Secret Realm, stirring up turmoil Within the Da Li Territory, among the treasures released from the Secret Realm was this book.
This very book directly ignited the war of the Five Sects, leading to the demise of the once illustrious Pingdu Sect, indirectly causing a series of subsequent troubles, all of which affected Zhang Yao, nearly killing him.
After the fall of Pingdu Sect, the content of the Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory was shared by four families, while the original manuscript ended up in the hands of the True Yang Ancestor.
It wasn't until Zhang Yao became the Uncrowned King of Da Li that the True Yang Ancestor offered the original to him during a certain respectful visit.
"Could it be that so many years have passed in the blink of an eye..."
Zhang Yao fell into memory, unable to help but sigh, feeling quite emotional.
But he quickly collected his thoughts, reexamined the book in his hand, pondering silently.
"This Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory can indeed be called the source of chaos!"
"Nonetheless, the secret techniques recorded within hold considerable reference value, they can at least broaden one's horizons..."
In the two books of Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory he held, each recorded a terrifying secret technique:
The first book recorded the 'Five Phase Dissociation Method', which could disassemble and separate the innate Five Spirit Roots, artificially creating Celestial Spirit Roots;
The second book recorded the 'Five Phases Rebirth Technique', which could manipulate the mutation direction of the Five Spirit Roots, thereby artificially creating Exotic Spirit Roots;
However, the 'Five Phases Rebirth Technique' was proven invalid two thousand years ago by the Five Elements Wanderer, and later by True Yang Ancestor, Gudu Tianyi, and others, as worthless.
As for the 'Five Phase Dissociation Method', Zhang Yao dared not conclude, though it was likely fake too.
Due to the unjust disaster he suffered back then, Zhang Yao harbored some distaste for the Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory, considering it an evil book. Nonetheless, because of its inherent value and possible underlying secrets, he kept it all along.
Unexpectedly, the 'Chenxing Celestial King' Murong Xiao also possessed a copy of the Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory, which caught Zhang Yao off guard.
"Hmm, let me take a look first..."
Zhang Yao opened the classic, eyes scanning its content.
Most of the content in front of this book was identical to the other two, centered around the theory of 'Qi Mechanism Sympathy Theory', explaining the origins and mechanisms of Spirit Roots.
These parts he had read more than once, but with his current realm and insight, reading them again brought new understanding, truly reaffirming knowledge through review.
"If it weren't for the secret techniques attached at the end, this book could be considered as of Daoist Treasure Manual quality."
Zhang Yao sighed, sorting his emotions before finally turning to the last part.
Just as he anticipated:
The last part of this Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory also recorded a fearsome secret technique called 'Reverse Five Elements Life-taking Technique'.
This secret technique was directed at those with Five Spirit Roots, capable of breaking up the Five Elements Spirit Root and reversing it into an essence closest to the innate state as 'Treasure Qi', described as 'Human Body Medicine'!
This Treasure Qi could be used to strengthen Spirit Roots lacking all five elements. Although ineffective for Celestial Spirit Roots and Exotic Spirit Roots, other attributes of Spirit Roots would benefit drastically!
The most suitable usage was for cultivators with Earth Spirit Roots to ingest this 'Human Body Medicine', which would greatly enhance their Spirit Roots, nearly emulating the effects of Celestial Spirit Roots and Exotic Spirit Roots!
"This is utterly a wicked technique!"
Zhang Yao frowned deeply as he read, feeling disgust alongside a trace of vigilance.
The content of these three Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory books highly praised the Five Elements Spirit Root, yet the secret techniques recorded targeted those possessing them, each eviler than the last, leaving the recipients likely dead or maimed.
What exactly were the intentions of those who compiled and disseminated these evil books or the forces behind it?
Currently, Zhang Yao could only confirm that:
The development of these Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory books should have been post-ancient times.
After all, in ancient times, Five Elements Spirit Root enjoyed the reputation of 'Perfect Spirit Root' and 'King of Spirit Roots'; the secret techniques recorded in these evil books were worthless garbage back then.
"Wait!"
Zhang Yao suddenly remembered.
The three copies of Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory in his possession, including the original obtained from Daoist Wanhe, were likely all circulated from the Nine Prefectures of the Celestial Continent.