“There are no major matters at home. With your third brother and me here, you need not worry.”
Li Tongya smiled, fished ten spirit stones out of the storage bag, and said softly
“Our family still owes your Senior Brother Xiao Yuansi ten spirit stones. You might as well take them back to Qingsui Peak on your way; there's no need for another middleman.”
Li Chijing had a sudden realization and laughed
“I completely forgot that the family still owes Senior Brother ten spirit stones.”
The three of them chatted as they walked, glancing at the scattered stalls until they gradually left the market. They boarded the large ship, arrived at the shores of Moon-Watching Lake, and headed toward the Lijing Mountains.
————
In a daze, Lu Jiangxian heard many chaotic noises. A massive amount of information and dialogue surfaced in his mind, only to vanish like shifting sand through his fingers.
“Brother Jiang Qun, this Taiyin Moon Essence is extremely precious. Our sect's Great Snow Absolute Edge lacks only this single ingredient of heaven and earth spiritual energy. We are infinitely grateful for the gift from Qingchi Sect today. If there is ever a place where we can be of use, our sect will certainly provide full support!”
A pleasant female voice rang in his ear. Lu Jiangxian caught a vague glimpse of a hazy face, but he could remember nothing.
“Qingchi Sect? Isn't it the Qingchi Sect?”
Lu Jiangxian muttered to himself, finally jolting awake. He stared blankly at the tea table and its decorations in the small room.
The incense by the stone platform had been burning for a long time, emitting white wisps of smoke. Li Mutian sat on the stool opposite him, dozing off. The moonlight shone upon his grayish-blue mirror, making it appear exceptionally magnificent.
After pondering and recalling for a few breaths, everything in his mind slowly faded like a grand dream, leaving behind only a single manual.
*The Essence-Sacrificing Primordial Acquisition Method*!
This technique was of the same lineage as the *Mysterious Pearl Spirit-Worship Art*. It also used a mirror as a medium, using incense, souls, essence blood, and spiritual energy as subjects to harmonize various energies and refine a single strand of Talismanic Qi.
The manual claimed that this Talismanic Qi possessed various miraculous properties: it could bolster cultivation, extend the six senses, elevate bone structure, alter aptitude, refine appearance, and mend deficiencies... all of which were indescribably wonderful.
“Yet it cannot mend this mirror-body of mine! It seems I must still find the items used to repair mirror-bodies.”
Lu Jiangxian sighed with regret. With a thought of his divine sense, he connected to his several talisman seeds drifting outside. He immediately discovered that Li Chijing and the others had already left the market and were heading toward the Lijing Mountains.
“A pity. Since such an incident occurred, I didn't go to investigate that attraction in the market. I'll have to wait until next time.”
With a movement of his divine sense, the grayish-blue mirror floated up again, slowly absorbing the moonlight under the soft lunar glow.
————
Once the group returned to the Lijing Mountains, Li Chijing took out the talisman ink and explained to Li Xiangping and the others
“Since you are all just beginning to practice this Spirit-Inscribed Talisman Method, there is no need to use actual talisman paper and ink in your daily practice. If you fail, it would be quite heartbreaking.”
As he spoke, he fetched a cup of clear water and dropped a single bead of talisman ink into it. It instantly bled outward, turning the entire cup of water a pale wine-red.
He then took out a piece of silk, laid it out on the stone table, and secured both sides with weight-stones. He let the green jade talisman pen soak quietly in the water for a while.
“This will do.”
He dipped the pen and moved swiftly across the silk. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the head and core of the talisman were completed in one continuous motion. A pale red talisman rune instantly surfaced on the silk, perfectly integrated and emitting a faint red glow.
Li Chijing set the pen down gently and waited for a few breaths. Suddenly, the silk made a popping sound and actually burst into flames right there, turning into a patch of black ash stuck to the tabletop within moments.
“If the talisman is drawn successfully, the silk will be unable to withstand the talismanic power and will naturally burn. If it is unsuccessful, simply wash the ink off the silk and start again from the beginning.”
Li Xiangping’s eyes lit up instantly, and he laughed
“Ching-er, this is truly a good method. It avoids wasting talisman paper and uses less ink, greatly reducing the cost.”
Li Chijing nodded and gave a low laugh, explaining
“This is just a little trick my Master taught me. The Qingchi Sect has a six-hundred-year heritage; naturally, there are some clever ways to do things.”
Looking up at the sky, Li Chijing said seriously
“I have one day left. Do you have any doubts regarding cultivation? Has anyone in the family mastered the *Mysterious Water Sword Art*?”
Li Tongya immediately became interested. He unfastened the green blade from his waist and smiled
“I have mastered the Sword Glow, but the Sword Qi is slow to leave my body. I wonder if that counts as being mastered?”
“Sword Glow and Sword Qi are merely the entry levels.”
Li Chijing waved his hand and continued
“Sword techniques across the world differ, but sword arts generally share several realms: Sword Glow, Sword Qi, Sword Essence, and Sword Intent are almost similar. It is only the difficulty of the specific sword technique that creates the distinction.”
“This *Mysterious Water Sword Art* is considered simple among Qi Refinement stage techniques. One can almost manifest Sword Glow after practicing for a short period.”
Beside them, Li Xiangping’s expression turned awkward. Thinking of how he had read the sword manual several times without producing anything, let alone mastering Sword Glow, he could only lower his head and pick up the *Spirit-Inscribed Talisman Method* to read it carefully.
Having finished speaking, Li Chijing unfastened the sword at his waist, drew out the pure white blade, and smiled
“Watch.”
As soon as he spoke, a grayish-white sword glow lit up on the blade, undulating like a breath. With a flick of Li Chijing's eyebrow, the sword glow surged out, transforming into a sword qi about three inches wide that shot into the air, whistling as it pierced through a large banyan tree in the distance.
Li Tongya watched with a furrowed brow for a while, after which Li Chijing personally stepped in to provide guidance. Once Li Tongya went back to practice on his own, Li Chijing clapped his hands and said with sudden realization
“I have realized a sword move on Qingsui Peak. It is only a single move, but I shall record it in the family first, lest I die outside one day and this sword technique is lost in vain.”
“Don't talk nonsense!”
Li Xiangping cursed softly and said solemnly
“Ching-er, you must take great care of yourself out there! Your second brother and I cannot shoulder your burdens; we can only guard the family for you. The world outside is treacherous; you must be extremely careful...”
Li Xiangping rambled on for a while. Seeing that Li Chijing was listening intently, he fell silent for a few breaths before speaking
“Your brother is of dull talent. Over the years, through many bumps and bruises, I have managed to cultivate to the fourth stage of Fetal Breathing, the Azure Essence Wheel. I feel increasingly inadequate. Without certain medicinal pills or spiritual items, I fear that at most, I will only reach the initial stage of the Jade Capital Wheel.”
“Your second brother's talent is better than mine, but it is also limited and cannot compare to yours. However, there is hope for him to break through to the next stage of Qi Refinement. With the two of us maintaining the Li family's territory, and with that mirror, our Li family does not fear a loss of lineage.”
Sitting down on the ground, Li Xiangping spoke with a hint of melancholy
“Your second brother inquired when he went to Guanyun Peak. The Qingchi Sect is very strict in its requirements for recruiting disciples from its subordinate families. At the very least, they can cultivate to Qi Refinement, and one in ten or even one in a hundred can reach Foundation Establishment.”
“Your second brother and I can die, but you alone must not.”
Hearing Li Xiangping's words, Li Chijing's eyes grew moist. He said softly
“Our whole family can be well. Third Brother, do not worry. Ching-er will also work hard within the sect to fight for resources for the family.”
(End of Chapter)