Chapter 38: Transmission of the Dharma

“I secretly tested your foundation several months ago.”

Li Xiangping paused for a few breaths, turned to look down at the visibly excited and expectant Li Xuanxuan, and spoke again

“There are no spiritual apertures within your Qi Sea.”

Li Xuanxuan felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. His mind went blank, a wave of bitterness surged in his heart, and his eyes turned red. He pursed his lips tightly, looking utterly unable to accept the news.

He did not know much about how rare spiritual apertures were in the world. He only knew that although there were fewer than ten cultivators in the entire village, both of his elders were cultivators, and even a branch member, Li Qiuyang, had become one. No matter how poor his talent was, he should have had at least one spiritual aperture.

Now, hearing that he possessed none and would remain a mortal for the rest of his life, his heart plunged into darkness, and his eyes gradually grew moist.

“This mirror is a treasure I picked up in the river when I was a child.”

Li Xiangping pointed to the grayish-blue mirror on the stone platform. Seeing Li Xuanxuan's expression, he gently patted his head and chuckled softly

“Do you know its wondrous use?”

Suppressing his tears, Li Xuanxuan answered earnestly

“Xuanxuan does not know.”

“Its wondrous use is to allow those without spiritual apertures to cultivate.”

Li Xuanxuan froze upon hearing this. He stared blankly at Li Xiangping's face, and a hope as bright as the sun suddenly rose in his heart. He couldn't help but break into a tearful smile, saying through sobs

“Third Uncle is teasing me on purpose.”

After speaking, looking at Li Xiangping's half-smiling face, Li Xuanxuan thought carefully. A sudden chill ran down his spine, and he cried out in shock

“Could it be...”

“That’s right.”

Li Xiangping nodded and said solemnly

“Your father had no spiritual apertures; your second and third uncles also had none. Even your fourth uncle, Li Chijing, who practices in the Immortal Sect, has no spiritual apertures either.”

“The rise of our Li family relies entirely on this mirror. If not for this mirror, you and I would merely be common peasants working the fields!”

Stunned by this news, Li Xuanxuan was speechless. He felt the world spinning and spoke hoarsely

“Just by picking up a mirror in a river, our family achieved the transformation from mortal to immortal?”

“Exactly! This mirror can refine moonlight to bestow the Mysterious Pearl Talisman Seed. It is too miraculous; if this were ever leaked, our Li family would surely be annihilated!”

Li Xiangping gave a warning, pausing as he observed Li Xuanxuan's shocked expression.

Li Xuanxuan, however, began to mutter to himself, answering with a mix of urgency and sudden realization

“So that's how it is! No wonder when I asked Grandfather about Foundation Establishment all day, he remained silent. Our family's three spiritual apertures aren't because Grandfather once achieved Foundation Establishment, but because of this treasure!”

“Just now, Third Uncle wouldn't let Li Qiuyang touch me to hide the secret that I have no spiritual apertures. The reason the Liu family was killed immediately for trespassing on the mountain wasn't because Third Uncle is ruthless, but because Third Uncle is afraid...”

As Li Xuanxuan thought, a chill ran down his spine and he broke into a cold sweat. He cupped his hands toward Li Xiangping and said

“People all think Third Uncle is ruthless and suspicious, but they have misunderstood him! Our Li family guards such a treasure; how could we not be wary?”

Li Xiangping was also stunned. He stared blankly at the Li Xuanxuan before him, feeling that this child was completely different from the one in his memory. He looked at him a few more times and asked softly

“Then why did I tell Li Qiuyang that you were about to become a Mysterious Landscape Wheel?”

Li Xuanxuan rubbed his chin, pondered for a few breaths, and replied

“It must be that this mirror makes refining the Mysterious Landscape twice as effective! Third Uncle was afraid Li Qiuyang would grow suspicious, so he lied and said I had already begun cultivating months ago.”

“Good!”

Li Xiangping nodded with satisfaction and patted his shoulder.

“As expected of a child of my Li family. Following behind your grandfather every day has indeed taught you quite a bit!”

Having said that, he leaned down and tapped the bottom of the stone platform lightly, retrieving a wooden slip from the side. He placed it in Li Xuanxuan's hands. Watching Li Xuanxuan receive it respectfully, he explained in a low voice

“This secret method is called the 'Guiding Method.' It is the wondrous way to guide this Mysterious Pearl Talisman Seed. You will study it carefully in this courtyard this month, and you can be bestowed the talisman seed on the Winter Solstice. You will sleep in the adjacent side room for now; I will have someone bring you food.”

“Yes.”

Li Xuanxuan nodded heavily. He watched Li Xiangping close the door and his footsteps fade into the distance before lowering his head to read carefully.

————

“...Father is in good health. Second Brother has already mastered the Circular Path. I am sending three bottles of Snake Essence Pills with this letter. I hope Jing'er works hard in his cultivation and achieves Qi Refinement soon. Everything at home is well, do not worry!”

Li Chijing carefully put away the letter and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. He carefully arranged the three bottles of Snake Essence Pills on the shelf, then turned to thank Xiao Yuansi

“Thank you, Senior Brother! My family owes you a great debt, and Jing'er is deeply grateful.”

“Don't mention it!”

Xiao Yuansi shook his head and said

“Fellow disciples are as close as family; there is no need for such politeness.”

Li Chijing nodded slightly and said quietly

“With these Snake Essence Pills, combined with the Spirit-Brightening Powder bestowed by Master, I am ninety percent certain I can condense the Jade Capital Wheel.”

After a moment of thought, Li Chijing asked softly

“Master once said that entering Qi Refinement through Fetal Breathing requires first swallowing a mouthful of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. I wonder, what is the key to this?”

Xiao Yuansi picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and explained

“To refine Qi, one must first take in a mouthful of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. This Qi could be the Minor Pure Qi refined from mountain spiritual energy, the Earth Vein Malice Qi refined from the earth's veins, or the Morning Glow Colorful Qi refined from gathering clouds and mist...”

“In short, it is best if this breath of Qi is compatible with your cultivation method, so that it can be pure and robust to form the foundation of your magical power. Ninety-nine percent of the rogue cultivators outside the mountains use the Minor Pure Qi refined from mountain spiritual energy; it is compatible with all types of methods, having no particular strength but no particular weakness.”

“Oh?”

Li Chijing grew curious and hurriedly inquired

“Which type of Qi Refinement method would be best for my family's cultivation method to transition into? And what kind of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi would I need?”

“Although I do not know your family's specific method, observing your clear and bright magical power, there are many Qi Refinement methods within the sect suitable for your transition.”

Xiao Yuansi smiled. Setting down his teacup, he continued under Li Chijing's curious gaze

“The first is the 'Yuanqing Rain-Governing Art,' which is the most famous supreme art of our Qingchi Sect. It uses the 'Mist-in-Rain Qi' refined from the rain and mist of the Spirit Mountains. It excels at riding clouds and mist, manipulating the rain, and using softness to counter enemies.”

“The second is the 'Shanyin Forest Mist Art,' which uses the Yin Qi of the mountains. Few in the sect have mastered it.”

“The third is a method of quite high difficulty called the 'Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Art.' Since the third Peak Master of Moon Lake Peak mastered it, no one has been able to succeed. There might be some secret to it, but that person fell over three hundred years ago, and there is no way to ask...”

Knowing that his magical power was closely related to moonlight, Li Chijing felt a surge of joy upon hearing the name, but he froze when he heard Xiao Yuansi say no one had succeeded. He hurriedly asked

“Why is that?”

(End of Chapter)