Chapter 7: Magic Techniques

Early morning.

Dazzling morning light emerged from Mount Dali, sweeping across the golden Moonlight Lake. The wind rustled through the boundless, layered reeds, carrying the sounds of children laughing and playing from the Meichi River.

Chen Erniu sat on the field ridge, gazing worriedly at his crops, his thoughts on his ailing wife.

Chen Erniu was born in Lichuankou, east of Mount Dali. Ten years ago, Lichuankou was inexplicably hit by a severe drought. Not a drop of rain fell, and white smoke billowed from the ground, terrifying the villagers, who scattered and fled.

He was still a half-grown child then, and in his confusion, he fled to Lijing Village. After much pleading, a farmer named Li Genshui took him in, and the following year, even rented him an acre of land to survive.

As he grew older, he rented another acre of paddy field, built an earthen house, and married Li Genshui's daughter, proudly settling down in the village.

But his wife suddenly fell ill. Fortunately, he had some savings over the years. He carried her to the village entrance for Mr. Han to examine her; it was a minor illness, requiring only a few doses of medicine. He left his wife with Mr. Han, but his heart remained heavy. An illness could impoverish three generations!

“Uncle!” Chen Erniu was lost in thought when a clear voice startled him awake.

A handsome young man walked into the courtyard entrance, his face beaming with a warm smile, and greeted him.

“Oh, Changhu, I'm unworthy, truly unworthy!”

Chen Erniu bowed repeatedly. He had only married an illegitimate daughter of the Li family and was merely their tenant; he truly didn't deserve to be addressed as 'Uncle' by the eldest son.

Li Genshui was shrewd and capable, but also very promiscuous. Not content with one wife, he had also taken in two women from the streets as concubines. His wife had borne him two sons, while his concubines had given birth to three sons and four daughters.

When Li Genshui was on his deathbed years ago, his only legitimate younger son, who had stayed by his side, suddenly died. His several illegitimate sons, young and strong, eyed the family's dozen or so acres of land covetously.

Just then, Li Mutian, who had run away from home, returned with a sword and a group of men. This brutal old soldier instantly hacked to death the treacherous steward. The entire wealthy family that had poisoned his brother and intended to annex their land was completely wiped out, not even a dog spared.

Li Mutian and his two brothers, carrying blood-dripping swords, dragged corpses with a cart. Bloody trails stretched from one end of the village to the other, causing every household to lock their doors, and everyone feared for their lives. Li Mutian's younger brothers were terrified and in a panic, believing that with the true master's return, their share of the land would surely be gone.

To their surprise, Li Mutian summoned his brothers, declaring that those born to the legitimate wife and concubines were all of the same lineage. He distributed two acres of the wealthy family's land to each of them, and four acres to each of the sworn brothers he had brought back. His younger brothers were so grateful that they repeatedly called him 'Elder Brother and Master of the family,' thus establishing his position.

Looking at Li Changhu's gentle smile, Chen Erniu inexplicably saw it merge with Li Mutian's indifferent, blood-splattered face. Chen Erniu shivered despite the bright sun, and respectfully asked:

“Changhu, why have you come?”

“Oh, Uncle, you're too kind,” Li Changhu said with a gentle smile.

“I heard Auntie is ill, and my father figured Uncle wouldn't have time to cook. So he specifically sent me to invite you and Xiao Ze to our home to taste my mother's cooking.”

“Oh… that's very thoughtful of you,” Chen Erniu forced a smile, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place.

“It's settled then! Mother has already prepared the meal.” Li Changhu patted Chen Erniu's shoulder, bid farewell, and left.

“Alright then,” Chen Erniu smiled, shook his head, and called towards the house:

“Xiao Ze, get ready. We're having dinner at your uncle's house tonight.”

The Li family had renovated their residence the year before last, expanding its footprint several times over. The entire estate faced south, rectangular in shape. The front courtyard was paved with stone bricks and adorned with stone weights, looking like a training ground. Chen Erniu, seeing the considerable weight of the stone weights, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

“Does the Li family still practice martial arts? What fine stone weights!”

Stepping onto the stone bricks, they entered the main courtyard. In the center was a pond, stocked with a few grass carp. The grand hall, built with bluestone, was flanked by the annexes of Li Changhu and Li Tongya. The bases of the houses, verandas, main gate, and second gate were all paved with flagstones or stone steps, giving it an extremely imposing appearance.

Li Tongya, also greeting them, entered the main courtyard. He was now eighteen but still unmarried. Li Changhu, on the other hand, had married the second daughter of the Ren family, bringing her home ceremoniously some time ago.

After dinner, Chen Erniu and the Li family members sat in the courtyard, chatting idly. Then, Li Chijing hurriedly walked into the front courtyard and whispered a few words into Li Mutian's ear.

Li Chijing was only nine years old, yet he was handsome and looked remarkably intelligent and clever, making him especially beloved by his uncles and cousins.

Li Mutian was leisurely watching his children chat, when he heard Li Chijing whisper in his ear:

“Father, the… mirror is glowing!”

He remained calm, patted his legs, and spoke to everyone:

“I'm getting old and can't sit still for long. I'll go rest; you all continue chatting.” With that, he turned and went to the back courtyard. Everyone quickly assented, and Chen Erniu bowed, preparing to take his leave.

Several annexes stood in the rear hall. Li Mutian entered the ancestral hall, located in the very center and the largest. Inside the hall, ancestral tablets stood at the front, alongside fruits, offerings to the six generations of ancestors whose names had been meticulously found throughout the village records.

Li Mutian pushed a section of the wall, revealing a hidden compartment behind it.

The compartment had a skylight, through which moonlight fell onto a bluestone platform inside.

On the platform lay a grayish-blue bronze mirror, which was indeed emitting a brilliant, water-like white light.

“It's been three years… Jing'er, go call your brothers.”

Li Mutian looked at the grayish-blue bronze mirror, frowning as he spoke.

“Yes, Father,” Li Chijing nodded vigorously and went out to find his brothers.

When Lu Jiangxian awoke, his mind was heavily filled with information. He took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn down, then began to calmly read the information on the jade.

The Grand Yin Breathing and Wheel Nurturing Scripture!

This cultivation method primarily teaches how to control the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through the body's 'apertures', to draw upon the essence of the Lunar Moon, and finally cultivate the six Prenatal Breath Wheels. Once formed, these six wheels can be used to extend life, nourish one's nature, and cast various spells. After cultivating the six wheels to resemble a full moon, one can enter the Qi Condensation stage.

It also included several minor techniques, such as the Golden Light Technique, Purification Technique, Water Evasion Method, Exorcism Technique, Mind Link Technique, and so on. Once the six wheels are cultivated, one simply needs to activate spiritual energy according to the method.

Furthermore, the method discussed the six stages of immortal cultivation: Prenatal Breath, Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul. This jade stone recorded the Prenatal Breath and Wheel Nurturing Method from the Moonflower Prime Manor of the Yue Kingdom's Immortal Mansion, distributed to its Prenatal Breath disciples for study and practice.

After absorbing the jade, Lu Jiangxian felt as if he had subtly comprehended many things. Not only did his spiritual sense extend to twenty zhang, but the upper limit of his Moonflower power also increased dozens of times. As long as he had enough Moonflower power, the few minor techniques recorded in the Grand Yin Breathing and Wheel Nurturing Scripture could also be cast within one zhang of the mirror's body.

Most importantly, a spell emerged from the mirror's own memory, named:

Profound Pearl Spirit Offering Technique!