Chapter 76: Seeking the Dharma

Li Chijing gently sheathed his sword. The pale Moonlight Autumn Essence, like living water, swirled and lingered beside him, reflecting patches of moonlight and the shimmer of water.

Behind him, Xiao Yuansi also waved his hand, dispersing the battered Jade Essence Shield, which was on the verge of dissolving. He chuckled lightly.

"Junior Brother, your sword qi is incredibly sharp. The Moonlight Autumn Essence, cultivated through the Moon Lake Reflection Art, is indeed remarkable."

Li Chijing, however, frowned and said glumly, "I heard the Bellowing Gold Sect has invaded Mushroom Forest."

Xiao Yuansi sighed, his expression turning a little grim. He offered comfort, saying, "My family informed me that the Li clan is unharmed. Junior Brother, you needn't worry."

Li Chijing lowered his head, tightening his grip on his sword. He still spoke with a hint of gloom: "Senior Sister has already told me about the family matters, but... why did I hear that Mushroom Forest was left undefended?"

Xiao Yuansi paused at his words, lowering his gaze. He said softly, "The Bellowing Gold Sect attacked during our Green Pool Sect's rotation... the defending cultivators were ambushed..." Xiao Yuansi spoke vaguely for a few moments. Seeing Li Chijing nod thoughtfully, he quickly changed the subject.

"The demonic beasts in the south haven't been quiet these past few years. The sect plans to dispatch personnel to the southern front to defend against them. I checked the roster, and besides Master, our Green Grain Peak is required to send two people."

Li Chijing tilted his head and inquired, "What does Master intend?"

Xiao Yuansi bent down, a smile playing on his lips. "Of course, you and I will go together. Yuan Tuan isn't skilled in combat, so he'll remain on the peak." Patting Li Chijing's shoulder, Xiao Yuansi chuckled, "You practice sword arts; how can you truly master them without experiencing the crucible of battle? As for me... I'm still quite adept at alchemy. The sect's intention is likely to send me along to provide logistical support for you."

Li Chijing's eyes lit up with understanding. He suddenly felt a surge of eagerness and laughed, "That's not bad at all. I just wonder how long it will be before we can return."

Xiao Yuansi nodded and replied, "That's true. Find some time to write to your family and let them know. The sect isn't asking us to work for nothing, so it's perfectly fine to make some requests for benefits for your clan."

Li Chijing's spirits lifted immediately upon hearing this, and he eagerly asked, "Can the sect bestow cultivation methods?"

"Cultivation methods?" Xiao Yuansi frowned, lowering his voice. "You've already mastered the Moon Lake Reflection Art, why bother seeking..." As he spoke, he suddenly understood, and Xiao Yuansi whispered, "Are you seeking methods for your clan?"

Seeing Li Chijing nod, Xiao Yuansi lowered his gaze and pondered for a few moments before speaking. "Cultivation methods have always been closely guarded secrets among clans, so it might be difficult to acquire them."

"Considering the time, my brothers back home are nearing the peak of their Fetal Breath realm, but they lack proper Qi Cultivation methods. So I thought of requesting one." Li Chijing placed his Qingfeng sword on the table and said sullenly, "Cultivation methods are exceptionally valuable. Few would sell their clan's techniques in the market, nor would they carry them around. In times of clan destruction, they would rather destroy all techniques in a desperate act. It's truly difficult to find a suitable cultivation method inheritance."

"How about we do this?" Xiao Yuansi nodded, his expression serious. "My Xiao clan will provide this cultivation art. In return, on behalf of my clan, you request a Suiyuan Pill from the sect as collateral."

"A Suiyuan Pill?!" Li Chijing paused, then asked with some urgency, "Senior Brother, are you attempting a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?!"

"It's merely for one of my clan uncles." Xiao Yuansi shook his head and replied, "This Suiyuan Pill can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by half a percent. Its ingredients aren't inherently precious, but the pill formula is controlled by the sect, and the pills are only given as rewards, making them incredibly rare. I'm willing to offer you a third-grade cultivation method in exchange..."

"Senior Brother, you're quite cunning." Li Chijing chuckled softly and whispered, "While the Suiyuan Pill is an elixir for the Qi Cultivation stage, it's priceless and incredibly rare. I won't trade it for a mere third-grade cultivation method!"

Seeing Xiao Yuansi's helpless expression, Li Chijing burst out laughing and then spoke, "I'll choose any two third-grade cultivation methods from your Xiao clan, plus a Qi Gathering Art."

Xiao Yuansi was amused for a moment and replied grumpily, "One third-grade and one second-grade, plus a Qi Gathering Art."

Li Chijing nodded with a smile and replied, "Then Senior Brother, don't try to fob me off with common market goods. I want proper, orthodox methods, not ancient or secret techniques."

Xiao Yuansi chuckled aloud at Li Chijing's expression. He then described several cultivation methods one by one. After listening carefully, Li Chijing frowned and said, "Senior Brother, do you have a Qi Cultivation art that utilizes the Golden Autumn essence from the lake? Lijing Mountain is right next to Moon-Gazing Lake, so it would be ideal if we could use the lake's Golden Autumn essence."

Xiao Yuansi shook his head and said, "There's no such convenient method. The only one I've seen utilize the Golden Autumn essence from the lake is you, through your Moon Lake Reflection Art."

Li Chijing nodded, pondered for over ten breaths, then smiled. "Then I'll take the third-grade River and Qi Art and the second-grade Pure Spirit Primordial Method. Our family's territory has numerous reed rivers and networks, so it will be convenient to gather the pure qi from the rivers."

---

Meichi Mountain Cave Abode

Li Xiangping had been in seclusion for several days, and finally, he managed to adjust his aura to its peak. He let out a long breath, feeling his spiritual power becoming more refined. His cultivation, which had stagnated for years, finally showed signs of progress, moving a step closer to breaking through to the fifth layer of Fetal Breath, the Jade Capital Wheel. A look of joy immediately spread across his face.

Emerging from the stone chamber, Li Xiangping saw Li Tongya quietly drawing talismans in the main hall of the cave abode. Li Tongya looked up, smiled at Li Xiangping, and whispered, "You've concluded your seclusion."

The three stone chambers in the Meichi Mountain Cave Abode had been renovated: one for storing spirit rice and other spiritual items, and two dedicated to secluded cultivation. Li Xuanxuan was currently in seclusion in one of them.

Li Xiangping sat by the stone table, listening as Li Tongya recounted his journey's observations and various family matters. He frowned in thought. "We cannot interfere with the schemes of the Bellowing Gold Sect and the Green Pool Sect. However, we must be vigilant against the Ji clan, who have already cornered our family in the mountains."

"Although the Bellowing Gold Sect has now retreated, the Ji clan's strength is still far superior to ours..."

Li Tongya nodded, his voice grave. "Huaqian Mountain and the entire Wan clan territory are now in ruins. When I passed through the eastern Lu clan territory, I heard that the Lu clan lost several Qi Cultivation cultivators to the Ji clan. A deep feud has formed between the two, and they will certainly not let it rest."

"This is indeed good news." Li Xiangping took a sip of tea, then lowered his voice. "The Lu clan will keep Ji Dengqi preoccupied in the east, and with Huaqian Mountain in ruins, the Ji clan won't be able to spare forces to advance west for at least one or two decades. By then, Second Brother should have reached the Qi Cultivation realm."

"Indeed." Li Tongya paused his brush and said softly, "Next time I go to Guanyun Peak, selling these items from the old Daoist should allow us to acquire a small amount of Pure Spiritual Qi."

Li Xiangping narrowed his eyes and said with a serious expression, "Xuan'er is still a little indecisive. Perhaps he hasn't seen blood yet. Once he breaks through to the Azure Yuan Wheel, we should have him manage the clan soldiers and hunt some demonic beasts to gain experience."

"He's only fourteen or fifteen, after all." Li Xiangping shook his head, but then saw Li Tongya chuckle softly and say teasingly, "That's hard to say! Some people, at fourteen or fifteen, have already killed and dismembered people to feed to wolves, only to return home and casually eat a large bowl of noodles."