Chapter 223 - 222: Li Xuefeng’s Visit

Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Li Xuefeng’s Visit

Li Jain sat before the stone platform, carefully examining several spiritual herbs. He knew Li Xinyue should have returned by now; her encounter with the ancestor a while ago was purely coincidental.

As expected, a burst of cheerful laughter suddenly came from outside. Li Xinyue strode in, a winning expression on her face, after she escaped the old ancestor. She was holding a delicate little wooden box carved from spirit jade.

"Third Brother! Look what I got for you! I traveled a long way, spending a lot of money and taking many risks to get this. I hope this will be useful for you." She said proudly, placing the box on the stone platform.

Li Jain opened the box. Inside was a strange fruit radiating a soft blue light. The fruit’s surface was covered with intricate patterns, like rolling clouds, emitting a faint fragrance. Li Jain’s calm eyes instantly lit up. Having existed as a spiritual herb for thousands of years in his previous life, he recognized this rare treasure at a glance.

This was the Nine-Meridian Green Fruit, a key ingredient in refining meridian-strengthening pills, which were not differentiated by cultivation level or grade. Its function was not exaggerated, but it’s still a treasure.

"Sister, where did you find this legendary treasure?" Li Jain asked softly, gently closing the box to avoid affecting its spiritual energy, while gazing at his sister with amazement.

Li Xin Yue poured herself a cup of tea, eagerly taking a sip, then leaned closer to Li Jain and said: "It was truly difficult obtaining it! Xia Rong and I heard the rumors at the market run by local rogue cultivators, so we risked venturing deep into the dark peaks of the Misty Mountains. The fruit was guarded in an underground cave by a ferocious Ice Fang Leopard! We had to set up three illusionary formations to barely distract the beast and manage to pick the fruit."

Li Jain looked at her gratefully and with concern: "Thank you. But are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Li Xin Yue smiled and waved her hand: "As long as it’s useful to you, Third Brother! Besides, those rogue cultivators are really troublesome, but not impossible to deal with."

Li Jain smiled slightly: "To repay you for this precious gift, let me guide your cultivation. You seem to have been stuck at a bottleneck for a long time, haven’t you? Come, demonstrate your main technique to me. I might be able to point out a thing or two."

Li Xinyue’s eyes lit up with anticipation. She put down her teacup and stepped back to the open space in the center of the courtyard. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and a crimson aura burned fiercely around her.

The surrounding temperature instantly soared, the scorching air churning and shimmering like a mirage in the desert. She flashed forward, unleashing the exquisite palm technique of her main technique, the Crimson Lotus Flame Rune. Blazing flames surged forth like a tide, forming dazzling vortexes of fire around her, the scorching air currents brushing against the surrounding plum trees.

However, despite the magnificent and fierce sight of the flames, Li Jain’s keen eyes could see through the blazing surface. He calmly observed, noticing that whenever Li Xinyue tried to guide the flames to her Heart Meridian, the flow of her spiritual energy would falter, forcing her to redirect it.

"Stop," Li Jain said softly. The flames vanished abruptly, and Li Xinyue gasped, looking at him with surprise and curiosity.

"Your technique is incredibly powerful, its momentum overwhelming." Li Jain explained gently, stepping forward to stand beside her: "However, you see flames merely as destructive and explosive forces. You forcefully inject spiritual energy into your meridians with overwhelming force, mistakenly believing that brute force is true control. Because of this, when your spiritual energy reaches the vital pathways near your spiritual palace, it encounters resistance and stagnates, unable to function harmoniously."

He raised a finger to her chest: "Fire also represents warmth, life, and continuous transformation. When guiding spiritual energy, don’t force it like a raging fire bursting through a dam. Instead, imagine it as embers in a hearth, igniting life in a gentle, stable, and worldwide atmosphere. Let the energy flow naturally into your soul palace, not..."

Li Xinyue stood frozen, her eyes wide open. His words echoed in her mind like the resounding toll of a bell. The subtle flaws that had plagued her for months suddenly became crystal clear under his guidance. It was as if a thick fog had dissipated from her consciousness, illuminating the path forward.

"I...I understand! Thank you, Third Brother!" She exclaimed, her face beaming with joy and gratitude. She quickly bowed to him, then turned and dashed out of the courtyard like lightning, eager to put his teachings into practice.

Back in her meditation room, Li Xinyue sat cross-legged on the jade mat and closed her eyes. Following Li Jain’s instructions, she abandoned her previous forceful methods and gently channeled her spiritual energy into a warm, harmonious flow. The inner obstacles that had long hindered her progress easily dissolved under this exquisite flow of spiritual energy.

A thunderous surge of spiritual power instantly coursed through her body, and a dazzling crimson light burst forth from within her. She had successfully broken through her limits and officially advanced to the late stage of the Soul Palace Realm!

...

That afternoon, Li Jain received an unexpected visitor. A handsome young man, wielding a white hemp longsword, walked into the courtyard. His aura was sharp and refined, like a sword drawn from its sheath. This young man was Li Yiwei’s eldest son, Li Xuefeng, 13 years old, and the most promising swordsman among the younger generation of the Li family.

Li Xuefeng greeted Li Jain respectfully, saying: "Xuefeng greets Third Uncle."

Li Jain put down his teacup and warmly welcomed him: "Xuefeng, please sit. It’s rare for you to visit my home. How is your father’s health?"

Li Xuefeng smiled slightly and sat down opposite his uncle: "Father is in good health, although he is still busy with household affairs. Actually, Third Uncle, Father sent me here under the guise of paying you a visit, but I understand his true intentions. Although Father is proud and rarely speaks his mind, he actually values ​​you highly. He’s just not good at expressing it directly."

Li Jain chuckled, "Second Brother has always been competitive and proud; I understand his personality well." As he spoke, he carefully observed the young swordsman: "Xuefeng, how’s your training going? What sword technique have you been practicing lately?"

"I’ve been practicing the Li family’s Frost-Splitting Sword," Li Xuefeng replied, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "I’ve already reached the sixth form, but I feel the sword intent isn’t smooth enough."

"Let me see," Li Jain suggested gently.

Li Xuefeng rose and stepped into the center of the courtyard. With a crisp sound, his silver sword was drawn, gleaming in the sunlight. He began to demonstrate, his movements swift and powerful, a chill sweeping through the courtyard, rustling the plum leaves. Each strike was incredibly precise, showcasing his extraordinary talent.

Li Xuefeng concluded the entire routine with a sharp thrust, a burst of icy energy erupting forth. He sheathed his sword, slightly out of breath.

Li Jain clapped and praised: "Your foundation is solid, your technique is also exquisite; you truly deserve to be called the top young swordsman of the fourth generation of the Li family. However, you focus too much on the coldness of the blade, forcing the chill onto your body. True swordsmanship should be like winter: initially tranquil and gentle, then unstoppable and unfathomable."

Li Jingsheng frowned when he heard his father call Li Xuefeng the top young swordsman of the fourth generation. He was a swordsman himself, and with his father’s teachings, he believed that title would eventually belong to him.

Li Jain picked up a fallen twig from the stone pavement and said to Li Xuefeng: "Watch."

With a flick of his wrist, Li Jain executed the exact same thrust as Li Xuefeng. He didn’t use any spiritual energy or sword qi, yet his movements were so natural and fluid, perfectly in sync with the wind. A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, making each falling flower seem to pause in mid-air before slowly descending to the ground.

Li Xuefeng stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock. His third uncle, with just this one twig, had displayed swordsmanship surpassing all the seasoned sword masters he had seen in the clan.

"Don’t force the chop; let your mind guide the blade," Li Jain said softly, a warm smile on his face, as he handed the branch to his dumbfounded nephew.