Chapter 599 451: Selecting a Cultivation Technique

"The Perfected Person is truly well-intentioned; you should take it to heart."

Li Xuanfeng offered a word of advice, and Ning Heyuan nodded in response, his expression complicated, as he murmured softly:

"I understand, elder brother. I do not resent the Perfected Person's admonishments, nor do I fear offending any so-called chosen one of destiny. I only fear the day when the Perfected Person ceases to admonish me, truly leaving me here, never to inquire after me again—then I would have no path forward."

Li Xuanfeng paused. Ning Heyuan drew a jade bottle from his chest and spoke softly:

"The matter entrusted to me by brother-in-law... is already taken care of. Those 'Changmu Spirit Pills,' ten in all, have been exchanged for 'Xuanmin Pills' of even higher quality, eight in total, all pristine."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly and accepted them. Ning Heyuan cupped his hands toward him and withdrew.

Li Xuanfeng said nothing more. Seeing Ning Heyuan depart in silence, he finally turned around and rode the wind, flying back toward the cave mansion.

Several of the cave mansions within the market had dense spiritual energy, with spiritual springs surging forth. On ordinary days, renting one cost over ten spirit stones a year. One had long been vacated for Li Xuanfeng's cultivation; Li Qinghong was assigned to a slightly lesser cave mansion next to it.

But even this lesser cave mansion held richer spirit mechanism than at Qingdu Mountain. Li Qinghong cherished this opportunity, burying herself wholeheartedly in cultivation, only coming out to greet Li Xuanfeng when he returned.

Li Xuanfeng produced the 'Zuowu Stone,' several heavy pieces of 'Haiying Black Mercury,' and azure 'Couyu Jade,' handing them all to Li Qinghong, instructing:

"I have no use for these things. Take them back home."

Li Qinghong nodded in agreement. Then Li Xuanfeng took out a jade bottle from his chest and asked softly:

"The 'Featherwa Stone Liquid' I gave you before, don't hold back from using it—take it whenever you can. Here is a 'Xuanmin Pill.' Take both of these treasures, and you should be able to break through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

In the Li Family, aside from talisman pills, they had almost never consumed high-quality elixirs for breakthroughs and cultivation. These two were the direct lineage goods from the Immortal Sect. Li Qinghong accepted them, replying:

"Thank you, uncle."

Li Xuanfeng was about to say something more when someone came up below, with a wide forehead and thick brows—it was the eldest of the Ning Family, who said respectfully:

"A black-robed cultivator has arrived in the market, claiming to be Li Yuanjiao, come to pay his respects."

"Bring him up at once!"

Both revealed smiles of joy. Li Xuanfeng waved his hand in reply. Ning Dingbo quickly went down, and before long someone appeared at the lower seat. His eyes were ashen-dark, his expression a little somber, brows close-set, giving a hint of cunning; his black robe was neat and tidy.

At the cave mansion's entrance, he paused slightly, first pushing open the stone door. He extended his spiritual sense, looked over the two inside, then his brow relaxed, and with joy in his eyes, he stepped in.

"Yuanjiao pays respects to uncle!"

Compared with his sister's excitement at seeing Li Xuanfeng, Li Yuanjiao was more restrained, yet he could not fully hide the joy in his eyes. Li Xuanfeng smiled, nodded, glanced at him, and said:

"Foundation Establishment Middle Stage—not bad!"

Li Yuanjiao knelt, while Li Xuanfeng's eyes operated, gleaming with clarity. Though he too cultivated the 'Clear Vision Spiritual Pupil,' it had been refined by many kinds of spiritual liquids. After a close inspection, he said softly:

"A pity your cultivation technique is rather simple; the clear light is not flourishing."

Li Yuanjiao, having just broken through, had rushed over in haste. His cultivation was not yet solid, which Li Xuanfeng instantly saw through. He nodded; his own 'River Qi Decision' was indeed lacking. Then Li Xuanfeng continued:

"Qinghong's cultivation technique is an ancient method. Though its mana is a bit deficient after modifications, its mysteries are not inferior to any fourth or fifth-grade technique... Have there been any high-grade cultivation techniques in the family over the years?"

Li Yuanjiao nodded and detailed their recent situation. Li Xuanfeng paused slightly before finally mentioning Yu Muxian, saying softly:

"I will have a chance to enter Qing Song Temple, where Yu Muxian will also enter. Our family has only this one chance to seize treasures from his hands. Yuansu Perfected Person has also promised: when the matter at Qing Song Temple is concluded, the action at the lake will proceed as well."

Having laid out his judgment, Li Xuanfeng said in a low voice:

"With my current strength, defeating him is easy. But he is bound to have protective treasures on his person; killing him will be difficult."

Li Yuanjiao considered for a moment. From his waist, he untied a blue and white treasured sword with green tassels, offering it with both hands and said quietly:

"The 'Green Ruler Sword' can slay Foundation Establishment. Please take it with you, uncle."

Li Xuanfeng did not take it, but glanced at the Green Peak and replied:

"Qing Song Temple conceals itself within the Great Void. When the cave heaven opens its entrance, we can use magic artifacts to examine it closely; perhaps we can then enter."

Li Yuanjiao was taken aback, greatly moved in his heart:

'The Immortal Mirror sees through all under the heavens, even formations cannot resist... Perhaps there is a chance. The family could let one more person go in!'

'What's more, that Yang Ring itself belonged to Daoist Lu of Qing Song Temple. If it can resonate with the Immortal Mirror, then Qing Song Temple may be closely linked with the Immortal Mirror!'

He thought it over carefully, nodded to Li Xuanfeng, and replied:

"I understand, elder. Perhaps it can be attempted."

Li Xuanfeng nodded. He had Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong split the elixirs and spiritual liquid, instructing:

"The spirit mechanism here is dense. While I am guarding this place, you should cultivate and make breakthroughs here, awaiting the opportunity. Zhong Qian is only at Qi Cultivating Peak, preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment. This means there's still time before Qing Song Temple opens. Qinghong, you may attempt to reach Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

Li Yuanjiao and his sister exchanged glances and accepted the command. Li Qinghong took the elixirs and entered the secret room to cultivate.

...

Heshui Sea.

The heavens and earth were somber; sparse rain scattered upon the sea, a few droplets of mercury still floating between sky and water. Gradually losing the mana that held them, they rolled, one by one, and disappeared into the waves.