Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 76 Seeking the Dharma
Li Chijin gently sheathed his sword, as the pale white autumn moon essence, lively as living water, lingered and roamed by his side, casting patches of moonlight and water gleam.
Behind him, Xiao Yuansi also waved his hand to dismiss the heavily scarred and nearly dissipating Yujing Dharma Shield in his hand, chuckling as he said:
"Junior brother has a sharp sword qi; the Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Technique you’ve mastered truly is extraordinary."
However, Li Chijin frowned, speaking in a low and muted tone:
"I’ve heard that the Tang Jin Sect has invaded the Mushroom Forest Plain."
Xiao Yuansi sighed, his complexion also turning somewhat unsightly as he consoled:
"I heard from my family that the Li Family is alright, junior brother needn’t worry."
Li Chijin, with his head bowed, gripped his sword tighter but still spoke in a subdued manner:
"I’ve been informed by elder sister about the family matters, but... why have I heard that not a single person is stationed in the Mushroom Forest Plain?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuansi’s expression faltered, his eyebrows drooping as he murmured:
"The Tang Jin Sect struck while our Green Pond Sect was changing guards... the cultivators in defense were tricked..."
Xiao Yuansi spoke vaguely for a few sentences. Seeing Li Chijin nod thoughtfully, he quickly shifted the topic:
"In recent years, the monsters to the south have not been too peaceful. The sect is planning to deploy personnel to defend against them. I’ve looked at the list; apart from our master, we need to send two more from Qing Sui Peak."
Li Chijin tilted his head, asking:
"What does master mean?"
Xiao Yuansi leaned over, smiling as he said:
"Of course, it means you and I will go together. Yuan Tuan isn’t good at contention, so he will stay at the peak."
Patting Li Chijin on the shoulder, Xiao Yuansi smiled and said:
"You practice swordsmanship. How can you become proficient without wading through a battlefield of corpses and seas of blood? As for me... I have some skills in alchemy. It seems the sect also intends for me to provide logistic support for you all."
Li Chijin had an epiphany, feeling suddenly eager as he smiled:
"That wouldn’t be bad, though I don’t know how long it will be before we can return."
Xiao Yuansi nodded and answered:
"That’s true. You should find time to write to your family, the sect doesn’t expect us to toil for nothing. It’s not a problem to ask for some benefits for your family."
Li Chijin’s spirits lifted upon hearing this, excitedly saying:
"Could the sect bestow a cultivation technique?"
"A cultivation technique?"
Xiao Yuansi furrowed his brow, murmuring:
"You’ve already mastered the Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Technique, why bother asking for another..."
As he spoke, he suddenly came to a realization, murmuring in a low voice:
"Is it for your family that you seek a technique?"
Seeing Li Chijin nod, Xiao Yuansi pondered for a moment before finally speaking:
"Cultivation techniques are typically family secrets, I’m afraid they’re not easy to request."
"Counting the days, my brothers at home are reaching the peak of Fetal Breathing, yet there’s no suitable Qi Cultivation Technique. I thought to ask for one."
Li Chijin placed his Green Peak sword onto the table surface, speaking in a muffled voice.
"Cultivation techniques are extremely valuable, seldom do people sell their family’s techniques in the market, nor do they carry the techniques on their person. In times of family destruction, they would rather break the net, destroying all techniques, making it truly difficult to find a suitable cultivation heritage."
"How about this?"
Xiao Yuansi nodded, speaking earnestly:
"Let my Xiao Family come forward, you help my family in asking the sect for a Sui Origin Pill as compensation."
"A Sui Origin Pill?!"
Li Chijin was taken aback, his voice tinged with urgency as he asked:
"Elder brother, are you planning to make a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?!"
"For the sake of a uncle in the family."
Xiao Yuansi shook his head and replied,
"The Sui Origin Pill can increase the success rate for Foundation Establishment by half. The ingredients aren’t particularly rare, but the pill script is controlled by the Sect, and the elixirs are only given as rewards, making them rare. I’ll exchange it for a Third Grade cultivation technique from you..."
"You’re quite cunning, senior brother."
Li Chijin chuckled and said in a low voice,
"Although the Sui Origin Pill is an elixir for the Qi Cultivation Stage and is priceless and valuable, I won’t exchange it for a mere Third Grade cultivation technique!"
Seeing the helpless expression on Xiao Yuansi’s face, Li Chijin laughed heartily, and then he said,
"I’ll choose two Third Grade cultivation techniques from your Xiao Family, plus one Qi Collection Technique."
Xiao Yuansi laughed and replied in an annoyed tone,
"One Third Grade plus one Second Grade, and the Qi Collection Technique."
Li Chijin smiled and nodded, responding,
"Then you better not fob me off with those common wares circulating in the market, senior brother. I want Orthodox Law, not those ancient secret techniques."
Xiao Yuansi laughed at his manner and described several cultivation techniques for him. After Li Chijin listened carefully, he frowned and asked,
"Senior brother, do you have any Qi Cultivation Techniques that use the Lake Center’s Golden Autumn? Lijing Mountain is right by Wangyue Lake, it would be best to use this essence of the lake’s golden autumn."
Xiao Yuansi shook his head and said,
"How could it be that easy? The only technique I’ve seen that absorbs the essence of Lake Center’s Golden Autumn is the ’Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Technique’ that you cultivated."
Li Chijin nodded, pondered for a dozen breaths, and then smiled,
"Then I’ll take the Third Grade ’River Qi Decision’ and the Second Grade ’Pure Spirit Original Method.’ The reed rivers in the family’s boundary are plentiful, it’s convenient to gather the River Essence Qi."
————
Meichi Mountain Cave Mansion.
Li Xiangping had been in seclusion for several days, and finally tuned his qi to the peak. He took a deep breath, feeling his mana purified and his stagnant cultivation level finally showing signs of progression. He was one step closer to breaking through to the Fifth Layer of the Fetal Breathing’s Yujing Wheel, which brought a hint of joy.
After leaving the stone chamber, Li Xiangping saw Li Tongya quietly drawing talismans in the cave mansion’s hall, who smiled at him and said in a low voice,
"You’ve come out of seclusion."
The three stone chambers of the Meichi Mountain Cave Mansion had been renovated: one was used to store the Spirit Rice and Spiritual Objects, and two were specifically for seclusion and cultivation, with Li Xuanxuan currently in one of them.
Li Xiangping sat by the stone table, listening to Li Tongya talk about the experiences along the way and the family matters, his brow furrowed in thought.
"It’s beyond our power to meddle with the plans of the Tang Jin Sect and the Green Pond Sect. We can’t ignore the Ji Family who has us pinned down in the mountains."
"Although the Tang Jin Sect has retreated, the Ji Family’s strength is still far above ours..."
Li Tongya nodded and said in a deep voice,
"Huaqian Mountain and the entire Wan Family’s boundary have become ruins. Passing through the eastern boundary of the Lu Family, I heard that the Lu Family suffered a loss at the hands of the Ji Family, causing enmity between the two families. They will not let matters rest."
"That’s indeed good news."
Li Xiangping took a sip of tea and said in a lower voice,
"The Lu Family is keeping Ji Dengqi occupied in the east, and with Huaqian Mountain destroyed, the Ji Family won’t have the resources to push westward for another decade or two. By then, my second brother should have completed his Qi Cultivation."
"Indeed."
Li Tongya paused his writing and spoke softly,
"The next time I go to Guanyun Peak, I’ll sell these items of the old Daoist; we should be able to gather a dose of Minor Pure Spiritual Energy."
Li Xiangping narrowed his eyes and said seriously,
"Xuan’er still lacks some decisiveness, perhaps because he has never seen blood. Once he breaks through the Green Yuan Wheel, I’ll have him manage the clan soldiers and kill some beasts to get a taste of blood."
"After all, he’s only fourteen or fifteen years old."
Li Xiangping shook his head, but saw Li Tongya give a faint smile and tease,
"That’s hard to say! Some people are killing and feeding wolves with the remains at the age of fourteen or fifteen, returning home to eat a large bowl of noodles as if nothing happened."
