Chapter 38: Transmitting the Dharma

“Months ago, I quietly tested your aptitude,” Li Xiangping said. He paused for a few breaths, then turned his head to look at Li Xuanxuan, who stood below, full of excitement and anticipation. Li Xiangping continued, “There are no spiritual apertures in your Qi Sea.”

Li Xuanxuan felt as if struck by lightning on a clear day. His mind went blank, a wave of bitterness surged through him, his eyes turned red, and his lips were tightly pursed, showing his disbelief. He didn't know much about the scarcity of spiritual apertures in the world. He just felt that even though there were fewer than five cultivators in the entire village, both of his elders were cultivators, and even a distant relative, Li Qiuyang, had emerged. So, no matter how poor his talent, he surely should have spiritual apertures. Now, hearing that he had no spiritual apertures and would be a mere mortal his whole life, his heart instantly grew dim, and his eyes gradually welled up with tears.

“This mirror is a treasure I picked up when I was fishing in the river as a child,” Li Xiangping said, pointing to the bluish-grey mirror on the stone platform. He looked at Li Xuanxuan, gently patted his head, and chuckled softly: “Do you know its marvelous use?”

Li Xuanxuan held back his tears and answered earnestly, “Xuanxuan does not know.”

“Its marvelous use is to allow even those without spiritual apertures to cultivate.”

Hearing this, Li Xuanxuan froze, staring blankly at Li Xiangping's face. A sun-like hope suddenly rose in his heart, and he couldn't help but burst into tears and laughter, choked out, “Third Uncle, you're teasing me on purpose.” After speaking, he looked at Li Xiangping's half-smiling face. Li Xuanxuan thought carefully, then shivered coldly and blurted out, “Could it be that...”

“Exactly.” Li Xiangping nodded and said seriously, “Your father has no spiritual apertures, your second uncle and I also have no spiritual apertures. Even your fourth uncle, Li Chijing, who cultivates in the immortal sect, also lacks spiritual apertures. Our Li family's rise is entirely dependent on this mirror. If not for this mirror, you and I would both be mere commoners tilling the fields!”

Li Xuanxuan was stunned into silence by this news, feeling the world spin. He spoke with a dry throat, “Just picking up a mirror from the river allowed my family to transcend mortality and become immortals?”

“Precisely! This mirror can refine moonlight essence and bestow Profound Pearl Talisman Seeds upon people. It is too miraculous; should this secret ever be exposed, our Li family will surely be annihilated!” Li Xiangping gave a warning, then paused, seeing Li Xuanxuan's shocked expression.

Li Xuanxuan, however, mumbled to himself, answering quickly and with dawning realization, “So that's it! So that's it! No wonder my grandfather kept silent whenever I asked him about Foundation Establishment. My family's three spiritual apertures weren't due to grandfather having achieved Foundation Establishment, but because of this treasure! Just now, Third Uncle didn't let Li Qiuyang touch me to conceal the secret of my lack of spiritual apertures. And those Liu family members who trespassed on the mountain and were immediately killed by our family—it wasn't because Third Uncle was cruel, but because he was afraid...”

As Li Xuanxuan thought about it, a chill ran down his spine, and he broke into a cold sweat. He cupped his hands towards Li Xiangping and said, “Everyone considers Third Uncle ruthless and suspicious, but they've misunderstood him! With our Li family safeguarding such a treasure, how could one not be wary?”

Li Xiangping was also stunned. He stared blankly at Li Xuanxuan, finding the child completely different from how he remembered him. He couldn't help but take a few more glances and softly asked, “Then why did I tell Li Qiuyang that you were about to achieve the Profound Scenery Wheel?”

Li Xuanxuan rubbed his chin, pondered for a few breaths, and replied, “Presumably, this mirror has a miraculous effect, making it much easier to achieve the Profound Scenery! Third Uncle was afraid Li Qiuyang would become suspicious, so he lied, claiming I had started cultivating months ago.”

“Good!” Li Xiangping nodded in satisfaction and patted his shoulder. “Truly a child of my Li family! Following your grandfather every day, you've certainly learned a lot!” After speaking, he bent down and gently tapped the bottom of the stone platform. From the side, he retrieved a wooden slip and placed it in Li Xuanxuan's hand. Watching Li Xuanxuan respectfully receive it, he then explained in a low voice, “This secret technique is called the 'Guidance Method.' It is a marvelous method for guiding the Profound Pearl Talisman Seeds. For this month, read it carefully here in the courtyard. On the Winter Solstice, you can be bestowed with these talisman seeds. For now, sleep in the adjacent wing room, and I will have someone deliver your meals.”

“Yes,” Li Xuanxuan said, nodding heavily. He watched Li Xiangping close the door and heard his footsteps gradually fade away, then lowered his head to read carefully.

---

“...Father is in good health, and Second Brother has already completed Zhouxing. Three Snake Essence Pills have been sent with this letter. I hope Jing'er will cultivate diligently and achieve Qi Refinement soon. All is well at home, do not worry!” Li Chijing carefully put away the letter in his hand, wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes, and carefully placed the three bottles of Snake Essence Pills on the shelf. He then turned to Xiao Yuansi and thanked him, “Thank you, Senior Brother! My family owes you much kindness, and Jing'er is deeply grateful.”

“Not at all!” Xiao Yuansi shook his head and said, “Fellow disciples are like family; there's no need to be so polite.”

Li Chijing nodded gently and quietly said, “With these Snake Essence Pills, plus the Spirit Enlightenment Powder bestowed by Master, I now have a ninety percent certainty of condensing the Jade Capital Wheel.” After pondering for a few breaths, Li Chijing softly asked, “Master once said that to transition from Embryonic Breathing to Qi Refinement, one must first ingest a breath of spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Are there any particular key points to this?”

Xiao Yuansi picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and explained, “For Qi Refinement, one must first absorb a breath of spiritual energy from heaven and earth. This spiritual energy can be either the Pure Mountain Spirit Qi, refined from the spiritual energy of the mountains; or Earth Vein Malefic Qi, refined from the malevolent energy of earth veins; or Dawn Cloud Essence, cultivated from morning mists and colorful clouds... In any case, this spiritual energy is best attuned to one's cultivation technique, only then can it be pure and abundant, laying the foundation for one's magical power. Ninety-nine percent of rogue cultivators outside the mountains use the Pure Mountain Spirit Qi, as it is compatible with various cultivation methods, having neither particular strengths nor weaknesses.”

“Oh?” Li Chijing instantly felt a surge of curiosity upon hearing this and eagerly asked, “Which Qi Refinement technique would be best for my family's cultivation method to transition to? And what kind of spiritual energy from heaven and earth should I use?”

“While I don't know your family's cultivation method, observing your pure and clear magical power, there are quite a few Qi Refinement techniques within our sect that would be suitable for you to transition to,” Xiao Yuansi smiled, put down his teacup, and continued under Li Chijing's curious gaze: “The first is the Primordial Clear Rain-Controlling Art, which is the most renowned unique skill of our Azure Pond Sect. It utilizes the Rain Mist Qi, refined from the rain and mist of spiritual mountains. It excels at soaring through clouds and mist, controlling rain and clouds, and confronting enemies with gentleness. The second is the Mountain Shade Forest Mist Art. This art uses the Yin Qi of the mountains, and few in the sect have successfully cultivated it. The third is a rather difficult technique called the Moon Lake Reflecting Autumn Art. Since the third peak master of Moon Lake Peak cultivated this art, no one has been able to master it again. Perhaps there are some key points, but that person passed away over three hundred years ago, so there's no one to ask...”

Li Chijing knew his magical power was closely related to moonlight essence. Hearing the name, his heart immediately rejoiced, but then he heard Xiao Yuansi say no one had succeeded, which made him pause. He hastily asked, “Why is that?”