Approaching the Taoist temple, Li Guanqi discovered its extreme simplicity.
Beyond a bell tower and drum tower at the entrance, there stood a towering archway.
Further inside lay the main hall for worship, followed by the meditation platform, mountain cottages, and a scripture pavilion.
As dusk approached, Li Guanqi joined the old man in preparing dinner.
Unspoken rules aside, the temple's advantage was the lack of prohibition on alcohol and meat, save for the four taboos and five pungent plants, which were manageable.
After dining with the old and young that night, Ling Daoran invited Li Guanqi outside for a drink.
The old man suddenly sighed, "Li Nanting is still in the Golden Elixir Realm?"
Li Guanqi nodded slightly, himself unaware of what had truly happened to his master.
"Oh my, it seems you don't know what your master has been through?"
Gazing at the moonlight, Li Guanqi softly said, "Indeed, I don't. But it seems to be a matter of great concern to my master, so I never asked."
Ling Daoran chuckled, "What else could it be? Your master, that romantic, rashly took action for someone else."
"Years ago, at the opening ceremony of the Six Sects' disciples, many independent cultivators attended."
"Some spoke indecently and harassed Elder Shen Lan of Heavenly Water Peak."
"Li Nanting struck hard, leaving the offender severely injured."
"Wow, that's intense…"
The old man took a swig of his drink and continued, "This world, I tell you, only independent cultivators cause such headaches."
"The man bided his time, healed his injuries over several years, then suddenly reappeared, slaughtering disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect."
"He'd strike and flee, leaving us helpless."
"In the end, to protect the Sect's disciples from disturbance, your master fought that cultivator for three days and nights."
"Eventually, his Elemental Infant was damaged, he fell back to Foundation Establishment, and after the Great Xia Sword Sect spent countless treasures and over a decade of healing, he finally returned to the Golden Elixir Realm."
Pausing, the old man looked at Li Guanqi and said, "Hearing this, don't you think your master is a bit foolish?"
Li Guanqi shook his head and whispered, "It's not foolishness, it's responsibility."
A glint appeared in the old man's eyes, and he burst into laughter.
"What responsibility! If you ask me, that wooden-headed Li Nanting is the unyielding backbone of the Great Xia Sword Sect!"
"It's because of people like Li Nanting that the disciples of a Sect do not falter."
"Of course, it's also for this reason that there's a Li Nanting at the pinnacle of the Golden Elixir Realm with an eight-hundred-year lifespan."
"Alright, tomorrow morning I'll pass on that Spirit Spell to you."
Sleepless, Li Guanqi meditated on everything the old man had said that day.
A faint smile played on his lips as he thought, "No wonder Peak Master Shen has always been so irate towards my master."
"Shen Lan is already an Elemental Infant cultivator, while my master remains in the Golden Elixir…"
"With my master's temperament, even if he harbors feelings, pride would prevent him from expressing them."
A night of cultivation left Li Guanqi feeling refreshed, especially since the spiritual energy at Longhou Ridge was much denser than in the outside world.
He rose early and practiced his boxing a hundred times!
By the time the old man woke up, the sun was high, and the young Taoist boy had already started his recitations.
After checking on the boy's progress, the old man stretched lazily.
The boy approached the old man, glanced outside at the youth practicing boxing, and quietly asked.
"Master, why does he, a blind man, light an oil lamp in his room?"
"If he has opened his Insight, why does he need a lamp? Isn't that superfluous?"
Ling Daoran patted the boy's head and sighed softly.
"That's why Li Nanting has taken on an extraordinary disciple…"
"To outsiders, a blind man lighting a lamp may seem foolish, but who can say it isn't a form of wisdom, or perhaps… magnanimity!"
The old man slowly stood and walked outside, leaving the pondering boy behind.
He took Li Guanqi to a training ground in the backyard and whispered, "There are three hundred Spirit Spells, each with a different use."
"Offensive, defensive, and trapping spells are the most straightforward."
"Others include illusions, calming, barrier-breaking, sealing, spirit-slaying, airspace-forbidding, and so on."
"The Spirit Spell I hold ranks two hundred forty-sixth, a powerful offensive spell!"
"Formation Breaker – Thunder Spear!"
With a light tap on Li Guanqi's forehead, a myriad of profound information flooded his mind.
After demonstrating the spell, the old man formed several hand seals, and the surging elemental force caused the skies of Longhou Ridge to change dramatically, whipping up a fierce wind!
In an instant, the clear sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and a torrential downpour began, with thunder and lightning above.
Boom!
The old man's eyes focused, and he shouted, "Formation Breaker – Thunder Spear!"
Boom!
A thunderous spear, over ten feet long, tore through the heavens and crashed onto the training ground.
Thud!
Dust rose, and the rain stopped.
When the dust settled, a huge crater, dozens of feet wide, had formed, with the ground scorched black and lingering arcs of lightning.
Li Guanqi swallowed hard and murmured, "The power of this Spirit Spell… it's too great!"
Ling Daoran smiled wryly, "That's because you haven't seen the power of the top hundred Spirit Spells."
"Those can truly split mountains and part seas!"
"Mastering a Spirit Spell isn't as simple as alchemy or artifact crafting; you need to comprehend its essence through a profound connection with the universe."
"Only when your state of mind aligns with the spell can you perform it perfectly."
For three days, Li Guanqi worked on unlocking the meridians and acupoints needed for the Spirit Spell.
Suddenly opening his eyes after three days of meditation, he exclaimed, "I understand! It's the heart of breaking formations!"
"The creator of this spell must have been trapped on the battlefield, using the power of thunder to forge a spear and break through!"
Gradually, Li Guanqi's eyes filled with a sorrowful killing intent and will to fight.
As elemental energy surged, the entire Taoist temple was enveloped in a mysterious force.
Lying in the rocking chair, Ling Daoran suddenly opened his eyes and turned towards the backyard.
In disbelief, he murmured, "Such insight, first-rate in the world!"
Boom!
"Spirit Spell, two hundred forty-six!"
"Formation Breaker – Thunder Spear!"
A slightly ethereal thunder spear pierced the sky and fell.
Thud!
A shallow three-foot pit appeared in the backyard.
Li Guanqi looked at the old man somewhat awkwardly and said, "Senior, even the shadow of my spear is a bit insubstantial…"
Ling Daoran rolled his eyes.
He was at the peak of the Elemental Infant mid-stage, and Li Guanqi?
If he wasn't blind, he must have seen correctly; Li Guanqi hadn't yet broken through Foundation Establishment!
"If it's insubstantial, just keep practicing… look how thin the child is."
Li Guanqi grinned and took out all the fine wine and food from his storage ring.
He even brought out half a steamer of meat buns reserved for Yu Sui'an.
Meanwhile, in the Xuantian Dynasty, which Li Guanqi had yet to investigate, a shocking event occurred that astounded the world!
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas