Heavenly Water Peak has seen fewer new disciples in recent years; I might be the only one representing us in this year’s Centennial competition among a hundred Sects.

So, I was hoping to cultivate and spar with you all, at least I won’t be working in isolation.

Li Guanqi didn’t hesitate and nodded, “Of course, you can!”

The woman’s lips curled into a faint smile upon hearing this.

It was then that Li Guanqi noticed the shallow dimples on the woman’s face.

“Having such a beautiful lady to cultivate with every day, it’s hard not to be motivated!!!”

Glancing at the few men lying on the ground, Ye Feng and Zhong Lin secretly gave a thumbs up.

Li Guanqi spoke softly, “Then, Elder Sister, let’s meet at the training ground of Heavenly Pillar Peak the day after tomorrow.”

“After all, tomorrow is the day for the selection of participants, and I’m not even sure if I can take part yet.”

“Pfft~”

Lin Qingyu covered her face and chuckled, “Junior Brother Li, stop being so modest.”

“Who in the Sect doesn’t know about the incident where Elder Xu Zhengjie and Elder Li didn’t manage to defeat you?”

Li Guanqi was genuinely baffled, somewhat disbelieving, “Is this known throughout the entire Sect??”

Lin Qingyu glanced around and laughed, “What else did you think brought so many people to the Great Thousand Waterfall?”

Li Guanqi scratched his head awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for words.

The woman chuckled, “Now, I know that there are only three confirmed spots.”

“You, me, and Gu Elder Sister.”

“The remaining seven spots will be decided tomorrow.”

Lin Qingyu took out her Identity Jade Token and raised an eyebrow at Li Guanqi.

“Take yours out too, I’ll mark my location on Jade Bottle Peak for you.”

“Come find me early tomorrow, and we’ll head to the training ground together.”

Li Guanqi then realized and they both marked their respective cultivation peaks.

The woman turned around, threw her long sword, and flew away on it.

“Yo~ Remember to come find me early tomorrow~”

“Junior Brother Li, we’ll head back together~”

“……”

A chorus of teasing erupted around the waterfall.

Li Guanqi remained unfazed, smirking cheekily, “Ah, what can I do, my personal charm is just too strong.”

“Hey, surely none of you Elders are still unloved?”

At that, many of the Elders burst into curses.

“Pah! Li Guanqi, you’re truly heartless, not engaging in human affairs!!”

“Right! Heartless Li Guanqi! That hits right in the feels!!”

“Wuu, why this sudden heartache? To think I, a dashing Young Lad, have been cultivating for over six years and haven’t even seen the shadow of a dao companion.”

“Hmph, my dashing looks from Red Flower Village go unrecognized here… what a pity…”

Li Guanqi smiled slightly, feeling at ease with the atmosphere of his Sect, wondering if other Sects had the same.

“Little Junior Brother thanks the Elders for the Spirit Stones, come find me next time you want to bet.”

“Honest and upright, that’s me.”

Amidst the laughter and swearing, Li Guanqi returned to Jade Bottle Peak with Ye Feng and the others.

Seeing the weary faces, Li Guanqi laughed, “Are you all broke?”

Seeing their silent response, he laughed heartily and inserted Spirit Stones into the Gathering Spirit Array.

“Don’t go back, guys. The consumption of Spirit Stones for the Gathering Spirit Array is on me, recover quickly.”

“But don’t even think about getting back the Spirit Stones you lost, you brats.”

“Darn it, I shouldn’t have believed Ye Feng’s nonsense! So-called King of Gamblers!”

Ye Feng, unfazed by the scolding, simply said softly, “Gambling is a matter of luck, just bad luck this time.”

Then they all sat down in the Gathering Spirit Array.

The rich spiritual energy enveloped them, and Li Guanqi joined in.

They looked at him without speaking, and Li Guanqi spoke softly.

“Today, you saw me drifting around there because I felt a powerful water momentum under the waterfall!”

“This feeling has changed my view on the Wood Element Spirit Root and other Spirit Roots!”

Hearing this, everyone perked up, especially Lin Dong.

Even Ye Feng listened intently to Li Guanqi’s words.

Li Guanqi organized his thoughts, recalling his experience under the waterfall.

“Water Spirit Root is often seen as gentle and cold.”

“Cultivators with a Water Spirit Root have an advantage in healing, just like those with a Wood Element Spirit Root.”

“But today, after feeling the power of the waterfall’s flow, I realized that the power of water is by no means weaker than that of lightning!”

“Everyone knows that lightning, metal, and fire are mainly for offense!”

“But to some extent, this is just because our use of Primordial Energy is too narrow.”

“If the power of the Water Spirit Root can be layered, then the resulting force could be like today’s waterfall, or even a towering wave!”

“Dong’s Earth Primordial Energy, if not used for defense, could be transformed into a heavy mountain pressing down on the opponent, equally terrifying!”

After these words, they all understood what Li Guanqi meant, as if a new door had been opened to them.

All three fell into deep thought.

Ye Feng, who was naturally aggressive and weak in defense, began to think differently after Li Guanqi’s words.

“If I use the power of Geng Metal for defense… tsk tsk.”

Zhong Lin, even bolder, recalling the stacking of water momentum mentioned by Li Guanqi, pondered whether he could do the same.

That night, the four sat in the Gathering Spirit Array, each gaining insights.

Li Guanqi, seemingly cultivating, had his mind immersed in the Sword box.

“Um… time is of the essence, could you help me complete that fragmented sword technique?”

The proud Sword Spirit glanced at the technique and casually said.

“It’s only sixteen moves, I’ll extrapolate it to eighteen for you!”

“But you have to share some Primordial Energy with me!”

Li Guanqi was overjoyed and quickly agreed, “No problem, no problem!”

“Just a small favor, thank you.”

The next morning, Li Guanqi opened his eyes, full of energy.

Before him were three faces crowding in close!

Ye Feng, with a serious expression, said gravely, “Old Li, are you alright?”

“Why does your energy seem weaker after a night of cultivation??”

Li Guanqi couldn’t possibly reveal the truth, so he vaguely replied, “Well… I was afraid of advancing too quickly to the Golden Elixir Realm.”

“To wait for you guys, I decided to refine the Primordial Energy within my body.”

They all rolled their eyes at his response, wanting to retort but feeling unable to.