https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-39-Passing-on-the-Method-of-the-Innate-Realm/12532693/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-The-Benevolent-Heavenly-Mother-Saving-All-Beings/12532695/
Chapter 40: Finally Leaving the Novice Village
Chapter 40: Finally Leaving the Novice Village (To Be Continued)
Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief as he finished explaining the cultivation method for the Innate Realm that he had crafted.
"Disciple, have you memorized it all?"
The cultivation method for the Innate Realm was the first time he had put in significant effort to create something new. The theory and framework were far more comprehensive than the basic Refine Skin, Refine Bones, and Refine Organs methods of the Foundation Realm.
He even pointed out the location of the Heavenly Bridge and the Dantian Qi Sea.
With such a detailed cultivation method, it stood to reason that Xu Yan would be able to comprehend it more easily and have a higher chance of success in his cultivation.
"Master, disciple has memorized it all!"
Xu Yan replied reverently.
"Remember, while cultivating the Innate Law, you must also diligently ponder over it during your free time. Do not neglect your cultivation in the Qi and Blood Realm, and do not aim too high. You must be down-to-earth!"
Li Xuan admonished seriously once again.
"Master, I understand. I will not attempt to cultivate the Innate Law or try to break through until I have perfected my Qi and Blood," Xu Yan assured solemnly.
"Good!"
Li Xuan nodded and continued, "There is a four-line poem that encapsulates the essence of the Innate Realm. You should remember it as well."
"Yes, Master!"
Xu Yan's spirit lifted, and he looked excited.
"The Heavenly Bridge transcends the mortal coil, absorbing spiritual energy to return to Innateness. Boundless true qi without end, ride the wind and soar into the azure sky."
Li Xuan recited the poem word for word.
"The Heavenly Bridge transcends the mortal coil... ride the wind and soar into the azure sky?"
Xu Yan murmured to himself, feeling a sense of enlightenment wash over him.
The Innate Realm seemed suddenly within reach.
"Ponder over it in your free time. When your Qi and Blood are perfected, you will be able to break through to the Innate Realm," Li Xuan said, giving his disciple a meaningful glance.
He had imparted the cultivation method for the Innate Realm, but when Xu Yan would be able to comprehend it was beyond his knowledge.
However, Li Xuan had faith in Xu Yan's comprehension abilities, his powerful imagination, and his unwavering belief in the martial arts Li Xuan had taught him. He was certain that his disciple would be able to grasp the Innate Realm eventually.
"It's about time I took on another disciple to test my methods. My disciple must have excellent comprehension abilities and a vivid imagination to truly understand the made-up cultivation techniques," Li Xuan thought to himself.
With the completion of the martial arts cultivation method for the Qi and Blood Realm, Li Xuan wondered if he took on a new disciple, would they be able to provide feedback as well? Could a new disciple also cultivate successfully? However, Li Xuan had an intuition that any new disciple he took on must cultivate a different set of techniques to gain greater feedback.
He trusted that his intuition was correct.
So, if he were to take on another disciple, he would need to create an entirely new set of techniques, even if the realm remained the same.
"Now that I have some experience, creating a new set of techniques should be relatively easier. The challenging part is finding the right disciple. An ordinary person definitely won't do. They must have exceptional comprehension abilities and a strong capacity for imaginative thinking; otherwise, they won't be able to cultivate successfully," Li Xuan mused as he observed Xu Yan, who was deeply engrossed in the Innate Realm's manual.
He knew that it was only because of Xu Yan's exceptional comprehension, vivid imagination, and unwavering faith in the martial arts he taught that his disciple had been able to activate his golden finger and achieve success in his cultivation.
Thus, Li Xuan knew that he could not compromise when it came to his disciples' talent and potential.
"In a country as vast as Qi, I should be able to find a second suitable disciple," Li Xuan said, filled with anticipation.
And if he couldn't find one in Qi, he could always look in Wu or other neighboring countries.
"I could also select one or two suitable individuals, not necessarily as disciples, but as servants. I could teach them the Qi and Blood Realm cultivation method and observe the effects. If they don't work out as servants, perhaps I could consider them as named disciples? After all, I am a reclusive master, and I can't just accept disciples willy-nilly. So, for now, servants it is," Li Xuan contemplated, his mind teeming with ideas.
He wondered if the martial arts he had cultivated could be successfully passed on to others and whether they would be able to cultivate successfully. Even if they could, he suspected that there would be certain requirements regarding their talent and potential.
Those who came later and cultivated these techniques would not gain as much feedback.
This was the intuition that arose within Li Xuan, and he trusted that it was linked to his golden finger.
Li Xuan glanced at his disciple, who was still poring over the cultivation method for the Innate Realm, and said, "Disciple, pack your bags. It's time to go."
"Master, what's wrong?" Xu Yan asked, startled.
"It's time for me, your master, to venture out as well," Li Xuan replied nonchalantly.
"Master, you're not going to remain in seclusion?" Xu Yan asked, his face filled with surprise.
"Now that I have taken on a disciple, it's time to enter the world," Li Xuan said. "Besides, where can't I live in seclusion? A true master can hide in plain sight."
"Hide in plain sight?" Xu Yan murmured, his spirits lifting. His master truly was an enigmatic recluse!
For a true master, where couldn't they live in seclusion? Even in the bustling marketplace, one could find solitude.
"Yes, master!" Xu Yan nodded excitedly and began packing his belongings.
There wasn't much to pack—just a few changes of clothes and the gifts he had offered as a disciple.
Li Xuan toyed with the jade scepter in his hand; his appreciation for it had grown over time.
...
A horse pulled a dilapidated wooden cart out of the forest.
Li Xuan sat in the cart, fiddling with the jade scepter, his eyes on the receding dense forest and mountains behind them. He heaved a sigh, thinking that he had finally left the mountains since his arrival in this world.
They had left the small village.
By the time they set off, evening was approaching.
Xu Yan led the horse with light, silent steps, his Light Red Hawk Art had improved significantly.
"Master, ahead lies Yunshan County. Do you want to stay there or go directly to Donghe County?" Xu Yan asked.
"Let's stay in Yunshan County for a while," Li Xuan replied thoughtfully.
He wanted to see if there were any suitable disciple candidates in Yunshan County.
Yunshan County was just a small town with a population of only a few tens of thousands. On this particular evening, the townspeople noticed a horse-drawn carriage entering the county.
Two young men approached, one leading the horse, and the other sitting in the carriage.
The young man in the carriage was dressed simply, but he held a flawless jade scepter in his hand, clearly a valuable item.
A beggar squatting by the roadside stared at the man in the carriage for a long time, his face lighting up with excitement. He signaled to a middle-aged man tending a stall nearby.
The stallholder nodded silently, packed up his stall, and disappeared into an alleyway.
Li Xuan noticed this exchange but remained unmoved.
Only the weak needed to hide their wealth.
In a country as militarily weak as Qi, there was no one who could threaten him.
Even if there were powerful cultivators, they wouldn't spare a glance at his jade scepter and other possessions.
"Master, my family has a shop in the county, and we own a courtyard. Shall we go there now?" Xu Yan asked.
"Disciple, you decide," Li Xuan replied indifferently.
Of course, he would leave such trivial matters to his disciple.
At the entrance to a small courtyard in the central area of the county, Xu Yan knocked on the door. Soon, a servant answered the door.
"Young master, please come in!" The servant's face lit up with a smile when he saw Xu Yan.
"Get everything cleaned up, and find yourselves another place to stay," Xu Yan instructed.
"Yes, young master, please come in!" The servant's face was full of flattery as he moved to take the reins, but Xu Yan ignored him and led the horse into the courtyard.
"Master, the county is a small place, and our residence is humble..." Xu Yan said apologetically.
"It doesn't matter," Li Xuan replied.
The servant looked at Li Xuan, who was sitting in the carriage, and paused.
Master?
Had the foolish son of the richest family in town been swindled again?
(End of Chapter)
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