Chapter 145: Nascent Soul Technique Acquired

Water Dragon Sect had a total of three techniques that directly led to the Nascent Soul stage.

Although Ji Yuan had never seen them, he had heard his fellow disciples mention them during casual chats.

Two were water-attribute techniques and one was a metal-attribute technique.

The two water techniques were called 《Tide-Origin Myriad Manifestations Scripture》 and 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》.

The metal technique was named 《Xuanhuang Gold-Devouring Art》.

As for their respective effects, Ji Yuan had no idea—after all, ordinary people couldn’t access such things.

So when he heard Li Changhe mention it at this moment, he found it somewhat unbelievable. “Brother Li, this external transmission of a Nascent Soul technique, is it really alright?”

Li Changhe saw Ji Yuan’s reaction and felt somewhat gratified.

Because Ji Yuan asking such a question meant he had a good nature. If it were someone else, upon hearing it was a Nascent Soul technique, how could they still care about these things?

Moreover, since Ji Yuan joined the sect, he hadn’t come to find him. That in itself showed his character.

This Brother Ji was a kind-hearted man.

“There are some past matters you likely don’t know about.”

Li Changhe said thoughtfully, “Do you know why my Li Family holds such a high status in Water Dragon Sect?”

Because your father is called Li Gang, a Golden Core elder, with the nickname ‘Wealthy Li’. Ji Yuan thought for a moment and said, “Because Senior Li is a Golden Core elder who supports our Water Dragon Sect like the sky.”

“What sky can he possibly support?”

Li Changhe curled his lips and muttered to himself before saying, “Back when Water Dragon Sect was established beside the Falling Star River, there were three founders. One of them bore the surname Li.”

“What?!”

Ji Yuan looked at Li Changhe before him in astonishment. So he was a founding elder of the server?

No wonder his status was so extraordinary.

“So with this said, you should understand now. The technique I’m about to pass to you is my Li Family’s Nascent Soul technique. Since it belongs to my Li Family, naturally I can pass it to whomever I want.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately stood and bowed deeply to Li Changhe.

Saving him was one matter; passing on a Nascent Soul technique was another entirely.

As for whether learning the Li Family’s Nascent Soul technique meant getting involved in the power struggle between the Grand Elder and the Third Elder—Ji Yuan could no longer worry about that.

The Li Family sided with the Grand Elder. Ji Yuan felt that even if he had joined the Third Elder’s faction, they still wouldn’t have handed over this Nascent Soul technique to win him over.

The so-called neutrality was merely a matter of insufficient benefit.

However, compared to before, he now also had the shadow of Real Person Wangyou behind him. He wasn’t sure which side she was on.

When Ji Yuan came to the Clearwater Teahouse, he had considered going to ask Island Lord of One Punch Island about the situation. As a veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator, he surely knew the relationships between the elders well.

But at that time, he was in a hurry. A round trip from Hatchling Dragon Island to One Punch Island would take two days.

There wasn’t enough time, and he didn’t have a Messaging Talisman, so he simply couldn’t inquire in time.

As for now, he could only wait until this matter was settled before asking Island Lord of One Punch Island.

“Before passing on the technique, I’ll need you to swear an oath, Brother Ji, never to pass this Li Family technique to outsiders,” Li Changhe said seriously.

Techniques must not be casually passed on.

Let alone a Nascent Soul technique.

The reason the Li Family could pass it on to Ji Yuan was because he had saved the life of Li Changhe, the Li Family heir.

“Alright.”

Ji Yuan naturally understood the importance of swearing not to transmit the technique. He immediately made a solemn Dao Oath before Li Changhe.

Only then did Li Changhe take out a golden-lined jade slip sealed with restrictions. “This Nascent Soul technique of my Li Family is water-based, named 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》. It contains sword techniques and is essentially a sword formula with immense offensive power.”

As he spoke, a streak of sword qi slashed from his hand, cutting his finger. A drop of fresh blood dripped onto the jade slip.

Only then did the restriction on the surface lift.

“Take a look.”

Ji Yuan had no intention of revealing that he had Divine Sense, so he accepted the jade slip with both hands and infused it with spiritual energy.

In an instant, a flood of complex and obscure memories surged into his mind, even causing a slight tingling pain in his head.

“Canglan Sword Condensation—draw water from rivers and seas to form the ‘Canglan Sword Embryo’. At the Core Formation stage, one may forge nine life-bound water swords. These nine divide further into eighty-one swords, forming the Thousand Whirlpool Sword Domain.”

“At the Nascent Soul stage, the Nascent Soul can fuse with the sword array and transform into Nine Abysses Returning to the Void.”

It took Ji Yuan quite a while to digest all the memory contents in his mind.

A technique that led directly to Nascent Soul—acquired!

Ji Yuan once again bowed deeply to Li Changhe.

Li Changhe put away the jade slip and teased, “Anyway, I’ve already given you the technique. Whether you can master it depends on your own comprehension. This kind of Nascent Soul-level technique—definitely isn’t simple.”

This point, Ji Yuan naturally understood.

Previously when he killed Jian Zong and Yang Shunan, he had also obtained several Foundation Establishment techniques and had reviewed them.

To be honest, those were not much different from his own 《Azure Sea Tide Technique》—the kind that if you could establish a foundation, you could learn.

But that was all they amounted to.

They couldn’t even lead to Core Formation.

“I will do my best.”

Ji Yuan smiled.

If he truly couldn’t comprehend it, couldn’t even get started, then he’d just use the panel to add points and fully upgrade the [Comprehension Room].

“Mm, this matter of comprehending the technique, I can’t help you with. Here, this is the Foundation Establishment Pill I prepared for you.” As Li Changhe spoke, he flipped his right hand, and a finely crafted jade box floated to Ji Yuan.

He caught it with both hands.

“Open it and take a look.”

Li Changhe said with a smile.

Ji Yuan raised his hand and gently pushed. The jade box opened, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire room.

Foundation Establishment Pill—Two-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill—and three of them!

“This—”

Ji Yuan had thought that getting two would be good enough, or perhaps just one. After all, Foundation Establishment Pills were precious. Yet now Li Changhe had given him three all at once!

Still all were Two-Pattern.

This level of generosity genuinely shocked Ji Yuan.

“Our family reserves aren’t abundant either. Not long ago, two clansmen of our Li Family successfully established their foundations and claimed quite a few Foundation Establishment Pills. Now only these three are left. If you’re not in a rush, wait a bit—I’ll see if I can get some more for you.”

Li Changhe crossed his legs, as if procuring a few Foundation Establishment Pills was no different from buying a few Spiritual Artifacts.

But looking at the way he treated a third-tier monster cub, Ji Yuan felt it might really be about the same to him.

“With these three, I am already endlessly grateful.”

Originally, Ji Yuan had planned to wait two more years, until the 【Spiritual Field】 produced two more Millennium Illusory Spirit Grasses, before attempting Foundation Establishment.

But now with these three pills, the timeline could be shortened by a year.

Oh wait, there were only a few months left now.

By the time the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven opened, the 【Spiritual Field】 would likely yield another Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass.

By then, combined with the three already in hand, there would be a total of four Millennium Illusory Spirit Grasses, enough to refine four batches of Foundation Establishment Pills. If each batch yielded three pills, it should be enough for Ji Yuan to succeed in Foundation Establishment.

“Three are enough?”

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe couldn’t help but sit up straight. He looked seriously at Ji Yuan and slowly said, “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of entering the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven?”

Then he suddenly thought of something, leaned back, and sighed.

“Right, with a False Spiritual Root, where else can you find Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass for Foundation Establishment if not a secret realm?”

Sensing something in his words, Ji Yuan asked, “Brother Li—is there something you want to say?”

“Don’t go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. At worst, wait ten more years. In that time, I should be able to get you more Foundation Establishment Pills. By then, with ten pills, you’ll be ready to attempt Foundation Establishment.”

Li Changhe leaned back against the chair, gazing at the ceiling, and spoke calmly:

“The Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven opens once every eighty or ninety years. Do you know what kind of people usually gain something from entering?”

“I don’t.”

“They’re all people like Feng Yichen—those who, even at the Qi Refining stage, can rival Foundation Establishment cultivators. If you can’t beat an early Foundation Establishment cultivator at peak Qi Refining, then don’t even think about going. Most people who do end up cannon fodder.”

Li Changhe shook his head as he spoke.

“You’re still young, not even thirty yet. There’s no rush to establish your foundation. Wait until I get you a few more pills.”

“Best not to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven.”

Ji Yuan was quite moved by Li Changhe’s words. He truly treated him well.

Fortunately, Ji Yuan had no intention of entering the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven to begin with.

“Brother Li, is it really that dangerous in there?”

“Very dangerous. Everyone you meet inside is basically an enemy. You can’t even trust fellow sect members. Plus, there are many monsters inside. Though no second-tier monsters, the swarms of first-tier ones—encountering them almost certainly means death.”

“Moreover, places where Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass grows are all perilous grounds. Entering them is a near-death experience.”

“And most importantly, you can’t use flying Spiritual Artifacts or fly within. That takes away a cultivator’s greatest advantage.”

As Li Changhe spoke, he casually summoned a cup of tea and took a sip.

“Take your brother’s advice. The waters of the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven are too deep. You’re too young to handle it.”

After listening, Ji Yuan struggled for a while, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to Brother Li.”

“Mm. Just focus on your cultivation.”

Li Changhe set down his cup, stood up, and patted Ji Yuan’s shoulder. “Now that this is settled, I have to accompany my father to Sword Ruins. There, the Six Sects will hold a discussion about opening the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, so I won’t be in the sect for a while.”

“I’ve already informed my third uncle about your matters. If anything comes up, send a message to me as usual. He’ll take care of it.”

“Alright.”

Ji Yuan stood up with him. “It’s dangerous out there—be careful, Brother Li.”

“Heh, a Golden Core going out—you can rest easy.”

“I’m off.”

With that, Li Changhe transformed into a streak of light and flew out the window, disappearing without even taking back the Clearwater Teahouse token he had given Ji Yuan.

For second-generation cultivators like him, needing a token to enter places like this was probably an insult in itself.

His face was his pass here.

Ji Yuan raised the teacup and drained it in one go. Then, not letting anything go to waste, he packed away all the fruits on the table before swaggering out the main entrance.

After leaving Everything Island, Ji Yuan first returned to Hatchling Dragon Island.

But unexpectedly—his home, still in ruins yesterday, had been completely restored today!

Everything looked brand new.

The efficiency of Water Dragon Sect was simply too high.

Moreover, a disciple of Hatchling Dragon Hall was waiting at his door, delivering a detailed explanation of the house’s condition like some ceremonial handover. They even assured him that any future issues could be brought to them.

After he left, Ji Yuan went inside.

Even the two peach trees that had been knocked down had been replanted. They must’ve been watered with some Spiritual Water too, as they looked lush and vibrant—not at all like they had ever been damaged.

Ji Yuan checked the backyard again—everything was new. Even the inscriptions left by previous occupants on the walls were gone.

The legacy—was it broken?

No. Ji Yuan remembered the words those predecessors had written. He used spiritual energy to carve them back in one by one, imitating the original handwriting down to the last detail.

After finishing this, he took out the three jars of Spiritual Wine given by Hua Yaoyue and placed them in the empty room, then activated the effect of the 【Wine Cellar】.

These three jars of Spiritual Wine would determine whether he could become a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator.

He didn’t dare delay such an important matter.

After storing the wine, he sent his Divine Sense underground and found even the secret passage had been filled in. Only then did he relax.

This matter was concluded. Both the technique and Foundation Establishment Pills were in hand.

It was time to find Island Lord of One Punch Island for some information.

With other Foundation Establishment cultivators, Ji Yuan didn’t have the connections to ask easily.

Having made up his mind, he summoned his flying boat and left Hatchling Dragon Island, heading straight northwest to One Punch Island.

By the time he arrived at One Punch Island again, just like when Xu Fugui came before, it was already midnight.

Ji Yuan originally intended to find a spot nearby to wait until dawn before calling out at the gate. But unexpectedly, just as he arrived near the area, the formation of One Punch Island had already opened.

“You brat, what’re you doing here? Looking for a spar?”

The hearty voice of Island Lord of One Punch Island came from within.

Ji Yuan quickly steered his flying boat into the island, and soon found the upper-body-bare Island Lord of One Punch Island beside that massive iron furnace.

Seeing Ji Yuan arrive, he casually tossed the iron hammer in his hand right into Ji Yuan’s.

“Come, you brat, give me a few good swings.”

Island Lord of One Punch Island panted heavily as he spoke.

Old. After all, he was getting old.

Ji Yuan didn’t refuse. He swung the hammer a few times, then stepped in front of the glowing red iron block and brought the hammer down with force.

Dang—

After a crisp clang, not much impurity was hammered out. Instead, the impact bounced Ji Yuan’s hands back, leaving them stinging. “Damn, Senior, what kind of iron is this? Tough as hell.”

“Picked it up from the seabed. Hammer properly, no nonsense.”

“Right, did you come this fast because you’ve managed to gather enough Spirit Stones to pay your debt?”

Island Lord of One Punch Island, taking a break, pulled out a wine jug and took a hefty swig, letting out a satisfying burp before stretching and asking.

“No way, those two hundred Spirit Stones earlier already had me selling pots and pans. I’ve only got another hundred now. Senior, you’ll have to give me some more time. Let me refine a few batches of pills first.”

Ji Yuan wasn’t about to fall for that.

If he took out another hundred Spirit Stones just a few days later, it’d be no different from pulling out the whole sum at once.

Island Lord of One Punch Island chuckled and sat nearby, watching Ji Yuan hammer iron.

“You know how to use hammer techniques, but that’s not enough. You need to master finesse.”

Seeing Ji Yuan swing for a bit, he began pointing out, “You’re just using brute force. How many swings can you get in like that?”

“Finesse? What counts as finesse?”

Ji Yuan slammed the hammer a few more times with force but still felt his hands aching from the shock.

“Just follow my rhythm—eighty-one strokes—”

Up and down, Ji Yuan quickly found the balance.

When the hammer fell, he exerted slight force, and when it bounced back, he relaxed his arms and let the hammer rebound naturally, instead of tensing with it like before.

After grasping the rhythm, Ji Yuan found forging much easier.

About half an hour later—

The raw iron was nearly fully hammered. To continue, it would need reheating.

Ji Yuan relaxed his muscles and bones and came to sit beside Island Lord of One Punch Island.

“Senior, can’t we use Divine Sense or spiritual power to control the hammer? Doing it manually is exhausting.”

“You know why my weapon refining is better than others’?”

Island Lord of One Punch Island flexed his muscular torso. “This is the secret. I don’t tell just anyone.”

“Well, good thing I’m not just anyone.”

Ji Yuan laughed heartily.

“Alright, tell me—what’s the matter? Coming here in the middle of the night like this.”

Island Lord of One Punch Island lazily asked as he looked at the first signs of dawn on the horizon.

Since it was serious business, Ji Yuan’s expression also turned solemn. “I heard from Old Master Xu before that the relationship between the Grand Elder and the Third Elder isn’t too harmonious. Now, due to certain circumstances, I seem to be getting involved. So I came to seek your advice, Senior—what should I do?”

“Oh?”

Previously rather unenergetic, Island Lord of One Punch Island sat up straight upon hearing this.

“The conflict between them—I, as a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, can’t even get involved. Yet you, a Qi Refining stage, got pulled in? Not bad, kid.”

“Go on, tell me what happened.”

Ji Yuan nodded slightly, then recounted how he saved Li Changhe’s life and how, when he encountered a demonic sect spy, he had no choice but to seek help from Li Changhe.

After hearing everything, Island Lord of One Punch Island remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:

“In our Water Dragon Sect, most elders are indeed divided into three factions. The Grand Elder and the Third Elder are both at late Golden Core stage, so they’re the ones fighting the fiercest. As for the Sect Master, he’s only early Golden Core stage, and his position dictates that he must remain neutral, so among the three factions, his is actually the weakest.”

“The Grand Elder and Third Elder mostly fight over interests. The Li Family behind Li Changhe has always been close to the Grand Elder’s faction. Since you’re close with Li Changhe, naturally you’d be grouped with the Grand Elder. But don’t worry—if you were late Foundation Establishment stage, it’d be reasonable to worry.”

“Right now, you’re just at Qi Refining stage. The Third Elder’s faction wouldn’t bother with you.”

“And your relationship with Li Changhe isn’t ordinary. If any Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Third Elder’s side really wanted to mess with you, the Li Family definitely wouldn’t stand by.”

Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly.

In summary, there was some issue, but nothing major—no need for excessive worry.

This matched Ji Yuan’s expectations. If he had to pick a side, so be it. It was worth it for that technique leading directly to Nascent Soul.

Besides, he had studied the Li Family’s technique. He’d never reveal it himself, nor would Li Changhe. As long as he didn’t expose anything, no outsiders would know.

That left only one final question.

“By the way, Senior, I heard our sect has a Real Person Wangyou who’s also very fond of fine wine. Is she on the Grand Elder’s side or the Third Elder’s?”

Ji Yuan feigned great curiosity as he asked.

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