Discussion and Observation

We walked all the way to the outside of the market.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Yu Mengniang conjured a house on the ground. It was not large, about an acre in size. Stepping inside, one would find tables, chairs, chests, boxes, stoves, vases, lamps, candles, and all sorts of pots and utensils.

"Please come in, young master." Yu Mengniang pushed open the door and entered first, then sat down at the table.

After she sat down, her slit skirt slid down, revealing her calves and a section of her thighs.

But she was used to it, and looked at Li Qi, asking, "Does the young master prefer tea or wine?"

"Tea is fine." Li Qi followed her inside and sat down opposite her.

The Iron-Eating Beast didn't come in; they rolled around outside the door, two of them playing with each other, seemingly completely unconcerned about what was happening inside.

So Li Qi left them outside.

Yu Mengniang nodded, then carefully took out a few tea leaves, preparing to put them into the pot to brew tea for Li Qi.

As she brewed the tea, she said, "This is tea from Beiyuan of Wushen Mountain. It is a variety that was imitated by Xie Beiyuan, a fourth-rank master, using the tea leaves of the immortal tea tree from Penglai Immortal Mountain. It has the reputation of being 'upright and elegant, lush and verdant, and dense and orderly.' Young master, you are wise enough to know that this is already my best tea."

She was very respectful, but also very wary.

"No need, use this instead." Li Qi stopped the other person and took out a few withered yellow tea leaves.

I just casually picked it up from the teacher; I never expected it would come in handy now.

Looking at the two withered, yellow leaves, which seemed to be just randomly picked leaves from the roadside, Yu Mengniang frowned.

But she didn't say anything; she was more than happy to save a pot of expensive tea.

She casually took the tea leaves from Li Qi and put them into the teapot.

Yu Mengniang's tea ceremony skills are quite good. Every move she makes has a charm, and she is elegant and dignified, making her impossible to dislike.

He put the tea leaves into the pot, lit a fire in his hand, and roasted the tea leaves in the pot.

When raw tea leaves are first picked, their aroma is not yet fully developed, so they must be roasted over a high flame to bring out their fragrance. I saw her first use a gentle flame to soften them, and then add a high flame to accelerate the process. With her fingers gently stirring and quickly turning the leaves, after a few minutes, a faint aroma was released, and the tea was already roasted on the spot.

Then, she turned her wrist, using the method of praying for Wu Yu, to summon sweet spring water.

The aroma of fine tea is released through water; without water, one cannot truly discuss tea.

Water and fire are very important for tea.

With her Technique Method, a sweet spring appeared from the void, cool and clear, with a clear, resonant sound, and flowing gently. Even drinking the water directly from the spring, one could feel its sweetness, freshness, and richness, which showed the quality of the water.

She started making tea.

First, hold the teapot in your hand. Once the water has been poured into the pot, add the tea and cover it with the lid.

After three breaths, the bowl is filled to the brim and then poured into the pot again.

At this moment, a vibrant fragrance wafts to the nose, its color neither dull nor stagnant.

Upon smelling the fragrance, Yu Mengniang looked surprised.

The taste and Spiritual Qi of this tea far surpassed the imitation of the Penglai Immortal Tea in her hand.

What kind of tea is this?

But she didn't stop working.

After taking several breaths, she calmed the tea leaves and poured it into a cup. The tea was milky, smooth, and fragrant, clearly the finest of the finest.

As the one who brewed the tea, she should have waited for Li Qi to use it first, but for some inexplicable reason, she couldn't wait to pick up the teacup herself, gently blowing out the fragrant breeze and cooling the tea.

Before the cup even reaches the lips, the aroma already fills the nose.

Then take a small sip.

The abundant Spiritual Qi directly filled her entire body, and her personal microcosm instantly became rich in moisture. Sweet dew was born in the Huachi, and clouds and rain swirled around the Niwan Palace. Her personal microcosm appeared much more stable.

The foundation has been solidified.

She opened her eyes, her expression complex. "What... what kind of tea is this? With such effects, it could be considered 'the way of tea,' right?"

True skill is close to the Tao.

To cultivate tea trees to this extent, can this truly be called 'the Way'?

After taking that sip of tea, even her dislike for Li Qi dissipated considerably.

To be able to use such precious tea, regardless of whether it's good or bad, at least shows a lack of stinginess.

Upon hearing this, Li Qi shook his head slightly and said, "The way of the capable is to explain the principles through events, so that later generations can follow their example. This is called immortality. How can it be diminished by a single thing?"

Yu Mengniang stood solemnly, her expression one of reverence. "I will remember what you say, young master."

This young master first produced such precious tea leaves, and then his words made perfect sense...

Therefore, Yu Mengniang's dislike for the other party, who had kept looking at her legs and asking about the price of her personal belongings, had largely dissipated.

So she calmed down and said, "Judging from your words and actions, you are not a stingy person, and your behavior is not unreasonable. So you must not be trying to use your power to bully others or to seize things by force, nor are you lustful. So, could it be that there is something unusual about my leg ring?"

Li Qi was taken aback. After a long silence, he asked, "You didn't know? Then why were you unwilling to sell to me before?"

He assumed the other person knew the value of the item and wanted to keep it for themselves, but it turns out the person didn't!

So what is she insisting on?

They even acted wary, sending the tour guide away as if they wanted to have a serious talk with me.

Li Qi was very puzzled.

However, Yu Mengniang lowered her head and said shyly, "I didn't know the value of this item, but it's a personal ornament that I've carried with me for a long time. I thought you were using it as a metaphor to imply that you wanted to seduce me..."

However, she immediately lowered her head and admitted her mistake. "I have only exchanged a few words with you, young master, and I already know that you are not that kind of person. It was Mengniang who was abrupt. I hope you will forgive me."

Li Qi felt ashamed.

He rubbed his temples. "Mengniang, you've misunderstood. I already have someone I love, so why would I be seeking pleasure? But now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, there shouldn't be such a need for vigilance, right? May I ask for the price? This item is indeed useful to me."

As he spoke, Li Qi tapped something on the table.

Then, suddenly, some kind of hidden formation around them stopped working.

The Shaman Path formation they set up was truly...

Shallow.

If I hadn't been afraid of hurting her sense of security and losing face, I would have just torn it up when I came in.

With their formation broken, Yu Mengniang was shocked and immediately stood up.

However, she had just gotten up when she heard Li Qi speak.

Li Qi said, "The six positions you have set up are based on the six lines of the divination, which are imitated by the diviners. The great light takes day and night as the beginning and the end, and the six positions are formed by mutual exposure. It means that Qian rides the Six Qi to shape and change, and governs the four seasons to control the world. It forms a cage of heaven and earth. The intention is good."

"However, the Yang Energy was insufficient when it was set up, and the traces of the Wu Yu ritual were too heavy, so the Yin Qi was too overwhelming."

"Yang Energy is the origin of all things, hence the saying 'the first to emerge from all things.' If Yang Energy is insufficient, the celestial body will not be healthy. If the celestial body is not healthy, how can it exert its virtue? If the earth is not in harmony, it will not be able to bear the power of weakness. As long as I point out the actions of those with weak energy and low position, establish yang virtue, and hide below, your cage will break by itself."

Li Qi spoke eloquently, easily pointing out the opponent's fundamental weaknesses and shortcomings.

In the face of True Knowledge Dao Charm, Yu Mengniang's hidden tricks were completely useless.

Initially, when Li Qi spoke his first words, Yu Mengniang was terrified, thinking that he had revealed his true intentions and that he had only been pretending.

But as Li Qi continued, analyzing her weaknesses and ways to improve them step by step, she found herself listening intently.

No practitioner could resist such temptation.

Perhaps a single sentence from the other party is worth ten years of hard work and contemplation.

She knew that this young master was giving her some pointers.

After Li Qi finished speaking, Yu Mengniang felt that the methods of studying and cultivating were becoming one, and the wonders of various Cultivation Method were being awakened.

Some people can understand these insights with just a word of guidance from their master, while others can naturally comprehend them on their own. But most people simply cannot understand them no matter what they do.

I see, I see.

All the doubts and confusion in Yu Mengniang's heart were now transformed into a single sentence. "So that's how it is."

The phrase "I see" has left countless people stuck, utterly baffled.

Li Qi was a top student, spending at least ten hours a day reading, mostly secret texts and notes that were difficult for others to access.

He not only observed, but also practiced a lot.

It might not seem like much, but Li Qi was already able to give Shen Shuibi pointers on Shaman Path.

He was able to independently complete all the arrangements for a grand ceremony, understand a small part of the Great Shaman's Notes, communicate with Shen Shuibi, who was of the fifth rank, and even teach Shen Shuibi the key points of the ceremony.

From any perspective, Li Qi can already be considered an expert among the lower-ranking experts.

These words were like a wake-up call for Yu Mengniang, who was suddenly enlightened and could only think of the words "So that's how it is."

Only those who have experienced it know how precious these four words are.

She felt no more malice, but rather a deep sense of shame.

After listening carefully to Li Qi's words, Yu Mengniang stood up straight, stood solemnly, and then bowed gracefully. "Young master repays evil with kindness. Not only do you not remember my malicious intentions, but you are also willing to give me guidance. Mengniang has nothing to repay you with. If young master really needs this item, Mengniang is willing to offer it to you with both hands."

After speaking, she took the string of bells off her leg and placed them in front of Li Qi with both hands.

However, Li Qi pressed her hand down. "It's good that the misunderstanding has been cleared up. However, there's no need to give anything away. Just keep the price as it is."

Yu Mengniang was impressed and put aside her doubts, saying again, "Mengniang doesn't know the price, so please give me whatever you think is worth."

She now harbored no more suspicions or distrust of Li Qi's character, only admiration.

The title of "Young Master" is indeed not something that can be easily borne.

Come to think of it, how could the great shamans, with their discerning eyes, choose a piece of trash?

Those chosen by the Great Shaman must possess exceptional talent, character, and wisdom. How could I possibly harbor ill will towards such a person?

Really...

Li Qi, on the other hand, didn't have much internal thought. He was just marveling at the other person's inexplicable behavior, their changing expressions faster than flipping through a book. While marveling, he casually picked up the leg ring.

Because it had just been pulled off my leg, it was still warm. It was a string of eight bells, one of which had a verse written on it, "The spirit of bending and stretching can cover the world, and a hundred feet can be brought within reach."

It was precisely because Li Qi recited this verse that Yu Mengniang became so wary, thinking that Li Qi had been watching her for a long time.

"Well, that's fine. I'll make sure I understand what I'm buying. Let me tell you about its effects." Li Qi took the item, squeezed it with both hands, and rubbed it vigorously.

But then the thing exploded, and a strange, mysterious, and ethereal entity emerged from it.

Yu Mengniang was greatly surprised, her voice involuntarily rising. "Daoist charm!?"

I've had this thing with me for at least several decades, how come I've never noticed the trace of Daoist essence within it?!

"Hmm, this thing contains a Cosmic Space Dao Charm. It can make a hundred feet seem like an arm's length away." Li Qi said, then withdrew the trace of the Dao. Suddenly, a special Dao principle appeared around him, making him seem to be both here and not here.

"Try putting some tea in," Li Qi said to Yu Mengniang.

Yu Mengniang nodded, picked up her teacup, and splashed it at Li Qi.

Then, the water stopped in front of Li Qi.

No... it didn't stop right in front of me.

The water is still moving.

But the space has been stretched.

Soon, the water spilled onto the ground.

A hundred feet can be reduced to a mere foot.

Within a short distance, one could sense that Li Qi's circumference had expanded to a full hundred feet.

When Li Qi is affected by external influences, these influences need to travel an additional hundred feet to harm him.

If it doesn't have enough range, it will be as if it stopped right in front of him, producing no effect, and then fall to the ground due to gravity.

Li Qi was a hundred feet away from everything in the mortal world.

The neighboring households number thirty million, yet they are worlds apart.

Of course, this level of Daoist wisdom cannot reach the level of being close yet far, but can only be close yet far.

If it truly is a world apart despite being so close, then this world around us, though seemingly close, can never be broken through; it is an infinitely expanding space.

"Shallow by a hundred feet... and it even Cosmic Space Dao Charm." Yu Mengniang immediately realized the preciousness of this thing she possessed.

That's the essence of Daoism!

Only a fifth-rank expert can go to the chaotic places outside the realm to collect mysterious treasures!

Even fifth-rank experts rarely go there, because places with chaotic rules are extremely dangerous, and it's not so easy to gather Daoist essence.

Yu Mengniang's master was a sixth-rank expert, so she was not qualified to go at all.

It is said that, apart from a few people who have had extraordinary encounters, only each young master of Wushen Mountain possesses his own unique Daoist aura.

And there was actually a strand of it on my own body!

She had just promised to give it to Li Qi, but now a sense of regret arose in her heart.

This thing is extremely precious.

"Where did Mengniang get this?" Li Qi asked.

Mengniang came to her senses and replied, "I obtained it by chance thirty-seven years ago, but I was blind and never recognized its wonder. It is you, young master, with your keen eyesight, who saw through the Daoist essence within it at a glance."

As she spoke, her tone became sour, and there was a hint of regret in her eyes.

If I had a better eye, this treasure would probably be mine.

Li Qi stood up, poured the contents of the bag out, and then used his divine sense to count them. Soon, a small mountain had been piled up on the ground.

As he poured it out, he said, "Don't worry, Yu Niang, I won't take it from you. Consider these 100,000 Qi bead as rent. I have some use for this Daoist Rhyme, so I can rent it to you for three years, at 33,000 a year. I will return it after three years. Can you trust me?"

Yu Mengniang's jealousy vanished completely, and she bowed in utter submission. "I obey your will, young master!"

However, at this moment, in the main hall of the banquet, the gazes of the great shamans pierced through space.

Five or six high shamans burst into laughter, pointing in unison at another person in the hall. "Third Master Zhu! You lost this bet! Your disciple is nothing like you!"

Zhu Fengdan looked displeased.

This apprentice!

I told him not to be reasonable, but he's still acting like a pushover!