Riding Crane Technique

The most stable relationships between people were, in truth, those built on mutual need.

The Five Poisons Sect needed loyal disciples, while Cultivation Families needed to draw additional resources from the Five Poisons Sect. That was a solid relationship of mutual need.

Before Li Shuidao and Li Shuilang joined the sect, Jiang Xue and Lu Qi'er had always been the ones looking after the Spirit Fields.

Once the two brothers arrived, Jiang Xue and Lu Qi'er naturally took good care of them.

Ever since Han Longguang arrived, Li Shuidao had likewise looked after his junior disciple, afraid that something might happen to him one day.

So Li Shuidao would never harm Han Longguang. He would do everything he could to protect him, just as Jiang Xue protected him.

Although he understood that Senior Sister Jiang Xue was surely sincere in her kindness toward him, Li Shuidao still didn't dare trust her completely.

At the very least, he didn't dare tell her that his Spirit Companion had advanced to the mid-grade first rank.

A low-grade first-rank toad was only a minor tonic for Jiang Xue's Centipede Companion; a mid-grade toad might well be a major tonic.

Although Jiang Xue might not harm him for that, there was no need to put human nature to the test.

It was safest to wait patiently for half a year, then return to his Lineage to cultivate the Dao arts.

For the time that followed, Li Shuidao spent every day tending the Spirit Fields and practicing his swordsmanship.

After Li Shuilang went back to have a child, Li Shuidao lived alone in the little courtyard.

Sunlight spilled over him, seeming to coat him in a mysterious halo.

A Jade Toad lounged atop the moss-covered stone vat beside him, enjoying the mosquitoes and flies that buzzed through the air.

As one flew close, the toad flicked out its tongue. A flash of red, and the insect vanished into thin air.

Almost at the same instant, Li Shuidao's hand moved too. A silver streak flashed through the air like lightning, killing another mosquito on the wing.

Li Shuidao gazed at the toad and smiled. "Let our minds become one!"

Ever since he gained mana, his strength and agility had quickly risen to a new level.

His previous hard training had all come together. Now, even with the heavy Greensteel Sword in hand, Li Shuidao could wield it as easily as a Bamboo Sword and effortlessly strike down flying mosquitoes and flies.

Perhaps he ought to trade it for a heavier sword. If he could wield a thousand-jun greatsword and still strike as fast as lightning, his swordsmanship would surely reach new heights.

"His sword flashes like a frog's tongue, silver light streaming through the air. The sword's might is still feeble, severing only a thread of cloud and rosy haze."

"What a pity, what a pity..." Li Shuidao shook his head with a bitter smile.

Though his swordsmanship had made some small progress, he now had mana and ought to cultivate Dao arts instead of practicing the sword like a mortal. What use was it to make his sword strokes faster and faster?

Could that measure up to a Divine Ability or Dao art?

The Spirit Fields.

Spiritual energy filled the air. One Spirit Grass after another swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming Li Shuidao's arrival.

He stepped lightly over the stones, carefully tending each plant, watering and fertilizing them.

His master's wife, Qin Yue'e, suddenly called out, "Shuidao, have you finished your work?"

"I've finished," Li Shuidao replied respectfully.

"Then come up. I have something to tell you."

Li Shuidao hurriedly set down his dipper and strode over to his master's wife.

"You've been under my husband's tutelage for more than half a year now, haven't you?" Qin Yue'e asked with a smile.

"That's right. Over these past six months, Master, Mistress, and my senior brothers and sisters have all taken great care of me," Li Shuidao replied respectfully.

"Mm. During this time, you've worked efficiently and without complaint, and you've been humble and cautious in your dealings with others. Your master and I are both quite pleased with you," Qin Yue'e said with a nod.

"You flatter me, Mistress. Serving Master and Mistress is only right for a disciple," Li Shuidao said, lowering his head.

Seeing the fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy before her so polite and well-mannered, Qin Yue'e nodded to herself and continued, "Very well. Since that's the case, I plan to teach you the Riding Crane Technique. Are you willing to learn?"

Li Shuidao was taken aback, then said with unrestrained delight, "Thank you, Mistress. Of course I'm willing to learn."

The Riding Crane Technique wasn't a common skill. Only three people in the entire cave abode knew it.

The first was his master, the Golden-Faced Gentleman; the second was his master's wife, Qin Yue'e; and the third was Senior Disciple Brother Ren Jichuan.

Even Senior Sister Jiang Xue couldn't ride a White Feather Crane.

"Come with me. I'll teach you myself," Qin Yue'e said as she rose.

Then Li Shuidao followed Qin Yue'e to the spirit-beast enclosure.

The enclosure was a broad, open space, surrounded by tall trees and flower beds in full bloom.

In the tranquil setting stood a graceful, large white crane.

"This is a White Feather Crane, a mount used in the Cultivation World. Once you've learned the Riding Crane Technique, you can soar through the blue skies even if you haven't reached the Spirit Refining Realm."

Qin Yue'e led Li Shuidao slowly toward the White Feather Crane.

The crane's eyes shimmered with intelligence, as if revealing that it had already gained a measure of spiritual awareness.

Mistress climbed onto the crane's back and pulled Li Shuidao forward, carefully settling him behind her. The crane's feathers were soft and warm, like a protective cloak, and made him feel completely at ease.

"Li Shuidao, remember this: a White Feather Crane can sense its rider's emotions. Fear and hesitation will make it uneasy, so you must stay calm while riding..." Qin Yue'e instructed him earnestly.

"When it takes off, hold tight to the feathers on either side." Qin Yue'e grasped the feathers at the crane's neck.

The White Feather Crane seemed to sense Qin Yue'e's intention and rose to its full height.

"Mistress, where should I hold on?" Li Shuidao asked in alarm.

"My waist," Qin Yue'e said calmly.

With her permission, Li Shuidao didn't hold back. He wrapped his arms around his mistress's slender waist.

Then his mistress squeezed her long legs around the crane. The White Feather Crane ran a few steps, spread its wings, and took flight.

"The key to riding a White Feather Crane is controlling your posture. It's not difficult; it's much like riding a horse..."

"Remember! White Feather Cranes are extremely timid. They're only mounts for getting around, not spirit pets meant to aid in battle. Any fight will frighten them. Once startled, they'll abandon you and fly away, even high in the sky..."

"When the White Feather Crane gets hungry, it'll hunt for food on its own. It usually hunts beside streams and likes to eat small fish and shrimp. You must stay nearby and keep it safe..."

"This crane has never left Poison Dragon Ridge. Whatever you do, don't try to ride it out of Poison Dragon Ridge. White Feather Cranes are very wary of unfamiliar surroundings and won't fly in them. If you force the crane to leave Poison Dragon Ridge, it'll throw you off in midair..."

After circling around several times, the crane landed beside a stream at the foot of the mountain.

The crane went off on its own to catch fish and shrimp in the stream, while Qin Yue'e and Li Shuidao stood guard nearby.

"Could this be Little River Bend Marketplace?" Li Shuidao had been here many times, yet he hadn't recognized it at first.

The market was closed today, so there wasn't a soul in Little River Bend Marketplace.

"The marketplace opened once a month, so naturally it looked very different when closed. But the Marketplace was open every day. Once you've learned the Riding Crane Technique, you can take me there," Qin Yue'e suddenly said.

"Isn't escorting you on the crane Senior Disciple Brother's job?" Li Shuidao asked curiously.

"Your Senior Disciple Brother will never come back," Qin Yue'e said with a sigh.

"Why?"

"The trial." Qin Yue'e was sparing with her words, saying only those two.

"Did Senior Disciple Brother perish during the trial?" Li Shuidao's voice was full of disbelief.

Qin Yue'e nodded.