Riding Crane Technique

The most stable relationship between people is actually mutual need.

The Five Poisons Sect needs loyal disciples, and the cultivation families need to extract extra resources from the Five Poisons Sect. This is a firm mutual need.

Before Li Shuidao and Li Shuilang joined the sect, Jiang Xue and Lu Qi'er had always taken care of the spirit fields.

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

Ever since Han Longguang arrived, Li Shuidao had also taken good care of this junior disciple, fearing that something might happen to him one day.

Therefore, Li Shuidao would not only not harm Han Longguang, but would also do his best to protect him, just as Jiang Xue protected herself.

Although he understood that Senior Sister Jiang Xue was genuinely good to him, Li Shuidao still didn't dare to fully trust Jiang Xue.

At the very least, he didn't dare to tell Jiang Xue that his Companion had already advanced to mid-grade first-tier.

A low-grade first-tier toad was only a minor supplement to Jiang Xue's centipede Companion; some mid-grade toads might even be a great tonic.

Although Jiang Xue might not harm him because of it, there was no need to test human nature.

It was safest to just honestly wait for half a year and then return to the family to cultivate Taoist techniques.

In the following time, Li Shuidao spent his days tending to the spirit fields and practicing his sword.

After Li Shuilang went back to have a child, the small courtyard became Li Shuidao's sole residence.

Sunlight fell upon him, as if gilding him with a mysterious halo.

On the moss-covered stone vat beside him, a Jade Toad lay leisurely, enjoying the flying gnats and mosquitoes.

When a mosquito flew near, the toad's tongue shot out, a flash of red light, and a mosquito vanished into thin air.

Almost instantly, Li Shuidao's hand also moved. A silver ribbon sliced through the air, like a bolt of lightning, killing another flying mosquito.

Li Shuidao looked at the toad and smiled, "Let us become one with the mind!"

Ever since he gained Magical Power, his strength and agility had rapidly advanced.

His previous hard training had now come to fruition. Even holding the heavy Azure Steel Treasure Sword, Li Shuidao could now easily kill flying mosquitoes as if he were holding a Bamboo Sword.

Perhaps he should switch to a heavier sword. If he could wield a thousand-jin heavy sword and still strike like lightning, his swordsmanship would naturally improve by leaps and bounds.

"The sword emerges like a frog's tongue, silver light transforming into a ribbon. The sword's might is like a child's babbling, severing the threads of clouds and mist."

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

Although his swordsmanship had achieved minor success, he now possessed Magical Power and should be cultivating Taoist arts, not practicing swords like a mortal. What was the use of practicing swordsmanship faster?

Could it compare to Spiritual Power and Taoist arts?

Spirit Field.

Spiritual energy permeated the air, and spirit grasses swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming Li Shuidao's arrival.

He stepped lightly on the stones, carefully tending to each spirit grass, watering and fertilizing them.

Master's Wife Qin Yue'e's voice suddenly came, "Shuidao, are you done with your work?"

"I'm done," Li Shuidao replied respectfully.

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

Li Shuidao quickly put down the watering can and hurried to his Master's Wife.

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

"Indeed. For the past half year, Master, Mistress, Senior Sister, and Senior Brothers have all taken good care of me," Li Shuidao replied respectfully.

"Mm, during this period, you've been efficient, diligent, and humble in your interactions. You've pleased both your master and me!" Qin Yue'e nodded.

"Mistress is too kind! Serving Master and Mistress is what a disciple should do," Li Shuidao said, lowering his head.

Seeing the polite and sensible fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy before her, Qin Yue'e nodded secretly and continued, "Alright, since that's the case, I plan to teach you the Riding Crane Technique. Are you willing to learn?"

Li Shuidao was slightly stunned, then said with immense surprise, "Thank you, Mistress. This disciple is naturally willing to learn."

The Riding Crane Technique was not a common skill. In the entire cave mansion, only three people knew this art.

The first was the Master, the Golden-Faced Gentleman, the second was the Mistress Qin Yue'e, and the third was the Senior Disciple Brother Ren Jichuan.

Even Senior Sister Jiang Xue did not know how to ride a White Feather Crane.

"Follow me, I'll teach you personally," Qin Yue'e said, getting up.

Then, Li Shuidao followed Qin Yue'e to the spirit beast pen.

The spirit beast pen was a spacious open area, surrounded by tall trees and blooming flowerbeds.

In a tranquil atmosphere, stood a gracefully formed large white crane.

"This is the White Feather Crane, a mount for cultivators in the Cultivation World. As long as you learn 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 towards the White Feather Crane.

The White Feather Crane's eyes flickered with a wise light, as if revealing that it had already gained sentience.

The Master's Wife stepped onto the back of the large crane, pulling Li Shuidao forward and carefully settling him onto the crane's back. The crane's feathers were soft and warm, like a protective garment, bringing an immense sense of peace.

"Li Shuidao, you must remember that the White Feather Crane can sense the rider's emotions. Fear and hesitation will make it uneasy, so you must remain calm while riding..." Qin Yue'e instructed earnestly.

"When it takes off, hold on tight to the feathers on both sides," Qin Yue'e said, grabbing the feathers around the crane's neck.

As if sensing Qin Yue'e's intentions, the White Feather Crane stood up on its long legs.

"Master's Wife, where should I hold on?" Li Shuidao asked in a panic.

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

With permission granted, Li Shuidao didn't hesitate and wrapped his arms around his Master's Wife's slender waist.

Then, the Master's Wife squeezed her long legs, and the White Feather Crane took two running steps before spreading its wings and taking flight.

"The key to riding a White Feather Crane is controlling your posture. It's not difficult, actually, very similar to riding a horse..."

"You must remember! White Feather Cranes are very timid. They are merely tools for transportation, absolutely not spirit pets to aid in combat. Any fighting will startle them. Once startled, even at high altitudes, they will abandon you and fly away..."

"When the White Crane is hungry, it will hunt for its own food. It usually hunts by streams and loves to eat small fish and shrimp. You must stay by its side and protect it..."

"This crane has never left Poison Dragon Ridge before. You absolutely must not try to ride it away from Poison Dragon Ridge. White Feather Cranes are very resistant to unfamiliar environments; they won't fly in them. If you try to force it to leave the range of Poison Dragon Ridge, it will throw you off mid-air..."

After a few laps, the large crane landed by a stream at the foot of the mountain.

The large crane went to the stream to hunt for fish and shrimp on its own, while Qin Yue'e and Li Shuidao stood guard around it.

"This is the River Bend Market?" Li Shuidao, who had been here many times, didn't recognize it at first.

Since it was a market holiday today, there was no one at the River Bend Market.

"The market opens once a month. It's naturally very different when it's closed. However, the regular shops are open every day. Once you learn the Riding Crane Technique, you can take me to the shops," Qin Yue'e suddenly said.

"Isn't taking Master's Wife out on a crane the Senior Disciple Brother's job?" Li Shuidao asked curiously.

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

"Why?"

"Trial," Qin Yue'e said, using only two words sparingly.

"Did Senior Disciple Brother perish in the trial?" Li Shuidao's voice held a hint of disbelief.

Qin Yue'e nodded.