Sea Snake Daoist

Poison Dragon Ridge.

The Spirit Beast Valley outside the market.

Li Shuidao and Li Yijun, who hadn't seen each other for over half a year, seemed to have endless things to talk about.

"We ride White Feather Cranes and can travel freely throughout Poison Dragon Ridge. We should contact our kin more often so we have support during the trials," Li Shuidao said with sharp eyes.

"Hahahaha... Do you think the family wouldn't have thought of what you're thinking? Do you know that the family has an elder in the Spirit Refining Realm who has set up a cave dwelling in Poison Dragon Ridge? That's our Li Family cultivators' base. Once any Li Family cultivator wants to participate in a trial, they'll contact them first."

Li Shuidao's eyes widened in surprise. "So our Li Family has an elder in the Spirit Refining Realm who has set up a cave dwelling in Poison Dragon Ridge? How have I never heard of this?"

"You're only in the Spirit Awakening Early-stage. Isn't going to participate in the sect trials suicidal? Why would the family tell you? If you cultivate to the Spirit Channeling Realm middle-stage and possess Magical Power, the family will naturally tell you."

"That's true. Who is this elder?" Li Shuidao asked curiously.

"This elder is a legendary figure of our Li Family—Li Tianwu. His nickname is Sea Snake Daoist."

"Do you know that not every Spirit Refining Realm cultivator is qualified to set up a cave dwelling in Poison Dragon Ridge?"

"Of course, I know that. Only those ranked on the Heavenly Rankings are qualified to set up a cave dwelling in Poison Dragon Ridge. Any cultivator who sets up a cave dwelling in the Five Poisons Sect's Poison Dragon Ridge is a master with great hope of entering the Void Nascent Realm."

"Where exactly is the Sea Snake Daoist's cave dwelling?" Li Shuidao continued to ask.

"When Doctor Tianliang visited me last time, he seemed to mention it. It's near the little finger of Six Finger Mountain."

"Where is Six Finger Mountain located in Poison Dragon Ridge?"

"It's on the northern foothills. We can ride our cranes there next time..."

Half an hour later...

A woman in red arrived at the Spirit Beast Valley. Li Yijun loudly called out "Senior Sister" and respectfully saw the woman in red off.

An hour later...

The Golden-Faced Gentleman and Qin Yue'e also arrived at the Spirit Beast Valley.

Afterward, Li Shuidao steered his White Feather Crane, spreading its wings in the air. The Golden-Faced Gentleman and Qin Yue'e sat on the crane's back, chatting about the treasures they bought in the market today.

Li Shuidao remained silent, listening intently with his ears pricked up...

Returning to the cave dwelling, Li Shuidao resumed his normal life and cultivation, as if he had forgotten that he already possessed Magical Power.

The next day.

Afternoon.

Li Shuidao flew out alone on his White Feather Crane for a leisurely flight.

The White Feather Crane flew directly to the market and then to the Spirit Beast Valley outside the market.

After waiting for about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Li Yijun also arrived.

Li Shuidao quickly went up to greet him, "Brother Yijun, did you go explore the market?"

"Don't mention it. I've been here no less than ten times, but I haven't been inside once."

"Can we each watch two spirit beasts while the other goes to browse the market?" Li Shuidao tried to find a way to obtain cultivation techniques in the market.

"Absolutely not! White Feather Cranes are like ancestors. If one gets lost, the outcome is at least confiscation of our Companions," Li Yijun quickly waved his hands.

"Let's still go. To the Sea Snake Daoist's cave dwelling."

"Alright."

The two White Feather Cranes spread their wings and flew towards Six Finger Mountain on the northern foothills of the mountain range.

The two soon saw "Six Finger Mountain." Six peaks, like six giant fingers of varying heights, stretched towards the sky. Clouds and mist often swirled around the peaks, creating a magnificent sight.

Two elegant White Feather Cranes circled among the mountain range.

"This is the little finger. There are at least a dozen cave dwellings around here. Which one is the Sea Snake Daoist's cave dwelling?" Li Yijun asked loudly.

"Follow me!" Li Shuidao voluntarily lowered his White Feather Crane and charged towards a cave dwelling at the foot of the mountain.

"What are you doing? Aren't you afraid of offending a powerful figure if we go to the wrong cave dwelling?" Although Li Yijun was flustered, he still followed Li Shuidao in lowering their altitude.

Li Shuidao headed straight for a cave dwelling at the foot of the mountain. The cave dwelling also had a courtyard layout with blue brick walls and tiled roofs, but there was a lake about three mu in size outside the cave dwelling.

The lake was dark green. Judging by its color, it was a very deep pool. The water in Black Mountain was always shallow, and deep pools were rarely seen.

The existence of such a deep pool here was likely related to the Companions the Sea Snake Daoist kept.

The two White Feather Cranes landed outside the cave dwelling's main entrance. Li Shuidao and Li Yijun jumped off the cranes.

"We are descendants of the Li Family from Divine Wood City, here to visit the Sea Snake Daoist," Li Shuidao called out loudly.

The cave dwelling's main door slowly opened, revealing

a middle-aged man in a black brocade robe. He wore a scrutinizing and vigilant expression. "I've never seen either of you before. How did you find my cave dwelling?"

Li Yijun quickly clasped his fists and said, "Half a month ago, Doctor Tianliang met me once and mentioned that our clan has a senior named Sea Snake Daoist, who is a Heavenly Rankings expert and lives at the foot of Six Finger Mountain."

Upon hearing that the man mentioned Li Tianliang, the Sea Snake Daoist's face immediately broke into a smile. "You two are indeed Li Family disciples. Ride your cranes in. Park them in the courtyard and do not approach the Snake Lake."

"Thank you, senior."

Sea Snake Daoist Li Tianwu waved his hand. "We are all from the same clan, no need for such formalities. Come in quickly."

The Li brothers entered the cave mansion's main hall. Inside, the tables and chairs were set with ancient and elegant furnishings.

Sea Snake Daoist sat in the main seat, while Li Shuidao and Li Yijun stood respectfully below him.

"What are your names? How long have you been initiated? Why has Li Tianliang never mentioned you to me?" Sea Snake Daoist inquired.

"My name is Li Shuidao. I've been initiated for over half a year and am under the tutelage of the Golden-Faced Gentleman."

"My name is Li Yijun. I was initiated at the same time as Shuidao and am under the tutelage of the Poison Hand Old Man."

Sea Snake Daoist Li Tianwu nodded with satisfaction. "You two have only been initiated for over half a year and have already become Spirit Beast Masters. This shows you are quite quick-witted and know how to please your masters. You must continue this way to have a chance to contribute to the family."

"We understand," the two said in unison.

"Do you know how to contribute to the family?" Li Tianwu suddenly asked.

"By diligently improving our cultivation and assisting the family whenever needed in the future," Li Shuidao replied after a moment's thought.

"Hahahaha... You'll only be of use to the family when your cultivation reaches at least the late stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm," Sea Snake Daoist laughed heartily.

The Li brothers exchanged glances. Li Shuidao asked doubtfully, "Are there other ways?"

"Of course. As long as you can obtain your respective masters' unique cultivation techniques and submit them to the family, you will leave a glorious mark on the family's ancestral registry," Sea Snake Daoist said calmly.

"Ah! To have my name on the ancestral registry! What great honor! This means the clan leader will even recite my name during sacrifices," Li Yijun exclaimed excitedly.

Li Shuidao: "..."

"Although our Li Family is a thousand-year-old clan, our foundation within the Five Poisons Sect is extremely shallow. The family primarily masters the Snake Companion cultivation methods, which is entirely thanks to my efforts in merging the Azure Sea Sect's techniques with those of the Five Poisons Sect to create a unique secret skill. While the family has other Companion techniques, they are all common goods that can be bought in the market..."

"Your masters are both Heavenly Ranking experts, and their rankings are not below mine. The Poison Hand Old Man's 'Centipede Hands of a Hundred Poisons' is particularly renowned. The Golden-Faced Gentleman is even more formidable; he possesses an inner energy technique that can easily expel even the most potent poisons from the body, even if they reach the vital organs. You two must seize this opportunity to learn their ultimate skills..." Sea Snake Daoist said earnestly.