Golden Toad Qi Locking Method

For some time...

Besides tending to the spirit fields, eating, and letting out the cranes, Li Shuidao stayed indoors. After each time he let out the cranes, he would take a very long time to return.

For several consecutive days, Jiang Xue and Lu Qi'er seemed not to have seen Li Shuidao at all. The occasional times they did see him, it was only when he was busy in the spirit fields.

His movements were quick, unlike his usual leisurely pace...

"Did this person's personality change after being poisoned once?" Jiang Xue wondered aloud.

Lu Qi'er didn't feel anything particular. Both of them had been serving their Mistress.

They rarely saw Li Shuidao, so naturally, their Mistress Qin Yue'e also found it difficult to see him.

Having lived two lives, Li Shuidao's understanding of human nature far surpassed that of ordinary youths.

Setting aside ethics and societal norms, if he were to have a relationship with Qin Yue'e, it would undoubtedly bring more harm than good, even being a path to certain death.

No matter how passionate a romantic relationship began, it would ultimately end in either love or hate.

If it ended in love, their illicit affair would eventually be discovered by his Master, leading to his death at his Master's hands. If it turned to hatred fueled by love, he would be killed by the Master's Wife.

Unless Li Shuidao's strength reached a point where he could kill anyone he wished and do as he pleased, it was best to honestly define their relationship as one between master and disciple. Only then would he have a chance at survival.

Now that he had obtained one of his Master's four ultimate techniques, retreating wisely and knowing when to stop was the best choice.

Within six months at most, his family would arrange for him to return and marry, have children, and then everything should return to peace...

In the small courtyard.

Li Shuidao lay on his side, hands crossed over his chest, body curled up, resembling a coiled carp. He supported himself on his elbows.

In just a moment, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. His body needed to be steady, his breath deep, and crucially, his waist had to be strong and unwavering.

This pose was indeed difficult to maintain, but as long as he persisted, the duration would surely increase bit by bit...

Only by staying steady and calm could the true essence within his body be condensed into one point.

Condensation led to control, control stemmed from the mind, and ultimately, it could be sublimated...

Li Shuidao's arms rose swiftly, and his Magical Power surged into his meridians like a swimming dragon, his arm joints emitting crisp cracking sounds.

Water Toad Dragon, Qi like a swimming dragon, coursed through his entire body, pores opened wide, internal and external energies converging...

The key to cultivating the Water Toad Dragon was the innate Spiritual Power, the Water Breath Technique.

Without the innate Water Breath Technique, this Daoist method could not be mastered.

After a long rest...

Li Shuidao once again practiced the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art. Although he possessed the complete set of techniques, he could only practice the first two forms. Only by repeatedly practicing these two forms and thoroughly opening all his meridians with the Water Toad Dragon could he begin to cultivate the Jade Toad Gazing at Moon.

Knock, knock, knock...

The door to Li Shuidao's small courtyard was knocked upon.

He opened the bolt.

Li Shuidao's brow twitched.

Standing outside was his Master's Wife, Qin Yue'e, and she was alone.

She was wearing a light purple dress, a white silk sash tied around her waist, and a golden hairpin with dangling ornaments in her hair. She looked incredibly charming and beautiful, as delicate and lovely as a flower.

"If Mistress has any instructions, she could simply tell Senior Sister Jiang Xue, why come in person?" Li Shuidao asked, feigning panic.

"You intend to leave me standing outside?"

"Never, Mistress, please come in."

Qin Yue'e walked into the small courtyard with a smile.

"Where are Senior Sister Jiang and Senior Sister Lu?" Li Shuidao asked cautiously.

"I sent them on an errand," Qin Yue'e replied with a smile.

She came prepared!

Li Shuidao's expression turned serious, and he asked with trepidation, "May I ask why Mistress has come?"

Qin Yue'e didn't speak. She gazed at Li Shuidao with eyes as tender as water for a long time before finally saying, "You have now cultivated to the middle stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm, and you can already refine your Magical Power with elixirs. I have a bottle of Qi Circulation Pills here. Take one before your practice each day, and it will greatly benefit your cultivation and energy circulation. Do you want it?"

Li Shuidao struggled for a moment, then bowed deeply. "Thank you for Mistress's kindness, but I'm afraid I cannot accept it."

"Oh... think carefully." Qin Yue'e tapped her storage bag and took out a jade bottle.

"Qi Circulation Pills are fifty Jade Coins each in the market. This bottle contains thirty pills, making it worth fifteen hundred Jade Coins. If your wages are thirty Jade Coins a month, this single bottle of pills is enough for you to work for over four years..." Qin Yue'e said in a tempting tone.

Li Shuidao looked at Qin Yue'e's lovely face, her fair skin, and the bottle of pills in her hand, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

After a breath or two...

Li Shuidao said with a firm gaze, "Mistress's kindness is appreciated, but I will not take it."

"You previously swore to me that you would obey my every word. Now I offer you pills, and you refuse?" Qin Yue'e asked, a hint of anger on her face.

"This junior naturally obeys Mistress's words. If this were a gift from an elder, this junior would not dare refuse. However, I hope that elders will not give such precious items in the future, as this junior truly feels unworthy of them." Li Shuidao said with a respectful cupped-fist salute.

"Hehehehe..." Qin Yue'e covered her mouth. "You are indeed a clever one. Giving you all of this would indeed be inappropriate. Then I shall give you one pill."

Qin Yue'e poured a round pill into her fair, jade-like hand.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master's Wife," Li Shuidao said, carefully taking it.

Qin Yue'e placed the pill back into her storage pouch and took out a Daoist scripture.

Li Shuidao's sharp eyes clearly read: Golden Toad Qi Locking Method.

"Take this scripture and copy it. Return it to me tomorrow. I need to put it back in my husband's secret vault before he discovers it," Qin Yue'e said with a rather serious tone.

"Master's Wife, I cannot accept rewards without merit..." Li Shuidao began, intending to cup his fists in refusal.

Qin Yue'e raised her hand to stop him. "This is a Daoist art I require you to cultivate."

"Why?" Li Shuidao asked, confused.

Daoist arts are valuable for their quality, not quantity. Li Shuidao already had the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art, and he certainly wouldn't try to practice the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method on top of it, risking not being able to digest it all.

Building a solid foundation was paramount. Besides, this Daoist art wouldn't be given for free. The more Qin Yue'e gave, the greater her expectations for a return would be.

"Shuier, your master possesses four supreme skills. Among them, the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art is the foundation of his Daoist arts. To save your life, I took it upon myself to teach it to you. If your master finds out about this, he will surely take your life, and I will be implicated as well," Qin Yue'e explained.

"Master's Wife, your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. Shuidao understands. Forget the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art; even the fact that I possess Magical Power, I will keep it a secret from everyone. What else do you have to worry about?"

"You cannot hide it!" Qin Yue'e said sternly.

"You have just gained Magical Power and do not know how to cultivate. Your master naturally cannot discern your cultivation. Now that you have begun practicing the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art, your aura will gradually strengthen. Soon, your master will know your cultivation with just a glance. How can you possibly conceal it then?"

"Could it be this Golden Toad Qi Locking Method?"

"Precisely. This Daoist art can not only hide your cultivation but, when practiced to a high level, can even conceal the Magical Power of your companion. Do you know that the Golden-Faced Gentleman is exceptionally skilled at hiding? Few know he is actually a Toad. Many have met their end in trials because they were unaware of this," Qin Yue'e explained in a lowered voice.

"I understand. I will copy it now." Li Shuidao quickly took the scripture from Qin Yue'e's hand.

Qin Yue'e nodded and then left the small courtyard.