Li Clan Scripture Pavilion

As Li Shuidao expected, the news of his breakthrough to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm quickly sent shockwaves throughout the Li Family.

"Li Haoshan's son broke through to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm in just over a year of cultivation. His talent is truly astonishing!"

"That's nothing. As long as there are enough Spiritual Object, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm in just over a year isn't uncommon in our Li Family's historical records."

"Exactly! The Li Family's historical records even mention a genius who, after obtaining a Companion, only took seven months to advance to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm."

"Who would have thought Li Shuidao's talent is so strong? It's a shame he was sent to a sect."

"A shame? Do you know how many Spiritual Object it takes to break through to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm in such a short time? The current Li Family doesn't have that kind of wealth. If Li Shuidao hadn't been sent to the Five Poisons Sect, his talent would truly have been buried."

The Family Ancestral Hall.

Patriarch Li Haimo personally led Li Shuidao to offer incense to the ancestors.

He lit the incense and prayed to the ancestors.

"Shuidao, you may rise," Li Haimo said.

"Thank you, Patriarch," Li Shuidao replied, humble and respectful towards the Patriarch.

"Shuidao, can you tell this old man how you won your master's favor, obtained a large amount of Spiritual Object to nurture your Companion, and rapidly advanced your cultivation?" Li Haimo asked with a gentle smile.

"This..."

Seeing Li Shuidao hesitate, Li Haimo continued, "Child, tell me, so I can pass these tricks on to the younger generation, allowing our Li Family to produce talents endlessly and remain prosperous forever."

Li Shuidao cupped his fists and said, "Patriarch, you flatter me. There are no real tricks. To gain the favor of my master and master's wife, one only needs to be useful."

"Oh? How can one be useful?"

"Patriarch, I serve as both a Spiritual Plant Master and a Spiritual Beast Master in my master's cave dwelling. For over a year, I diligently cultivated and earned the respect of my master and master's wife. They bestowed upon me a large amount of Spiritual Object, especially in the six months after Li Shuilang departed, the rewards were constant, allowing my strength to break through. The moment I returned to the sect, I successfully broke through to the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm."

Li Haimo's eyes were deep as he continued to press, "How many types of spiritual plants can you cultivate? Do you have any special experience in taming spiritual beasts?"

Li Shuidao's expression was solemn, and he said with pride, "I can cultivate twenty-nine types of spiritual plants. Every plant thrives under my care. As for taming spiritual beasts, I cannot. My master's wife taught me the Riding Crane Technique, and I can ride a White Feather Crane, which barely qualifies me as a Spiritual Beast Master."

Li Haimo's brow twitched slightly, and he murmured, "As expected, he has some skill. No wonder..." Then, he looked sternly at Li Shuidao, "But the path of cultivation is long and arduous. You must work even harder. Do not become complacent with short-term achievements; continuous effort is what will allow you to establish yourself in the sect."

Li Shuidao's determination was full, and he solemnly replied, "Yes, Patriarch. I will engrave your words in my heart and dare not slacken. I will continue to refine my cultivation and bring glory to the family."

Li Haimo nodded, a hint of a satisfied smile appearing on his face. "Good! Since you have already achieved mid-stage Spirit Channeling Realm cultivation, you may now select a Daoist Book from our clan's Scripture Pavilion. Here is my personal letter. Give this to your Ninth Uncle, and he will guide you upstairs."

As he spoke, Li Haimo took out a letter from his sleeve.

"Thank you, Patriarch!"

Taking the Patriarch's letter, Li Shuidao's face was filled with joy. One of his two major goals was about to be accomplished.

The Li Family's Scripture Pavilion, like the Ancestral Hall, is a traditional building of the Li Family, located directly south of the Ancestral Hall.

The "Li Clan Scripture Pavilion" is a three-story stone pagoda-like building. Its exterior walls are built with gray bricks and stones, giving it a rustic and elegant appearance.

The pagoda has a skylight at the top, through which sunlight streamed in, illuminating the Scripture Pavilion.

The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion contains miscellaneous books of little overall value. Of course, these miscellaneous books also contain a large amount of content related to cultivation and the Dao, though mostly recorded in the form of travelogues or fictional tales.

Li Family members can freely enter and exit the first floor to read. The second floor is filled with cultivation techniques and secret manuals, requiring a personal letter from the Patriarch to ascend and view the books.

As for the third floor, it houses the Five Poisons Sect's unique secret manuals, which are far more precious than the Azure Sea Sect techniques or the common Five Poisons Sect techniques on the second floor.

After all, no matter how powerful the Azure Sea Sect techniques are now, they can only serve as a reference.

The Scripture Pavilion was quiet, with bookshelves filled with a dazzling array of books.

As soon as Li Shuidao entered the Scripture Pavilion, he saw an old man with white hair.

The old man was Ninth Uncle, the guardian of the Scripture Pavilion.

Ninth Uncle looked at Li Shuidao, his eyes clearly lighting up, and said with a smile, "Where have you been, child? Why haven't you come to read books lately?"

Li Shuidao looked up, saw Ninth Uncle's face, and immediately showed a friendly smile. He said, "Ninth Uncle, long time no see. I haven't come to read books much since I went to the Cultivation Hall. Now I finally have the time and opportunity to return."

"You've already been to the Cultivation Hall? Time flies so fast," Ninth Uncle said with emotion.

He had a deep impression of Li Shuidao, as the child had been coming to the Scripture Pavilion to read miscellaneous books from the age of six until he was twelve.

For six whole years, Li Shuidao frequented the Scripture Pavilion whenever he had time, making him unforgettable.

"Ninth Uncle, I have already left the Cultivation Hall and have been cultivating at the Five Poisons Sect for over a year. Now, taking advantage of the joyous occasion of getting married and having children, I have the chance to come back and read some books," Li Shuidao explained again.

"What!? You've been at the Five Poisons Sect for over a year?" Ninth Uncle's face showed shock again.

He was clearly just a child under his nose, and now he had suddenly become a cultivator?

Li Shuidao took out a letter from his embrace and respectfully handed it to the old man. "This is the Patriarch's personal letter. He said if I give this to you, I can go up to the second floor."

Ninth Uncle was stunned for a long moment before taking the letter.

He unfolded it and saw that it was indeed Li Haimo's personal letter.

After reading for a moment, he showed a self-deprecating smile and murmured, "So your name is Li Shuidao. Have the children of the 'Shui' generation already become cultivators?"

Li Shuidao: The family arranges marriages and childbirth around fifteen or sixteen years old. How could it not be fast?

Not to mention those of the "Shui" generation, even those of the "Yi" generation had entered the sect and begun cultivating.

However, Ninth Uncle clearly remained in the library, detached from worldly affairs, so Li Shuidao didn't want to say more.

For the family's survival, for the continuation of their bloodline, this was also a last resort.

After all, behind every peculiar system, there were extremely reasonable explanations.

Ninth Uncle sighed, feeling how quickly time passed.

In the blink of an eye, children grew up, and in another blink of an eye, their children grew up too.

"Not bad. In just one year, you've reached the middle stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm. Your talent is clearly extraordinary. You can browse the books on the second floor freely, but I still have a reminder for you," Ninth Uncle said with a solemn expression.

"Please tell me, Ninth Uncle," Li Shuidao said respectfully, cupping his fists.

"Broad reading, but specialized cultivation!" Ninth Uncle said with a solemn expression.

"You can read Daoist Books freely, broaden your horizons, and increase your knowledge, but you must remember that the path of cultivation values specialization above all else. Avoid being greedy for too much!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Ninth Uncle."

"I won't go over the rules of the library again. You're a frequent visitor here, so go up and read," Ninth Uncle waved his hand.

"Thank you, Ninth Uncle," Li Shuidao bowed again and walked up the stone path to the second floor.