Spirit-Summoning's Three Stages: Ascending the Cloud Ladder

Afterward.

Mr. Long added,

"Just don't use it for more than a minute. Otherwise, you'll probably drop dead. Your Qi and Blood will burst right through your flesh."

Li Xiuwen's heart jolted.

This explosive Secret Art was brutal.

Mr. Long smiled. "Still want to learn it?"

"Yes."

"Good. Three hundred Tongbao." Mr. Long held out his hand.

Though Water Dragon's Chant was a Golden Network Secret Art, it could be used at the Iron Bone Gate and throughout the Inner Heaven and Earth realm. Naturally, it was worth a great deal.

"Uh, I don't have that much right now. Could I owe you?"

Li Xiuwen smiled awkwardly.

"No. If I let you start owing me, what's to stop you from owing me forever?"

Mr. Long refused firmly.

"All right. I'll come back once I've earned the money."

Li Xiuwen nodded.

Seeing A Wen so determined, Mr. Long grew curious. "A Wen, you've grasped the Spirit-Summoning technique. With the Sea Sand Heritage and your mastery of Hard Qigong, I'll be frank: unless your luck is rotten, you'll probably qualify. You've even got a good shot at the Sixteen Paths. The Whale-Slaying Way's heritage is surely stronger than most Martial Way schools in the Lu Region. What, is that still not enough for you?"

Li Xiuwen thought for a moment, then answered frankly:

"Mr. Long, I want to try for the Four Paths."

Mr. Long fell silent, then laughed.

"You brat, you've got some ambition! The Four Paths? You really dare to dream. Trying to slap Mr. Ming in the face, are you? Zuo Tianqing, Little Monk, Chang Shixian—any one of them could thrash Zhang Lingxuan!"

Li Xiuwen smiled. "I know. I just want to try."

Mr. Long's expression turned serious. "If you're not joking, you'll need plenty of trump cards. Body