The Law of Spring

The Southern Edge Continent had once been under the protection of a great figure. It had been self-contained and thoroughly closed off.

The Southern Verge Immortal Alliance had stood high above all else, ruling over the various sects without question.

Below it had been sects like Supreme Mystery Mountain, supported by a kingdom or several commanderies.

Below them had been the likes of the Hua Household of Rejuvenation Valley, which held a spiritual land and made its living through certain skills in the hundred arts of cultivation.

As for Rogue Cultivators, they could only scrape by in the mortal world, unable to amount to much.

With such rigid ranks and stagnant waters, there had naturally been no need to establish a marketplace.

Now the great figure had fallen, and the New Method had arrived.

The once-stagnant waters had begun to ripple.

The Azure Cloud Sect practiced the New Method and excelled in wood arts.

Its methods of cultivating Spirit Plants and refining pills were said to be exceptionally skillful.

Now that it had occupied Rejuvenation Valley and established a firm foothold, it was eager to stretch its arms and legs.

"If I refused, would the Azure Cloud Sect give up on opening the marketplace?"

Li Chengxuan set the letter aside and said to Hua Mingcheng, "Tell them Supreme Mystery Mountain has no objections."

"As for thirty percent of the marketplace's profits going to Supreme Mystery Mountain... if the Azure Cloud Sect is willing to give it, Supreme Mystery Mountain will naturally accept it."

Perhaps it was because they had just manipulated Deng Gang into taking action from behind the scenes, only to turn around and offer Spirit Stones to smooth things over.

After a pause, Li Chengxuan looked at the apprehensive Hua Mingcheng and said with a smile, "The Hua Household has some skills passed down through the family. You can also go to the marketplace and earn some resources for cultivation. I have no intention of blocking anyone's path to wealth."

Hua Mingcheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and bowed. "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader."

Patriarch Hall.

On the blank portrait of the patriarch, the faint water stain seemed to have grown a shade darker.

Sensing through the [Two Worlds Pearl], Li Chengxuan discovered that Liu Zhijian was staying near Wild Goose Pond Mountain.

"It's only been a few months, and he's already begun Qi Gathering."

"As expected of someone favored by the Heavenly Dao and blessed by destiny. He can't be judged by ordinary standards."

After marveling at it, Li Chengxuan applied himself to cultivation.

His disciple was too outstanding. As his master, he had to work hard too.

Time flowed like water, passing in the blink of an eye.

Half a month later.

Li Chengxuan let out a long breath.

"The Middle Stage of Qi Refining..."

He had traveled back and forth between two worlds, enjoyed sole possession of Supreme Mystery Mountain, and cultivated diligently every day, yet only now had he barely broken through a minor realm.

The Old Method was difficult to cultivate.

Such a cultivation speed was already astonishing.

"Next, I'll go learn a few Law Techniques."

"Over on Earth, they're all mortals. My Divine Sense and Embryonic Breathing body are enough to deal with them."

"Here in the cultivation world, things aren't quite so peaceful."

"Supreme Mystery Mountain is protected by an array that ordinary cultivators can't break through."

"I don't go down the mountain lightly either, so there's not much danger. Still, it's best to be prepared."

With the behemoth that was the Immortal Alliance looming over their heads, cultivators on the Southern Edge Continent rarely had occasion to fight others.

For an ancient Dao lineage like Supreme Mystery Mountain, attainment in the Dao came first and realm came second.

Law Techniques were something only those with no hope of attaining the Great Dao studied.

Li Chengxuan took a stroll through the scripture library and selected three Law Techniques.

The [Earth Armor Technique] required him to stand still and turn earth into armor, specifically to protect himself.

The [Cloud Soaring Technique] could not actually summon clouds and ride the mist; that was something only Foundation Establishment cultivators could do. But it could briefly launch him into the air, greatly increasing his chances of escaping with his life in a crisis.

For the last Law Technique, he chose the [Lesser Spirit Shocking Incantation].

This Incantation was one of Supreme Mystery Mountain's few True Disciple Law Techniques.

Its effect was not particularly astonishing: it merely shook another person's Divine Sense.

With the extraordinary treasure that was the [Two Worlds Pearl], Li Chengxuan not only had a powerful Divine Sense but also had no fear of attacks on it, making him naturally suited to cultivating this Incantation.

Li Chengxuan had no intention of using it to kill. He only regarded the Incantation as an interrupt skill; it would be enough if it bought him time to use the [Cloud Soaring Technique].

Carrying the three Jade Slips, Li Chengxuan passed a side hall and glanced inside.

Hua Chunning sat on a meditation cushion for calming the mind, with many texts laid out before her. She was staring blankly into space, bored out of her mind. When she looked up and saw Li Chengxuan, she hurriedly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Sect Leader."

"Mm."

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and asked, "How is your reading going?"

Hua Chunning's expression grew somewhat heavy, and she said shamefully, "This disciple is dull-witted. The discussions of the Dao in these books are profound, and I have understood only the most superficial parts."

Li Chengxuan chuckled and shook his head. "It's normal not to understand them. There's no need to belittle yourself."

"If you understood all these Daoist scriptures, that would be truly bizarre."

"Even understanding just one would make you a genius."

Only then did Hua Chunning feel a little relieved.

Although she had been taught by her grandfather since childhood and had read a few Daoist scriptures,

what she had studied most were her family's pill and poison arts.

Supreme Mystery Mountain's Daoist scriptures, however, were entirely different. They were full of obscure, incomprehensible discussions of the Dao, each more mysterious than the last.

As usual, Li Chengxuan began testing her.

This time, however, he did not focus on any particular Daoist scripture. He only asked Hua Chunning about her understanding of [Spring].

Hua Chunning did not dare treat the question lightly. She thought carefully for a long time before answering.

Ancestor Zhuohua had formed the Immortal Foundation [Li on the Plain] by drawing on the imagery of grass that fire could not burn away, which sprang to life again with the coming of spring.

Rejuvenation Valley itself was a spiritual land, where all four seasons were like spring and life flourished.

Spring belonged to wood. It governed growth and favored reproduction.

Spring resided in the east and was therefore close to lesser yang.

Spring possessed benevolence, so it protected life and shunned killing.

Hua Chunning racked her brains and searched her very guts, pouring out every discussion of the Dao concerning [Spring] that she could think of.

Li Chengxuan listened without expressing approval or disapproval. He pointed to the many Daoist scriptures before Hua Chunning and asked, "Of all these scriptures, which have you read the most?!"

Hua Chunning thought back for a moment, then pulled one from the pile of books. Somewhat embarrassed, she said, "I wouldn't dare deceive you, Sect Leader. It's this one."

Li Chengxuan took it, opened it, and let out a soft chuckle.

It turned out to be an illustrated album.

It contained no profound discussions of the Dao, only all kinds of flowers drawn with exquisite brushwork. A great deal of care seemed to have gone into it.

Most of the varieties in the album could be found in the mortal world.

Only a few were Spirit Plants.

There were some that even Li Chengxuan had never heard of.

He did not know which cultivator with unusual tastes had created it. From beginning to end, it spoke only of planting, tending, and appreciating flowers, without mentioning cultivation in the slightest.

Li Chengxuan handed the album back and said softly, "Perhaps this is your destined affinity."

Hua Chunning was stunned.

Reading the Daoist scriptures had given her a headache.

She had happened upon a book with few words and nothing but pictures, so she had used it to slack off and relax.

She had never imagined that this thoughtless act would have anything to do with a destined affinity.

Hua Chunning was apprehensive, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Li Chengxuan glanced at Hua Chunning and said softly, "[Yi Wood] is a great Dao lineage, and the imagery it encompasses is exceedingly complex."

"Your Manifestation is insufficient. Originally, you had no hope of entering the Dao."

"But I've thought it over carefully, and it seems there may be a winding little path that could let you set foot on the immortal path."

"As for whether it will actually work, and what your prospects will be even if it does, those are things I cannot see clearly."

Hua Chunning was overjoyed and fell to her knees. "Thank you for taking pity on me, Sect Leader! I do not ask for a grand road to the heavens. I only hope to set foot on the immortal path in this lifetime."

"Never mind a winding little path-even if it were a sea of fire and a mountain of blades, I would be willing to try!"

"Even if my body perishes and my Dao vanishes, I will be grateful for your kindness, Sect Leader, and will never harbor the slightest resentment!"

Li Chengxuan sighed. "Get up."

"This little path was actually opened by High Person Zhuohua."

"I merely happened to be here at the right time to point it out to you."

Hua Chunning was bewildered and somewhat doubtful. "Ancestor Zhuohua... didn't he pass away more than a hundred years ago? My grandfather hadn't even been born then. How could he have set out a Dao Path for me?!"

"You'll understand in time."

Li Chengxuan did not mention the [Name and Nature Method], concerned that Hua Chunning might become trapped by an obstacle of views and knowledge. Instead, he said, "Your Manifestation is insufficient, making it difficult for you to cultivate [Yi Wood]."

"But if you cultivate only part of [Yi Wood], it might be enough."