Blood Qi

The [Two Worlds Pearl] is Li Chengxuan's foundation and his true trump card.

Without this extraordinary treasure, neither accumulating the Merit of [Continue Lost Teachings] nor reviving Supreme Mystery Mountain would be anything but a mirage.

I remember when I first obtained the [Two Worlds Pearl], there were many restrictions.

As the master of the [Two Worlds Pearl], it is relatively convenient for me to travel between the cultivation world and Earth.

However, if it's about taking people through, then there are many difficulties.

Each time, it takes a long time for the [Two Worlds Pearl] to regain its function.

Now that Liu Zhijian, Hua Chunning, and Duanmu Ren have successively entered the Daoist path, the various restrictions have been gradually lifted.

Li Chengxuan guessed that it was because his three disciples traveled between the two worlds and successively entered the Qi Ingestion through Qi cultivation that the connection between the two worlds became closer and more stable, and the passage between them naturally became smoother and more unobstructed.

Li Chengxuan even couldn't help but think that if he made further progress in the future, he might be able to allow the disciples of Supreme Mystery Mountain to travel between the two worlds at any time.

Wouldn't that be an extra, incredibly powerful way to save your life in a life-or-death situation?!

But just imagining it now, it's hard to say how far away it is from becoming a reality.

After Li Chengxuan arrived, the group became noticeably more reserved.

Jiang Xiaoyu was also less lively than usual.

Just like a company dinner, if there are leaders at the table, the employees will definitely not eat well.

Li Chengxuan shook his head and said to Hua Chunning, "When Duanmu returns, have him go directly to the Ancestral Master's Hall to find me."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Duanmu Ren hurried back to Supreme Mystery Mountain and went straight into the Ancestral Hall, where he saw Li Chengxuan already waiting attentively. He slowed his pace and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Master. This disciple has quelled the chaos in the Huang Kingdom."

After saying that, he briefly recounted what had happened.

Li Chengxuan listened calmly, offering no comment, only saying, "The name ' Huang Kingdom ' was given by my master, meaning 'absurd country.' If you wish to condense your Manifestation, you can freely change it to another name. On Earth, I'm afraid you're willing but unable."

Duanmu Ren nodded, "This disciple understands."

"What are your plans next?" Li Chengxuan asked in a gentler tone after finishing his business. "Are you going straight back, or staying here to consolidate your cultivation level?"

Duanmu Ren already had a plan in mind. "This disciple still wants to read more Daoist scriptures and, incidentally, consolidate my cultivation level."

"Alright, then go and look through the library yourself." Li Chengxuan nodded approvingly.

Such studious disciples of Supreme Mystery Mountain are truly rare.

Leaving aside Jiang Xiaoyu, who was determined to burn down the library, Liu Zhijian was clearly a college slacker. Ever since he Qi Ingestion and entered the Daoist path, he had never entered the library again.

Hua Chunning would visit the library from time to time.

Unfortunately, Hua Chunning only read the popular science anecdotes that Duanmu Ren mentioned, and had no interest in the dry and boring academic monographs and Daoist scriptures. Even if she borrowed them, she rarely looked at them. She mostly used them as a pretext to fool Li Chengxuan. She was just like a middle school girl who hid novels under her textbooks.

Li Chengxuan had no interest in outsmarting them, so he simply ignored it.

Duanmu Ren went to the library, but instead of looking for the Daoist scriptures of the [High Shaman] lineage, he borrowed the Daoist scriptures of [Yi Wood] and [Kan Water], returned to the side hall, and began to carefully read them in the rustling autumn wind.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Duanmu Ren returned many Daoist scriptures to the library, but instead of going to the Ancestral Master Hall, he went to the General Affairs Hall.

Hu Yueqiu was practicing her swordplay in the open space in front of the Hall of General Affairs.

Although it was just a common martial art, it was clearly extraordinary, possessing a sweeping autumn wind and a deceitful cold moon.

Duanmu Ren stood at a distance, watching the sword dance for a while before stepping forward.

Hearing footsteps, Hu Yueqiu turned around and immediately bowed, saying, "Greetings, Senior Duanmu!"

"Hmm." As a division-level civil servant, Duanmu Ren wouldn't mince words with a public institution clerk and went straight to the point. "Is Senior Sister Hua here?"

Hu Yueqiu quickly replied, "Yes, senior. Please wait a moment, I'll go in and inform them immediately."

"Hmm." Although Duanmu Ren was greedy, he always paid attention to matters of conduct between men and women, so he waited outside the hall, enjoying the autumn scenery.

A moment later, Hua Chunning hurried out, nodded and smiled, "Junior Brother Duanmu, what brings you to the General Affairs Hall? Come in quickly, I've just brewed some autumn flower tea."

Duanmu Ren had no interest in drinking tea. He walked into the hall, sat down, and glanced at the scattered Daoist scriptures on the table.

Hua Chunning felt a little embarrassed, so she quickly went over to tidy herself up and took the initiative to ask, "Junior Brother Duanmu, what brings you here to see me?!"

Duanmu Ren's expression was solemn as he spoke, "I've been reading several Daoist scriptures on the [Yi Wood] principle these past few days, and I have some questions, so I've come to ask you, Senior Sister."

Hua Chunning was slightly puzzled, thinking that if she had any doubts, she should ask her teacher. However, considering that the Hua Household had cultivated the [Yi Wood] lineage for generations, and that she was the senior sister, she straightened her posture and said, "Junior brother, please speak."

Duanmu Ren first asked about the basic imagery and cultivation techniques of the [Yi Wood] lineage.

Hua Chunning breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, her face radiating confidence as she effortlessly quoted various philosophical theories and answered them fluently.

Duanmu Ren nodded repeatedly, praising his senior sister's profound cultivation, and then raised the difficulty of the question to another level.

Hua Chunning suddenly found it difficult, and her answer was inevitably hesitant and stumbling.

Sometimes when he couldn't answer, Duanmu Ren would guide and remind him.

Hua Chunning slowly came to her senses.

This junior brother Duanmu isn't here to ask questions; he's clearly here to give me pointers!

"I had heard before that Junior Brother Duanmu's Dao wisdom was astounding, but I was actually a little skeptical." Hua Chunning wasn't one to be overly proud, and she sighed and smiled, "After today's conversation, I'm completely convinced."

"Junior brother, you've gone to such lengths to curry favor with me. What is it that you need me to do? Please speak frankly."

"I apologize for making you laugh, Senior Sister." Duanmu Ren said calmly, "There is indeed something I would like to ask Senior Sister for help with."

"I have an elder relative who has no illness, but is old and frail. He has lost consciousness and is barely clinging to life, now relying on external aids to stay alive."

"Senior sister cultivates [Yi Wood] and is also proficient in alchemy. Is there any way she can be saved?!"

"I see." Hua Chunning nodded upon hearing this, and without asking about the person's identity or background, she pondered for a moment and said, "If that person's lifespan has come to an end, then naturally there is nothing I can do."

"If he's just unconscious, there are some medicinal pills we could try."

"However, these kinds of pills are mostly potent medicines refined from Blood Qi and qi, forcibly stimulating life force. If ordinary people take them, they will most likely shorten their lifespan."

"It's alright, as long as he can be saved." Duanmu Ren didn't seem to care. He took out a jade bottle from his person and explained, "On my way back to the sect, I encountered a group of bandits harming civilians, so I killed them and took some of their Blood Qi."

"They are all ordinary martial artists, full of Blood Qi."

"Could you please have Senior Sister refine a few pills for me? I need to take them back to heal my elders."

"Junior Brother Duanmu, you..." Hua Chunning, his expression complicated, and took the bottle of Blood Qi. He said in a low voice, "My clan should have a few that have been refined. I'll go down the mountain to get them for you later."

"You must never let Master know about this, or we will both be punished."