Means

The location was an open space in front of the Ancestral Hall, where a table and cushions were set up.

Lian Jiang Xiaoyu and Hu Yueqiu both got the lowest seats.

However, Supreme Mystery Mountain is, after all, a sect of Immortal Dao.

The so-called reunion dinner naturally doesn't involve lavish feasts, but rather some carefully prepared Spirit Cuisine and wine.

Only Jiang Xiaoyu and Hu Yueqiu, who had not yet Qi Ingestion the Dao, had some ordinary delicacies on the table.

Li Chengxuan first paid his respects to the patriarch, and then announced the start of the banquet upon his return.

For a time, the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.

Li Chengxuan brought up the old matter again. "Xiaoyu and Xiao Hu are still young and haven't started cultivating yet. The three of you have already Qi Ingestion Dao, so each of you should perform a talent."

Hua Chunning is alright.

Liu Zhijian and Duanmu Ren were quite helpless about Li Chengxuan's perverse sense of humor.

It's utterly absurd that someone so old would want to perform during the Lunar New Year.

Li Chengxuan ignored this and directly called out, "Zhijian, you're the senior brother, you go first."

Liu Zhijian, a seasoned underachiever, is most afraid of being called on by the teacher. The key is that he can't do anything except fish, let alone have any other talents.

I can't exactly demonstrate my amazing casting skills on the spot, can I?!

Liu Zhijian was originally prepared to beg for mercy, but then a thought occurred to him.

It seems like it might not be a bad idea!

"Master..." Liu Zhijian had an idea, so he stood up and said, "This disciple is not very talented; I only know how to fish. Today, I will demonstrate my fishing skills to add to the fun."

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly.

The others also looked up, full of anticipation.

Liu Zhijian focused his energy, and the sound of flowing water emanated from his body. He held an invisible fishing rod in his hands and gently cast it at Jiang Xiaoyu, whose face was covered in oil from eating.

The masses do not understand.

Only Li Chengxuan seemed to be deep in thought.

Then, as Liu Zhijian gently raised his hand, Jiang Xiaoyu's smile widened, and she slowly burst into laughter, her voice clear and bright. "Master... I'm so happy today... haha..."

Liu Zhijian felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

Although his unworthy disciple was spouting nonsense, he still respected his master in his heart.

Not wanting to tease Jiang Xiaoyu any longer, he stopped and sat down again.

Jiang Xiaoyu scratched her head in confusion, wondering what had just happened to her, that she had been inexplicably happy for a while.

However, she was an optimistic person by nature, so if she couldn't figure it out, she simply stopped thinking about it and continued enjoying her feast.

Hua Chunning and Duanmu Ren, however, already understood that Liu Zhijian was using methods that manipulated people's emotions and desires and controlled their minds.

These kinds of methods are more difficult to defend against and control than any other killing techniques, making them something to be wary of.

Sometimes, even after being struck and dying, one may not realize it.

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and smiled approvingly, "Not bad. The fact that you can understand this kind of method shows that you haven't gone astray."

[Old Man by the Stream] is one of the most famous [Life Divine Ability] among the many Immortal Foundation of [Kan Water], and it is the most difficult to cultivate.

Although Liu Zhijian was only Qi Refining, he had already begun to grasp the basics.

However, the current methods are still immature and the power is worrying. They can only arouse the emotions of children like Jiang Xiaoyu. They are still a long way from truly and invisibly influencing minds and usurping thoughts.

After giving a brief comment, Li Chengxuan continued calling out names, "Chunning, you come here."

Hua Chunning now understood that what was supposed to be a performance was clearly a test of her cultivation. So she took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and said, "Recently, I have received guidance from Junior Brother Duanmu and have made some progress in my cultivation. I humbly request Master's corrections."

Having said that, he formed a hand Method Formula and gently exhaled.

A gentle breeze suddenly arose in the open space in front of the Ancestral Hall and blew towards Jiang Xiaoyu.

Jiang Xiaoyu was gnawing on a chicken leg when she felt a strange breeze blowing towards her.

The wind carried a familiar floral scent, a slight chill in the air, yet it felt warm and comforting on the skin—quite peculiar.

"Huh?!" Jiang Xiaoyu sensed something was wrong and exclaimed, "Why has my hair grown so long?!"

"It's okay, it'll be even better when it grows longer. I'll braid your hair nicely later," Hua Chunning gently Jiang Xiaoyu.

Li Chengxuan was somewhat surprised and gave Duanmu Ren a deep look.

Li Chengxuan observed Duanmu Ren and Hua Chunning's private transactions and even their industrial plans on Earth, but ignored them. What he truly cared about was their cultivation.

I thought Hua Chunning would delve into the meaning of spring flowers and learn some self-defense illusion techniques, but I never expected her to be so ingenious and follow the path of spring breeze.

Li Chengxuan nodded approvingly. "Not bad. You're not limited to the imagery of spring flowers; you've even managed to forge a new path within the [Yang Spring] genre. That's truly impressive."

He paused, then asked, "Is the Daoist theory plausible?!"

In Old Method practices, the principles of Daoism come first.

If one's understanding of the Dao is flawed, even if one stumbles upon a new path by fortuitous opportunity, it may lead to a dead end, with the destination possibly being a precipice or an abyss.

"It should be correct, but please correct me, Master." Although Hua Chunning had received guidance from Duanmu Ren, she had also put in a lot of effort herself. She slowly said, "[Yi Wood] is Yin Wood, and its imagery includes flexibility, fluidity, and dependence."

Therefore, the land is covered with flowers, grasses, and vines.

"[Yi Wood] is born in Wu (午) and dies in Si (巳). Si is the Xun (巽) direction, and Xun represents wind; abundant wood is accompanied by strong wind."

Therefore, [Yi Wood] in the heavens represents wind.

"This disciple cultivates [Yang Spring], which is mid-spring, corresponding to the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). Therefore, I cannot cultivate strong winds or fierce gales, nor can I destroy withered and decayed things. I can only cultivate gentle breezes and light winds."

"Although this wind is subtle, it is not weak. Its intention is towards the [Lesser Yang], therefore it has the power to promote growth and development, eliminate disease and expel evil, and nourish the body's vital energy and strengthen its foundation."

Li Chengxuan listened and couldn't find any fault with it, so he nodded. "Not bad. You can consult Duanmu more often in your future cultivation."

"Yes." Hua Chunning breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had passed the test.

Li Chengxuan looked at his last disciple Duanmu Ren.

I wonder what surprises this amazing test-taker, Dao Hui, will bring to himself.

Duanmu Ren glanced at Jiang Xiaoyu and frowned slightly.

The methods employed by the [High Shaman] lineage are mostly cruel and treacherous.

Hua Chunning used the spring breeze to blow, which only made Jiang Xiaoyu's hair and nails grow a little longer, but it could also dispel illness and evil spirits, strengthen his body and bring him some benefits.

If it were her, Jiang Xiaoyu would probably be distraught and crippled.

I'm afraid the fisherman might come after me and fight me to the death.

After much thought, Duanmu Ren managed to come up with a way to deal with the situation. He first gave Liu Zhijian a heads-up. "No matter what you see later, please remain calm." Then he stretched out a hand, revealing his arm.

Intricate and bizarre Shaman Runes appeared on his arm, eventually forming a hideous ghost that bore a resemblance to Duanmu Ren.

The ghost struggled to its feet, tearing off its dripping flesh and blood, and detached itself from Duanmu Ren's body, floating in mid-air, making all sorts of hideous and grotesque gestures.

Compared to Liu Zhijian and Hua Chunning, Duanmu Ren's methods were truly bloody and bizarre, enough to make the timid shudder.

Liu Zhijian hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, secretly regretting that he shouldn't have used his unworthy disciple Jiang Xiaoyu as a tool for demonstration, which led Hua Chunning and Duanmu Ren to follow suit.

Hua Chunning's situation is alright; it actually benefits Jiang Xiaoyu somewhat.

Junior Brother Duanmu's methods were quite unsavory.

Although he tried to calm himself down, Liu Zhijian couldn't help but worry that Duanmu Ren wouldn't let this ghost devour his worthless disciple.

Duanmu Ren glanced at his arm, which had fully recovered, then looked at the ghostly figure before him and pointed at Jiang Xiaoyu: "Go!"

The ghostly creature whistled past, landing on Jiang Xiaoyu's clothes amidst her exclamation, turning into a tiny black mark.

Duanmu Ren ignored Jiang Xiaoyu and said to Liu Zhijian, "Within a month, Senior Brother only needs to ask me one question to find out Xiaoyu's location."