Chapter 72: Ancient and Secret Techniques

Chapter 72: Ancient and Secret Techniques

Li Tongya descended the mountain, pondering over Xiao Chuting’s words.

What did he mean? If the Xiao Family is aware that the Golden Tang Gate is advancing south, why does the Azure Pond Sect remain passive and allow the Golden Tang Gate to wreak havoc at the Mushroom Forest Plains?

Realization then dawned upon him, causing his heart to skip a beat.

“Oh no, if the Wan Family falls, the Ji Family will corner us at Mount Dali. The fate of our families are intertwined. I’m sure Xiangping will use the mirror to assist them. I wonder how things are now. I better hurry home. The Mushroom Forest Plain must be a battlefield by now, and a detour would take too long. It’s best to wait two or three days for a direct route back,” he told himself.

While Li Tongya slowly knitted his brows in deep thought, a familiar voice called out to him. “Brother Tongya!”

Startled, he turned around and saw Xiao Yongling hurrying toward him, grabbing his hand. “It’s been ages since we last saw each other! Why didn’t you look for me while you’re here at Xiao Residence? I’ve been hanging around near that tavern for days, but I didn’t see you or Brother Wan. Where is he anyway?”

Li Tongya sighed softly and replied, “When I left home to come here and passed by the Wan Residence, I noticed that Wan Yuankai wasn’t home. Then I heard about the Golden Tang Gate’s push southward. They might have already breached Mount Huaqian. I’m worried about Brother Wan’s safety...”

Xiao Yongling wore a sad expression on his face and sighed deeply. “Ah, fate is as unpredictable as the weather. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

As they chatted and strolled through the market at the foot of the mountain, Xiao Yongling broached the subject of cultivation. “I’ve heard Brother Tongya has reached the Jade Capital stage for years and is on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Spirit stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm. What technique are you planning to use for your Qi cultivation, and which spiritual qi of heaven and earth do you intend to absorb?”

Li Tongya let out a wry smile and replied, “To be honest, our family only possesses a Grade Two technique manual—the Heavenly Essence Qi Cultivation Technique, which uses Minor Pure Spiritual Qi. We lack the means to harvest this type of spiritual qi and will likely need to purchase it from the market. It’s quite a headache.”

“For basic or common cultivation methods, you can find them at stalls for less than a few Spirit Stones,” Xiao Yongling replied, then pointed toward a nearby building and continued, “However, for techniques of second grade or above, you’ll have to go to shops. They are sold for a price between dozens or even hundreds of Spirit Stones. Some shops bundle the manual along with their required spiritual qi of heaven and earth, thus saving you the time to collect the qi, but it’ll be a lot more expensive. Of course, there are also ancient or secret techniques that come in fluctuating prices, depending on the seller.”

Li Tongya furrowed his brow and asked, “Ancient or secret techniques?”

Xiao Yongling smiled and explained, “All techniques stem from a single qi. Some cultivation methods become obsolete if the specific qi they require is lost or the environment producing such qi is destroyed, making the qi unobtainable. Such techniques, lacking the necessary qi, are deemed ancient techniques.”

Seeing that Li Tongya was listening intently, Xiao Yongling smiled and continued, “There’s also another type known as secret techniques, where families modify ancient techniques to work with available qi.”

Li Tongya nodded, feeling enlightened, and said, “That sounds like a great idea.”

Xiao Yongling shook his head and expressed his concerns with a smile, “But rushed modifications can lead to weaker techniques with potential flaws, they can never compare to those that are refined over centuries. Our Xiao Family has some such secret techniques. They’re either slow to cultivate or require continuous medicinal support.”

“I see.” Li Tongya nodded in understanding. “Regardless, I can’t afford any of them with my current resources.”

Xiao Yongling shook his head and replied earnestly, “Don’t underestimate yourself, Brother Tongya. Your discipline and your younger brother’s exceptional talent will surely elevate the Li Family's status in time.”

Li Tongya politely thanked him, yet his mind was burdened with heavy thoughts.

The Azure Pond Sect’s actions are concerning. There must be many secrets behind the ambush and murder of the immortal mansion’s disciple. I hope Jing’er remains safe in the sect and doesn’t get involved in anything bad.