Chapter 4

Ling'e, do you know what Qi is?

Qi is the network of the heavens and earth, the breath of living beings; all cultivation begins with Qi, and a thousand kinds of magical abilities are transformations of Qi. Through inhalation and exhalation, it forms a complete cycle.

What I am teaching you today is the foundation of the Daoist tradition of our Du Xian Sect, the "One Qi Right Heaven Technique."

This foundation is a method for building a Daoist foundation, and even among the Five Continents, it is considered one of the best methods for laying a foundation. Even if you cultivate other techniques in the future, you can still use this method to lay a foundation.

Ling'e... Ling'e?

I'm here, Master!

Under the shade of a willow tree by the lake, Lan Ling'e retracted her gaze, which had unconsciously drifted to the lake, and nervously stuck out her tongue.

Daoist Qiyuan turned his head to look at the center of the lake and smiled, "Your senior brother is comprehending the Water Escape Technique. Don't let him affect your mind. Listen carefully as I explain this cultivation technique to you."

Mm!

Lan Ling'e focused her mind and listened carefully to her master's teachings, striving to understand the meaning of the words.

However, after a while...

Master! Senior brother has disappeared!

Lan Ling'e's almond eyes widened, and she pointed at the lake, exclaiming softly.

Daoist Qiyuan turned to look and smiled helplessly, sighing, "That's the escape technique!

Come, let's go inside to cultivate!

Your senior brother has a strong interest in various escape techniques. This should be the sixth escape technique he has mastered."

Master, what is an escape technique?

Daoist Qiyuan stroked his beard and smiled, "An escape technique is a type of magic that allows the user to quickly move through different environments. The Water Escape Technique, for example, allows one to move swiftly through water, faster than a fish.

Look, isn't your senior brother appearing by the lake? The speed of this escape technique is quite remarkable."

Lan Ling'e tiptoed to look and saw her tall senior brother emerge from the distant lake, standing still on the water.

She whispered in admiration, "Senior brother is so amazing!"

"If we talk about escape techniques, in our Du Xian Sect, your senior brother is indeed very skilled," Daoist Qiyuan said with a helpless expression. "If he could put half the effort he puts into escape techniques into other techniques, I would be more at ease."

Lan Ling'e blinked and followed her master into the thatched hut.

Daoist Qiyuan summoned two cushions with a wave of his hand, closed the wooden door, and lightly tapped his young disciple's head with his拂尘, "Focus on the lesson!"

"Oh," Lan Ling'e quickly sat down cross-legged, finally able to calm her mind.

On the lake, Li Changshou walked on the water, took a few steps, and then transformed into a stream of water, disappearing. A few breaths later, he reappeared at the center of the lake.

The Water Escape Technique is complete, but it's so slow.

However, when using the Water Escape Technique, one can merge with the water, which can resist some attacks from magical treasures.

Water nourishes all things without contention, and it supports a thousand boats without collapsing. It is indeed worth further exploration.

Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back, pondering for a moment, and then continued walking on the water, disappearing every few steps...

After much exploration, he no longer needed to walk on the water; he could directly use the Water Escape Technique as soon as he touched the lake water.

Li Changshou was still unsatisfied and continued to focus on his practice, seemingly unaware of the passage of time.

Until the afternoon, Daoist Qiyuan called him back.

Ling'e hasn't yet mastered the technique of abstaining from food, and eating too many elixirs is not good. When you build the thatched hut, also set up a stove. During the time before Ling'e masters the technique, prepare a meal for her every day.

Li Changshou bowed and replied, "Disciple understands."

I am going to cultivate. If you have any issues, you can talk to your senior brother.

Yes, Master!

Lan Ling'e imitated her senior brother's actions, bowing to her master, but her small stomach made a gurgling sound, making her face turn red instantly.

Daoist Qiyuan laughed heartily and disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. Li Changshou also smiled but looked away to avoid making his junior sister too embarrassed.

Senior brother! Did Master just use the Smoke Escape Technique?

Hmm? Smoke Escape Technique? Li Changshou was momentarily confused, then laughed, "That's the Illusionary Transformation Technique, mainly used to save one's life in battle. It can also harm or trap enemies, and it's one of our master's specialties.

Do you want to learn it? You'll have to wait until your cultivation reaches a certain level, and then Master can teach you."

What about Senior brother's Water Escape Technique? Can Ling'e practice it now?

The Water Escape Technique will come later, when you reach the Qi Refinement and Spirit Cultivation stage. All Five Elements Escape Techniques are like this. Don't think too much about it now; you're just a beginner.

Lan Ling'e blinked, "Senior brother, what does 'rookie' mean?"

Roughly, it means a clumsy beginner.

Li Changshou smiled and led Lan Ling'e to an open space by the herb garden, "What do you want to eat? There are plenty of wild flavors on our mountain. If you have no dietary restrictions, I'll recommend something for you."

Wild flavors?

Senior brother, are we going to eat... these herbs for lunch?

Of course not. Li Changshou extended his right palm, and a pebble flew over, circled in his palm, and then shot into the forest with a sharp whistle.

Lan Ling'e couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, and the forest was instantly filled with the sounds of chickens and birds flying away.

Soon, a pheasant with three-colored feathers flew over, the pebble embedded in its chest, and the bird was already dead.

The pebble returned and was casually thrown into the grass by Li Changshou, leaving Lan Ling'e with wide eyes.

After a short while, Li Changshou had set up a grill by the lake, plucked and cleaned the pheasant, and took out a few jars of seasonings from his collection, starting to "tempt" his junior sister... with the smell of the food.

Senior brother, what was that pebble just now? Why did it fly back?

It's a simple object control technique, Li Changshou smiled, "It's just a small trick.

In today's cultivation world, or the entire Five Continents, the most popular fighting method is to refine magical treasures, enhance one's cultivation through them, and use them to attack others.

This object control technique is the basis for controlling magical treasures.

You just started cultivating, so you naturally don't know much about these things. I'll explain more to you in the future."

Mm, Lan Ling'e knelt beside him, smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, and whispered, "It feels like Senior brother's techniques are all so amazing."

You're wrong, little sister, Li Changshou shook his head and said earnestly, "This isn't amazing.

I, like Master, am still a Qi Refinement cultivator, not yet a true immortal.

This primordial world is too cruel. Achieving immortality is just the first step out of the beginner's village. After becoming an immortal, one must pass through seven or eight major stages to be considered a true expert. Each stage can be a bottleneck for countless so-called geniuses.

The primordial world has existed for too long, and there are countless top experts. It's extremely difficult for newcomers to rise to the top.

Moreover, cultivation is just the foundation. Even if two people are at the same major stage, the one without powerful magical treasures will end up...

Dead, and their Dao will be extinguished!

Lan Ling'e shrank back, her senior brother's words like a spell, making her hair stand on end.

Li Changshou's voice continued,

Even if you have powerful magical treasures, without powerful magical abilities, you will still end up dead and your Dao extinguished.

Even if you have both powerful magical treasures and abilities, if your luck is insufficient and you attract calamity, you will still end up dead and your Dao extinguished.

In short...

Dead, and your Dao will be extinguished?

Li Changshou instantly showed a kind smile and praised, "Not bad, you understand quite quickly."

But, Senior brother, Lan Ling'e asked softly, "Isn't our cultivation for immortality and to be invincible, to live a carefree life?"

No, you might be mistaken, cultivation isn't some grand and noble thing, Li Changshou shook his head and sighed lightly, "We cultivate to become stronger and to face various harsh environments, to survive.

Immortality is just a cultivation stage. Reaching this stage means you won't die naturally, but various calamities can still take your life."

Then, Senior brother, Lan Ling'e asked nervously, "How can we truly survive?"

Li Changshou slowly turned the grill, answering methodically,

First, avoid entanglements. Try not to get involved in strange matters. The best way is to stay at home and cultivate, don't wander around, and don't have too much contact with others.

Of course, this is very difficult.

For example, you and I, because we have the same master, we are entangled. If one of us gets into trouble, the other will be affected. This is a cause and effect.

So, even if you try to avoid entanglements, you can't completely avoid them. At such times, you need to assess the situation and make reasonable judgments to avoid danger.

If you do everything you can and still end up in danger, there is only one other way to deal with it.

The second way... what is it?

Lan Ling'e wiped the drool from her mouth. The pheasant, now seven-tenths cooked, was emitting an irresistible aroma.

A trump card.

A trump card? What is that...

A trump card refers to various hidden abilities you have, Li Changshou tore off a piece of chicken and handed it to Ling'e, who was already impatient, and continued to teach.

This is the introductory education I've prepared for a long time, the result of months of organization in my mind!

If you have 100 points of strength, you can hide 30 points and only show 70 points to others.

This way, if someone tries to scheme against you, you can surprise them...

More specifically, if you have powerful techniques, abilities, or magical treasures in the future, hide them as your trump card. Don't let others know. When the critical moment comes, reveal them, and they will be the decisive blow.

You can also hide part of your cultivation, which is another trump card.

Lan Ling'e quickly finished the piece of chicken, her eyes shining, savoring the taste, and couldn't help but lick her fingers.

She thought carefully about her senior brother's teachings and asked softly, "But, Senior brother, if all the trump cards are used and you still can't defeat the opponent, what should you do?"

That's the third way, Li Changshou snapped his fingers, and the cooked pheasant was instantly disassembled into pieces of spirit-infused roasted meat, floating in front of Lan Ling'e.

The third way is actually very simple, it's... to escape.

Uh, Lan Ling'e blinked, her attention mostly on the roasted meat, but still trying to understand her senior brother's words.

Li Changshou said leisurely, "As the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.

Acting on impulse will only ruin a bright future. Life is precious, and of course, those with excellent character and luck might get a second chance.

Cough, let's get back to the topic!

To escape from an expert, you need strong situational awareness. This is where the escape technique comes in. The more escape techniques you learn, the more chances you have to survive..."

The sun was setting, and the aroma of meat filled the air.

By the clear lake, the young cultivator diligently taught the new disciple; the little girl, holding pieces of roasted meat, gradually became engrossed.

This lesson would surely influence her entire immortal life.

However, although Lan Ling'e constantly marveled at her senior brother's wisdom, upon careful reflection, she felt something...

Was a bit off.