Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 253 - 232 "The Supreme Wheel Nurturing Technique
Ling Yanzi's attitude finally showed some sincerity, as Li Tongya glanced downward among the assorted objects strewn before him. He saw a small pile of Fetal Breathing Magical Instruments, each with a different style; there were gourds, longswords, and jade tablets aplenty. It seemed these were spoils taken from vanquishing others.
"Having finally caught a disciple of the Immortal Sect, I cannot simply make do with these as compensation..."
Li Tongya quietly pondered to himself. The Three Sects and Seven Doors had a multitude of Cultivation Techniques, Secret Techniques, and records of treasured knowledge, not to mention several marvelous and secret medicinal prescriptions. Should this fellow attempt to use these common items to settle the debt, Li Tongya would never be content.
Ling Yanzi, seeing this, offered an embarrassed smile and explained:
"My Immortal Peak is about to recruit disciples, so I especially saved this batch of Fetal Breathing Instruments to reward the newcomers. Otherwise, I would have exchanged them for Spirit Stones to give to you, Taoist Fellow."
"Oh!"
Li Tongya nodded lightly, his mind suddenly stirring, but he refrained from saying more. He looked at a few bottles of elixirs, the best of which was a bottle of Foundation Establishment-level Huazhen Elixir. He held it in his hand for a moment, contemplating:
"It's impossible to break through to Foundation Establishment without two or three decades of grueling effort. With this elixir, it's but a matter of advancing by two or three years. In this lifetime, I shall be content with reaching Foundation Establishment; no need to rush. It's better to find more items that could benefit the younger generation."
Thus, he gently placed the elixir back down, to the surprise of Ling Yanzi, who paused briefly and mused to himself:
"Li Tongya actually isn't taking the Huazhen Elixir... He must be under the protection of a Sword Immortal, accustomed to such elixirs that he deems them unworthy. Then, he might not be interested in the contents of my Storage Bag either..."
Indeed, after looking over a few Qi Cultivating Elixirs and rummaging through the remaining miscellaneous items, Li Tongya softly frowned and said in a low voice:
"Taoist Fellow Ling Yanzi, is this all you have left? Might you have some Cultivation Techniques or Secrets that could serve as an equivalent?"
Ling Yanzi let out a wry laugh, responding:
"I do, but they are mainly Qi Cultivation and Fetal Breathing Techniques, which you likely find insufficient. They are also expensive, which would seem like taking advantage of you."
Li Tongya, unlike him who only needed to take care of himself while cultivating in the Immortal Sect, had an entire family to provide for. Hearing this, he said with delight:
"Not a problem, please bring them out for me to see."
Ling Yanzi took a look at him, quickly understanding a lot. He unfastened a red bag from his waist and said with a smile: 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"Secrets of each sect are most precious. This is a Dharma Hiding Bag, linked to my Qi. With a thought, I could destroy everything inside."
Li Tongya nodded and watched as Ling Yanzi laid out several Jade Slips. Picking up one of them, Li Tongya began to read.
"'Upper Llang Wheel Nurturing Scripture,' a Fetal Breathing Realm Cultivation Technique, Third Grade."
Li Tongya's heart was instantly stirred, and his gaze remained fixed. The best Fetal Breathing Technique of the Li Family was naturally the 'Taiyin Qi Cultivation Wheel Nurturing Scripture', but it couldn't be written, spoken, or taught—it could only be practiced by those who had received the Talisman Seed.
The second-best were the Second Grade Fetal Breathing Techniques collected over the years for the major and minor branches of the family to cultivate. Beyond that, there was the 'Qingyuan Cultivation Method' left by Si Yuanbai, which was only First Grade and intended for non-family cultivators. As it was a common practice, the family's external cultivators generally had a low Cultivation Level due, in part, to this technique.
There was also a Fetal Breathing Technique attached to the 'Kotting Sentinel Secret' that allowed Fetal Breathing Cultivators to quickly progress through Qi Cultivation; however, it would significantly extend the time needed for a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Li Tongya planned to use it to train loyal clan soldiers but hadn't found suitable candidates among the main family's Qi Cultivators, so he hadn't employed it yet.
"Although there are currently no major branches with uninitiated cultivators, as the family prospers, such descendants will surely increase. Apart from those who have been granted the Talisman, the rest can only cultivate with the Second Grade techniques, which are far too mediocre. It would be good to acquire this Third Grade technique."
He then picked up the other two Jade Slips Ling Yanzi had laid out, which were Second Grade Qi Cultivation Techniques. The family already possessed several varieties, incapable and unnecessary to trade. Therefore, Li Tongya picked up the Fetal Breathing Technique and asked in a low voice:
"How much is this technique valued at?"
"It's just a Fetal Breathing Technique."
Ling Yanzi waved his hand and spoke solemnly:
"Since you have chosen this technique, there are some things I must say. This 'Upper Llang Wheel Nurturing Scripture' originated from the ancient Immortal Sect of Tianlang Terrace and is quite unique. It is incompatible with many techniques, and if one was to cultivate it to the Fetal Breathing Peak, then transitioning to a new technique for a Qi Cultivation breakthrough might reduce some lifespan."
"A reduction in lifespan?"
Li Tongya paused for a moment, then saw Ling Yanzi nod and reply:
"Fortunately, it's not much, only three to five years. If lucky and the cultivation technique fits well with the physique, it'll only reduce about half a year."
Li Tongya's heart settled at once. This Third Grade spell could at least speed up his cultivation by three years. Considering the trade-off, it wasn't too much of a loss. After all, the earlier time was far more valuable than the later. Sometimes, just advancing three or four years earlier could mean the difference between a Fetal Breathing Cultivator and a Qi Cultivator, or even a Qi Cultivator and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in more serious cases.
While Li Tongya accepted this in his heart, his face showed a trace of hesitation. Pretending to be displeased, his gaze swept over the various miscellaneous items before him, and he said in a deep voice:
"Then there's nothing else to offset the cost! We'll use this item to settle the debt!"
"This..."
Ling Yanzi hesitated slightly. The belongings of the two deceased Changxiao Sect cultivators had been sorted and sold by him. After all, as disciples of the Three Sects and Seven Doors, they were more than ten times richer than ordinary Loose Cultivators. The various items had fetched nearly two hundred Spirit Stones—a not inconsiderable sum.
But after all, a Third Grade technique was often priceless. Two hundred Spirit Stones was certainly a stretch, not to mention the twenty Spirit Stones he had just given to Li Tongya. Seeing the displeasure on Li Tongya's face, Ling Yanzi ultimately held back his words, sighed softly, and seemed to accept the situation.
Li Tongya's expression relaxed, and after chatting with him for a bit, he said warmly:
"I've heard that your peak is recruiting disciples, how is it going?"
Ling Yanzi gently shook his head and answered:
"My peak is in the most awkward position within Ziyan Sect, be it provisions or cultivation techniques, status or authority, we are the worst off... Therefore, there has been no progress at all."
Ling Yanzi looked like he had more to say but stopped short of telling Li Tongya the sordid details within Ziyan Sect, instead quietly sipping his drink. Clearly, the subject was a sore point for him, and silence fell upon them.
Li Tongya consoled him with a few words, then said warmly:
"How about this, leave a message with me, Elder. If I find any opportunities or outstanding disciples, it's not impossible to send them to your peak to lend you a hand."
Ling Yanzi had not considered this angle, but upon hearing this, he became greatly moved. After thinking it over carefully, he felt it was a promising idea, and with a clap of his hands and a sigh, he joyfully said:
"Exactly! Tong... Brother Wan, your help for our peak from outside is something this old man could only hope for!"
After swearing his promise vehemently, he vowed to treat any disciples from the Li Family that were sent his way with great care. Li Tongya simply smiled lightly without saying a word. With Li Chijin's experience as a lesson, he didn't quite believe Ling Yanzi's empty promises. He was also unfamiliar with Ziyan Sect's ways and was only setting a piece on the board for now. After listening to Ling Yanzi's elaborate promises, Li Tongya simply humored him with a few responses, then said with some difficulty:
"Elder, don't be like this. I didn't guarantee anything; I still need to inquire with the Sword Immortal."
"Of course, of course!"
Ling Yanzi laughed hehe, his peak was declining within the Three Sects and Seven Doors, and if a disciple from a Sword Immortal Family could join, it would indeed be great news.
He then tilted his head in thought, took out a jade plaque from his Storage Bag, with the characters "Ziyan" inscribed on the front, and the words "Ziqi Peak" carved on the back.
Li Tongya nodded his head, took the plaque into his hand, then bowed, and said in a low voice:
"Thank you for your time, Taoist fellow."
Ling Yanzi let out a hearty laugh, exchanged a few more words, then sipped his drink and bid farewell with cupped hands.
Li Tongya nodded lightly, watching the old man depart on the wind. He sat at the table for a dozen or so breaths before moving his chopsticks, when suddenly a hoarse voice echoed in his ear.
"Come to Xianyou Peak."
