The two of them discussed the Dao for half a day before Li Yushan brought up the topic of spells again.
He said, "The cultivation method I obtained in the past only fragmentarily recorded a few spells. Among them, one called the Fire Ignition Art has quite decent power." After saying this, he channeled his Spiritual Qi and flicked his finger, producing a wisp of flame. Then, with a guiding motion of his fingertip, the flame shot out abruptly, leaving a finger-width hole in the wall.
Mo Tiange was greatly astonished. It wasn't the fire's power that was surprising—her Wind-Breath Technique could achieve similar results, and the book recorded even greater potential. What was remarkable was, first, its speed, and second, the exquisite control that burned only that small hole without affecting the surrounding area at all.
Li Yushan revealed a self-satisfied smile. "I've practiced this Fire Ignition Art for two or three years and have gained some proficiency. Even a low-grade spiritual artifact could withstand it for a bit, though it's not convenient to demonstrate for you now, Fellow Daoist. Your cultivation method must be excellent; surely the power of your spells is even greater."
Mo Tiange hesitated for a moment before replying cautiously, "Not really. My cultivation is low, and I've only learned a few minor spells. Only the Wind-Breath Technique has any real power."
"Oh?" Li Yushan looked at her with great interest. "Could you let me see it?"
Mo Tiange did not refuse. She circulated her Spiritual Qi and made a slicing motion with her palm. The bronze candlestick immediately split cleanly in two.
Li Yushan was quite surprised. "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what is the strongest thing your spell can cut?"
"That... I don't know."
Hearing this, Li Yushan laughed. "Fellow Daoist can utilize a wind-type spell. Could it be that your Spirit Root is exceptionally good?"
Mo Tiange was puzzled. "Why do you say that?"
Li Yushan explained, "These spells have attributes, so naturally they are related to one's Spirit Root. I have a Four-Element Spirit Root lacking the Metal element, with my Fire Spiritual Root being the best, so I achieve the best results practicing fire spells. Fellow Daoist can use this wind-type spell without relying on external aids. Wind belongs to Wood, so you must either have an outstanding Wood Spiritual Root or possess the rare Wind Attribute Variant Spirit Root itself."
Mo Tiange's knowledge of immortal cultivation was limited. Hearing this explanation, she found it very novel and replied, "I don't know how my Wood Spiritual Root is, but my Spirit Root is the Five Elements Spirit Root, which I've heard is not good."
Li Yushan was greatly astonished. "Fellow Daoist, at such a young age, you've already reached Qi Refining Level 2, and your spells are so refined, yet you have a Five Elements Spirit Root?"
Mo Tiange didn't understand why he found it so hard to believe, but she still replied, "Yes."
Upon confirmation, Li Yushan's face was filled with envy. "It must be that your cultivation method is extremely good, and you have guidance from a senior, allowing you to avoid many detours. May I ask what cultivation method you practice, Fellow Daoist?"
Mo Tiange hesitated at this question. The Plain Maiden's Art could only be cultivated by women with a Pure Yin constitution, and her ancestor had also said never to let anyone know she possessed a Pure Yin constitution, or she risked being taken as a Cauldron. She still didn't know what a Cauldron was, but it was clearly not a good thing.
Li Yushan, observing her expression and seeing her hesitation, smiled and said, "I was just asking casually. If it's inconvenient for you to say, Fellow Daoist, then forget it."
Hearing him drop the subject, Mo Tiange breathed a sigh of relief.
The two discussed a bit more before Mo Tiange, noticing the late hour, hurriedly bid farewell to return home.
This discussion of the Dao had yielded her much gain.
This Li Yushan claimed to be from Tong'an, the capital of the Jin State, having unintentionally obtained a cultivation manual in his youth. He had since traveled through various countries, met many cultivators, and was quite knowledgeable.
According to him, although most cultivation sects were in Kunwu, there were also many cultivation families and Loose Cultivators scattered throughout the various states and regions. Just in this Jin State, there was a group of Loose Cultivators in Tong'an who had even formed a Loose Cultivators' Mutual Advancement Society, often exchanging insights. Li Yushan said his own Spirit Root was poor, his cultivation method was mediocre, and he had been stuck at Qi Refining Level 3, unable to advance, which was why he traveled everywhere seeking Opportunities.
Mo Tiange restrained herself for a long time before resisting the urge to ask him for news of her father. She still maintained her guard, afraid that if this man knew she was alone, he might develop ill intentions.
Fortunately, Li Yushan, believing she truly had a cultivation senior, only discussed cultivation with her and diligently explained things she didn't understand.
Looking at the sky, it was almost dark. She hurried back toward Mo Village, unaware that a figure was following her from a distance.
Li Yushan watched the small village from afar.
This village was ordinary, just like any other rural village in the Jin State. He observed carefully for a long time but found no traces of restrictions or formations. It was truly hard to tell that a cultivator existed here.
That little girl's aptitude wasn't better than his, yet her cultivation had already reached Qi Refining Level 2. He was certain this little girl must have something good on her.
He had been stuck at Qi Refining Level 3 for five years. Unlike this little girl who knew nothing, it was too difficult for a Loose Cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment. Only by entering a cultivation sect could one obtain more resources. And he, with his poor aptitude, needed to enter a cultivation sect to achieve anything.
However, with his aptitude, cultivation sects simply wouldn't accept him. The only chance was if he had the potential to cultivate to Foundation Establishment. But how easy was that? An Opportunity—he had traveled for five or six years and found nothing.
This little girl definitely had a secret. Otherwise, with a Five Elements Spirit Root, cultivating to Qi Refining Stage Level 2 in three years in a mundane place with thin Spiritual Qi was simply unbelievable. He himself had spent three years just to get started. It was only after going to a place with a spiritual vein that he managed to reach his current third level. He had observed this little girl carefully; she didn't have any spiritual artifacts on her. One could say, given the conditions she described, it was fundamentally impossible to cultivate to Qi Refining Stage Level 2.
From afar, he saw the little girl enter the largest mansion in the village, and he too walked toward the village.
At the village edge, a middle-aged woman came out to herd chickens. He thought for a moment and walked over.
"Greetings, elder sister."
The woman looked up at him and quickly returned the greeting. "Young man, is there something you need?"
Li Yushan said, "I'm a traveler. Seeing it's getting dark and I haven't reached the town, I was hoping to borrow a place to stay for the night."
"Oh, I see." The woman sized him up. Seeing he looked refined and not like a bad person, she nodded readily. "Alright, come in. But our home is poor; don't mind it."
He quickly bowed. "Thank you. How could I dare to mind?"
The woman called into the house, "Husband, someone's here to stay the night. Come greet our guest."
A man's voice answered from inside, and then a sturdy rural fellow walked out. Seeing him, he repeatedly gestured. "Young man wants to stay the night, right? Come in, come in."
"Yes, I trouble you, elder brother." He bowed again before following him inside.
It was an ordinary farming household. A few dishes and a set of bowls and chopsticks were placed on the table in the main room. The host warmly greeted him. "Come, come, sit. Wife, go get some rice!"
The woman outside answered. Not long after, she brought in a bowl of rice.
Li Yushan said apologetically, "I trouble you, elder sister. I hope I'm not disturbing your meal..."
"Ah, it's fine. My wife and child have already eaten. I just came back late. Young man, just eat without worry."
Li Yushan revealed a smile, pretending to be starving as he quickly shoveled rice into his mouth. But in his heart, he was already thinking about how to extract information from this family.