Chapter 308

Chapter 308: The Whole Sect as Enemies

"Using a puppet to fly around wouldn’t be considered a crooked path?" Li Hui looked at the retreating figure of the puppet, feeling no fear but rather filled with fighting spirit.

Huang Tongliang rushed over and whispered, "Brother, trouble is coming! I heard that Wen Shaobao is especially strong. He dares to say in front of everyone that you should compete with his brother in spells, which means he has full confidence! Why not have your Master issue a Dao law decree, rebuking him for bullying the weak? That way, everything would settle down!"

"Haha!" Li Hui grinned widely, showing his bright teeth. "Not only do I want to be the head of Shuxiu Peak, but I also want to become the top true disciple. At that time, I will promote spirit talismans vigorously, making sure everyone in the sect gets a bundle. Let’s see who dares to call me a crooked path!"

"My heavens!" Huang Tongliang’s eyes sparkled with admiration. He genuinely felt that this line of thought was indeed powerful and commanding…

When Li Hui returned to the Water Moon Palace, before he could speak, he heard his Master’s voice in his mind: "You did well today! You’ve become the head of the inquiry learning hall at Shuxiu Peak. Keep pushing forward! If you have any questions, ask quickly; your Master is about to breakthrough a bottleneck, and even a trace of my consciousness cannot be maintained outside."

"Master, we can’t rush; we can’t eat hot tofu too fast, can we?"

"We can’t afford to be slow! Your body is on the brink of collapse. If you don’t overcome this small hurdle, you won’t see me next month."

"Uh?" Li Hui was greatly shocked and quickly adjusted his attitude, asking if there was a way to harmonize internal and external forces, expanding secret techniques into spells.

Li Maocai pondered for a moment and said, "Casting spells also consumes spiritual energy, but comparatively, it uses much less. If the release speed is fast enough, you could cast dozens of spells back and forth before exhausting your spiritual energy. The key is speed; no one can cast spells as quickly as you. Therefore, you must practice the techniques repeatedly and keep increasing your release speed. Plenty of disciples have mastered one technique from young to old."

Pausing for a moment, Li Maocai continued, "The same goes for Dao techniques. Some geniuses use certain methods to significantly accelerate their casting speed, especially when controlling artifacts and treasures; it’s normal for their power to multiply several times or even over ten times. You need to be cautious. Expanding the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique from within is indeed possible. In fact, reaching the level of Dao techniques involves many techniques having both form and substance. They seek an outward approach, while you are taking the reverse, seeking an inward one, which should lead to the same result."

"Really?" Li Hui’s face lit up with delight.

"Yes! This means that your immersion in the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, the time and effort spent on it can be transformed into spells, but you need a very high baseline. At the onset of this transformation, you must be nearly approaching low-tier Dao techniques for it to have a chance of success. I’ve seen that what you have practiced with the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique is very superficial. It’s quite remarkable that you have managed to control it to this extent. Take my command token and go to the scripture hall. Look for the Yinglong Demon-Subduing Technique and the True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw. By taking the strengths from these two secret techniques, you can develop your skills further. Afterward, go back and study the authentic Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique."

"Are you saying that the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique I’m practicing now is flawed?" Li Hui was astonished.

Li Maocai nodded and cautioned, "Exactly. While it isn’t missing much, it lacks the most crucial aspects. Remember, first delve into the Yinglong Demon-Subduing Technique and the True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw, then return to grasp the sect’s version of the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique. This should inspire you and lead you toward becoming a true disciple."

"Thank you, Master!" Li Hui quickly expressed his gratitude. Having a Master made all the difference; one insightful phrase was worth more than thousands of books.

What is a true disciple? It’s more valuable to receive one guiding word from the Master than to read through a thousand tomes, saving countless efforts and precious energy. Gradually, unnoticed gaps widen, eventually leading to a significant divide.

As the master and disciple discussed spells, Li Maocai earnestly outlined the many pitfalls in practicing spells and Dao techniques. Feeling that time was short, he spoke with deep sincerity: "Disciple, do you know why I have so many IOUs here? It’s because of the mistakes made by fellow disciples, and I forced them to leave evidence back then."

"What?" Li Hui was momentarily stunned, thinking, "Is that how it works? Master is impressive! Is that how the Mirror Lake faction acquired so many assets?"

"You little rascal, what are you thinking?"

Li Maocai sighed deeply and slowly said, "Disciple, you must be cautious! While the Haotu Sect has enforcing elders, they are strict with their juniors but soft on their superiors. Our Mirror Lake faction also holds supervisory responsibilities but is lenient with superiors and strict with juniors. Why do we call ourselves the Mirror Lake faction? It signifies the idea of the Mirror of Justice High Above. If elders engage in wrongdoing or protect disciples, how can justice be served? Making them sign IOUs saves face but cuts down honor. If you gather three IOUs, it could lead to formal sanctions from the sect law.”

"Ah? Why didn’t you say earlier? I would never dare wave around an IOU in the whole sect!" Li Hui’s eyes widened, realizing that they were enemies of the whole sect. The Mirror Lake faction maintains strictness downward but can have those high above command their subordinates to stir up trouble, truly making it an entire sect against each other!

"Hahahaha! Only with pressure can there be progress; the disciples of the Mirror Lake faction must rise to challenges." Li Maocai produced a command token and waved it, transferring sect points. "I still have some sect points here to help you elevate your cultivation. Considering the timeline, the Ancient Tomb of the Divine Sparrow will appear in half a year, and disciples of the sect can travel to the Ancient City of Yin Ruins for trials via the descent of spirits. Many large sects will join in; perhaps this is your chance."

"In half a year, Ancient City of Yin Ruins?" Li Hui knew that major sects would hold trials but didn’t expect them to arrive so quickly.

"The ancient royal city sank underground, leaving numerous entrances on the Wutu Continent. Our Haotu Sect occupies one of them, which opens every thirty-six years, allowing a piece of spiritual awareness to enter. You seem to have a connection…" Li Maocai’s time was up, and his figure suddenly dispersed.

"Got it! I can’t stay idle; I’ll head to the scripture hall tonight!"

As Li Hui left the Water Moon Mirror Sky and flew north for a distance, he heard someone softly giggle behind him. "Hehe, where are you going, handsome junior brother? Senior Sister is looking to invest in you!"

Turning around, he saw the female cultivator who had been on the podium with Yuan Ciheng earlier, rushing toward him.

The young woman wore a charming smile that was extraordinarily beautiful, her skin as fair as melted butter, shimmering under the moonlight with a jade-like luster. She was truly a stunning beauty, radiating youthful vigor!