Chapter 162: From Celestial River to the Gathered Sea

Along the way, Qin Haoxuan was secretly trying to guess what was so urgent that his Master had summoned him. He arrived at the Nature Hall, smiling and greeting the unfamiliar senior brothers he passed on the path, and went straight to Master Xuanji’s room.

When he arrived, there were several other senior brothers inside, asking for guidance on their cultivation. Seeing Qin Haoxuan, Xuanji’s expression turned serious, and he said to the other disciples, “You may all come back tomorrow.”

The senior brothers did as they were told and withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the room. Qin Haoxuan’s heart grew tense. What matter could be so important that his Master had to send everyone else away?

“Disciple pays his respects to Master,” he said, kneeling respectfully on the ground.

Xuanji’s face was grave, his expression more serious than ever before. He asked, “There is a matter you must explain to me. After you came out of the Aqueous Manor, you refined some Qi-Circulating Powder and had your Senior Brother Ye deliver it to me. Out of respect for your kind intentions, I used it. But why is it that I feel my realm has not broken through, yet my lifespan has been extended?”

Qin Haoxuan’s heart tightened. It was just as he had suspected. But this was a blow that had to fall sooner or later. So, he explained without reservation, “Reporting to Master, this disciple was entrusted by Senior Brother Pu to do his utmost to extend your lifespan. And you have been very good to me, Master. I was worrying about how to repay your kindness when I happened to obtain some Spirit Liquid in the Aqueous Manor. I secretly brought it out, but since I do not know how to refine Lifespan Pills, I could only use this clumsy method of adding it to the Qi-Circulating Powder for you to take.”

A look of horror appeared on Xuanji’s face. Although Qin Haoxuan spoke of it lightly, his so-called “some” Spirit Liquid sounded like it was more than just a drop or two. Moreover, Xuanji knew very well how much the sect’s higher-ups valued this liquid. To have smuggled it out, past the inspection of so many Spirit Tree Realm elders, was a feat he himself could not have accomplished.

Xuanji lowered his voice and scolded him seriously, “You are far too bold! Do you know how dangerous that was? With so many elders present, if a single one of them had seen through your little trick, you would be dead! And to carry so much Spirit Liquid on your person, if the sect were to discover it, that too is a certain death sentence!”

Qin Haoxuan hung his head. But as he listened to Xuanji’s seemingly harsh scolding, he could feel the deep concern and warmth in his tone, and his own heart felt warm.

“How much of this Spirit Liquid is left?”

“There is still a lot. About a hundred or so drops,” Qin Haoxuan answered truthfully.

Xuanji sucked in a cold breath. To secretly hoard over a hundred drops of Spirit Liquid, what incredible nerve! In the Taichu Sect, hiding even a single drop was a capital crime. With over a hundred, even if Qin Haoxuan had a hundred heads, it would not be enough.

Xuanji lowered his voice again. “Where have you hidden these things? In the next two days, bring them to me. I will keep them for you. If something happens, I can take the blame.”

If anyone else had said such words, Qin Haoxuan would have immediately assumed they were trying to embezzle his treasure. But hearing them from Xuanji, he did not have the slightest doubt. After Senior Brother Pu’s passing, his Master was the person he trusted most.

“Master, this disciple has hidden them in a very secret place. No one but me can get to them. Please rest assured.”

Xuanji stared at him deeply for a moment. “Alright. Then you must hide them well. You absolutely cannot leave any trace. If the matter is ever exposed, you must immediately hand the Spirit Liquid over to the sect and tell them that I ordered you to do it. With my status and seniority, the most they will do is take the items; they will not do anything to me. But you are different. If you take the blame, you will surely die. Do you understand?”

Xuanji’s words once again filled Qin Haoxuan with a deep warmth. His eyes grew moist, and he immediately agreed. “Disciple understands. Thank you for your concern, Master.” But he knew that if the matter were exposed, with over a hundred drops of Spirit Liquid, even his Master would absolutely not be able to bear the consequences. His master, who had lived for over one hundred and forty years, how could he not understand this? He was preparing to trade his own life for his.

Qin Haoxuan felt a lump in his throat, unable to speak. All he could do was kowtow several times on the ground to show his gratitude, silently vowing that if the matter ever came to light, he would bear it all on his own shoulders.

As he was still overcome with emotion, Xuanji said, “Even without the matter of the Qi-Circulating Powder, I had something to discuss with you. You may rise.”

Xuanji gently lifted his right hand, and Qin Haoxuan felt a warm, powerful force lift him to his feet.

“Since you have broken through to the First-Leaf of the Spirit Sprout Realm,” Xuanji began, “I have been considering that the Celestial River Dao Art is no longer suitable for you. I should have changed your cultivation art sooner, but I have been deliberating on what to give you. I have found that although your leaf is veinless, your immortal root is exceptionally firm and robust, and your speed of absorbing spiritual energy is nearly equivalent to that of a Fifth-Leaf disciple. To give you an ordinary art would be to waste your excellent root and leaf. The cultivation arts for the Spirit Sprout Realm are divided into stages of ten leaves. I have been considering the Sea-Gathering Art, which can normally only be cultivated at the Tenth-Leaf, and whether you can cultivate it.”

Xuanji said with a solemn expression, “I would like to see how many levels of the Celestial River Dao Art you have reached. Circulate your energy for me now.”

Qin Haoxuan did as he was told. The moment he began to circulate the art, the spiritual energy in his body began to boil. Xuanji could feel it roiling like a great river, and a vast and majestic aura emanated from him.

Xuanji, who had assumed he had only reached the first level, was stunned. His wrinkled face instantly smoothed out, filled with delight. After Qin Haoxuan had completed a full cycle and opened his eyes, he said in an astonished tone, “The Celestial River Dao Art has only three levels. I had thought you had only cultivated to the first, but I never expected you had already reached the third.”

Qin Haoxuan smiled faintly. If not for the complementary effect of the Dao Heart Seed Demon Art, he could not have progressed so quickly.

Xuanji sighed softly. “In theory, even a disciple with a seven-veined leaf would need to reach the Third-Leaf to master this art. For a disciple with a veinless leaf to reach the third level at the First-Leaf is simply unprecedented.”

After another long moment of contemplation, he said, “Since you have shown such talent, I will impart the Sea-Gathering Art to you. Cultivate it once in front of me. After all, you are only at the First-Leaf. We must see if it is suitable for you.”

“Yes,” Qin Haoxuan replied, his heart filled with happiness for having such a good master.

Xuanji’s expression turned serious, and he began to recite the incantation for the Sea-Gathering Art. It was only five hundred words, but he spent a full incense stick’s worth of time explaining all of the obscure and difficult parts in great detail. Qin Haoxuan, in turn, showed the eagerness of a dedicated student, asking questions about anything he didn’t understand.

“Practice it now. If you have any difficulties, ask me,” Xuanji said.

“Yes,” Qin Haoxuan replied gratefully. He now understood the importance of a good teacher in the world of cultivation. If he had only been given the incantation, it would have taken him at least a month to figure it out. But with a brilliant teacher like Xuanji, it had taken him only an hour to grasp the key points.

He quickly cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and began to circulate his energy according to the new art.

The Sea-Gathering Art was more advanced than the Celestial River Dao Art because it treated the dantian’s sea of qi as a true ocean and the meridians as rivers that flowed into it. The spiritual energy he absorbed from the outside world was several times faster than before, and this was without even taking a Qi-Circulating Powder.

After completing one cycle, Qin Haoxuan exhaled a turbid breath and opened his eyes, feeling invigorated.

Xuanji looked at him with great satisfaction. “Excellent. This secret art, which can normally only be cultivated at the Tenth-Leaf, is a perfect fit for you!”

Qin Haoxuan smiled and asked a few more questions about some minor difficulties he had encountered, which Xuanji answered one by one.

He then said, “Master, I have a new Qi-Circulating Pill refined by Senior Sister Luo. Because the speed of absorbing spiritual energy will be very intense, and I have never taken one before, I would like to ask you to watch over me while I take it and cultivate once.”

Xuanji nodded. He had tried the powder Qin Haoxuan had refined, and it was even more effective than his own pills. Now, how effective would this new pill be? Xuanji waited with great anticipation.