Chapter 309

Chapter 309: The Only Spell Position

To outsiders, the Haotu Sect might seem like a typical sect, but those within found it to be a closed realm. There were numerous disciples married and raising families, and the vast region was home to a million cultivators.

Given the distinction between outer and inner sects, the area where Inner Sect Disciples operated was naturally in the core zone.

As they flew forward, they noticed formations in a circular layout, with restrictions spread everywhere and traps laid thick. Without an inner sect command token, one could easily face misfortune just by stepping foot inside.

The night was cool in the mountains, but with the grand formation guarding them, a gentle breeze brought warmth. The fragrance of flowers and the scent of rich earth filled the air as Li Hui and Luo Meini slowly descended in front of the scripture hall, talking along the way.

"That’s how it is! Senior Sister and Brother Yuan aren’t good with finances, but I see you managing things so impressively. I want to invest in you to handle our family’s assets. I hope to see a thirty percent increase by this time next year."

Li Hui readily agreed, "No problem! I’m indeed short on funds, with countless plans swirling in my mind. But every time I put them into action, it feels like money flows like water; it comes quickly but also leaves quickly."

Luo Meini was astonished, saying, "The Mirror Lake faction is wealthy. How many sect points can you lend out based on those assets? I know they’re already in operation, with dozens of miscellaneous and outer disciples eagerly borrowing from each other, earning so much that it makes others envious. How could you feel like it’s not enough?"

"I want to acquire thirty pounds of ancient Wutu soil. How much do you think that will cost? Plus, I need to trade for Golden Jade Peaches from personal disciples, adding to the expenses. For example, right now, I need to exchange for a large quantity of texts, and that might drain my resources overnight. So, it’s really the sect that profits; from start to finish, we are just spending money," Li Hui explained with a wry smile.

"That’s extravagant! Purchasing ancient Wutu soil by the pound is quite a cost, considering it’s famously rare and only appears every few years," Luo Meini said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I’m glad you have a way to make money. Remember to send someone to me tomorrow to check the accounts; I’m going to enter closed-door training for a while and can’t fall too far behind!"

As the two bid farewell before the hall, Li Hui held the Master’s command token and stepped into the scripture hall.

From above, Hongyin’s voice echoed, "Li Maocai is truly generous to use this token. You can browse all the texts in the hall at will, even copy them if you wish. However, you only have twelve hours. Viewing the catalog doesn’t require sect points, but detailed reading costs half, and copying costs triple. You may enter!"

As soon as the words ended, a powerful force had already taken the command token away.

Li Hui thought to himself: "I’ve consumed another layer of the Master’s grace. My Master’s help is monumental, just to achieve seemingly instant results. It appears the situation facing the Mirror Lake faction is more serious than I imagined."

As the light and shadow shifted in front of him, he found himself hovering in mid-air. All around him were bookshelves stretching out to who knows where, with some texts radiating brilliant lights, jade tablets emitting bird calls and lion roars, and bamboo slips swirling around as if ready to fly off at any moment.

Every scripture here was extraordinary; each jade tablet was miraculous!

Dozens of stone tablets flew in, showering countless lights and shadows. Li Hui focused his mind, quickly indexing the contents, and his understanding expanded dramatically.

"Detailed Explanation of Wind and Cloud Spells, Spell Position Techniques… Yinglong Demon-Subduing Technique, True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw, True Chapter of the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique."

He pointed out several dozen texts while floating in the air to read quickly. Copying would cost a lot of sect points, so Li Hui chose not to spend. Instead, he floated and skimmed through them rapidly, having already activated eighteen-fold time flow, keeping only the True Chapter of Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique nearby as golden light flickered on his forehead, allowing him to absorb the knowledge gathered.

"What a powerful Yinglong Demon-Subduing Technique! Its body control is extremely refined, very suitable for body refining cultivators. The claw variations are numerous: jab, poke, flick, scrape, sweep, shake…" Waves of profound insights washed over his mind, and the Dragon Horn pattern activated its effects.

Half an hour later, boosted by the Seize the Day Talisman, nine hours had passed. Li Hui felt a series of pops throughout his body as dozens of meridians twisted and turned like a great dragon, his breath becoming mysterious.

"I did it! Now to begin comprehending the True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw."

It is said that opening a book is beneficial, but for Li Hui, it was far more than that.

He felt like a weed that could thrive even in a narrow crevice on a cliff. Now, planted in a well-watered field, how could he not grow wildly?

"Impressive! The giant claws can bury all beneath the heavens and capture dragons, far broader than merely tearing mountains apart in spirit. With training, I could easily cover the skies!"

Astonished—everything was astonishment. The True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw was also a secret technique, yet it surpassed the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw by a significant margin.

Li Hui even contemplated changing his approach, giving up on the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique and switching to the True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw. After thoughtful consideration, he ultimately chose to stick with his current path.

"Starting over is difficult without experiencing the trials of life and death. Even if it looks impressive, it might not suit me. It’s wiser to use this for nourishment to enhance my skills."

With a foundation in understanding the Yinglong Demon-Subduing Technique, his grasp of the True Spirit Burial Dragon Claw accelerated significantly. Then he began to browse through the Detailed Explanation of Wind and Cloud Spells and the Spell Position Techniques. Suddenly, he sat down in mid-air.

"First, to visualize the spell positions. Each spell position can cultivate a single spell. If one has a five element constitution, they should cultivate five elemental spells, supplemented with lightning and wind cloud, allowing the spell to form formations as powerful as Dao arts."

Li Hui followed the methods introduced in the Spell Position Techniques, concentrating on the Baihui point, Shenting point, and temples, gently attracting external spiritual energy to wash over him. At his level, this posed no difficulty, and in no time, he explored his own condition.

"Uh? My true aptitude is indeed poor; I can only open one spell position, which is the only one corresponding to the Reverse Scale pattern, located near my dantian. This can serve as a vessel to resonate with the outside world."

Li Hui sighed, "Now, there’s no need to consider other options. All paths are blocked; the only way forward is to delve into the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique and push it to the level of Dao arts."

At this moment, he finally opened the True Chapter of the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique for a detailed study, surprised to find that the principles within seemed capable of manipulating mountains and rivers.

"Moving mountains and drawing water, guiding clouds and bringing rain, dragons and snakes rising on land, soaring through the nine skies!" The more Li Hui pondered, the deeper he found the principles; this was the true essence of the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique. What he had learned previously was not a fragment, but rather a poor mimicry. Though the starting points were not much different, over time, the gap had become vast!

"Grab!"

"Seize!"

"Shake!"

A flurry of realizations flowed through his heart, and Li Hui felt he had broken through his shackles, suddenly entering a whole new realm. When he performed the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, its power would surely be extraordinary, transitioning from an auxiliary secret technique to a primary offensive technique.

Previously, he had learned the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, mainly for attracting objects and talisman-making, which had strayed far from its original essence, akin to losing focus on the watermelon while picking up sesame seeds.

Of course, Li Hui’s ambitions were greater; while also utilizing the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique, he intended to expand it into Dao arts, resonating with the essence of the Wind and Cloud Dao. Even if it was only a limited resonance now, its power would still be extraordinary.