Chapter 235: Discussion and observation

He walked all the way to the outskirts of the market.

Yu Mengniang gently waved her hand, and a house materialized on the ground, occupying a small area, about an acre square. Stepping inside, it was fully furnished with tables, chairs, stools, chests, boxes, incense burners, vases, lamps, candles, and various pottery utensils.

“Young Master, please come in.” Yu Mengniang pushed the door open first and sat down at the table.

After she sat down, her slit skirt naturally fell, revealing her calves and a section of her thighs.

However, she was accustomed to it. She looked at Li Qi and asked, “Young Master, do you prefer tea or wine?”

“Tea is fine.” Li Qi followed her inside and sat down opposite her.

The Iron-Eating Beasts didn’t come in; they were rolling around outside the door, two of them playing with each other, seemingly unconcerned about what was happening inside.

So Li Qi left them outside.

Yu Mengniang nodded, then carefully took out a few tea leaves, preparing to put them into the pot to brew tea for Li Qi.

As she brewed the tea, she said, “This is tea from the Northern Garden of Shaman God Mountain. It’s a variety replicated by the fourth-grade expert Xie Beiyuan, using the immortal tea leaves from Penglai Immortal Mountain. It has the beautiful reputation of being ‘tall and elegant, lush and abundant, dense and orderly.’ Young Master, as you can see, this is already my best tea.”

She was very respectful, and also very cautious.

“No need, use this instead.” Li Qi stopped her and took out a few withered, yellow tea leaves of his own.

He had casually plucked them from his Master, and he hadn’t expected them to come in handy now.

Yu Mengniang frowned as she looked at the two withered, yellow leaves, which looked like leaves picked randomly from the roadside.

But she didn’t say anything; saving a pot of valuable tea was something she was eager for.

She casually took Li Qi’s tea leaves and put them into the pot.

Yu Mengniang’s tea ceremony skills were quite good; every movement contained a certain charm, elegant and dignified, making it impossible to dislike her.

With the tea leaves in the pot, she generated fire in her hand to roast the tea inside the pot.

Freshly picked tea, with its aroma not yet released, must be heated to bring out its fragrance. She first used a gentle fire to soften it, then a strong fire to stimulate it, subtly stirring it quickly. After a few minutes, a faint aroma emerged, and it was already freshly roasted.

Then, she rotated her wrist, using the Wu Yu method of praying for rain to summon sweet spring water.

Fine tea contains fragrance, which is released by water. Without water, one cannot discuss tea.

Water and fire are very important for tea.

Following her spell, sweet spring water emerged from the Void Realm, clear and resonant, flowing gently. Even drinking it plain, one could taste its sweetness and richness, demonstrating the quality of the water.

She began to brew the tea.

First, she held the tea in her hand, then, once the water was in the pot, she immediately added the tea leaves and covered it with the lid.

After three breaths, she poured it into a basin, then poured it back into the pot.

At this moment, a vibrant aroma reached the nose, and the color was not dull.

Upon smelling this aroma, Yu Mengniang’s Face showed surprise.

This taste and Spiritual Qi already far surpassed the imitation penglai immortal tea in her hand.

What kind of tea is this?

However, her hands did not stop.

After three more breaths, she settled the floating impurities, then poured it into the cup. The tea was smooth and clear, with a rich fragrance, clearly a High Grade among High Grades.

As the tea brewer, she should have waited for Li Qi to drink first, but she, as if possessed, eagerly picked up the teacup herself, gently exhaling to blow away the heat.

Before the cup reached her lips, the aroma filled her nose.

Then she took a small sip.

The abundant Spiritual Qi immediately filled her entire body. Her human body’s microcosm instantly became rich with water Qi, sweet dew formed in her Hua Chi, and clouds and rain circulated outside her Mud Pill Palace. Her human body’s microcosm felt much more stable.

Her foundation had been solidified.

She opened her eyes, her gaze complex: “This… what kind of tea is this? With such effects, it can be called the ‘Dao of Tea,’ can’t it?”

Truly, skill approaching the Dao.

To cultivate tea trees to this extent, it can truly be called the ‘Dao,’ can’t it?

After this sip of tea, her ill will towards Li Qi even dissipated considerably.

To be able to take out such precious tea leaves for use, regardless of whether he was bad or not, at least he wasn’t stingy.

Li Qi heard her words, shook his head slightly, and said, “The establishment of the Dao by the capable is to discuss its principles through affairs, and later generations emulate it, which is called immortality. How can it be belittled by a single object?”

Yu Mengniang was solemn, her expression reverent: “Young Master’s words, Mengniang will remember.”

This Young Master, first taking out such precious tea leaves, and then speaking with reason…

Therefore, Yu Mengniang’s ill will, caused by the other party constantly looking at her legs and inquiring about the price of her personal item, had largely disappeared.

So, she also calmed down: “I observe Young Master’s words and actions, and you are not a stingy person. Your actions are also not unreasonable. Then, presumably… you are not trying to use power to seize something by force, nor are you lusting after beauty. Then, could it be that there is truly something unusual about this leg ring of mine?”

Li Qi was stunned, silent for a moment, then asked, “You don’t know? Then why were you unwilling to sell it to me earlier?”

He had thought the other party knew the value of the item and wanted to keep it for herself, but it turned out this person didn’t know!?

Then what was she insisting on?

She even put on a wary look, even sending the guide away, making it seem like she wanted to have a sincere and in-depth conversation with him.

Li Qi was very confused.

However, Yu Mengniang lowered her head and said shyly, “I naturally didn’t know the value of this item, but it is, after all, a personal ornament that I’ve worn close to me for a long time. I thought Young Master was using the object to allude to me, and was coveting beauty…”

But she immediately lowered her head and admitted her mistake: “Now, after only two or three sentences of conversation with Young Master, I know that Young Master is not that kind of person. It was Mengniang who was abrupt, and I hope Young Master will forgive me.”

Li Qi was embarrassed.

He rubbed his temples: “Mengniang misunderstood. I already have someone in mind, so how could I covet beauty? But now that the misunderstanding is resolved, there’s no need to be so wary, right? May I ask for the price? This item is indeed useful to me.”

As he spoke, Li Qi tapped on the table.

Then, suddenly, a certain hidden Formation around them immediately lost its effect.

The Shaman Dao Formation laid out by the other party was truly…

Shallow.

If he hadn’t been afraid of destroying her sense of security and causing her to lose Face, he would have casually broken it when he entered.

With the Formation broken, Yu Mengniang was greatly alarmed and immediately stood up.

However, just as she stood up, she heard Li Qi speak.

Li Qi began, “The six positions you set up, based on the Diviner’s six trigrams, mimic it. With the great light beginning and ending with day and night, the six positions are completed as they reveal each other. It means that Qian rides the six Qi to temper and transform, and commands the four seasons to rule heaven and earth, forming a self-contained heaven and earth cage. The intention is good.”

“However, when it was laid out, the Yang Qi was insufficient, and the traces of the Wu Yu method were too heavy, so the Yin Qi was overly strong.”

“Yang Qi is the beginning of all things, hence it is said ‘first emerge from all things.’ If Yang Qi is insufficient, the heavenly body is not healthy. If the heavenly body is not healthy, how can it perform virtuous acts? If the earthly body is not smooth, and the weak momentum is not smooth, I only need to expose the subtle and lowly position, establish Yang virtue, and conceal it below, and your cage will break on its own.”

Li Qi spoke eloquently, easily exposing the foundation and weaknesses of the other party’s Formation.

In front of True Knowledge Dao Resonance, the hidden trump card Yu Mengniang had was completely useless.

Initially, when Li Qi spoke the first sentence, Yu Mengniang was only terrified, thinking that the other party had revealed his true intentions and had only been pretending before.

But as Li Qi continued to speak, analyzing her weaknesses and methods for improvement bit by bit, she couldn’t help but listen.

No cultivator could resist such a temptation.

Perhaps a single sentence from the other party could be worth ten years of her own painstaking thought.

She knew that this Young Master was giving her guidance.

By the time Li Qi finished speaking, Yu Mengniang felt that the cultivation methods and techniques had merged into one, gradually combining. The various profound mysteries within her cultivation method were awakened.

Such insights, some people can understand with a single pointer from their Master, some can naturally comprehend on their own, but more people can never understand them, no matter how hard they try.

So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is.

Yu Mengniang’s many doubts and confusions in her heart now all transformed into a single phrase: ‘So that’s how it is.’

A simple ‘so that’s how it is’—many people get stuck on it, unable to figure it out no matter how much they ponder.

Li Qi himself was a scholarly type, spending at least ten hours a day reading, and most of what he read were secret texts and notes that others found difficult to access.

Not only did he read, but he also had a lot of practical experience.

It might not feel like much to say, but Li Qi could even guide Shen Shuibi in Shaman Dao.

He could independently complete all the arrangements for a Grand Ritual, understand a small part of Grand Invoker’s notes, and communicate with the fifth-grade Shen Shuibi, even teaching Shen Shuibi key points about sacrifices.

From any perspective, Li Qi could already be considered an expert among low-grade cultivators.

When these words were spoken, Yu Mengniang felt enlightened, as if waking from a dream, with only the four words ‘So that’s how it is’ in her heart.

Only those who have experienced it know how precious those four words are.

Not only was there no longer any ill will in her heart, but she was also filled with shame.

After listening carefully to Li Qi’s words, Yu Mengniang simply stood up straight, standing solemnly, then gracefully bowed: “Young Master repays evil with good; not only do you not hold it against me for judging you maliciously, but you are also willing to guide me through my confusion. Mengniang has no way to repay you. If Young Master truly needs this item, Mengniang is willing to offer it with both hands.”

With that, she took off the string of bells from her leg and placed them in front of Li Qi with both hands.

However, Li Qi pressed her hands down: “It’s good that the misunderstanding is resolved. However, there’s no need to give it as a gift. It should be whatever price it is.”

Yu Mengniang was impressed and also put down her doubts, saying again, “Mengniang does not know the price. Please, Young Master, give whatever you deem fit based on the value of this item.”

She now had no more suspicions in her heart, nor any distrust of Li Qi’s character; only admiration.

The title of Young Master, indeed, is not so easily borne.

Thinking about it, how could the Grand Shamanes’ discernment choose a good-for-nothing?

Those chosen by the Grand Shamanes must possess excellent talent, character, and wisdom. How could she have harbored ill will towards such a person?

Truly…

Meanwhile, Li Qi didn’t have as many psychological activities. He merely lamented the other party’s inexplicability, whose mood changed faster than flipping a book. While lamenting, he casually picked up the leg ring.

Because it had just been taken off her leg, it still carried body temperature. It was a string composed of eight bells, and on one of them was written a gatha: “Bending to cover the Qi of an era, a hundred zhang into an inch.”

It was precisely because Li Qi recited this gatha that Yu Mengniang became so wary, thinking that Li Qi had long had his eyes on her.

“Hmm, alright. Since I’m buying it, I’ll buy it clearly. I’ll tell you about the function of this item.” Li Qi held the item, pinching it with both hands, and rubbed it forcefully.

The item immediately exploded, and a profound, ethereal wisp of strange existence emerged from within.

Yu Mengniang was greatly startled, her voice involuntarily rising: “Dao Resonance!?”

She had worn this item for at least decades, how had she never discovered a trace of Dao Resonance within it!?

“Hmm, this item contains a wisp of Dao Resonance from the cosmos. A hundred zhang into an inch, that is the meaning.” Li Qi said, then collected this wisp of Dao Resonance. Suddenly, a special Dao principle surrounded him, making him appear both present and not present.

“Try pouring tea into it.” Li Qi said to Yu Mengniang.

Yu Mengniang nodded, picked up her teacup, and splashed it towards Li Qi.

Then, the water stopped in front of Li Qi.

No… it didn’t stop in front of him.

The water was still moving.

But space had been stretched.

Soon, the water fell to the ground.

A hundred zhang into an inch.

Entering this tiny space, one could perceive that the area around Li Qi had expanded to a full hundred zhang.

When Li Qi was affected by external influences, these influences would need to travel an additional hundred zhang to harm him.

If they didn’t have sufficient range, they would appear to stop in front of him, having no effect, and then fall to the ground due to gravity.

Li Qi was a hundred zhang away from all things in the mortal world.

Thirty million households nearby, yet a hundred zhang like the ends of the earth.

Of course, this Dao Resonance couldn’t reach the level of ‘the ends of the earth,’ only ‘a hundred zhang within an inch.’

If it truly were ‘the ends of the earth within an inch,’ then the immediate surroundings would be eternally impenetrable, an infinitely expanding space.

“A hundred zhang within an inch… and it’s even a Dao Resonance from the cosmos.” Yu Mengniang immediately realized the preciousness of the item on her person.

That was Dao Resonance!

It was a mysterious treasure that only fifth-grade experts could gather from the chaotic regions beyond the domain!

Even fifth-grade experts rarely went there, because the chaotic regions were extremely dangerous, and it wasn’t easy to gather Dao Resonance there.

Yu Mengniang’s Master was a sixth-grade expert, completely unqualified to go.

It was rumored that, apart from certain individuals with extraordinary encounters, only each Young Master on Shaman God Mountain would possess their own Dao Resonance.

And she, surprisingly, had a wisp of it on her!

She had just promised to give it to Li Qi, but now a hint of regret arose in her heart.

This item was too precious.

“Where did Mengniang obtain this item?” Li Qi asked.

Mengniang regained her composure and replied, “I obtained it thirty-seven years ago due to an accident. It’s just that I was unobservant and never recognized its profoundness until Young Master, with your precise vision, instantly saw the Dao Resonance contained within it.”

As she spoke, her tone became somewhat sour, and her eyes showed some regret.

If only her discernment had been better, this treasure would probably have been hers.

Li Qi stood up and poured things out from his bag, then carefully counted with his Divine Sense. Soon, a small mountain accumulated on the ground.

As he poured, he said, “Yu Niang, don’t worry, I certainly won’t snatch it from you. These one hundred thousand Qi beads will serve as rent. This Dao Resonance has some use for me, so I’ll rent it for three years, at thirty-three thousand per year. After three years, I will return it. Can you trust me?”

Yu Mengniang’s jealousy completely vanished, and she bowed in complete submission: “As Young Master wishes!”

— — — — — — — —

However, at this moment, in the main hall of the banquet, the Grand Shamanes’ gazes pierced through space.

Five or six Grand Shamanes laughed heartily, all pointing at another person in the hall: “Third Zhu! You lost this bet! Your Disciple is nothing like you!”

Zhu Fengdan’s expression was displeased.

This Disciple!

He told him not to be reasonable, so why was he still acting like such a good-natured person!