Chapter 114: Opportunity

After gaining an understanding of the outside world, Li Guanxuan settled down to cultivate peacefully in Ping’an Courtyard.

During the day, he would remain in the training chamber, refining and absorbing the three elemental immortal energies within his body.

It must be said that as Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao’s aptitude and cultivation gradually improved, the fire and wood elemental energies they produced also increased bit by bit.

Among Li Guanxuan’s four essential immortal arts, all but formation techniques had already reached the peak of the second tier.

Once his cultivation reached the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, he could attempt to advance to third-tier skills.

Only then could he begin to slowly explore how to refine the Golden Core Pill and improve its quality.

“The refining of the Golden Core Pill can be postponed for twenty years or so; there’s no need to rush… For now, I must focus on raising my cultivation and diligently practicing my methods.”

Li Guanxuan pondered seriously within the training chamber.

With his current combat strength, he needn’t be overly cautious facing late Foundation Establishment or even its peak.

Of course, if the enemy significantly outnumbered him, retreat was still the wiser choice.

“My next opponents and enemies will be Golden Core stage immortals… but with the talismans, magical implements, and puppets I currently possess, I cannot inflict substantial harm on Golden Core immortals.”

After a moment of reflection, Li Guanxuan resolved to work harder at earning spirit stones.

Cultivation must improve, and the methods must be practiced diligently, as this is a crucial component of enhancing combat power.

He did not feel overwhelmed by the pressure from the Thunderfire Sect because he had ample time to wear down the opponent.

If any sudden changes occurred in Silver Maple City, he could leave without hesitation, without a second thought.

Having clarified his path forward, Li Guanxuan planned to first cultivate the Azure Profound Sword Technique.

The Flying Sword Technique and Ten Thousand Swords Technique were among the Li family’s signature moves.

Meanwhile, the Two Principles Technique continued to improve rapidly through constant dual cultivation.

After all, his intensity in dual cultivation was not comparable to that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Thinking of this, Li Guanxuan recalled Hua Yongyang from the Hua family.

He was also a dual cultivation practitioner. After the Thunderfire Sect invaded Hua Jing Immortal City, almost the entire Hua family was wiped out, with only a few escaping… it was unknown if Hua Yongyang had escaped.

Li Guanxuan’s relationship with him was distant, and he only remembered him suddenly.

“The Two Principles Technique has reached the eighth layer; it should be nearing completion in the coming period.”

Li Guanxuan smiled. This technique could only be cultivated at night.

Conversely, the Azure Profound Sword Technique was suitable for daytime practice.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began slowly circulating the Azure Profound Sword Technique, concentrating fully on cultivation.

…

Half a year later.

During this time, apart from regular cultivation of the four arts, Li Guanxuan spent his time refining pills, drawing talismans, and earning spirit stones to prepare for third-tier artifacts.

“Master seems to have encountered trouble in the Hundred Thousand Mountains…”

Qin Jiyue’s expression was grave as she spoke.

Just moments before, Liu Xiaoxian had instructed her to assist Manager Dong in overseeing the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and told her not to worry too much before her clone dispersed.

The need for the clone’s power to return to the original meant that Liu Xiaoxian might be facing difficulties in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Hence, Qin Jiyue had hurried back home to inform Li Guanxuan.

Upon hearing this, Li Guanxuan’s heart sank. If even Liu Xiaoxian found matters troublesome, it was likely related to fake or genuine Golden Core stage immortals.

The Hundred Thousand Mountains were perilous; only Nascent Soul True Lords dared venture deep within. Golden Core immortals must be extremely cautious there.

“Have you informed Cao Feng?” Li Guanxuan asked.

He could not leave Silver Maple City now.

Before Liu Xiaoxian left, she had repeatedly warned him never to leave the city regardless of what happened outside, or else she would sever their master-disciple relationship.

On such matters, Liu Xiaoxian never joked.

Seeing how much his master cared, Li Guanxuan had no choice but to agree.

Moreover, he currently lacked the strength to aid Liu Xiaoxian.

He could only seek Cao Feng’s help.

Qin Jiyue nodded and said, “I sent the message immediately.”

Just then, a communication talisman floated above Ping’an Courtyard.

Li Guanxuan opened a gap in the formation and absorbed the talisman, hearing Cao Feng’s voice:

“Coincidentally, a Golden Core old friend is heading to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. I’m going with him now to try to bring her back. Rest assured!”

Hearing Cao Feng’s words, Li Guanxuan still felt worried but was no longer helpless.

This owed him a great favor…

Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly, but regardless, as long as Liu Xiaoxian was unharmed, any debt was worth repaying.

…

Five months later, Cao Feng returned.

He informed Li Guanxuan that Liu Xiaoxian was unharmed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains; she had merely come into conflict after seeing some spiritual medicines like Heavenly Origin Fruit and Golden Sun Ganoderma there.

Her opponent was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. After Liu Xiaoxian revealed herself, they fought for a while but ultimately were defeated and fled in disgrace.

It was estimated that Liu Xiaoxian would return within three to four months.

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan finally felt somewhat relieved.

Due to the Chen Yinshan couple’s influence, he now harbored a lingering fear of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Three months later, Liu Xiaoxian finally returned.

Seeing her beloved disciple’s relaxed expression, she gave him a playful glare and chided:

“Didn’t I tell Jiyue to tell you not to worry? Why waste a favor on me, especially a Golden Core immortal’s favor? Such favors are not easily repaid.”

This was a favor from Cao Feng, a Golden Core immortal.

Such favors diminish with each use.

If Li Guanxuan wanted to repay it, he would have to expedite the refining of the Golden Core Pill.

This would inevitably increase his pressure…

Something Liu Xiaoxian did not wish to see.

“No matter. As long as you’re safe, Master, I’m at peace. If something had happened to you, I would feel even more guilty,” Li Guanxuan smiled, his face showing relief.

Liu Xiaoxian paused, then smiled sweetly, “I never cared for you in vain.”

She continued lying in the grand chair.

Li Guanxuan stepped forward to massage her shoulders, accurately locating the acupoints with just the right pressure. Soon, Liu Xiaoxian emitted soft, delicate moans.

“Your massage skills are far better than Jiyue’s,” she said, her voice sultry and magnetic, full of mature feminine charm.

How could he not be skilled? He massaged them every night; mastery came naturally, Li Guanxuan thought wryly.

But when Liu Xiaoxian fixed him with her alluring gaze, he cleared his throat and said, “It’s all from practice… If Master likes, I can massage you often.”

“Just don’t be like Jiyue and press the wrong spots,” Liu Xiaoxian said flatly, with a hint of meaning.

“Never! I’m a gentleman,” Li Guanxuan replied solemnly.

Liu Xiaoxian chuckled, “Chen Yinshan already obtained the storage ring and even extracted its contents in front of me. There were some disguise and communication talismans, and also a five-hundred-year-old Dragon Scale Fruit.”

Li Guanxuan was silent for a moment before smiling, “I have some methods for accelerating the ripening of spiritual medicines. If Master ever needs help, I can assist.”

“Really willing to help?” Liu Xiaoxian looked at him with a half-smile. “If I ask for your help, won’t I have to give something in return?”

Her words made her heart tense slightly, though her face remained calm.

She had always known that her beloved disciple’s opportunity likely involved dual cultivation.

If she wished to form a Golden Core or even a Purple-Gold Core… perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it would require…

Liu Xiaoxian suppressed her thoughts.

Sensing the delicate topic was about to surface, Li Guanxuan sighed softly and nodded frankly:

“Master is wise beyond measure. I know some things cannot be hidden from you. While this opportunity can help you form a high-quality core, it indeed requires you to give something in return.”

Since Liu Xiaoxian had already hinted at it, Li Guanxuan knew pretending ignorance was pointless.

Besides, such a thing would benefit him greatly. Who would refuse?

“What kind of thing?” Liu Xiaoxian asked.

“Affection,” he replied.

“Affection?” Liu Xiaoxian was stunned.

Dual cultivation, yes—but what’s this about feelings and love? What era is this?

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she had long since transcended the mundane world; love inevitably fades over the ages. Who can guarantee love lasts for a thousand years?

Besides, as one’s cultivation rises and power strengthens, cultivators focus solely on the Dao, and concern for their partners wanes.

Over countless years, only strength endures.

“Hmm.”

Li Guanxuan nodded seriously and explained, “Ordinary dual cultivation cannot help Master form a high-quality Golden Core. Only when both hearts are truly connected does it work.”

Heart-to-heart connection…

Liu Xiaoxian rubbed her brow, feeling a headache coming on.

She had lived over a hundred years and had long since detached from earthly attachments.

She could accept genuine dual cultivation, but if she were to fall in love with a man—and that man was her only disciple…

Honestly, Liu Xiaoxian found it somewhat hard to accept.

If they were to remain together, should she obey her master’s teachings or her husband’s wishes?

How would she divide her loyalty?

Li Guanxuan silently stood by, unable to guess what was on her mind. Such matters were not for him to worry about.

He had made up his mind: whether the beautiful master had come to terms with it or not was her own affair.

“This matter can be discussed later, much later…”

Liu Xiaoxian cleared her throat twice, her gaze on her beloved disciple tinged with awkwardness.

Li Guanxuan did not press the matter, nodded slightly, and said seriously, “Please keep this matter confidential, Master. It is the only secret I have.”

Liu Xiaoxian’s expression turned solemn as she nodded earnestly:

“Don’t worry. I have never accepted any other disciples in my life. You are the founding disciple and the last disciple…

Besides, your opportunity doesn’t appeal much to me, as its conditions are too demanding.”

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan was taken aback but thought, that made sense—Master was so lazy she could hardly fall in love easily, let alone connect heart-to-heart.

Having even a trace of fondness was already impressive.

Sensing her beloved disciple’s odd thoughts, Liu Xiaoxian immediately donned a stern expression:

“Don’t get too presumptuous. I haven’t agreed to dual cultivation with you yet.”

Li Guanxuan smiled awkwardly and resumed massaging her shoulders.

“Massage my legs now. After such a long journey, my whole body aches and feels uncomfortable.”

Liu Xiaoxian muttered, stretching her shapely legs from beneath her loose Daoist robe, reclining slightly to find a comfortable position.

Li Guanxuan had no thoughts, dared not entertain any.

He silently began massaging her calves, accurately pressing acupoints, alternating between gentle and firm pressure, circling seven times each side repeatedly…

Liu Xiaoxian half-closed her eyes, humming softly in pleasure.

After the calves, he moved on to her thighs.

Thigh acupoints required a bit more force.

At first, Liu Xiaoxian felt nothing, but as time passed, her cheeks flushed like peach blossoms, radiating the mature charm unique to a beautiful woman. She occasionally sighed softly, warming the room’s atmosphere.

Li Guanxuan’s massage technique was refined through insights gained in dual cultivation.

Though it felt delightful, it threatened to shift their relationship’s boundaries.

Sensing something unusual within her, Liu Xiaoxian cleared her throat, blushing:

“Let’s stop here for today… You… you should go back first.”

“All right, Master.”

Li Guanxuan understood the implications but was wise enough not to speak them outright, retreating from the room tactfully.

After her disciple left, Liu Xiaoxian quickly cast a cleansing spell on herself. Only when she felt no sweat trickling down her thigh did she breathe a sigh of relief.

But when she thought about the requirement of “heart-to-heart connection” to improve the core quality, she furrowed her brow and muttered:

“What a ridiculous opportunity, requiring such an unrealistic condition.”

Even if she now had feelings for her beloved disciple, what about the future?

Over endless years, such things inevitably fade.

…

Only after leaving the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion did Li Guanxuan mutter to himself:

“So this is how the way of merchants is so smooth…”

He hadn’t even started exerting himself, yet Liu Xiaoxian was already warming up.

Since he had returned home early today, Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao were both cultivating, leaving only Qin Jiyue idle.

Li Guanxuan thus engaged her in a discussion of the Dao.

“You seem off today,” Qin Jiyue said, adopting an orz-shaped formation stance, bracing for a sword array assault.

“Am I?” he replied.

“Has Master… returned?”

Qin Jiyue quickly guessed the matter and smiled: “Did Master propose dual cultivation with you? Ah…”

“We’ve only spoken about it. Whether it progresses further depends on whether Master is willing to return to the mundane world,” Li Guanxuan said.

“Don’t worry. I still say, if Master had no feelings for you, she wouldn’t have complied so readily. Your relationship has long surpassed that of ordinary master and disciple,” Qin Jiyue teased.

About an hour and a half later, Li Guanxuan felt the Two Principles Technique reach completion.

(The chapter ends.)