Chapter 70: A Month Apart (Please Add to Favorites)

The reason Li Guanxuan chose to stay in Shanggu City for a month was mainly to take advantage of his master... no, to learn his master’s “Avatar Technique” and “Puppet Craft.” As far as he knew, Zheng Huangjin’s avatar technique was originally taught by Liu Xiaoxian. Over ten years ago, when Li Guanxuan first met Zheng Huangjin, it was through an avatar, which allowed him to meet the manager directly. At that time, Zheng Huangjin was at the peak of Qi Refining, not yet at the Foundation Establishment stage. This proved that the avatar technique could be learned during the Qi Refining stage.

Over the past few days, Li Guanxuan discovered that Liu Xiaoxian usually appeared in public through “puppets,” handling various affairs and responsibilities. Her true self spent her days on the top floor, gazing at the scenery, sipping tea, sampling pastries, living leisurely without any pressure to perform. There were ten puppets in total, each with skin and flesh, facial features identical to Liu Xiaoxian, as if carved from the same mold, indistinguishable from a real person, and all possessed peak Foundation Establishment strength. Furthermore, Li Guanxuan learned that Liu Xiaoxian was a third-tier puppet master and craftsman and had a puppet with strength comparable to a Golden Core cultivator.

After learning all this, Li Guanxuan would often visit his master’s room on the top floor, offering massages for her legs, shoulders, and back, thoroughly pampering her.

“Yes, right there, harder, use some strength! Didn’t you eat today?”

“…”

“Alright, let me change position. This isn’t very comfortable; I’ll lie down.”

“…”

“Harder… hmm, ah, that’s good~”

“…”

Li Guanxuan was giving Liu Xiaoxian a back massage, of course through her loose Daoist robe and tight-fitting inner garments; he didn’t dare ask his master, at the peak of Foundation Establishment, to bare herself.

“Phew~ I’m out of strength, let’s rest.”

Li Guanxuan’s hands were sore. Years without practicing traditional skills had dulled him; he was no longer that spirited youth.

“Not bad, not bad. I suppose my care for you as a disciple wasn’t in vain.”

Liu Xiaoxian sat up and stretched her waist, looking satisfied. As she stretched her back, her admirable curves were fully displayed, the tight garments barely containing their surging waves.

Li Guanxuan, accustomed to such sights, remained composed. As mentioned before, he was no longer the naive youth armed only with theoretical knowledge. Now, he was an experienced hand.

Sitting nearby, he used spiritual energy to soothe his hands and, seeing his master content, seized the opportunity to say, “Master, I realize I haven’t learned any real techniques from you yet. Why not teach me something valuable?”

“What do you want to learn?”

“Avatar Technique and Puppet Craft.”

“You want to learn puppet craft as well? Don’t you plan to cultivate immortality for longevity?”

Liu Xiaoxian turned to Li Guanxuan, her golden brows slightly furrowed. “I can teach you the avatar technique, but I advise you to focus on alchemy and talisman-making. These two skills are enough to ensure a carefree life; there’s no need to waste your mind and time learning puppet craft.”

Li Guanxuan dared not argue, responding sincerely, “My talent in cultivation is poor, so I must seek a different path. I hope Master understands.”

Seeing this, Liu Xiaoxian didn’t press further. “Come closer.”

Li Guanxuan leaned forward.

Liu Xiaoxian stretched out her slender jade finger and lightly tapped his brow.

Golden light flickered, then sank into Li Guanxuan’s mind.

In that instant, the Avatar Technique and Liu Xiaoxian’s insights into Puppet Craft flashed through Li Guanxuan’s mind like a parade of scenes.

Moments later, deeply moved, Li Guanxuan rose and bowed, expressing his gratitude. “Thank you, Master!”

Liu Xiaoxian yawned and waved her hand. “You are my first disciple and also my last. These legacies will eventually be yours, no need for thanks. Just help Wanxiang Pavilion cultivate a few more good alchemists and talisman-makers.”

“Yes, Master,” Li Guanxuan nodded, then left the room filled with delicate floral fragrance.

...

In the following days, Li Guanxuan began to digest the Avatar Technique and Puppet Craft insights.

He found that, with his current cultivation, he could at most summon two avatars each at the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

As for Liu Xiaoxian’s insights into Puppet Craft, they broadened his horizons and deeply impressed him. However, he couldn’t buy materials to upgrade his three Explosive Boys just yet; that would have to wait until he returned to Silver Maple City.

After all, Liu Xiaoxian and Zheng Huangjin didn’t know he was also a puppet master.

Once his month in Shanggu City ended, Li Guanxuan set out for Silver Maple City, accompanied by the graceful and elegant Little Green Tea, Song Zhiqiao.

“This past month, the Beast-Taming Yu family hasn’t made any moves. I suspect the five peak Qi Refining beast tamers didn’t have time to relay the news back before Liu Xiaoxian arrived and killed them,” Li Guanxuan analyzed quietly.

Thus, even if his aura was exposed, it wouldn’t matter.

Still, to be cautious, he stayed inside as much as possible. Even when he did go out, he sent the Explosive Boys in his stead, manipulating them with magic and spiritual sense.

But in that case, the Explosive Boys could only operate within Silver Maple City, unable to leave town.

His spiritual sense couldn’t reach that far, unless he developed a divine sense.

“I wonder how Ji Yue is doing, whether her Foundation Establishment is going smoothly…”

Li Guanxuan thought of Qin Ji Yue, who was in seclusion, and concern inevitably rose in his heart.

“Brother Li, please have some tea.”

Song Zhiqiao had already brewed a pot, its rich aroma filling the flying boat and refreshing the spirit.

Li Guanxuan’s worries gradually dissipated.

Qin Ji Yue possessed a unique spiritual root and extraordinary talent, plus she had three Foundation Establishment pills to assist her. Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be a problem; there was no need for excessive concern.

Li Guanxuan sipped tea and recalled the sect master of Joy Mountain in Qing’an City.

According to Zheng Huangjin's message, Joy Mountain’s sect master had already caused a great commotion in Falling Moon Valley.

For this reason, those other forces that had been eyeing Falling Moon Valley had to redirect their attention toward Joy Mountain’s sect master.

After all, they had once joined forces to drive him out.

Yet, after his uproar, Joy Mountain’s sect master did not linger but returned to Silver Maple City.

This move seemed to declare to the powers in Qing’an City that he was still alive and they should not expect peaceful days ahead.

Upon returning to Silver Maple City, Li Guanxuan heard much discussion: Joy Mountain’s sect master was recruiting disciples in town, promising that anyone who joined would receive the sect’s dual cultivation secret art.

Peak Foundation Establishment dual cultivation techniques—this was enough to stir many demonic cultivators.

Li Guanxuan didn’t pursue further information; as long as he kept a low profile, surely Joy Mountain’s sect master would not outlive him.

When he got home, Wen Rongxin saw her husband after a month’s absence and missed him dearly.

But when she noticed Song Zhiqiao behind Li Guanxuan, her cheeks turned slightly red, and the act of running into her husband’s arms abruptly stopped.

Li Guanxuan chuckled. After a month apart, his wife was still so shy. He drew Wen Rongxin into his embrace.

“Song—Song sister is here…” Wen Rongxin blushed, trying to break free.

“One month without seeing you, my dear, I miss you terribly and can’t care about anything else now.”

Li Guanxuan laughed heartily, scooping Wen Rongxin up in his arms. He turned to Song Zhiqiao. “There are plenty of rooms in the house. Pick one, clean it up, and move in.”

“O—okay…” Song Zhiqiao’s pretty face flushed deep red; she knew exactly what Li Guanxuan and Wen Rongxin were about to do.

Soon enough, Li Guanxuan resumed his shameless, carefree life.

...

PS: Many thanks to “80012135” for the reward of 100 Starting Coins!