A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 151 - 126: My Body, My Spirit; My Temple, My Abode (Part 2)

Even in the cold winter climate, numerous furnaces are open and burning, with astonishing heat rolling towards them.

Li Yuan sat grandly at the doorway of the wooden house at the back, like a cast bronze statue.

"Brother Bai, it's all your fault for delaying the hour, causing Master Li to wait in vain."

He Jingfeng was somewhat flattered, as he had heard from his elder brother that this Master Craftsman Li had a volatile temper and was difficult to deal with, even for the noble families of Yihai Prefecture.

He never expected that the other person would actually greet him in person!

He had prepared himself to be put on hold for seven or eight days.

"I rank seventh in the main branch of the He Family..."

He Jingfeng stepped forward respectfully, intending to chat with Master Li, but noticed the towering white-haired elder glance sideways, then his gaze passed over him and fell behind.

"Bai Qilang, please come in and have a seat, have a cup of hot tea. Sanjing, take Young Master He around."

Going around again?

He Jingfeng suddenly clenched his fists, then squeezed a smile onto his face:

"I also wish to see the Dragon Kiln being fired, to have my horizons widened, I trouble Kiln Master Chao to lead the way."

Once Chao Sanjing led away the unwilling He Jingfeng, Li Yuan slowly got up and invited Bai Qi inside.

The first sentence the Master Craftsman said was:

"Has your master been to Fulong Mountain again lately to reap the autumn wind?"

"..."

Bai Qi nodded, secretly grumbling:

"It seems the Instructor treats Fulong Mountain like a regular checkpoint."

However, with Ninghai Zen's relentless fighting style, how has Fulong Mountain managed to have a Great Demon King for over a thousand years?

All these years, it hasn't been completely exterminated, truly peculiar.

He followed Li Yuan into the wooden house, and besides being spacious, the rest of the setting was quite simple.

Master Li poured himself a cup of hot tea, seated himself opposite Bai Qi, and spoke in a deep voice:

"I have encountered your master several times, Master Ning is forthright, decisive in action, and commands my admiration. Now seeing his apprentice, you are no less.

Qilang, you killed Zhu Shou Rang, solving a major issue for my kiln. This favor, I, Li Mou, will keep in mind."

My master's reputation works wonders everywhere!

Bai Qi had a smile at the corner of his mouth:

"Master Li is joking, Zhu Wulang was harmed by the Red Eyebrow Bandits, it has nothing to do with us."

Li Yuan gave the young man with a stern countenance a deep look and nodded:

"In this, you resemble Master Ning."

Bai Qi couldn't help but be curious, although he's the disciple, his time with Ninghai Zen had not been long, most of the master's anecdotes were heard at second-hand, often pieced together from fragments recounted by Uncle Dao, He Jingfeng, and others.

Sensing Bai Qi's inquisitive gaze, Li Yuan's expression turned quirky:

"Before the Seventeenth Lineage provoked Master Ning, he traveled alone, inevitably making many enemies, using the name 'Qiu Changtian' externally.

Privately, in Yihai Prefecture, there existed a list demanding his execution, back then, 'Qiu Changtian the Infamous' was firmly at the top.

Refusing to change his name when traveling, or alter his surname when seated, 'I, Qiu Changtian', was a mantra Master Ning often hung on his lips.

Before Master Ning achieved mastery in martial arts, aside from challenges, he rarely disclosed his own name."

Bai Qi's eye twitched, quietly feeling sorry for the unlucky fellow named Qiu Changtian.

According to Ninghai Zen's style, if one was provoked by him, yet couldn't annihilate an entire clan as revenge.

They must either have an extraordinary background or a solid foundation!

In summary, a massive headache!

"From Tongwen Hall's Five Grand Captures, which one have you mastered most, Qilang?"

Li Yuan asked again.

"Dragon Palm."

Bai Qi mentioned the cultivation technique with the highest level and fastest progress.

He thought Master Li truly shared some camaraderie with the Instructor, as the conversation felt quite like a senior speaking to a junior.

"Not the White Ape Skill, haha, indeed, with Ninghai Zen as your grand Buddha, you're not gonna be constantly hunted."

Li Yuan suddenly laughed, exuding a sense of boldness.

"Wasn't the White Ape Skill Master's most powerful technique back in the day?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Bai Qi was surprised inwardly, as the White Ape Skill involved the Lifting Skill of wall-climbing and roof-running.

In layman's terms, it was the light body technique for escaping.

"Master Ning wasn't born invincible, no matter how formidable the unparalleled talent, it needs time to be tempered into material.

Moreover, you've seen what kind of people the noble families in Yihai Prefecture are like.

Which young lord from the main branch doesn't have expert protection?

Both being trained to perfection, let alone unleashing your full potential, Zhu Shou Rang wouldn't withstand fifteen moves from you before dying.

Yet should you meet by chance along the road, the fleeing person would certainly be you."

Li Yuan's tone was sarcastic, clearly dismissive of the so-called noble families.

"That's true. My master's reputation is so great that Young Master He, such a rampant wealthy son, becomes weak at the knees upon hearing it, and the grand lords of the Thirteen Lineages are deeply intimidated. It's built upon countless blood debts of human lives."

Bai Qi thought this was understandable, as roaming the Jianghu typically starts with learning body-lightening techniques, so one can escape when outmatched.

This very much aligns with Ninghai Zen's habit of recording grudges and seeking retribution later.

"Tongwen Hall's Five Grand Captures trains hands and feet, from muscles, bones, skin, and flesh to the four limbs, five viscera, and six organs, culminating in gathering Elemental Qi and nurturing one's life fire nature. Scattered, it becomes Primordial Qi, condensed, it forms substance, known in the Taoist sect as 'Dragon Thunder Fire'.

Once all Five are mastered, hands and feet and body unite like one, capable of channeling energy and exerting power anywhere."

Li Yuan seemed quite knowledgeable about Tongwen Hall's legacy, explaining it thoroughly:

"Back in the day, Master Ning rarely used weapons; Tongwen Hall's three grand techniques either culminate in extreme body tempering or nurturing life essence, each with unique focus yet all exuding a sense of sacrificing oneself without external reliance.

The skill I'm most proud of in life is weapon forging, but regrettably, it cannot be showcased to you."

Three grand techniques?