Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Li Guanqi approached the temple and realized how truly minimalist it was. Apart from a clock tower and a drum tower, the entrance led to a towering archway.

The main worship hall was deeper inside. There was a platform behind it, living quarters, and a library.

As dusk settled, Li Guanqi helped the elder prepare a meal. One advantage of temple life was that it didn’t forbid alcohol or meat, apart from avoiding certain foods and spices.

After dinner, Li Guanqi sat outside with Ling Daoran, sharing a drink under the night sky. The old man suddenly sighed. “Is Li Nanting still at the Golden Core Realm?”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly. In truth, he wasn’t sure what had happened to his master.

Ling Daoran chuckled. “Oh? So you really don’t know what your master went through?”

Gazing at the moonlight, Li Guanqi said softly, “I truly don’t know. But it seems to be something that weighs heavily on his heart, so I’ve never asked.”

Ling Daoran laughed. “What else? Your master, that sentimental fool, got himself into trouble for someone else!

“Years ago, during the grand opening ceremony of the Six Sects, many rogue cultivators gathered to observe the proceedings. One of them made lewd remarks toward Elder Shen Lan of the Heavenly Water Peak.

“Li Nanting immediately took action, severely injuring the offender.”“Whoa... that’s intense,” Li Guanqi replied.

Ling Daoran took a deep gulp of wine and continued, “You see, rogue cultivators are the biggest headache in this world.

“That injured cultivator nursed his grudge for years. One day, he resurfaced and started slaughtering disciples of the Daxia Sword Sect. He would strike and vanish, leaving the sect helpless.

“In the end, your master fought him for three days and nights to protect his fellow disciples.

“As a result, his Nascent Soul was damaged and sealed, making him fall back to the Foundation Building Realm. The sect poured countless precious resources into healing him over a few decades just to bring him back to the Golden Core Realm.”

Ling Daoran paused, then looked at Li Guanqi. “Now, don’t you think your master was a fool?”

Li Guanqi shook his head lightly. “That wasn’t foolishness. That was responsibility.”

A gleam of admiration flashed in Ling Daoran’s eyes. He burst into laughter. “Responsibility, huh? Well said!

“I tell you, that blockhead Li Nanting is the backbone of the Daxia Sword Sect!

“As long as people like him exist, the sect’s disciples will never go astray. Of course, this is also why he’s a Golden Core cultivator with an 800-year lifespan.

“Alright, I’ll teach you that spell first thing tomorrow.”

That night, Li Guanqi found himself unable to sleep. He replayed everything the old man had told him.

A faint smile appeared on his lips. No wonder Peak Master Shen is always so frustrated with my master’s attitude. Shen Lan is already at the Nascent Soul Realm, while my master is still a Golden Core. With my master’s personality, even if he has feelings for her, he’d never openly admit it.”

Li Guanqi felt refreshed after a night of cultivation. The Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth in Dragon Duke Mountain was far denser than in the outside world.

At dawn, he practiced his fist techniques a hundred times before Ling Daoran even woke up. The young Daoist apprentice was already up, reciting scriptures.

After checking on the apprentice’s progress, Ling Daoran stretched lazily. The young Daoist sneaked a glance outside at Li Guanqi and whispered, “Master, why does a blind man light an oil lamp in his room?

“He’s opened his heart’s eye, hasn’t he? Why does he still need light? Isn’t it pointless?”

Ling Daoran patted the child’s head and sighed softly. “That’s why Li Nanting took on an extraordinary disciple.

“A blind man lighting a lamp. Some might call it foolish, but who’s to say it’s not wisdom? Or perhaps... dignity.”

The old man slowly rose and stepped outside, leaving the young apprentice deep in thought. He led Li Guanqi to a martial training ground in the backyard and spoke calmly.

“There are three hundred spells, each with different purposes. The three main categories are attack, defense, and confinement.

“Beyond those, there are illusions, meditation, barrier-breaking, seals, spirit-execution, flight-restriction, and more.

“The one I’m about to teach you ranks 246th among the 300 spells. It’s a powerful attack spell.

“Break Formations, Lightning Spear!”

The elder pressed a finger to Li Guanqi’s forehead, transferring the arcane knowledge directly into his mind.

Then, he demonstrated it himself. With a few hand seals, a surge of vital force filled the air.

The skies over Dragon Duke Mountain changed instantly. Fierce winds howled, dark clouds gathered, and torrential rain poured down. Lightning crackled across the heavens.

His eyes gleamed as he roared, ””Break Formations, Lightning Spear!”

Boom!

A massive spear of lightning, over ten feet long, tore through the sky and struck the training ground. The impact shook the earth, sending dust flying in all directions.

As the smoke dissipated, it revealed a deep crater spanning multiple zhang. The scorched ground crackled with residual arcs of electricity.

Li Guanqi swallowed hard. This spell is formidable!

Ling Daoran smirked. “You haven’t even seen the top hundred yet. Now those can split mountains and seas!

“Mastering spells isn’t as simple as alchemy or refining artifacts. You must attune your spirit to the heavens and grasp the essence of the technique.

“A clear mind that resonates with the spell will unleash its full potential.”.

For the next three days, Li Guanqi focused entirely on clearing his meridians and acupoints to prepare for the spell. At last, after three days of meditation, he suddenly opened his eyes. I understand now! It’s the mindset of breaking formations!

Whoever created this spell must have been trapped on a battlefield, forging a lightning spear to break through the enemy lines!

A newfound battle intent and sorrowful killing aura filled Li Guanqi’s gaze. As his energy surged, a mysterious force enveloped the temple.

Ling Daoran, reclining in a chair, sat up abruptly. Astonished, he turned toward the courtyard. He mumbled to himself, “This talent... This is a true genius!”

Boom!

“Spell number 246—

“Break Formations, Lightning Spear!”

A slightly spectral bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens.

Boom!!

A shallow three-foot crater appeared in the courtyard.

Li Guanqi scratched his head awkwardly. “Senior, my spear looks a bit... transparent.”

Ling Daoran rolled his eyes. “Kid, I’m a peak Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. And you? If my eyes aren’t failing me, you haven’t even broken through to the Foundation Building Realm yet!

“If it’s weak, then train harder. And eat more. You’re too scrawny!”

Li Guanqi grinned and emptied his storage ring, pulling out fine wine and delicacies.

Even the meat buns he had saved for Yu Sui’an were offered up.

Li Guanqi had yet to investigate the Xuantian Dynasty due to time constraints. However, an event that would shake the entire world had just unfolded there...