Wherever the White Water Flying Sword passed, faint blue ripples would ripple out.

Ji Yuan once again urged the flying sword to change direction, letting this "entwining wave" effect act upon himself. In that instant, he felt as if trapped in a mire.

Even lifting a leg became extremely difficult.

But the sticky effect only lasted for a single breath, and after one breath, Ji Yuan felt himself return to normal.

On second thought, that was already quite good.

In a real life-and-death struggle, even a single breath could be enough to turn the tide.

Even if fleeing for his life, Ji Yuan could use that one breath to propel the Black Wind Boat a great distance away.

In combat, if the opponent got caught in the "entwining wave," then whether Ji Yuan used the lethal Needle Technique or the second layer "Piercing Stone" of the Water Drop Finger to break armor, it would all become much easier.

"Whoosh—"

Having mastered the fundamentals of the sword technique, Ji Yuan let out a long sigh of relief, and even found the fireworks bursting above his head much more beautiful.

After that, he didn't cultivate any further, but instead used the spirit pig he'd slaughtered days before to stew a hind leg, stir-fried a few spirit eggs, and after a moment of thought, fished out a half spirit fish from the and steamed it.

He thought about killing a green-yellow chicken for the celebration, but finally gave up on such a "killing the chicken for the egg" act.

With these, it was already enough to eat.

One person celebrating the New Year.

After eating and drinking his fill, Ji Yuan drew a middle-grade talisman to make up for the loss from killing that half spirit fish... One half spirit fish, one spirit stone.

One middle-grade talisman worth ten spirit stones.

Made a small profit of nine—perfect.

The following morning, the first day of the New Year, Ji Yuan was woken up by Lin Hu coming over to pay New Year's greetings, and then received Wen Lin's family of three.

After exchanging New Year greetings, Ji Yuan thought to himself that he should go pay his respects to others, too.

He didn't choose many—just the butcher Luo Tong in Zengtou City, Elder Xu at the Hundred Treasures Tower, and after some thought, decided to include Lu Wan's family as well.

First, they already had a reasonably good relationship; second, Lu Wan really had helped out while Ji Yuan was learning talisman painting.

As for New Year's gifts, it would naturally be the spirit eggs he was tired of, a few pounds of spirit pig meat plus a small piece of blood essence—not expensive, but not shabby either.

He went to the Luo Family first, and Luo Tong was truly delighted at his arrival, tirelessly trying to make Ji Yuan stay for a meal.

After politely declining, Ji Yuan went to the Hundred Treasures Tower.

Just as he arrived at the door, he saw Elder Xu coming out of the Hundred Treasures Tower.

"What brings you here?! Can't figure out the sword technique?"

Xu Fugui looked at Ji Yuan with great interest. He'd thought the boy would be back within a few days to ask him for guidance, but hadn't expected Ji Yuan to hold out until now.

Young, after all, too self-confident.

Ji Yuan took out his New Year's gift from his storage bag and smiled, "It's the first day of the new year—I've come especially to pay my respects to you, Grandmaster Xu."

"New Year's greetings?"

Hearing this long-unspoken phrase, Xu Fugui blanked for a moment out of habit.

He'd long forgotten how many years it had been since anyone had paid him New Year's greetings. "Fine, that's thoughtful of you."

He casually accepted Ji Yuan's gift, not even bothering to look at it. "The sect has issued an urgent summons; I have to return to the Water Dragon Sect. When I come back next time, I'll bring you something good."

Ji Yuan hadn't expected a return gift. He was about to say some polite words, but Xu Fugui didn't give him the chance.

"I'm in a rush to get back to Water Dragon Sect. If you want to ask for guidance, ask quickly—I've no time for idle chatter."

"Ask for guidance?"

Ji Yuan repeated, a bit at a loss. He'd just come here to pay New Year's respects—how did it turn into asking for advice?

"Kid, weren't you coming over to ask about the sword technique? All this New Year's stuff—cultivators aren't bothered by these things." Xu Fugui, feeling he'd called Ji Yuan out, figured it'd make Ji Yuan awkward.

Except Ji Yuan really was a little embarrassed.

"The sword technique... I've already learned it."

"You learned it? That fast?!"

Now it was Xu Fugui's turn to be surprised. "Show me."

"Alright, Grandmaster Xu, please give me some pointers."

Saying this, the two went to the open ground beside Hundred Treasures Tower. Ji Yuan moved with a heart thought, summoned his flying sword, and smoothly activated "entwining wave."

Pale blue ripples swept across, leaving a few water stains on the ground.

Xu Fugui was astonished. "Good lad, you really mastered it."

Ji Yuan put away the flying sword, not bothering to ask how long it took Xu Fugui to learn it years ago. Fast or slow, asking would leave someone feeling bad either way.

So he simply smiled and said, "Just lucky, just lucky."

"Alright, since you've got the basics, practice well—nothing to instruct for now. I'll head back to Water Dragon Sect. If you need anything, wait until I return."

With that, Xu Fugui took out the Water Dragon Sect's official flying boat—a Water Dragon Ship—from his storage bag.

The dharma ship caught the wind, taking Xu Fugui soaring up into the sky.

After watching him leave, Ji Yuan looked around; the nearby cultivators who'd been watching were all sending him friendly glances.

Someone able to befriend a Water Dragon Sect cultivator must be worth befriending as well.

Seeing this, Ji Yuan pretty much figured out that after today, he'd enter the sights of interested parties.

But he had no fear; his cultivation was about to break through to Qi Cultivation layer six.

Among the mid-level Qi Cultivators in Cloud Rain Marsh, he reckoned he had no real opponents. Once he reached layer six... with formations and various techniques at his disposal, even against layer seven, he'd dare meet them head on!

Next, he headed to the Lu Family, only to his surprise, the Lu Family had kept their doors tightly shut on the first day of the year.

Staring at the locked gate, Ji Yuan didn't even knock, instead bought some talisman paper and ink, and stocked up on half spirit fish and other supplies, then headed home.

With the New Year over, Ji Yuan's life returned to its simple pace.

Cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.

Only now, the had found another use—since he'd mastered Water Drop Finger and the sword technique, next he pondered over the Yin Ghost Array.

He wanted to complete the formation, making the Yin Ghost Banner truly useful.

On a night ten days later.

After swallowing a Spirit Gathering Pill and cultivating with spirit stones in hand, Ji Yuan's aura suddenly surged, though he quickly contained it, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi around him gathered to form a tiny spiritual energy vortex.

The spirit stone in his hand visibly crumbled to powder.

After absorbing six spirit stones in succession, Ji Yuan finally opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of foul air.

After so long cultivating, Qi Cultivation layer six—finally achieved!

Layer six—even in Cloud Rain Marsh, that could be considered a minor expert. Moving further up would be late Qi Cultivation; set foot in the late stage, and he'd be among the top combatants around here.

Any stronger, and he'd have to join the Water Dragon Sect.

Thinking thus, Ji Yuan couldn't help but grow a little excited.

After all, this year was the Water Dragon Sect's triennial selection—maybe... should he give it a try?

To join with just his cultivation wouldn't make the cut—rumor said, Water Dragon Sect's selection required you to kill a late first-tier demon beast solo to qualify.

Which meant, if he wanted to join, he'd have to rely on his way with talismans.

Being not even twenty, able to draw middle-grade first-tier talismans, perhaps he still stood a chance.

But after careful consideration, Ji Yuan abandoned the thought.

Joining Water Dragon Sect would mean losing his current freedom—especially in a sect full of experts, even his buildings might not be easy to place.

Better to stay in Zengtou City, and reach late-stage Qi Cultivation first.

Otherwise, without strength, joining Water Dragon Sect would only get him stuck drawing talismans, slaving away.

After the breakthrough, Ji Yuan cultivated another half month at home, until the day of the Water Dragon Sect selection arrived, and he prepared to go out.

Even if not joining, just going to see the spectacle would be nice.

Miss it, and it'd be another three years before there was excitement like this again.

Besides, Lu Wan was supposed to join Water Dragon Sect this year; as his friend, Ji Yuan should see him off at least.

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