Inside the Eternal Immortal Sect.
Li Jianning had already been here with Ancestor Lan for half a month.
He was nearly ninety years old, and even after breaking through to the Golden Core realm, he had not changed his middle-aged appearance or his salt-and-pepper hair.
Although he retained the handsome features inherent to his lineage, he bore a simple and honest demeanor that had drawn side-glances from fellow disciples when Ancestor Lan first brought him back.
However, the family had strictly instructed him: once he arrived at the Eternal Immortal Sect to cultivate, he must seize the opportunity and follow Ancestor Lan's teachings with great care.
Li Jianning dared not forget these words.
The thought of his elder brother, Li Jianshu, staying behind to fulfill their filial duties at home while he came alone to the Eternal Immortal Sect to seek the Dao drove him to cultivate day and night.
This place was the forbidden grounds of the back mountain, where Ancestor Lan underwent seclusion. It was rarely visited by others.
"A forbidden area?"
Li Jianning frowned deeply.
Although he hadn't been here long, he had seen with his own eyes how Ancestor Lan brought people in, only for those fellow disciples to flee a few days later as if escaping for their lives, cursing under their breath.
The gist of their complaints was that the methods Ancestor Lan taught were suicidal techniques that would cost a man his life, and only a fool would cultivate them.
"I've entered a thieves' den."
In front of him stood a bronze human statue marked with red dots—seven hundred and twenty in total—representing the acupoints of the human body.
Beneath the bronze statue lay two cultivation manuals: Five Elements Qi Cycle Scripture and Dantian Opening Technique.
"Ancestor Lan said that since I was able to open five Dantians, I can similarly open Dantians in all seven hundred and twenty acupoints.
At that point, my cultivation as a single Golden Core cultivator would equal that of seven hundred and twenty Golden Core cultivators.
I would not only be invincible within the Golden Core realm, but even Divinity Transformation cultivators would be no match for me.
I could achieve the legendary 'Divine Core' and bypass the Nascent Soul realm to break through."
Li Jianning rubbed the space between his brows. Just thinking about it briefly—who in the world cultivates like this? It was simply preposterous.
But then, recalling what his father had said all those years ago, a sharp light burst from Li Jianning's eyes.
"Father said that paths are made by people walking them.
I have muddled through my entire life; why shouldn't I dare to take this risk?
Since Ancestor Lan has the cultivation method, it must be possible."
With this thought in mind, Li Jianning looked inward at his Golden Core and began to open his sixth Dantian.
In an instant, the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth gathered, surging forth under the drive of his Five Elements Spiritual Roots.
Unbeknownst to him, Ancestor Lan had already appeared behind him.
This senior expert, possessing the ethereal bearing of a Daoist immortal, stroked his beard with a face full of gratification; he had witnessed all of Li Jianning's diligence.
However, upon looking closely and seeing that Li Jianning was actually opening a sixth Dantian, Ancestor Lan's expression changed drastically.
"Huh?"
He glanced again at the two manuals.
These texts contained theories he had hypothesized over tens of thousands of years.
While disciples in the sect had attempted to cultivate them in the past, without exception, they would turn pale with fright.
Where could one find such a well-behaved disciple who sincerely sought the Dao in this way?
He had originally given them to Li Jianning merely for reference, but now it seemed that this method of his might actually have some merit.
Arriving instantly with the movement technique, Ancestor Lan saw Li Jianning's face twisted in agony as he bitterly persisted.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of appreciation.
This Li Jianning from the Azure Cloud Li Clan was far more obedient—and possessed much better judgment—than those disciples who had fled as if running for their lives.
Li Jianning ceased his energy circulation. Wiping the sweat that poured endlessly from his forehead, he rose respectfully to bow. "Ancestor Lan."
"Disciple, in your cultivation, have you gained any insights?"
Ancestor Lan was truly an expert from beyond the mundane world; his every gesture carried an air of unfathomable profundity.
Li Jianning hurriedly replied,
"Ancestor Lan, this disciple attempted to cultivate these two techniques, but opening a Dantian within an acupoint is incredibly difficult!
Ordinary people possess only one Dantian; cultivating in this manner feels like cruel torture..."
"Foolish!" Ancestor Lan said in a deep voice.
"Have you not heard of the ascetic monks? They walk barefoot for ten thousand miles to achieve the Dao in a single day.
Do you know of the scholar cultivators? They study ten thousand scrolls of scriptures, seeking only enlightenment.
If you cannot endure suffering, how can you ever achieve greatness?"
Li Jianning broke out in even more cold sweat.
"Ancestor Lan, regarding this method I am practicing... has any senior ever practiced it before?"
"...."
For a moment, the two stared at each other in silence.
Fortunately, someone arrived at the Forbidden Grounds, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
It was Duanmu and Li Chuyuan.
The two bowed to Ancestor Lan, causing Ancestor Lan's tense shoulders to relax.
Li Jianning glanced at his grandson, Li Chuyuan, and his brows lowered slightly.
After the news of He Hao's death was sent back, his grandson also became a disciple under Duanmu.
Most disciples of the Eternal Immortal Sect share a common initial teacher—Ancestor Lan—but few can endure his teachings for long.
In the end, they typically bow to other elders to continue their studies.
"Jianning, the method I have taught you is absolutely correct. You may cultivate it with confidence."
Ancestor Lan did not wish to delve into the details of those two techniques with Li Jianning, so he vanished like mist.
Li Jianning bowed to Duanmu. "Elder Duanmu, may I ask what brings you here?"
"Your clan's Sword Venerable passed by here. Hearing that you were cultivating in the forbidden grounds, he did not wish to disturb you. As he had urgent matters to attend to, he simply left a storage ring and departed in haste."
Duanmu glanced at the bronze statue behind Li Jianning, the corners of his mouth twitching. He simply handed the storage ring to Li Jianning.
"Cultivate diligently. If you truly cannot endure it any longer, just tell me, and I will find a good master for you."
Having spoken, he departed immediately, looking exactly like the fellow disciples Li Jianning had seen rushing about in recent days.
As soon as Duanmu left, Li Chuyuan glanced at the storage ring in Li Jianning's hand and said respectfully, "Grandfather, congratulations on being accepted under Ancestor Lan."
"Oh, it is merely finding a place to cultivate, nothing more."
Li Jianning silently tucked the storage ring into his robes.
Seeing this, a trace of helplessness flashed through Li Chuyuan's eyes.
In the past, Grandfather used to gift all his clan stipends to him, yet now he was acting so estranged.
Immediately, he added, "Grandfather, you possess the Five Elements Dao Body. Both of us, grandfather and grandson, are gifted.
If we cultivate in the Immortal Sect for thousands or tens of thousands of years, it is not impossible that we could become like the Duanmu family..."
However, as Li Chuyuan finished speaking, Li Jianning showed not the slightest intention of engaging further. He simply waved his hand, his tone gentle.
"Chuyuan, Ancestor Lan is summoning me. We can speak of these matters later.
Since you have entered Elder Duanmu's tutelage, you must cultivate diligently; bringing glory to our ancestors is the proper path."
Having spoken, he turned away, lowering his brow as he headed deeper into the forbidden grounds.
Back then, when he claimed he would consider this grandson as if he did not exist in his bloodline, those were merely words spoken in a fit of anger.
When he came to the Eternal Immortal Sect, it was not as if he hadn't considered guiding Li Chuyuan properly. Yet, after just this one meeting, Li Jianning was utterly disappointed.
It had been too many years since they last met. Between him and Li Chuyuan, it was difficult to find any trace of that grandfather-grandson affection anymore.
Especially this grandson—the moment they met, his eyes were fixed on the storage ring sent by the clan.
His words held no concern; there were only congratulations and talk of talent!
"If I were still the mediocre man I once was, merely waiting for my lifespan to run out, would this grandson of mine still speak to me in such a manner?"
"If I were lying on my sickbed, would this grandson be able to fulfill his filial duties?"
"Or if I were laid in a coffin, would there be a grandson to weep before my grave?"
As he walked, Li Jianning felt nothing but desolation.
It was only when he picked up that storage ring that his expression softened slightly.
He did not have to be a grandfather.
But he could still be his Big Brother's younger brother, his father's filial son, his grandfather's obedient grandson... and the junior of so many elders who cared for him.
Within the clan, there were still many kinsmen who shared his blood.
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