While inside the temple, Yang Ling stared at Fan Bai with curious flashes in her eyes. She asked: âHow did you do it? It has to be magic, right? Just one hand wave and you defeated those three. I think only First Sister can do it out of all the students right now.â
âJust like this.â Fan Bai waved her hand. She didnât have a good grasp on her own power.
âLike that?â Yang Ling copied Fan Baiâs action. In reality, she has seen this numerous times before and was relatively familiar.
Alas, she tried and tried but nothing happened. On the other hand, Fan Bai could instantly control a majestic Buddhist power to eliminate her foes.
âThere must be something Iâm missing.â Yang Ling concluded. This movement looked extremely simple and useless in battle. Even a weaker foe would easily strike her down if she were to do something like this.
âI donât know.â Fan Bai shook her head. She didnât know the innate mysteries right now because she hasnât reached the right height. Once at that level, she would have full mastery over it.
Li Qiye told the old servant that she would be able to stand at the apex. Understanding this power was essential.
âMmm, Young Master, what is this peerless merit law?â Yang Ling had no choice but to ask Li Qiye.
âBuddha Bowing, itâs useless to tell you anyway since you donât know.â Li Qiye flatly responded.
âYoung Master, how about teaching me? Just a little bit is okay.â Her eyes turned bright as she smiled.
âItâs not suitable for you, I can try and you still wonât be able to learn it. Everyone has a suitable merit law. That combined with perseverance is the only way to reach the apex.â Li Qiye elaborated.
âThen what do you think is a suitable merit law for me?â Yang Ling was smart enough to go down this route while acting cute with her eyes.
âHow do I know?â Li Qiye chuckled and ignored her request.
âYoung Master, just teach me one or two merit laws?â She was also thick-skinned today and started acting coquettish: âNo, even half a technique is fine, Young Master.â
She realized that this could be a great opportunity, especially today due to the current mood.
âFine, I guess this is fate.â Li Qiye smiled and said: âHow about Sword Point?â
âSword Point?â Yang Ling became excited: âAre you talking about the technique left behind by Sword Emperor on Comprehension Peak?â
âYes.â Li Qiye nodded.
âYou actually understood this?â Yang Ling was startled at first but then again, she thought that this wasnât strange. Li Qiye had a penchant for surprising people.
âWhat about the technique left behind by Duality Master?â Yang Ling became curious.
Li Qiye smiled without responding.
âYou understood that too?!â This time, she was truly astonished. Anyone else wouldnât believe Li Qiye but she had absolute confidence in him.
âYoung Master, can I learn that technique then?â She composed herself and blinked cutely.
âHmmâ¦â Li Qiye stared at her.
âPlease, Young Master, I will work hard, harder than ever before, a hundred times harder.â She hurriedly convinced him.
âSeems like youâre smarter than you appear.â Li Qiye shook his head and said: âFine, Iâll teach you Duality Masterâs technique, Palm Spread.â
âYes!â Yang Ling shouted excitedly after hearing this.
âWhy do you want to learn this instead of Sword Point?â Li Qiye asked.
âBecause Duality Masterâs technique is unique. No one has been able to understand it or cultivate it.â Yang Ling revealed her thoughts: âThis isnât the case for Sword Emperorâs technique. He has plenty of descendants so this technique must have been learned by countless people in history. It lacks the same cool distinction.â
âGo, come at the right time tomorrow to train.â Li Qiye waved his hand.
Yang Ling cheered and ran out of the temple.
The old servant watched her leave with a rare smile on his face. He said: âThe girl isnât a bad person. She just has a shallow perspective.â
Yang Ling didnât know that she had given up on the better opportunity in Sword Point versus Duality Masterâs technique.
âEveryone has their own fortune.â Li Qiye said: âTwo sides to everything, good and bad. A sharp sword is a great weapon but it can also easily cut the user. Palm Spread to gather the ocean is a stable merit law, good for mental tranquility. Of course, if she were to go far enough, Sword Point would have been more suitable. Sheâll be able to make a name for herself with regard to the sword dao. Unfortunately, this dao has a sharp sword and a cold heart, not necessarily a good thing.â
âTrue.â The old servant nodded: âAll paths are different. There have been plenty of masters in history but none can truly claim perfection.â
âA heart without regret is a type of perfection, something worth cultivating. Being number one at cultivation doesn't equate a perfect dao.â Li Qiye replied.
The old servant paused for a moment before nodding his head, agreeing with the comment. He then took his leave to perform his duties.
***
On the next day, the old man came to visit again. He was more respectful and nervous this time while standing before Li Qiye.
He brought a long list and handed it to Li Qiye: âYoung Master, these are all the ores and metals in our reserve, do you need any of them?â
The long list contained extremely precious metals and ores. Some were coveted by all. Just this list alone was indicative of Dualityâs immense foundation and resources, no need to even bring up the treasures and artifacts.
Li Qiye took a gander at the list before glancing at the old man: âThere are a lot of decent items but as for the real good stuff? Looks like their number is diminishing.â
âWe descendants are unfilial.â The old man smiled wryly: âThe reserve and treasuries have been increasing in size, just not anything truly valuable.â
There was a reason for this. The academy might have produced plenty of dao lords and sovereigns but they eventually created their own sects. They left behind gifts to pay the academy back but certainly not their best items.
âThere are a few decent ones, just not suitable for me, itâs a shame.â Li Qiye shook his head and returned the list to the old man.
âI apologize for my uselessness.â The old man accepted the list and told Li Qiye: âI think two places might have what youâre looking for.â
âOh? Go on.â Li Qiye chuckled.
âYou certainly have heard of the first place.â The old man said: âSacred Mountain.â He stopped here without elaborating.
âI know what youâre trying to say.â Li Qiye shook his head: âItâs not hard for me to go up there, itâs just that I donât want to bother with the long trip.â
The old man thought that it was strange but didnât pursue the issue.
âThe other place is closer to Duality, Wish Ward.â The old man continued: âItâs the biggest market in the holy ground, might be all of southern West King too. You might be able to find what you need there. If not, theyâll be able to help you procure the items.â
He paused for a bit before finishing: âI heard that some top-level artifacts are there right now, many big shots will be coming to take a look. You should too, Young Master.â
âA bit interesting.â Li Qiye smiled.
âWould you like me to go make preparation?â He asked.
âNo need, I can go take a look myself.â Li Qiye waved his hand.