Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

In the previously empty Sea of Consciousness, there now appeared an island that did not actually exist.

At the moment the island took form, Li Zhirui's heart suddenly became much calmer, and the miscellaneous thoughts no longer surfaced.

"Is this the benefit of the Visualization Skill?" And this was only the first step!

Li Zhirui shared the good news with Li Shiqing, who was genuinely happy for Li Zhirui and shared his own cultivation insights with him.

"In practicing the Visualization Skill, one must not hurry the process, nor should it delay the cultivation," he cautioned.

After the cautionary advice, Li Shiqing saw his guest out and then said to the empty room, "I wonder if I'll be able to see him achieve the Golden Core."

Li Shiqing was over two hundred years old, and the lifespan limit of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was four sixtieth-year cycles; if he couldn't make a breakthrough to the Golden Core, then he only had a few decades left.

"I hope Zhirui can break through the Foundation Establishment quickly, so I can also go all out with peace of mind," his voice faded gradually, and no more sounds were heard.

...

Time flew swiftly, and more than a month passed in a blink.

And Da Qing, who had successfully molted, was now fully recovered with the nourishment of a large number of Spirit Fruits and Spirit Pills.

One day, Li Zhirui took Da Qing to a desolate and uninhabited territory and said, "Da Qing, show me all the Spells you can perform."

Before breaking through to the Golden Core and taking on human form, Devil Beasts, due to their lack of Spiritual Intelligence, find it difficult to learn spells from the outside world, so the spells they master are actually inherited from their bloodline.

Generally, as long as a Devil Beast breaks through a minor realm, it can comprehend one or two spells.

"Chirp!"

After responding with a chirp, Da Qing began to demonstrate his spells. A ball of Spirit Light gathered in his mouth and after two breaths of charging, he shot out a Water Arrow with decent power, smashing a large stone to pieces.

Following that, Da Qing also demonstrated many spells related to water and wood, such as the Water Prison Spell, Water Shield Spell, Wood Armor Spell, Vine Control Spell, Wood Arrows, and Entwined Roots.

However, there were few attack spells, only a few like the Water Arrow Skill and Wood Arrows; most were for control and defense.

"Well done." Having performed all the spells, Da Qing was almost out of Mana, so Li Zhirui quickly fed him a few Spirit-Replenishing Pills and then took him into a space to let him rest well.

Li Zhirui sat on the ground, considering how he and Da Qing could cooperate to exert stronger combat power.

"Since Da Qing's combat ability is not strong, I should learn some more powerful spells and then make use of Da Qing's defense and control spells..."

Li Zhirui continued to refine his ideas until the sun set over the West Mountain, at which point he snapped out of his thoughts and stood up to return to the courtyard.

The next morning, Li Zhirui once again took Da Qing to the wilderness of the previous day.

"Da Qing, from now on, both of us need to train hard to enhance our strength," Li Zhirui said seriously.

As more and more cultivators became aware of Li Zhirui's appearance and identity, he couldn't help feeling a sense of crisis, worried that one day he would become a target.

During the last fight with others, he encountered several low-strength evil cultivators, but what about next time? Would he be so lucky again?

To preserve his own life, Li Zhirui could only think of ways to strengthen his power.

"Chirp!"

Da Qing gave a response, though not quite understanding.

"Today you will practice the Water Shield Spell and the Entwined Roots Spell," Li Zhirui instructed. "First, quicken the casting speed, then improve the power of the spells."

Having arranged Da Qing's practice, Li Zhirui began to exercise his own spells, focusing exclusively on the more powerful ones, such as the Ice Blade Spell, the Needle Rain Spell, and Plucking Leaves Flying Flowers.

Li Zhirui's hands formed complex gestures as he attempted to condense needles as fine as drizzle, which is fundamental for casting the Needle Rain Spell. If he could not even condense the mist, or if the quantity condensed was too little, he would be unable to unleash the full power of the Needle Rain Spell.

This spell demanded such a high degree of mana control that, after several hours of practice that left his fingers sore and aching, Li Zhirui still did not succeed.

Li Zhirui felt he was close to success and did not want to give up halfway. Seeing this, Da Qing, who was practicing alongside him, continued his spell practice with heavy steps.

Forming the spell gestures once more, a sudden moment of clarity arose in Li Zhirui's mind, and a burst of Spirit Light suddenly appeared before him. In the next second, countless thin needles flew out of the light. When the Spirit Light faded, the needles like fine rain had pocked the ground with a pit thirty feet square.

A sense of joy rose in Li Zhirui's heart, as his day of arduous practice had finally paid off with success.

However, this was only the beginning of mastery. If he wished to use it in battle, further intensive training would be necessary, especially since his current casting speed was too slow. In a real fight, even though the Needle Rain Spell had a wide area of effect, an opponent could easily evade it.

"You've worked hard today as well," Li Zhirui said, managing to walk over to Da Qing, who was already lying down from exhaustion, his eyes filled with compassion.

But as cultivators, without powerful protective methods, one would inevitably become nothing but dry bones on the path of seeking the Dao.

Chirp!

The sound from Da Qing was barely audible, showing how utterly spent he was, yet he had no intention of giving up.

Li Zhirui offered a smile, patted Da Qing's shell, and let him rest well in the space, while he himself slowly made his way back to the courtyard.

In the following months, the figures of Li Zhirui and Da Qing could be seen in the deserted wilderness.

A man and a turtle, starting with individual practice, gradually began to cast spells in coordination, until now they had reached a deep mutual understanding. Even without Li Zhirui's instruction, Da Qing knew which spell to cast.

"Theoretical knowledge is shallow without practical experience; it is only through real combat that one can see the actual effects," Li Zhirui said, looking out at the vast sea, ready to temper himself in its nearby waters.

Though there were fewer water devils near the coast compared to the Boundless Sea, it was still very easy to encounter them a few dozen miles off Da Rong Island.

This was one of the reasons why Yunqing Marketplace attracted a large number of loose cultivators. If there weren't a large number of water devils in the sea, how could it sustain so many rootless cultivators?

When Li Zhirui told Li Shiqing of his plans to go out and temper himself, Li Shiqing didn't oppose the idea. On the contrary, he encouraged Li Zhirui to go to sea and enhance his combat abilities through actual combat.

"I remember there are specialized Devil Hunting Teams in the marketplace. You should find an appropriate team. However, there are obvious disadvantages to such teams that you must be wary of," advised Li Shiqing.

Li Shiqing himself had gone out to temper himself when he was younger. Although many years had passed, he remembered some details very clearly.

The members of those teams come from various backgrounds, with little deep trust between them. Instead, when treasures are encountered, the first ones they guard against are their own teammates.

Another scenario is if the team has been established for a long time, and the other cultivators are very familiar with each other, leaving only you as the newcomer. In times of danger, you will be the first one they abandon!

Of course, there are also benefits to teaming up for practice. At the very least, with stronger power, it is safer than being alone, provided there is no danger or conflict of interest.

"Clan Leader, I wish to practice cooperative combat tactics with Da Qing," Li Zhirui finally revealed his previously unspoken intentions.

Li Shiqing frowned, but ultimately nodded his agreement. After all, an eaglet must leap from the cliff many times before it can soar in the sky, and a person must face hardships to grow, right?