(There's still one more chapter tonight—though we won't be sleeping, we'll definitely type it out for everyone! Just might be a bit late, though. Hehe, everyone can just check tomorrow morning if they'd like. In fact, we should have had a chapter yesterday, but since we caught a chill while staying up late, it only started feeling better today at noon!) Master Ma paused here, a touch of regret on his face, then continued: "Unfortunately, however, as the sword technique deepens, there's an unbearable flaw. Starting from the fourth level, when using the Qingyuan Sword Technique to absorb and circulate celestial and terrestrial spiritual energies, a strange phenomenon of energy dispersion occurs every few days. The spiritual power refined through this method over the past few days has been mysteriously dissipating—part of it just vanishes on its own. This is truly puzzling! The rate of loss at the fourth level isn't severe—only one-tenth of the newly cultivated spiritual energy dissipates. With a bit of extra effort, most cultivators can usually recover it." But if one reaches the fifth or sixth level, the loss of spiritual energy becomes severe, increasing by one-tenth per level, causing the painstakingly cultivated spiritual power to continue to dwindle. Thus, at the fifth level, the newly cultivated spiritual energy will be lost by two-tenths; at the sixth level, by three-tenths. How many dare then to practice the Qingyuan Sword Technique? Moreover, the Qingyuan Sword Technique practiced by our disciples has historically never exceeded the sixth level. Above the sixth level, it was traditionally required that only cultivators at the Jiedan stage be able to practice it. Yet even at the sixth level, the technique has already lost nearly one-third of its spiritual energy. How could these accomplished masters dare to take such a risk? What if, beyond the sixth level, the loss of spiritual energy continues to intensify—wouldn't they then be truly at a loss? After all, the progress of techniques beyond the Jiedan stage is always exceedingly difficult. And even the Qingyuan Sword Technique is extremely difficult to master, forcing them to risk everything and undertake such a foolish endeavor—something no one would ever willingly do! Moreover, the technique is incomplete, not a refined celestial method, and lacks sufficient motivation to warrant such a risk. Yet, the sword-mist divination power of this technique is indeed practical—abandoning it would be a great waste. Therefore, some disciples choose to focus solely on the first three layers, treating it merely as a supportive technique. This way, they no longer fear the risk of losing the foundation, and can continue to utilize the sword-mist powers. Of course, even achieving just the sword-mist power requires these disciples to dedicate four to five years of dedicated, separate practice. If that's the case, then should he wish to continue refining the Qingyuan Sword Technique in the future, the spiritual power he cultivates would inevitably vanish—unaccountably—by one-tenth. And as his cultivation levels deepen, the proportion of lost spiritual power would only increase! How could he possibly continue his cultivation? Yet, since the matter had now been so clearly explained, he would surely not be foolish enough to abandon the technique and continue practicing it. Thus, his cultivation of the Qingyuan Sword Technique would come to an end here. This would make the cultivators who have mastered the Sword Technique possess more profound internal energy than their peers of the same stage. However, the exact degree of enhancement depends on the level of the Sword Technique they have achieved. According to the senior disciple who was the only one to reach the sixth level of the Qingyuan Sword Technique, the one who had mastered the sixth level and was in the late Foundation Stage, had nearly one-third more internal energy than other cultivators of the same stage. This surplus internal energy precisely matched the current rate of internal energy loss observed when using the Qingyuan Sword Technique. Such a remarkable coincidence cannot but suggest that this Sword Technique indeed possesses some profound secrets! The old man seemed to have studied the Qingyuan Sword Technique extensively, and his enthusiasm grew stronger with each point made. Eventually, he became so animated that he was practically spouting words and gesturing vigorously. As a result, Han Li had to quickly shift the conversation and firmly put the matter of the Qingyuan Sword Technique aside, only then did Master Ma regain his composure. For Han Li, no matter how extraordinary the Sword Technique might be, he would not pursue its cultivation. After all, his original aptitude wasn't even strong. To deliberately cultivate this incredibly slow and incomplete technique—unless he simply didn't intend to achieve Danjiao stage at all, he must have truly gone mad! Even for ordinary cultivation techniques, Han Li estimated that if he could find a few more elixir recipes, there might still be a slim chance of reaching Danjiao in his lifetime. After chatting with the old man for a while, Han Li then excused himself and departed. Now that he had successfully achieved the Juzhi stage, he no longer needed to show him his medicinal garden, so he returned to his original thatched cottage, made a few minor arrangements, and then drifted off gracefully. At this time, the sky was fully bright, precisely the time when he usually went to the Hall of Council. Han Li, only recently achieved Juzhi, still couldn't fully settle the excitement in his heart. His sole desire was to promptly establish his own dwelling once all matters were settled—something he had longed for ever since! After securing his own territory, there was no need to act secretly anymore—he could now freely carry out any task at his own doorstep. Han Li grew more and more excited, and without realizing it, he rode his vehicle to the Hall of Council. The two young disciples stationed at the main gate clearly did not recognize him, though they immediately understood his Foundation Stage status. Thus, they naturally could not afford to treat him with any lack of respect simply because he was young. Both stepped forward at once and bowed respectfully, asking, "Master, is there anything we can assist you with?" "Master?" Han Li found this rather amusing. A year ago, he would have had to address either of them as "Senior Brother." Now, having advanced in status with his Foundation Stage attainment, he had instantly become a senior figure—something that truly felt unfamiliar. Yet, receiving greetings and bows from someone of similar age was truly pleasant. "Is Master Zhong present?" "I have something I need to speak with you about!" Han Li said with confidence. Upon hearing Han Li's words, the two cultivator disciples exchanged a glance, then the one with the right hand replied, "Master is currently out at the Hundred-Mechanism Hall, but he should be back soon. Would you like to wait a while in the hall until he returns? Han Li slightly furrowed his brows, but quickly smoothed out his expression and spoke with a matter-of-fact tone, "Very well. Then I'll wait until then." "Good! Please follow me, Master." The other disciple was also quite attentive, stepping back two paces to guide Han Li. Han Li followed him through the main hall and was led into a slightly larger hall. The room was neat and well-kept, with scrolls, calligraphy, and paintings displayed on the four walls, exuding a refined and scholarly atmosphere. "Please rest here a while, Master. As soon as Master returns, I will immediately inform him of your arrival!" After skillfully pouring a pot of fragrant tea for Han Li, the young attendant withdrew. Han Li glanced at the young man's retreating figure, nodded, then shook his head. He had nodded first because the young man's expression and demeanor were flawless—every detail impressed him deeply, suggesting he had undergone dedicated training to achieve such refined performance. Yet he shook his head in sorrow for the junior disciples, feeling deeply saddened by their circumstances. How could a cultivator, instead of diligently practicing his internal arts, be required to perform like a common servant in the mortal world—on duty, serving tea, attending to guests? It was truly lamentable. Reflecting now, he realized that had it not been for a foundational pill he had purchased from Ye Xing, the elder, his own situation would not have been much better. He would have had to bow when required, speak with humility when needed—perhaps even more discontented. While Han Li was savoring the fragrant tea and lost in thought, the Grand Master Zhong returned shortly thereafter. When he heard from one of the gatekeepers that a young Foundation-stage cultivator had come to see him, he was slightly surprised. From the gatekeeper's description, he found the person quite unfamiliar, and had not been able to identify anyone similar among the hundreds of Foundation-stage disciples. "In his early to mid-20s, with a slightly darker complexion and an ordinary appearance—so who could this be?" Zhong Ling said, with three parts astonishment and two parts curiosity, and hurried toward the living room where Han Li was located. After taking a good look at the person, besides finding him somewhat familiar, he couldn't recall who exactly he was. This made him feel a bit embarrassed, and a faint sense of awkwardness appeared on his face. "Ah, Han... Han brother! Please sit down—there's no need to be formal. As the abbot, I've been quite busy and arrived a little late. Don't mind that at all!" Zhong Ling said, a seasoned veteran who had seen countless storms and waves, effortlessly smoothed over the awkwardness of not recognizing him with just a few casual words. Han Li didn't find it surprising that the abbot didn't recognize him. After all, when they first met, it was five years ago. At that time, Han Li was merely a low-qualified cultivator in the foundational stage, so the abbot naturally didn't take much notice of him, let alone form a lasting impression. If the abbot had immediately recognized him, Han Li would have been genuinely surprised instead! (To be continued. 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