Chapter 475: Observation Method (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"Senior Li?"

Jiang Yan's large eyes sparkled with delight, and she bowed gracefully: "Greetings, Senior."

"When did you return, Miss Jiang?"

Li Rui asked.

"Just today."

Li Rui: "Congratulations, Miss Jiang, on your impending ascension."

Upon hearing the word "ascension," Jiang Yan's face showed little joy: "Senior, you jest—it's merely moving to another city; how can that be called ascension? I'm just weak-bodied; if I stay in Dayu, I fear I'll never be able to aid my father in this lifetime."

Li Rui knew full well what Jiang Yan meant by "aid."

The woman before him had decent talent, but compared to beings like Huanglongzi, she was vastly inferior.

As the two spoke,

Jiang Lin emerged from the room: "Senior Li, you've come."

Li Rui nodded to Jiang Lin.

"Has the time for your journey to the Immortal Realm been decided?"

Jiang Lin smiled and shook his head: "It's not that simple—it'll take at least three to five years, and longer is expected."

Li Rui smiled:

"If you're having second thoughts, it's not too late—in Jingcheng, even the Northern Pole Immortal Sect won't dare interfere."

Jiang Lin: "This is Yan'er's own choice."

Upon hearing this,

Li Rui said no more, since it was Jiang Yan's own decision.

Moreover, compared to this world,

the Immortal Realm's heavens and earth were unquestionably vaster.

Otherwise, why would those geniuses who were already true disciples of sects also switch to immortal sects?

It was simply that the Immortal Realm's allure was too great.

If the top three ranks weren't barred, chaos would have erupted long ago.

He understood that Jiang Yan was no fragile girl who preferred to grow under her father's protection—she had her own convictions.

For Jiang Yan to catch up to her father's footsteps, only the Immortal Realm offered a chance.

Jiang Lin led Li Rui to the main hall.

"The Observation Method?"

Upon hearing Li Rui mention the Observation Method, Jiang Lin was startled.

But then he thought again—Li Rui had spent a long time in Qingwei Sect, so it wasn't surprising.

Li Rui: "So you've heard of it too?"

Seeing Jiang Lin's expression, he immediately grew interested.

The Observation Method was a legacy of the Immortal Realm, accessible only after reaching the Celestial Phenomenon realm, so few knew of it.

Jiang Lin nodded:

"I'm not hiding it from you, Senior, but surviving Observation Methods are exceedingly rare—I've already asked Brother Gu, and there's no Observation Map of Qingxuan Great Dao."

"Perhaps only by going to the Immortal Realm could one find it."

Li Rui was surprised.

He hadn't expected Jiang Lin to have already inquired on his behalf.

"Brother Jiang, you're thoughtful."

He knew well that surviving Observation Methods were exceedingly rare.

This world originally had no Observation Methods—they were brought down by exiled immortals.

But the number of exiled immortals above Celestial Phenomenon was already small, no more than a hundred, and with countless Great Dao paths, covering just the common Five Elements Dao was already the limit.

Not to mention the rarer Dao paths.

And even if they existed, those exiled immortals might not be willing to give them away.

Li Rui's Dao, though belonging to Water Dao, was ultimately different.

The Observation Method of Water Dao would not suit Li Rui.

Jiang Lin said frankly: "I've cultivated Sword Dao and was fortunate to obtain one scroll of an Observation Method."

Saying this,

he truly pulled an ancient scroll from his sleeve, ready to gift it to Li Rui.

Li Rui waved it off: "I've never even held a sword in my life—looking at it would be useless; you keep it yourself."

Yet inside, he was delighted.

Jiang Lin was treating him like a true elder brother.

This meant more to him than a scroll of the Observation Method.

Li Rui cleared his throat, then smiled warmly at Jiang Lin: "Your Sword Embryo's spiritual aura is rich and full—a sign of rock-solid foundation. Impressive!"

Jiang Lin realized Li Rui had seen through him.

He felt no discomfort.

Of course,

only among a few close ones like Li Rui.

He wasn't without means to conceal his true strength—in fact, he concealed it thoroughly.

Yet Li Rui still spotted the signs.

He was secretly startled.

"That Observation Method truly works—I've stabilized my foundation so quickly only by observing it daily."

Jiang Lin laughed heartily.

Li Rui was also astonished by Jiang Lin's rapid progress.

Celestial Phenomenon was no longer like the previous realms—most Celestial Phenomenon cultivators needed three to five years just to stabilize their foundation after breakthrough; yet Jiang Lin's Sword Embryo radiated thick, natural energy.

Clearly, he had long since stabilized it.

Jiang Lin concealed it extremely well.

Only Li Rui, possessing a higher-tier Dao Embryo, could detect the signs.

Ordinary Celestial Phenomenon cultivators, whether cultivators or martial artists, nurtured Spirit Embryos; sword cultivators often called their Spirit Embryos Sword Embryos to distinguish themselves from others.

Like the Sword Emperor of Shu's Sword Embryo, its killing power was unmatched in the world.

This was the unique strength of sword cultivators' Sword Embryos.

Li Rui: "Brother Jiang, you've already achieved Embryo Completion—you've left old brother far behind."

Jiang Lin said nothing.

He suspected Li Rui's progress wasn't slower than his own.

Jiang Lin always tended to overestimate Li Rui by several notches.

Jiang Lin sighed softly: "Ascending to immortality is hard—each step of Embryo Completion, Mansion Opening, and Dao Union blocks countless cultivators. Hard, hard, hard."

Li Rui laughed heartily:

"Exactly—if it were this easy, wouldn't everyone in the world become a terrestrial immortal?"

Upon hearing this,

Jiang Lin also laughed heartily.

"Senior Li, how about we compete—who reaches terrestrial immortality first?"

Li Rui: "Brother Jiang, you're being overly bold."

"Will you compete?"

"Yes."

In the following days,

Jiang Yan remained in Jingcheng and never went to Su Xuan Yuan Temple.

Sometimes she would come to visit Li Rui.

Mostly to ask questions about cultivation.

Jiang Yan had excellent talent; she was already at the Primordial stage, and after switching to the immortal path, the next step would be Miao Su Xuan realm—once in the Immortal Realm, she might even enter the Purple Mansion.

Calling her an Immortal Maiden was entirely fitting.

Cultivation knows no days or months, especially at the Celestial Phenomenon stage.

Closing off for ten years at a time was common.

Li Rui's life remained leisurely; the talismans and arrays requested by the Mountain Search Office were easy for him.

One day,

a young servant knocked on Li Rui's door.

"You are—"

The steward of Li's residence stared at the unfamiliar young man, puzzled.

Over the years,

too many officials had sought to befriend Li Rui; the old steward had memorized most of the gatekeepers of high officials. Since he didn't recognize this young man, he assumed he wasn't from any powerful family.

Just as he was about to grow dismissive,

The young man spoke: "My fourth prince wishes to invite Lord Li to his mansion for a chat."

The manager's eyes widened at once.

Good heavens.

It's a prince.

He hurriedly treated the unexpected visitor with great respect, then sent someone to fetch Li Rui.

Not long after.

Li Rui arrived in the front courtyard.

Seeing Li Rui appear, the young servant showed none of the haughtiness typical of royal attendants; he bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Li, my fourth prince wishes to invite you to his mansion to catch up."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

'The fourth prince?'

He paused a moment, then nodded: "Lead the way."

Hearing Li Rui agree, the young servant finally relaxed, beaming as he led Li Rui to the carriage already waiting at the gate, respectfully escorting the rising official of the Li Xunshan Bureau into the vehicle.

On the way here, his master had repeatedly warned him, terrified he might mess things up.

He was inwardly frustrated.

His master was a prince—why did he care so much about Li Rui, a third-rank official?

Thinking this.

The carriage passed through bustling streets and stopped before a grand mansion outside the imperial city.

Li Rui stepped down from the carriage.

Following the young servant, he entered the Wu Mansion without hindrance.

Not long after.

He saw the fourth prince, Zhu Ting, and Xia Yun, standing beneath a pavilion, the former playing the qin, the latter listening.

Only Zhu Ting played the qin; Xia Yun listened.

To this.

Li Rui's expression showed no change.

Before he even reached the pavilion, the music ceased, and Zhu Ting called out from afar: "Lord Li, this way."

Li Rui quickened his pace and arrived beneath the pavilion in a few breaths.

"Your humble subject greets Fourth Prince and Fourth Princess."

He bowed slightly.

Fourth Prince Zhu Ting warmly invited Li Rui to sit, smiling: "Lord Li, no need for formalities. I've long heard of you from Yun'er, and now that I see you, you truly are extraordinary."

Li Rui looked at Xia Yun.

His connection to the fourth prince stemmed directly from this woman.

Xia Yun smiled faintly, sitting quietly beside them without speaking.

After that.

Most of the time, it was Fourth Prince Zhu Ting who chatted with Li Rui.

This fourth prince, as rumored, was exceptionally skilled in metaphysical discourse—his words flowed like a river.

What surprised Li Rui was.

After nearly an hour of conversation, Xia Yun had not uttered a single word—she truly behaved like a gentle, dutiful princess.

'So the fourth prince isn't as afraid of his wife as rumors claim.'

But precisely because of this.

Li Rui grew wary.

If the image of being afraid of his wife was meant for outsiders, why show no pretense to a stranger like me?

As Li Rui pondered this.

Fourth Prince Zhu Ting finally revealed his purpose:

"The Emperor has ordered me to move into the palace to study state affairs. I'm a carefree soul and know nothing of governance—Lord Li, would you be willing to help me?"

(End of Chapter)