Chapter 79: Are You Really Planning to Be the Heron?

After Ji Yuanzhen finished speaking, the room fell utterly silent, save for the gentle bubbling of rice simmering in the clay pot.

Xia Daoming frowned deeply, his heart churning.

Ji Yuanzhen’s knowledge was limited, yet even from these fragments, the mysterious and unfathomable methods of cultivators radiated, stirring awe and dread.

Yet according to ancestral lore of the Ji family, those who wandered among mortals and meddled in worldly affairs were usually ordinary cultivators, whose abilities had not yet reached the terrifying level where commoners could not possibly resist.

For instance, some Grand Masters’ techniques could stand against these ordinary cultivators—though their methods lacked the mystery, unpredictability, and capriciousness of true cultivation arts.

“Old Master, have you ever witnessed a Grand Master’s techniques? Just how powerful are they? Could I possibly stand against one with my current strength?” Xia Daoming asked quickly.

“I once witnessed Xu Zhiyuan fighting another Grand Master,” Ji Yuanzhen said, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes. “The power of a ninth-rank Grand Master far surpasses that of a Great Martial Master, but if we’re speaking purely of raw force, even a ninth-rank Grand Master might be no stronger than you.”

Here, Ji Yuanzhen glanced at Xia Daoming, then continued: “The true power of a Grand Master lies in his ability to shape his force into armor—so thick that blades cannot pierce it—and to transform his force into beasts or weapons to kill from afar.”

Xu Zhiyuan’s force could take the form of a two-winged black tiger; when channeled through a weapon, it could kill anyone within two or three zhang.

That two-winged black tiger moved with incredible speed, its wings and claws sharp enough to cut through iron like mud. To fight him, you needed not only extreme agility but also a blade forged through countless trials.

The same applies when fighting ordinary cultivators. If you’re fast enough, strong enough, and wield a weapon capable of resisting their spells, you still have a chance to stand your ground.”

“So even a Grand Master’s techniques are already bordering on the supernatural, almost like the arts of immortals. No wonder—even though Xu Zhiyuan is old and rumors of his decline have spread, the Ding family and the other three powers dare not act rashly. They’re waiting for Ding Chushan to return before making any move.” Xia Daoming mused after listening.

“Indeed, only martial arts approaching the supernatural can stand against the spells of cultivators. Otherwise, even if a Martial Master holds a weapon that can resist a cultivator’s spell, who among them possesses the agility to constantly evade spells and the strength to withstand them…?”

Here, Ji Yuanzhen suddenly seemed to recall something, his gaze fixed intently on Xia Daoming.

“Old Master, don’t look at me like that. I know what you’re thinking—but alas, without a suitable weapon, I’d still love to let the heron and clam fight while I reap the benefit!”

“But without a proper weapon, I’m stuck on the defensive. If I can’t dodge fast enough, my flesh and blood won’t survive.”

Xia Daoming was no fool—he instantly understood what the old man was thinking, given that piercing stare.

“So the Benefactor has already planned this! How deeply strategic!” Ji Yuanzhen immediately flattered him.

“Old Master, ‘deeply strategic’ doesn’t quite suit me, does it?” Xia Daoming sneered.

Ji Shouli was stunned.

Zhuo Xingji looked utterly impressed.

Brother Xia is truly awesome!

Ji Wenyue bit her lip, fighting a smile.

She was used to it by now!

“‘Deeply strategic’ still falls short—how about ‘cunning and ruthless’?” Ji Yuanzhen squinted.

“I think that works,” Xia Daoming thought in surprise, but nodded with satisfaction on his face.

He’d already lost ground to this old trickster earlier—he wouldn’t lose face this time.

“Uh!”

Ji Yuanzhen was stunned.

He’d lived a long life, seen many shameless people—but never had he met a young man so shameless!

“To be honest, Benefactor, my Ji family does possess a fine weapon,” Ji Yuanzhen quickly regained his composure, his expression solemn.

“Oh!” Xia Daoming’s spirits lifted instantly.

“It’s a long spear and an arm shield, collected by our ancestors. The spear is called Xuan Long Spear, the shield Wu Yun Shield. Both are forged entirely from a metal called Xuan Wu Meteor Iron.”

“But our Ji family specializes in blades—we have no one skilled with spear or shield—so they’ve always been stored in our family vault, never used.”

“We brought them along during our relocation, but after several battles, many treasure chests were lost. Only a few items made it to this mountain village—I’m not sure if they’re still here.”

Without waiting for Ji Yuanzhen to give orders, Ji Shouli rose and left.

“By the way, Old Master, since your ancestors had ties to cultivators, why didn’t anyone learn the cultivation path from them back then?” Xia Daoming asked.

“I’m not entirely sure, but it’s said one must begin cultivation as a child, and there are strict requirements for one’s innate talent and constitution.”

“Probably no one in Ji family met those conditions back then. Even if someone later did, the cultivator had already vanished.” Ji Yuanzhen replied after thinking.

“You have to start as a child?” Xia Daoming felt a wave of frustration.

Becoming a Grand Master of martial arts was merely his small goal—his true ambition was to walk the immortal path and become an ageless cultivator.

Now Ji Yuanzhen told him cultivation must begin in childhood—this condition was utterly impossible for him to meet.

“Thank heaven! The Xuan Long Spear and Wu Yun Shield are still here—none lost!” Just as Xia Daoming was sinking into gloom, Ji Shouli rushed in, excited, carrying two short spears and a small arm shield.

During the Ji family’s relocation, they had at least dozens of donkeys and horses carrying their belongings.

After battles along the way, only the contents of five or six horses made it to this mountain village—the rest were abandoned during escape or seized by the four powers.

The Xuan Long Spear was a segmented long spear, designed for easy carrying.

Its shaft was black, etched with ancient, dragon-scale-like patterns.

The spear was heavy—over a hundred jin.

The arm shield was exquisitely small, perfectly sized to wear on the forearm, carved with swirling dark clouds from which a fierce dragon’s head emerged.

Though small and refined, the shield was thick and heavy.

Xia Daoming picked up his own short spear and thrust it hard at the shield.

*Clang!* Sparks flew—the shield bore no mark, but his spear tip bent and dulled.

He then picked up the Xuan Long Spear and thrust it hard at the shield.

Again, sparks flew—but neither spear nor shield was damaged.

“Fine spear! Fine shield!” Xia Daoming held the Xuan Long Spear in one hand, slipped the shield onto his arm, and felt a surge of boldness.

As for the requirement to begin cultivation as a child—he pushed it from his mind; dwelling on it was useless.

“If the Benefactor finds these weapons worthy, please accept them.” Ji Yuanzhen said.

“Good!” Xia Daoming nodded without pretense, disassembled the Xuan Long Spear, and strapped it crosswise on his back along with the shield.

“Old Master, now we can discuss the matter of letting the heron and clam fight while I reap the benefit.” Xia Daoming squinted, watching the steam rising from the pot, speaking calmly.

“You really intend to be the heron?” Ji Yuanzhen’s expression changed slightly.

“Plan ahead, and you succeed; plan not, and you fail. Whether I become the heron depends on how the two sides fight—but preparation must come first.” Xia Daoming said.

“Excellent! ‘Plan ahead, and you succeed; plan not, and you fail!’” Ji Yuanzhen’s expression turned solemn. He turned to his son, Ji Shouli, and said earnestly: “Shouli, you must learn much from the Benefactor!”

“Yes, Father!” Ji Shouli replied solemnly.

“This…” Ji Wenyue was stunned.

At this moment, Zhuo Xingji’s gaze toward Xia Daoming had completely changed.

Brother Xia is truly amazing!

Courtesans vie to learn from him—and now even the head of the Ji family is seeking his wisdom.

“You flatter me too much,” Xia Daoming waved his hand dismissively. “First, we must find a place to settle your Ji family…”

PS: The reading growth these past two days has been excellent—thank you all for your strong support. Please keep reading and avoid putting this on hold; today’s reading numbers are crucial for this new novel’s future recommendations and eventual subscription performance.

I’m pushing hard—I’ll have another chapter this afternoon!