Chapter 118: Guidance on Ancient Yue

Gu Yue was momentarily stunned. “What exactly is a physical education teacher?”

“You have cultivated spirit formations for many years and have a solid foundation, but you’ve been too rigid, too conventional. You don’t know how to adapt flexibly, which has trapped you within limitations, preventing any breakthrough,” Li Jiansan explained.

Hearing this, Gu Yue suddenly understood. “No wonder I’ve struggled so hard without success. So that’s the reason.”

Li Jiansan continued, “Moreover, you must understand that the most crucial aspect for a spirit formation master is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and the spirit seal is the bridge that connects to it.”

“No matter how many formations you master, nothing compares to thoroughly comprehending the spirit seal.”

Gu Yue asked, “Then how should I cultivate the spirit seal?”

“I mentioned before that whether it’s a spirit formation or a spirit seal, the key lies in the divine patterns!”

“Watch closely; I’ll demonstrate for you once. Pay attention to how the divine patterns arrange within the spirit seal.”

With that, Li Jiansan’s fingers moved slightly, and a faint golden glow appeared at his fingertips. It slowly traced through the void, each stroke imbued with profound meaning, as if carrying the essence of the universal Dao.

Every step of Li Jiansan’s carving intertwined with divine patterns, mysteriously drawing upon the vast cosmic Dao and terrifying spiritual power.

When he finished, an enormous spirit seal materialized in the void, engulfed in countless flames, radiating wild fury and scorching heat, as if capable of incinerating all in its path.

“When divine patterns reach the ultimate level, you can integrate elemental forces such as metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Right now, I’m merging the element of fire.”

“Of course, this is knowledge reserved for third-rank spirit formation masters. Once you enter their ranks, you will understand naturally. There’s no harm in telling you now.”

Gu Yue stood frozen, his heart stirred by a tremendous wave of realization. A simple spirit seal, yet in Li Jiansan’s hands, it unleashed unparalleled power.

Meanwhile, the elders present were wide-eyed in shock upon hearing Li Jiansan’s words.

“He just said... that is a divine art that only third-rank spirit formation masters can master!”

“Does that mean... he himself is a third-rank spirit formation master?”

“How is that possible...?”

“There isn’t another third-rank spirit formation master this young in the entire Great Jiang Ancient Kingdom!”

Hearing their murmurs, Gu Feifei stubbornly retorted, “Hmph, what third-rank spirit formation master? Do you even know the divine arts of a third-rank master?”

“That guy is just bluffing because we don’t know better. Do you really believe there’s such a young third-rank master?”

After her words, several elders nodded slightly.

“Miss Feifei has a point. Third-rank spirit formation masters are extraordinary and bear the official certification mark of the Spirit Formation Masters Guild.”

“But look, he doesn’t have that mark on him.”

“Sigh, I really thought he was a third-rank spirit formation master…”

“Even if he’s not, possessing such divine arts makes him an incredibly terrifying genius…”

Li Jiansan’s divine patterns constructed a far more powerful spirit seal, increasing its strength by at least several dozen times compared to Gu Yue’s previous seals.

In sheer numbers, one spirit seal from Li Jiansan could obliterate hundreds of Gu Yue’s spirit seals.

“I see, I see now! Thank you for your guidance, Lord Li!”

Gu Yue felt as though countless marvelous ideas had suddenly flooded his mind. The problems he had long pondered but could not solve now became clear in an instant.

Li Jiansan’s brief instruction surpassed Gu Yue’s decade of hard thought.

Li Jiansan seemed to have given him a final push at the threshold, propelling him into an entirely new world.

“You just needed that final push; you simply hadn’t found the right direction.”

“Once enlightened, it’s truly enlightenment…”

“I believe that soon, you will join the ranks of the third-rank spirit formation masters.”

The folding fan in Gu Huang’s hand gently swayed. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips. Although Li Jiansan was a third-rank spirit formation master, his level was worlds apart from Gu Huang’s.

Even among spirit formation masters of the same rank, there are varying strengths.

Some powerful masters can single-handedly confront several others of the same rank.

Li Jiansan was precisely such a formidable master.

“To become a third-rank spirit formation master... can I really achieve that?”

Gu Yue had been a second-rank spirit formation master for over ten years, trapped without progress. This stagnation had long troubled him.

“You can try some third-rank spirit seals. You’ve probably collected quite a few, haven’t you?”

“I’ll give it a try!” Gu Yue said eagerly.

After Li Jiansan’s words, Gu Yue took a deep breath to calm his heart.

Then, his palm began to shimmer, and a crimson glow appeared between his hands.

Gu Yue concentrated fully, carefully forming the spirit seal with meticulous movements.

Since this was his first attempt at deploying a third-rank spirit seal, he could not afford the slightest mistake, or all effort would be wasted.

“Pay attention to the arrangement of the divine patterns!” Li Jiansan suddenly reminded.

“Hum.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yue adjusted his spiritual energy. Soon after, a basic spirit seal with flickering flames emerged in the void.

“Heh, you can now integrate elements into your spirit seals. You are truly a third-rank spirit formation master in name and deed.”

“From now on, some people will have to give you due respect.”

Li Jiansan said this as Gu Yue still struggled to suppress the shock within him.

He wasn’t astonished at becoming a third-rank master, but horrified by Li Jiansan’s ability.

With just a few words, Li Jiansan had elevated him from the brink of second rank to the threshold of the third rank.

If this news spread, how many would be shocked?

Though Gu Yue was only a step away, without Li Jiansan’s guidance, even another decade or two might not have sufficed to bridge that gap.

The breakthrough of a spirit formation master was no simple matter. It was for this reason that powerful masters were so extraordinary and revered.

Gu Yue cast a deep glance at Li Jiansan. Previously, he had shamelessly begged for forgiveness, knowing that offending such a genius would have dire consequences.

“Lord Li, you not only possess immense talent but also a magnanimous heart.”

“I have offended you many times before. Were it not for your repeated mercy, I would not have lived to this day.”

With this thought, Gu Yue wholeheartedly assumed the role of a devoted follower before Li Jiansan.

“Lord Li, you are truly a genius of both virtue and talent. Please accept my deepest respect.”

Though inwardly ecstatic, Gu Yue showed no outward exuberance, instead kneeling respectfully before Li Jiansan.

This kneeling was entirely voluntary, without any compulsion.

Had Li Jiansan not repeatedly forgiven and helped him, Gu Yue might never have reached the third rank before his death.

“Enough, enough. The past is behind us. Why dwell on it?”

“Honestly, I haven’t really helped you. If you couldn’t comprehend it yourself, my words would have been useless.”

“I came here just to sit for a while. It’s about time I leave now.”

Li Jiansan spoke and prepared to depart.

“Da Bao, let’s go.”

Zhang Dabao was taken aback. “Go? Brother Li, are you coming with me?”

“Of course. You promised to escort me to the imperial city. Are you going back on your word now?”

Zhang Dabao was stunned for a moment before responding, “Of course not.”

As Li Jiansan left, he said to Gu Yue, “I think the Zhang family is promising. Do you know what to do?”

Hearing this, Gu Yue nodded repeatedly. “Lord Li, I understand, I understand…”

After Li Jiansan’s departure, a major reshuffle took place within the Zhang family.

The most renowned genius, Zhang Jiyang, was stripped of his cultivation and expelled from the family.

Several rebellious elders were also removed overnight.

The Zhang family gradually rose and soon became the dominant power in Qingyang Town.