At first, the old Daoist's attention was focused entirely on Li Chang'an's claim: "I saw you three years ago."
For certain special reasons, the old Daoist was extremely sensitive about his identity and whereabouts.
So, the moment Li Chang'an mentioned his past movements, his reaction was quite extreme.
As for everything else Li Chang'an said after that, he had subconsciously ignored it.
After all, he had already witnessed the boy's talent for spinning tales. Once a person forms a fixed opinion, they tend to subconsciously hear only what they want to believe.
Fortunately, the old Daoist's mind wasn't completely rusty. After a brief pause, he quickly latched onto the key point, his eyes widening. "You're saying you learned your Cultivation Technique from me?"
Seeing the old Daoist finally stop avoiding the topic, Li Chang'an let out a heavy sigh of relief and nodded. "It might sound incredible, but what I'm saying is the absolute truth!"
"Kid, if you're messing with me today, don't blame me for pulling rank and teaching you a harsh lesson on your parents' behalf!" The old Daoist's eyelid twitched as he looked at Li Chang'an's dead-serious expression. A sense of absurdity washed over him, and he spoke with a heavier tone. "I'll ask you one last time. Did you really... learn Energy Introduction just by glancing at me from afar?"
Li Chang'an nodded decisively, without a hint of hesitation.
At the same time, to corroborate his claim, he began circulating the Energy-Introducing Skill he had comprehended from the old Daoist.
Feeling the familiar yet strange aura from within Li Chang'an, the old Daoist's expression rippled with emotion. The worldview he had built over decades was beginning to crumble!
Even though a thousand, no, ten thousand parts of him still refused to believe it, after repeatedly sensing the aura on Li Chang'an, he had to admit it. Based on the available information, this situation—so ridiculous it was beyond belief—might actually have a shred of truth to it?
First, he had indeed passed through Li Family Village three years ago.
Second, although the Energy Introduction Cultivation Technique Li Chang'an was using had many differences from the Xuan Yang Temple's Profound Sun Skill, the crucial meridian pathways they used and the aura of the refined Qi... were indeed quite similar!
The familiar sense of déjà vu became even more pronounced once the Cultivation Technique was in operation!
"..." At this thought, the old Daoist suddenly fell silent, becoming like a human statue.
Seeing that his master seemed to be having an existential crisis, the young Daoist hurried over and said with a cheeky grin, "Master, why'd you suddenly go quiet? You don't actually believe that kid's nonsense, do you?"
Hearing this, the old Daoist, embarrassed and angry, slapped him on the head. "Shut up," he snapped. "Your master is thinking!"
Seeing this, the young Daoist was angry but didn't dare to talk back. He could only turn to Li Chang'an, baring his teeth. "You little brat, who put you up to this? The Imperial Court? Or those sons of bitches from the Water Gang?"
He paused, his tone turning hostile. "My master's mind has never been all that sharp. You, or rather the person behind you, should just cut the crap and get on with whatever scheme you're plotting!"
Li Chang'an looked at him as if he were an idiot, rolled his eyes, and said nothing.
Seeing that he was being mercilessly scorned by a mere child, the young Daoist grew furious. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to charge forward.
"Changning, stop this insolence!"
At that moment, the old Daoist, who had been stunned for a good while, finally snapped back to his senses.
He shoved his impetuous disciple aside, his gaze fixed on Li Chang'an. "Since you claim you can learn the method of Energy Introduction from me with just a single glance, I will now give you a chance to prove it... If you can't learn it, I will certainly not let this matter rest today."
To this, Li Chang'an had no objection.
The old Daoist took two steps back, formed his fingers into a blade, and gently swung them toward a weed in the distance.
"SWISH..."
Without any excess fluctuation of Qi, as if a gentle breeze had blown past, the distant weed was silently sliced into two perfectly smooth halves.
After doing this, the old Daoist turned his gaze back to Li Chang'an and tilted his chin up. "This Cultivation Technique is called the Sword Qi Technique. Do you need me to demonstrate it again?"
To him, this technique of 'Traction Qi Force, Fingers as Sword' wasn't very difficult.
But for an outsider who didn't understand the principles of its Qi Force circulation, it could be considered a fairly unique and secret skill.
The reason he chose this Cultivation Technique to test Li Chang'an was that it was a form of Magic he had only recently learned.
Besides himself, not even his disciple, Lü Changning, had learned it yet.
This essentially eliminated any possibility of cheating.
After witnessing the move, Li Chang'an closed his eyes in thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No need!"
As his voice fell, under the stunned and disbelieving gazes of everyone present, Li Chang'an slowly stood up, brought two fingers together, and gently swung them toward a weed several meters away...
"SWISH!"
Instantly, Qi Force surged from his fingertips, forming an invisible blade that the naked eye couldn't see. A large patch of weeds was sliced clean through!
[Heaven-defying Comprehension: You have observed Wang Su perform a Daoist Technique and have successfully comprehended the Martial Arts Technique, Sword Qi Technique!]
Learned one second, mastered the next.
Witnessing this miraculous scene with their own eyes, not just the old Daoist, but even Lü Changning, who stood behind him, couldn't help but let his jaw drop.
You have to understand, the old Daoist had only obtained the Sword Qi Technique half a month ago. Even he, the disciple, hadn't learned it yet.
There was absolutely no way the Cultivation Technique could have been leaked.
But now, the child before them had not only replicated the Cultivation Technique perfectly after just a single glance, but he could even use it immediately!
'Is this something a f*cking normal person can do?'
Lü Changning was completely stupefied, standing frozen on the spot for a long while, unsure of what expression to even make.
The old Daoist was also profoundly shaken. He subconsciously forced an awkward smile and said, "I've traveled far and wide in my life and met many geniuses, but a Demon like you... this is truly the first time. Well now... that's a new one on me. A real eye-opener!"
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something, a nostalgic look on his face. "According to ancient records, several hundred years ago, the Central Plains Martial Arts World also had a golden age, teeming with talent and filled with heaven-blessed prodigies. But due to my own poor imagination, I could never truly fathom what a magnificent era that must have been..."
"But today, after meeting you, I feel as if I've transcended time and space to truly understand that golden age of martial prosperity recorded in the books!"
After muttering these sentiments to himself, the old Daoist reined in his emotions and said seriously, "Child, do you want to learn martial arts?"
Li Chang'an had gone to such great lengths to set the stage for this very moment. Naturally, there was no reason to refuse. He nodded at once. "Daoist, of course I want to learn martial arts. It's all I've ever dreamed of!"
"With such astonishing Martial Dao talent, if I could take you as a disciple, my life would reach Perfection..." The old Daoist's face was a mask of conflict, but in the end, he just sighed. "Unfortunately, I am currently entangled in troublesome matters and face the risk of utter ruin at any moment. It wouldn't be right to drag you into this!"
It was clear the old Daoist truly cherished Li Chang'an's talent, unable to let it go.
In fact, in all his years, the old Daoist had never felt such a strong desire to take someone as his disciple!
And yet, despite this, he still forced himself to quash the idea. One could only imagine what kind of trouble he was in to make him so cautious and low-key.
...