The first step on the path of Cultivation
If Li Yun's talent could be described as heaven defying, then Qin Li's talent could only be defined with a single phrase, heaven destroying!
The stories of the future that would detail this generation of the Li clan would be told across countless realms. Their achievements becoming so famous that they were legendary.
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Year 8026 of the 3rd Era - Myriad Sword Pavilion
Five years had passed since Qin Li was born, the young boy still looked as precious as the jewels of the cosmos itself. His bearing appearing as if it would only continue growing as he aged.
There was an excited glint in this boy's eyes, a normal person may think that he was receiving a new toy, however the reason for Qin Li's excitement was far greater than such novelties.
Sat across from his son Qin Li, Li Jie could not help but chuckle at his son's excited expression.
"Li'er as we have discussed before, today is the day you will step onto the path of cultivation. You must remember my warnings about the dangers involved with every step of cultivation. Your talent is great but you must not allow this to impact your approach to cultivating." Li Jie warned his son solemnly, he knew the importance of Qin Li's future and he did not want his son to stray from the correct path.
"Father do not worry, I swear to approach cultivation seriously!" Qin Li replied as seriously as he could. He was still so small that this only made him appear cute though.
"Good, I trust you. Now Li'er do you remember what I have told you before regarding your path?" Li Jie nodded at his son before asking him this question one final time.
"I remember, Father has told me that I am the only core disciple of the Myriad Sword Pavilion." Qin Li responded to his father with the words that he had memorised.
"And what does being a core disciple of the Myriad Sword Pavilion mean?" Li Jie sat calmly, expecting his son to be able to answer every question.
"Being a core disciple means that I will have to develop my own main cultivation technique. The cultivation technique that I will start cultivating today can only be my supplementary technique and I cannot cultivate beyond the True Foundation Realm unless I first break through with my self created cultivation technique." Qin Li answered with the information his father had taught him previously.
"Correct, cultivation is split between your main cultivation manual and a supplementary manual. For example my main cultivation manual is the Flowing Heart Central Sword Manual whilst my supplementary manual is the Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual that was our Li Clan's original cultivation manual." Li Jie explained his cultivation to Qin Li diligently.
Qin Li's eyes darkened slightly at the sound of the Flowing Heart Central Sword Manual. He knew that, for some untold reason, he was the only member of the family that was not allowed to cultivate this manual.
"Li'er do not feel so down, although you cannot cultivate the manual it doesn't mean you cannot create a manual that is even greater than the current one. That is why the Myriad Sword Pavilion exists, to find a talent who can create a new independent cultivation manual that reaches immortality!" Li Jie comforted Qin Li by encouraging him.
Seeing his son change at the mention of the Flowing Heart Central Sword Manual, how could he not understand his feelings?
"I understand Father, I will create an even more powerful technique that will also allow me to become immortal" Qin Li's eyes regained their clarity and looked as though they would release light as his feelings changed to excitement.
To be a genius that reached immortality following his own path, Qin Li truly felt excited by this thought right now.
"Father do we start cultivating the Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual today?" Qin Li looked to his father in anticipation of the answer.
"Haha, look how excited you are! I almost forgot that there is one more decision for you to make today." Li Jie laughed at his son's impatience to begin.
"Father, please instruct me!" Qin Li began wiggling his toes unconsciously, he was truly excited to begin.
"Your supplementary technique does not have to be our Li clan's Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual, I have spoken to you maternal grandparents and they are happy for you to cultivate in the Qin clan's Dragon Monarch Manual. You must choose between these two manuals" Li Jie handed this choice over to Qin Li.
"The Qin dynasty cultivation techniques? Father, what are the differences between the two cultivation techniques?" Qin Li frowned as he heard his father inform him of the decision he needed to make.
He did not know much about his mother's cultivation as whenever he asked her she had simply stated that he should learn from his father.
"As you are aware, the Qin dynasty is a top tier force in the Central Sword Realm. The Dragon Monarch Manual reaches the peak of the Dao Immortal Realm, however it's power is great." Li Jie looked at his son frown slightly at the mention of its peak.
'Little brat you are actually looking down at an immortal ranked cultivation technique? Look how pretentious you are!' Li Jie chuckled at the reaction of his son.
"Father although this technique reaches immortality, it appears weaker than the Golden Crow Nine Suns manual that reaches the True Immortal Realm." Qin Li looked at his father inquisitively.
"Haha Li'er you are overlooking a major point. When cultivated to completion a practitioner of this is able to battle equally with a mid True Immortal Realm practitioner." Li Jie explained the strengths of the Dragon Monarch Manual.
This was truly impressive, for a cultivation technique in the immortal realm to allow one to fight above their realm was infamously rare. The Dragon Monarch Manual was one of only three manuals in the Central Sword Realm that allowed a cultivator to do this.
The only other two techniques were the Physical Sage Manual and, of course, the pinnacle Flowing Heart Central Sword Manual.
"The Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual does not allow you to fight above your realm once you have reached immortality. The only manual that you are able to cultivate that will allow this is your mother's clans cultivation technique." Li Jie could see his son swaying once he heard this.
Li Jie grinned childishly at Qin Li's current appearance. Qin Li looked as though he was suffering a dilemma.
In reality he truly was suffering a dilemma. 'How do I decide which manual to pick? I had planned on following after father and elder brother, now I'm stuck!' Qin Li sat in silence as he contemplated his options.
"Father, up until the immortal realms, is one manual specifically stronger?" Qin Li asked his father seriously.
He had just realised something, he had no cultivation technique that could reach immortality anyway! He had to create such a manual himself.
The immortal realm was something far off into the future, there was no guarantee he would transcend within a thousand years anyway.
"Hehe, so you finally noticed?" Li Jie laughed childishly at his son reading between the subtleties of the conversation.
"Indeed there is no guarantee you will reach immortality at all, your focus should be on your foundations in order to build the strongest future." Qin Li listened intently to his father speak.
"In the foundation realms the Golden Crow Nine Suns is slightly stronger, however after breaking into the Mortal Realms and indeed in the Dao Realms one Manual is clearly superior." Li Jie paused after seeing Qin Li be drawn into his words.
"Father stop teasing me, which manual is clearly superior?" Qin Li berated his father for toying with him
Li Jie roared with laughter at his son. "Hahaha, fine fine I will tell you. The manual that is clearly superior is the Dragon Monarch Manual!"
Li Jie's words echoed inside Qin Li's mind. Hearing this he only had more questions.
Qin Li looked to his father in confusion. "Why is the Dragon Monarch Manual clearly superior? Why didn't Mother inform me of this?"
Li Jie smiled as he explained to his son. "The reason it is superior is due to how balanced the manual is. The Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual will drastically increase your speed and provide devastating attack possibilities however it is weak in terms of strength and defense options."
"The Dragon Monarch Manual however provides slightly less speed, matches the attack possibilities and provides a huge boost to your physical body. Your attack, strength and defense will all be at their very peak for your realm. Even your speed will still be top tier for your realm." The description Li Jie provided made Qin Li's choice seem easy, however he was still unsure on one point.
Qin Li asked his father once more. "Why didn't mother inform me of this?"
"Your mother has her own reasons, however I would imagine it is because Yun'er is cultivating the Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual as his supplementary technique. Your mother probably feels that your should do so as well."
Looking at his father, Qin Li felt as though there were other reasons that his father wasn't telling him, but he also knew his father.
If his father had not stated his other reasons then no matter how many times he asked his father wouldn't answer.
Qin Li was very clear on this point. His father would only tell him what he needed to know.
Clearing his mind, Qin Li pondered over which cultivation technique to choose. His father had stated several benefits for the Dragon Monarch Manual, however he wasn't convinced that it was such an easy choice.
"Father, would there be any benefit in picking the Golden Crow Nine Suns Manual instead?"
"Hm, I suppose the one benefit would be cultivation speed, the Golden Crown Nine Suns Manual is included in the Myriad Sword Pavilion and so insights could be gathered from here more easily." Li Jie responded truthfully, this was honestly the only benefit he could think of.
"I understand, thank you for explaining. Father I have made my decision, I choose the Dragon Monarch Manual."
Qin Li looked at his father as he told him of his decision, he was slightly worried that his father would be disappointed with this.
His concern was in vain though, Li Jie smiled gently and tussled his hair. "Good choice, I also think you have made the correct decision."
"Father, are you able to teach me the Dragon Monarch Manual? Or do I need to find Mother?" Qin Li asked his father as he suddenly remembered that his father had never cultivated this technique.
"Your Father cannot teach you the manual, it seems I will be the one in charge of Li'er's cultivation." Suddenly appearing from behind, the beautiful Qin Mengruo appeared from thin air seemingly.
Qin Li had no idea his mother had even been close by. "Mother!" He called affectionately as he run to his mother's side and immediately obediently stood before her.
"Ruo'er you're slightly mistaken there, although you will be in charge of teaching Li'er how to cultivate according to the Dragon Monarch Manual, I will still be in charge of teaching Li'er how to cultivate sword and movement techniques." Li Jie, not willing to appear useless in front of his beloved son quickly corrected his treasured wife.
Normally there were no words that Qin Mengruo could ever say wrong in Li Jie's mind, however when it came to their two sons Li Jie was not willing to be outdone by the only woman he would ever love.