The establishment of the Celestial Dynasty began with the bestowal of the title upon the River God.

Two captains from the Beidajie Hundred Household Office, Li Yi, and a group of junior officers stayed up all night with Gongsun Ling.

After Yang Lin was buried on the seventh day after his death and the funeral was over, they all left.

Liu Zhi, Li Erhu, Guan Tian, ​​and others couldn't hold on any longer and went home to catch up on sleep; Li Yi and the two captains were still quite energetic and rushed back to the government office with Gongsun Ling.

Last night, Li Yi mentioned martial arts. Although Gongsun Ling didn't pursue the matter further, he followed her to the government office this morning. Gongsun Ling deduced that he had something to discuss, so she went to the tea room, sat down, and asked:

"Is there anything else, Brother Li?"

Li Yi seemed hesitant, but still made his decision and said:

"To be honest, sir, I recently discovered a technique in the Yin aspect of the head, which has the effect of awakening the mind and dispelling delusions. In addition, it also greatly enhances mental clarity. It is called 'Spiritual Clarity.' I wonder what kind of martial arts or Taoist techniques it can be exchanged for?"

Gongsun Lingcha was about to drink when she suddenly stopped, looked up and said, "A mental manipulation technique?"

Seeing Li Yi nod in affirmation, Gongsun Ling's eyes lit up.

"Spells related to mental consciousness are quite rare, mostly used by wood-element cultivators, and any one of them is priceless. Your 'Spiritual Clarity' is especially effective against illusions and bewitching spells, making it even more valuable!"

For some unknown reason, Gongsun Ling's excited mood suddenly dipped.

"There are some things I cannot tell you directly for the time being, but Brother Li, you'd better make preparations as soon as possible. Use 'Lingmingqing' to exchange for a superior martial art, and it would be best to also exchange for a wood-element Qi-gathering Dao technique."

In this way, when there are more spiritual sites in the future, the time spent absorbing Qi can be saved.

Li Yi gradually realized the importance of cultivating Taoist methods. At his current pace, if he relied on the "Essentials of Five Elements Qi Gathering", it wouldn't be long before he was trapped in cultivation all day long.

The path of cultivation is indeed fraught with difficulties. If Li Yi had not discovered the techniques in his spiritual cave, he would have wasted countless hours just searching for suitable methods.

Even worse, he couldn't get an exchange; he figured his cultivation path was nearing its end, and even if he cultivated until his lifespan ended, he might still be rated as "insignificant" on the Investiture of the Gods.

Although the pros and cons were clear, Li Yi still had some doubts and asked:

"From what I understand, sir, Ling Mingqing should be able to change his magic and martial arts technique, but..."

Gongsun Ling still remembered Li Yi's request from last night—not only for herself, but also to choose a suitable body-tempering method for Guan Tian—and smiled, saying:

"Let's first determine the value of Ling Mingqing, then we can discuss these other matters."

Li Yi suddenly remembered something else and asked, "Since Xiao Guan is a Windwalker cultivator, is the 'Essentials of the Five Elements Qi Gathering' still suitable?"

Gongsun Ling put down his teacup, stood up and said, "Although the 'Essentials of Five Elements Qi Gathering' is the most rudimentary Taoist method among soldiers, it is also the most universally applicable Taoist method, and it is still sufficient."

Li Yi was relieved. This way, Xiao Guan would still have time to accumulate military merits and exchange them for the magic method.

Judging from Gongsun Ling's words, war is imminent.

The strength of the soldiers of Sanyi Village should be improved as much as possible.

Whether testing magical skills or exchanging military merits, it all takes place in the prefectural governor's office.

Gongsun Ling led his men into the carriage and whispered:

"When a major crisis strikes, even if the garrison might back down, as the commander's daughter, I must lead from the front. Brother Li, serving under me, will inevitably face this crisis."

Li Yi's heart sank, but he did not show it on his face.

With incense burning daily and the wood energy shaping his body, his cultivation progressed rapidly. As long as he was careful, surviving should not be difficult.

Seeing his reaction, Gongsun Ling secretly praised him.

"At that time, I will help you avoid joining the ranks of the army and participate in the war as scouts. At that time, most of the area will be within the territory of Qin, which should be much more stable, and you will not be bothered by soldiers in the barracks all day long."

Li Yi immediately bowed his head and said, "Thank you, sir."

Gongsun Ling found it rather uninteresting. "Brother Li, after all this time of acquaintance, isn't that enough to earn your trust and make you call me Gongsun Ling?"

Li Yi looked embarrassed. "It's not good to call you by your full name, but it would be offensive to address you by your given name. I really don't know what to do."

The woman opposite him laughed heartily, her eyes darting around, "Then call me Big Sister!"

Li Yi was ultimately no match for his opponent and resignedly called out "Big Sister".

The carriage finally quieted down. One person was helpless, while the other was secretly pleased. They thought to themselves, "Sister Junyi, how will you address Ling'er after you return to the manor?"

……

The prefectural governor's residence covers an area of ​​100 acres, which is far from being large, but it has all the necessary facilities.

To the west of the government office is a four-story building, which is where one can detect magical techniques and exchange military merits.

When the two arrived at the destination and explained the situation, the official looked troubled.

"It's really unfortunate for you two, my lords. The last malevolent spell in the treasure mirror has not been replenished since it was used. I must inform the registrar and have it replenished as soon as possible."

Li Yi was greatly surprised. Now it seemed that mental magic was indeed rare, otherwise this official would not have been derelict in his duties until now.

Just then, a man came down from upstairs. He was wearing a wide-sleeved official robe with a bear emblem on his front.

Garrison commander, fifth rank.

"It's Commander Gongsun. Didn't you use up all your merits? Why are you here again?"

Gongsun Ling felt rather embarrassed and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "This humble official has come to exchange Daoist techniques for one of my subordinates—this is Li Yi, a wood-elemental body cultivator in the early stage of Qi Refining."

"Lord Commander, your mastery of the Heartfire technique is unparalleled. Would you be willing to serve as the examiner and test my magic, that of a mere flag officer, with your chaotic and mysterious arts?"

Meng Yunjie raised an eyebrow slightly, smiled, walked up to Li Yi, and threw a punch, saying, "Then let's try it."

Li Yi watched as the fist emitted clear, fiery energy, flowing like mercury across the ground, repeatedly dodging his obstacles before striking him in the chest.

When the fiery energy entered his body, he felt no burning sensation, but rather a surge of heat in his heart, causing all sorts of lewd images to flood his mind.

Li Yi immediately activated his magic, channeling his wood energy from his mind through his heart and liver, then back to his pupils, repeating this process until he gradually regained his clarity.

Meng Yunjie estimated the time and, seeing Li Yi slowly regaining his senses, praised him:

"That previous burst of fire energy was at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Li Xiaoqi was able to escape the illusion in less than five breaths. It is truly an excellent technique."

Five breaths...

Li Yi could only smile wryly. He wasn't quite proficient at using the Lingmingqing technique yet. If he had more time and more experience in combat, he might be able to shorten the time to within two breaths.

But so what? In a battle between body cultivators, a moment of carelessness can be fatal.

Fire-elemental cultivators, especially those who have discovered charm and mind-control techniques, are truly troublesome.

Meng Yunjie waited until Li Yi's eyes had fully regained their luster, and then said softly:

"I will try again with my initial cultivation level."

This time, Li Yi had the experience, and before the fire qi poured into his body, he began to use the Lingmingqing technique. In just a moment, he dispelled the influence of the fire qi.

A strange light flashed in Meng Yunjie's eyes, and he smiled faintly:

"According to convention, ordinary mental manipulation spells are worth twenty points of third-rank military merit. Your spell can work beyond its rank, but since its effect takes too long, how about setting it at thirty points?"

The clerk dared not object and immediately registered it.

Li Yi and Gongsun Ling watched the commander leave, and then they couldn't wait to get the list and start choosing the Wood Element martial arts and the Wind Element body-forging method.

Meng Yunjie left the government office directly, his mind still unsettled. He glanced sideways at the direction he had come from, his gaze complicated.

"He dispelled the effects of mid-level fire qi with a flip of his hand, and broke through the late-stage calamity god technique within five breaths... Who is that kid?"